"This has nothing to do with you," Bai Li Changqing said coldly, glancing at the group.
In Falling Moon Pavilion, assassins were ranked by stars, from one to three, with three-star assassins being the strongest.
The man before him, though unfamiliar, was known as "Chasing Death," an experienced three-star assassin with many years of service and a flawless record. Bai Li Changqing, on the other hand, was a newly promoted three-star assassin, also with no failed missions.
"Hmph!" Chasing Death's face darkened as he glared at Bai Li Changqing, suspicion clouding his eyes.
"The Marquis was one of my clients. And you killed him."
Chasing Death couldn't fathom how Bai Li Changqing had done it. The Marquis had been well-protected by powerful warriors. Was Bai Li Changqing truly capable of such a feat? Or had someone else helped him?
"Killed him, yes," Bai Li Changqing confirmed without hesitation. "And now I have another mission to complete. Don't get in my way."
With that, he stepped to the side, intending to leave.
"Bai Li Changqing, do you think that just because you're a newly promoted three-star assassin, you're on my level?" Chasing Death growled, his eyes gleaming with hostility.
The constant comparisons between them had irked Chasing Death, who didn't want his reputation tarnished by someone younger and less experienced.
"I'll see for myself just how strong you are," Chasing Death sneered. In a flash, his blade was drawn, and he lunged at Bai Li Changqing's back.
[Eighth-Rank Technique: Flashing Stab]
The moment Chasing Death's source energy surged into his blade, it gleamed like cold light, aiming straight for Bai Li Changqing's back.
However, as the blade closed in, Bai Li Changqing didn't move.
Chasing Death's eyes widened. This is it!
Clang!
Just as the blade was about to strike, a sword appeared, blocking the attack. The impact sent Chasing Death flying backward.
Stunned, Chasing Death quickly regained his balance.
"You're an assassin, but trying to sneak attack me like that isn't very honorable," Bai Li Changqing said, turning with a smirk.
"You..." Chasing Death's expression darkened.
Clink!
Suddenly, Chasing Death heard a faint sound. His sharp ears picked it up, and his gaze dropped to his weapon. To his shock, the edge of his blade had chipped!
A piece of the blade had broken off and fallen to the ground.
How...? Chasing Death's eyes widened in disbelief.
His sword was an S-rank weapon, and yet... just from a single clash with Bai Li Changqing's sword, it had been damaged!
His eyes snapped back to Bai Li Changqing's weapon. The long sword in Bai Li Changqing's hand had an eerie pattern resembling the flowers of the afterlife, and it exuded an overwhelming aura of malice.
That sword... it's dangerous!
"Captain, his sword seems... unnatural," one of Chasing Death's men warned, his gaze fixed on Bai Li Changqing's weapon.
Without another word, Bai Li Changqing sheathed Jiemie and turned to leave.
"What are you doing?" Chasing Death barked, his voice filled with anger.
"You're too weak," Bai Li Changqing replied, his tone calm and dismissive.
Too weak? Chasing Death's eyes widened in shock. Bai Li Changqing's words pierced him like a blade, making his hand tremble.
"You bastard..." Chasing Death snarled, gripping his sword tightly. "Do you think you're invincible?!"
Furious, Chasing Death charged at Bai Li Changqing again, his blade raised high.
Boom!
A massive burst of crimson flames shot toward Bai Li Changqing, intending to consume him.
Whoosh!
Bai Li Changqing turned calmly, unsheathing Jiemie once more. With a single stroke, he sliced through the fiery attack, splitting it in two.
Those watching gasped in disbelief.
"Impossible... that's... impossible..." Chasing Death stammered, his eyes wide with shock.
Bai Li Changqing had cleaved through fire itself. The flames dissipated into nothingness, as if they had never existed.
"According to Falling Moon Pavilion's rules, assassins may not attack each other unless provoked. But if someone attacks me first... I'm allowed to kill them," Bai Li Changqing said coolly.
In that moment, he raised Jiemie once more.
Chasing Death felt an overwhelming pressure envelop him, making his body tremble involuntarily.
[Nether Flame Soul-Splitting Slash]!
Whoosh!
Bai Li Changqing's sword descended, unleashing a terrifying wave of white flames that roared toward Chasing Death.
No!
Chasing Death's eyes widened in horror. The flames were too fast—there was no escape. In desperation, he summoned all his source energy to form a protective barrier around his body.
Boom!
The white flames slammed into his energy barrier, and the ground trembled violently.
"Ahhh!" Chasing Death screamed in agony, surrounded by the searing flames. It felt as if he had been plunged into a sea of fire.
His energy barrier twisted under the intense heat, warping and melting before it finally shattered.
The white flames poured through the breach, engulfing him entirely.
"Ahhh!" Chasing Death wailed in pain, collapsing to the ground, rolling frantically in a futile attempt to extinguish the flames.
"Captain!" his men shouted in panic, but none dared to approach. There was nothing they could do to save him.