《Prelude: Abyssal Tribulation》


 Glossary

    <u>Glossary:</u>


    Nations, Kingdoms and Empires


    Taiyang Isles ¨C The Warrior Nation:


    <ul>


    <li>An island that holds a warrior like society. The island is well known for its fierceness, loyalty and most importantly: honor.</li>


    </ul>


    Tian Empire ¨C The Celestial Kingdom/Empire, also known as The Sacred Kingdom/Empire:


    <ul>


    <li>A large land ruled by multiple Kings and Queen, but united under a single Emperor. The Celestial Kingdom bolster a strong military and is home to many famous philosophy, art and warfare.</li>


    </ul>


    Frozen North Kingdom ¨C The Leng Kingdom, also known as The Cold Star Kingdom:


    <ul>


    <li>Frozen lands inhabited by the Lengs. Well known for its nearly impenetrable lands due to the frozen wastelands that surrounds the kingdoms. In the far northwest of the Leng Kingdom, a bridge like land that stretches into the sea and beyond the horizon is known as the Icy Bridge Mountains.</li>


    </ul>


    Oasis Republic:


    <ul>


    <li>A city formed on top of an oasis. Famous for not having a monarch since its formation. A decent military. The city is also known for its trading routes and mercenaries.</li>


    </ul>


    The Yingdu Kingdoms ¨C Mighty Land of the Giants, also known as The Golden Lands:


    <ul>


    <li>A large land split by many kingdoms and ruled by kings. Well known for its towering creatures that inhabits the wilds and gold productions.</li>


    </ul>


    Mad God¡¯s Realm ¨C Hell¡¯s Wastelands, also known as the Demon¡¯s Pathway:


    <ul>


    <li>A wasteland full of spirits and dreadful creatures. Once a beautiful and knowledgeable kingdom, an individual who was researching immortality became corrupted and proclaim himself a god. Shattering the wall between the living and the spiritual world the Great Spiritual War erupted.</li>


    </ul>


    Mao Yi Islands ¨C Merchant¡¯s Nation, also known as The Mao Yi Republic:


    <ul>


    <li>A trading republic that holds routes through the iceberg infested waters in the sea. The Mao Yi Republic are familiar with foreigners from the West and holds a formidable navy.</li>


    </ul>


    Significant Locations


    Icy Bridge Mountains ¨C Located in the northwest of the Frozen North Kingdom; a large strip of land that contains many frozen mountains, it is actually connected the Western continent.


    Gateway to Hell ¨C Located in the Mad God¡¯s Realm; a chasm that emits black mists and surrounded by many powerful demonic beasts.


    Death¡¯s Forest ¨C Located in the Taiyang Isles; a huge, eerie forest with nothing living inside. A popular place for rumored ghosts and suicides.


    Imperial Palace ¨C Located in the Tian Empire; the royal family of the emperor resides there.


    Ocean King¡¯s Walkway ¨C Located in the Snowy Sea near the Mao Yi Islands; a pathway cleared of icebergs and glaciers due to warm waterway by lavas at the bottom of the ocean.


    Long Tian Village ¨C Protagonists birth place and main story setting, located at the west of the Tian Empire. The Long Tian City is merely a mile from the Long Tian Village.


    Seas


    Snowy Sea ¨C Located southwest and infested with icebergs and glaciers.


    Oceana South Sea ¨C Located southeast of the Eastern continent.


    <u>Meridian Common Ranking System</u>: Practitioners of martial arts created a common ranking system to categorize practitioners. Below is a ranking from the lowest to the highest in terms of power. Each of the level holds six subcategory: Realm Low, Mid and Prime, the higher the realm is the stronger the practitioner is within that meridian stage. Once the practitioner makes a breakthrough the sixth level, the practitioner will rise a Rank starting at Low and repeating the cycle again.


    <ul>


    <li>Elementary Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Neophyte Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Medial Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Pundit Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Noble Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Regal Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Earthly Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Sky Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Spiritual Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Ancestral Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>True Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Divine Meridian Stage</li>


    </ul>


    <u>Exorcists Rankings</u>: Exorcists are individuals trained by the church, temple or any other religious organization that are tasks with dealing evil spirits and demons that roam the lands. An Exorcist¡¯s rankings can be combined with the Meridian Common Ranking System if they practiced martial arts. Unlike the Meridian Common Ranking System, the Exorcists ranking does not have subcategories and is quite simple.


    <ul>


    <li>Acolyte</li>


    <li>Exorcists</li>


    <li>Spiritual Warrior</li>


    <li>Spiritual Master</li>


    </ul>


    Groups and Organizations


    WatchGuard ¨C A local law enforcement organization controlled by the royal family in the Tian Empire. The enforcers are called Watchman(s) or Watchwoman(s).


    Assassination Market ¨C An underworld market and hangout for assassins. Assassination requests are commonly found in the Assassination Market along with the arms market. Ruled and enforced by powerful, unknown individuals.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Sky Cloud Syndicate ¨C Underworld Empire; controls the Assassination Market. The Syndicate¡¯s Council is made up of several leaders from various organizations.


    Abyssal Tribulation ¨C An assassination group formed by Aising Nightshade and Niiya Nightshade. There are only two members within the group.


    Tiger¡¯s Claw ¨C Elite enforcers from the Tian Empire¡¯s capital.


    Song Clan ¨C Powerful noble family


    Martial Arts Sects


    Red Earth Sect ¨C A famous martial art sect that specializes in teaching staff techniques. The Red Earth Sect specializes in creating medicines and skills related to blood sacrifice.


    Tian Wind Sect ¨C A large and famous martial art sect located deep in the Tian Empire¡¯s capital. Extremely famous for its flying and wind manipulation techniques.


    Shadow Abyss Sect ¨C A sect formed by Aising Nightshade and Niiya Nightshade; specializes in close quarter combat, endurance and killing. Most famous for its dark based manipulations; most specifically for their Guile Contour Soul Case technique. There are only two members within the group, but is taught by a master who is not entirely affiliated with the sect.


    Fireblade Sect ¨C A martial arts sect located in the Taiyang Isles. Well known for their proficient use of katana and fire manipulation.


    Mighty Greenwood Sect ¨C A minor sect in the Tian Empire.


    <u>Characters:</u>


    <ul>


    <li>Aising Nightshade ¨C A young girl born in the Long Tian Village, due to her birth as half Taiyang and half westerner, she was riddled and scorn by nearly everyone


    <ul>


    <li>Long black, silky hair</li>


    <li>Light brown eyes</li>


    <li>Fairy like (A term in the east to denote that an individual is extremely pretty)</li>


    <li>Tall; above average</li>


    <li>Mostly emotionless and gives almost everyone a death glare</li>


    <li>Agile, flexible, and fast</li>


    <li>Opened to Niiya</li>


    <li></li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    <li>Niiya Nightshade ¨C A young boy who is one year younger than Aising. Nameless and found wandering in a village destroyed in a skirmish, Aising brought the young boy back and named him Niiya. Similar to nii-san meaning brother in language of the Taiyang (Japanese).


    <ul>


    <li>A semi-large scar that comes down across his left eye</li>


    <li>Dark brown eyes, left eye holds a white pupil and the right eye holds no pupil</li>


    <li>Shorter than average, up to Aising¡¯s chin</li>


    <li>Black fair hair, silky. Often referred to as Incubus</li>


    <li>Cannot see very well, near blind</li>


    <li>See the world through sound, vibration, movement and heartbeats (But mostly uses his third eye to see the world).</li>


    <li>Mostly emotionless, like Aising, gives almost everyone a death glare</li>


    <li>Endurance, all-rounder and brutal</li>


    <li>Somewhat innocent personality and childish around Aising</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>Mao Xi Long ¨C An elderly monk that lives alone in a temple he built by him and the two protagonists. A former assassin that traveled through most of the eastern continent.


    <ul>


    <li>Shaved bald including facial hair</li>


    <li>Thin and fragile looking</li>


    <li>Relax and kind expression</li>


    <li>Extremely skilled in combat despite being elderly</li>


    <li>Master of Aising and Niiya</li>


    <li>Knows how to forge weapons and holds a forgery in his temple</li>


    <li>Typically wears a yellow and orange robe</li>


    <li>Holds a ambiguous morality</li>


    <li>Loves herbal tea</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>Alois Von Nightshade ¨C Aising¡¯s father. A westerner merchant and blacksmith.


    <ul>


    <li>Brown hair cut short</li>


    <li>Often wears a pale tunic with a brown vest</li>


    <li>Strong and a bit buff</li>


    <li>Kind hearted</li>


    <li>Hazel eyes</li>


    <li>Tall and buff</li>


    <li>Accounting</li>


    <li>Former Soldier (Shieldman)</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>Sayo Nightshade ¨C Aising¡¯s mother. From the Taiyang Isles, daughter of a merchant.


