Chapter 18: Su Xiao's Assassination Techniques
Iron Feather King drank a few cups of strong liquor before rising, placing two gold coins on the table as he walked toward the tavern's exit. He actually knew everything, but was powerless to act.
On the bustling streets, no one bowed to Iron Feather King. The commoners didn't recognize this old man at all. No, if it were decades ago, the commoners could still identify him, which instead caused Iron Feather King some annoyance.
Without servants, without guards, Iron Feather King walked alone on the street. His pace wasn't fast, but no commoner blocked his path; they all subconsciously moved aside. This was aura.
Su Xiao waited in the tavern until noon before Bubu Wang arrived.
"Woof."
Bubu Wang emerged from its stealth.
"Li Lin plans to eliminate that old fox tonight? That's somewhat reasonable."
Su Xiao had been somewhat puzzled earlier—why the old duke was so cooperative, voluntarily providing intelligence. Now it seemed that old fellow had realized that even hiding in the Holy Court wasn't entirely safe.
"Where is Li Lin?"
"Woof."
Bubu Wang tilted its head and raised a paw to tap the ground, meaning: "Li Lin is inside Ailansi City."
"Go notify Baha, have it and Amu wait at the predetermined location."
Su Xiao brought Bubu Wang out of the tavern and headed straight for the western side of Ailansi City. Li Lin was in the city's west.
When Su Xiao found Duke Li Lin, he was at home holding a cup of black tea with a worried expression. This property, a three-story building, was still a gift from Duke Wrath Lion to Li Lin.
"Kukulin, you've arrived. Sit."
Li Lin set down his black tea cup and gestured for a servant to pour a cup for Su Xiao as well.
"White Dragon was killed this morning."
"I've been there, just returned not long ago. Ah~"
Li Lin leaned back in his chair, rubbing his forehead with three fingers.
"The situation at the front lines is very grim, and Ailansi has had this happen. Kukulin, in your opinion, what will become of the Empire's future?"
"It will fall."
"Fall? The Empire cannot fall. Those polar people of the Northern Continent have no idea what they're facing. Even if the Empire falls one day, it can only be because of the Abyss."
Li Lin's tone was resolute, or rather, this was his conviction. If even he believed the Empire would be crushed by the Northern Alliance, then the Empire truly would collapse.
"Ilisa."
Li Lin rarely showed warmth on his face. Hearing his call, a noblewoman approached.
"Have the servants, or go yourself..."
After Li Lin gave a few simple instructions, the noblewoman named Ilisa pushed open the door and left the three-story building, personally going to prepare ingredients for lunch.
"Kukulin, stay for lunch before leaving."
"..."
Su Xiao didn't speak, just sat there.
"At least, let Ilisa leave. She is innocent, not even a Holy Descendant."
Duke Li Lin raised his hand to unbutton his chest, casually pulling off the gem ornament at his collar.
"..."
Su Xiao still didn't speak. He was waiting, waiting for the Imperial army to completely surround this place.
Just then, Li Lin's hand paused. He smelled blood nearby, freshly spilled blood. As a Holy Descendant, he was very familiar with this scent—it was human blood, Ilisa's blood.
"Kill me? Those soldiers wouldn't dare. Aelf doesn't want to bear the infamy. White Wolf is too selfish. So it's you, is it? You who will take my life, Kukulin Bai Ye."
Li Lin seemed to be speaking meaningless words, but in reality, he was stalling for time, waiting for reinforcements from the Council of Gods' subordinates.
Unfortunately, he wouldn't get them. Amu and Baha had already gone to attack the Council of Gods' underground headquarters. The moment Su Xiao met with Duke Li Lin was the same time Amu and Baha made their move.
Su Xiao had already dragged Li Lin out, so of course he wouldn't give the other party a chance. Set up a venue to ambush Duke Li Lin? Completely unworkable. Li Lin would definitely detect it in advance.
Su Xiao had made almost no preparations, only having Bubu Wang monitor Li Lin. Once a Council of Gods member appeared, Bubu Wang could follow the trail to find the Council of Gods' hiding place.
