464 Three Assassins (1/2)

Mu Xue Tong pulled the Silver City's Han Yan Meng tightly to him with one hand, and gave everything he had as he dashed through the snow. He didn't even dare to glance back. And, that's because he knew that his speed would slow down if he were to glance back for even a second. And, there was a chance that he would get caught if he was slowed down even momentarily. However, that would mean that the sacrifice of the Third Elder and the others would go in vain.

Therefore, he lowered his head, and escaped in grief and indignation with every ounce of strength he could muster.

He could hear those resounding and landslide-like explosions in the distance behind him. It seemed like a Spirit Xuan expert was giving everything he had. In fact, it seemed that he was even depleting his hidden tricks while doing his best to attack the enemy. Mu Xue Tong was only at Sky Xuan, but he had been considered a prodigy. There were many Spirit Xuan experts in the Silver City. So, he could recognize the meaning of such explosions very clearly.

The Third Elder was laughing shrilly in the distance, ”Are you enjoying this, Xiao Xing Yun? Ha ha ha…”

Xiao Xing Yun sounded furious, ”So, you're going all out? Everyone, use everything you've got, and cut that bastard up with your swords!”

After that, there was a sound denoting the clash of several weapons. However, a weak sounding mournful cry arose in the distance soon after. It was then that the Third Elder spoke in a resolute manner, ”Come! Accompany me! Ha ha ha…”

”Bang!”

There was a violent explosion accompanied by a succession of blood-curdling screams…

A drop of tear flowed out from Mu Xue Tong's eyes.

He knew what this meant…

Han Fei Yun had sacrificed his life in that explosion.

[The Third Elder hasn't even left his body intact to stall time for us… to stall for only a little more time…]

Mu Xue Tong rushed through the dense and snowy pine forest with a 'whooshing' sound along with Han Yan Meng. He left faint footprints that lead to three directions. Then, he took a deep breath and used his entire strength to fly high. He flew for over two-fifty meters as a result. He looked around for a second. Then, he descended downwards behind a cliff that lay ahead. They then disappeared behind the cliff….

This diversion was the best way to escape.

Xiao Xing Yun arrived in extreme hurry after a while. He looked around very carefully at first. Then, he waved his hand in anger, ”Search very carefully! The snow has footprints on it! So, they couldn't have gone far! Divide the teams, and carefully follow the three tracks! That little traitor is all that's left now, and he hasn't suffered enough! Look everywhere! Search every bit of land! Dig out three feet of snow if necessary! They don't need to be left alive if found they're found! Kill them without mercy!”

…

The Young Master Jun lay down to sleep. He had a good nap, and slept through till the next day. He felt like he hadn't had such a satisfying sleep in a good while.

Little Ke kept guard at his door. However, the little girl acted very diligently and responsibly. So, no one went inside to disturb his sleep.

It wasn't until noon the next day that someone came-in with news. It was about Baili Luo Yun. He had returned to meet the Young Master. Jun Mo Xie stretched his body for a moment, and sat up. He then muttered, ”He has arrived three days earlier than I had expected!” he stood up after he had spoken those words. Then, he spoke, ”I'll meet the youngster myself!”

Bali Luo Yun's entire body was dusty. So, the talented youngster looked travel-worn when Jun Mo Xie went to meet him. His face looked wind-beaten and exhausted. But, his expression had still remained resolute. In fact, it was as sharp as a spear's tip. Moreover, his body had a somewhat ruthless aura about it.

The young expert emanated a very cold, dense, and awe-inspiring aura as he stood there. And, the Jun Household's guards felt great unease because of it. In fact, they couldn't help but be vigilant against it. The guards who kept watch at the Jun Household's doors were merely ordinary soldiers. However, they were still veterans of numerous battles. So, one could well-imagine the grandeur and tyranny of an aura that could make them feel so uneasy…

A thin line of light flashed in Baili Luo Yun's eyes when he saw that Jun Mo Xie had come to meet him in person. So, he solemnly cupped his fist and said, ”I'm back Young Master!”