    <ul>


    <li>Mildly strict</li>


    <li>Long black hair</li>


    <li>Often wears a modify light red kimono</li>


    <li>Brown eyes</li>


    <li>Average height</li>


    <li>Knows swordplay</li>


    <li>Accounting</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>Elder Ming


    <ul>


    <li>Song Clan¡¯s Elder</li>


    <li>Flowing white hair and beard</li>


    <li>Kind and tolerant</li>


    <li>Spiritual Meridian Stage, Mid-Level</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>Elder Yaoxi


    <ul>


    <li>Song Clan¡¯s Elder</li>


    <li>Flowing white hair and beard</li>


    <li>Kind and tolerant</li>


    <li>Spiritual Meridian Stage, Low Level</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>Elder Yuan


    <ul>


    <li>Song Clan¡¯s Elder</li>


    <li>Short gray hair and shaved</li>


    <li>Brash and arrogant</li>


    <li>Buff</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>Captain Yiyun


    <ul>


    <li>Captain of the Song¡¯s Guard</li>


    <li>Shaved black hair and tall</li>


    <li>Earthly Meridian Stage, Mid-Level</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>Song Mingzi


    <ul>


    <li>Song Clan¡¯s young master</li>


    <li>Handsome, kind, lovable</li>


    <li>Intelligent and curious</li>


    <li>Long black hair tied into a ponytail</li>


    <li>18 years old</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li>Song Ming Xia


    <ul>


    <li>Song Clan¡¯s high ranked Alchemist</li>


    <li>Short black hair</li>


    <li>Middle aged</li>


    <li>Wears a black and yellow Alchemist uniform</li>


    </ul>


    </li>


    </ul>


    <u>Terminology:</u>


    Great Spiritual War ¨C A great war fought between the Mad God¡¯s Army and every individual that does not agree to the Mad God¡¯s philosophy and rule.


    Sun Down Battle ¨C A battle fought between the Taiyang Isle and the Yingdu Kingdoms


    <u>Martial Arts Moves:</u>


    <ul>


    <li>Guile Contour Soul Case ¨C Shadow Corpse Technique, leaves a realistic body behind that disappears within an hour or dissipated early by the user.</li>


    <li>Four Stride Demise ¨C Shadow Step/Flash Step, allows user to quickly escape at abnormal speed. Superior than normal mobility moves; allows user to go through walls if there is lack of light.</li>


    <li>Eldritch Viper Strike ¨C Launches a shadow dagger made out of Demonic Qi that restricts Qi flow on victims. One of Aising¡¯s trademark move.</li>


    <li>Celestial Destruction ¨C Destructive energy of the stars. Victims will be completely obliterated, physically and spiritually. Niiya¡¯s trademark move.</li>


    <li>A Thousand Weapons ¨C Materialize a violent storm of one thousand weapons made of Qi energy.</li>


    <li>Yellow Springs Wrath ¨C Orange Water formed by Demonic Qi; materializes souls that hinders and harms victims.</li>


    <li>Nefarious Buddha Palm ¨C Corrupted version of Harmonious Buddha Palm; the latter does no damage but restrains. Victims struck by Nefarious Buddha Palm will have their own strength turned against them. Causes internal energy to explode, engulfing and crippling the victim.</li>


    <li>Twilight Aspect Domain ¨C Users enter the shadow of reality. Allows visual of surrounding areas.</li>


    <li>Heaven¡¯s Downfall ¨C A downward upheaval of destructive energy</li>


    <li>Cosmic Mayhem Fist ¨C Multiple, unpredictable energy explosion per punch</li>


    <li>Cataclysmic Origin Finale ¨C Aising¡¯s Signature move. Destructive energy that locks onto any target by Aising¡¯s will. Victims will be annihilated leaving nothing but pitiful amounts of blood raining from above.</li>


    <li>Moonless Ruination Gyrate ¨C Niiya¡¯s Signature move. Causes absences of existence within any target by Niiya¡¯s will. Victims will be engulf in dark matter, dragging and corrupting nearby objects and creatures. ¡°Nothing will be left behind¡­¡±</li>


    </ul>

 Chapter 1

    ¡°White Devil! Come out you greedy merchant!¡±


    Outside the Nightshade¡¯s Mansion, a group of villagers and three Watchmen crowd around the front entrance like an angry mob in the middle of the day. Demanding Alois Von Nightshade to show himself.


    In the Tian Empire, the citizens look down upon merchants for their supposed greed and foreigners who brought barbaric influence. Alois, being both a foreigner and merchant doesn¡¯t make things easier.


    Unlike most foreign merchant, Alois was able to make a huge fortune thanks to his unique blacksmithing masterpiece and spice supply connection with other traders. Because of this, he was able to build a mansion in the Long Tian Village resulting in huge resentment and envy from everyone in the village.


    Fortunately, the Royal Family has acknowledge Alois work and service. The Royal Family decreed that Alois and his family is under their protection, discouraging violence against the Nightshade family from all villagers and nobles, but that still doesn¡¯t prevent them from causing trouble.


    Standing on top of the stairway in the Nightshade¡¯s Mansion, Aising Nightshade, the daughter of Alois and Sayo Nightshade sigh and glare at the bottom of the stairs. Born half foreigner from her father and half Taiyang from her mother, Aising was riddled with utmost hate from the villagers ever since she was young.


    Surprisingly tall and fairy like, Aising was prepared to go to temple where their master, Mao Xi Long was waiting. Pulling her silky black hair into a ponytail, Aising sweep the upper floors with her light brown eyes for Niiya. Her only friend.


    ¡°Niiyaaaaa¡­!¡±


    Aising called out while stretching his name¡¯s last syllable to denote her dimming patience, Niiya finally came tumbling out of her room, or their room to be exact. Desperately trying to untangle his sleeves that were somehow tied together.


    ¡°Are you serious? How does that even work?¡±


    Aising couldn¡¯t believe her eyes, somehow Niiya had folded his clothes with his long sleeves tied together! Is that even possible to do unintentionally?!


    ¡°I don¡¯t know! It was like this when I found it!¡±


    ¡°Right, I supposed I was the one who pranked you with tied up sleeves. Come over here¡­¡±


    Tugging on Niiya¡¯s shirt by the collar, Aising pulled Niiya close to her and begins to untie the knotted sleeves.


    ¡°Done.¡±


    ¡°Thank you~!¡±


    ¡°Hold up, let me check if your eyes are acting up again.¡±


    With both hands, Aising gripped Niiya¡¯s cheek and examines his eyes. A semi-large scar runs down his left eye, a scar that was given to him by her¡­


    What followed was an infection, causing his left eye¡¯s pupil to turn white while his right eye¡¯s pupil actually disappeared! Aising didn¡¯t actually know if he even had a right eye pupil to begin with, his dark brown eyes could easily mask his pupils¡­ Of course, the infection also left him slightly blind causing him to develop another sense of vision to make up for his loss of sight.


    Every now and then, his eye would act up causing him to bleed from his eyes. Aising never felt this much anger and regret before when it comes this topic.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±


    Ruffling Niiya¡¯s silky black hair.


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, Aising.¡±


    ¡°¡­ Come on, let¡¯s go. If I stay here any longer I might murder everybody outside.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Wait! We need to make sure if mom and dad can handle the crowd outside.¡±


    Walking down the stairs, Aising and Niiya listened the conversation between the WatchGuard and her father.


    ¡°May I ask what the reason is, for calling me out?¡±


    Aising¡¯s father, Alois is a tall buff man with short brown hair. Alois once volunteer as a soldier in his homeland back in the West, gaining a handful of knowledge on fighting and dealing with hostile people. Even after being discharge from the military and spent years as a blacksmith and merchant, he has yet to lose his touch.


    ¡°The villagers are accusing you of killing the Villager¡¯s Head, Liu Xiantian. They believe that you poisoned him last night due to his vendetta towards you.¡±


    The WatchGuard replied in a bored and disinterested way. Obliviously not caring.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid you have the wrong person.¡±Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Alois gazed at the crowd.


    ¡°I am not knowledgeable with poison, nor am I great at infiltrating.¡±


    ¡°Like we believe your words, White Devil.¡±


    ¡°You have the eyes of a killer!¡±


    ¡°I have the eyes of a soldier.¡± (Alois)


    Alois harden his eyes causing nearby villagers to back off. Alois is about a feet taller than most of the villagers; that and his muscular built puts him nearly above even the high ranking WatchGuard.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ Where are your children?¡±


    ¡°They are at the old monk¡¯s temple.¡±


    ¡°Tch!¡±


    The old monk that lives atop of the hill had built a temple by himself along with Aising and Niiya, which is extremely impressive. Seniors are well respected, therefore the villagers would not disturb the elderly monk since he had taken the two children in like a grandfather.


    The crowd begins to disperse. Once again the villagers tried to frame the Nightshade family for the misfortunes in the village.


    ¡°Bah, I swear those villagers make up some of the stupidest lie and assumption.¡± (Aising)


    ¡°Well you can¡¯t really blame them. We¡¯re better off in terms of wealth.¡± (Niiya)


    ¡°Whatever, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Aising and Niiya rushed towards windows which is open to their backyard. On their backyard is a huge peach tree that is several yards away. Aising jumped from the window and grabbed onto one of the peach tree¡¯s thick branch, followed by Niiya. They then climb down and ran towards the bushes that conceals them from the public eye.


    ¡°We should be called the Monkey Trope in the Assassination Market after all those years of acrobatics on that tree.¡± (Aising)


    ¡°But no one would take us seriously.¡± (Niiya)


    In the Assassination Market, Aising and Niiya has made a name for themselves; being infamously vicious and mysterious.


    Together, the two formed the Abyssal Tribulation.


    An assassination group (there are only two people within it really) who punishes those that the Heaven¡¯s cannot reach. Despite being in their teens, they already had a harden mind and emotional detachment when it comes to killing, making Aising and Niiya perfect part time assassins.


    Having been socially rejected to the extreme, the two of them had developed a jaded and cruel personality with no qualms of harming people, young and old.


    Their master, Mao Xi Long; the old monk who lives atop of the hills was actually a former assassin who had travel the world learning different fighting techniques and skills. This includes minor forms of blacksmithing like Aising¡¯s father.


