Chapter 27: Impermanence of Black and White

Seeing that his opponent was not joking, Yu Qi sighed inwardly. At such a close distance, he had enough time to prevent the other's actions.

Glancing at Mu Qingnan’s throat, Yu Qi thrust his right hand out suddenly. Before Mu Qingnan could react, Yu Qi gripped his arm and pulled, forcing the dagger away from his neck. With a gentle twist, Mu Qingnan groaned in pain and loosened his grip, causing the dagger to fall. Yu Qi’s left hand quickly caught it, spinning it idly.

He released Mu Qingnan’s arm and leaned against the carriage, eyes fixed on the dagger in his hand. "A fine blade," he said coolly. "Exquisite workmanship. It’s worth at least two or three hundred taels."

"Your martial arts are so impressive; I was right to call you 'Big Brother'!" Mu Qingnan looked astonished, yet tinged with delight. He had not expected his threat to be so easily neutralized.

"I merely snatched your dagger; it’s nothing special," Yu Qi replied, his tone remaining flat. His mind drifted to the person he had encountered in the mountains. "Those who are truly powerful can make you tremble with just a single glance."

Just then, the carriage came to a sudden halt.

"Why have we stopped again?" Mu Qingnan frowned, his face showing confusion, but no one answered him.

Yu Qi sat quietly. Since entering the "Observational Realm," he had been able to perceive his surroundings, yet now, it was deathly silent. Aside from the rustle of leaves, he could hear nothing.

Suddenly, Yu Qi caught the faint sound of something cutting through the air. His expression shifted. "Go," he told Mu Qingnan, who was about to lift the curtain to look outside.

Before he finished speaking, he grabbed Mu Qingnan by the shoulder and leaped out of the carriage.

The moment their feet touched the ground, sharp arrows pierced through the carriage walls. In the blink of an eye, the luxurious carriage was destroyed.

Mu Qingnan and Yu Qi looked back to see the scene outside. The guards on horseback were all slumped over, their eyes devoid of expression, appearing eerily calm. The strangest thing was their skin, which had turned a deep, dark purple. Even the horses beneath them, though still standing, showed no signs of life.

To kill them all before they could even make a sound required either a master who had reached the "Unity Realm" or a potent, lethal poison—the kind that killed upon contact.

"W-what’s going on?" Mu Qingnan trembled. It was his first time encountering such a scene, and fear surged within him as he scrambled to hide behind Yu Qi.

Yu Qi’s body suddenly radiated a thousand strands of "Evil Qi." After two years of cultivation, his internal energy had grown significantly, and his "Heaven-Casting" technique had reached perfection. His strength had increased substantially. His eyes glowed with killing intent; had he not entered the Observational Realm and caught the sound of the arrows, he would have been turned into a pincushion.

Mu Qingnan watched the swirling Evil Qi and the figure standing before him. A strange sensation stirred in his heart—the feeling of being protected, a feeling he had only ever experienced from his father.

"Be careful. The poison they used is called 'Black and White Impermanence.' Touch it, and you die," Yu Qi said, his expression grave. As a member of the powerful Yu clan, his knowledge was far superior to that of ordinary men. This poison was named after the messengers of death; it meant there was no path to survival once struck. Of course, it depended on the dosage and the victim's internal strength; a master could potentially force it out.

Anyone with a bit of insight knew this poison was the hallmark of an organization called the "Ghost Gate Pass." Its reputation had spread far across the land. The Ghost Gate Pass was a terrifying assassin guild; no one knew who led it or where their headquarters were located. To outsiders, the organization remained shrouded in mystery.

"Before the Ghost Gate, nine deaths, one life!" This was the proverb they left for the world, representing their hierarchy of assassins: the highest rank was "Ghost," and the lowest was "Life."

"Black and White Impermanence?" Mu Qingnan’s face turned pale. He clearly knew of the poison’s infamy. "H-how could the people of the Ghost Gate Pass be targeting me?"

"You must have offended someone inadvertently," Yu Qi replied, his expression shifting abruptly. "They’re here. Watch out!"

Sounds of air being sliced erupted from both sides of the road. Under the sunlight, several poison needles reflecting a purple hue shot toward them.

Yu Qi’s face turned cold. He channeled his inner energy through his meridians. The Evil Qi swirling around him rotated violently, creating a sudden, fierce gale that pushed outward. The incoming needles pierced into the windstorm, but after halfway, they could penetrate no further and were deflected in the opposite direction.

