Chapter 48: A Wolf in the Villa

Plucking a small tender green leaf was enough to kill without a trace. The four assassins, known as the ‘Four Evils,’ trembled with fear.

They had never seen such a supreme expert in their lives. Not just four of them, even a hundred would not be this person’s match.

“May I ask which high master is passing by? This is a family matter of Tingtao Villa. Please, senior, do not interfere.” Unable to detect the newcomer’s aura, one of the assassins feigned respect as he called out.

Tingtao Villa had a considerable reputation in the martial world, with industries spanning various sectors, immense wealth, and influence over both the righteous and unrighteous paths.

If the eight major sects represented the righteous and the demonic cult the unrighteous, then Tingtao Villa stood in the gray area between black and white.

Being in that gray zone, it naturally had connections to both sides, wielding enormous power.

Offending Tingtao Villa meant anyone would think thrice before acting. The assassin invoked the villa’s name to intimidate the newcomer, a veiled warning not to meddle.

The handsome young man heard the assassin’s words and lowered his head with a sarcastic smile.

Since this person had chosen to intervene at a critical moment, he must have been there for a while and surely heard their earlier conversation.

Knowing that Ma Jin was the lord of Tingtao Villa yet still killing him, this person clearly did not fear the villa’s prestige.

Moreover, a supreme expert like this was bound to be extremely proud. The more the Four Evils blustered, the faster they would die.

Sure enough, after their words, a deep, cold laugh came from the treetops. “Heh, Tingtao Villa? I’ve never heard of it.”

The Four Evils raised their heads in shock and saw a tall man with an imposing face and a cold demeanor standing on a branch. He had his hands behind his back, looking down at them with a mocking sneer.

Someone was in the tree? They had just checked and clearly saw no one! This man’s martial arts must have reached perfection, merging with the environment. Unless he revealed himself, no one could detect him.

The Four Evils exchanged glances, seeing fear in each other’s eyes. Though they were hidden assassins without fame in the martial world, their skills could rank among the top twenty.

That all four of them together failed to notice the newcomer showed how profound his abilities were.

Originally, killing Linglong Gongzi was supposed to be an easy task. They had even complained about Ma Jin making a big deal by gathering all four of them.

Now, the Four Evils regretted it. If they had known they’d encounter such a freak, the top assassins of the Dark Gate should have come in full force.

But before they could finish regretting, the cold-faced man had jumped down and landed beside Linglong Gongzi. He leaned in, studying Linglong Gongzi’s face intently, his gaze lingering on the narrow phoenix eyes for a long time. His thick brows furrowed tighter, and veins bulged on his temples, as if he was enduring some pain.

Suppressing the explosive pain in his head, Ji Wushuang leaned close to Linglong Gongzi and said softly, “You would look even better in red.” As he spoke, a dazzling blood-red figure flashed through his mind, intensifying his headache.

“Thank you for the compliment, chivalrous sir.” Linglong Gongzi accepted the flirtatious remark with a faint smile, cupping his hands.

“I, Jin Haofeng, will remember your life-saving grace.” He did not beg for help, only offering a simple thanks, because he knew that the more skilled a person was, the more arrogant they tended to be. Begging would only lower his standing and leave a bad impression.

Ji Wushuang did not reply, his focused gaze still fixed on Linglong Gongzi’s face, showing no intention of looking away. Being stared at so directly, especially by such an imposing man, made Linglong Gongzi’s smile stiffen.

But the despair in his heart was slowly dissipating. He neither dodged nor avoided, standing still and letting the man look his fill.

If this man was interested in him, that was good. He had a gut feeling that today, he would not die.

Seeing that the newcomer had come down but had not acted, only staring at Linglong Gongzi, the Four Evils grew uneasy. The leader could not help probing,

“May I ask what the senior intends? We must return to the villa to report. If you have no intention of interfering, please step aside and let us pass.”

Through the young man’s phoenix eyes, Ji Wushuang was searching for that blood-red figure that haunted him, but just as it was about to become clear, the Four Evils interrupted.

Ji Wushuang frowned, a cold and deep murderous intent flashing in his eyes. Without even turning his head, he casually flicked his sleeve. The chest of the assassin who had spoken caved in, revealing a bloody hole with white ribs protruding, a horrifying sight.

“Big brother!” The other three Evils screamed at their brother’s death. Their eyes reddened, and they raised their blades to attack Ji Wushuang together.

Seeing that the fight had finally begun, Linglong Gongzi’s lips curled slightly, a glint of cunning in his eyes.

The blood-red figure in his mind vanished instantly. Ji Wushuang’s temples felt as if pierced by needles. A dense, almost tangible killing intent radiated from him. Seeing the three coming to seek death, he sneered, raised his palm, and met them.

He moved within the tight web of their sword lights, his figure ethereal as a ghost. His palm strikes seemed soft, and when they landed on the bodies, there was no pain at all.

But when he withdrew from the circle and looked at them coldly, the three men’s bodies gradually shrank until they dissolved into a pool of black-red, foul-smelling blood on the ground.

Dissolved… Linglong Gongzi stared at the blood, an incredulous expression on his face.