    When they first met their master, he immediately saw that they had potential in learning all that he had gain during his past travels. Apparently, having a negative and somewhat nihilist view at a very young age makes them compatible with the fighting arts that he learned and created.


    Despite being old and having shun his violent past, he thought it was a huge shame to let all the knowledge he had accumulated be forgotten. Bestowing them a chance to defend themselves and lead a better life, Master Mao helped Niiya improve his secondary vision and even help him gain a third eye, or inner eye as some calls it.


    With his inner eye, Niiya can now navigate without needing to see. This also allows him to see things which others cannot normally see.


    ¡°Looks like old village head, Liu Xiantian finally kicked the bucket. The idiot actually used that lead cup to drink his tea.¡±


    ¡°Really? How do you know that?¡±


    ¡°Third eye~¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, hey what else can you do with that?¡±


    ¡°Err, I can pull people¡¯s mind a bit.¡±


    ¡°Pull?¡±


    The two came to a halt near their master¡¯s temple.


    ¡°I never knew that.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t-¡°


    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask, okay. But still¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, it was kinda new¡­ I can see their¡­ Soul? Conscious?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t explain it! It¡¯s the closest thing I can describe it! Anyway, I can tug on their mind a bit and mess with their sanity.¡±


    ¡°¡­ Remind me not to tick you off.¡±


    ¡°Since when do you tick me off?¡±


    ¡°Never mind, let¡¯s meet up with master.¡±


    Stone stairway lead up the hill and into a small moat that contain flowing water from a nearby river. Building an entire temple with the help of these two was impressive; seeing the size and beauty. Being able to dig a small river and adding stone stairs to the hill is a difficult and impressive feat for someone who did not study architecture.


    A small bridge made of wood and stone was created in order to cross the small moat without jumping over it. There is also a second reason why the small moat was dug: to prevent spirits and other undead creatures from crossing since most spirit cannot actually cross flowing waters.


    Running on the bridge and up the secondary stairs to the garden, their master was waiting for them.


    Not good.


    ¡°Ah, so you two are finally here.¡±


    Mao Li Long, whose age is around his 70s is a fragile looking man with shaved head and beard. Sporting an orange and yellow robe like a typical monk, one would find hard to imagine that this fragile looking man can lift up heavy stones with one hand and was once a former killer.


    ¡°Today, you two will be doing shadowboxing with these weights.¡±


    The old monk lifted up eight heavy looking rocks that have holes in the middle of each rock with a cloth inserted and tied together to form a disproportional armband.


    Aising paled. Even though this training method is made for endurance and stability, it doesn¡¯t help the fact that it is extremely strainful and exhausting. Especially when¡­


    ¡°You must do all thirty six shadow boxing stance slowly like how one would normally do.¡±


    ¡°With these weights on?!¡± (Niiya)


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    The old monk smiled and walked away to tend his flower garden.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Help me get these weights on¡­ I just lost the ability to grip¡­¡± (Aising)


    ¡­


    ¡°Worse¡­ Day¡­ Of¡­ My¡­ Life¡­¡± (Aising)


    After completing all thirty six shadow boxing stance, Aising and Niiya laid on the soft green grass. Completely exhausted and sore.


    ¡°My muscles¡­ Their dead¡­ I¡¯m gone¡­¡± (Niiya)


    ¡°I can¡­ Still¡­ Feel¡­ The weights¡­ On¡­ My¡­ Limbs¡­ While¡­ Lying¡­¡±


    Trying to perform shadowboxing smoothly without any quivering is exhausting. Doing it with heavy weights on their arms and legs is beyond misery.


    ¡°Hohoho! You have two days to recover. After two days, you will be restricted with more of those weights. They will also become belts, shoulder and knee pads. Train harder.¡±


    ¡°¡­ I¡¯m dead.¡± (Niiya)


    ¡°As for you Niiya, I want to talk to you about your third eye. It¡¯s been six years since you gain an inner eye, but recently you have the ability to influence your surroundings with it. While I do not have a third eye myself, I know several mental training that you can use to cultivate your understanding of it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m already tired from physical training¡­ I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll survive mental training.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense! Mental training is different than physical training. Besides, your sanity is almost nonexistence! You can lay there. Now close your eyes and focus on your inner eye.¡±


    ¡°I take offense to that sanity remark. I simply have a bland reaction to almost everything.¡±


    ¡°Focus.¡±


    Niiya groan and close his eyes.


    ¡°Good luck Niiya¡­¡± (Aising)


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right. Aising, you must expel those toxins from your body as well.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, your husband here will also be doing the same thing later.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±

 Chapter 2

    ¡°Almost there Niiya.¡±


    Aising sat across from Niiya watching him twitch every now and then.


    ¡°Once your grasp your heart, breathe normally and let those blood and oxygen circulate through your entire body¡­ Good. Now let the blood flow carry out the impurities and direct them into your stomach.¡±


    ¡°Urgh¡­¡±


    Niiya made a face like he just ate something extremely bitter.


    ¡°Hold it¡­ Now expel it!¡± (Mao)


    At that moment, Niiya vomit out black bile caused by impurities. Coughing, Niiya wiped his mouth with his fore arms and made a face.


    ¡°Good boy.¡± (Aising)


    Aising smiled. Having to cultivate both mental and physical strength is difficult enough, but having an inner eye takes mental concertation to the next level and pairing that with physical training is just the worse.


    ¡°Well done, you two. Now I hope you two remember these techniques, Impurities Expulsion also expels poison within your body, so keep these techniques in mind and to yourselves.


    ¡°Yes master.¡± (Aising and Niiya)


    ¡°Good. Off you go, have a safe trip home you two.¡±


    ¡°Thank you master.¡±


    Both Aising and Niiya bowed to their master before departing. Walking across the bridge and down the stairs, Niiya wobble a bit before being supported by Aising.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°A lot better, but still tired.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re taking a bath when we get back home.¡±


    They were in need of a bath.


    ¡°Kay~¡±


    As they stroll along the village path, the sun was setting past the far off mountains. At this time most villagers would retreat to their house as it was the ¡®Dusk of Night¡¯. Although Aising and Niiya did not fear the supernatural, they would rather not be associated with them in public due to their already suspicious nature.


    Hurrying home, Aising and Niiya ran towards the Nightshade¡¯s Mansion that was nested on top of a wide hill. Surrounded by bars of steel that had decorated tips at the top to prevent people from jumping over the tall fence, along with a uniquely built mansion. It¡¯s a foreign design in the Tian Empire due to Aising¡¯s father personal living preference.


    Passing their gates, Aising and Niiya use their Handprints on the mansion¡¯s door stone allowing them access. Of course there is also the key to opening the door, but they have no need of it with this type of entry.


    ¡°Mom, Dad, we¡¯re home!¡±


    Aising hollered out to her parents.


    ¡°Oh? Aising darling, how was today¡¯s training?¡±


    Aising¡¯s mother, Sayo Nightshade is from the Taiyang Isles, an island full of warriors and violence. Naturally, even Aising¡¯s kind loving mother can be vicious like a mother bear. Aising inherited her mother¡¯s silky black hair and small nose. She is consider pretty.


    ¡°Tough, doing shadow boxing with weights on your arms and legs is hell.¡±


    Aising love her parents, they were the only one who cared for her back when Niiya wasn¡¯t around.


    ¡°We also know how to expel impurities from our bodies.¡±


    Niiya chimed in while talking towards the kitchen looking for a small snack. Aising¡¯s mother reached out and wrap an arm around Niiya.


    ¡°Dinner is about to be ready. You two look like you could use a bath. When you¡¯re done, come down and eat dinner.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    Even though Niiya looks like a twin brother of Aising, he is not related to the Nightshade¡¯s by blood. Instead he was picked up by Aising in a nearby village when she ran away from home. Having found him with his decapitated head of his parents, Aising attacked Niiya out of fear causing the scar on his eyes.


    After finding out that he was mentally and emotionally abused, Aising took Niiya back to her home where her parents treated him like a son.


    ¡­


    Aising and Niiya was bathing in their large bathtub that was next to their room, a convenient location when they need to use the bathroom at night.


    ¡°What¡¯s it like having a third eye Niiya?¡±


    The two were enjoying the bath bare, skins touching each other. They didn¡¯t mind as they had taken countless of bath together since they first met.


    ¡°It¡¯s like having a layer of the world discarded and revealing things behind the scenes. Things that keeps the world in motion¡­ It¡¯s kinda hard to explain you know.¡±


    Passively, Niiya can rely on his third eye to navigate like any normal person. But because it is suspicious that a blind looking person can walk around like any normal person, Niiya acts like he is blind. Allowing Aising to guide him in public.


    ¡°When you said that the head elder died from lead poisoning by his own cup, how did it look like? If that¡¯s even a word to describe it.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Best way I can say¡­ It¡¯s like countless of fireflies taking shape of a person and reenacting the scene. It¡¯s hard to explain! Aising please!¡±


    Niiya was giving her puppy eyes. Aising could already grasp the gist of what Niiya described, so she decided to spare Niiya¡¯s inability to describe things.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll stop, but¡­ Not before I get to nibble on your neck!¡±


    Aising lunge at Niiya causing him to cry out.


    ¡°No! Please don¡¯t! It tickles!¡±


    Nibbling on Niiya¡¯s tender neck, neither Aising nor Niiya have any kind of fetish. It was merely a way Aising use to show her affection. Outside their bathroom, the two teenagers heard Aising¡¯s mother shout.


    ¡°Aising! Niiya! You two better not be taking a bath together!¡±


    Aising and Niiya looked at each other.


