Just as Lin Yun was considering whether or not to dig up the buried box, several figures suddenly leapt out from the surrounding darkness, surrounding him.
One of the black-clad figures asked coldly, “Kid, do you know the people inside this orphanage?”
Hearing this, Lin Yun immediately understood—these must be members of the assassin organization.
He smiled faintly. “Know them? I know them very well.”
There were nine masked individuals in total, each armed with blades, dressed like textbook villains, as if afraid others wouldn’t recognize them as bad guys.
Their leader sized up Lin Yun. Seeing that his cultivation base was only at the Postnatal Realm, he asked coldly, “And who are you?”
“I’m the director of this place.”
The leader’s eyes lit up at that and quickly asked, “So that sword-wielding little girl is one of yours?”
That line confirmed it for Lin Yun. These people were definitely after Bai Xiaoxue.
He nodded, “That’s right. She’s inside. Do you need something from her?”
The black-clad leader sneered, “That’s none of your business. We just have a little matter to discuss with her.”
Lin Yun glanced at the orphanage gate—over 50 meters away—and after a quick thought, smiled. “How about I take you in to find her directly?”
His overly friendly attitude made the black-clad men wary. Some even wondered if it was a trap.
But the leader thought to himself: this guy’s just Postnatal Realm, he can’t stir up much trouble. So he nodded. “Then please, lead the way, Director.”
He figured this director knew how to cooperate. Once the girl was dealt with, he might even give the man a quick death.
Just to be safe, he left one person behind to keep watch and brought the rest along as they followed Lin Yun step by step toward the gate.
100 meters… 80 meters… 50 meters… 30 meters…
When they were just 10 meters from the entrance, Lin Yun suddenly stopped, turned around, and smiled at them. “Alright, this should be far enough.”
The black-clad leader’s expression darkened. “Are you messing with us, boy?!”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the remaining seven assassins surrounded Lin Yun, brimming with killing intent. One word from their leader, and they’d rip him to pieces.
Lin Yun, however, chuckled. “Mess with you? Of course not…”
He smiled wickedly. “I was planning to kill you all.”
“Kill us? You’re bluffing!” the leader snorted, signaling to the others, “Chop him up!”
“Yes, boss!”
The seven assassins responded at once, unleashing their spiritual Qi and rushing Lin Yun with weapons drawn.
“Hmph. Courting death.”
Lin Yun snapped his fingers.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Seven muffled explosions rang out in succession. The seven attackers collapsed with their chests blasted through, killed in an instant.
The black-clad leader stared in horror. Those seven were all elite assassins at the peak of the Postnatal Realm!
He didn’t even see what happened—how had they died so fast?
Swallowing hard, he looked at Lin Yun in terror. “You… who are you really?”
Lin Yun smiled calmly. “Didn’t I say already? I’m the director of this orphanage.”
He walked up to the stunned leader, grinning. “From what I heard earlier… you’re the leader of Blood Sword House?”
“Then tell me—who sent you to kill the girl?”
“If I tell the truth… can I live?”
“That depends… on my mood.”
Thinking he had a chance, the assassin was overjoyed and immediately ratted out his superior.
“Senior, it was the Jade Sword Queen! She often assigns us missions—and pays ridiculously little for them!”
By the end, his tone was full of resentment.
“Jade Sword Queen? Who’s that?”
“She’s a very famous assassin in Outrealm City!”
Lin Yun raised an eyebrow. That brat Xiaoxue managed to offend someone like her?
But then he thought of something. “Where is she from? Is she connected to the Zhao Family?”
“Senior, you’re sharp!” The leader nodded repeatedly. “She’s said to come from Heavenly Demon Palace, the top sect of the Demonic Path. Lately, she’s even been seen working with the Thunder Sword Emperor.”
“So yes, she’s somewhat related to the Zhao Family.”
Now everything made sense.
The Zhao Family must have found out Bai Xiaoxue was in Outrealm City and sent people to assassinate her.
