Chapter 51: Assassination

In the outskirts not far from Jiuhua City, a man named Nalan Jie was currently walking inside a highly concealed underground passage.

The passage was dark and damp, devoid of any light, where any flame kindled would be instantly extinguished.

"Young Master." Just then, a gentle and magnetic male voice echoed from the darkness, "That thing is not easily controlled. Do we truly need to employ it?"

"The Ghost Snake clan is the most suited among demons for assassination, making this a superb chess piece. As the saying goes, one trains troops for a thousand days to use them for a single moment. We have nurtured this thing for so many years and consumed countless resources of mine; if it cannot be used, would it not be a mere waste?" A somber voice replied, "If something truly goes awry, then this is nothing more than a demon gone mad, having naught to do with us!"

"Furthermore, it is inherently a demon gone mad!" That somber voice continued, "Let us first test this fellow's fangs on that little shop owner. He who ruins my grand designs must surely die!"

"Very well." Within the darkness, only a low, prolonged, and ancient chant arose, its sounds archaic and profound, unlike any existing language. Simultaneously, light flared throughout the entire passage, revealing row upon row of golden talisman papers upon closer inspection!

The talismans grew denser the deeper the passage went, and gradually, within the secure cage in the depths of the tunnel, a pair of sinister eyes seemed to slowly open!

"Go, first slay that youth named Fang Qi!"

……

"What?! You open this shop for business but refuse to let people play?!" Nalan Hongwu's fierce eyes glared as wide as copper bells!

"Old Master, do you still recall the wager we just made?" Fang Qi said calmly, "Do not shout and clamor. In this shop, everyone is treated equally. At your advanced age, surely you would not act without dignity and break your word?"

"……" Nalan Hongwu's weathered face darkened as he stared at Fang Qi, saying, "My word carries the weight of nine tripods... yet which shop possesses such rules as yours?"

Fang Qi pointed at the small blackboard and said, "Our shop's rules are written clearly and distinctly: six hours per person each day."

"……" Nalan Hongwu looked at the small blackboard and saw it was indeed written with utmost clarity, hastily whispering to Old Fu, "Was this line written before? How is it I have no recollection?"

"……" Old Fu wore an embarrassed expression, "It was there."

"……" Nalan Hongwu felt a wave of vexation, lightly stroking his silver beard. After a moment's thought, he waved his large hand, "What good is there in setting such a rule? I shall decide; let us discard this rule henceforth. Would it not allow you, the shopkeeper, to earn a few more spirit crystals?"

"My apologies." Fang Qi said expressionlessly, "The rules of this shop shall not alter by a fraction. Those who do not abide by the rules will never be received by this shop!"

"Besides, we are about to close down shortly. Therefore, if you wish to play tomorrow, please come early." He glanced at the sky outside, then looked at the two of them, "Did you two old masters not say earlier that this was merely a mere illusion-type spiritual artifact? Since you do not cherish it, why be so persistent? Or could it be that Old Master's claim of his word carrying the weight of nine tripods was merely idle boasting?"

"……" Nalan Hongwu looked deeply embarrassed, only then remembering that he had indeed spoken such words earlier.

If it had only been a casual remark made earlier, it would have mattered less, yet he had just supplemented it by claiming his word carried the weight of nine tripods?!

If he did not leave now, would he not be slapping his own face?

Thinking of this, he could only say disdainfully, "Do I cherish it? The craftsmanship of the spiritual artifacts here is merely a bit finer than others, that is all. Since it is so, I shall return tomorrow to study it further!"

With a cold snort, he immediately turned and walked out the door.

Upon stepping outside, Nalan Hongwu's old face twisted into a knot of sheer conflict!

Having sent Nalan Hongwu away, it was time for the little shop to close.

While sweeping and cleaning the internet cafe, Fang Qi wiped his brow and thought firmly, "I truly ought to hire an employee. No need for other duties, just handling the register and cleaning would suffice!"

Fang Qi patted his forehead; he had originally harbored this intention long ago, but it had never been put into practice. However, now that the internet cafe was expanding, it was about time to implement it.

"Should I post a notice tomorrow...?" Fang Qi stroked his chin, "Let it be so..."

Going upstairs, Fang Qi was seen sitting cross-legged upon his bed.

As his strength increased, his required sleep duration had reduced significantly.

Therefore, when night fell, what he required was not rest, but rather—cultivation.

In truth, the things he could currently learn were not many: the combat techniques from Resident Evil to elevate his close-quarters capabilities, the rocket launcher as a long-range lethal means, and the Paladin's 'Meditation' to gather the 'Qi' within his body.

Since there were not many choices, Fang Qi accepted whatever came his way, learning whatever fell into his hands. No secret manuals, no guidance from anyone?

Practicing according to his memories would always yield the correct path.

Originally, given his natural talent, something like 'Qi' was by no means easily mastered. However, after being enhanced by the T-Virus, his memory and control had seen a tremendous leap, coupled with frequent utilization within the game, it could now be considered proficient, if not yet consummately mastered.

Yet, precisely while he was focused on his cultivation, at some unknown moment, a highly bizarre shadow actually appeared upon the ceiling!

This shadow drifted silently across the ceiling, akin to a snake concealed within the darkness, slowly drawing closer to Fang Qi!

For some reason, Fang Qi found himself somewhat restless today, entirely unable to concentrate his mind, and the Qi within his body grew exceedingly slow due to this lack of focus!

"Large amount of abnormal reactions detected."

Just then, the system's voice resounded within his mind.

"Twelve o'clock direction, a large amount of abnormal reactions detected. Host, please maintain vigilance."

"Abnormal reactions? Twelve o'clock direction?" Fang Qi hastily raised his head to look upward and forward!

Immediately, he beheld a pair of incomparably cold, golden vertical pupils!

The very instant he saw that pair of golden vertical pupils, Fang Qi felt as though an invisible and colossal vortex lay ahead, seeking to draw him in!

He wished to move, yet discovered he could not stir in the slightest! He felt his entire body grow immensely heavy, just like being pinned down by a nightmare!

"What is happening?!" He naturally knew it was impossible for him to be pinned by a mere ghost; with his strength, ordinary wandering spirits and wild ghosts could not possibly be his match, leaving only one possibility—a spell!

Could the intruder be a cultivator?!

Yet looking at the golden vertical pupils before his eyes, they did not resemble human pupils in the slightest.

"A demon?!" Fang Qi was startled in his heart. He had been in this world for some time now; he had encountered martial artists and cultivators, yet he had uniquely never seen a demon!

Not to mention such a sinister demon, where a mere single glance was enough to suppress him completely!

Beneath the night sky, upon the rooftop of a low residential house along the street, sat a man with a narrow face, his cheeks covered in countless pitch-black scales, possessing golden vertical pupils.

"Releasing me, merely to slay such a piece of trash?" Within its eyes flickered a chilling and bloodthirsty intent to kill, while inside the room, Fang Qi only saw a colossal serpent shadow, violently opening its massive maw, snapping down towards him to devour him whole!