340: New guests from outer space

Deep within the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, Jun Xiaoyao held a completely black token between his fingers. The character 'Luo' on the token was dark red, like congealed blood.

The water mirror before him reflected the scene of The Net's main headquarters—Zhao Gao stood in the shadows, listening to a subordinate report the recent assassination list, the bone ring on his finger lightly tapping the desk with his movements, producing a dull sound.

"Young Lord," Zhao Gao bowed slightly in the water mirror, "We have accepted the new 'profound iron token' mission from the Black Market. The target is the accountant of the Qingzhou City Lord's Manor.

It is said that he holds the ledger detailing the City Lord's embezzlement of military pay. The price offered is fifty thousand taels of gold, demanding his head within three days."

Jun Xiaoyao flicked his finger, and the black token landed on the jade plate, making a clear clinking sound.

"Have the Ying Squad take action," his voice was calm and steady. "Remind them that the ledger must be brought back intact, and the head... should be hung on the City Lord's Manor flagpole."

"Yes." Zhao Gao acknowledged and retreated. The water mirror screen switched, reflecting the summoning array in the center of the underground palace.

The spiritual energy at the core of the array had surged to 90%. Pale golden runes shuttled like swimming fish, and occasionally, tiny specks of light splashed out from the array, landing on the surrounding ice walls and instantly freezing into ice crystals.

[System Notification: Sufficient spiritual energy detected. Advanced Summoning can be performed. Current candidate list:]

[1. Wind Seeker (from the Feng Yun World, Realm: Middle Celestial Realm, Martial Skills: Wind God Leg, Six Ultimate Chills)]

[2. Bu Jingyun (from the Feng Yun World, Realm: Middle Celestial Realm, Martial Skills: Cloud-Discharging Palm, Sword Twenty-Two)]

[3. Li Xunhuan (from the Little Lis Flying Dagger World, Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm, Martial Skill: Little Lis Flying Dagger)]

Jun Xiaoyao's gaze swept over the list, his finger finally stopping on the name "Li Xunhuan." "He's the one."

As soon as his voice fell, the summoning array suddenly erupted in dazzling white light, and the runes spun frantically, forming a funnel-shaped vortex of light.

A clear, high-pitched cough came from the vortex, and immediately, a figure slowly solidified—dressed in a faded blue robe.

A wine gourd was tied around his waist, and he held an ordinary Flying Dagger in his hand. His face was gaunt, and his eyes held a hint of loneliness. It was precisely Li Xunhuan, whose "Little Lis Flying Dagger never misses its mark."

As soon as he landed, he covered his mouth and coughed softly a few times. When he looked up at Jun Xiaoyao, his eyes held no surprise, only a faint sense of detachment. "Your Excellency is the one who summoned me?"

[Character Panel: Li Xunhuan]

[Origin: Little Lis Flying Dagger World]

[Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skills: Little Lis Flying Dagger (Perfection), Traceless Step (Major Achievement)]

[Loyalty: 70%]

[Current Status: Slightly tipsy, mind stable]

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly: "Li the Third Flower, I have long admired your name. Please sit." He gestured toward a nearby stone stool. "I know you dislike conflict, but I have a matter I wish to entrust to you."

Li Xunhuan sat down, uncorked the stopper, and took a sip of wine. The liquid dripped down the corner of his mouth, but he paid it no mind. "Your Excellency should state the matter first. If it goes against the Dao, even if you possess heaven-defying means, Xunhuan can only offer my apologies."

"Rest assured," Jun Xiaoyao tapped his finger lightly, and the map of the Qingzhou City Lord's Manor appeared in the water mirror.

"The City Lord of Qingzhou has embezzled military pay, causing countless border soldiers to freeze or starve to death for lack of provisions over the winter. The Net has accepted the mission to take the life of his accountant, but I want more than just that."

He looked at Li Xunhuan, his gaze sharp: "I want you to deliver the ledger to the Ministry of War after the Ying Squad succeeds, making this City Lord pay the price. In terms of Dao, what does Li the Third Flower think of this matter?"

Li Xunhuan's hand, holding the wine gourd, paused. The loneliness in his eyes faded slightly, replaced by a trace of solemn righteousness. "If this matter is true, Xunhuan will not shirk the responsibility." He fastened the wine gourd back to his waist and stood up. "When do I leave?"

