A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 182 - 149: Bai Qi? He’ll Never Return Alive!

They exchanged tacit glances, and finally, Ox Aspect said:

"Observe quietly and adapt to the situation. It's either strike early or be patient. Strike early before the news spreads, his master might not be alert, and you'll seize the opportunity;

Patience means not rushing to take the contract, waiting three to five years until that Bai kid settles down with a family, empire grows, eventually exposing a flaw."

Dog Aspect took a more proactive stance, looking at the silent, lanky young man:

"Brother Snake, what do you say? It was you who actively contacted us, and you must be keen on closing this big deal."

The Hidden Pavilion doesn't recruit assassins, at least not on the surface, only handling pre-sale listings and post-sale payments.

But so-called influence is like drifting sands, easily forming once gathered.

Assassins murder, receive money for life, long gone from traditional freelance modes.

Because the chances of falling when taking contracts alone are relatively high.

The more thoroughly prepared in this line, the less likely you'll be shipwrecked.

Evacuation, surveillance, disguise, stealth... all require manpower assistance.

Such scenes in pulp novels with martial arts masters crashing through markets, mansions, palaces, brazenly taking heads, and leaving swiftly.

Almost non-existent.

Firstly, truly formidable practitioners don't need to hide, earning hard money with head tied to their waist.

Wherever they go, they can become guests of great power with their outstanding skills.

Secondly, what kind of contract suits what kind of bounty.

Every secret offer should align with the level of the target itself.

That's what business is.

For instance, masters of the third training find it hard to fancy contracts to kill second training.

Unless the opponent's identity is extraordinary, protected by practitioners of the same level, offering a reward far exceeding the original.

Gradually, numerous assassins gathered by the Hidden Pavilion began collaborating with division, spawning gangs big and small.

The Twelve Astrological Aspects are a fairly renowned group among them.

They are mutually unfamiliar, occasionally joining forces for contracts, sharing rewards based on contribution.

With Dragon Aspect having the highest martial skill, at third training great success, followed by Snake Aspect and Tiger Aspect, barely breaking through the skin barrier, organs untempered.

Other astrological signs have their strengths, Dog Aspect excels in tracking, Pig Aspect's horizontal training is impressive, Ox Aspect and Horse Aspect are versed in joint attack, frontal restraint.

These years they've completed several big deals, gradually gaining fame, ranking upper middle in Hidden Pavilion tier Ding.

"Follow the contract."

Ninghai Zen, wearing a Snake Aspect mask, fully immersed in the role.

"Brother Snake's Throat-Sealing Sword Skill is so fierce, if he's the final act, the primary choice for assassination, this deal is not nine out of ten, at least there's sixty to seventy percent chance."

Dog Aspect squinted, evidently tempted.

He's been short on money lately, urgently needing a windfall to fill the gap.

"Just us few?"

Pig Aspect rubbed his hands, also hesitant in tone.

"Brother Tiger sent word, he's interested too, on the way."

Horse Aspect said in a muffled voice.

"Seems to me, if we gather over half the twelve, it's not impossible to take but we must be swift."

Ox Aspect spoke with slight relaxation, glancing at Snake Aspect with a chilling sharpness belted with a longsword, said sternly:

"Bai's master is at fourth training, perceives killing intent and malice nearly preemptively, a scary gut feeling, so we should mention him less."

Dog Aspect then asked:

"Brother Dragon hasn't appeared for a long time, remember years ago, he wanted to take that big contract of Meridian Sword Sect's true legacy, then disappeared afterward."

Creek.

Another person pushed the door open.

The sound was tender, a woman wearing a Sheep Aspect mask:

"Brother Dragon's gone into seclusion, reportedly had breakthroughs in martial arts, he's also coveting thousand taels of gold falling from the sky, planning to do a hand in it.

But intends to take the contract alone, likely won't partner with us."

"Sister Yang also arrived? Good, good, good. With your crafted powder and bizarre Daoist skills controlling insects, another ten percent chance of victory."

Dog Aspect clapped heartily, tallied inwardly, Pig, Dog, Ox, Horse, Sheep, Tiger, Snake.

The Twelve Astrological Aspects reached seven people, killing a little second bone barrier kid, absolutely won't miss.

A mere Bai, hmph, will ensure he comes and doesn't return!

"Besides us, who else took the contract? Do you know?"

Snake Aspect spoke like spitting ice shards, no fluctuations whatsoever.

"The Wei Brothers from Toothless Cave, Boss Song from Yellow Smoke Mountain... Loosely eight people approximately, all masters."

News-sensitive Dog Aspect said.

"Provide me intelligence, deducted from the bounty."

Brother She said coldly:

"Since we've taken on this deal, it's best for others not to come and mess things up."

