Death… and me

"That was the reason why I had decided to wait. Moreover, I just wanted to have a relaxing conversation with Official Tang." Chu Yang smiled as his folding fan moved gently. From start to end, he maintained his composure and continually fanned himself. "This is not a delay tactic. I truly just wanted to have a heart to heart conversation with Official Tang."

Although Chu Yang mentioned that it wasn't a delay tactic, as he continued to talk, people in blank began to appear out of nowhere from all four directions. These people were members of the Fierce Blood Assassins of Bu Tian Pavilion which flanked them from all directions. Their coordinated actions were completely contrary to what Chu Yang had said and everyone who was watching there saw right through his obvious lie.

"Do you really think that you will be able to stop me with all these people?" Tang Xin Sheng simply chuckled as he said, "Minister Chu, you dared to bring your precious body so close to me like this?"

"Yes, unfortunately, I couldn't help it." Chu Yang simply continued to swing his fan, "Yet, being close isn't necessarily a bad thing. I have scattered some Crisp Bone Rapture Powder within this fan. Surely Official Tang has heard of such a powder and its effects before right?"

"Crisp Bone Rapture Powder?" Tang Xin Sheng's countenance changed, "It… it is one of the deadliest poisons?"

Ever since his identity had been exposed, Tang Xin Sheng had not shown any signs of fear up to this point.

"What did you mention about Crisp Bone Rapture Powder? This gift is only a small token of appreciation I have prepared for Official Tang in order to commemorate our first meeting. It might not be much but it is a token of my sincerity. I hope Official Tang does not take offense."

"Perhaps Official Tang did not notice but ever since I arrived, I have constantly remained upwind." Chu Yang smiled, and patiently explained, "And every time I moved, I gently fanned at the moment when the wind was gentle. If the wind was too strong, the powder would be dispersed in the wind."

Chu Yang smiled happily; his eyes almost closed, "Official Tang is knowledgeable; of course, you know that the wind is unpredictable and water is impermanent. Regardless of the wind, this poison does not differentiate between big and small or old and young."

"So I took the liberty of standing at the side to enjoy the summer breeze but at the same time also enjoy this great chat with Official Tang; the longer the better. The longer our chat, the more Crisp Bone Rapture powder Official Tang would be able to enjoy."

Chu Yang gently continued, "I hope Official Tang doesn't blame me for talking too much. I am usually a man of few words…"

Tang Xin Sheng's eyes flashed a stone cold gaze as he suddenly raised his two hands. Suddenly, the sound of his clothes which created a "swoosh" sound was heard. However, this sound did not come from his throat but his body. His robe flew up as if there was a strong wind. Dust flew all around and fell back to the ground.

Tang Xin Sheng felt the energy in his body dissipating at an increasingly fast rate!

"The Crisp Bone Rapture Powder is colorless and odorless, a wonderful powder." Chu Yang continued to gently fan, "Whoever inhales it will lose all bodily strength; all of their energy would dissipate; the more that they try to activate their martial energy to fight back, the quicker this dissipation will be. Of course, this small bit of this powder does not have a great effect on Official Tang, but what about this brother right in front of me? It can cause death like this…"

Chu Yang smiled and slowly reached out his left arm. He gently grabbed the hair of the man who had his back towards him and slowly pulled him up. His right arm reached down to his waist and pulled out a small dagger. With his eyes watching Tang Xin Sheng, he smiled and said, "Death is the end. Dying in a state of unconsciousness is gentle like a passing cloud and truly serene."

After that, his right hand pulled the dagger hard across the man's throat. Fresh blood sprayed out in Tang Xin Sheng's direction. Chu Yang looked at a stunned Tang Xin Sheng. The motion of swinging the small dagger that he made was a full circle and he then kicked the headless corpse away. At this time, the grey-haired head of Tang Xin Sheng's underlying was swinging back and forth in the wind from Chu Yang's hand. His eyes were still open as though in disbelief and hopelessness before he died.

"Yuck…, this is really bloody." Chu Yang conveniently tossed the head forward and smiled, "Official Tang, look at that. Your bodyguard was a Martial Great Master, right? His face still looks so good even after he died…"

This man was grabbed by Chu Yang and had died willingly without even giving the slightest bit of resistance and fighting back. He had been killed so easily!

"How did you do it?" Tang Xin Sheng caught his bodyguard's head and looked at Chu Yang with deep seething hatred. He still could not believe that his best man would have perished so easily. He had heard that Crisp Bone Rapture Powder was powerful, but it was not so powerful that would put a Martial Great Master in a situation that he couldn't even resist.

"When I was standing on the side, I intentionally stood behind his back. Haha…" Chu Yang continued, "At that time you two were on guard and did not want to make any rash moves. I kept shaking out Crisp Bone Rapture Powder, and he inhaled most of it… Moreover, the moment that I exposed your identity, he immediately activated his martial energy. Haha, Official Tang, like I already said, the effect of this powder is that the more the individual tries to activate their martial energy, the more quickly it will dissipate."

"He… Why didn't he resist?" Tang Xin Sheng suddenly realized the answer; he was so mad at everything that had just happened. At that time, he and Chu Yang were busy insulting each other. He thought that he had King of Hell Chu in the palm of his hand, and was slowly taunting him. How could his own bodyguard have dared to interrupt him?

