Chapter 191: The Honor of an Assassin

The Dual Wielder died a peaceful death.

...

Previously...

Before arriving at the Tree Demon Mountain, the Dual Wielder had the determined mindset of "If I cannot succeed, then I will die."

"You are in such a dangerous situation. You cannot afford to fail this time," pressured the crow perched on his shoulder.

"I know. I brought the Soul-Suppressing Banner. I will not fail again!" the Dual Wielder exclaimed with determination.

As long as someone nearby was killed, the Soul-Suppressing Banner would immediately capture and suppress their dispersed soul, refining it into nothingness.

It was an enchanted artifact of the diabolical path that gave people no chance of surviving.

"You have attempted to assassinate him on multiple occasions, yet somehow he always manages to escape. It seems he must have been alerted," the crow said. "It was quite a challenge for our spy within Mount Shu to orchestrate this opportunity for you. This time, the target has just formed the ultimate-tier Golden Core. Our spy discreetly mentioned this task to someone at the Sword Exchange Pavilion, giving our target the chance to accept a mission. If you fail in this attempt, he surely won’t leave this mountain again easily."

"I know!" The Dual Wielder frowned as he snapped.

Regarding the crow's persistent nagging, irritation was evident in the Dual Wielder’s tone.

Enough with the squawking. The more you talk about it, the more annoyed I feel.

As a proud assassin, it was the first time he had faced such repeated setbacks when assassinating a target. The most frustrating part of this was that he had no idea of the reason for his failures.

A mere disciple at the third realm couldn't possibly possess any advanced divine skills or cultivate any immortal arts.

How did he manage to come back to life every time?

There must be some hidden mystery.

The Dual Wielder really wanted to take Chu Liang hostage, torture him, and interrogate him.

However, upon further consideration, he concluded that it would be prudent to avoid complications and instead opt for a single decisive strike when the opportunity presented itself.

Soon, he spotted Chu Liang.

Fire blazed on the Tree Demon Mountain, and Chu Liang was fleeing from the raging flames while focusing his divine sense on something behind him. It seemed that something was chasing Chu Liang.

It was an excellent opportunity for the Dual Wielder!

As a professional assassin, the Dual Wielder sensed this prime opportunity. Without any hesitation, he drew his blades and leaped into action!

A black streak of light flashed forward with a thunderous roar.

Swoosh—

First, Second, Third...

This was the third time he had cleaved this disciple of the Mount Shu Sect in half.

At the moment he felt the separation of flesh and blood, the Dual Wielder even offered a small prayer in his heart, hoping that there would not be a next time.

He flipped his hand to unfurl the Soul Suppressing Banner, yet the banner remained completely still, devoid of any movement whatsoever.

The Dual Wielder felt a sense of despair.

Then came the most embarrassing moment of his life.

The towering trees around him all transformed into humanoid forms, with over two hundred tree demons surrounding him in all directions.

Oh crap! An ambush!

Dual Wielder wouldn't believe that it was a mere coincidence.

It was clear that Chu Liang was already aware and had set up this trap!

Very cunning indeed!

Looking at the target right in front of him and the large group of tree demons, the Dual Wielder made a decision.

As an assassin, he refused to accept such a humiliating failure.

With his cultivation level, if he had tried to escape, these tree demons might not have been able to stop him.

Nevertheless, he didn’t escape.

The Dual Wielder asked, "If I said I was just passing by, would you all believe me?"

Just when everyone was on the verge of laughter, the Dual Wielder suddenly sprang into action!

Swoosh!

A streak of black light shot towards Chu Liang!

Even if he couldn't escape, he was determined to kill his target this time! He refused to believe that a person could still survive after having been killed multiple times. He believed that this would be the last time!

Even if he died in the process, he was determined to complete this mission!

Indeed, it was the honorable choice befitting an assassin of his caliber!

However, as Chu Liang faced the swiftly approaching black streak of light, he remained unusually calm and composed, showing none of the panic he had exhibited during previous encounters.

He formed a finger seal with his index finger and middle finger as he shouted, "Watch this!"

The Dual Wielder glanced at it and saw a sudden burst of intense light emanating from Chu Liang's fingers, shining brilliantly like the sun in his hand!

Swoosh

—

Countless golden rays were blindingly bright. The Dual Wielder exclaimed in pain as he felt his eyes instantly scorched and stinging.

