380: Famous in the black market

On the ice jade bed in the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, Jun Xiaoyao swiped his finger across the virtual panel, looking at the task list of The Net for the past three months, a faint smile curling on his lips.

Beside the dense names on the list, most were marked with the scarlet stamp of “Completed.” Only a few remained empty; those were targets of extremely high difficulty that even Luowang Assassins needed to treat with caution.

“Zhao Gao.” Jun Xiaoyao’s voice echoed in the spacious underground palace, carrying a metallic chill.

In the shadows, Zhao Gao bowed and stepped out, his black robes blending with the surrounding ice: “Young Master.”

“Any recent movement in the black market?” Jun Xiaoyao asked, his gaze still lingering on the panel, his finger pointing at a name called “Blood Hand Butcher”—this was an S-rank task target accepted by The Net.

It was said that this person was an Elder of the Southern Region’s Blood Saber Sect, a ruthless killer who held the core Secret Manual of the Blood Saber Sect, the “Blood Saber Scripture.”

Zhao Gao handed over a dossier: “Replying to Young Master, the Southern Region black market has recently been spreading rumors that Blood Hand Butcher has offered a million taels of gold as a reward for your head.”

Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow and finally moved his gaze from the panel to look at Zhao Gao: “Oh? He certainly has guts.”

“It is said that because our Luowang Assassins killed his prized Disciple, cutting off his Legacy,” Zhao Gao explained, “the entire Blood Saber Sect is clamoring to make Beyond Heaven pay the price.”

Jun Xiaoyao chuckled, the laughter sounding exceptionally crisp in the ice palace: “The price? With just them?” He tapped his finger on the panel to bring up the information on the Luowang Assassins.

“Send the ‘Shadow’ group to the Southern Region, bring back the head of Blood Hand Butcher, and by the way... ‘borrow’ that ‘Blood Saber Scripture’ as well.”

“Yes.” Zhao Gao received the order and was about to withdraw, but was called back by Jun Xiaoyao.

“Wait.” Jun Xiaoyao looked at the roster of The Net on the panel, his brows slightly furrowed.

“The Net has expanded too quickly recently, and the quality of the assassins is uneven. You should screen them properly. Dispose of those who are not up to the task; don’t let them tarnish the reputation of The Net.”

Zhao Gao bowed and replied: “Rest assured, Young Master, I will handle it immediately.”

After Zhao Gao withdrew, Jun Xiaoyao looked back at the virtual panel, his gaze falling on the three characters “The Unruly.”

This was a secret organization established by the Marshal of the Unruly, with members spread across the continent, responsible for gathering intelligence and spying, serving as the sharpest eyes and ears of Beyond Heaven.

[Character Panel: Marshal of the Unruly]

[Origin: “The Unruly” world]

[Realm: Land Immortal Realm]

[Martial Skill/Cultivation Technique: Tiangang Art, Huayang Needle Technique]

[Special Abilities: Disguise, Stealth, Intelligence Gathering]

[Loyalty: 95%]

Jun Xiaoyao swiped his finger across the Marshal of the Unruly’s panel, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. The ability of the Marshal of the Unruly was unquestionable; with him around, no movement on the continent could escape the eyes of Beyond Heaven.

“Marshal of the Unruly.” Jun Xiaoyao said to the air.

A moment later, a figure appeared silently in the center of the underground palace; it was none other than the Marshal of the Unruly.

He was dressed in black official robes, his face covered by a bamboo hat, revealing only the graying beard on his chin.

“Young Master.” The voice of the Marshal of the Unruly was hoarse, carrying the vicissitudes of time.

“What do you think about the Blood Saber Sect in the Southern Region?” Jun Xiaoyao asked.

The Marshal of the Unruly raised his head, the gaze under the bamboo hat as sharp as an eagle’s: “Although the Blood Saber Sect cannot be considered a top-tier Sect, their influence in the Southern Region is deeply rooted. Blood Hand Butcher has practiced the ‘Blood Saber Scripture’ to the seventh level, and his strength is comparable to a Late Stage Great Grandmaster. He is not easy to deal with.”