The needles spun in the air before embedding themselves into the trees lining the road. The bark was immediately stained with purple venom, which spread rapidly. Within a few breaths, the entire tree withered and died.

Beside the dead tree stood a figure wrapped in a black robe, face hidden by a mask, with only a pair of eyes visible, showing a hint of shock. The figure looked toward the forest on the other side, where another dark shadow appeared. Their gazes met, they nodded, and retreated into the distance.

They left because their needles could not even break through Yu Qi’s windstorm. It was clear his strength far surpassed theirs; to continue the attack would be suicide. As assassins, their hands were stained with blood, but they cherished their own lives. Even animals valued their existence, let alone humans.

Yu Qi scanned the trees vigilantly. Only after confirming they had left did he retract the Evil Qi. "They’re gone."

"O-oh," Mu Qingnan stammered, his legs still shaking uncontrollably.

"Can you let go now?" Yu Qi asked, frowning.

Mu Qingnan realized he had been clutching Yu Qi tightly in his fear. He offered an embarrassed smile and hurriedly let go. Seeing this, Yu Qi turned and began to walk away.

"Where are you going? Don't leave me here alone!" Mu Qingnan cried out.

"Fenghua City," Yu Qi replied flatly.

"Wait for me! Wait for me!" Mu Qingnan scrambled to catch up.

They walked for a while, and only after they were far from the ambush site did color return to Mu Qingnan’s face. "Big Brother, your strength is incredible! Those needles looked so deadly, yet you just swatted them away." Mu Qingnan gazed at him with envy.

Yu Qi didn't reply, continuing forward with an expressionless face. Mu Qingnan didn't mind, chattering away—first about Yu Qi’s strength, then about the various delicacies and entertainment spots in Fenghua City.

In just half an hour, Yu Qi learned about every place to eat, drink, and play in Fenghua City, even the brothels, which Mu Qingnan described in great detail. Seeing that the chatterbox showed no signs of stopping, Yu Qi, unable to bear it any longer, quickened his pace. He began to regret ever taking this ride.

"Hey, Big Brother, wait for me! Don't leave me behind!" Mu Qingnan hurried after him.

After walking for a while, Yu Qi suddenly stopped. He held up a finger in front of his face.

Mu Qingnan was puzzled. "Big Brother, why did you stop? Don't tell me the people from the Ghost Gate are back?" He looked around, edging closer to Yu Qi.

Yu Qi’s finger trembled slightly as he said coldly, "If you say one more word, see if I don't poke a hole through your throat."

"Oh!" Mu Qingnan nodded, feeling wronged, and quickly clamped his mouth shut.

By late afternoon, the two finally arrived before a massive city. It was built of giant stones, vast and grand, stretching beyond the horizon. The scratches on the walls looked clean yet ancient, having weathered countless years of wind and rain. In the center of the wall, a tall red gate, several meters high, was embedded like a giant slab. Pedestrians moved in and out, one of the many entrances to the city.

Before they could step inside, two rows of well-trained guards marched directly toward them.

Mu Qingnan’s face fell. "Not again."

Yu Qi looked on with curiosity. Before he could ask, a man who appeared to be the leader stepped out from the guards and bowed to Mu Qingnan. "Liu Jiangsheng greets the Young Master. The Master has been very worried since you left so abruptly. Please, follow me back to the manor."

"I’m not going back! It’s boring as hell at home. I want to hang out with my Big Brother," Mu Qingnan retorted, his fear from the ambush forgotten.

Liu Jiangsheng looked distressed. "Please, Young Master, do not make this difficult for me. The Master is truly worried."

Yu Qi was surprised; he hadn't expected the cowardly Mu Qingnan to have such influence in Fenghua City. Seeing Mu Qingnan about to refuse again, Yu Qi spoke up, "Just go back, so your father won't worry."

With that, Yu Qi walked briskly into the city, wanting nothing more than to put some distance between himself and Mu Qingnan.

Mu Qingnan sighed in resignation. "Fine, I’ll listen to Big Brother and go home first."

Seeing the agreement, Liu Jiangsheng exhaled in relief. If he hadn't brought Mu Qingnan back, he would surely be punished. The thought of his master’s stern face sent a cold shiver down his spine.