    ¡°Crap.¡±


    Niiya then ran out of the bathtub toward the towels.


    ¡­


    Sayo glared at the two huddle figures in the dining room, while Alois ignored the commotion.


    ¡°Dinner is served.¡±


    Sayo said with a cold tone, but quickly sighed and let go her cold facial expression. All Aising could do is look away from her mother¡¯s gaze. Niiya on the other hand look like he is daydreaming with a blank expression.


    ¡°Let¡¯s eat you two.¡±


    Alois motion at the food laid out on the table, beginning to cut the meat of a common timber wolf. The Nightshade can afford high quality meat and even rare meat from a low ranking Zealous Beast! But despite the benefits of eating Zealous Beast meat, Alois never really liked the concept of gaining power just by eating. Therefore they restore to hunting down the wolves who are frequently seen prowling around the forest for prey.


    Of course, they include vegetables along with rice since it is the most basic and common diet in the Tian Empire.


    ¡°Alois-kun, what seems to be the problem?¡±


    Sayo notice the expression that Alois is making. Somewhat anxious.


    ¡°Ah, tomorrow noon someone from the Song Clan will be visiting in request to create a weapon for one of the Song Clan¡¯s young master.¡±


    ¡°Why us?¡±


    Aising¡¯s mother frown. The reason why the Royal Family make requests for weapons from the Nightshades is because Alois have countless of experience when it comes to producing high quality and experimental weapons. Being able to make use of his blacksmith knowledge from many different culture allowed him to apply their concept and foundations to his weapons.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Something that other blacksmiths cannot match due to their isolation within the Tian Empire.


    ¡°The Song Clan¡¯s young master required a new weapon, but his choice of weapon is limited. In short, he needs a weapon that best suits him and does not provide him inconvenience when used. The Song Clan is a noble family and is close with the Royal Family, so the Royal Family recommended us for constructing a new weapon for him.¡±


    ¡°I see, shall we prepare for their arrival tonight?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I will see to it.¡±


    ¡°We will help!¡±


    Aising stood up, having finish her dinner and willing to help her father on an important matter. The Song Clan is a huge clan with a powerful influence, while Aising hoped that they won¡¯t be arrogant and dismissive of her parents work. Aising certainly want them to have a good view of their family and not some foreign stain in the Tian Empire.


    ¡°Oh no, you two will be resting. I heard what you guys did through training, you need some serious rest.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°You can help tomorrow. No worries, just take it easy. Okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes daddy.¡±


    Aising picked up her dishes and deposit them at the sink followed by Niiya who stand on his toes and lean on her to whisper something.


    ¡°Are we going to the Assassination Market tonight? We can compete a few requests and grab good materials to help your mother and father for tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be tiring, but I think we can take it easy if we pick an easier request¡­¡±


    Playfully shoving Niiya, the two teenagers left the room for upstairs to practice on their cultivation technique that their master taught them.


    ¡­


    In the middle of the night, two figure arose from the king size bed. Aising and Niiya prepared to depart to the Assassination Market.


    ¡°Ready?¡± (Aising)


    ¡°Ready.¡± (Niiya)


    The two pulled out their dark blue clothing and mask from their transparent storage ring. Storage rings are extremely rare in this time of age. Before the Great Spiritual War that was about two hundred years ago, the knowledge of creating storage rings was common among craftsman who specializes in creating these kind of things.


    Now, the knowledge of creating storage rings are forgotten. Well¡­ Not entirely¡­ The transparent storage rings are nearly unnoticeable and created by Aising and Niiya with the aid of their master who provided them a special, small clear crystal. Taking only three weeks to create a bubble dimension to infuse into the crystal before breaking it down into a ring.


    According to their master, in the Mad God¡¯s Realm; a ruined land that used to be a knowledgeable kingdom, there are remnants of secrets containing many things including the method of creating storage rings. However, the method is partly destroyed and therefore the capacity of the storage ring is greatly reduced. Nonetheless, their storage ring is big enough to contain their assassination gear.


    Dark blue thick clothes with a hood and several variant of masks. Their assassination gear includes boots gloves and utility belts, along with a handful of small daggers and wires.


    Dressed up, the two left their household by a window in Aising¡¯s room. Landing softy on the grass below, they quickly run towards the bushes and head towards the North of the Long Tian Village, where the numbers of large buildings and underground rooms make the northern village a small town.


    Along the way, the two assassins stopped on one of the large stone lit by a normal flame. Aising motion Niiya towards the ground near the lamppost. With swift movement Niiya sink one of his daggers into the ground, while Aising pry at one of the cracks on the lamppost causing it to slide and reveal a secret compartment.


    Inside the compartment lays several weapons and navigation tools.


    ¡°Since we¡¯ll be taking it easy tonight, we can take those bandits subjugation requests.¡±


    Taking out a weapon call a kukri, the odd looking sword was actually modify near the tip to act as a mixture of axe and sword. A perfect tool for cutting through someone¡¯s spine and even beheading them.


    Niiya chose a Jian sword from their armory and signal that this is all that he need.


    ¡°This is all that I need for now, if things comes down I can use my trench knife.¡±


    Niiya¡¯s trench knife, a vicious looking yet simple weapon that is a series of brass knuckles and knife combine together. With a semi-rounded spike at the other end of the brass knuckles that can dent armor. The knife looked like a spiny creature with all those pointy parts on the brass knuckles itself.


    Aising would hate to be the receiving end of Niiya¡¯s trench knife.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡­


    In a dark alley way, an unlit doorway on the side of a tavern that leads to one of the Assassination Marketplace is open. Aising and Niiya walked down the wide stairway, descending into the dark. Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs and making a left turn, they finally spotted slightly closed door with a dim light.


    Pushing the door open, the two assassin are greeted by an enormous lit room. Despite the tavern above being many times smaller than this, the room is like underground palace.


    There are multiple tunnels on both side of the underground room leading to nearby villages and towns.


    Near the back of the room past all the tables and chairs is the Assassination Official Servicer. Standing behind a pub like table, the servicer is a man in his fifties with short black hair. Wearing a gray uniform, the most noticeable part of his uniform is a glowing badge with a dagger symbol pointed down. The mark of an Assassination Official Servicer.


    Making their way to the servicer, the man took notice of the two familiar cloth figures and composed himself as the stood in front of him.


    ¡°Your Association Badge please.¡±


    In order to take request in the Assassination Market, one must prove themselves in one of the three trials in order to obtain an Association Badge. Once they pass and have receive permission to operate in the Assassination Market the assassins are issued badges and recorded in their database.


    Once they are registered, the individuals can create guilds or groups after several distinguishable service. Creating a group can yield many rewards and allows the group to participate in requests that are not normally allow for your average assassin.


    The main reason behind the creation of the Assassination Market is purely economic reasons, as such; the market place is somewhat confusing for veteran assassins just entering the Assassination Market. They often question the logic of restricting certain requests.


    ¡°Shikiru and Shedo from the Abyssal Tribulation. Welcome back. How may I be of service?¡±


    After checking their badge and confirming their identities, the servicer bow to the two mysteriously mask figures. The Abyssal Tribulation is a group that is infamous for its illusionary deception and mysterious abilities, allowing them to fight and kill all sorts of opponents.


    ¡°Subjugation of bandits in the northern region is all that we will be doing today.¡±


    The tall one, Shikiru speaks with a neutral and genderless tone. Cold and blunt, this assassin is famously well known for its speed and agility.


    ¡°Very well. Pardon my interruption, but there is a special request for the death of Bandit Lord Moyi. The bounty is quite decent: 20 gold and 45 silver.¡±


    ¡°¡­ Bandit Lord Moyi¡­ We accept the request. Please calculate the total earnings if we were to successfully eliminate the bandits under Bandit Lord Moyi command.¡± (Aising/Shikiru)


    The servicer took at several pieces of request paper and begins to write down the bounty reward in quick succession.


    ¡°The total earning you would receive upon fulfilling the request of assassinating Bandit Lord Moyi and fulfilling the minimum requirements of bandits¡¯ subjugation is around 21 gold and 5 silvers. More or less.¡±


    1 gold is equal to 100 silvers, 1 silver is equal to 100 bronze. The average family makes about 8 gold a month. Because the Tian Empire is financially well, the citizens living style has also increase drastically.


    One bandit is around 5 silver, from 20 gold and 45 silver to 21 gold and 5 silver means that one must kill around 12 bandits. Which is also the minimum when it comes to taking these requests. Any lower will not result in any reward, but the assassin can still keep the request until he reaches the minimum, then they can receive their reward.


    An average Bandit Lord is often around 85 silver. For a Bandit Lord to accumulate a bounty of 20 gold is like saying a carp becoming a dragon!


    ¡°May we ask, why is the bounty on this Bandit Lord high?¡± (Niiya/Shedo)


    The short one, Shedo is well known to be a silent individual who would only ask questions and always address himself as ¡®we¡¯ instead of ¡®I¡¯.


    ¡°Yes, this Bandit Lord has practice and strive in martial arts. Cultivating his level to the mid stages in the Noble Meridian Stage.¡±


    In the eastern continent where martial arts holds huge significant till the point where the ability to wield Qi becomes blur with people with magical powers. Because of this, some martial art union or something created a Meridian Common Ranking System with 12 power stages:


    <ol>


    <li>Elementary Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Neophyte Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Medial Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Pundit Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Noble Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Regal Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Earthly Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Sky Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Spiritual Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Ancestral Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>True Meridian Stage</li>


    <li>Divine Meridian Stage</li>


    </ol>


    Inside each stage is a subcategory that shows a practitioner¡¯s strength in that stage. These levels, realms or stages are split into three levels. Once the practitioner surpasses the third level, the practitioner will then move up a stage and repeat the cycle again.


