Chapter 198: Chapter 128: Stormhall Assassins, Embracing Tribulation (Part 3)

Unless a large army is truly deployed to thoroughly cleanse Jinghai Guard from top to bottom.

Otherwise, there is really no way to deal with King Jinghai.

The other military power is the Xuanwu Guard.

This force consists of eight hundred cavalrymen, three thousand infantry, five hundred from the Divine Bow Camp, plus over a thousand city guards, totaling more than five thousand people.

This is more than enough to guard a prefecture city.

In theory, the Xuanwu Guard should be under the control of a prefecture’s chief official, which means Prefect Pei has the authority to command them.

But that’s where the problem lies.

Pei Yu, the Prefect Pei, although having the name and qualification for great justice, is ultimately just an appointed official and thus not being listened to.

Deputy Magistrate Wu conspired with the Xuanwu Guard Captain to drive the former prefect into retirement and grab both military and political power, aiming to sideline Prefect Pei, a deeply-backed official from the capital.

Coincidentally, Prefect Pei didn’t have many options but to take multiple approaches, calling in skilled staff from his own family, hoping to regain authority.

Once in power, the orders are at his behest...

Once Prefect Pei has control of the entire prefecture, it’s only natural for the Wu Family to be eradicated completely.

Deputy Magistrate Wu is naturally aware of this situation.

He’s not from a noble family; once he perceives the tide of events turning, he immediately takes aggressive action, dispatching assassins...

Trying to eliminate Prefect Pei ahead of time.

Certainly, if he truly succeeds, then there would have been no issues.

No variables either.

Prefect Pei has narrowly escaped death several times, but fortunately, with the assistance of noble patrons, he has survived in the end.

And after several failed assassination attempts, Deputy Magistrate Wu gritted his teeth and finally spent a fortune to hire assassins from the Wind and Cloud Pavilion to take action.

Once this happened, Prefect Pei was truly overwhelmed.

Although the Wind and Cloud Pavilion does not rank among the Three Sects of Buddhism, Four Daoist Sects, Seven Demonic Sects, nor Thirteen Noble Families.

Its deterrence power is far above these great forces.

From Jiangbei to Jiangnan, from the Great Desert to the sea, they have personnel everywhere.

This can be inferred from the name Wind and Cloud Pavilion.

The Wind and Cloud List claims to know the strength of the world, arranging the Celestial List, Earth List, Hidden Dragon List unless one hides their name and refrains from acting, one cannot escape being included.

Once an action is taken, it can be listed in the rankings...

For hundreds of years, no one has been able to know exactly how the Wind and Cloud List gathers others’ information.

Though the Wind and Cloud Pavilion is not quite so mysterious, it’s still noteworthy.

This organization claims there is no one in the world that cannot be killed...

As long as the price is right, even those on the Celestial List can be hunted down.

There are suspicions that its Pavilion Master and elders may be figures on the Celestial List...

Or perhaps some mysterious grandmasters who only seek resources, not fame, and desire transcendence.

However, the Wind and Cloud Pavilion, while acting without scruples and only asking for money, still has some boundaries.

Generally speaking, they act three times, with each assassin stronger than the last.

If unsuccessful after three attempts, they withdraw and won’t refund the money; hiring them to act is entirely voluntary, and they make a big show of it.

They call this practice leaving a thread of life; surviving three attempts means future fortunes and should not be killed again.

"So, it’s already been two attempts; is this the third time the Wind and Cloud Pavilion’s Blood Eye Assassins will act?" Han Xiaoru suddenly asked.

"Exactly, if the Primordial Martial Arts Hall can take action tonight to protect Prefect Pei, the Pei Family will offer a great reward afterward, willing to provide a bottle of Clear Spirit Liquid to aid cultivation.

Furthermore, the position of Xuanwu Guard Captain can be conferred, in consideration of all under heaven, for the people, to resist the Hu People... we ask for the young hero’s compassion for the suffering masses, to act without reservation."

Using profit and emotion to persuade.

When Pei Zixing spoke, everyone was moved.

No matter his true intentions, this gesture was indeed courteous and sincere.

If it were replaced by a Jianghu martial artist, he might already be moved beyond words.

Immediately and loudly agreeing to take action, risking life and limb for Prefect Pei.

He might even convince hall elders to support with full strength.

When it came to Chen Ping, of course...

He was moved as well.

The Clear Spirit Liquid, reportedly rarer than Jade Ginseng Pills and Blood Ginseng Pills, is difficult to buy not because of cost but because it cannot be bought at all.

Once it appears, it’s gathered by noble families and major forces; ordinary people can only hear its name, with no chance of obtaining it.

Not only because the cost is high and refining difficult, but also because it’s incredibly useful.

It’s an excellent auxiliary medicine for transitioning from postnatal to innate, condensing martial intent.

Simply put.

This liquid is used for spirit refining.

After consumption, it greatly enhances mental activity, with increased enlightenment over a period of time.

Whether breaking through key points or cultivating skills, it achieves twice the result with half the effort, an extremely rare treasure.

Its preciousness can be seen as Pei Zixing offering gifts without presenting it, implying its value.

Once success is achieved, only then would it be gifted.

If unsuccessful, naturally there would be none.

It’s not a matter of stinginess but truly hard to part with.

Regarding the position of Xuanwu Guard Captain, a Standard Sixth-Grade Military Officer, though not very high in rank, it is responsible for the prefecture’s defense and guarding against external threats, serving as the principal force of the prefecture.

Along with the Six Gates constable and government office, one defends against external enemies, the other cleanses internal threats.

To be honest, the Xuanwu Guard is better equipped, combining infantry and cavalry more formidable.

Of course, Prefect Pei’s willingness to use this position as persuasion is due to a lack of capable subordinates.

The original Xuanwu Guard Captain, Zhang Lianshan, is powerful and experienced in the military, not only an old hand in politics but also deeply rooted.