But Lin Yun had already decided to protect her. Even if the Zhao Family came in person, he’d just kill them all if needed!
At that moment, the assassin asked tentatively, “Senior… can I leave now?”
Lin Yun looked at him. “Oh, right. I almost forgot about you.”
With a flick of his finger, the leader’s chest exploded.
He stared at Lin Yun, blood pouring from his mouth. “Senior, you…”
“Sorry, I’m in a bad mood.”
Lin Yun wouldn’t leave the leader alive. The guy was a murderer himself—killing him was a service to the world.
The assassin collapsed in a pool of blood, muttering his final words, “Jade Sword Queen… screw you…”
With that, he died.
Lin Yun then looked toward the lone surviving assassin far off in the distance, the one left behind to keep watch.
That one was out of range—Lin Yun couldn’t kill him now. So he might as well let him pass on a message.
“Go tell the Jade Sword Queen—this girl is under my protection. If she wants her dead, she’d better come herself. Or bring the Thunder Sword Emperor with her.”
The distant assassin had long been scared senseless. Upon hearing Lin Yun’s message, he felt like he had escaped death.
“Thank you, Senior, for sparing my life! I will deliver your message!”
With that, the man disappeared, running faster than he’d ever run in his life.
Lin Yun looked at the blood-soaked ground and the corpses around him, taking a deep breath.
“So this is the brutal world of fantasy…”
Kill or be killed—a truly savage world.
From atop the courtyard wall, Bai Xiaoxue had witnessed the entire scene. She walked over and whispered, “Director… I’ve caused you more trouble again.”
Lin Yun smiled, “It’s alright. Just a few small fries.” This chapter is updated first at novelping.com.
“But there’s still the Thunder Sword Emperor… and the Zhao Family…” That was what she truly feared. With the Zhao Family’s power, she was afraid they might bring trouble to the orphanage.
Lin Yun reassured her, “Don’t worry, Xiaoxue. You saw my strength, didn’t you?”
“Even if the Thunder Sword Emperor himself comes—or the entire Zhao Family—I’ll protect you. They won’t lay a finger on you.”
His bold declaration stirred something deep within Bai Xiaoxue’s heart.
“Thank you, Director…”
She didn’t even know how many times she’d said that phrase anymore.
She threw herself toward him for a grateful hug—but missed and stumbled forward.
Startled, she looked at him. “Director… did you dodge me?”
“Of course not.”
“Really…?”
She looked at him suspiciously and lunged for another hug—only to miss again.
“You totally dodged! You did it again!” she pouted, cheeks puffed.
Thinking of what happened earlier that day, she asked dejectedly, “Do you… hate me, Director?”
“Of course not.”
“Then why won’t you hug me?”
“You’re a girl. It wouldn’t be proper.”
Truth was, though she’d been a vagrant for a long time, her figure had already started developing. In ancient times, girls her age were already talking about marriage.
And Lin Yun—being single for two lifetimes—would really be tested if they got too physically close.
Bai Xiaoxue’s eyes lit up, as if discovering a weakness. “Oh~ So Director… you’re shy?”
In a way, that was true—but how could Lin Yun admit it?
“You’re overthinking! Why would I be shy because of a little girl?”
“I’m not a little girl! My cousin got married at my age!”
She stood tall with hands on her hips, puffing her chest out to emphasize her point.
Lin Yun sighed, “Xiaoxue, girls who are too forward might run into bad people. It’s dangerous.”
“I know!” she muttered under her breath. “It’s not like I act this way with everyone…”
Then she realized how that sounded. Her face turned a little red—it almost felt like a confession.
Lin Yun blinked. “Huh? What did you say? I didn’t catch that.”
Blushing, Bai Xiaoxue grumbled, “I said you’re a big dummy!”
Lin Yun was baffled. Why was he suddenly a dummy?
She quickly changed the subject. “Should we… clean up the bodies first?”
“No rush.” Lin Yun shook his head, glancing toward the tree nearby.
“Compared to burying corpses… there’s something more interesting waiting for us over there…”