256: Luo Wang's information leaked

Jun Xiaoyao traced his fingertip across the crystal panel, where the two characters for 'The Net' were glowing with a cold light.

A secret report from Zhao Gao had just arrived, the handwriting revealing a hint of urgency—Mysterious Dust Master of the Xuantian Holy Land had actually allied with the Black Wind Stockade.

They intended to intercept the Beyond Heaven personnel at the black market trade fair in three days, with the target being the 'Thousand-Face Bead' just obtained from the Myriad Poison Grotto.

The 'Thousand-Face Bead' could alter one's appearance and was a priceless treasure for assassins; it was originally the payment for a mission The Net had just accepted, and according to the rules, it should have been personally escorted by the Marshal of the Unruly.

Yet, the information had leaked unexpectedly quickly. Jun Xiaoyao leaned on the cold jade couch, his gaze falling upon the runes of the summoning array; the light in the array's eye was brighter than yesterday, clearly having accumulated enough summoning points again.

1. New Summon: Weaponry Great Master

'Activate summoning,' he said softly to the panel.

The summoning array suddenly lit up with a blue-gray light, more restrained than the red light when General Zhao Yun descended, yet carrying a bone-chilling coldness. Faint, tearing sounds came from within the light.

Like countless silver needles piercing the air. A black shadow stepped out with silent footsteps, clad in a tight-fitting night-traveler suit, face covered with black cloth, revealing only a pair of piercing, bright eyes, with three venomous needles gripped between his fingertips.

[Summoning Successful]

[Character: Shangguan Jinhong]

[Origin: sentimental swordsman, ruthless sword world]

[Realm: Late Stage Great Grandmaster]

[Martial Skill/Cultivation Technique: 1. Dragon Phoenix Rings (Perfection) — Gold and silver twin rings, can be used for attack and defense, the ring shadows are like wheels, specializing in locking weapons. 2. Little Lis Flying Dagger (Minor Achievement) — Though not as good as Li Xunhuan, it can still hit the target from a hundred paces, never missing. 3. The Net Assassination Technique (Major Achievement) — Incorporates his own hidden weapon techniques, with superior aura concealment.]

[Loyalty: 85%]

'Subordinate Shangguan Jinhong greets the Young Lord.' He knelt on one knee, his voice kept extremely low, as if afraid to disturb something, 'I heard the Young Lord has a troublesome matter, I will certainly handle it properly.'

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly and pushed a portrait toward him—the painting showed the Black Wind Stockade Stockade Master 'Black Bear', with a face full of flesh and a mountain-splitting axe hanging from his waist. 'At the black market trade fair in three days, Black Bear will lead men to intercept the team escorting the Thousand-Face Bead; take ten Luowang Assassins, and leave no survivors.'

Shangguan Jinhong took the portrait, traced his fingertip across Black Bear's neck, and a cold light flashed in his eyes: 'Rest assured, Young Lord, I guarantee he will not see tomorrow's sun.'

2. Deployment of the Marshal of the Unruly

The Marshal of the Unruly stood in the shadows of The Net's main altar, watching his subordinates test the newly made crossbow bolts. These arrowheads were quenched in 'Bone-Melting Water', which seals the throat upon contact with blood and can dissolve flesh and bones in an instant. He wore black, hiding even his face under a bamboo hat, and only Zhao Gao could see the curve of his lips.

'The Unruly have been deployed on the roofs around the black market, with three hidden sentries in every corner.' Zhao Gao handed over a topographical map, marked with dense red dots in cinnabar, 'According to the Young Lord's intent, the escort team will deliberately leak the route to lure Black Bear into Nine-Bend Alley.'

The Marshal of the Unruly took the map and pointed his fingertip at the corner of Nine-Bend Alley: 'Here, place thirty crossbowmen.' His voice was hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing against wood, 'Have the men led by Shangguan Jinhong guard the end of the alley, attacking from the front and back.'

'Then the Thousand-Face Bead...' Zhao Gao hesitated for a moment, 'Do we really want to let them snatch it and then take it back?'

'The Young Lord said,' the Marshal of the Unruly raised his eyes, his gaze under the bamboo hat as sharp as a knife, 'to let both the Xuantian Holy Land and the Black Wind Stockade know that things belonging to The Net come with a price if stolen.' He paused and added, 'Bring the Shadow group over to watch Mysterious Dust Master; if he dares to come personally, proceed with the second plan.'

3. Black Market Storm

Three days later, the black market opened as scheduled.

As dusk fell, the streets were packed with people; the sounds of hawking and bargaining mixed with the scent of powder and alcohol, as lively as a market. But discerning eyes could tell that many 'stall owners' had vigilant gazes, their hands constantly resting on the weapons at their waists—everyone had heard that there was going to be a tough fight today.

The escort team was disguised as five Luowang Assassins pushing a common flatbed cart, covered with coarse cloth, with the Thousand-Face Bead hidden in a secret compartment at the bottom of the cart. They deliberately slowed their pace, wandering through the crowd like novices who couldn't find their way.

'They're here,' the lead assassin whispered.

