Hidden Dragon Inn was one of the premier, top-tier inns within the White Dao Prefecture city.
Describing it as a place that raked in mountains of gold daily, constantly packed to the rafters, would be no exaggeration!
More importantly, the Hidden Dragon Inn was also an establishment under the influence of the Tianhai Gang, the city’s largest gang.
Therefore, the person managing the Hidden Dragon Inn was typically a Tianhai Gang elder, a martial artist at least at the Marrow Refining Great Completion stage or higher.
The current manager of the Hidden Dragon Inn was precisely the Tianhai Gang’s Third Elder, Mo Songshi, a martial artist at the Marrow Refining Perfection stage.
At the inn’s front counter, however, the person in charge was not Mo Songshi.
It was Mo Songshi’s son, Mo Yongcheng, who served as a Steward within the Tianhai Gang.
At that moment, several sharp voices suddenly rang out from the bustling entrance of the inn.
“Step aside, official government business!”
“Everyone, make way!”
In the next second, the crowded doorway instantly cleared a path.
“Government officials?”
Mo Yongcheng behind the counter frowned deeply, displeased by the commotion.
This was Tianhai Gang territory. Hadn’t the Gang Leader already made arrangements with those people at the Prefectural Office?
The Hidden Dragon Inn gave a share of its profits to that Prefectural Magistrate every year!
How could there still be government officials daring to cause trouble at the Hidden Dragon Inn now?
Outside the inn stood seven tall, imposing middle-aged men with stern expressions, all wearing identical brocade uniforms, each with a sword at their waist.
The man at the forefront, however, wore a deep blue brocade uniform. His face was expressionless as he strode towards the inn’s counter.
“Are you the innkeeper?”
“Have any strangers appeared in the inn? Take this Emissary to find them.”
Seeing the aggressive, imperious demeanor of the man before him, Mo Yongcheng was about to flare up. But when his eyes fell on the brocade uniforms, his anger vanished.
The Mysterious Bird Guard?
Realizing who they were, the fierce expression on Mo Yongcheng’s face instantly transformed into one of subservience.
“Esteemed Lords, please wait a moment.”
“This humble one is not the innkeeper. I will immediately go and fetch the manager.”
It’s over. Something big has happened.
Why would the Mysterious Bird Guard come to the Hidden Dragon Inn?!
He recalled that not long ago, the Gang Leader had summoned all gang members at the Steward rank and above for one sole reason.
To warn them that upon encountering the Mysterious Bird Guard, they were absolutely not to provoke them.
Violators would be expelled from the Tianhai Gang and might even have their martial cultivation crippled!
The back hall on the inn’s first floor was where the inn’s manager, Mo Songshi, resided.
At that moment, Mo Songshi was reclining on a lounge chair, with several Tianhai Gang members standing before him. He was quite comfortably resting with his eyes closed.
However, his peaceful rest was abruptly shattered by a panicked voice from outside the door.
“Father!”
“The Mysterious Bird Guard are here.”
“What?!”
Hearing the words “Mysterious Bird Guard,” Mo Songshi’s eyes snapped open. He sprang from the lounge chair and instantly appeared before Mo Yongcheng.
Second Floor, Hidden Dragon Inn – A Large Guest Room Suite
Five brawny men, dressed in simple, low-key black martial attire, sat around a large table.
“Brother Sheng, the man who gave us the three thousand taels of silver works for the White Dao Prefecture Assistant Prefect.”
“How did that Lu Family Medicine Shop in Qingyun County manage to offend such a powerful figure?”
“Could this be a trap?”
These five men were from the Misty Rain Pavilion, the assassins Luo Jinghe had bought with three thousand taels.
Those who chose to become assassins lived lives on the edge of a blade every day. The ones who survived were usually the clever ones.
During every transaction, they would secretly have one or two people shadow the client.
Then, based on the client’s identity, they would investigate the background of the assassination target. This was how they ensured their own survival.
The man sitting at the head of the table appeared to be around fifty years old. He was the leader of this group of assassins.
He pondered the doubts raised by his subordinates.
“Perhaps.”
“Any medicine shop that can draw the personal attention of an Assistant Prefect must be anything but simple.”
“However, the rule of our Misty Rain Pavilion is that we cannot easily abandon a mission. Otherwise, Pavilion Master won’t let us off.”
“Here’s what we’ll do. We’ll go to Qingyun County town first and observe this Lu Family Medicine Shop from the shadows.”
“If their strength isn’t overwhelming, we’ll take them out immediately!”
Outside the Guest Room Suite
Many dark figures were now blocking the doorway.
Among them, Tianhai Gang Third Elder Mo Songshi kept speaking in an ingratiating tone, his voice low.
“Esteemed Lords, there are five strangers inside here.”
“These men have been staying for five or six days. This old man has long suspected they were up to no good.”
“Esteemed Lords, please proceed as you see fit. If there’s anything this Mo Songshi can do to help, I will certainly do my utmost.”
He showed no regard for the inn’s rule about never disclosing guest information.
The reason for Mo Songshi’s obsequiousness was entirely due to his Gang Leader’s explicit instructions. So, when questioned by the Mysterious Bird Guard, he didn’t hesitate to betray the people inside the guest room.
Inside the Guest Room Suite
The five men naturally heard Mo Songshi’s words, and their expressions changed instantly.
The lead assassin sitting at the head of the table didn’t hesitate for a moment. His figure instantly burst into motion.
In the blink of an eye, he drew the sharp blade from his waist and slashed at the inn’s wall.
“Run! Split up and run!”
“Meet at the usual place!”
The reason for this drastic action was simple: their identities had been compromised.
The fact that they were still alive was a testament to their extraordinary caution, far beyond that of ordinary men.
They had just accepted the assassination contract not long ago, and now someone was coming specifically for them.
What else could it mean but that their identities had been discovered?
“Hmph!”
“Trying to run?”
“Seems we have the right people—they are indeed from Misty Rain Pavilion!”
“Leave your lives here for this Emissary!”
Just as the lead assassin broke through the wall, the guest room door was violently kicked open.
A blur, almost invisible to the naked eye, shot in from the doorway, giving chase to the fleeing leader.
Suddenly, four pale-faced assassins remained in the room.
They looked around in fear, realizing they were now surrounded by seven men.
Six of these men wore pristine white brocade uniforms embroidered with black Mysterious Bird patterns.
As assassins of Misty Rain Pavilion who had traveled far and wide, they knew a great deal about the world.
Therefore, the identity of these six men was immediately clear!
The Mysterious Bird Guard!
We’re completely finished!
The four Misty Rain Pavilion assassins were bewildered, utterly unable to comprehend.
The Mysterious Bird Guard stood aloof from worldly affairs and generally paid no heed to mundane matters. Why would they come for small fries like them?
While the four assassins were still stunned, powerful auras erupted and swept through the room.
Two auras at the Marrow Refining Perfection stage.
Four auras at the Marrow Refining Great Completion stage.
