105: Chapter 105 Assassination

Gao Feng turned a deaf ear to these provocations.

He simply walked calmly to an empty table, sat down, and poured himself a glass of wine.

His dismissive attitude caused the expressions of Liu Xuanfeng and Zhao Shentu to darken slightly.

At this moment, another figure caught Gao Feng's attention.

At a table in the corner, a young man with a posture as straight as a spear and eyes as sharp as a hawk was sitting alone, silently wiping his silver spear.

He seemed completely uninterested in the surrounding clamor and flattery, exuding an aloof aura that kept others at a distance.

This person was none other than the other favorite to win the title, the "thunderclap spear" Yue Changkong, who came from a fallen military Family in the prefecture city.

Seeming to sense Gao Feng's gaze, Yue Changkong also looked up; their eyes met in the air, as if invisible sparks were flashing between them.

At this moment, Zhao Shentu, who was at the main seat, could finally hold back no longer.

He slowly stood up, held his wine glass, walked step by step to Gao Feng, and said condescendingly:

"Top Scholar Gao, I hear your strength is very high?"

"However, the path of martial arts is not just about brute force. True experts rely on exquisite Martial Skills and an understanding of Concept."

"I wonder what Top Scholar Gao has to say about this?"

His words were polite, but the condescending, preachy tone was evident.

Everyone stopped their conversations, watching this scene with schadenfreude.

They all wanted to see how this barbarian from the North would handle the direct questioning from the chief Disciple of the Xuan Yue Sword Sect.

However, Gao Feng did not even glance at him.

He merely turned his gaze to Yue Changkong in the corner and spoke slowly, his voice not loud, yet it clearly spread throughout the entire hall.

"Brother Yue, your spear is a good spear."

"It's just a pity that you are sitting in the wrong place."

"A true tiger never associates with jackals."

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole room was in an uproar!

He actually compared Liu Xuanfeng and Zhao Shentu to jackals?!

"You're courting death!"

Zhao Shentu was furious, and the terrifying Sword Intent of a Fourth-order Peak expert erupted from his body; it looked like he was about to make a move!

Liu Xuanfeng's expression also instantly darkened as if it were about to drip water!

In the corner, Yue Changkong's hand, which was wiping the spear, also paused abruptly! He looked up and took a deep look at Gao Feng, his eyes filled with complex and indescribable emotions.

Facing this tense atmosphere, Gao Feng remained as calm and composed as ever.

He slowly stood up and drained the wine in his cup in one gulp.

"This wine is not bad."

"It's just a pity that it doesn't taste like anything when drunk."

After speaking, he ignored everyone else, took Big Fool and Wulu, and under the shocked, angry, and incredulous gazes of everyone, turned around and walked away!

Inside the Wangjiang Tower, there was a deathly silence.

Everyone was completely stunned by Gao Feng's boundless arrogance!

"Bang!" A crisp sound!

Zhao Shentu could no longer suppress the anger in his heart and crushed the glass wine cup in his hand into pieces!

"You brat! How dare you humiliate me!"

His handsome face became somewhat distorted due to extreme anger, and the sharp Sword Intent on his body made the surrounding air seem to be torn apart!

Liu Xuanfeng's expression was similarly as gloomy as water. He slowly stood up, his eyes flashing with a venomous light like a snake.

"What a good Gao Pan... What a good barbarian from the North..."

"Since you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, don't blame me, Liu, for being ruthless!"

He issued a cold order to a confidant beside him, using a voice that only the two of them could hear.

"Pass the order to the Blood Killing Hall: tonight, I want the head of that person called Yue Changkong to fall!"

"As for Gao Pan... let him live a few more days. When the Prefecture Examination begins, I want to personally grind him into meat paste, inch by inch, in the Black Forest!"

After leaving Wangjiang Tower, Gao Feng did not return directly to the inn.

He took Big Fool and Wulu and circled around the city seemingly aimlessly for a few times.

"My Lord, someone is following us." Wulu's voice was low and full of vigilance.