From the shadows of the street corner, Black Bear led more than twenty subordinates out, all looking fierce and menacing, their mountain-splitting axes gleaming with cold light under the torches. 'Leave the goods, and I'll spare your lives!' Black Bear roared, slashing an axe at the flatbed cart. Amidst the splashing wood chips, the coarse cloth was split open, revealing the stones inside—it was empty!

'Damn, it's a trap!' Black Bear thought, turning to run, but heard the sound of bowstrings from the alley entrance. Immediately after, three of his subordinates fell, each with a poisoned crossbow bolt stuck in their forehead.

'Stockade Master Black Bear, don't be in such a rush to leave.' Shangguan Jinhong's voice came from the roof. He sat cross-legged, spinning the gold and silver twin rings in his hands, the rings reflecting the firelight, 'The Young Lord said that the way you snatch things looks just like a bear cub that hasn't been weaned.'

Black Bear was both shocked and angry, swinging his axe toward the roof: 'You're courting death!'

Shangguan Jinhong's figure flickered, drifting down like a leaf. The twin rings collided with the axe with a 'clang', and he used the momentum to drift back several feet, landing at the entrance of Nine-Bend Alley. 'Come on.' He beckoned with his fingers, the twin rings spinning rapidly in his palms.

Black Bear was red with rage and charged over with his men. As soon as they entered the alley, hot oil was suddenly poured down from the roofs on both sides, scalding his subordinates into screaming. Then, crossbow arrows fell like rain, and half of them fell in the blink of an eye. He realized then that there were high walls on both sides of the alley and nowhere to escape, so he had to bite the bullet and rush forward.

'Clang, clang, clang!' The gold and silver twin rings collided with the mountain-splitting axe, sparks flying everywhere. Shangguan Jinhong's movement technique was extremely fast, like dancing around Black Bear. The twin rings specifically sought out the gaps in the axe handle, and within a few rounds, the web between Black Bear's thumb and index finger was cracked, and the axe nearly slipped from his hand.

'Who the hell are you?' Black Bear roared, gasping for breath.

Shangguan Jinhong sneered, suddenly rising into the air. The twin rings flew out of his hands, drawing two arcs in the air, precisely locking Black Bear's wrists.

At the same time, footsteps came from the end of the alley. Ten Luowang Assassins blocked the retreat, each holding a short blade with cold eyes.

'Beyond Heaven, Shangguan Jinhong.' When he landed, he already had a Flying Dagger in his hand, pressing it against Black Bear's throat, 'Remember in your next life, don't touch things you shouldn't.'

4. Mysterious Dust Master's Probing

On the other side of the black market, Mysterious Dust Master stood on the second floor of a teahouse, looking at the firelight in Nine-Bend Alley, his fingers tapping on the railing. Elder Xuan Shui beside him whispered: 'Sect Master, Black Bear is afraid to have failed, should we let the Xuanbing Guards go up?'

Mysterious Dust Master shook his head, his gaze falling on an inconspicuous gray-clad person in the crowd—that was a member of the Shadow group, pretending to buy things while actually watching him closely. 'No need.' He picked up his teacup, the tea surface reflecting his sinister face, 'The Net's reaction is faster than I thought. Even Shangguan Jinhong has been dispatched. It seems Beyond Heaven has quite a few hidden people.'

'Then the Thousand-Face Bead...'

'Just a bead.' Mysterious Dust Master put down the teacup, a sneer curling his lips, 'What I want is to let Jun Xiaoyao know that my Xuantian Holy Land is not to be trifled with. Pass the order down, according to the original plan, go to Hundred Herbs Hall, Jishi Workshop tomorrow...' He listed a few names, all herbal shops that cooperated with The Net, 'Make them have an accident and catch fire.'

Elder Xuan Shui was stunned: 'Would that be too obvious?'

'That's exactly what I want—to be obvious.' A ruthless glint flashed in Mysterious Dust Master's eyes, 'I want to see if this Young Master of Tianwaitian dares to fight me head-on.'

5. Jun Xiaoyao Behind the Scenes

Inside the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, Jun Xiaoyao looked at the 'Task Completed' prompt on the crystal panel, and Shangguan Jinhong's loyalty rose to 88%. He traced his fingertip across the name 'Mysterious Dust Master', where a red warning light was flashing.

'Zhao Gao.'

'Your subordinate is here.' Zhao Gao stepped out from the shadows.

'Have the Marshal of the Unruly check the industries of the Xuantian Holy Land, especially those related to medicinal herbs.' Jun Xiaoyao said lightly, 'Since he wants to play, let's play bigger with him.'

Zhao Gao lowered his head and agreed. Just as he was about to retreat, he was called back.

'Tell Shangguan Jinhong to hang Black Bear's corpse at the entrance of the Black Wind Stockade, and write on the sign—The Price of Stealing.'

Jun Xiaoyao's voice had no ups and downs, but it carried a bone-chilling coldness, 'Let everyone see what the consequences are for touching things belonging to Beyond Heaven.'

On the crystal panel, the light of the three characters 'Beyond Heaven' became brighter, like a crouching beast finally revealing its sharp fangs.