BTTH : The Fallen Genius

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Chapter 71 - Assassination

Xiao Yan never lies, and he certainly does not go against his own thoughts. He listed the reasons why he wanted to marry Yun Zhi.

(Although my appearance is not as good as that of Sister Yun Zhi, who possess a peerless, unmatched beauty, and as a man, I certainly like this about her.) (Her personality seems indifferent, and she holds a dismissive attitude toward everything. However, after spending time with her, it's obvious that sister Yun Zhi's true nature is cold on the outside but warm on the inside, like a big sister next door. This kind of relationship will be very comfortable in the future.) (The most important thing is that sister Yun Zhi's values align with mine. She is probably the most upright person I have ever met, and after marrying her, I wouldn't have to worry about differences in our views.) Xiao Yan explained why he wanted to marry Yun Zhi based on her appearance, personality, and values. He then shrugged.

(But in the end, these are just my one-sided feelings. I want to marry her, but she doesn't want to marry me.) (She's a high-level Dou Huang, and the forces behind her are definitely enormous. If I keep fantasizing about this, it would be a vile desecration.) (And besides, the most important thing for me right now is to help senior Yao rebuild her body and pursue the righteous path. Marriage is still far away. By the time I resolve these matters, Sister Yun Zhi will probably have already married. She might even have children by then.) Xiao Yan thought this and decisively dismissed his unrealistic thoughts.

Getting along like a big sister next door is good enough, there's no need to push things further.

Then, Xiao Yan stretched lazily, glanced at Yun Zhi, who was still meditating with her eyes closed, and lay down on her side, pushing away his disordered thoughts. He began to think about how to promote the righteous path while gradually falling into a deep sleep.

Meanwhile, inside the ring, Yao Chen, looked at the sleeping Xiao Yan and then at Yun Zhi, who was still meditating. A mischievous smile, known only to her, curled at the corner of her mouth.

Fate isn't something you wait for, Xiao Yan...

Just as Yao Chen was planning something in her mind, she suddenly sensed something and immediately shouted at Xiao Yan's mind.

(Xiao Yan!!!)

The moment Yao Chen's voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind, the young man, who had just fallen asleep, immediately jumped up. Yun Zhi, who was meditating, also suddenly opened her eyes and gazed into the depths of the forest where the sky was so dark that even one's hand couldn't be seen.

However, there was not the slightest sound coming from that direction.

"Xiao Yan," Yun Zhi slowly stood up and, still gazing into the depths of the forest, asked in a low voice, "Did you recently provoke any enemies?"

"I rarely make enemies. If I must say, it would be the three groups of bandits I eliminated earlier."

Xiao Yan picked up the Heavy Xuan Ruler and rested it on his shoulder. His deep black eyes fixed on the forest's depths.

"But I don't believe anyone with that kind of strength would act as road-blocking bandits."

"You're right." Yun Zhi softly agreed, her voice turning a little colder. "A three-star Dou Wang level of strength would be utterly shameless to act as road-blocking bandits."

As soon as she finished speaking, a cloaked figure suddenly appeared from the depths of the forest. The man, dressed in black, fixed his vicious gaze through the cloak on Xiao Yan, completely ignoring Yun Zhi who was standing beside him.

After a long pause, the man asked in a hoarse voice.

"You are... Xiao Yan?"

"That's right."

Xiao Yan admitted without hesitation. If he couldn't even admit his own name, then there would be no point in pursuing the righteous path.

Besides, since this person could find this place, it meant they had already confirmed his identity, and denying it would be meaningless.

"Why have you come here in the middle of the night?" Xiao Yan coldly inquired, his body already tense.

"It's nothing much. I simply received a commission from someone to take your life."

The black-clad man spoke, and in an instant, his figure flickered to Xiao Yan's front. The dagger under his cloak gleamed with cold light, and it was now less than three inches from Xiao Yan's pupil!

Xiao Yan couldn't react in time! This was the speed of a Dou Wang!

Clang!!! Xiao Yan looked in shock as a longsword blocked the dagger in front of him, the cold sweat instantly streaming down his face.

He had narrowly avoided death!

"Hm?!"

The black-clad man's gaze faltered as he followed the longsword's path and saw its wielder—Yun Zhi, her face icy cold!

This woman isn't an ordinary person?!

The black-clad man's heart raced with surprise. He quickly withdrew, his eyes warily locked onto Yun Zhi.

Earlier, when Yun Zhi had been meditating, she had concealed her aura, causing the black-clad man to mistakenly think she was just an ordinary girl traveling with Xiao Yan.

But to his shock, Yun Zhi had been able to block his dagger so swiftly, even at his Dou Wang level speed.

"Sister Yun Zhi! Thank you!"

Xiao Yan immediately expressed his gratitude. Yun Zhi gave a slight nod, holding the longsword in front of Xiao Yan, her cold eyes still locked on the black-clad man.

At this moment, the faint white light on the ring on Xiao Yan's chest silently dimmed, and inside the ring, Yao Chen let out a deep sigh of relief.

Thankfully, Yun Zhi was here. Otherwise, Xiao Yan's life would have been in grave danger, and Yao Chen would have to sacrifice her soul to save him.

Xiao Yan was just a Dou Practitioner right now, even if he used Yao Chen's power, he could not raise his strength to Dou Wang. Even with Xiao Yan's strong physique, it would be impossible to fight against a Dou Wang.

It wouldn't be possible to win, and even escaping would be a success!

After calming down, Yao Chen's brows furrowed tightly.

Who exactly sent this Dou Wang to assassinate Xiao Yan?

According to Xiao Yan's personality, he shouldn't have made any major enemies. Moreover, someone who could commission a Dou Wang for an assassination must be from a high-ranking power. Xiao Yan shouldn't have even reached that level yet.

But soon, Yao Chen had a guess.

No, wait.

There is indeed one such force—the only one currently entangled with Xiao Yan— that could commission a Dou Wang for such an assassination.

The largest sect in the Jia Ma Empire, the Yun Lan Sect!

The only reason the Yun Lan Sect would want to send a Dou Wang to assassinate Xiao Yan is that Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran's three-year agreement!

Nalan Yanran, the pride of the heavens, the future sect leader. If Xiao Yan lost the three-year agreement, Nalan Yanran would have to marry this waste, who had been scorned by everyone. This would be a huge blow to the Yun Lan Sect's reputation!

As for trying to find a way for Xiao Yan to win?

Don't be ridiculous. That would only show that their future sect leader isn't even as good as a half-grown-up waste! That would be an even greater blow to the Yun Lan Sect's reputation!

No matter whether they win or lose, it would be disastrous for the Yun Lan Sect's reputation, at least in the eyes of those people!

So their solution to this dilemma was simple: stop the three-year agreement from happening, solving the problem at its root!

And the root of the three-year agreement is two things: Nalan Yanran, who proposed the agreement, and Xiao Yan, who was forced to accept it.

Since Nalan Yanran was their own future sect leader, she was excluded from the target.

Thus, the target remained one person.

That would be Nalan Yanran's fiancé, Xiao Yan!

(End of Chapter)

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