Chapter 1, The Assassin

The person in the pavilion leaped out of the self-made enclosure, embraced the black qin, and shouted: "Why do you kill me?"

Wu Sheng's bamboo hat flew off his head, blocking in front of him, as the jade-green long sword fell into his hand, and he lunged towards his target.

The Tiger Kingdom has enjoyed a reign of seven hundred years, rising for sixty years, yet within a few months has fallen to this state, nearly facing annihilation by Chu. How can one not feel a sense of regret?

The doctor goes on a trip, and yet is so presumptuous!

As an assassin, it is better to die than to fail!

Wu Sheng opened the package, revealing a tender seedling entwined with green tendrils, exuding an enchanting fragrance; it was precisely the valuable item he needed to break through his current limitations

Wu Sheng paid no attention, placing the broken bamboo hat on his head, lightly tapping his toes, gliding over the autumn pond's emerald waters, and his figure vanished into the thicket on the opposite bank

The person behind, wearing a tall hat and a flowing robe, surveyed the surroundings, examining all the corpses both inside and outside the pavilion, frowning in silence

Doctor Chu Daifu Zhao Yuan entered the realm of refining the spirit last year

The fisherman lamented: "This general is destined to lose his country, do you not think of it? The heart is in mourning!"

One person took the double hooks into their hands and chased after them

It turns out that the true guard is behind the pavilion

Uncle and elder brother, their ears are filled with noise

Suddenly, a brilliant rainbow light appeared, and a pair of golden hooks flew from behind the pavilion, spinning like wheels, blocking the jade-green long sword. The clash of the hooks and sword resonated loudly, causing the bamboo pavilion to collapse with a thunderous sound

Yingdu, the abandoned White Dragon Pool in the garden

Walking through the streets and alleys, sword in hand, it did not take long to arrive

In the silent night, it is still the White Dragon Pool in the abandoned garden of the southern city, still within that desolate pavilion. Wu Sheng lies motionless on the ground, devoid of any breath

The jade-green sword, imbued with determination, pierced the target's heart, achieving its purpose with a single strike

Wu Sheng waved his finger lightly, tapping on the sword's brilliance. The sword body trembled and flew out seven or eight zhang away. The leader of the swordsmen spat blood, his body weak and feeble, collapsing to the ground

The guards immediately turned their gaze, drawing their long swords in readiness, and the leader halted them, saying: "Who are you?"

Wu Sheng did not hesitate at all, using his body to shield the sword, his momentum remaining undiminished.

The Golden Hook once again rides the light and approaches, aiming to strike down Wu Sheng.

The master of the Golden Hook possesses cultivation far superior to my own; if he were to appear, I would not be able to kill Zhao Yuan

The fisherman cupped his hands and threw up a scroll. Wu Sheng opened it and saw that the painting depicted a middle-aged man wrapped in a golden-yellow fox fur, exuding an air of wealth and nobility

Wu Sheng emerged from the forest and walked towards the bamboo pavilion

Wu Sheng said softly: "The one who listens to the qin."

Wu Sheng concealed himself among them, listening intently, when suddenly he heard the sound of a qin, its tone resonating like gold and stone

However, all of this had nothing to do with Wu Sheng; he was not a citizen of the Tiger Kingdom, but merely an assassin. He then asked, "Did Green Orchid bring it?"

Until the sky began to brighten, I suddenly opened my eyes and looked around.

The fisherman said: "Today I am playing the zither in the upper garden"

At the same time, the golden hook struck heavily on his back, and a profound force of true essence emanated from the hook, causing Wu Sheng's internal organs to suffer a severe blow

If it goes awry

He revealed this skill, and the fisherman's heart was somewhat reassured. Truly, he is the most renowned assassin near the Jing River. It seems that with such a precious task entrusted, it would not lead to disgraceful failure. Zhao Yuan is a key figure in the Chu state's main battle against the Tiger Clan. As long as he is dead, there may be a chance to turn the situation around

Wu Shengdao: "Only capable of killing, not of playing the lute"

Uncle and elder brother, there is no one to share with me

As Sun Jiezai, the city magistrate of Yingdu, held the significant responsibility of safeguarding the entire city, he promptly reported to the Chief Minister Qu Wan after sending the individual back to the minister's residence, and subsequently informed the sovereign. At the same time, he convened his subordinates and issued a maritime capture order.

Wu Sheng nodded and said, "Can I speak now?"