    ¡°Mid stages in the Noble Meridian Stage. Hmm, that is not much, but impressive for a bandit¡­¡± (Aising/Shikiru)


    The servicer mouth ¡°Not much?¡± in shock. A Bandit Lord who is constantly in danger of being killed by other bandits manage to cultivate and train to the first level of Noble Meridian Stage!


    Common and above average bandits are able to train to the peak of a Neophyte Meridian Stage. Any bandit above that like a Medial Meridian Stage is consider a Village Destroyer, any level higher than that is consider a WatchGuard Bane!


    Aising and Niiya themselves are in the prime realm of the Regal Meridian Stage. If this was publicly known, they would be consider geniuses and talented as countless of practitioners at their age at most could reach the peak of Noble Meridian Stage or low level in the Regal Meridian Stage.


    But what sets those two apart from others is that they could easily kill those who are three stages above them without issues thanks to their stealth techniques!


    As for the reason to why the servicer brought up Bandit Lord Moyi¡¯s bounty; it¡¯s simply because the servicer believe that with Shikiru famous speed; Shikiru can kill Moyi before he could even react. But the servicer never expected that Shikiru would be actually stronger than Moyi!


    Clearing his mind, the servicer resume his professional look and clear his throat.


    ¡°Currently, we do not have any intel on where Bandit Lord Moyi is. But we suspect that he is currently hiding in the northern region where the former bandit group Forest Raider use to reside. If you do not encounter him, then please let us know.¡±


    ¡°Very well. We will take our leave.¡±


    Shikiru turned around with Shedo behind.


    ¡°Good luck you two.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Is this the Forest Raider¡¯s stronghold?¡±


    Aising asked Niiya via Qi Transmission, a simple technique where nobody would be able to hear what they are saying unless it is directed to them. Niiya nodded having check with his inner eye.


    ¡°Bandit Lord Moyi is here¡­ In the middle floor of their stronghold.¡± (Niiya)


    The Forest Raider¡¯s stronghold is a large religious building that was converted to a bandit¡¯s stronghold. The stronghold use to belong to the Forest Raiders, but according to rumors. Bandit Lord Moyi massacre all of the raiders and took their stronghold as a secondary base.


    ¡°How many bandits?¡±


    ¡°¡­ Around 73 bandits including Moyi.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ 73 multiply by 5 is¡­ 365 silver¡­ Makes it around 3 gold and 65 silver? Plus Moyi¡¯s bounty¡­ Ugh, hard to do calculation without paper¡­¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, the servicers will somehow know the real amount we kill.¡±


    ¡°True¡­¡±


    An odd and unsettling abilities of the Assassination Official Servicers is their ability to know who you kill and their bounty. Rumors circulate that the servicers undertake a painful ritual to have a linked mind with some mystic archive that allows them to determine who you kill and the amount just by looking at you.


    Aising on the other hand suspect it had something to do with the servicers¡¯ glowing badge.


    ¡°Time for something exciting¡­¡±


    Killing bandits is like breaking twigs to Aising and Niiya.

 Chapter 3

    ¡°Are the wires laced with acid?¡±


    Niiya nodded while attaching the metallic wires to the hallways at neck height. Handling the wires carefully like one would do when cleaning and sharpening the edge of sharp blade. Niiya¡¯s glove protected him from the acid and cutting edge of the wire.


    ¡°Yes, all of them are lace. We just need to make sure we don¡¯t walk into our own trap now.¡±


    After disposing stray bandits who were near the edge of the forest and several drunks, they made their way into the lower floor hallway and begin setting their wire traps.


    It seems that the bandits outside are out there as a human alarms rather than a proper patrol. There is even a small banquet out there with tables and chairs.


    Originally, they plan on infiltrating the stronghold and kill Bandit Lord Moyi before killing everybody. However, Niiya was able to locate Moyi in the second floor along with several other Bandit Lords who had locked themselves in a metal room that was safeguarding something.


    Something that is emitting powerful and chaotic energy. Similar to what Zealous Beasts would emit, therefore Aising decided that it is best to deal with all the lowly bandits and if they have a chance, deal with Moyi and his officers. If there is a Zealous Beast kept in captivity, then it would be unwise to break in and fight Moyi along with every single bandit nearby. They¡¯ll be outnumber along with facing an unknown danger that might easily kill them.


    ¡°Let us begin.¡±


    Aising swiftly move into a nearby room startling two bandits who were playing cards. Before they could even move a muscle, Aising brought her kukri into the spine of one bandit and slice the other bandit¡¯s throat with a short sword.


    The two bandits slumped to the side falling over, alerting all the other bandits in the room.


    ¡°Intruders!¡±


    Roared one of them, another threw a knife at a gong causing an echoing ring throughout the entire stronghold.


    ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there! Kill him!¡±


    A nearby bandit threw a knife at Aising, which was returned to him in-between the eyes in a blink of an eye.


    ¡°What?!¡±


    ¡°Is this even- Gah!¡±


    ¡°Fuck this! Mob him!¡±


    The bandits formed a wall and charged towards Aising with their spears. In a flash, Aising rushed towards the wall of bandits and duck under their spears and collide with their knees breaking them inward.


    Shrieks of agony and surprised came from the bandits unable to locate where the assassin is.


    ¡°Behind!¡±


    The bandit who looked like he was in charge turned around the moment he shouted out those words only to have a blade embedded into his skull.


    The rest of the bandits died before they could even turn around, each receive a fatal slash to the spine.


    ¡°Urgh¡­¡±


    Outside the hallways, Niiya¡¯s wire trap that was laid out of on the hallway on both entrances had already lead to several deaths.


    A charging bandit stumble and fell with his head falling on the floor and rolled away.


    ¡°Oh god! Oh god!¡±


    One of the bandits who had witness the instant death of his comrade was scared shitless, using his legs to scoot himself away from the carnage.


    Niiya had cut through his own trap to deal with the bandits after they try to cut through the wires. The result was brutal.


    Diving with his sword, Niiya impaled his first victim followed by a punch from his trench knife. A clear cracking of skull was heard throughout the hallway.


    Dropping the corpse aside, Niiya quickly stab another bandit in the eye while slamming him into the wall.


    The bandit scream from pain, followed by Niiya¡¯s merciless thrust of his sword into the side of the bandit¡¯s stomach. Behind Niiya, a bandit who manage to circle around him raised his axe ready to split his skull in two.


    Pulling his knife out of the screaming bandit¡¯s eye, Niiya brought the spiked backside of his knife to the forehead of the bandit welding the axe. Another sound of cracking skull emitted, followed by the sound of the bandit¡¯s axe falling on the cold stone floor.


    Aising decided to join in the fray, with her quick speed. Aising made quick work of nearby bandits who were coming down from the second floor. It was a one sided battle.


    The bandits were unable to keep up with Aising¡¯s speed while others were unable and even afraid of going near Niiya who constantly attack with great strength. In less than a minute, the entire hallway was filled with blood and bodily fluid of the decreased bandits.


    They then fought up to the second floor resulting in a similar results. After scouting the entire second floor, they reach the stairs leading to the third floor.


    ¡°Status on Moyi and his officers.¡±


    ¡°They have yet to leave the room and the energy is still there. Untouched.¡±


    Aising frown beneath her mask. If that unknown source of energy is really a Zealous Beast¡¯s, then one of them would at least try to use its core or flesh to empower themselves. Unless they can¡¯t use it due to the Zealous Beast¡¯s monstrous strength.


    Zealous Beasts are creatures who possess unique powers and is capable of becoming a natural calamity if they are able to train. They are also place in the Meridian Common Ranking System based on their strength, but unlike humans, their strength are often more powerful than several practitioners in their equal stage combined.


    The rewards of killing a Zealous Beast is often worth it, their flesh allows practitioners to increase their strength and energy, while their core can be infused with their meridian veins to increase their abilities by tenfold.


    Seeing how the energy is untouched and Niiya not reporting that this energy is living, Aising speculate that the energy is coming from a Zealous Beast core. Consuming flesh of a Zealous Beast is one thing, absorbing or using its core is another.


    ¡°We¡¯re going in, kill everyone inside. There are no hostage right?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°Alright, we move.¡±


    Upon entering a large room a steel wall and door blocked their way, it¡¯s like somebody drop a steel wall in the middle of a room. The energy is getting thicker and thicker.


    ¡°Niiya¡­ I don¡¯t think we can break through this wall.¡±


    Communicating through Qi Transmission, Aising order Niiya to do a quick analysis with his third eye before planning on using Twilight Aspect Domain to enter the room.


    ¡°I think they¡¯re waiting for us¡­¡± (Niiya)


    ¡°We¡¯re going in. Too late to back down, get ready to use our domain.¡±


    Twilight Aspect Domain¡­ One of the first technique that they were taught by their master. The most important thing in survival is not having the power to fight back, it¡¯s the power to escape.


    Kneeing, Aising and Niiya begin to channel into their shadows, merging into the shadow realm and forcing a pathway into the sealed room.


    Sinking into the shadows, the two found themselves underneath of what seems to be the room they were in. It was like looking through the ice in a frozen lake and seeing another world.


    A thick line was drown across the mirror like room; that¡¯s the steel wall. Behind the ¡®line¡¯ is Bandit Lord Moyi and six of his officers!


    A square box was place in the middle of the room with Moyi being the nearest.