"Then, I waited until he could barely fight, and I released a little killing aura…" Chu Yang said shamefully, "My cultivation is actually not high at all, and my killing aura is not that strong. I just did so to put him on his guard. Moreover, I was standing behind him… Therefore he did not dare turn around because he was worried that the moment he turned, I would make my move. So the only thing he could do was activate his martial energy and be on guard… This result is, hahaha…"

Of course, the truth was not like that. Chu Yang actually waited for the moment the bodyguard could barely hold on before he brought the Nine Tribulations Sword's tip to his finger. From the back, he gently pushed the sharp tip of the sword and pierced the man's heart. The man died on the spot, but his body did not collapse only because Chu Yang supported it with his knee.

"King of Hell Chu! Even though my martial energy is currently dissipating, I will still be able to kill a lowlife like you!" Tang Xin Sheng shouted and immediately leaped into the air.

Cheng Zi Ang was surprised and immediately jumped, ready to face the enemy. His eyes staring intensely at the figure in the air.

But the next moment, the most unbelievable thing happened. Tang Xin Sheng was still in the air when his body started to shake uncontrollably. His face had an expression as though he was being tortured and his face turned purple as he yelled painfully, "This… How could this be?"

Before he even finished, he plopped on the chess board like a bird which had lost its ability to fly. The board immediately broke apart sending countless of black and white pieces flying in all directions…

Earlier, Official Tang was full of pride and confidence, a martial master. Now he had fallen in a disheveled state and experienced indescribable pain.

"Oh, Official Tang, I am really sorry. I forgot to tell you; a person poisoned with Crisp Bone Rapture Powder should not be near blood. Because the moment you inhale the smell of blood, as long as you have not reached King level and formed a stable master state… Then no matter how powerful your martial energy is, the smell of blood will immediately cause you to completely lose your martial cultivation."

"I was worried that Official Tang did not inhale enough so I tossed the bloody head your way. And Official Tang being someone who valued loyalty; you immediately held the head in your chest. Thanks to that, you continually smelled the blood from your underling" Chu Yang mocked, "This is my fault! I really cannot compare myself to someone with understanding and wisdom like you." He smiled and said, "I really had no choice but to use this 'pain and suffering' tactic! Didn't Official Tang use this before??? Hahaha…"

"I discovered Official Tang because of Crisp Bone Rapture Powder as well. Ordinary people would immediately collapse after inhaling this powder. Only the both of you remained as lucid as ever; even to the point where you did not even show any symptoms whatsoever. You are truly skilled… The only thing was, why would such skilled people come here just to play chess? Moreover, Official Tang's voice was especially calm; so I suspected that you had been here waiting for me…"

Chu Yang said these words to answer the questions in Tang Xin Sheng's mind, and, at the same time, help clear out any doubts Cheng Zi Ang had.

Tang Xin Sheng laid on the ground and attempted to lift his head with all his might. He stared hatefully at Chu Yang. If a gaze could kill, Chu Yang would have died a long time ago and his bones would have already been turned to dust.

After a long while, Tang Xin Sheng struggled to stand up. He sighed and said quietly, "You are definitely skilled! I can't believe I managed to lose to a ninth grade Revered Martial Artist without even being able to make a single move. Haha, fair game, fair game…! Hahaha…" The moment he finished talking, his whole body went limp and he plopped to the ground.

At this time, he clearly was disheartened. He had thought of everything, and yet, his opponent was still able to outsmart him…

If I had left immediately when I discovered the possibility of danger, I would have been thousands of miles from here. If only I had trusted my own intuition when I saw Cheng Zi Ang. If only I didn't have the desire Chu Yang and left right away, I would be free right now…

Even at the moment I saw Chu Yang and I made a quick decision to leave immediately, then I would still be safe.

In the worst case scenario, if I did not leave right away but made my move immediately, this King of Hell Chu could have died by my hands.

However, time and time again, I did not act as I should have. Instead, I wanted to have a battle of wits and compare strategies with my opponent. I just wanted to repay my opponent with a thousand times for how he had humiliated me…

I can't believe that I lost! My plan was so close to bearing fruit, yet had failed in the end. Now my life is being held in the hands of someone else!

The enemy has calculated with extreme precision. He secretly made his move while acting nonchalant!

Tang Xin Sheng had to admit defeat in front of Chu Yang. But in his heart, there was a strong frustration from this defeat. He was exceedingly resourceful, a meticulous tactician. Everything was in the palm of his hand. He entered Iron Cloud alone and with his intellect and the support of the spy network, he was able to advance quickly in rank. All of the Iron Cloud officials were pawns in the palm of his hand. He was a spy who was at the same time hailed as a living said in Iron Cloud Nation.

If he had not been exposed so early, then when Diwu Qing Rou would have waged a war after Tie Bu Tian is killed. This would leave Iron Cloud in a state of chaos like a snake without a head. At this moment, he only needed to stir the people and he would have been able to topple Iron Cloud.

Ten thousand things were already prepared, all waiting for just the right moment. But now, the world had slipped from his grasp.

Moreover, the person that defeated him was a boy this young! How could Tang Xin Sheng admit defeat? It was this stubbornness that made him abandon thoughts of escaping and determined to seek revenge.