“God of Battle’s blood” was akin to a magical phrase that made everyone tune in; even Zhuo Fengru felt alive upon hearing those four words.
Snapping out of his astonishment, Bai Tianbin laughed hysterically, then said, “Nice thinking, lass. The monk is in trouble, and Liu Shan Men is on their way, so you’re calling for help. Unfortunately, your method isn’t very smart. If we sit back and watch, your group won’t be able to do squat.”
Yungu smiled. “If the three of us join hands, Liu Shan Men is but a bug. Besides, in the event they do come, their first target is unlikely to be Sky Palace.”
There was a rumour that Liu Shan Men’s captain and Divine Moon Cult’s leader were the worst pair of foes in the last century, getting into physical altercations if they ever met and they would tear a building apart every time they fought. People would then scavenge the scene for any object still intact to sell on the black market for a fat sum. Homes, inns, huts, shrines, brothels and even the imperial palace had to once undergo renovations because of their “sparring matches”. As for Liu Shan Men as an entity of itself, as if they weren’t enemies yet, their leaders even told them to strangle the other side’s members to death if they ever came across one.
Even if nobody understood what Yungu implied, Bai Tianbin did – evident from his silence and grim look.
Yungu turned to Master Le. “Mr. Bai does not seem to have any objections. We are but weak women. Can we count on League of Assassins if a dangerous enemy comes?”
“You think too highly of us. I am a businessman through and through. Therefore, I don’t do anything unless I have 100% guarantee of success.” Smiling even with his eyes, Master Le patted his belly. “Hoho, we all know only one last source of his blood remains today. Everyone knows Battle of God’s body is a divine entity, but how do you know it’s him? I only agreed to join because the monk promised to test him, but he just got stabbed in the back, so that plan looks like it’s history. How can we do business when we can’t even confirm if the goods are authentic or not?”
“Had you not confirmed he was the real deal, you would not have had your assistant send him food, would you?”
“No clue, no clue, honestly no clue. I’m not ballsy. Killing, yes, but only the boss man can decide to take jobs with no profit.”
“In that case, there is a simple solution. Regardless of whether he is authentic or not, we will only keep him for one month. After that, you can take him – no strings attached. What do you say?”
“… All right, we accept. We can feel your sincerity, hahaha.” Master Le flicked up a thumb, then turned to Bai Tianbin. “Hey, her offer is fabulous. If you don’t offer a bid, you’re going to lose it from right under your nose.”
Bai Tianbin shook his head. “We’re searching for the blood to resolve our cult’s problems. This old one doesn’t know what League of Assassins’ endgame may be, but it could purely be for fun. On the other hand, your group never gets involved unless there’s something valuable. For what reason are you investing so much for a monk from the Western Regions?”
“You misunderstand. God of Battle’s blood will only harness its full potential when endangered. Miguo is the best testing tool. All three of us stand to gain significantly from this. Please do not let your emotions cloud your judgement.”
Both Bai Tianbin and Zhuxing Wuchang nodded.
Nobody but the three leaders heard the discussion between them.
Yungu saluted the three before heading over to Miguo. “Your Excellency, how does it go?”
Appearance ghastly white, Miguo shook his head. “It does not bode well.”
Yungu stole a gander Leng Jingliu’s way and dimpled whilst saying to Miguo, “Rest up, Your Excellency. There are a series of tough battles ahead of us. Allow this one to take out the trash for you first.”
Hua Qing met with Yungu’s gaze that was comparable to a snake eyeing a frog. While she did trip him, he wasn’t afraid of her.
“You have something to say, Young Master Hua?”
“… You are trying to force Brother Ming’s hand, aren’t you?”
The question wiped away Yungu’s smirk because he wasn’t supposed to have been able to hear their dialogue communicated via Voice Transmission. “You heard?”
“You won’t kill because you can’t beat the one who will avenge me.” Hua Qing didn’t even blink in case he missed any micro expressions. “You want Miguo to kill me and then for him and Brother Ming to hurt each other, correct?”
Yungu’s brightness returned. “Young Master Hua, people need to stop calling you stupid when you’re so perceptive. You’re the first outsider to correctly guess our plan.”
“What do you want?”
“Did you not just state it? This one does not dare to kill you, but breaking your legs, taking your relic and healing Lord Miguo are not out of bounds, are they?”
“Leng Jingliu is Mr. Shen’s disciple…”
“Indeed. He won’t protect you, however, especially not when he knows that our three factions would team up on him if he tried anything now.”
“Today is Lotus Convention! Miguo and I are competing for leadership! How can you interfere?!”
Yungu amplified her voice. “You were the one who stated that everyone has a fair chance at competing for leadership, no? This one humbly wishes to offer what unworthy help she can.”
Yungu thrust her hand past Hua Qing’s guard to tag him on the chest, only to pull away in a panic before she transferred her yin energy into him. Although she maintained her usual expression, she retreated twice as fast as she advanced and without the same precision. “Great Guardian Wen!”
Standing in front of Hua Qing, Zhuxing Wuchang giddily responded, “What are you trying to do to my brother?”
“The question is, what are you doing?” Yungu’s brows came together.
“You said we’re competing for leadership, didn’t you? If you can compete for it, why can’t I?”
“Mr. Bai! What is the meaning of this?!”
“Doing as you suggested, no?”
“When did I ever suggest this?”
“Acting on emotions is this old one’s image and Divine Moon Sect’s credo. If he listens to your suggestion to not act on emotions, he’d be blaspheming cult tenets. He cannot let down his leader. Sword Paragon.”
“Present.” Zhuxing Wuchang vanished out of sight.
Bai Tianbin lifted up the corners of his lips. “Let there be anarchy.”
Zhuxing Wuchang emerged in view again with head eight maidens’ heads, blood still spilling out from their necks. The last thing Yungu expected was for her assassins’ presences to be known, much less taken out so quick.
The blonde man flashed a corner of his white pearls. “Already on it.”
