Heaven Dou Empire, Rock City, Pacifying West Prince's Estate.
The Pacifying West Prince was the emperor's younger brother. After failing in the struggle for the throne, he returned to live peacefully as a prince, enjoying a leisurely life in the western part of the empire. Today marked the young prince's 15th birthday. The estate should have been bustling with countless guests, but instead, an eerie silence hung over it.
"Dark Night Pavilion..."
Hao Yun uttered, powerless. The opponent was only one person, yet they had caused rivers of blood to flow throughout the Pacifying West Prince's Estate. Looking at his son, Hao Yun sighed deeply. He was now desperately fighting the assassin to protect his child, but it seemed his strength was failing him.
"I'm sorry, son. I couldn't protect your mother and you well."
Hao Yun could guess who had sent the assassin; who else but his brother, sitting on the throne? Just for a minor conflict of interest, he wouldn't hesitate to do such a thing. Emperors have always been ruthless; family ties mean nothing to them.
Despite his lamentations, he immediately had to face the assassin lurking in the shadows. The opponent was very close, yet he, a cultivator at the 3rd level of the Post-Heaven Stage, couldn't even catch a glimpse of their shadow. One could only call this a tragedy.
Suddenly, Hao Yun felt a chill down his spine. Without time to think, he immediately channeled his remaining spiritual energy and swung his sword behind him.
*Clang...*
A dagger emerged from the darkness, less than a centimeter from his back. The attack failed, and the dagger vanished back into the shadows.
"Give up resisting. I'll grant you a swift death."
The ethereal voice, impossible to discern as male or female, seemed to echo from all directions.
"Can you... spare... my son?"
"No one has ever survived my hand. Are you ready to die?"
As the voice ceased, a dagger shot out from a dark corner, reaching Hao Yun in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, the dagger stopped. A small figure had appeared before Hao Yun, staring with resolute, hate-filled eyes at the person holding the dagger.
The assassin revealed themselves, clad in pure black, a mask covering their face, leaving only a pair of eyes visible, which held a hint of curiosity.
"You're not afraid to die?"
"Don't harm my father."
Hao Ri said no more, his eyes filled with hatred, a powerful answer in itself.
The black-clad figure looked at Hao Ri, then turned to Hao Yun.
"Commit suicide. I will spare your son."
"Thank you."
Hao Yun reversed his spiritual energy, severing his heart meridian. He said nothing more, nor did he ask why, perhaps in despair, grasping at this last straw of hope. He had no right to bargain. Hao Yun collapsed amidst Hao Ri's heartbroken cry.
"Father..."
"You are allowed to live. Go. This is your father giving you life anew. Sometimes, I truly envy people like you."
Hao Ri suppressed his tears and glared at the black-clad figure.
"What's your name? I'll find you. You'll regret this day."
"Ling Ye."
The black-clad figure didn't turn back, stepping onto a flying sword and soaring away.
"I'll find you, I'll have my revenge... Aaaaaaaah!"
Hao Ri screamed in his heart.
His grief didn't last long. Hao Ri quickly gathered his belongings and left. He was young but not foolish; he could guess who was behind this, who the true mastermind was. Leaving behind a decoy puppet, the small figure quickly vanished into the lonely night.
Not long after Hao Ri left, two streaks of escape light descended. The lights dispersed, revealing two old men, one in green and one in black. The black-robed old man spoke:
"It seems he didn't leave long ago."
"Go see if anyone survived. It'll be convenient for reporting back to His Majesty." The green-robed old man's eyes swept across the entire estate as he spoke.
The Hắc Dạ Pavilion's reputation must be upheld. No one survived.
The old man in black robes strode towards Hạo Vân's corpse.
"It's suicide, spiritual energy exploded, severing his own heart meridian."
"Hajzzz, since ancient times, the imperial family has been heartless. As long as even a hint of threat exists, what family affection is there to speak of?"
"We shouldn't discuss this matter further. Just quietly and steadily do our part, and that will be enough."
The old man in green robes whispered, not wanting these words to reach His Majesty's ears, lest his entire family be purged like the Prince of the West's manor.
"Wait, this is a puppet. A creation of the Mò School. I almost overlooked it."
The old man in black robes, holding the Hạo Nhật puppet that had been left behind, spoke up.
"What should we do now?"
"First, let's hide this matter. Let's just pretend we don't know."
"That's all we can do."
(I can only help you this much. Live well, and leave this place.) – The old man in black robes thought to himself. He had once received Hạo Vân's kindness, and this time, he considered it repayment.
The old man in black robes didn't lament for long before following the old man in green robes back to the imperial palace.
Tonight, Nham Thạch City would have a sleepless night.