Everyone was shocked at heart, having collaborated several times, they were well aware of Brother She's ice-cold and severe temperament, and for a moment, no one dared to refute.

Brother Dog brought out a secret report bought at a high price, including the recent update of Yama's Seal from the Hidden Pavilion, and handed it over:

"Brother She, if there's anything I can help with, feel free to command."

Brother She waved his hand and glanced over Yama's Seal, which was something like the Dragon Court Mansion Report.

Updated monthly, it records the ten people with the highest bounties in the Hidden Pavilion, as well as the top-ranked Celestial Assassins.

"Tongwen Hall Ning... fifth place, bounty for a guaranteed Divine Soldier, a three-year use right of a Prefecture City Spirit Vein, an arbitrary true skill book... why has it increased again?"

Brother Pig glanced sideways and happened to see the page Brother She was flipping to, couldn't help laughing:

"The enemy has ranked from Yihai Prefecture to Celestial Water Prefecture, truly this person makes countless enemies."

Brother Yang covered her mouth and laughed:

"Ranked in the top ten in the Hidden Pavilion bounty list for five whole years, yet still lively, it indirectly shows the ferocity of the one named Ning."

Brother She remained silent, quickly skipped through, and his gaze settled on the Celestial Element Assassin List.

The numerous assassins of the Hidden Pavilion, according to martial skills, size of deals, and number of successes, are divided into ten levels: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J.

Named the "Celestial Stems Register."

At this time Brother Dog said again:

"Top assassins in the A-ranked category are people who rarely take jobs in ten years, but once they do, they can live off it for a lifetime. That 'Old Knife Master' who slew the true disciple of the Meridian Sword Sect then disappeared, despite the furious wrath of the Upper Sect thunder in a Prefecture, entangled a few thousand lives, causing rivers of blood, but couldn't trace anything to him.

And 'Tian Changqiu', who knows what kind of deity he is, dared to take the job of assassinating the five-thousand-year-old Flood Dragon in the Nu Yun River Water Monarch Palace."

Brother Ma shook his head and said:

"Such powerhouses don't need to be assassins, merely act under the name of the Hidden Pavilion and conveniently earn some benefits.

Who knows which great Buddha is behind their masks."

Brother She put away the secret report and Yama's Seal, got up and left without a word, not even bothering with farewell, the other brothers seemed accustomed to it, lingered for a while, exchanged some useful information, and then left.

... 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

...

Ninghai Zen closed his eyes, his mind as clear as a mirror, reflecting the figures of Pig, Dog, Cow, Horse, Sheep.

After thinking for a while, he decided to let them remain for now, convenient for when the grand play unfolds.

He took off Brother She's mask and replaced it with the one of Dragon Aspect with lofty horns and a fierce, majestic look.

Preparing to follow the secret report given by Brother Dog, to eliminate weeds one by one, otherwise the nest effect would be too good, too many big fish would take the bait, and he wouldn't be able to manage, letting others take advantage.

The plan needs to be stable and cautious.

Drawing in the Twelve Star Aspects of the Hidden Pavilion, plus the lone spirits and ghosts of the four great families, is enough.

"Old Knife Master, Tian Changqiu, can no longer be used. Let Ah Qi come up with a new name for me."

Ninghai Zen thought inwardly, just as he had instructed Bai Qi, walking the Jianghu, don't use one's real name, focus on being cautious and prudent.

"Finish the task, leave without a trace, and hide your merits and name! That's exactly how Ah Qi described it perfectly!"

...

...

The next day.

Daylight is bright.

Bai Qi opened his drowsy eyes, did not rest well last night, occasionally dreaming of various fierce gods and demons responding to the Hidden Pavilion's bounty dark flower, laying down ten traps.

He rubbed his temples, sat up, dressed in his robe, and sighed deeply:

"I don't know how my master's fishing skills will be, hopefully the heavens will lend me a hand."

Bai Qi was washing in the courtyard, suddenly saw Ninghai Zen returning from outside, stepping over the courtyard gate.

"Master, you're awake so early?"

Ninghai Zen nodded slightly, said calmly:

"Breathing the morning sun, relaxing my muscles."

Bai Qi quickly rinsed his mouth clean, spat out the water held in his mouth:

"Master hasn't had breakfast yet, your disciple will go buy it."

Ninghai Zen nodded:

"Indeed, I'm a bit hungry."

Bai Qi heard and muttered inwardly, wasn't it about breathing the morning sun?

"By the way, Ah Qi, when you walk the Jianghu in the future, don't use your real name or surname, what will you choose? It should be cold-blooded and ferocious, making people afraid at first hearing."

Ninghai Zen asked unprompted.

"Jing Wuming then."

Bai Qi answered casually.

Cold enough, cool enough, cocky enough, perfectly suits Master's requirements.