txolops Chapter 53 Cold Autumn Feelings
Chapter 53 Cold Autumn Feelings
The underground chamber is deep and spacious, large enough to accommodate hundreds of people.
At this moment, there were only a few dozen figures in the arena, making the space seem exceptionally empty.
The luminous pearls embedded in the stone wall cast a hazy glow, intertwining with the flickering candlelight and painting mottled shadows on the floor.
Li Qingyi looked around and found that the place had a similar feel to the underground tavern from her previous life.
The dim candlelight flickered in the bronze lamp, and the wisps of sandalwood smoke curled and swirled in the air, creating a unique and profound atmosphere.
The driver casually tossed the unconscious Qiu Xing into a corner and then found a stone bench to sit down.
Leng Qiuyi leaned down and whispered a few words in the leader's ear, and the composed middle-aged man immediately became very interested in Li Qingyi.
"Who told you that?" The leader sized up Li Qingyi.
Li Qingyi smiled calmly, "Of course I, Li, cannot betray my friends."
The leader's gaze was sharp as he slowly swept over each member in the secret room. "A thought suddenly occurred to me."
Li Qingyi simply shrugged indifferently at this probing:
"Whatever the leader says goes."
The leader was slightly surprised by Li Qingyi's composure.
"This is interesting." The leader took out a token from his robes. "Speak, what do you want?"
"Assassin."
"Over the years, Tingyu Pavilion has seen many people actively seeking to join," the leader said meaningfully.
Li Qingyi nodded. "And then?"
In the last simulation, Li Qingyi only found out after she became the branch leader.
The process for those who voluntarily join the organization and those who are tricked into joining is completely different.
If it weren't for the discrepancy between luck during gambling and the simulation, he wouldn't have wanted to go down this path.
The leader tossed the token to Li Qingyi: "Drip your blood."
Li Qingyi took the token and forced a drop of bright red blood from her fingertip.
The moment the blood seeped into the token, a strange red light suddenly appeared on the surface of the black iron, and a blood-red rune flowed erratically on the token.
The leader nodded in satisfaction:
"From now on, you are a member of Listening Rain Pavilion. As long as you have enough contribution points, it's only a matter of time before this restriction is lifted."
The leader added, "If you want to become an assassin, go and kill the blacksmith in the south of the city."
"Understood." Li Qingyi feigned delight.
Those who voluntarily join the organization will have a restriction left on their identity token, requiring them to drip their own blood to form a blood pact.
The contract was simple: one must not betray Tingyu Pavilion, or one's body and soul will perish.
The moment the contract was established, he felt an invisible force binding him.
He remained outwardly calm, but inwardly thought: 'So this is how it feels.'
This restriction might be fatal to others, but it's a trivial matter for Li Qingyi.
Corpse puppets crafted using the "Nine Nether Supreme Corpse Refining Method" have the function of warding off disasters.
Li Qingyi silently recited the unique incantation of the Corpse Refining Technique, and the contract immediately transferred to the Green Puppet.
That inexplicable sense of constraint vanished instantly.
Li Qingyi turned and walked towards the south of the city.
……
Using his memories from the simulation, he quickly found the blacksmith shop in the south of the city.
In the darkness of night, the fire in the shop had long been extinguished, and the doors were tightly shut.
In the simulation, the blacksmith was beheaded by his own sword while forging iron.
Li Qingyi leaped over the courtyard wall, her toes lightly touching the green tiles as she landed silently.
Upon entering the hospital, they heard a woman screaming in terror from inside the house.
"You! Don't come any closer!"
Li Qingyi: "..."
"Looks like I've come at the wrong time..."
The next second, a scream erupted.
Li Qingyi scanned the room with her divine sense and saw that the blacksmith's muscles were bulging and his skin was covered with hideous demon totems. He was grinning as he approached the woman who was huddled in the corner.
Li Qingyi pointed her fingers like a sword, and a sharp sword aura burst through the window. The blacksmith realized it too late; his head flew high into the air, and blood splattered like rain.
The woman's screams stopped abruptly; she had fainted from the horror of the scene.
Li Qingyi remotely retrieved the head that lay dead with its eyes wide open, and looked at those furious, glaring eyes, she said softly:
"So you're actually a heretical cultivator after all."
He turned back into the house and took out a Fire Serpent Talisman.
The moment the talisman ignited, the blacksmith's body turned to ashes.
He then used a purification spell to cleanse the room of blood and grime.
"I hope you can think of this as a nightmare."
After doing all this, Li Qingyi gracefully departed.
Just as his figure disappeared, the woman, who should have been unconscious, suddenly opened her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"It's been a long time since I've met such a kind person; it's impossible not to fall in love with them."
……
Back in the secret chamber of Tingyu Pavilion, Li Qingyi casually tossed the head to the ground.
The leader examined the clean cut of the wound, a look of astonishment flashing in his eyes: "What a sharp sword!"
"The leader truly has keen insight," Li Qingyi said, cupping her hands in greeting.
The leader was quite pleased with the compliment.
Leng Qiuyi, standing to the side, kept her eyes fixed on Li Qingyi, her beautiful eyes swirling with unspoken emotions.
Li Qingyi keenly noticed her gaze, and also noticed the hostile look that Qiu Xing cast at her after he woke up.
"Interesting. She didn't act this way during the last simulation."
After being promoted to assassin, Li Qingyi immediately checked the assassin rankings. When he saw his own portrait hanging high on the list, his pupils contracted slightly.
When exactly did I get on the list?
Li Qingyi's mind raced, but she showed no sign of it on her face.
There were many spies in the secret room at the moment, but no other assassins were seen, presumably they had all gone out on missions.
As if she had made up her mind, Leng Qiuyi stepped forward and took Li Qingyi's arm.
Upon feeling that soft touch, Li Qingyi's expression changed slightly.
"That purple dress is quite charming."
"Young master, shouldn't we go back?" Leng Qiuyi raised her face, her eyes sparkling with a hint of allure.
Li Qingyi was puzzled. "Something's definitely fishy here. Let's see what tricks she's up to."
Since the opportunity had presented itself, he wanted to see what his colleague was up to.
Besides, the main body does need a new place to stay, so going back with her would provide an extra place to live.
Li Qingyi was not seduced by beauty, but rather planned to start with Leng Qiuyi and gradually win over the hearts of the spies in Xuan Ce City.
She is a smart woman, and with her help, I can speed up the process of winning people's hearts.
Finally, by seizing power, he could quickly take control of the Xuan Ce City branch and deal with the Foundation Establishment cultivators who were about to cripple him.
Leng Qiuyi linked arms with Li Qingyi, and the two strolled along the long street under the moonlight.
A night breeze carried the faint sound of music from afar.
"When did the mission to monitor that boy begin?" Li Qingyi asked casually.
Leng Qiuyi pondered for a moment: "About half a month ago."
"More than half a month ago? Wasn't that when Xiyue and I escaped from the Qin clan?"
"Does the young master know that boy?" Leng Qiuyi asked sharply.
Li Qingyi shook her head. "Just curious. Such a simple task is worth fifty contribution points. Don't you find that strange?"
Leng Qiuyi nodded. "That's why I didn't accept the mission. What if that young man has a special identity or profound cultivation? Wouldn't that be courting death?"
"You're quite quick-witted," Li Qingyi chuckled.
"Not even a fraction as good as yours, young master."
Before long, the two stopped in front of a mansion.
The two characters "Leng Mansion" on the lintel gleamed in the moonlight.
"Young Master," Leng Qiuyi whispered in his ear, her breath sweet as orchids, "Would you be willing to spend this beautiful time with me?"
Li Qingyi: "???"