Just as Yan Jiuge prepared to fight Night Owl to the death, and Night Owl readied a finishing blow, a figure descended like a shooting star.
"Get lost!"
The newcomer wore gray martial attire and a cloak that obscured his face. He radiated a heart-stopping aura. It was none other than Xia Wuyang, who was using a disguise and wearing a cloak.
His strike seemed casual, yet it contained the power of an avalanche.
Although he was only a Second Grade Late Stage Grandmaster, a minor realm below Night Owl, Xia Wuyang wore a High Level Mortal Fist Glove and used a technique from his improved Dragon Tiger Fist.
The power of his attack was in no way inferior to Night Owl’s.
Night Owl’s expression changed as he faced the incomparably powerful strike, and he hastily blocked it with his dagger.
CLANG...
Amid the ear-piercing clash of metal, Night Owl was sent flying backward, carving deep gouges into the ground.
"Who are you? How could the Eastern Palace have an expert like you?" Night Owl stared at the mysterious newcomer with shock and suspicion, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.
Xia Wuyang ignored him completely. Moving like a phantom, he unleashed the Enchanting Heart Technique, each move precisely cutting off Night Owl’s escape.
His Mental Force Field expanded, allowing him to perceive his surroundings with perfect clarity. Combined with his improved Cultivation and Combat Techniques, Xia Wuyang completely overwhelmed Night Owl in every other aspect, even if he was slightly lacking in experience and skill.
In his hands, the Dragon Tiger Fist was executed with unpredictable grace, leaving Night Owl unable to mount an effective defense.
He felt as if his opponent could predict his every action, his techniques constrained at every turn.
’Is this the Dragon Tiger Fist? It doesn’t look like it, but how is it so strong?’ Night Owl grew more alarmed with every exchange. ’Just what Martial Art is this? It’s ridiculously powerful.’
To his terror, his opponent seemed to know his Combat Techniques and Secret Techniques inside and out, each attack striking directly at his openings.
What Night Owl didn’t know was that under the influence of the Mental Force Field, Xia Wuyang possessed near-prescient abilities, allowing him to anticipate every one of the assassin’s moves.
Just as Night Owl hesitated, debating whether to retreat, his vision blurred and a wave of dizziness washed over him.
In that same instant, a Nether Acupuncture Needle silently pierced his body.
’It’s over!’
A look of disbelief spread across Night Owl’s face. He knew he had no chance of escape.
"You... who in the world are you?"
Night Owl asked with difficulty as blood trickled from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
Xia Wuyang said nothing, only watched him coldly. Night Owl’s life force was already extinguished. Not even an Immortal descending from the heavens could save him now.
’Killing a Blood Tower Elder, especially an expert half a step from becoming a First Grade Grandmaster, should be a significant blow to their organization.’
’Princess Fushou is also out of the picture. Things should be quiet for now.’
Night Owl collapsed to the ground, his face frozen in a mask of terror and confusion. Even in death, he couldn’t understand who this mysterious person was or how he had appeared at such a perfect moment.
Xia Wuyang breathed a silent sigh of relief. ’I have to thank Zhao Wuji’s intelligence for this. This Spiritual Servant is proving to be quite useful.’
’If I hadn’t picked up on the clues earlier, Yan Jiuge would have been in real danger tonight. And it’s all thanks to those little animals that I knew a Blood Tower assassin was coming, allowing me to get here in time to help.’
After confirming Night Owl was dead, Xia Wuyang searched the body but found nothing of value. He then poured some Corpse-Dissolving Water on the corpse, melting it away.
He turned to face the still-shaken Yan Jiuge. The moment their eyes met, she felt a flicker of familiarity in the mysterious man’s gaze.
"Thank you for saving me, Senior!"
Yan Jiuge forced herself to stand despite her injuries and bowed deeply. "May I know Senior’s esteemed name? I, Jiuge, will be sure to repay this debt in the future."
"I was just passing by. Think nothing of it." Xia Wuyang’s voice was raspy, completely unfamiliar to Yan Jiuge. "You’re injured. This is a special Healing Medicine; it works quite well."
As he spoke, Xia Wuyang produced a bottle of Healing Medicine and tossed it to her.
Yan Jiuge opened her mouth to speak again, but Xia Wuyang had already vanished into the night.
Watching his retreating figure, Yan Jiuge’s mind raced with questions. ’This person is so powerful he easily killed a Second Grade Perfection Grandmaster. Could he be a First Grade Grandmaster?’
’But who in the Imperial Palace, which First Grade Grandmaster, would care about someone like me? Is it because of the Crown Prince?’
’But the Crown Prince is already on his deathbed. How could he have such connections? Who was that man, and why did he save me?’
’And his Fist Technique... it looked so familiar, like the Dragon Tiger Fist, but there were many differences. It felt like a distorted reflection of it.’
’It has to be someone I’ve seen before, but I just can’t place him.’
’Logically, I shouldn’t be able to forget someone with that level of Cultivation. What’s going on?’
’And the assassination tonight... why target me, one of the Eastern Palace Concubines who will soon be a widow? Was it an attack aimed at the Crown Prince?’
’But the Crown Prince only has a few months left. Why go to such lengths?’ Yan Jiuge’s mind was a whirlwind of doubt. She resolved to be more cautious and give her enemies no further openings.
After returning to Wenhua Hall, Xia Wuyang breathed a sigh of relief. He had dealt with the Blood Tower assassin, so he no longer had to worry about them targeting Yan Jiuge. Now he could focus on his Cultivation.
But given his current position, despite everything he had done to reduce suspicion and deflect attention from the outside world, he was still the subject of constant prying and probing.
Just as he had knocked out several Palace Maids and was about to return to his Practice Room, the old Palace Maid who had examined his body months ago arrived once more, silent as a shadow.
’I already killed the Ghost Shadow that spied on me before. Should I kill this old Palace Maid, too?’
’The last time she examined me, that old Palace Maid humiliated me, took liberties with me, and stole several of my treasures. I haven’t forgotten.’
He activated his Dragon Storage Skill and Stealth Technique, once again assuming the guise of the dying elder Crown Prince. He then engaged his Mental Force Field, his improved Soul Capturing Technique, and his improved Enchanting Heart Technique. Compared to their last encounter, Xia Wuyang now had more than enough power to protect himself.
The old Palace Maid entered the Sleeping Palace without a sound. She casually scattered some custom-made sleeping powder, and only when she was sure everyone was deeply unconscious did she stealthily approach his bed.
Although she wore a mask, his Mental Force Field easily pierced the disguise, revealing the face beneath.
She looked to be in her sixties or seventies, her face a web of wrinkles and her gait unsteady. She appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary old Palace Maid.
But as his Mental Force Field probed deeper, he was shocked to discover that beneath the aged visage was the face of a dignified and graceful middle-aged beauty.
This made Xia Wuyang feel slightly better. ’After all, she groped me quite a bit last time. If she were really an old crone, I’d have gotten the short end of the stick.’

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