No wonder Chu Liang shouted loudly! This technique would only work if it had been seen!

The intense light not only stung his eyes but also stopped his momentum. In the presence of the sun-like radiance, all shadows were exposed!

This was the countermeasure Chu Liang had prepared.

When he was at the Hall of Conservation previously, he asked Yuan Zhuo how he should deal with the Shadow-Severing Seal: Black Light.

Yuan Zhuo explained that this type of divine skill was most suitable for assassination done in the dark, leveraging shadows that were extremely swift and difficult to defend against. If one's cultivation was lower than the performer of this technique, achieving victory would be even more challenging. To counter it slightly, one could use the Blazing Sunlight Seal to emit strong light suddenly and disrupt the manipulation of shadows.

The Blazing Sunlight Seal was a relatively basic minor skill. Therefore, Yuan Zhuo didn't even accept payment from Chu Liang; he simply described it, and Chu Liang quickly grasped it after some study.

It was easy but rather useful.

This also made Chu Liang realize the importance of mastering various divine skills and techniques. Someone like Yuan Zhuo, who had a vast knowledge of divine arts, could quickly devise strategies against any opponent in a short amount of time.

However, Chu Liang's cultivation level was still inferior to that of the Dual Wielder, and even if he managed to withstand the first strike of the shadow, he lacked the means to win. If they continued to engage in this fight, he would still inevitably face the outcome of being killed.

Moreover, the tree demon brothers surrounding him were not ones to be trifled with.

They might not be able to handle the Winged Fire Python, but they wouldn't be intimidated by a sudden assassin attack like this.

Especially since Chu Liang had just rendered meritorious service to the tree demon clan, the Dual Wielder immediately emerged to try to kill him, enraging all the tree demons.

𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Led by Elder Qinghuai, they all shouted angrily, "Capture him!"

Swoosh swoosh swoosh—

In the blink of an eye, countless green vines obscured the sky, surging out from the long arms of the tree demons and completely enveloping the Dual Wielder.

He wielded his two blades, transforming into a black wind, and in an instant, shattered countless vines with unparalleled ferocity!

But in the next moment, a huge green dragon formed by the branches and leaves of the green vines followed behind the rampant vines, swallowing the Dual Wielder whole!

Elder Qinghuai formed a seal with his fingers, guiding the enormous green vine dragon in the air, his robes fluttering, exuding a majestic aura!

Roar—

After swallowing the Dual Wielder, the green dragon stood upright, revealing flashes of black light within its body, with several black light gaps permeating through its breath.

The Dual Wielder still attempted to break free from within!

His blades were incredibly sharp!

In terms of strength, his cultivation level was definitely superior to Elder Qinghuai's, and the tree demons were not particularly adept at combat. Although they were numerous, their quantity still couldn't bridge the gap in cultivation level, and it seemed like they couldn't stop him!

Seeing that Elder Qinghuai was about to fail to trap him, Chu Liang pointed to the sea of flames not far ahead and said, "Throw him in there!"

Upon hearing this, Elder Qinghuai waved his hands, and with a flick, he threw the green vine dragon into the sea of flames!

Boom!

The green dragon instantly transformed into a fire dragon!

The divine fire from the Winged Fire Python had two main traits: it burned really hot and it stuck to things like glue. Once it touched something, even a rock could keep burning for days until it was all gone.

The Dual Wielder, trapped within, immediately sensed that something was amiss as the temperature suddenly soared. Flames engulfed him, surrounding him as if he was about to be burned to ash! His body transformed into a blazing silhouette in an instant!

"

Ahhhhh—

" Feeling the excruciating pain, he screamed, yet miraculously, his strong cultivation kept him alive! As the green dragon was consumed by the flames, he burst out, shrouded in a cloak of black light!

Just as he was about to leap into the air, two copper balls exploded above his head!

Boom boom!

Without hesitation, Chu Liang hurled both of the Shadowburst Thunder Bombs in his grasp!

The explosions from the Shadowburst Thunder Bombs were extremely powerful and came with terrifying effects. The Dual Wielder's upward momentum was abruptly stopped.

In this momentary pause, countless vines wrapped around him, dragging him down into the sea of flames.

He was bound and burned.

"

Ahhhh!

I'll kill you!"

The Dual Wielder, severely injured by the intense flames, intensified his already fierce killing intent to an unparalleled level, almost reaching the sky!

