48: sneak attack

His cultivation was stabilized at Late Martial Master, and the Primordial Internal Energy within his body surged and circulated smoothly. Qin Feng did not rush to break through to a higher Realm, but instead turned his attention to the "Netherworld Flower" obtained from the Ghost Market.

Under the precise control of his Sword Heart Talent, he carefully placed the Netherworld Flower and several other auxiliary Materials into the azure flame furnace. This time, he was not refining Medicinal Pills, but a colorless, odorless, yet incredibly potent powder. After several failed adjustments, he finally succeeded in extracting a small pinch of Medicinal Powder, fine as dust and melting upon touch.

"I'll call you 'Gui Luo Powder'." Qin Feng carefully sealed it within a specialized Wax Pellet, a cold light flashing in his eyes. This would be the "welcome gift" he prepared for Shadow Scorpion.

That night, the intelligence was refreshed during the zi hour. When he saw the first piece of information, Qin Feng's face beneath his mask instantly became as dark as water, and a cold killing intent rose from the depths of his heart!

[(Yellow) Shadow Scorpion has completed the preliminary investigation according to the list, finding no concrete clues regarding 'You Gui'. He has decided to start 'eliminating' some families on the list starting tomorrow as a test, forcing 'You Gui' to appear. The list of targets for the first day's elimination includes the 'Qin Family' (Qin Feng's relatives). Shadow Scorpion himself is currently enjoying himself in Heavenly Character Room Two of the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion tonight.]

[(Yellow) Hua Qianying, the proprietress behind the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion, is actually an Outer Sect Deacon of the Hundred Flowers Palace. Cultivation: Early Stage Martial King.]

[(White) Li Xiuyun, the daughter of the wealthy Li proprietor in the city, was secretly brought in today and officially joined the Hundred Flowers Palace due to her outstanding Aptitude.]

"That damned bastard!" Qin Feng slammed his fist onto the edge of the bed, sending wood chips flying. He hadn't expected Shadow Scorpion to be so vicious and decisive, intending to force him out by slaughtering the innocent, with the very first target being his family! This completely touched his reverse scale!

"Tonight is the day you die!" Killing intent burst forth from Qin Feng's eyes, and he no longer hesitated even slightly.

However, the second piece of intelligence also made his heart tighten. The proprietress of the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion was actually a Martial King expert from the Hundred Flowers Palace? The Hundred Flowers Palace's influence was indeed vast, with tentacles everywhere. Tonight's operation must be extremely cautious; he absolutely could not alert this existence.

He acted quickly, disguising himself again, changing into a brocade robe fit for a wealthy Young Master, wearing an exquisite Silver Fox Mask on his face, and perfectly concealing his aura, making him look like a true profligate seeking pleasure.

Arriving at the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion, singing and dancing girls filled the air, and the scent of makeup washed over him. Seeing his extraordinary demeanor, the Madam enthusiastically greeted him.

"Oh, this Young Master looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time at our Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion? Which young lady would you like to accompany you tonight?"

Qin Feng deliberately imitated the tone of a playboy, casually tossed out a Gold Coin, swept his gaze across the hall, and randomly pointed to two attractive young ladies: "Just the two of them. Arrange for this Young Master to be in Heavenly Character Room One." He remembered the intelligence showed Shadow Scorpion was in Heavenly Character Room Two.

"Alright! Young Master, please follow me!" The Madam beamed and quickly led the way.

Entering Heavenly Character Room One, he sent the two girls away to prepare drinks. Qin Feng immediately flashed to the wall adjacent to Room Two, holding his breath and concentrating. The acute hearing of a Late Martial Master allowed him to clearly hear the lewd sounds and Shadow Scorpion's slightly hoarse, smug laughter coming from next door.

An opportunity!

Estimating the timing, as the two designated girls brought in the drinks, he swiftly struck, using his hand as a knife to precisely chop the back of their necks, knocking them unconscious. He gently placed them on the soft couch, disguising them as if they were drunk.

Afterward, he went to the wall, took out a slender, hollow Silver Needle, and carefully pushed it through a crack in the wall. He gently pushed the Wax Pellet containing the "Gui Luo Powder" through, released a slight burst of Internal Energy, and shattered the Wax Pellet.

The colorless and odorless Medicinal Powder immediately spread throughout Room Two.

