He had assumed either Wu Yuan or Wu Mao would take on the role. After all, in terms of strength, status, and strategic prowess, Wu Mao was undeniably better suited to be the chieftain of the Cloudhill Wu Clan.
“When the time comes, Wu Mao can serve as the grand elder if he is willing,” Wu Yuan said softly, “And after that, within the Cloudhill Wu Clan, there will be no more distinction between ‘us’ and ‘them’. The capable will rise, and the weak will fall. I will safeguard the clan, but its progress will ultimately depend on itself.”
“I understand.” Wu Qiming nodded.
“Chieftain, take this money.” With a flip of his hand, Wu Yuan presented a substantial stack of gold and silver notes.
“This?” Wu Qiming’s pupils constricted.
“It’s a total of 100,000 taels,” Wu Yuan said. “So far, I have yet to graduate from the academy, and the sect has only provided me enough to meet the expenses of my mother and sister.”
“Life in Cloudhill is far from easy! I am aware of the hardships you’ve faced, Chieftain. Consider this my initial investment into the clan,” Wu Yuan said seriously.
In the past, he lacked the status and influence to offer such a generous contribution. But now? Even if Wu Qiming was curious about where he got the money, he had no way to find out.
“Wu Yuan.” Wu Qiming seemed a tad uncomfortable.
“Chieftain, do not be troubled,” Wu Yuan reassured with a faint smile. “I haven’t forgotten everything the clan has done for me in the past. Isn’t it time that I repay the clan?”
“Don’t worry. This silver means little to me; it won’t hinder my cultivation,” Wu Yuan stated confidently.
Ultimately, Wu Qiming accepted the stack of gold and silver notes.
…
Upon returning home, Wu Yuan continued his daily cultivation routine. During his spare time, he spent time with his mother, acutely aware of how fleeting these precious moments were. While his own lifespan stretched on, his mother’s time was limited. Moreover, as his power and status increased, these leisurely days would only become rarer. Wu Yuan cherished this familial love deeply.
In the blink of an eye, more than ten days passed.
At night, Wu Yuan bid farewell to his mother and Chieftain Wu Qiming. Without notifying anyone else in the mansion, not even his sister Wu Yijun, he changed into a set of clothes he’d never worn before. Then, he slung a bundle on his back and armed his weapons.
After employing Transfiguration, Wu Yuan silently departed from the Wu Mansion.
The Cloudhill Province was a region that never slept, always brimming with activity. Of course, this only applied to the western and northern parts of the provincial city. The further south one went, the more dilapidated and sparse the houses became.
Freedom. No shackles, no burdens, no responsibilities. Wu Yuan strolled along the streets, saber fastened to his side.
His mind was more relaxed than ever before. The restraints on his immense strength were lifted!
Two hours later, the carefree Wu Yuan arrived at a rundown courtyard house in the southern part of the city. The courtyard gate was slightly ajar, and the solitary lantern indicated the presence of someone inside.
He donned a mask he had prepared earlier and pushed the gate open.
“Who goes there?” A voice barked.
“Three-star assassin, Thousand Mountains, has come to turn in my mission,” replied Wu Yuan casually.
His voice was soft, yet it rang like a thunderclap.
The two guards at the doorway jumped. So direct? They scanned the surrounding streets instinctively, relieved to find it deserted.
“What assassin, what Thousand Mountains,” one of the guards retorted. “Be on your way, there’s nothing for you here.”
“Thousand Mountains?” The other guard had a sudden epiphany. “Are you the one who killed Chen Tangru and Wang Zhushan?”
Upon hearing this, the guard who was set on reprimanding Wu Yuan also came to a realization.
“Indeed,” Wu Yuan affirmed with a nod.
The two guards exchanged a glance, their faces etched with fear. Though they were only low-ranking members of the Pleiades Guild, they had heard of the name Thousand Mountains. He was a Savant expert!
“Please come in, Sir. There are too many prying eyes outside. We will notify the guild immediately,” one of the guards whispered, his voice barely audible.
Wu Yuan gave a slight nod. He wasn’t afraid of ambushes or traps.
When one wasn’t capable, caution was necessary, while with great strength came a certain degree of audacity. Of course, this confidence could be largely attributed to his soul sense.
Before long, a steward materialized and respectfully guided Wu Yuan deeper into the premises. The courtyard stood enclosed by towering walls, with buildings packed closely together. Finally, they reached a moderately sized courtyard.