The sword is named Jade, measuring 3 feet and 2 inches in length, forged by the renowned master Ou Yezi of the State of Yue. It commands the five elements and controls the seven stars, allowing for effortless movement within a distance of 3 zhang.

Trivial and insignificant, a child of wandering

The fisherman said: "A single green pothos is indeed rare."

The person in the pavilion sighed, "What a pity"

Upon just crossing over, I discovered that I had caused a great disaster, and my cultivation was completely ruined

Is there any news regarding the particle?

A grand dream of a thousand years, all that has been experienced is but a fleeting illusion.

Soon, the master of the double hooks hurried back, clasped his hands and said: "Doctor, the assassin has escaped, I will first escort you back to your residence"

Wu Sheng shook his head slightly: "The ministers of a country, this was not mentioned before"

As soon as the words fell, Wu Sheng pointed forward, and the jade-green long sword soared up, shooting straight towards the bamboo pavilion

Within the garden, there are strange rocks and small bridges, cascading waterfalls and deep pools, lush grass and trees, and babbling streams, presenting a splendid scene

A ball of blue flame ignited in Wu Sheng's palm, turning the scroll into ashes. Just as he was about to set off, a fisherman on a bamboo raft shouted, "This man is the strategist of the magistrate Qu Wan. If he does not die today, the tiger shall not perish!"

Taking advantage of this momentum, Wu Sheng escaped into the woods

Amidst the exclamations, the guards rushed in from all directions, swords drawn, surrounding Wu Sheng.

After a moment of observation behind the tree, Wu understood clearly in his heart

What are you playing with

Wu Sheng said no more. As an assassin, having received the payment, he would only fulfill his obligation, asking simply: "Where is the person?"

With a sharp sound, the swordsman leader drew his sword and thrust it towards Wu Sheng. The sword light was swift, and even before the blade arrived, the chilling radiance had already reached him.

Wu Sheng spun around in place, the sound of clinking like water droplets on stone, causing more than ten long swords to break in succession, and the swordsmen fell to the ground

Wu Sheng continued to move forward

The fisherman took out a package from his bosom and threw it up: "The green orchid from the third peak of Xian Du Mountain"

When the fisherman arrived at the pavilion, Wu Sheng shook his head and said: "The sound of a fallen nation"

By evening, the nine gates of Yingdu were closed, and the guards were all dispatched to conduct a thorough search of the entire city

With a single strike, Wu Sheng was sent flying over ten zhang, and the sky was filled with a rain of blood

Sun Jiezi took out a long sword and a tattered bamboo hat, and reported: "I have obtained this item... According to my knowledge, this was used by the assassin Wu Sheng. Rest assured, my lord, we will surely find him."

In the pavilion, a person draped in a fox fur quilt was intently playing the guqin, surrounded by more than ten swordsmen guarding within a radius of five or six zhang

A fisherman wearing a bamboo hat is paddling a bamboo raft across the waves

The Upper Garden is located in the eastern part of the city and is a renowned destination for leisure among the people of the nation. Many noble officials frequently come here for banquets and recreation, and there is hardly anyone from the capital of Ying who is unaware of it

The autumn wind rustles, stirring ripples in the pond's water. Wu Sheng, dressed in a hemp robe and straw sandals, stands in the pavilion by the pond, his hand resting on the long sword. With a gentle flick of his fingers, he produces a sound akin to a sword's song

The swordsmen are merely at the Qi Refining stage, not a match for oneself, yet this person playing the zither bears a faint resemblance to the portrait, and should indeed be Zhao Yuan

With a whoosh, the two individuals flew in from a distance and landed at the scene

The person playing the guqin in the pavilion gazed at Wu Sheng, his cheeks twitching, and praised, "What excellent finger strength! Can you play the guqin?"

Who is this person

As an assassin, concealing one's form is merely a common affair. Before long, Wu Sheng followed the sound of the qin to arrive at a pavilion.

The one wearing the tall hat and broad sash nodded slightly, understanding that Sun Jiezai was merely concerned for his safety. As long as he returned to his residence, Sun could pursue the assailant with all his might. With his capabilities, he would certainly not allow the assassin to escape

Although Wu Sheng is not a native of Yingdu, he visited once a few years ago and is naturally familiar with the route. The army of the Chu state is currently surrounding Hufang, yet there is no trace of a murderous atmosphere in Yingdu; the city remains bustling with crowds and pedestrians.

Wu Sheng's expression was grave, with blood oozing from the corner of his mouth

The leader of the swordsmen said: "Noble one, cease your steps!"

Struggling to rise, he leaned against the pavilion column and let out a long sigh