"It seems like they’re not going to back off that easily."
Watching Yun Tianhe and the others leave dejectedly, Xiao Muyu approached with Ling Yin, a faint worry on her pretty face.
Ling Chen shook his head. "Yun Tianhe and I have been at odds for a long time. Even if I hadn’t acted today, do you think they would let it go?"
"You’re right about that."
Xiao Muyu nodded. Considering Yun Tianhe’s personality, he would probably try everything to get rid of Ling Chen. The feud between them likely wouldn’t end unless one of them died.
Suddenly, her eyes brightened as if she had thought of something. She then whispered, "Ling Chen, do you think the people in black we encountered on the hunting ground had something to do with Yun Tianhe’s group?"
Ling Chen frowned, then shook his head. "Probably not. I felt they were a different group. As for who they were, I’m not sure."
"You have so many enemies. Perhaps the safest place for you is in the Divine Intent Sect," Xiao Muyu said thoughtfully.
Ling Chen’s eyes deepened slightly. Is that so? Is the Divine Intent Sect really a safe haven? Still, for now, it seems to be the safest place.
「The capital of the Wind Country, Prince Tai’s Mansion.」
In the courtyard, two figures were clearly visible, one of whom was Prince Tai himself.
"Li Tai, I heard about what happened at the Cui Yu Building."
Across from Prince Tai was none other than Li Tai, who Ling Chen had defeated at the Cui Yu Building.
"That kid Ling Chen made a public fool of you in the Cui Yu Building, completely disregarding you. Are you planning on just letting this go?" Prince Tai smiled gently as he spoke.
"Of course, I can’t let it go! I’m dying to kill that brat and kick his head around like a ball!" When Ling Chen was mentioned, Li Tai’s face darkened, and he spoke in a cold voice.
"Heh heh, now that’s the spirit of a young man. What are you planning to do?" A cold glint flickered in Prince Tai’s eyes as he asked indifferently.
Li Tai frowned. "I want to hire someone, but that kid is powerful. Even Princess Huiye failed against him last time. I’m afraid even a regular assassin would struggle to take his life. Moreover, he’s hiding in the Divine Intent Sect now, so there’s no opportunity to strike."
"Hmm, your analysis makes sense."
Prince Tai picked up his cup of tea and took a sip. "However, I can recommend a place to you. Even if Ling Chen is within the Divine Intent Sect, the assassins there can easily get him."
"What place?" Li Tai’s eyes lit up.
"The Black Market’s Shadow Tower."
Prince Tai’s gaze hardened, and a sharp glint shot from his eyes, sending a chill down Li Tai’s spine.
"The Shadow Tower? This..."
Li Tai looked shocked, then hesitated. The Shadow Tower was no ordinary place; it was an assassination organization belonging to the Black Market and was in direct opposition to the Imperial Court of the Wind Country. This was because Shadow Tower assassins frequently targeted high-ranking officials and even Imperial Relatives. The Imperial Court, powerless to stop them, had long ago decreed that anyone found colluding with the Shadow Tower would be executed without pardon.
Although many people still secretly contacted the Shadow Tower, discovery meant certain ruin.
Seeing Li Tai’s expression, Prince Tai sneered. "If you’re scared, then forget it. It’s no big deal. You were just humiliated and lost some face, that’s all. It’s not like there was any substantial loss."
"I’m not scared! Hiring an assassin from the Shadow Tower requires a substantial sum. With my financial resources, I’m afraid I can’t afford an assassin of that caliber."
Murderous intent flashed in Li Tai’s eyes. This mental torment is far more severe than any physical injury.
As one of the "Ten Heroes of the Capital," blessed with the aura of a genius since childhood, when had he ever suffered such humiliation?
"You don’t have to worry about that. If you can’t cover the cost, I can help you." At this, a smile touched Prince Tai’s lips. "Li Tai, I truly admire you. It’s just that Ling Chen has gone too far, so I’ve decided to lend you a hand."
"Alright! Since Your Highness has said so, if I continue to hesitate, wouldn’t I seem unmanly?"
Li Tai had long wanted to kill Ling Chen. With his current abilities, it was practically impossible. However, hiring an assassin from the Shadow Tower was a foolproof plan. Better yet, Prince Tai had offered his assistance—it was a godsent opportunity!
"Hmm, as expected of the genius I admire. Once Ling Chen is dead, your Heart Demon will be dispelled. After that, you’ll face no more bottlenecks in your cultivation."
"Thank you, Your Highness. I will go and make preparations immediately."
Li Tai clasped his hands in a salute to Prince Tai and then withdrew.
Watching Li Tai’s retreating figure, the smile on Prince Tai’s face slowly faded.
With assassins from the Shadow Tower taking action, Ling Chen is surely doomed this time.
A chilling smile curled Prince Tai’s lips. Of course, he wouldn’t help Li Tai for no reason. His true target was still Ling Chen himself; he only wanted to retrieve his Demonic Ape Blood Essence.
As for why he wanted Li Tai to take the lead, the reason was simple. He had already failed once. If he failed again, people might start to suspect him. This time, he would use Li Tai to make the move. Even in the unlikely event that the hiring of Shadow Tower assassins was exposed, it couldn’t be traced back to him.
This Li Tai was a most suitable scapegoat.
This matter would have nothing to do with him whatsoever.
"Ling Chen, oh Ling Chen, to kill you, this Prince has truly been racking his brains."
Prince Tai’s gaze turned icy. He had never imagined that the meticulous trap he’d laid in the hunting grounds would fail. Not only had Qing Mo failed, but the three death soldiers he sent had also died at Ling Chen’s hands. It was simply unbelievable.
Yet, the truth was that Ling Chen had swaggered out of the hunting grounds, while the death soldiers he dispatched were left as corpses. He had initially suspected someone was secretly protecting Ling Chen, which made him hesitant, fearing unintended consequences. However, when Ling Chen easily defeated Li Tai, who possessed a Martial arts triple realm cultivation, in the Cui Yu Building, Prince Tai abandoned that idea.
Ling Chen must be killed. And this time, it must be done cleanly and decisively.
At this thought, Prince Tai beckoned. SWISH. Unseen before, a dark figure now stood behind him.
The dark figure bowed slightly. "What are your orders, Your Highness?"
"Inform our mole in the Divine Intent Sect that once the Shadow Tower operatives have dealt with Ling Chen, they are to bring his corpse to me," Prince Tai ordered.
"Yes, Your Highness."
The dark figure clasped its fist. This shouldn’t be too difficult. Ling Chen is now merely an ordinary disciple. If Ling Chen were still the Sect Leader’s son, stealing his corpse would be an impossible task. But now, retrieving just a corpse will be exceedingly easy.