”Welcome back!” Jun Mo Xie gave a faint smile, and asked, ”How're things going?”

”I've killed those fifty people. There was no trace left in those places… except for those verses you had mentioned,” Baili Luo Yun had spoken with a trace of indifference. But, even that indifference had contained incomparable confidence and pride.

”You did great! Thanks for the hard work!” Jun Mo Xie patted his shoulder, ”I've set aside a place for you. Go and rest. Other matters can wait!” Jun Mo Xie frowned since Baili Luo Yun's disposition hadn't been rectified. And, the Young Master had clearly sensed the pride he had given his report with.

[This is unacceptable… An assassin with such pride…? How is that a good thing?]

”Young Master… What about my… my father… he…” Baili Luo Yun's head sank as he spoke-up with some hesitation.

”I said that the other things can wait. Didn't you hear?” Jun Mo Xie's expression was profound. His eyes then looked meaningfully at Baili Luo Yun while emanating absolute authority.

Baili Luo Yun understood the meaning of this. His complexion became green as he said respectfully, ”This Luo Yun will do as you bid!”

Jun Mo Xie laughed windily, ”I know that you ask this out of filial piety towards your father. But, this is the only time I'll allow it. This mustn't happen again!”

Baili Luo Yun's expression turned extremely respectful as he said, ”Many thanks, Young Master!”

”An Emperor is never short of hungry soldiers. I promised you something, and I've obviously fulfilled it… They entered Tian Xiang City three days ago. Moreover, I've made residential arrangements for your esteemed father. You don't need to worry about your father. In fact, you might as well take a look. Follow me!” Jun Mo Xie walked forth, and led him to the back door.

Baili Luo Yun was a smart man. He only needed to be given an indication, and that was enough for him to understand. There was no need to explain any further. He'd understand everything well-enough.

There was an impressive house not far from the Jun Manor.

”The Luo Yun House!”

Those big and golden characters hung glittering in the sunshine. They appeared glorious in gold.

There were many guards at the gate. They were full of vigor, and had doughty statures.

Baili Luo Yun's father sat on a chair at the center of the courtyard. He wore a luxurious black leather gown, and his face was brimming with satisfaction and happiness. There was a pretty young maid behind him, and she was massaging his shoulders in a diligent manner. Several servants were busy cleaning the courtyard.

Baili Luo Yun was pleasantly surprised to find his father's complexion much better than before. His complexion was robust and rosy. And, each bit of him had a healthy luster to it. In fact, it seemed like the man had been reborn. He seemed to have become younger by a few years. Even the wrinkles on his face had receded by a fair margin.

”This is your home — Baili Luo Yun's home,” Jun Mo Xie smiled as he spoke softly.

”My home…” Baili Luo Yun was astonished.

He had a home and a family in the past. But, that 'home' of the Baili Family was a place of bitter memories for him. It had been a cage which was hard to escape from. He had never harbored a sense of home towards it.

[How could I ever have thought that I would have a home here? A brand new home at that! A home only for my father and me…]

Baili Luo Yun's heart felt warm as he looked at the flowers and trees in the courtyard. It was a wintry November at this time, but the young man still felt warm.

His previously ice-cold heart had suddenly warmed up!

Jun Mo Xie smiled faintly, and walked out in a calm manner. He had left Baili Luo Yun to experience the new-found gifts of having his own home.

The Young Master obviously understood such a feeling. Therefore, he didn't disturb the youngster.

Baili Luo Yun became emotional, and rushed out after a moment. His expression became solemn, and his body straightened as he saw Jun Mo Xie. Then, he kneeled in a serious manner.

Jun Mo Xie used his left hand to support Baili Luo Yun. He had obviously realized that Baili Luo Yun had intended to kneel and bow in patronage. So, he spoke-up in a melodious voice, ”What are you doing? I'll obviously make proper arrangements for you since you're working for me. I've done this so that you don't have to worry. This is the natural order of things. So, don't do this. I want a reliable subordinate. But, I don't want you to kowtow like an insect!” He then stiffly pulled him up.