"I know," Gao Feng said indifferently, a playful arc curling at the corner of his mouth, "Following for so long, it's time to come out and meet."

After speaking, he turned abruptly and walked into a quiet, deserted alley.

At the end of the alley was a mottled wall; it was a dead end.

As soon as the three of them stood still, a figure appeared silently at the entrance of the alley.

It was a young scholar holding a feather fan, with a handsome face but a somewhat sickly pale complexion.

He looked at Gao Feng with a faint, approving smile on his face.

"Top Scholar Gao truly has keen perception. I am Yan Qingyun, greetings."

"The Master of the Heavenly Secret Tower?" A sharp light flashed in Gao Feng's eyes.

The smile on Yan Qingyun's face deepened: "It seems Top Scholar Gao is not completely ignorant of my Heavenly Secret Tower."

"Speak, what is your purpose in following me?" Gao Feng asked directly.

"Purpose?" Yan Qingyun shook the feather fan in his hand and said unhurriedly, "Top Scholar Gao, you offended the Liu Family and the Xuan Yue Sword Sect deeply at Wangjiang Tower today. Don't you want to know how they will deal with you next?"

"For example... information that is enough to save your life?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Feng's heart stirred.

He knew that an organization like the Heavenly Secret Tower that sold intelligence would never do a losing business.

"What's the price?"

"Straightforward!" Yan Qingyun clapped his hands and smiled, "I like doing business with smart people."

"One thousand taels of gold, and I will sell you two pieces of news. One about your enemy, and the other about your friend."

One thousand taels of gold! This was simply an exorbitant price!

Even Wulu couldn't help but frown.

However, Gao Feng didn't even blink, directly taking a stack of gold notes from his bosom and throwing them over.

"Speak."

Yan Qingyun took the gold notes and nodded with satisfaction.

"The first piece of news: the Liu Family has issued a kill order to their assassin organization, the [Blood Killing Hall]."

"However, their first target is not you."

Yan Qingyun's eyes became meaningful.

"It is that 'thunderclap spear', Yue Changkong, who also refuses to associate with them!"

"Killing the chicken to warn the monkey is their usual trick."

Hearing this news, Gao Feng's pupils suddenly shrank!

He instantly understood Liu Xuanfeng's vicious intentions!

Yue Changkong's Family had fallen, and he was alone; he was the softest persimmon to squeeze! Killing him would not only eliminate a competitor for the title but also deter all the other wavering Martial Artists!

What a ruthless method!

"What about the second piece of news?" Gao Feng asked.

"The second piece of news..." Yan Qingyun paused and said slowly, "'Willow Shade Alley' in the south of the city is the only way for Yue Changkong to return to his residence. The Blood Killing Hall should make their move at the third quarter of the Hai hour."

"That's all I have to say, goodbye."

After speaking, Yan Qingyun bowed to Gao Feng from a distance, turned around, and disappeared into the shadows at the alley entrance like a ghost.

The night was as deep as ink.

The cold wind swept up the fallen leaves on the ground, making a "rustling" sound, adding a bit of bleak killing atmosphere to this silent night.

South of the city, Willow Shade Alley.

This was a famous slum in Wangjiang City, with narrow alleys and low houses; it was sparsely populated during the day, and at night, it was like a ghost realm.

Yue Changkong walked in the alley with a heavy expression, holding his spear.

Of course he knew this road was not safe, but he had no choice.

His fallen Family only had this one dilapidated ancestral home left in the south of the city, and he had long since had no extra money to stay in an inn in the city.

Suddenly! His footsteps paused abruptly!

A cold, bone-chilling Killing Intent swept in from all directions like a tide!

"Swish! Swish! Swish!" Dozens of poison-tipped crossbow bolts, flickering with faint blue light, came down from the low roofs on both sides like a rainstorm, covering the sky and earth, blocking all his paths of retreat!

"Well come!" Yue Changkong roared, and the thunderclap spear in his hand instantly danced into a dense, airtight silver curtain of light!