In the adjacent room, Shadow Scorpion was wantonly pressing down on a woman when he suddenly felt the woman beneath him go limp, completely silent. After all, he was an expert at the Peak of Late Martial Master, with keen Spiritual Senses. He immediately noticed something was wrong, and a strong sense of dizziness struck him!

"Crap! It's Sleeping Gas!" He was greatly alarmed, reacting extremely quickly. He flipped over and rolled off the bed, simultaneously pulling out a jade-green Antidote Pill from his embrace and stuffing it into his mouth. This Antidote Pill was a standard item for him as a Silver Rank Assassin, capable of neutralizing all poisons.

However, the "Gui Luo Powder" was meticulously refined by Qin Feng using the Netherworld Flower as the main Material. Its medicinal properties were extremely potent, specifically targeting the Divine Soul, Qi, and blood. Although the Antidote Pill alleviated some of the dizziness, he still felt his limbs weaken, his Internal Energy circulation sluggish, and his strength severely diminished!

"Who is it?!" Shadow Scorpion was both shocked and enraged. He forcefully raised his Internal Energy and roared. He truly couldn't understand how he had been found and poisoned so precisely when he had concealed himself so well.

Just then, the door was violently blasted open by a powerful force! A figure dressed in Night Clothes and covered with a Black Scarf appeared like a ghost at the doorway, holding a long sword that radiated chilling coldness.

"Weren't... weren't you looking for me?" The Man in Black spoke, his voice cold and hoarse—it was Qin Feng's disguised voice.

Shadow Scorpion's pupils constricted. He stared intently at the figure: "You Gui?! How did you know I was here? And how did you know I was looking for you?!" Turmoil surged in his heart; this "You Gui's" mystery and difficulty far exceeded his estimation!

"Go ask in Hell!"

Qin Feng didn't waste any breath on him, killing intent surging in his eyes! The Primordial Unity Qi Art within his body roared, operating at its Peak, and the vast Internal Energy of a Late Martial Master poured unreservedly into the Azure Edge Sword in his hand!

"Zheng—!"

The Azure Edge Sword let out a clear, deafening Sword Cry, and the autumn water cold light on its blade suddenly shone brightly, as if wanting to suppress the candlelight in the room!

Profound Rank Sword Technique—The first form of the Azure Peak Sword Manual, Profound Light Appears!

Although Qin Feng had only just grasped the basics, driven by the Earth Rank Cultivation Technique and enhanced by his Sword Heart Talent, this sword strike was unimaginably fast and terrifyingly sharp! The sword light was like a cold profound light tearing through the darkness, stabbing straight toward Shadow Scorpion's throat!

Shadow Scorpion's Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering. With his strength greatly reduced due to the poison, facing this heaven-shattering sword strike, he could only desperately raise a Poisoned Dagger to block while rapidly retreating!

"Clang!!"

The dagger collided with the Azure Edge Sword, producing a jarring clang of metal!

However, the Medium Grade Profound Rank Azure Edge Sword, combined with the powerful Internal Energy from an Earth Rank Cultivation Technique, was something Shadow Scorpion could hardly withstand in his haste!

The Poisoned Dagger snapped instantly!

The sword light paused only slightly before accelerating, piercing Shadow Scorpion's throat in an instant, like the sigh of the God of Death!

Shadow Scorpion's movements abruptly froze, his eyes wide and round, filled with disbelief, horror, and unwillingness. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but only gurgling fresh blood poured from his throat.

"Uh... Hrk..." He stared intensely at Qin Feng, seemingly wanting to engrave the true face of this "You Gui" into his Soul. Finally, his body slumped softly to the ground, dead.

Qin Feng quickly stepped forward and confirmed that Shadow Scorpion was thoroughly dead. He unceremoniously stripped him of all valuables, including the Blood-Filled Tower's "Soul Chasing Token" and some scattered poisons and Gold Coins. Afterward, he dealt with the traces he left behind, glanced at the woman unconscious on the bed and the two girls knocked out next door, and without further delay, his figure flickered, silently leaving the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion as if melting into the night.

In the room, only Shadow Scorpion's rapidly cooling corpse remained, along with the faint scent of blood and the strange fragrance of Gui Luo Powder that had not yet completely dispersed in the air.

Thus, the Silver Rank Assassin "Shadow Scorpion," who had struck fear into Star South City, met his end.