"Tonight, at the third watch." Jun Xiaoyao handed over a message talisman. "This is The Net's contact talisman; the Ying Squad will meet up with you then."

Li Xunhuan took the talisman paper. Just as his finger touched the surface, he heard a rapid sound of footsteps outside the underground palace. Zhao Gao's figure appeared at the entrance, his expression grave: "Young Lord, The Net's spy in Qingzhou sent word that the City Lord's Manor suddenly increased its guards. The leader is 'Iron Fist' Xiong Ba, who is said to have Advanced into the Grandmaster Realm, and his Mountain-Splitting Fist is incredibly overbearing."

Jun Xiaoyao's brow slightly twitched. Xiong Ba? He had an impression of this person. He had made quite a name for himself in the Jianghu a few years ago, then vanished, only to turn out to have pledged allegiance to the City Lord of Qingzhou.

"Can the Ying Squad handle him?"

Zhao Gao lowered his head and said: "The Ying Squad leader is at the Initial Heaven Human Realm, and dealing with Xiong Ba might be difficult..."

"I'll go." Li Xunhuan suddenly spoke, his voice calm yet carrying unquestionable certainty. "Although Xiong Ba's Mountain-Splitting Fist is fierce, my Flying Dagger specializes in breaking such hard techniques."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at him and slowly nodded: "Very well. Li the Third Flower, please be extra careful. If the situation is impossible, preserving your life is paramount."

Li Xunhuan said nothing more, merely waved his hand, and his figure disappeared into the tunnel entrance after a few swift movements, leaving behind only a faint scent of wine.

Zhao Gao watched his retreating figure and whispered, "Young Lord, isn't it too risky to let Li the Third Flower go alone? After all, he just arrived in this world and isn't familiar with the surrounding environment."

"It's fine." Jun Xiaoyao looked back at the water mirror, which had switched to a real-time view of the Qingzhou City Lord's Manor—Xiong Ba was patrolling the manor with guards. His physique was massive like an iron tower, and every step he took caused the ground to tremble slightly. Veins bulged on his fists, indicating extremely profound internal energy.

"Little Lis Flying Dagger never makes a mistake," Jun Xiaoyao said calmly. "Besides, I have a backup plan." He tapped the summoning array with his finger. The remaining spiritual energy in the array surged again. [System Notification: An Auxiliary Summon can be performed. Candidate: Flying (from the Little Lis Flying Dagger World, Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm, Martial Skill: Fast Sword)]

"Summon."

This time, the vortex of light was much weaker than before, and Flying's figure instantly materialized—dressed in black, slender, with eyes as sharp as a lone wolf. He held a well-used iron sword in his hand, the blade even having a few chips. After landing, he made no unnecessary movements, merely scanning his surroundings warily. Only when he saw Jun Xiaoyao did his gaze soften slightly.

[Character Panel: Flying]

[Origin: Little Lis Flying Dagger World]

[Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skills: Fast Sword (Major Achievement), Lone Shadow Step (Perfection)]

[Loyalty: 60%]

[Current Status: Wary, ready to fight at any time]

"Who are you?" Flying's voice was somewhat hoarse; he was clearly not verbose.

"I am Jun Xiaoyao," Jun Xiaoyao handed over another message talisman. "Go assist Li Xunhuan. He is at the Qingzhou City Lord's Manor tonight, at the third watch."

Flying took the talisman paper and said only one word: "Okay." He turned and left, his pace so fast he was almost a black shadow.

Zhao Gao watched the two figures vanish one after the other, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes: "Young Lord, this arrangement is certainly sound. With Li the Third Flower and Flying working together, even if Xiong Ba possesses heaven-shaking abilities, he won't fare well."

Jun Xiaoyao did not reply, only staring at the water mirror. In the mirror, Li Xunhuan had already sneaked into Qingzhou City under the cover of night. His steps were light and slow; the Traceless Step was executed to its extreme, and his figure, like a phantom, avoided the patrolling soldiers. The wine gourd at his waist swayed gently with his movements, yet made no sound at all.

As the third watch approached, outside the City Lord's Manor accountant's room, two guards were yawning and chatting. Suddenly, two black shadows flashed past, and the guards collapsed to the ground without even a grunt—they were members of the Ying Squad. The leader signaled that there was only the accountant inside the room.