"Clang! Clang! Clang!" A dense sound of metal clashing rang out! All the poison arrows were actually blocked by him!

However, before he could even catch his breath.

Several pitch-black figures swooped down from the roof silently like hunting falcons in the dark night!

In their hands were peculiarly shaped poisoned daggers, attacking from tricky angles, with every move being lethal!

They were none other than the elite assassins of the Blood Killing Hall!

Yue Changkong did not panic in the face of danger; he shook his long spear, like a dragon emerging from the sea, and instantly engaged in battle with those black shadows!

His spear technique was wide and open, incomparably fierce; every thrust of the spear carried a sharp whistling sound that tore through the air!

Puchi! An assassin's throat was pierced by his spear!

Puchi! Another assassin's chest was pierced through directly!

However, these assassins of the Blood Killing Hall were fearless of death!

Like maggots on the bone, they constantly used strange movement techniques to consume Yue Changkong's physical strength and Qi and blood!

Two fists are no match for four hands!

Soon, several wounds deep enough to see the bone were added to Yue Changkong's body! Blood stained his clothes red!

At this moment! A colder, more powerful aura suddenly appeared behind him!

It was the Hall Master of the Blood Killing Hall! A genuine Fourth-order Great Perfection expert!

Like a venomous snake, he thrust out a sword silently!

This sword was extremely fast! And extremely poisonous!

Yue Changkong was terrified; he wanted to defend, but it was already too late!

He could feel that the chill of death had already enveloped his whole body!

"Could it be that I, Yue Changkong, am going to die here today?!"

A trace of endless unwillingness flashed in his eyes!

"Ding—!" At the critical moment!

A crisp sound of metal clashing suddenly rang out behind Yue Changkong!

A more domineering and more violent figure had appeared behind him, no one knew when!

It was none other than Gao Feng!

The long spear in his hand arrived later but reached first, precisely pointing at the tip of the poisoned thin sword, steadily blocking it!

"Who is it?!" The Hall Master of the Blood Killing Hall was greatly shocked in his heart, and without thinking, he retreated!

At this moment, heavy footsteps also sounded at both ends of the alley simultaneously!

Big Fool's iron tower-like figure and Wulu's figure, filled with iron-blooded Evil Qi, blocked all paths of retreat, one in front and one behind!

The assassination trap set for Yue Changkong instantly turned into a counter-encirclement!

"Gao... Gao Pan?!"

Looking at that reliable back, which stood like a mountain, Yue Changkong's eyes were filled with unbelievable shock!

How could he be here?!

"Kill the enemies first, then we can talk."

Gao Feng did not turn around; he only said indifferently.

"Good!"

Yue Changkong suppressed the doubts in his heart, and a surge of heroic spirit rose from within his chest!

With his back against Gao Feng's, he pointed his long spear at the assassins, who had been caught completely off guard by this sudden turn of events!

"Kill!"

Following a cold, low shout from Gao Feng!

A more bloody and brutal street battle erupted instantly!

"Kill!"

Following a cold, low shout from Gao Feng, he and Yue Changkong, like two fierce tigers, charged ferociously into the group of assassins who were already caught off guard!

Gao Feng's spear technique was wide-open and sweeping, filled with the iron-blooded Evil Qi of a battlefield charge!

The ordinary iron spear in his hand, under the reinforcement of his terrifying strength, carried a horrific power capable of splitting mountains and breaking rocks with every swing!

Bang!

An assassin, along with his blade, was sent flying by a single sweep of his spear, crashing heavily into the wall, vomiting blood, his chest bones shattered!

Bang!

Another assassin attempted to sneak attack from the flank, but was struck by a backhand sweep of the spear's butt, his head exploding like a watermelon!

Yue Changkong's spear technique, however, was more exquisite and sharper!

The thunderclap spear in his hand was as fast as lightning, thrusting like a Dragon! Every thrust inevitably brought up a spray of miserable blood!

Puchi! Puchi!

