Dark Star.

  Its name came from housing the most outstanding assassins in the Three-headed Dragon Constellation. This was assassin’s paradise, the darkness’ heaven.

  It was this very place where many generations of Faceless sent their edicts from.

  But with the Faceless gone, its rule turned over to the assassins, receiving all kinds of requests for silent killing missions across the Galaxy.

  The Galaxy wasn’t like a continent, where war could break out at the drop of a hat. It didn’t care about continent wars.

  As for star wars, that was off-limits, a rule imposed by the big factions. It was an affront to their rule.

  On one hand, in a war-torn continent, there would be many souls to reap and the scope wasn’t large, manageable, not to the extent of total destruction.

  For instance, after a war among the stars settled, the populace would plummet. Despite this century/s torrent of souls would be many times bigger than its predecessor, for the next millennia, those stars would be hard at work to scrape any leftovers.

  After all, most people were dead.

  It was the same as killing the goose laying the golden eggs.

  Therefore, regardless of faction or power, they would intervene with extreme prejudice when it came to the scale of the wars, to avoid blowing out into a star war and turning it into a dead Galaxy, with no souls to harvest.

  For the purpose of revenge in the Galaxy, the common way was through assassins.

  And here was where Dark Star came in. It stood in the Vile Dragon Star River with its location changing every so often. Plus, with Heavenly Court and Jade Lake’s heavy tensions, they didn’t want another enemy and left it be.

  In a dark hall, the hood was taken off from Dan Chengzi. Wanting to ask Dark Star for help, he had to first go along with their men to get here. He was blindfolded and warned not to release his awareness on his trip here; all to ensure Dark Star’s safety and its means of defense.

  A rough man, a thug at first glance, stood on the seat of honor. A cloak adorned his shoulders, “What’s the commission?”


  Dan Chengzi said, “I want the head of Yan Mountain Financial Group’s leader!”


  Dark Star Lord asked with a smile, “Oh, great business! How will you pay?”


  “Three hundred Heaven Spirit Veins!”


  Dark Star Lord mulled it over, “That will serve for one head.”


  “Yan Mountain Financial Group’s leader warrants such a high price?”


  “Yes. Business is hard right now. I’m sure you know Heavenly Court and Jade Lake have eyes everywhere. Celestial Immortals dare not leave and we are forced to send Earth Immortals. But even so, they are peak Earth Immortals and such price implies a certain cost. Then again, you can also wait it out for a few years when the two put a close to their war. It’ll be a bargain then.”


  Dan Chengzi’s thoughts, I don’t know if I can live that long. Those alchemy sects can’t wait to eat me alive. “Deal!”


  “Marvelous! Take your pick.”


  Dan Chengzi thought it through, Chen Ming has the highest status on Yan Mountain. If he dies, it will be torn apart. “I want Chen Ming’s head!”


  “First make a down payment and I will send the strongest Earth Immortal on his tail! Send word to the Earth Board’s highest-ranked assassin. He has a job to do!”


  Yan Mountain’s little stunt was wide open for Heavenly Court and Jade Lake to see. What the hell was it pulling? It declared having suffered from the pill war yet was now mass recruiting alchemists?

  Come morning, Heavenly Court’s buyer looked for Chen Ming in his residence on River Office. “Is this the place?”


  The two guards gave a curt reply, “Yes, sir!”


  “Let’s go in!”


  They were met with the image of Chen Ming in his rocking chair basking in all the sun’s glorious, and shining, rays, “Yan Mountain Mountain Lord sure takes it easy.”


  Chen Ming was about to respond, disdaining to move a muscle when the system lady rang, “Ding! You triggered the B+ storyline mission, Chain Assassinations. Objective: live! Reward: 200 million spiritual knowledge, 0.3 million fame, unknown.”


  Chen Ming rose to pour tea for our Heavenly Court’s buyer, “Sir from Heavenly Court, with what purpose have you come to my humble abode?”


  He sat across from him. “Yan Mountain is a double-crosser. Saying you lack the funds to refine, yet you recruit alchemists in secret. Do you take Heavenly Court for a fool?”


  Chen Ming gave him a once-over, He is unlikely to assassinate me and more predilect to face me head-on.

  So who, pray tell, is after my poor old life?

  To be fair, Chen Ming had little thought about who was after him, The Galaxy doesn’t lack people aiming for my head. He was worried as to who was the killer.

  Yep, that’s the crux alright.

  Chen Ming laughed, “What are you saying, sir? I just don’t understand!”


  Heavenly Court’s man slapped the table, “Chen Ming, enough with the act! You think Heavenly Court won’t deign to attack you?”


  Chen Ming gave an evil cackle, “Strike then and we’ll see how that goes, won’t we?”


  Heavenly Court’s buyer was fuming with rage, “You know, Heavenly Court’s main force is fighting Jade Lake, and you might be arrogant now, but once this is over, how much longer do you think you’ll be allowed to live? When Heavenly Court’s army descend, not even ten Yan Mountains are enough to save you!”


  When this is over? Ha! You should first consider if there’ll even be a Heavenly Court left.

  Chen Ming drank the tea and another man from Heavenly Court was about to pour him another. If it was any other time, Chen Ming wouldn’t give it the time of the day. He soon found something afoot.

  Heavenly Court came to berate him, so how did it end with them serving him tea?

  Chen Ming’s hand fell on Two Year Cicada’s grip. The next instant, the man had a dagger aimed at Chen Ming!

  Heavenly Court’s buyer jumped in fright, Why is my man going after Chen Ming’s life?

  He didn’t order it. He took a closer look at his two guards and found them complete strangers.

  They’re not mine!

  The black saber flashed out of the scabbard on the double!