The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror-Chapter 823 - 380: The Ancient City

Yue Nu dared not speak.

She had been in the worldly society for years and knew well when to speak and when not to.

Now was not the time to speak.

She sensed a murderous intent.

Murderous intent is a very mysterious thing.

Ordinary people can’t even feel its presence.

But Yue Nu was clear that this murderous intent did exist in the world.

And this murderous intent came from the person fishing.

"Brother, how can there be fish in the sand?" Xu Qing suddenly spoke to the fisherman.

Xu Qing knew there were certain types of fish that could survive in sandy soils, but those soils were very moist, definitely not like the dry quicksand in front of them.

Of course, he also knew that the other party wasn’t there to fish.

Fisherman: "Who says using a fishing hook must be to catch fish?"

"Then, brother, are you trying to catch me?" Xu Qing smiled.

The fisherman’s calm gaze fell on Xu Qing, and he said, "Since a quarter of an hour ago, I’ve used 108 methods trying to cast the hook on you, yet never succeeded once."

Xu Qing: "Perhaps it’s because you weren’t resolute enough."

The fisherman shook his head: "I trust my judgment; if I were to strike, I’d definitely miss."

Xu Qing: "You really are suited to be an assassin."

Fisherman: "Killing is a boring task. If you’re prepared to kill, naturally you must be prepared to be killed as well. Now, the only thing I’m curious about is how you would kill me."

Xu Qing: "Since you didn’t act, why should I kill you?"

Fisherman: "That’s because I wasn’t confident in striking; if I was, you’d be dead by now. In theory, it’s an attempted murder."

Yue Nu wore a peculiar expression.

She had never encountered someone like this before.

Xu Qing: "If you hadn’t said so, I wouldn’t know. Does saying it mean you really want me to kill you?"

Fisherman: "I’m just discussing facts. Killing is a very fair matter."

Xu Qing sighed: "No, isn’t the one who sent you to kill me the real murderer? You’re merely a murder weapon."

The fisherman fell silent.

Xu Qing’s gaze fell again on the flowing sand: "If I kill you, does that mean you are no longer a murder weapon but a human?"

Fisherman: "Correct."

Xu Qing: "Am I allowed to know your name?"

"Han Tang."

"I heard there’s a famous assassin organization in the worldly society called Joyful Forest. In my opinion, Brother Han is far more formidable than any killer in that organization."

"Perhaps."

"I have always admired skillful people."

Han Tang looked at Xu Qing, with some confusion.

Xu Qing smiled: "Brother Han, do you think I can kill you?"

"Yes."

"Then, your life is mine."

Han Tang pieced together Xu Qing’s earlier words and couldn’t help but understand Xu Qing’s intention. He said, "I cannot be your subordinate."

"Why not?"

"Because I owe someone a life, and I only have one life."

"Alright, then his life is mine too, and I’ll let him repay you."

"Do you know who this person is?"

"I don’t, but whatever I want to know, I will definitely find out. Brother Han can follow me until I get his life to exchange for yours, and only then will I give you tasks."

Han Tang said indifferently, "I couldn’t kill you, and I have nowhere else to go."

Xu Qing chuckled: "Following me is the right choice; otherwise, someone like you will eventually die at the hands of others."

Han Tang remained silent.

Xu Qing was right.

An assassin never lives long.

He’s not someone who enjoys killing, yet for the sake of survival, he must kill.

Because he had to kill, he grew heartless and cold.

But this wasn’t what he wanted.

If he still had family, he’d never become who he is today.

But he doesn’t.

Someone without ties is indeed suited to be an assassin.

Encountering Xu Qing was supposed to be Han Tang’s chance for liberation, but it seems not.

He knew clearly, with Xu Qing’s displayed power, the person behind him would find it hard to escape once Xu Qing discovered who he was.

The key was whether Xu Qing could really find him.

Beside Han Tang himself, probably no one believed that the "Old Uncle" nurturing a band of assassins was him.