In just a single breath, the throats of two assassins were pierced with pinpoint accuracy!

The two stood back-to-back, one focusing on offense, the other on defense, their coordination seamless!

It was as if this was not their first time fighting side-by-side, but that they were brothers-in-arms who had known each other for years!

At both ends of the alley, Big Fool and Wulu stood like two door gods, sealing off all paths of retreat.

Big Fool couldn't even be bothered to use a weapon; his iron fists, comparable to a Sharp Weapon, were the most terrifying weapons of slaughter! Any assassin who dared to charge his defensive line had only one fate—to be beaten into a pulp by his fists!

Wulu's blade technique was filled with the cruelty and directness of the Southern Wilderness battlefield; every strike targeted vital points, without a hint of hesitation!

This was no longer a battle between evenly matched opponents!

It was a complete and utter massacre!

The Hall Master of the Blood Killing Hall, that Fourth-Order Great Perfection expert, was already terrified to the core by the Hell-like scene before him!

He could not understand how a mere barbarian from the North could have gathered such a terrifying group of monsters around him?!

Looking at Gao Feng, who resembled a god of slaughter, he no longer had any Battle Intent left in his heart!

Run!

He must escape immediately!

He feinted a move, forced back Yue Changkong who was entangled with him, and turned to use his light-foot technique to escape this living Hell from the rooftops!

"Want to leave?"

Gao Feng's cold voice, like a death summons from the Grim Reaper, rang clearly in his ears.

"Did I say you could leave?"

Before the words had even faded, the iron spear in Gao Feng's hand had already left his grasp!

"Whoosh!"

At that moment, the ordinary iron spear seemed to transform into a bolt of black lightning piercing the heavens and earth, carrying an endless aura of death, instantly catching up to the figure of the Blood Killing Hall Master!

Puchi!

A dull sound of a Sharp Weapon entering flesh!

The Blood Killing Hall Master's body stiffened abruptly in mid-air!

He lowered his head with difficulty, looking at the cold spear tip that had pierced through his chest, his eyes filled with endless fear and unwillingness.

As the dignified master of the Blood Killing Hall, he actually couldn't even take a single strike from the opponent?!

"Bang!"

His corpse fell heavily to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust, bringing this bloody street battle to an end.

A thick smell of blood permeated the entire Liuyin Alley.

Under the moonlight, Gao Feng walked slowly to the side of the Blood Killing Hall Master's corpse and pulled out his iron spear.

He glanced at the fine cracks that had appeared on the spear's body and frowned slightly.

It seems that forging a new weapon must be done as soon as possible.

At this time, Yue Changkong also walked over.

He looked at Gao Feng, his eyes filled with complex emotions. There was gratitude, admiration, but more than that, an excitement of meeting a worthy opponent.

"Thank you," he said in a deep voice, his tone slightly hoarse.

"No need," Gao Feng said indifferently, "I saved you, but not entirely for your sake."

"Since the Liu Family and the Xuan Yue Sword Sect want to play, I will accompany them and play a good game."

"Your enemies are also my enemies."

Hearing this, Yue Changkong was silent for a moment.

Then, a genuine smile appeared on his aloof face.

He extended his hand.

"My name is Yue Changkong."

Gao Feng looked at his outstretched hand, then extended his own, gripping it tightly.

"Gao Pan."

Two hands, both covered in thick calluses, were tightly clasped together at this moment.

This represented the official birth of a powerful Alliance that was destined to shake the entire Hanyang Prefecture, and even the entire Great Qian Dynasty!

...

Meanwhile.

On the top floor of the Heavenly Secret Tower.

Yan Qingyun stood by the railing, quietly watching the faint trace of Killing Intent rising from the south of the city, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"A single spear has stirred up a storm across the city..."

"Gao Pan... you mighty Dragon crossing the river, just how big of a splash can you make in this Wangjiang City?"

"It's truly getting more and more interesting."

He picked up the wine glass on the table, toasted the moonlight from afar, as if celebrating the official opening of a good show.