Here stood more than a dozen figures, their faces concealed behind bronze masks. Through his soul sense, and judging by their steps and postures, Wu Yuan immediately identified them as experts.
“This sure is a large gathering,” Wu Yuan’s gaze swept over them.
“Are you planning to keep me here? Is this a protocol of the Pleiades Guild?” His question hung in the air, as icy as his stare.
Simultaneously, the assembled experts felt an invisible pressure exerted on their hearts, causing them to tremble involuntarily. Dread gripped them, and their minds raced to comprehend the nature of this attack.
For more than a year, Wu Yuan had diligently Visualized the black pagoda. His soul grew stronger, and his soul sense keener. With time, he gradually deciphered the applications of the souls power.
The simplest application was intimidation via gaze or voice! Wu Yuan didn’t have to lift a finger; his words were enough to instill fear in everyone present, deterring them from acting rashly.
“Thousand Mountains, you must be joking.
Finally, a red-robed man wearing a smiling mask stepped forward, his voice amicable, “I am the master of the Pleiades Guild’s Jiang Continent branch. You can call me Branch Master Ma. We have no intention of causing you trouble.
We simply suspected that someone was impersonating you, Thousand Mountains. After all, you’ve been off the radar for over a year.”
Branch Master Ma chuckled, “We thought you had abandoned this identity, so we felt the need to be cautious.”
“Why would I abandon the identity I went to great lengths to acquire?” Wu Yuan retorted with a cynical smile.
“Thousand Mountains, you’re rather bold. Every single faction in the Jiang Continent is searching for you,” Branch Master Ma sighed, “This is Cloudhill Province, the Cloudstride Sects stronghold.”
“So what if they’re all after me?” Wu Yuan laughed, “You’re telling me there’s a Grandmaster in your branch?”
“Of course not,” Branch Master Ma admitted with an awkward smile.
“Well then,” Wu Yuan continued nonchalantly, “I fear no one except a Grandmaster. Even if the Cloudstride Sects two Grandmasters came, whether they can stop me from leaving is still up for debate.”
The eyes of the Pleiades Guild experts narrowed. What arrogance!
“Thousand Mountains, I admire your courage,” Branch Master Ma responded, his tone unchanged, “However, I am curious as to why you’re here today.”
“I am here to turn in a mission. Wu Yuan replied indifferently, “Over a year ago, I accepted a mission to assassinate Xu Shouyi in Li City. I had business in the Min Continent and just returned. I thought I’d turn in the mission while I’m here.”
“Once a mission is completed, there’s no time limit for turning it in, correct?” Wu Yuan asked calmly.
“Of course not. Thousand Mountains, kindly present your identity badge for verification,” instructed the branch master.
With a flick of his wrist, Wu Yuan sent the badge sailing through the air. The branch master caught it, gave it a quick once-over, nodded, and handed it back to Wu Yuan.
“The verification is in order. What is your reward of choice, Thousand Mountains?”
“Exchange it all for Qi Enhancement Pills,” Wu Yuan replied nonchalantly.
“Not a problem,” the branch master nodded.
A few moments later, a package containing Qi Enhancement Pills was delivered. Wu Yuan did a quick check, counting a total of 45 pills inside.
“Anything else, Thousand Mountains?” the branch master asked. “Are you here to accept a new mission?”
“I want to inquire whether there are any five-star tasks available in the Jiang Continent,” Wu Yuan said with a smile. “Is it possible for me to accept one?”
Five-star? The branch master stared at Wu Yuan in shock. “Thousand Mountains, do you understand what a five-star mission entails?”
“Of course, generally they involve assassinations targeting Savant experts,” Wu Yuan nodded.
“There are a couple,” the branch master confessed. “Two expiring tasks, in fact, that no one in the Jiang Continent has been able to complete.”
“But, Thousand Mountains, as a three-star assassin, you must demonstrate your strength in order to undertake such tasks,” Branch Master Ma informed him.
“Strength?” Wu Yuan smirked.
Wham! A blade ray flashed, followed by a soft clink as the weapon was sheathed.
Only then did a single strand of long hair slowly fall from the branch master’s head.
Within the courtyard, a profound silence fell.
“Does this level of strength suffice to take on the mission?” Wu Yuan’s voice was eerily quiet.