116: Chapter 114: Gathering of Heroes 116: Chapter 114: Gathering of Heroes Zhao Changhe knew that playing tricks on the Maitreya Sect was essentially walking a tightrope.

The Heavenly Girl was right—the other party was not stupid; they just always wanted to recruit, and never imagined that he harbored ill will towards them.

They weren’t on the same wavelength, which led to this interesting situation.

Whether Fa Yuan’s strength on the Human List was inflated remained unknown, but even without that, it could be presumed he was on par with Yue Hongling.

Furthermore, believers of the sect were everywhere in Yangzhou, so it most likely wasn’t a falsehood.

If one day they realized they were being played, he wouldn’t even know how he died.

But that’s what a “Secret Agent” is, isn’t it… If it weren’t for the fear of really doing something that would result in being controlled by secret techniques, Zhao Changhe almost wanted to truly join the sect for fun.

After all, his rebellious nature was known to the entire Worldly Society, and he could simply defect from the sect when the time came.

Unfortunately, due to the fear of being controlled, he could only continue this tightrope walk.

It was actually quite thrilling…

And now, he had reaped some results.

At least now he knew that the Cao Gang mostly consisted of Maitreya believers, and the Magistrate even had the Heavenly Girl by his side.

Given the situation, it was quite possible that the Magistrate was already a Maitreya believer or at least being controlled.

Zhao Changhe couldn’t help but worry.

Based on what he had seen and heard, the Maitreya Sect was ready to incite a rebellion as vast as half of Jiangshan at any moment, like a mountain cry and a tidal wave, and this wasn’t something that the Demon Suppression Department within the city could stop.

It was only a matter of waiting for the right moment.

It had been said that the empire’s end times had not yet fully deteriorated into chaos, but now it seemed that chaos could start at any moment.

He claimed he didn’t want to be a prince and that the affairs of the world were none of his concern, but…

the Maitreya Sect was not a good choice.

Their heretical teachings would only push people further towards the abyss, simply to satisfy the selfish desires of the sect’s upper echelons.

If Maitreya held off the rebellion, Zhao Changhe felt he would probably disregard it, since the world by heritage was hers anyway…

Lost in thought as he walked, all of a sudden, the Dragon Sparrow on his back vibrated slightly.

Zhao Changhe was startled.

The Dragon Sparrow was giving a warning!

Since he had taken a detour to arrive at Sword Lake, he had not encountered any significant difficulties or dangers, and this was the first time the Dragon Sparrow had given a warning in recent months!

Where was the killing intent?

His eyes quickly scanned behind him, and soon he spotted a glint of cold light on a distant rooftop.

“Twang!” The sound of a bowstring rang out.

Zhao Changhe spun around just in time to dodge, perfectly adjusting his orientation as he planted his feet and shot towards his attacker like a cannonball.

The attacker was visibly shocked, having not expected Zhao Changhe to avoid the deadly arrow as if he had foreseen it.

Seeing Zhao Changhe charging over, the assailant moved quickly, vanishing into the crowd of a Western Regions-style market after several swift sidesteps.

Having chased from afar, Zhao Changhe arrived at the scene only to completely lose track of the attacker, with no way to pursue further.

He stood outside the market, looking at a group of merchants and tourists from exotic lands, with his brows tightly furrowed.

From a fleeting glimpse, he had seen the attacker wear a mask that was too quick to dazzle the eyes.

All he knew was that the mask was blue, and he couldn’t make out anything else in detail.

This showed the attacker’s caution; they wore a mask even for a surprise killing blow, not wanting anyone to accidentally recognize them.

This was not the style of the Snow Listening Tower.

Assassinations by Snow Listening Tower didn’t fear recognition, in fact, they’d rather their brand be promoted.

They’d never used masks before—disguising as these exotic merchants for a sudden attack was more their style.

If it didn’t seem like Snow Listening Tower, what enemies had he made recently?

It was truly bizarre.

The exotic merchants gathered in the market…

could it be people from the Alien Clan?

When had he offended someone from the Alien Clan, there had been no interaction at all.

It couldn’t possibly be Tang Buqi whom he had offended just now, how low would that be?

Zhao Changhe went through his list of enemies in his mind but couldn’t make sense of it.

Looking at the sky, it was getting late.

He decided to grab a passerby to ask for directions and headed towards the Bright Moon Pavilion.

Perhaps the Cao Gang’s influence could help uncover some clues…

Eh, could it be Wan Dongliu?

But he was hosting guests at this moment; how could he carry out an assassination?

Send someone?

But what would the motive be?

…

“Three thousand guests in the spring breeze’s lavish garden, Bright Moon Pavilion the foremost in Yangzhou.”

Whether it was a facade or not, the Bright Moon Pavilion remained the best in Yangzhou today.

The bright lights shone against the twilight, making it seem as if it were daylight, filled with laughter and cheerful conversation, servants bustling in and out.