    Aising saw it clearly that it¡¯s a Zealous Beast Core! And a powerful one as well! The Zealous Beast Core is emitting energy that would be categorized in the Sky Meridian Stage, maybe even in the Spiritual Meridian Stage!


    No wonder none of them is willing to touch it! Just by being near it, a low level Noble Meridian Stage would pass out and suffer internal injuries. The other six officers would simply die.


    Aising could barely hear what they are saying in the shadow realm, she could see the bottom of one of the officer sitting flat down like what fishes would probably see if one were to sit on frozen ice in the lake.


    She was tempted to find a spear and skewer him through the ass like a roasted pig, but decide against it since the idea is a bit revolting.


    ¡°Niiya¡­ I think we¡¯re blessed by luck today. Now how do we deal with Moyi? He looks like he¡¯s got something planned¡­¡±


    Bandit Lord Moyi stood a yard away from the Zealous Beast Core with his arm cross. An average face filled with many scars and long shaggy hair. Strapped to Moyi¡¯s back is an ominous object wrapped in many spiritual charms and talisman.


    ¡°Niiya¡­ What¡¯s that?¡±


    Pointing at the spiritually wrapped up object that looked like a heavy sword.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, those charms are powerful. I couldn¡¯t even detect it, so I can¡¯t determine what¡¯s underneath all those wrappings.¡±


    ¡°Damn it. We¡¯re too close to abandon this request¡­ Alright, here¡¯s the plan. The moment we cancel out our domain, I¡¯ll quickly kill Moyi while you kill those other Bandit Lords. Simple?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Taking position, Niiya close to the six officers and Aising behind Moyi. The two canceled their Twilight Aspect Domain.


    Upon materializing from the shadows, Niiya injects demonic qi into his sword and loped off two of the six officer¡¯s head while Aising brought her dagger down in between Moyi¡¯s shoulder blade and neck since the strapped object behind Moyi is blocking a killing blow directed at his spine.


    Before she her blade even touch his skin, Moyi swung his entire body causing the strapped object on his back to knock the knife from her hand.


    Aising was shocked but recovered quickly following a slash from her kukri towards Moyi¡¯s skull. The heavy part of her blade sunk deep into Moyi¡¯s skull.


    Moyi crashed to the floor face first and sprawled out due to weight of the wrapped object on his back.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Niiya had already kill all six of Moyi¡¯s officer, three decapitated, one with a crushed head and two with punctured wound to the forehead, leaking blood and brain matter.


    ¡°¡­¡± (Aising)


    ¡°What?¡± (Niiya)


    ¡°Oh¡­ Nothing, help me tear off Moyi¡¯s head while I take the core.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Walking towards Moyi corpse, Niiya twirled his trench knife, eagerly to savagely cut off Moyi¡¯s head. If he wasn¡¯t wearing a mask, Aising would believe that he would be giving a somewhat innocent smile while doing the task. Talk about the face of an angel, but mind of a demon¡­


    Aising walked towards the Zealous Beast Core. Its chaotic energy was surging outward like how a star emit heat and light. Without much difficulty, Aising closed the box containing the Zealous Beast Core, cutting off the surge of energy. The box is apparently made from skins of another Zealous Beast¡­ Obviously, someone like Moyi couldn¡¯t obtain such a treasure. He must have stolen it.


    PING!


    Niiya was sent flying across the room and smash into the steel wall.


    ¡°Niiya!¡±


    Killing intent was raging behind her along with an unusual and sinister aura.


    On instinct, Aising jumped back. A shadow smash the ground where she was standing, denting the steel floor follow by cracking of rocks that was supporting the steel room itself.


    ¡°You. Bastards!¡±


    Standing straight up, Moyi glared at the two masked figures. The deep cut that was made into Moyi¡¯s skull had grown sharp teeth and long tongue slithering out acting like a second mouth!


    ¡°Appearing like cowards and killing me! Me! The man who is blessed by the gods! The man who is given this!¡±


    Tearing off the charms from the object strapped to his back, Moyi revealed a blade made of partly flesh and bones. The hilt and guard was made out of red flesh while the blade is made from sharpen white bone with pulsing dark blue veins that spread across the bone like spider webs.


    ¡°Bones and flesh from the devil! Yes, this wondrous weapon has given me enlightenment¡­ Power! I¡¯ll kill you two with this blade! Be honored that you¡¯ll be absorbed into this wondrous weapon!¡±


    The calm and cool demeanor that Moyi was making earlier before being ¡®killed¡¯ by Aising is now replaced by an insane expression.


    From Niiya¡¯s logical standpoint, the chop to the head has made Moyi insane.


    Roaring, Moyi charged towards Aising with unnatural speed. Aising dodge it with ease, but if Moyi were too close¡­ She wouldn¡¯t be able to dodge it.


    ¡°Damn it! What the hell is that thing?!¡± (Aising)


    The second mouth on Moyi¡¯s head is gashing and laughing, pure insanity!


    ¡°Hehehe! You shouldn¡¯t have killed me!¡±


    Moyi laughed maliciously. His bloodshot eyes was vibrating and his head twitch violently. Surely he is possessed!


    ¡°Niiya! Do something about that sword!¡±


    Niiya had gotten up and charged towards Moyi or what¡¯s left of him, causing Moyi to turn his attention on Niiya.


    ¡°Too slow shorty!¡±


    Moyi blurred away from Aising and collided with Niiya. Shockwaves from the collision caused the box containing the Zealous Beast Core to fall out and roll away, emitting the same chaotic energy.


    Niiya was thrown once again onto the steel wall.


    ¡°Niiya! No!¡±


    ¡°Gahahaha! That¡¯s a pretty voice you got. Are you a girl? Such a shame if you are, I¡¯ll kill you regardless. Let me finish that little runt first.¡±


    Lifting his grotesque¡¯s blade, Moyi prepare to main Niiya¡¯s body that was lying like a puppet who just got its strings cut.


    ¡°Niiya!¡±


    On cue, a silhouette formed in front of Moyi. The silhouette of Niiya, the body that was lying there is actually an illusion created from his Guile Contour Soul Case!


    Niiya viciously slam his blade into Moyi¡¯s throat causing his eye to budge out and releasing his grip on the sword due to shock.


    The blade crashed to the ground missing Niiya by a foot as he was a centimeter away from Moyi¡¯s chest. Pushing his knife deeper and forcing Moyi back, Niiya strain against Moyi¡¯s recovery. Pulling out another knife, Niiya stabbed Moyi¡¯s chest with such strength that Niiya¡¯s arm sink into Moyi¡¯s chest and reaching his heart.


    Moyi¡¯s eye budge out even more, wrapping his arm around Niiya. Moyi begins to crush Niiya to death with his demonic strength.


    ¡°Y-you! Won¡¯t. Kill! Me! Like¡­ This!¡±


    During the struggle between Moyi and Niiya, Aising was trying to find a way to destroy the demonic sword. When Moyi started to crush Niiya she became frantic, trying to find a way to stop this madness.


    Finally laying her eyes on the Zealous Beast Core, Aising thought of a way to destroy this demonic sword. Swiftly picking up the core as the sword itself is actually heavy, Aising lobed the volatile orb at the sword.


    Moyi seeing this howled with rage and released Niiya and desperately lunge for the core, trying to prevent it from making contact with his sword.


    Niiya reflexively wrapped his legs around Moyi, causing him to fall on top of Niiya. Roaring, Moyi raised his fist to pound Niiya.


    Too late, the moment the Zealous Beast Core made contact with the demonic sword, the entire room exploded with Qi energy.


    The demonic sword made a crackling sound as the core begins to destroy its demonic energy barrier and physical form. Moyi who was blown away was shrieking with pain.


    The core begins to assimilate the demonic qi emitting from the grotesques sword, breaking it down and purifying it. The sword begins to crack and break, crimson auras flowing out of the sword only to be dimmed and converted to light blue aura.


    Moyi shriek even harder; this time the second mouth of his head started shrieking. The second mouth made a high pitch sound that nearly cause Aising and Niiya¡¯s ear to bleed. Unnatural garbled words was coming from it followed by Moyi¡¯s eyes and mouths to be engulf in blue light.


    Moyi¡¯s entire body spaz while blue lights shot out of his mouth and eyes, with smoke emitting from the corner of his eyelids a lips. The smell of burnt flesh filled the air as Aising crawled towards Niiya, putting her masked face near Niiya¡¯s and hugging him.


    Within seconds, Moyi was left partly burnt. His demonic sword turned to dust while the Zealous Beast Core is still emitting chaotic energy, this time however, it seemed more lax.


    ¡°¡­ Niiya¡­ Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯m fine¡­ The guy wasn¡¯t too heavy.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you think they can raise the reward for this?¡±


    ¡°¡­ Maybe¡­¡±


    ¡­


    Aising and Niiya took Moyi¡¯s head with them along with the Zealous Beast Core. When they returned to the Assassination Market, the servicer who had given them the special request was still there.


    Upon seeing the two ruffled assassins, the servicer scoffed.


    A Noble Meridian Stage bandit, not much you say. Now look at you!


    Aising seem to notice this and responded with a deathly cold voice.


    ¡°I know what you are thinking¡­ Let¡¯s see how you react if I show you this.¡±


    Taking out the sack containing Moyi¡¯s head, Aising revealed Moyi¡¯s second mouth that had was created when Aising made a deep cut into this head.


    The servicer jumped back. Is that head even a human¡¯s?!


    ¡°Uh¡­ Uh¡­ Sir Sh-Shikiru¡­ Let¡¯s discuss this event in the Verdict Room.¡±


    The servicer lead the two weary assassins to another room, inside the room are several tables and chairs with many staff members sorting materials and bounty heads.


