Chapter 66: Slaying Nie Huixiang

The three major powers of Pingyang City—the Qitian Sect, the Nie Family, and the City Lord’s Manor—had gathered in the street for a standoff. Such an event was something the city hadn't witnessed in decades. Ordinarily, the four great factions of Pingyang City maintained a tacit peace, only engaging in minor disputes behind closed doors and avoiding open conflicts. Yet today, the Qitian Sect and the Nie Family had clashed outright in the streets, and the City Lord’s forces had intervened as well. In the end, all three parties left on sour terms. Everyone in Pingyang City understood that something momentous was about to happen.

“Have you heard? The Nie Family and the Qitian Sect have started a fight. Looks like war is about to break out between them!”

“No way, if they really went to war, the streets would run red with blood.”

“You don’t believe me? I was nearby and saw their forces battling. Even though they sat down to negotiate afterward, they each left in anger. Trouble is definitely brewing!”

“Now that you say it, it does seem likely.”

News of the confrontation between the Qitian Sect and the Nie Family spread like wildfire through Pingyang City. After all, the city wasn’t large, and word traveled fast.

As the central figure in this turmoil, Wu Tian paid little attention to the growing rumors. After returning to the Qitian Sect, Master Ye convened the other elders for a secret meeting. The topic was unknown, but surely it concerned how best to handle the Nie Family. Master Ye had already declared that if the Nie Family did not humble themselves within three days, he would personally pay them a visit to demand justice.

“That old scoundrel Nie Yuntian has reached Martial Spirit level seven, while I’m only level two. I’m still far from strong enough to kill him; I’d need to reach at least level five for a swift victory. But I will avenge Xiao Hui’s suffering! Even if I can’t touch Nie Yuntian yet, the others in the Nie Family… heh.” Upon returning home and seeing Xiao Hui lying injured on the bed, Wu Tian’s heart was filled with fury.

“Young master, I’m truly sorry for making you look after me,” Xiao Hui said apologetically from her bed.

“No need to apologize. You’ve always taken care of me. If anything, it’s I who should apologize for failing to protect you and letting you get hurt.”

“It’s all my fault for being useless. You’ve given me so many techniques, even the powerful Invisibility Art, yet I wasn’t skilled enough. If I had been, you wouldn’t have had to worry.” Xiao Hui’s face was full of dejection.

“You already did incredibly well for such a short time. Besides, you were up against opponents with Martial Spirit cultivation. The fact that you almost escaped right under their noses is truly impressive.” Wu Tian gently stroked Xiao Hui’s smooth cheek.

Feeling his touch, Xiao Hui’s cheeks flushed red, but she didn’t shy away. Instead, she felt a sweet warmth blooming inside.

“From now on, I’ll work even harder so I’ll never again be a burden to you,” she said with determination.

Wu Tian nodded with a smile. He had absolute confidence in Xiao Hui. Gifted and intelligent, she’d nearly escaped from martial experts after just a month of training in the Invisibility Art. Her rate of improvement was astonishing, relying solely on her innate talent, while Wu Tian himself depended on the system.

Still, even if Xiao Hui had no talent, Wu Tian believed he could help her improve—if only he had more time. For now, he simply couldn't spare it, or he’d have already taken her to train and level up.

Despite her injuries, Xiao Hui recovered quickly thanks to Wu Tian’s supreme healing pills. She would likely be fully healed after just one night’s rest.

As night fell and Xiao Hui drifted into sleep, Wu Tian disguised himself as a middle-aged man and slipped quietly from their thatched cottage. In this guise, he sped through the night and stopped at the edge of the Nie Family estate, lurking in the shadows and studying the grounds.

“The Nie Manor’s defenses are tight—even at night, they have so many patrols. But even if it’s a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den, I must break in tonight. Nie Huixiang must die,” he muttered from his hiding place.

With that, Wu Tian vaulted over the wall like a wraith, slipping into the Nie Manor undetected. The Nie Family was indeed worthy of being one of Pingyang City’s four great powers—the estate was vast, with dozens of buildings. Nie Huixiang, as Nie Yuntian’s son, would naturally reside in the most luxurious quarters at the manor’s center.

Thanks to his Night Cloak and Windstalker Boots, Wu Tian moved unseen through the estate. Still, it took considerable effort to locate Nie Huixiang. After much searching, he finally found his target’s residence.

Several guards stood watch outside Nie Huixiang’s room. To get inside, Wu Tian would have to deal with them first.

“My goal tonight is to kill Nie Huixiang. Let’s begin.” Without hesitation, Wu Tian glided soundlessly atop the roof and landed behind the guards.

Before they could react, his Black Dragon Blade flashed, cutting them down in an instant.

Ding!

“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for killing three level-6 Martial Warriors. Gained 3,000 experience. Side quest ‘Nie Family Terminator’ progress: 34/200.”

Having dispatched the guards, Wu Tian burst into Nie Huixiang’s room, startling the sleeping man awake.

“Nie Huixiang, tonight is the night you die!” Wu Tian sneered, his voice cold and menacing.

“Who… who are you?” Nie Huixiang stammered in terror.

“Your killer!” Wu Tian leapt forward, his Black Dragon Blade slashing mercilessly.

Boom!

A shimmering blue shield flared before Nie Huixiang, blocking Wu Tian’s violent attack in a burst of energy.

Seeing his assailant’s first strike fail, Nie Huixiang laughed triumphantly. “Hah! Did you think you could kill me so easily? You dare break into the Nie Manor? You’re courting death!”

“A defensive array!” Wu Tian’s expression darkened. He hadn’t expected Nie Huixiang to be protected by so powerful a formation. However, after that blow, the shield was already weakened.

“Come on, then! If you’ve got the guts, try and kill me, you fool—”

But before he could finish, Wu Tian’s Black Dragon Blade pierced his heart. Wu Tian wasted no words, executing a finishing move that not even the defensive array could withstand.

“Now, who’s the fool? Care to say it again, you worthless scum?” Wu Tian whispered coldly into Nie Huixiang’s ear.

“You… why… impossible…” Nie Huixiang gasped, coughing up blood in disbelief.

“In this world, nothing is impossible—especially when you cross me,” Wu Tian murmured in his own voice.

Nie Huixiang’s eyes widened in shock, his trembling finger pointing at Wu Tian. “You… you’re… Wu—”

With a crash, his corpse hit the floor, eyes still wide open in death, unable to rest in peace.

“Better leave your body here, or it’ll cause more trouble than it’s worth,” Wu Tian muttered, gazing at the corpse. The system allowed him to erase evidence of his kills, but to avoid unnecessary complications, he chose not to erase Nie Huixiang’s body this time.

Ding!

“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for killing Nie Huixiang. Gained 200 experience. Side quest ‘Nie Family Terminator’ progress: 35/200.”

“Pathetic—only 200 experience. Less than killing a wild beast,” Wu Tian grumbled.