Li Xunhuan nodded from the shadows, a Flying Dagger already gripped between his fingers. Just then, a loud roar came from afar: "Who goes there?!"

It was Xiong Ba's voice! It seemed he had detected the movement.

The accountant inside the room trembled in fright. Just as he was about to call for help, Li Xunhuan pushed the door open and entered. His Flying Dagger shot out like lightning, but instead of hitting the accountant, it pinned the ledger in front of him. The tail of the dagger was still trembling slightly. "Hand over the ledger, and I will spare your life."

How could the accountant dare to disobey? He hurriedly handed over several thick ledgers. The moment Li Xunhuan took the ledgers, a tremendous crash sounded outside the door; clearly, Xiong Ba had smashed open the courtyard gate.

"Little thief, don't run!" Xiong Ba's voice was deafening, and accompanied by the sound of tables and chairs shattering, he had already rushed outside the accountant's room.

Li Xunhuan handed the ledgers to the Ying Squad leader: "Take these away." He, himself, gripped the few remaining Flying Daggers and slowly walked out of the room.

Under the moonlight, Xiong Ba's figure blocked his path like a small mountain. He looked at Li Xunhuan, his eyes full of malice: "Daring to run wild in the City Lord's Manor, you seek death!" The Mountain-Splitting Fist smashed toward him with the sound of tearing wind. Before the fist wind even arrived, several fine cracks had already split the ground.

Li Xunhuan neither dodged nor avoided. Only when the fist was less than three feet from his face did he suddenly turn sideways, and the Flying Dagger shot out of his hand. The angle of this dagger was tricky, Flying directly against the fist wind, moving so fast it was reduced to a silver streak.

"Clang!" The Flying Dagger actually pinned itself onto Xiong Ba's gauntlet!

Xiong Ba sneered, "Your dagger isn't as hard as my fist!" Just as he was about to attack again, he suddenly let out a miserable cry—it turned out that Li Xunhuan's previous dagger was a feint. Another Flying Dagger had already shot out while his attention was diverted, hitting the nerve point in his knee.

At this moment, a black shadow leaped down from the roof, and sword light, like a bolt of silk, stabbed toward Xiong Ba's back—it was Flying! His Fast Sword coordinated perfectly with Li Xunhuan's Flying Dagger, one feint and one real, one distant and one near.

Xiong Ba was both shocked and enraged. He turned to block, but his movement was half a beat too slow due to his numb knee, and the sword blade sliced a deep, bone-visible wound across his shoulder. "Despicable!" he roared, trying to channel his Qi to suppress the injury, but Li Xunhuan had already closed in, his last Flying Dagger aiming straight for Xiong Ba's throat.

This dagger condensed Li Xunhuan's full power. The blade drew a faint red streak in the air—this was the true essence of "Little Lis Flying Dagger never misses its mark." Xiong Ba's pupils contracted sharply. He tried to dodge but was too late, only able to watch as the Flying Dagger plunged into his throat.

"Boom!" Xiong Ba's massive body crashed heavily to the ground, his eyes wide and round. Clearly, even in death, he couldn't believe he had been defeated so quickly.

Li Xunhuan looked at the corpse, sighed softly, turned to Flying, and said, "Let's go."

Flying nodded. The two figures quickly vanished into the night.

In front of the water mirror, Jun Xiaoyao watched the scene, his fingertip tapping the desk. Zhao Gao timely offered a cup of hot tea: "Young Lord, Li the Third Flower is indeed formidable. With Flying assisting him, the effort was halved, and the result doubled."

Jun Xiaoyao took the teacup, the steam blurring his features. "With the ledger delivered to the Ministry of War, the good days of the City Lord of Qingzhou are over."

He looked at the summoning array. Most of the spiritual energy within the array had been consumed, but the loyalty values had increased: Li Xunhuan's 70% became 75%, and Flying's 60% became 65%.

"It seems this move was the right one," he murmured, a deep light flashing in his eyes.

If Beyond Heaven wanted to establish itself on this continent, relying solely on The Net's assassinations was insufficient. It also needed people like Li Xunhuan, who possessed both strength and respected Dao, to earn Beyond Heaven some reputation.

The night deepened, but the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace remained brightly lit. Jun Xiaoyao knew this was only the beginning; more challenges awaited him, and the chess pieces in his hands would only increase.