    ¡°Please sit down and relax¡­ I¡¯ll call forth my manager to sort this¡­ Uh¡­ Sort this¡­ Out¡­?¡±


    The fear of the supernatural is deeply rooted in the Tian Empire, having suffer most from supernatural creatures¡¯ rampage.


    The servicer returned along with a grizzly old man who looked like a veteran soldier. The old man turned towards Aising.


    ¡°From what I heard, there appears to be a complicated situation with the request concerning about Bandit Lord Moyi. I am Manager Guigu, you are Shikiru and Shedo from the Abyssal Tribulation. Am I correct?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Now then, let¡¯s see what the situation is¡­¡±


    Rolling Moyi¡¯s head out of the sack, Guigu frowned at the second mouth of Moyi. Reaching for a pairs of long tongs, Guigu begins to tap and move the second mouth. He then proceeded to grip the second mouth¡¯s tongue with the tongs and pulled.


    While Guigu is experimenting, all of the staff members in the room crowd around them. All of them wearing a frighten expression.


    Finally, Guigu stopped tugging on the demonic head. Turning towards five staff members, Guigu order them to bring three bless water and two plain water. When they returned with five cups, Guigu tore pieces of Moyi¡¯s eye, skin and hair.


    ¡°If this head belongs to a corrupt human who dabs in demonic influences, then this blessed water will melt away its physical existence.¡±


    Dropping each of the three pieces that Guigu tore from Moyi¡¯s head, the blessed water begins to sizzle. Causing a commotion throughout the entire room. Guigu then took another piece of demon flesh and dropped it into the plain water. No reaction.


    ¡°¡­ This is indeed a demonized human¡¯s head. To think that one had appeared near this land¡­¡±


    Guigu pulled out a chair and sat down with a complex expression. Just after sitting down, Guigu stand up and look towards the two assassins who had not sat down.


    Guigu bowed to Aising and Niiya.


    ¡°We thank you for ridding this fiend from this land. No¡­ The entire world should be thanking you. From now on, you will be VIPs in the markets. I will convey this to the upper managements. They will agree to this when they see this.¡±


    Aising ignored the gesture, she wanted to go home. They still have an important guest who will be arriving in several hours! The time is also near dawn.


    ¡°We¡¯ll take our leave. Leave our rewards on our tabs¡­ Do not expect us to appear for a while. We must rest now.¡±


    ¡°Of course. We thank you for your service.¡±


    ¡­


    Four Stride Demise!


    The first technique they learned their Master.


    The flash step technique that was based off another one, only this one was supposedly superior to any other. The key being that the Four Stride Demise could be used to get past wall like ghosts, as long as there is an absent of light on the solid objects.


    With this technique, they would be able to travel hundreds of miles within several minutes. That is also to say it makes a create tool to get home before curfew.


    Upon arriving back at home through their window. Aising and Niiya took off their assassin¡¯s uniform and flopped on the bed.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Niiya¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, Aising¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ You always say that¡­¡±


    Hugging Niiya tightly, the two tired teens fell asleep quickly.


    ¡­


    It was late in the morning. Aising and Niiya were still asleep, which is actually not entirely odd for they would sometimes sleep all the way to the afternoons if allowed.


    ¡°Aising. Niiya, wake up you two.¡±


    Aising¡¯s mother pushed open their door. The two teenagers were still fast asleep with Aising hugging Niiya like a body pillow, her face relax and gently breathing.


    Seeing her daughter¡¯s peaceful expression, Sayo decided to leave them alone for now.


    Down stairs Alois is preparing for the arrival of the Song Clan¡¯s young master. Sorting out various books on weapons and rearranging his workshop.


    Seeing his wife walking down the stairs with a defeated expression, Alois could only smile knowing that his wife didn¡¯t have the heart to wake up their children.


    ¡°I tried.¡±


    That was all she said.


    An hour later, Aising walked down stairs washed and dressed. Both her parents were surprised, Niiya would often be behind or in front of her. There was something wrong with this picture¡­


    ¡°Aising darling, where¡¯s Niiya?¡¯


    ¡°He¡¯s still half asleep. I think he¡¯ll be downstairs in a few minutes.¡±


    Niiya¡¯s body condition is fine despite all the ordeal they went through last night. He¡¯s only sore, but with their cultivation techniques. Niiya would be able to move about finely.


    Although Aising would rather have him rest for the whole day, his resistance to that idea is fierce.


    ¡°Dad, when are they coming?¡±


    ¡°I believe in a few minutes.¡±


    ¡°Will they be staying here?¡±


    She didn¡¯t really enjoy the idea of strangers staying in their mansion, even if it is big.


    ¡°Yes, sorry darling. It¡¯ll be rude to send them off. Besides, they don¡¯t have a great place to stay in a village like this.¡±


    ¡°I got it. Well then, I¡¯ll try not to cause too much trouble¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the spirit!¡±


    Her father patted her in the back. Aising hoped that this young master isn¡¯t arrogant and snobby.


    ¡­


    Aising helped carry her father¡¯s tools and molds out of the workshop to make room for newer ones. Her father is going all out today.


    Niiya later joined them with a lost expression. The kind a child would have if their parents is missing.


    Which is somewhat understandable since he has always been at Aising¡¯s side nearly 24/7.


    ¡°Sigh, over here Niiya.¡±


    Pulling his arms, Aising pointed at his task before noticing that he didn¡¯t have breakfast nor lunch.


    ¡°Scratch that, you¡¯re eating first. Don¡¯t come here until you eat.¡±


    ¡°Aw¡­¡±


    ¡­


    After rearranging Alois¡¯s workshop the Nightshade waited for the Song Clan¡¯s arrival. Niiya was posted outside the front gates wearing a white tan uniform and mask, decorated symmetrically with yellow paints that took shape of a something similar to a tree. Two slits for vision that Niiya doesn¡¯t actually use. He¡¯s got a third eye after all.


    The reason why they dressed Niiya up like as an exotically odd looking guard is simply out of gesture in greetings in her mother¡¯s culture. Well, odd isn¡¯t really a word. More like intimidating.


    The Taiyang¡¯s way of greeting guest is similar to how powerful families would receive guests with their retainers and servants. Unlike the numerous reception that the Tian Empire commonly practice, the Taiyang¡¯s way of receiving important and well trusted guest like the Song Clan is to post out a single, but powerful guard to receive their guest.


    The belief behind it is that the household who is receiving their guest place great trust in them. By that, it means that they believe in the guest¡¯s strength and honesty including the guard who is capable.


    As odd as it may sound, the Tian Empire acknowledge the Taiyang¡¯s Honor Guard Reception and is practice rarely in their nobility and royalty family due to the fact that some of the family doesn¡¯t trust the others entirely. But if by chance they do, it is consider the greatest honor in both the Tian Empire and Taiyang Isles.


    Of course, Aising originally wanted the position since Niiya was injured last night. The second reason is because she could not stand him standing outside in plain sight. Is like how an overprotective husband would be redundant to let his wife stand out like a beautiful flower, alone.


    After fighting for the position, Niiya won by bending three unused steel with his bare fist. The result is Aising¡¯s parents¡¯ mouth dropping open and then dressed him up like an Honorary Guard. Aising on the other hand was fuming at the way Niiya showed off his power.


    Before he left to stand outside, she gripped his shoulder and whisper some chilly words into his ears. Niiya left to guard outside, slightly shuddering.


    Standing outside in his concealment guard uniform, Niiya stood up straight while holding powerful looking halberd that her father made.


    Outside, Niiya was doing some mental training with the techniques that his master had taught him. Having expand his inner eye range, Niiya is able to know what is happening around them without having to be there.


    While testing his inner eye¡¯s vision range, Niiya sense a group of people entering his inner eye range. Six males and five females, all of them above Noble Meridian Stage. The highest being an elderly person in the mid-level of the Spiritual Meridian Stage.


    The lowest, a young man in the low level of Regal Meridian Stage. Niiya assumed that this young man is the young master of the Song Clan. The carriage is many meters away.


    Contracting Aising by Qi Transmission, he alerted her on the incoming carriage carrying the amount of people and how close they were.


    ¡°Really? Shit¡­ Do you think that mid-level Spiritual Stage Practitioner will notice our cultivation stage?¡±


    Even though the Song Clan won¡¯t lay a hand of them. However, if the Royal Family found out the strength of these two youngsters¡­


    ¡°Not likely, we just have to be careful. No one has notice my third eye yet even after I swept through their spiritual talisman¡­ Still¡­ I could be wrong¡­ All we could do is wait¡­¡±

 Chapter 4

    ¡°I see their household¡­¡±


    One of the Song Elders finally spotted the unique building from afar. The mansion is a huge lightly color structure with the oddity of having everything case in a roof and wall. Unlike their structures, the Tians enjoy walking the hallways without walls. Simply put it, they enjoy the fresh air and scenery.


    ¡°Heh, looks like a prison. Look at those fence, it¡¯s like spears planted upright!¡±


    ¡°While it certainly looks like one from our perspective, let¡¯s remember that this household is from another culture. The Royal Family has a good impression on them, we should not offend them.¡±


    ¡°What Elder Ming said is correct. The Jia Ke Family did provide the Royal Family high quality weapons, including several experimental weapons that were thought to be impossible to create.¡±


    ¡°Indeed¡­ And those weapons work well.¡±


    Sitting in the center of the huge carriage is the Song Clan¡¯s young master, Song Mingzhi. A teen who is 18 years this year, Song Mingzhi is a kind, handsome, and lovable boy who has never look down on anyone.


