https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-168-The-Great-Transformation-of-Ten-Thousand-Years-The-Arrival-of-the-Great-Era/13688339/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-170-Qi-Sha-Ling-the-Storm-Gathers/13688341/
Chapter 169: Yi Jin Bian Gu Shu
"Qian Jia Zhu" cutting off his own Heart Meridian came as a complete surprise to everyone present.
The final words he spoke stirred deep unease within many hearts.
Who could have imagined that a killer whose life revolved around taking others’ lives would end with a warning and counsel—directed at Lu Qing, his opponent.
Even Lu Qing’s expression flickered with emotion. He stood in silence, gazing at the corpse, lost in thought.
As "Qian Jia Zhu"’s life force faded, his body began to undergo a strange transformation.
His originally short and plump frame slowly elongated, growing taller and leaner. His face shifted, becoming that of an ordinary middle-aged man.
This eerie metamorphosis sent chills down the spines of the gathered guests.
"Yi Jin Bian Gu Shu," the Cloth-Clothed Youth murmured in awe, "a secret technique practiced only by the elite assassins of Qi Sha Lou. It allows a person to completely alter their physique and appearance, changing identities—truly sinister.
It is this very art that gives Qi Sha Lou such a devastating success rate in assassinations, making them a terror feared by all. And it is this same art that has allowed Qi Sha Lou to survive through the ages—so feared, even the mightiest sects have tried to eradicate them, yet none succeeded."
The guests shuddered.
This Yi Jin Bian Gu Shu was truly unnatural—insidious and impossible to guard against.
How could anyone prepare when an assassin could appear as someone entirely different, someone you might even trust?
After all, who among us doesn’t have loved ones we’d never suspect?
Wei Xinghe felt a cold dread seize him.
"Zhi Rui Ge Xia… with this man dead, what of An Er’s safety in the future?"
If Qi Sha Lou was this terrifying, and they had set their sights on him… could Zian still survive?
"Rest assured, Head of the Wei Family," the Cloth-Clothed Youth said calmly. "Qi Sha Lou has a strict rule: once a hit is accepted, the reward must be paid—regardless of success or failure.
If the assassination succeeds, the assassin takes seven-tenths of the reward. If the assassin dies, the entire reward goes to Qi Sha Lou.
The only way the reward can be refunded is if the assassin themselves admits failure and offers compensation.
Therefore, if the client wishes to continue targeting Wei Xiao Gongzi, they must issue a new bounty.
But this time, even the Twelve Heavenly Guardians failed.
The next bounty will surely be far greater than before. I doubt the client will be willing to spend such a fortune again."
The guests understood immediately.
The meaning was clear: as long as Qi Sha Lou issues a contract, and someone accepts it—whether they succeed or die—the reward must be paid.
The only exception is if the assassin admits defeat and offers compensation.
Of course, Qi Sha Lou dared to enforce such a rule only because they had the power to back it.
Perhaps, as Zhi Rui Ge Xia had earlier said, it was their near-perfect assassination success rate that gave them the confidence to set such a rule.
Even Wei Xinghe felt a measure of relief.
To lure a warrior stronger than the Twelve Heavenly Guardians, the reward would have to be astronomical.
The one behind this clearly targeted him.
If they could afford such a force, they would have simply issued a direct bounty on him—no need to indirectly provoke him through attacking Zian.
"Still," the Cloth-Clothed Youth added, "I’m more concerned about Lu Xiao Langjun."
Everyone turned to look at Lu Qing.
Lu Qing met his gaze.
"As the assassin said before dying, he called himself 'Tian Gu.' If I’m not mistaken, he was the Ninth among Qi Sha Lou’s Twelve Heavenly Guardians.
Though Qi Sha Lou has countless assassins, the positions of the Seventy-Two Disha and the Thirty-Six Heavenly Guardians are strictly limited.
Now that Tian Gu has been defeated and taken his own life, the Ninth Heavenly Guardian slot is vacant.
The Thirty-Six Heavenly Guardians hold a sacred status within Qi Sha Lou. That vacancy will undoubtedly attract the ambitions of other assassins.
To claim such a position, one must prove their worth.
And the fastest way to prove oneself?
By defeating the one who killed Tian Gu—the martial artist who bested him.
So, if my guess is correct, there will soon be many Qi Sha Lou assassins eager to test their strength against you.
Even Qi Sha Lou may issue an internal assassination order.
Their assassination techniques are bizarre and elusive. You must be careful."
The Cloth-Clothed Youth spoke with grave seriousness.
"Wait… does that mean Xiao Yan is in danger?"
Lu Qing’s expression darkened.
If Qi Sha Lou truly targeted him, this would be a serious threat.
He wasn’t afraid for himself—but he feared they’d resort to any means, even harming Xiao Yan.
"Relax," the Cloth-Clothed Youth reassured. "Qi Sha Lou has pride. Their rules are clear: to prove one’s worth for a Heavenly Guardian spot, the kill must be accomplished through assassination—honorably, directly.
If you’re threatened or coerced into submission, Qi Sha Lou won’t recognize it as a true victory. They’ll punish the assassin.
The Thirty-Six Heavenly Guardians are not seats to be claimed lightly. Such a title carries weight. It is not something to be won through trickery."
"Ah… I see. Then it’s fine. Let them come. I’d like to see just how strange and dangerous Qi Sha Lou truly is."
Hearing that the innocent wouldn’t be harmed, Lu Qing relaxed considerably.
As for Qi Sha Lou’s assassinations—
That Yi Jin Bian Gu Shu was indeed astonishing, capable of changing a person’s form and face.
But to someone like him, with a Spirit Soul Power and innate Abilities, no disguise could truly hide the truth.
No matter how clever the transformation, it would be useless against his perception.
Only a Xian Tian Jing-level assassin would pose a real threat.
With that thought, he asked:
"Zhi Rui Ge Xia, are there any Xian Tian Jing-level assassins within Qi Sha Lou?"
"Yes," the Cloth-Clothed Youth replied without hesitation.
"But don’t worry. Even Qi Sha Lou must follow the Sheng Shan Jin Ling. No Xian Tian Jing-level martial artist may attack a lower-ranking human without just cause.
Should anyone break this law openly, even Qi Sha Lou would not be able to withstand the pressure from Sheng Shan and the Four Secret Places."
"Then it’s settled. This is actually a good opportunity," Lu Qing said, finally at ease.
Seeing Lu Qing remain so calm in the face of such a looming threat, the guests couldn’t help but feel admiration.
They recalled the last words of Tian Gu.
Though they didn’t understand what “Wan Nian Bian Ju” truly meant, they began to believe in the idea of a Fate-Embraced One.
If even Lu Qing—so extraordinary, so unmatched—could not be the chosen one…
Then what kind of prodigy would the true Fate-Embraced One be?
(End of Chapter)
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