Shadow Assassins
“I assume you are privy of how big the unorthodox faction’s gambling business is,” asked Lu Deyi.
“I do. Nobody would dare to leave an unpaid debt after placing a bet with them,” Mu Yu responded. “Nobody will dare to leave a debt unpaid a second time if there is ever a first time.”
“After Ultimate Immortals Ranking was established, they turned every ultimate immortal as a betting product. I know this better than anyone as I have already cast formations for that purpose for them more than once.”
“How are they using them as gambling products?” Cai Lie queried.
“It’s simple. They make bets revolving around the ultimate immortals. For instance, they set up bets to say, ‘Will ultimate immortal so and so last one day or two days?’ How many changes will there be each month? How many changes in ranks will there be this month in the top fifty? Gamblers will gamble at any chance they are given. Some put their entire fortune on the line. I often hear of patriarchs costing their entire clan in bets in cities I go to when accepting these jobs.”
Mu Tianhe’s bet came to mind, prompting him to promise, “Please rest assured. I will not be reckless. I was just vexed that people would count Mu Yu out.”
Lu Deyi smiled understandingly. “Worry not, Elder Mu. I was not accusing you. I would have done the same thing if I was in your shoes. I digress. The issue with the bets is that the rankings can be manipulated.”
“How? People are challenging Third Heaven Palace?” Mu Tianhe inquired.
“The elders are not able to attack ultimate immortals, but the ranked individuals can attack each other to their heats content. There is plenty of room for people to leverage the rules,” elucidated Cai Lie.
“Such as?”
“Such as hiring ultimate immortals ranked higher than a competitor to kill the competitor,” Mu Yu stated, never forgetting the way Tian Budai made use of the rules to kill Ku Mu.
“I still do not understand. Is it that simple to ask an ultimate immortal to kill another?” Mu Tianhe queried.
“Shadow Syndicate’s members of their renowned Twenty-Four Solar Terms squad is ranked,” Mu Yu informed, remembering the profile from he obtained from Huai Beiya’s jadeite piece.
As the twenty-four solar terms referred to seasonal weather, the five ranked shadow assassins – a term Shadow Syndicate coined for their assassins – were namely Jing Zhe (Hibernating Insects Awaken), Qing Ming (Clear and Bright), Mang Zhong (Seedling Millet), Bai Luo (White Dew) and Da Han (Most Frigid) were ranked in the top fifty ultimate immortals, there were plenty of targets they could make short work of.
Worth noting that the other shadow assassins weren’t weak; they were just over age limit to be ranked.
“Exactly. It is highly profitable for the employer and employee. In one incident I know of, two people betted ten million that rank ninety-nine wouldn’t see any change in the next two days. One of them then hired an assassin for five hundred thousand to off rank ninety-nine. A five hundred thousand investment for ten million is a tremendous profit.”
“Are the ultimate immortals not being challenged to combat the elemental demons? The ranking is but a money-making scheme as far as you make it sound. Would Third Heaven Palace not be angry about it?” Mu Tianhe questioned.
They’d be partying, Mu Yu thought.
“Only those who can survive no matter how harsh the conditions or dangerous it may be are worthy of leading humankind in the battle against elemental demons,” argued Cai Lie, rank sixty-eight.
“Even so, it has nothing to do with Mu Yu, does it? Judging from the bets placed at the gambling den, Mu Yu barely has anyone betting on him. If someone was going to hire assassins, they would choose to assassinate either of the other two, would they not?” Mu Tianhe proposed.
“During my last few days on guard duty at the betting house over the last few days, I heard someone has already hired a shadow assassin to eliminate Mu Yu due to his unpredictable nature.”
Mu Yu clicked his tongue and rubbed his head.
“What should we do, then? Mu Yu is only rank sixty-one. How is he going to fend off assassins from the top fifty?” Mu Tianhe asked.
“For now, it is only a rumour. In saying that, I heard rank forty-three, Qing Ming, is already in the city. I am not sure who his target his. I will protect you in the coming days as Qing Ming is more of a threat than Tian Budai and Sikong Qiwen.”
“Heed Greater Heaven Caster Lu’s advice, Mu Yu,” urged Mu Tianhe.
“He might not be here for me; he could be here for Tian Budai or Sikong Qiwen.”
“What if three people hired one assassin to kill all three of you?” Mu Tianhe questioned.
“That wouldn’t happen. Shadow Syndicate wouldn’t take the job,” Mu Yu denied, seeing through the troublesome business dilemma Mu Tianhe’s scenario created. “If they accept the job to assassinate Sikong Qiwen, they won’t accept a job to kill Tian Budai.”
“Though I do not know who the target is, I can conclusively say that he employer will ask Qing Ming to get rid of you while he is at it to nip problems in the bud. You have to bear in mind that people from other cities have also joined in on the betting. For all we know, it could be a sect that wants your head. There is no way of telling who the target is.”
“Do you know how much he was paid?” Mu Yu inquired.
“I heard he was paid seven million spirit stones. I do not know who the employer is, for your information. Just be extra cautious.”
At least two rich folks in on some bet, then, huh? I didn’t see a purple spot at the three pillars at the gambling den in Clearwater City. Now I’m curious who put out the bounty, Mu Yu mused.
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