”Maybe the Young Master feels he ought to do it. But, this is like a heaven-sent favor for me,” Baili Luo Yun spoke solemnly as he stared at Jun Mo Xie. His gaze had filled with reverence for the first time aside from when he had awed at Jun Mo Xie's strength.

”But, you needn't do this! Please understand one thing, Luo Yun. You don't need to say much. You also understand matters. So, we might as well speak openly about this. I won't reward you if you become useless to me. And, you must realize that your value isn't limited to a house! We still have to rampage over the entire world! And, I need your skills for that! Remember what I had said earlier — that was the only time. This shouldn't happen again!” Jun Mo Xie spoke slowly.

His words had been blunt. Perhaps a bit unpleasant as well…

But, Baili Luo Yun knew that it was genuine truth. And, that had made these words pleasant to hear.

Everyone dreams about good things falling in their laps from the heavens. But, no one ever think about why it should happen. Why would good things ever fall in one's laps? Why would anyone reward oneself if they don't have any skill or haven't done anything of significance?

This is exactly the reason why one gives presents to the government official, and not a farmer. After all, an official can do the work which a farmer can't. Obviously, it'll be a different matter if one looks at his flower of a daughter…

However, understanding is truth one thing. And, being able to state it so frankly is another. Moreover, doing what one has said was a different matter altogether. [Don't the big families have hundreds of talented fighters in their ranks? Even the richest man in the world may die while paying for their subordinates' expenses of each talented individual was assigned a house full of servants…]

[The Jun Family has many peerless experts. So, why is the Young Master taking care of me in this manner? Don't tell me that I'm more useful than those old foxes… or even a Sky Xuan expert?] Baili Luo Yun lacked the self-confidence when it came to this matter.

Therefore, Baili Luo Yun nodded in a solemn manner, and didn't show how moved he was again. Instead, he spoke-up firmly, ”I understand.”

”Ah… excellent! It seems that you've forged ahead in your Xuan strength's ranks as well! You were at Jade Xuan Peak the last time I saw you. But, you're at the peak of Earth Xuan's lower level now! You will be at the middle rank of Earth Xuan after one more step! This rate of progress is quite fast. It's indeed lightning fast!” Jun Mo Xie looked over, and spoke-up somewhat flabbergasted.

”This is thanks to those divine pills from the Young Master. I had broken through the blocked of Jade Xuan after I took that pill. And, I was able to advance to the Earth Xuan Realm. I continued to absorb the strength of the medicine for some time. And, even I found it difficult to believe that taking a pill could make me advance so greatly. It's genuinely a heavenly pill!”

Baili Luo Yun again looked emotional the moment that topic was brought up. His limbs trembled in excitement as he recalled the moment when that earthen color had dazzled on his body for the first time. He couldn't help but become red.

[My divine pill should increase a person's cultivation by ten years, right? However, his breakthrough goes against the usual norm!]

Jun Mo Xie stared wide eyed. He gaped, but remained silent. [What kind of person is he? Many of men had taken that pill before. But, no one had advanced levels in such a terrifying manner. Yet, this guy has advanced so much with only one pill? He made it to the breakthrough. That's possible. But, he went even forward until he reached the peak of the next sub-level?]

[This speed is amazing!]

This advancement was still far short of the seven-eight levels Jun Mo Xie could advance in a single time. But, Jun Mo Xie understood the difference well.

[I can jump more than ten levels in one go. But, that's because I have the ultimate cheat-tool — the Hong Jun Pagoda! So, my body's aura can be replenished anytime and everywhere. But, this Baili Luo Yun has nothing. He only has innate skill. But, this kind of innate skill is not normal!]

[It is worth it to invest a lot in such an innate talent. The only bad thing about this youngster is that he still can't follow strict orders. But, this important rule can be established slowly and steadily.]

[After all, the canal is formed when the water flows.]