Chapter 594

Chapter 594: Blue River Town

Blue River Town was situated atop a picturesque mountain, named after the Blue River that stretched tens of thousands of miles below.

The town spanned hundreds of miles, filled with disorderly streets and buildings. At first glance, it resembled a chaotic bazaar—only vastly larger, with a permanent population numbering in the millions.

This chaos stemmed from its origins as a settlement built by scattered cultivators, managed by dozens of competing factions. These groups schemed against each other in tangled rivalries, lacking unified governance. Each built as they pleased, resulting in haphazard sprawl.

Yet this very disorder gave Blue River Town its distinctive character.

Its strategic location also contributed to its prosperity. To the south lay the territory of righteous sects, while the northern lands belonged to the Demonic Path. Wedged between these opposing forces, the town thrived as a neutral ground.

Though openly sworn enemies, both factions still needed to conduct covert transactions. Many resources required by righteous cultivators existed only in demonic territories, and vice versa. After all, neither side could abandon cultivation simply due to hostility.

Yet open trade would invite condemnation. Thus, this neutral town of scattered cultivators became the perfect intermediary for secret exchanges—the primary reason for Blue River Town’s bustling activity. The complex web of local factions arose from both sides dispatching covert agents.

Neutral sects also stationed representatives here to trade specialized cultivation resources.

One day, an unremarkable young man entered Blue River Town. After paying the entry fee, he swaggered through the gates.

Half an hour later, he stood before a grand establishment called the Treasure Tower—a thirteen-story structure resembling a golden pagoda, its walls shimmering with gilt plates. The name clearly indicated its specialty: magical treasures.

A delicate-featured maid approached him with a honeyed smile. "How may I assist you, honored guest?"

"I seek a weapon meant for killing," the youth replied cheerfully.

The maid’s smile faltered briefly before she responded, "We carry numerous lethal implements. Flying Swords? Flying needles? Perhaps throwing blades?"

"None interest me," the youth said dismissively. "Do you stock poisons? Preferably something that kills slowly through torment."

"What an… unusual request." The maid’s smile tightened. "Please accompany me to the third floor. Our manager will assist you further."

"Third floor seems inadequate. Let’s try the seventh," the youth declared boldly.

Though such behavior typically drew disapproval, the maid surprised him by apologizing: "My oversight. The seventh floor it shall be."

She led Fang Lie upward. Passing the seventh floor without stopping, they continued climbing—a development the youth observed without comment, as if expecting it.

They finally halted on the tenth floor. The maid ushered him into a sealed chamber shielded by powerful Formations. These restrictions blocked all external detection, ensuring complete privacy for sensitive discussions.

The sparse room contained only a table and two chairs. After seating Fang Lie, the maid withdrew with a bow.

Soon entered a lean man clad entirely in black, his features obscured. Activating additional isolation spells, he sat opposite the youth and rasped: "Credentials."

With a faint smile, Fang Lie produced an iron plaque the size of his palm. Engraved with a bloodied dagger were two characters in ancient script: Zhu Xian.

This was the infamous Zhu Xian Token—no mere treasure, but a pass granting access to the shadowy Assassin Organization. Only through this Token could one contact Zhu Xian operatives and commission their lethal services.

The establishment served as both a Zhu Xian contact point and resource collection center for their sect.

The Man in Black scrutinized the Token with divine sense, weaving secret techniques to verify its authenticity. After thorough inspection, he nodded. "Verified. This is a genuine Zhu Xian Token issued by our sect."

The young man opposite sneered and curled his lips in disdain, thinking: *What nonsense about "distribution"? This was clearly an auction! This shoddy token cost me nearly a million small spirit pearls – what daylight robbery!*

Yet despite the extortion, there was no alternative. The Zhu Xian Organization built their fortune this way. Without purchasing this wretched token, one couldn’t locate their agents or learn the secret codes. His earlier exchange with the maid hadn’t been casual chatter – a single misplaced phrase would have barred him from appearing here. Those foolish enough to investigate improperly would vanish without trace.

Unaware of the youth’s internal complaints, the Man in Black calmly retrieved the Zhu Xian Token. "Tell me, Dao friend – who requires elimination?"

"Being my first visit," the young man grinned, "I’d like to understand your pricing structure first."

"Simple enough," the Man in Black declared smugly. "Standard rates correspond to cultivation levels: Ninth-Rank Treasure for Semi-Immortals, Eighth-rank Treasure for Thunder Tribulation Immortals, Seventh-rank Treasure for Fire Tribulation Immortals, Sixth-rank magical items for Wind Tribulation Immortals. We don’t accept contracts below that tier. Payment requires one treasure upfront, another upon completion. Failed contracts refund both treasure and token. Lacking treasures? Equivalent natural treasures may substitute – provided they meet our standards. Don’t insult us with trash."

"Fascinating!" The youth chuckled. "This clear pricing scheme – you mentioned ‘standard’ rates. Are there exceptions?"

"Naturally. Those prices only apply to rootless scattered cultivators. Major sect disciples cost extra. Core Inner Gate Disciples pay Fire Tribulation Immortal rates, while chief disciples warrant Thunder Tribulation Immortal fees. Special requests like treasure seizure demand higher compensation."

"Treasure seizure?" The youth’s eyebrows rose. "You handle theft too?"

"Of course," came the reply. "When separated treasure components require retrieval for clients lacking strength, we provide acquisition services alongside elimination. Inheritance claims, spirit pill confiscation, even territory appropriation – all within our scope. Naturally, such… specialized services command premium fees."

"Remarkable! Your organization’s capabilities astonish me."

"Naturally. Zhu Xian’s legacy spans millennia. Our sect’s foundations rival the eight righteous sects and ten Demonic Path clans combined! Semi-Immortals have fallen to our blades countless times."

"Truly?" The youth’s voice dripped skepticism. "Yet rumors claim you recently botched an assassination on a mere Qi Sea cultivator?"

"Preposterous!" The Man in Black’s mask quivered with anger. "Name this phantom survivor!"

"Fang Lie of Mo Sect," the youth countered. "The whole cultivation world whispers how he emerged unscathed from your attack over a month past. What say you?"

"Pah!" The assassin spat. "Lies and fantasy! We struck when that wretch exited the Celestial Platform. His month-long disappearance proves successful elimination!"

"Your proof falters," the youth retorted. "I possess contrary evidence!"

"What evidence?" The Man in Black stiffened. "Show me!"

"Why, myself!" The youth’s form shimmered. Golden wings unfurled behind him, eyes shifting to mismatched gold and silver orbs.

This was Fang Lie himself! After departing the Mo family, he’d used teleportation arrays to reach the Zhongli Family. These neutral family clans, perpetually feuding with neighbors, maintained ties to Assassin Organizations.

The Zhongli Family indeed knew Zhu Xian’s contacts, but fearing Fang Lie’s disruptive intentions, directed him to an underground auction to acquire his own Zhu Xian Token. Following its encoded instructions led him here.

Fang Lie’s iconic appearance – golden "Dao De" wings and heterochromatic eyes – left no doubt. The Man in Black recoiled, horrified shriek tearing through the chamber: "By all heavens! How do you still draw breath?"