After that, Su Xiao would approach Li Lin without too much preparation, which actually had the advantage of not being detected by Li Lin and not arousing strong defenses.
In the end, Su Xiao approached Duke Li Lin alone, while the soldiers surrounding the small building were summoned by the old duke.
From that brief conversation earlier, Duke Li Lin sensed something was wrong, but it was already too late.
Boom!
A loud explosion came from outside the small building, flames scorching one side of the wall.
"Lord Li Lin, I'm coming immediately!"
A rough roar came, followed by the shouts of soldiers. The newcomer trying to break through the defensive line of several hundred soldiers was no simple task, especially with more soldiers continuously arriving. Basically, they couldn't break through.
Li Lin had killed Duke Wrath Lion. Even if Duke Wrath Lion had accomplished nothing, he still had many trusted followers.
Inside the second floor of the small building, Duke Li Lin slowly stood up. His pupils gradually cracked, and a strange vitality surged around him.
Crack, crack, crack...
The seven potted plants arranged in the room grew rapidly, soon piercing through walls and floorboards, displaying an arrogant vitality.
Su Xiao still sat on the wooden chair, not even drawing the long blade at his waist.
"Sera will not fall."
Li Lin clenched his hand in the air, and the tree branches behind him surged. This was the Dawn Tree, both Duke Li Lin's coat of arms and his weapon.
Beep, beep, beep...
A rapid electronic sound came from below, very faint, seemingly from deep underground.
Thud~
A muffled explosion came from underground. The three-story building trembled, large cracks spreading across the walls as the ground rapidly sank.
The three-story building disappeared into the ground, a huge pit appearing as the surface collapsed.
More than twenty meters underground, sunlight shone down through the hole above, illuminating this underground space.
The entire process took only 2 minutes and 59 seconds. The six miners from Apocalypse Paradise had created this underground space. It could only be said that when it came to digging, they were professionals.
"It's done."
"Run!"
After a brief exchange, the six miners fled through the underground passage. However, before leaving, they set up monitoring equipment, planning to watch remotely and see what happened next.
Among the debris of the building, a plant ball unfolded, and Duke Li Lin stepped out from inside.
Clang!
Blade light flashed, and Su Xiao suddenly appeared before Duke Li Lin.
The long blade cut through Duke Li Lin's torso without obstruction, severing him in two. But no blood gushed from the wound; instead, emerald green sprouts emerged, pulling Duke Li Lin's upper body back and healing the wound.
This was the Holy Descendant, or rather, this was the strength of the undying. They had no obvious vital points. Even if their head was cut off, as long as it was reattached quickly, they could survive.
Crack, crack, crack...
Tree branches grew wildly, instantly spreading into a large area, pressing toward Su Xiao, preparing to entangle him and absorb his blood.
Su Xiao's gaze swept left and right. He sheathed his long blade and assumed a drawing stance.
Ding, ding!
Cross-shaped slash marks appeared. The advancing branches stopped, then exploded in the next moment, scattering into large pieces of broken branches and leaves.
Su Xiao was about to step forward when a thorn formed from intertwined branches suddenly burst from the ground. Due to his pause, the branch stabbed past his face.
Su Xiao immediately leaped back. Midair, he slashed upward, cutting through the thorn in front. With the sharpness of Dragon-Slaying Flash, even these Dawn Trees strengthened by vitality couldn't withstand it.
Several dozen meters away, Duke Li Lin saw this and clasped his hands together.
With a rumble, dozens of thorns formed from intertwined branches, each over ten meters long, burst from the ground, stabbing toward Su Xiao from various angles, still growing rapidly as they came.
'Blade Path: Slay.'
Whoosh—a massive blood-red crescent blade shot out, shattering all the intertwined branch thorns.
Just as Duke Li Lin was about to continue driving plant vitality, a stabbing pain came from his chest.
Pfft~
The fragmented form of Banishment burst out from Duke Li Lin's chest, light blue electric arcs flickering. Duke Li Lin felt the intense pain again.
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