Yes, the person behind him was called Old Uncle.

If Old Uncle’s identity were revealed, it’d certainly shock the entire worldly society.

Even if Han Tang spoke out Old Uncle’s identity, likely no one would believe him.

Xu Qing suddenly asked, "Brother Han, do you know what the greatest killing swordsmanship in the world today is?"

"I don’t know, but I do know the most formidable murder weapon in the world."

"Oh, what is it?"

"Master, I also know."

Xu Qing, intrigued, said, "What is it?"

"A suitcase."

Han Tang looked at Yue Nu in surprise.

Yue Nu respectfully said, "I heard Chai Yuguan mention it."

Xu Qing: "Was that suitcase crafted by Master Xiao?"

Han Tang: "You know as well?"

He knew about Xu Qing’s background, having always lived in Chongyang Palace before this journey and only occasionally descending, never venturing far from Zhongnan Mountain.

He couldn’t imagine how Xu Qing, with his experiences, could know so much.

Thus, he was further puzzled whether the all-knowing powers of "Old Uncle" didn’t allow him to detect any of Xu Qing’s peculiarities in advance.

If they did, why send him on a task doomed to fail like assassinating Xu Qing?

It was clearly an impossible task.

As terrifying as Xu Qing was, amongst all Han Tang had met, he ranked him in the top two.

The other was "Old Uncle’s" good friend.

That man was also a Taoist.

Xu Qing: "I wonder if I’ll see that suitcase in the Western Regions."

Han Tang: "Impossible to see, because only one person can invite the owner of the suitcase."

"Who?"

"Great Hero Condor," Han Tang slowly said.

Xu Qing took out the Mystic Iron Order in his hand and said, "So, if I hold the Mystic Iron Order and find Great Hero Condor, I could invite out that suitcase and have its owner kill for me?"

Han Tang: "Indeed. Yet, with your strength, perhaps there’s no one left in the world who can escape your assassination."

Xu Qing: "There’s always a time when one doesn’t want to act personally. Seems like keeping this Mystic Iron Order is beneficial. But alas, I must first counsel Junbao."

Han Tang: "Is it Zhang Junbao?"

"Yes, he’s my good brother. What, have you met him?"

Han Tang: "Yes, not long ago he and Shi Guanyin entered the ancient city of Jue."

Xu Qing: "Where did Brother Han learn this information?"

"Disciple of Master Kumei, Gao Yana, helped me once before. I encountered her this time." Han Tang mentioned Gao Yana, with a slight unnaturalness in his expression.

Xu Qing curiously asked: "By the way, I heard the leader of Joyful Forest is called Head Gao. What relation does he have with Gao Yana?"

Xu Qing had indeed inquired from Gao Yana.

But Gao Yana was evasive and wouldn’t reveal the truth.

Yue Nu also didn’t know this matter.

In the end, she was more familiar with affairs in the Western Regions.

Moreover, Joyful Forest was a place even Joyful King didn’t want to provoke easily.

Because Joyful King was wary of the people behind Joyful Forest.

Han Tang: "If Lady Gao didn’t tell you, I certainly cannot."

Xu Qing: "Seems like you like Gao Yana a lot. If she likes you too, I can mediate for you."

"Daoist Xu, please refrain from such jokes," a familiar voice spoke.

Xu Qing turned his head to see two familiar faces.

One was Gao Yana, the other Master Kumei.

"Master, do you not trust my abilities? Why come personally to the Western Regions?" Xu Qing said cheerfully.

Master Kumei: "Daoist Xu, I am here for another matter."

"What matter?"

Master Kumei: "Daoist Xu, have you heard about the auction in the ancient city of Jue?"

"I have."

Master Kumei: "In this auction, there is an extraordinary swordsmanship up for sale, which is exactly why I’m here."

"What swordsmanship could surpass Master Tai’s Thirteen Forms of Qingfeng?" Xu Qing smiled.

"There is one; it’s called the ’Dugu Nine Swords.’"