    Being taught by a scholar who is open minded had led Song Mingzhi to develop a tolerant and patient personality.


    Unfortunately, this kind and gentle stance is often mistaken for softness causing assassins hired by their enemies to constantly try kidnapping or even kill Song Mingzhi. As such, the Song Clan¡¯s patriarch requested that Song Mingzhi pick a personal weapon in order to defend himself more effectively.


    From a young age, Song Mingzhi practice in martial arts, eventually reaching the low realm of the Regal Meridian Stage. While his cultivation speed is consider above average, his kind behavior and hardworking personality has allow him to enter the Tian Wind Sect. A large and famous sect well known for their Wind Arts and flying techniques.


    ¡°The Jia Ke Family¡­ Um, Elder Yaoxi. Didn¡¯t the Jia Ke Family go by another name?¡±


    Song Mingzhi was curious about the Nightshade Family. He had never encounter any foreigners who are from another continent. The Tians are somewhat xenophobic.


    ¡°Yes. The Jia Ke Family is called by another name. However, that name is hard to pronounce and the direct translation from their family name is Jia Ke. Their name is from a plant.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡±


    ¡°Elder Ming, I am nearing the Jia Ke Family¡¯s front gate. There is someone armed standing there.¡±


    The coachman is a guard who is in mid realms of the Earthly Meridian Stage, upon spotting the mysteriously dressed figure near the gate, the guard alerted the elders when he notice that the figure is armed.


    ¡°Hmm? Perhaps it¡¯s their envoy.¡±


    ¡°Only one? Is this a sham?¡±


    ¡°Elder Yuan, please refrain yourself. This is the Taiyang¡¯s Honor Guards Greeting!¡±


    ¡°Huh? How do you know that?¡±


    ¡°The wife of the Jia Ke Family head is from the Taiyang Isles. I had seen their greetings before, a decorated guard is station outside to greet their guest. It¡¯s a sign that they trust and believe in our strength.¡±


    Elder Yuan only scoffed.


    ¡°You mean they can¡¯t hire any guards and that they are saying that we should fend for ourselves.¡±


    ¡°The Honor Guard is often the most powerful individual within the family.¡±


    ¡°Bah.¡±


    Song Mingzhi was given a position near the window to view the mysterious guard who is said to be the envoy.


    ¡°Interesting uniform that guard have.¡±


    Getting out of the carriage, Elder Ming and the coachman greeted the Honor Guard. The masked guard return the greeting with his right fist over his heart and bowing.


    ¡°Greetings to Elder Ming and Captain Yiyun, I am the Honorary Guard. Temporarily¡­ Please provide your clan¡¯s seal.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Elder Ming took out his emblem of the Song Clan from his robe. The emblem contains basic, but unique Qi energy that allows other clans to determine if it¡¯s genuine or not.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°¡­ Confirmed. Pardon my rudeness. I am Niiya Nightshade, but I believe my family name is Jia Ke in the Tianese tongue. I am task with receiving the Song Clan¡¯s envoy. Welcome to the Jia Ke Household.¡±


    ¡°Many thanks. How do we settle our luggage and horses?¡±


    ¡°My parents has already arrange a field and many guestrooms for the Song Clan. They will direct you. We also have medicine to treat the venom from an Arctic Widow Spider.¡±


    ¡°¡­? What makes you think-¡°


    ¡°One of our guest is concealing the fact that she is poisoned. Let us provide the antidote for it.¡±


    When Niiya ran his third vision over the young master¡¯s entourage, he noticed that one of the female was poisoned from an Arctic Widow Spider. The arachnid is a tiny, white spider that lives in areas snowy areas.


    The Arctic Widow Spider prefers to hide in tree branches with snow, when a creature passes underneath. The spider would scurry a few snowflakes down and then jump down, masking its presence.


    Once it¡¯s on a victim or prey, the Arctic Widow Spider would administer a painkiller like chemical along with its poison to paralysis and eventually kill the unaware target. The poison itself is enough to kill a Zealous Beast in the prime of the Earthly Meridian Stage within a minute!


    Because of its potency, scholars are debating how to classify its meridian stage of the miniature menace. The Arctic Widow Spider thrives off the blood of other creatures and relies on its size and stealth to survive. Not to mention it is extremely fragile in direct confrontation.


    The Arctic Widow Spider is only .3 millimeters! Making it not only difficult to detect and capture, but it is the hardest venom to be harvest for its antidotes! Thus making them one of the most feared creatures in the frozen tundra!


    Elder Ming was unaware that one of his relatives was poisoned and the Honor Guard didn¡¯t appear to be lying.


    This boy¡­ He is not simple. I can see why they sent him to receive us.


    ¡°May I ask which of my relative is poisoned?¡±


    ¡°The lady wearing the gold and yellow glove.¡±


    Song Ming Xia?!


    Song Ming Xia was a middle aged women with short black hair and dressed in a yellow and black clothes. She was one of the Song Clan¡¯s top alchemist and an expert in refining medicine for various treatments.


    The entire Song Clan has already moved towards their designated area and is being welcomed inside, but few stayed out checking the reins and supplies from the carriage. Among them is Song Ming Xia.


    ¡°Song Ming Xia!¡±


    Elder Ming voice boomed, but it was more of a friendly shout out then an angry shout.


    Song Ming Xia turned her head and ran towards Elder Ming.


    ¡°Elder Ming called?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Xia¡¯er¡­ Did you by any chance get poisoned by an Arctic Widow Spider?¡±


    Song Ming Xia revealed a shock expression, but it quickly became somber.


    ¡°So Elder notices¡­ As expected. Yes, Junior Xia¡¯er has been carelessly bitten by an Arctic Widow Spider, but Xia¡¯er has been suppressing it with the best of my medical knowledge.¡±


    ¡°Xia¡¯er! You should had told me earlier!¡±


    ¡°I am sorry Elder Ming. I did not want to burden you. You were already watching over young master Mingzhi from harm. I would only¡­¡±


    ¡°No, it would not be a burden. We are family! And I am ashamed to have not notice your condition earlier! I always thought you were being a bit reserved since we are far from the safety of the Song Clan¡¯s territory¡­¡±


    Song Ming Xia looked confused.


    ¡°Then¡­ How did you know I was poisoned?¡±


    Elder Ming nodded towards Niiya, the Honor Guard.


    ¡°He was able to detect your condition. Thank you Honorable junior!¡±


    ¡°It is my duty to see to the welfare of our esteemed guests. We have the antidote for the venom. Come quickly.¡±


    Song Ming Xia frowned, the Arctic Widow Spider was infamous for being difficult to capture! Not to mention how much harder it is to keep the spider long enough to extract the venom to create an antidote!


    And such antidote would be valued by doctors, scholars and alchemists!


    ¡°I will repay the favor!¡±


    An antidote for the Arctic Widow Spider is extremely expensive! There is no way Song Ming Xia would be given such a favor without repaying it!


    ¡°No need, you already used countless of expense to purchase medicine for your condition. We are satisfy that our esteemed guest is well.¡±


    ¡°But-¡°


    ¡°I insist.¡±


    ¡­


    Niiya looked out of place as he shelved through the common medicine cabin with his Honor Guard uniform on.


    Meanwhile, Song Ming Xia jaw dropped just by knowing that important and rare medicine are treated like common medication. Elder Ming on the other hand looks amused.


    ¡°Here it is.¡±


    Niiya took out a clear glass small bottle with a lid capping the top. Inside contains many small blue and white spherical pills.


    Handing the glass bottle to Song Ming Xia, the women unscrewed the lid and scanned the contents.


    ¡°This really is the anti-venom for the Arctic Widow Spider¡­ I never seen this many at once.¡±


    ¡°You can take the entire bottle with you. We have several more like those.¡±


    This made both Elder Ming and Song Ming Xia nervous. Taking entire medicine bottle that contains extremely rare pills is uncanny. What does he want?


    ¡°Niiya! Stop scaring them!¡±


    Elder Ming and Song Ming Xia turned and saw a beautiful maiden strolling towards them with an annoyed expression.


    The Honor Guard bowed his head slightly to show that he is ashamed. The fairy maiden wore silk clothing that doesn¡¯t resemble any of the traditional clothing that Elder Ming had seen before.


    Best he could described her is a tomboy!


    The fairy maiden forced the Honor Guard¡¯s head down even lower and politely bowed to Elder Ming and Song Ming Xia.


    ¡°Forgive this incompetent Honor Guard. He takes kindness and cruelty to the next level.¡±


    ¡°No no, I should thank him and your family for providing us with the medicine to treat my niece¡¯s poison. May I ask who you are?¡±


    ¡°This junior greets Elder Ming and the Song Clan. This junior is named Aising Nightshade, but I believe it is Jia Ke Aising in Tianese.¡±


    ¡°I see, you are A-luo-yi-si daughter. A pleasure to meet you.¡±


    ¡°It is an honor, Elder Ming. The procession has been done under Elder Yaoxi. Forgive us for proceeding without you, but Elder Yaoxi believes that the matter you had to attend with our Honor Guard was important and personal.¡±


    Elder Ming nodded.


    ¡°Mn, I sent Elder Yaoxi a transmission earlier. It should be us who should be asking for forgiveness. We neglected to attend the welcoming procession in your own home. Please forgive us.¡±


    ¡°My parents welcomes you all and understands. There is a welcoming feast in the Reception room and as said, you may take the entire bottle with you. We have more reserved. As for you¡­¡±


    Aising released Niiya¡¯s head but clasped her hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°You¡¯re coming with me.¡±