But what he did not know was that he, the self-righteous "yellow bird," had already been brought into the sights of an even more terrifying "hunting hawk."

At the top of a clock tower hundreds of meters away from the Heavenly Secret Tower.

Gao Feng's figure stood there silently, like a ghost.

His gaze pierced through the heavy night, landing with pinpoint accuracy on Yan Qingyun.

In those eyes, deep as an abyss, flashed a cold light that seemed to see through everything.

"Friend? Enemy?"

"I hope you don't disappoint me..."

He whispered softly, his figure flashed, and he completely merged into the endless night, as if he had never appeared.

...

The next day, early morning.

On the massive martial arts arena outside Wangjiang City, voices were clamorous, and banners were fluttering.

All the Top Scholar of the Martial Examination who had passed the written test from the thirteen prefectures under Hanyang Prefecture, totaling over one hundred and thirty people, gathered here.

They were the cream of the crop of the young generation in the entire Hanyang Prefecture!

Each one of them had a composed aura, sharp eyes, and exuded a fierce air honed by long tempering.

However, among this group of heaven's favored, there were two groups that stood out, clearly distinct, attracting everyone's attention.

One group was the "Family and Sect Alliance," led by the Liu Family Young Lord Liu Xuanfeng and the Xuan Yue Sword Sect first Disciple Zhao Shentu. They were numerous, occupying almost half of the total, each dressed luxuriously, with arrogant expressions, looking at others with unmasked contempt and disdain.

The other group was a few figures who had quietly gathered around Gao Feng.

Gao Feng was still wearing a simple black martial outfit, his expression indifferent, as if he were indifferent to everything around him.

Beside him were Big Fool, who stood like an iron tower, and Wulu, whose Evil Qi was restrained.

Next to them was Yue Changkong, holding the thunderclap spear, exuding an aura of aloofness.

His injuries, with the help of the "special effect golden sore medicine" provided by Gao Feng, were no longer serious, though his face was still a bit pale, which only added a few parts of cold sharpness to his temperament.

At the back of the team followed a seemingly timid but actually sharp-eyed young scholar, Xu Changqing, and a young girl, Gong Qianxue, who carried a long bow and looked heroic.

This strangely assembled group, compared to the grand Alliance opposite, seemed so thin.

But for some reason, the solid, iron-blooded, and murderous aura emanating from them made anyone who dared to look them in the eye feel a jolt of heart-palpitating fear!

"Dong! Dong! Dong!"

Three dull drumbeats spread throughout the entire martial arts arena.

The originally noisy scene instantly quieted down.

On the command platform, a middle-aged man wearing the official uniform of a Prefecture Commandant, with a sinister face, slowly stood up.

He was none other than Wang Tong, the Prefecture Commandant who had long been bought by the Liu Family.

Wang Tong's hawk-like gaze slowly swept over all the examinees below, and finally, it rested on Gao Feng for a moment, without leaving a trace, as a flash of cold Killing Intent flickered in his eyes.

He cleared his throat and announced in a tone devoid of any emotion:

"The Prefecture Examination of this Martial Examination officially begins!"

"This year's rules are different from previous years."

"All of you will enter the Black Forest in the west of the city for a three-day 'Order Seizure Survival Battle'!"

"Each person will receive an initial points token. In the Black Forest, you can obtain points by hunting Yao Beast. First-order Yao Beast, one point. Second-order Yao Beast, ten points. Third-order Yao Beast, one hundred points. And so on."

"At the same time, you can also increase your points by... snatching tokens from other examinees."

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole arena was in an uproar!

Snatching tokens?!

Isn't this just encouraging the examinees to kill each other?!

Wang Tong seemed very satisfied with the reaction of the crowd; a cruel arc curled at the corner of his mouth as he continued:

"To increase the fun, we have also set up an elimination mechanism."

"From now on, every six hours, we will conduct a ranking based on the points on your tokens."

"In each ranking, the ten examinees with the lowest points will be directly eliminated!"