Ji Wushuang withdrew his palm. Linglong Gongzi’s spine chilled. He clenched his fists, resisting the urge to retreat. He knew that before this man, he must not show weakness, or else…

With that thought, Linglong Gongzi forced himself to lift his gaze and meet the other’s icy, snake-like stare.

Pleased with Linglong Gongzi’s reaction, Ji Wushuang slightly curled his lips. He slowly raised his hand and gently stroked Linglong Gongzi’s narrow phoenix eyes, his touch almost caressing.

Linglong Gongzi’s hair stood on end at the gesture. Just as he was about to endure no more and brush away the cold fingers, the other man suddenly went limp and collapsed onto him.

“What’s wrong?” Linglong Gongzi quickly caught him, patting his face and asking anxiously. There was no response. Ji Wushuang’s eyes were closed; he had fallen unconscious.

Feeling the wet slickness on the man’s back, Linglong Gongzi looked down and saw bright red blood on his palm. Clearly, the man had suffered a severe injury to his back recently, and the wound had reopened. His eyes flickered. This further confirmed the man’s identity, and his mind began to race.

Ji Wushuang’s injuries were not healed, he had lost too much blood, and on top of that, days of nonstop travel and the torment of splitting headaches had left him physically drained. Now, fighting in such a chaotic state had caused his body to automatically shut down into unconsciousness.

Recognizing the man, Linglong Gongzi did not dare to be careless. He quickly took out top-grade healing medicine from his bosom and fed it into the man’s mouth, simultaneously pressing acupoints to stop the bleeding.

While he was treating Ji Wushuang’s wound, Linglong Gongzi’s trusted subordinate finally arrived belatedly and knelt at his feet to apologize.

“Get up. We’ll discuss today’s matters back at the villa. First, find a carriage and take him back.” Linglong Gongzi said tiredly.

Several subordinates obeyed and soon found a spacious, comfortable carriage, laying the unconscious Ji Wushuang inside. Linglong Gongzi waited until he was settled, then climbed in and ordered the men to head to his private estate.

“Master, who is this man? Bringing him back to the estate like this, won’t it cause trouble?” One subordinate asked with concern as he bandaged the wound on Ji Wushuang’s back.

“This man saved my life today. If he hadn’t suddenly appeared and killed Ma Jin and the Four Evils, I would have died without a burial place today.” Linglong Gongzi frowned, sighing.

“What? He alone killed Ma Jin and the Four Evils? No wonder he’s so badly injured!” Ma Jin and the Four Evils were martial arts supremos; killing any one of them would be extremely difficult. But this man killed five. Hearing this, the subordinate’s eyes filled with reverence.

“Heh.” Linglong Gongzi laughed lightly, speaking slowly, “This injury wasn’t from killing Ma Jin and the others. He was already severely injured before. Ma Jin and those others, they couldn’t even last one move before being instantly killed.”

“How is that possible?” The subordinate was shocked, stammering, “Severely injured and still killing Ma Jin and the others effortlessly? How high is his martial arts? The best in the world? Master, this man’s identity must be extraordinary.” As he spoke, he began mentally listing the top experts of the current era.

“Don’t bother guessing. He is the famous Demon Cult leader, Ji Wushuang!” Seeing the subordinate’s look of disbelief, Linglong Gongzi’s expression was amused.

“But… isn’t Ji Wushuang a two-in-one monster?” The subordinate hesitated.

“Have you forgotten the intelligence we received half a month ago? Ji Wushuang, while hunting the defecting Wolf Girl, was ambushed by Zhuo Yihang of Wudang and severely injured.

I suspect that’s when Zhuo Yihang severed their conjoined bodies. Look at his high nose, broad brow, and deep, heroic features, that’s characteristic of a foreign race.

And his lips are blackish-blue, caused by practicing the Demonic Poison Palm. Earlier, the first Evil died from a palm strike through the heart, and the other three from the Bone-Melting Palm. I’d never mistake such sinister techniques.”

Linglong Gongzi explained calmly.

“He really is that Ji Wushuang? Master, why would you bring him back? Isn’t that inviting a wolf into the house?” The subordinate frowned, speaking urgently.

“Hmph, inviting a wolf? My villa is already surrounded by wolves and tigers waiting to devour me. Bringing Ji Wushuang back might give me a fighting chance. Do you really think Ma Jin, a mere gatekeeper, could command the Four Evils on his own?”

“Master, are you saying the six elders have turned against you?” The subordinate asked cautiously in a low voice.

Linglong Gongzi fell silent, then spoke slowly after a long moment.

“It’s understandable they have different intentions. I lack talent, can’t practice our family’s martial arts, and can’t suppress them. After years of maneuvering, their power in the villa is deep-rooted. It’s natural for them to covet the top position.”

He looked at the unconscious Ji Wushuang, letting out a cold laugh. “Hmph, since they want this position, I’ll do the opposite. What do you think they’ll do if they learn I’ve given the villa master’s seat to a stranger?”

“Master, please reconsider! Ji Wushuang is not someone easy to manipulate! If you’re not careful, he’ll bite back!” Knowing his master intended to set up a target while pulling the strings from behind, the subordinate couldn’t help but warn.

Hearing his analysis, the subordinate nodded repeatedly, thinking that his master was indeed resourceful and decisive.

With that, Linglong Gongzi stared at the unconscious Ji Wushuang, revealing a meaningful smile.

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