NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 13: 13. Assassins in the Dark
A Silent Night... Or So It Seemed
The Ling Clan compound was peaceful. A crescent moon hung in the sky, casting its dim glow over the rooftops.
Most disciples were asleep, dreaming of their upcoming battles in the tournament.
But for Ling Tian?
Sleep was not an option.
He sat in his courtyard, sipping tea under the moonlight, his expression calm.
His fingers tapped idly against the wooden table.
He was waiting.
He knew that after his meeting at the Azure Pavilion, the real game would begin.
And just as expected…
A faint rustle echoed from the rooftops.
Ling Tian smirked.
'Took them long enough.'
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A Dance of Blades
Without making a sound, Ling Tian stood up and turned.
The moment he moved, a dagger flashed toward his neck.
Swish!
He tilted his head slightly, letting the blade pass harmlessly by.
Clang!
His fingers snapped forward, catching the assassin's wrist.
A second figure lunged from behind, wielding a short sword coated in black poison.
Ling Tian's eyes flashed.
Fast. But not fast enough.
With a flick of his wrist, he yanked the first assassin into the second attacker's strike.
"Ugh!"
The first assassin's shoulder was pierced, causing him to grunt in pain.
The second assassin's face twisted in shock—a mistake.
Ling Tian's palm slammed into his chest.
BOOM!
The man flew backward, crashing through the courtyard's stone railing.
The remaining assassin gritted his teeth and leaped back, blood dripping from his wound.
"Who sent you?" Ling Tian asked, his voice calm but sharp.
The assassin remained silent.
Ling Tian sighed.
"Typical."
He disappeared.
The assassin's eyes widened—where did he—?!
CRACK!
A fist sank into his gut, sending him flying.
He barely had time to react before a knee slammed into his chin, launching him into the air.
Before he could even fall back down—
A hand grabbed his collar mid-air, dragging him forward.
Ling Tian's face was right in front of his.
"You have five seconds to tell me who sent you. Otherwise…"
His grip tightened.
"Y-You…!" The assassin choked.
Ling Tian smiled.
"Five."
The assassin trembled.
"Four."
His vision blurred.
"Three."
Cold sweat dripped down his forehead.
"Two—"
"Wait!" he gasped, coughing up blood.
Ling Tian smirked.
"I'm listening."
---
A Name From the Shadows
The assassin struggled to breathe. His lips trembled as he muttered:
"…Snake Hall…"
Ling Tian's expression didn't change.
He had already guessed that much.
"Not good enough," he said, loosening his grip slightly. "I want the name of the traitor inside the clan."
The assassin hesitated.
Ling Tian's fingers twitched.
"One—"
"LING… LING—!!"
CRACK!
An arrow pierced the assassin's throat.
Ling Tian sighed.
"Really? That's just rude."
He let the corpse fall as he turned his gaze toward the rooftops.
A third figure stood there, holding a bow.
Their face was hidden under a mask, but their killing intent was clear.
"Should've aimed for my head," Ling Tian said lazily. "That was your one chance."
The archer disappeared in a blur.
Ling Tian smiled.
'Looks like the fun isn't over yet.'
---
The Hunt Begins
Ling Tian vanished, chasing after the fleeing assassin.
His feet barely touched the ground as he weaved through the dark rooftops, his eyes locked onto the shadow ahead.
The masked archer moved swiftly, but—
"Too slow," Ling Tian whispered.
With a burst of movement, he appeared right beside the assassin.
The archer barely had time to turn before a hand gripped their wrist, twisting it violently.
CRACK!
The bow shattered.
A pained grunt escaped the assassin's lips.
Ling Tian grabbed their mask and ripped it off.
And then—
His eyes narrowed.
"You?"
The assassin was not some unknown enemy.
She was a disciple of the Ling Clan.
Ling Tian tilted his head, amused.
"Well… this just got interesting."
The woman clenched her jaw, eyes filled with hatred.
"You should've stayed dead, Ling Tian."
He chuckled.
"How disappointing. You had a chance to take my life, yet here you are, in my grasp instead."
She glared at him.
"You can kill me, but it won't change anything. The Snake Hall has already made its move."
Ling Tian smirked.
"Good. That means I won't have to hold back anymore."
Her eyes widened slightly at his words.
Before she could say anything else—
BOOM!
An explosion erupted in the distance.
Ling Tian's gaze flickered toward the Ling Clan's main hall.
A fire.
And chaos had just begun.
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