“Oh?” Jun Xiaoyao became interested, “Even you think he is difficult to deal with?”

“It is not a matter of strength,” the Marshal of the Unruly explained, “The Blood Saber Sect has close ties with several noble families in the Southern Region. If we act rashly, it may cause turmoil in the Southern Region, which would be detrimental to our black market business in Beyond Heaven.”

Jun Xiaoyao nodded, knowing that the Marshal of the Unruly was considering things comprehensively. The Foundation of Beyond Heaven was in the black market; if the stability of the black market were affected because of a Blood Hand Butcher, it would be a loss that outweighs the gains.

“Then in your opinion, what should be done?” Jun Xiaoyao asked.

The Marshal of the Unruly said: “We can borrow a knife to kill someone. The Hundred Flowers Valley in the Southern Region has long-standing grievances with the Blood Saber Sect. We can secretly leak the news that Blood Hand Butcher intends to harm the Hundred Flowers Valley, letting them fight each other, and we can reap the benefits of the fisherman.”

Jun Xiaoyao laughed: “This is a good idea. Do as you say. Let The Unruly spread the news, and do it covertly; don’t let anyone trace it back to us.”

“Yes.” The Marshal of the Unruly bowed and withdrew, his figure merging into the shadows again, as if he had never appeared.

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the empty underground palace, his fingers tapping lightly on the virtual panel.

He knew that if Beyond Heaven wanted to establish itself on the continent, it could not rely solely on the assassinations of The Net. It also needed planning, forbearance, and leveraging power.

He brought up the System panel and looked at the summoning points on it—after accumulating for these few months, the summoning points were enough to summon a new character.

[System Prompt: Do you want to perform a random summoning?]

Jun Xiaoyao chose “Yes” without hesitation.

The virtual panel shone brightly, and countless figures flickered in the light, finally settling on a Young Master in white holding an iron fan.

[Character Panel: Fragrant Bat]

[Origin: “Fragrant Bat Legend” world]

[Realm: Mid-stage Grandmaster]

[Martial Skill/Cultivation Technique: Finger Flicking Divine Skill, Treading Snow Without a Trace]

[Special Abilities: Thievery, Disguise, Extremely Keen Insight]

[Loyalty: ???]

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the Fragrant Bat’s panel, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He did not expect to summon such a character as Fragrant Bat.

This person was famous for his thievery, and his lightness skill was unparalleled in Jianghu. If he could be used for his own purposes, it would be of great benefit to the black market business of Beyond Heaven.

“Fragrant Bat.” Jun Xiaoyao spoke, his voice carrying a hint of scrutiny.

The Young Master in white cupped his hands at Jun Xiaoyao with a free-spirited smile: “I am Fragrant Bat, greetings to the Young Master.”

“Do you know who I am?” Jun Xiaoyao asked.

Fragrant Bat smiled and said: “Young Master of Tianwaitian, Jun Xiaoyao. Although few outsiders know of your existence, your name is like thunder in the black market.”

Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow: “It seems you know quite a bit.”

“I know a thing or two,” Fragrant Bat said, “I know that Beyond Heaven controls the largest black market network on the continent, I know that The Net is your assassin organization, and I know that The Unruly collects intelligence for you.”

“Then are you willing to work for me?” Jun Xiaoyao looked directly at Fragrant Bat, his gaze sharp.

Fragrant Bat laughed: “As long as the Young Master’s affairs do not violate morality, I am willing to serve.”

Jun Xiaoyao nodded with satisfaction: “Very good. I have a task for you. Go to the Hundred Flowers Valley in the Southern Region and give this to the Valley Master.”

He took a jade pendant from his bosom and handed it to Fragrant Bat, “Tell her that Blood Hand Butcher will do something unfavorable to the Hundred Flowers Valley recently, and this jade pendant can block one fatal attack.”

Fragrant Bat took the jade pendant, which felt warm and moist, and he knew it was definitely not an ordinary object. He cupped his hands at Jun Xiaoyao: “I take my leave.”

Before the words fell, his figure had disappeared from the spot, leaving only a faint scent of tulips.