He locked onto Chu Liang with his aura, unleashing the final technique with the last of his cultivation energy. Suddenly, he transformed into a black blade light!

The killing intent was overwhelming! Chu Liang shuddered as he sensed the blade's presence from a distance. He couldn't comprehend why, but he felt powerless to evade it!

Was this simply the insurmountable gap in cultivation levels at work?

But how could he sit back and wait for death? With a swift movement of his sword, he promptly mounted it as he attempted to escape!

The surrounding tree demon clan members swiftly erected one sturdy vine wall after another, each remarkably solid! Yet the blade light conjured by the Dual Wielder appeared unstoppable, effortlessly slicing through dozens of vine walls in an instant!

The intent to kill was resolute!

If he didn't kill Chu Liang today, he would never be able to rest in peace!

"

Arghhhhhhh—

"

In his almost hysterical roar, Chu Liang's figure was finally forced closer.

Chu Liang had managed to escape the pursuit of the Winged Fire Python, but he couldn't outrun the black light of the Dual Wielder!

This strike harbored his deep-seated resentment and came too fast!

Whoosh—

Blood splattered everywhere.

The Dual Wielder's figure was revealed, falling to the ground in a sorry state.

He had been burnt beyond recognition, with only one intact eye left. He struggled to prop himself up on the ground. His gaze turned back to Chu Liang, now sliced in half and lying motionless.

The Dual Wielder grinned triumphantly. He had just managed to kill Chu Liang amidst the blockade of wood demon clan members, using up nearly all his strength in the process. It didn't seem like he'd have the energy to escape today.

But so what? He had fulfilled his mission and enjoyed the glory befitting an assassin.

"You've met your end at my hand at last," the Dual Wielder laughed maniacally, cloaked in ashes and blood.

"

Hehe...

" came a response to his laughter, as someone emerged from the distant forest.

"

Hmm?

" The Dual Wielder sensed something awry at the sound of the voice. He turned his gaze, only to see Chu Liang stepping out once more.

Why? What kind of immortal existence are you?

The Dual Wielder's mind reeled in disbelief. "Impossible! I must be mistaken!" he screamed frantically within himself. He rubbed his only uninjured eye with his hand, smeared with dust and blood, hoping to see the distant figure clearly.

But the more he rubbed, the blurrier it became.

"Knowing that your cultivation level is much higher than mine and that you can kill instantly, why would I risk facing you in my true form?" Chu Liang met the Dual Wielder's gaze, followed closely by the Golden-Furred Hou.

He approached calmly and continued saying, "By now, you can't move, right? Can you enlighten me on why you sought to end my life? I bear no grudges against you. What motivated you to target me? If you explain well, I might consider sparing you."

Indeed. The one who had appeared previously was merely a clone who had been given some enchanted tools. It was formed from the third strand of golden hair.

It was only now, at this moment, that Chu Liang revealed his true form.

"

Hahaha!

" The Dual Wielder suddenly started laughing loudly.

As he stared at Chu Liang, something about him, despite being a new disciple in the fourth realm, seemed almost devilish, like a king of the devils. Could there truly be someone unkillable in this world? In that moment, all the pride and convictions of being an assassin shattered within him, replaced by a seething resentment.

"You want to know?" he spat, his voice thick with bitterness. "I'll never tell you! Even in death, I'll haunt you!" With those words, he unexpectedly plunged the blade into his own chest, choosing to maintain his dignity through self-inflicted death.

Pierce!

As he died with bitterness and resentment, he believed he would become a vengeful spirit, seeking vengeance on Chu Liang. Chu Liang was surprised by the assassin's resolve. He had no idea.

Under normal circumstances, the Dual Wielder wouldn't have shown such determination. But his hatred towards Chu Liang blinded him with rage. He even wished to return as a vengeful spirit for revenge.

Then... the Soul-Suppressing Banner nearby stirred slightly. The Dual Wielder's soul was drawn into the banner, extinguishing his hopes of vengeance as a vengeful spirit.

His body, with the blade plunged into his chest and covered with burnt wounds resembling charcoal, presented a grotesque and horrifying sight, inducing nightmares. His facial features were indistinguishable, except for one bloodshot eye, which still reflected intense hatred.

And then, as if on cue, his hatred dissipated into thin air.

His deathly state appeared eerily peaceful.