Seeing Zhao Changhe slowly approaching, someone immediately shouted loudly, “Zhao Changhe, Young Master Zhao, has arrived!”

Zhao Changhe’s mind momentarily shifted away from the assassin, finding it quite amusing—he seemed to be called “Young Hero” for the first time?

Getting that title appeared to be quite difficult…

Although it was merely a formality at the moment and others probably wouldn’t think of him as anything more than a young bandit in their hearts, it still sounded quite interesting to him.

He clasped his hands together in greeting and strode inside.

Although the invitation was supposed to be at the landmark Mingyue Tower, host and guests had not yet ascended, all were conversing in the grand hall below.

As Zhao Changhe entered, a crowd’s gaze fell upon him, and Wan Dongliu burst into laughter to greet him, “Brother Zhao has arrived, please take a seat!”

Zhao Changhe glanced around and didn’t see Yue Hongling.

He wasn’t sure whether she hadn’t come yet or Wan Dongliu had not invited her.

Instead, there was a middle-aged man sitting in the seat of honor, and he had no clue whether he was Wan Dongliu’s father or not.

Zhao Changhe gave a round of respectful hand clasps, “Zhao Changhe greets everyone.

Brother Wan, would you make the introductions?”

Wan Dongliu led him to the middle-aged man, laughing as he said, “Allow me to inform Brother Zhao, this is our Magistrate Qian!

Having heard about the Meeting of Hidden Dragons of Worldly Society, Magistrate Qian was quite looking forward to it and made a special visit to meet all these outstanding young men.”

Zhao Changhe immediately lost all interest.

Who the hell has patience to deal with some damn official?

How is your Heavenly Girl, by the way?

Although he thought this, he gave a perfunctory clasp of the hands, “So this is Magistrate Qian, a pleasure indeed.”

Magistrate Qian sized up Zhao Changhe from head to toe and scoffed, “Truly a rogue.”

Zhao Changhe looked expressionlessly at Wan Dongliu.

Wan Dongliu subtly pulled him aside, whispering, “Brother Zhao, this fault truly lies with me.

Somehow the Magistrate found out about my banquet for the Hidden Dragons and insisted on joining the hustle.

I couldn’t refuse, and it’s been troublesome.”

Zhao Changhe patted his shoulder, “I understand, let’s ignore it.

Who are the other guests?”

Wan Dongliu pulled him towards the guests, “You’ve already met Brother Tang…

and this is Daoist Xuan Chong from the Taiyi Sect, ranked twelfth among the Hidden Dragons.”

Zhao Changhe sized up the young Taoist before him.

He looked quite ordinary without any memorable features, but his ranking as the Twelfth Hidden Dragon was indeed a real achievement.

Chichi was only thirteenth, and along with Wan Dongliu, the ranks of these people had been established quite early.

Who knew what level they were at now?

Zhao Changhe did not show any contempt and very politely clasped hands with a smile, “A pleasure to meet you.”

Daoist Xuan Chong was also very polite, and his words took Zhao Changhe by surprise, “A pleasure indeed.

Brother Zhao, you defected from the Blood God Sect and slaughtered the head of the Demon Sect, truly eliminating a great harm to the Worldly Society.

We, as members of this community, owe you as well.”

Zhao Changhe blinked, silently thinking there’s the reason…

Since leaving Beimang, he had been pursued by officials, hunted by the Demon Sect, targeted by assassins, but never had an orthodox sect come looking for trouble.

They were completely absent from the picture; it seemed in their eyes he was a demon slayer, unwilling to make things difficult for him.

Well then, as you are the orthodox side, you seem not to give much face to the Imperial wanted posters.

Tang Wanju’s affairs with the Demon Suppression Department seem to be much harder than imagined.

Zhao Changhe, his mood already lifted by surviving assassination and encountering a stupid bureaucrat, continued to inquire, “And who are the other few?”

“These are all local heroes from Yangzhou.

This one is the Jade-faced Divine Sword, Little White Dragon Su…”

Before he could finish speaking, a loud laughter came from outside, “Introductions, what introductions?

Introducing all these lofty but empty titles!

Presumed Hidden Dragons of the Central Earth with undeserved reputations, and Jiangnan’s heroes are nothing but nonsense!”

Accompanying the voice, the grand doors “bang” burst open, two doormen were smashed inside, lying on the ground and groaning in pain.

Wan Dongliu’s normally warm and hospitable face turned exceedingly gloomy in an instant, “Who’s this dragon crossing the river, making trouble on Cao Gang territory?”

More than a dozen men barged in from outside, all tied in exotic braids and dressed in foreign robes, obviously not from Central Earth.

Zhao Changhe’s heart stirred slightly.

Interesting, the one who just tried to assassinate me fled into the Alien Clan district, and now, not long after, Wan Dongliu’s event has been crashed by the Alien Clan…

He turned his head to glance at Magistrate Qian behind him.

So this guy sticking around today, what’s he really here for?