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the direction where Fragrant Bat disappeared, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes. The Treading Snow Without a Trace lightness skill was indeed well-deserved of its reputation.

He brought up the virtual panel again and looked at the character list: Marshal of the Unruly (Land Immortal Realm), Zhao Gao (Late Grandmaster Realm), Fragrant Bat (Mid-stage Grandmaster), and dozens of Grandmaster-level assassins in The Net.

The strength of Beyond Heaven had already taken shape.

But this was not enough.

The continent was full of Imperial Dynasties and noble families, and the Holy Land and Sects were even more powerful. If Beyond Heaven wanted to truly rise, it needed more experts and more meticulous planning.

Jun Xiaoyao’s gaze fell on a name on the panel— “Blood Hand Butcher.” He tapped his finger and marked this name as “Priority Processing.”

“Blood Saber Sect...” Jun Xiaoyao whispered, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes, “Dare to offer a reward for my head, then be prepared to pay the price.”

He knew that Blood Hand Butcher was just a beginning. As Beyond Heaven rose, more and more forces would notice them, and more and more challenges would await them. But he was not afraid; the people of Beyond Heaven had never known what fear was.

Outside the underground palace, the wind and snow in Hanyue Valley continued. The Luowang Assassins were quietly leaving the valley, heading to all parts of the continent to carry out missions.

The secret agents of The Unruly were shuttling between major cities, collecting all kinds of intelligence; the figure of Fragrant Bat had already appeared under the sky of the Southern Region, flying in the direction of the Hundred Flowers Valley.

Beyond Heaven was like a net that was slowly tightening, silently enveloping the entire continent.

And Jun Xiaoyao was the controller of this net, sitting in the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, strategizing, controlling the life and death of countless people.

He looked at the task progress jumping on the virtual panel, a confident smile curling on his lips. The era belonging to Beyond Heaven was coming.

At this moment in the Southern Region, inside the main altar of the Blood Saber Sect, Blood Hand Butcher was stroking the blood saber in his hand, a bloodthirsty light flashing in his eyes.

He had just received news that his offer of a reward for Jun Xiaoyao’s head had spread throughout the Southern Region, and he believed that soon someone would bring Jun Xiaoyao’s head to him.

“Beyond Heaven? Jun Xiaoyao?” Blood Hand Butcher sneered, “Dare to kill my Disciple, I will definitely make you wish you were dead!”

He did not know that an invisible net had already been spread for him, and behind this net was an existence he could not afford to provoke.

The wind and snow in Hanyue Valley were getting heavier, as if to freeze the whole world. Jun Xiaoyao stood up, walked to the window of the underground palace, looked at the white expanse outside, and a firm light flashed in his eyes.

“Wait for it, this world.” Jun Xiaoyao whispered, his voice not loud, but carrying an unquestionable power, “Soon, you will know the power of Beyond Heaven.”

He turned back to the ice jade bed, brought up the virtual panel again, and began to plan the next step. The Southern Region was just the starting point; his goal was the entire continent.

In this world full of Imperial Dynasties, families, Holy Lands, and Sects, he wanted to establish an order belonging to Beyond Heaven, an order with him, Jun Xiaoyao, as the master.

And all this had just begun.

The Luowang Assassins had already infiltrated the Southern Region, the secret agents of The Unruly had already spread the news, and Fragrant Bat had already arrived at the Hundred Flowers Valley. A storm surrounding Blood Hand Butcher was quietly brewing.

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the name “Blood Hand Butcher” on the panel, a hint of expectation flashing in his eyes.

He wanted to see what kind of miserable state this Elder of the Blood Saber Sect would be in when facing the layout of Beyond Heaven.

“The good show is about to begin.” Jun Xiaoyao chuckled, tapped his finger lightly on the panel, and upgraded the task difficulty of Blood Hand Butcher from S-rank to SS-rank.

This meant that The Net would send its top assassins to ensure that Blood Hand Butcher would die without a burial place.

The wind and snow in Hanyue Valley seemed to feel this killing intent and became even more piercing.

And in this wind and snow, the flag of Beyond Heaven was quietly rising, preparing to welcome the coming storm of blood.