Chapter 81: Because It Was Too Easy

Zhang Ning left the Martial Emperor and the other subordinates behind to watch over the Celestial Enchantress and handle the aftermath. As he exited the auction house, intending to return directly to the Krosu Battleship, a lingering excitement from having witnessed a grand spectacle and a budding sense of pride still simmered within him. Yet, the moment he stepped outside, he was doused with a bucket of cold water.

A wave of murderous intent locked Zhang Ning in place, rendering him utterly immobile—even his breath was forced to halt. It felt as though he were a fish trapped in glue, hopelessly struggling but fated only for death.

Move! Move! Zhang Ning desperately commanded his body to react. When he had been in the Ten Thousand Mountains, the pressure he’d faced had been a hundred times more intense, and yet he’d managed to resist and escape. Why now could he not even twitch a muscle? Was it because this was the first time murderous intent had been focused directly on him, whereas before he had only felt its periphery?

I’m too weak…

Just as Zhang Ning’s life flickered as precariously as a candle in the wind, two sharp shouts thundered in his ears.

“Who’s there?!”

His fourth senior brother, Han Zhi Fei, and Han Zun shouted in unison, launching attacks into the surroundings. Zhang Ning heard several crashes, and in mere moments, a handful of people lay sprawled on the ground.

——

“What do we do? Sister Wu, what do we do?”

Wang Yan’er was on the verge of collapse, flailing her arms in panic. Even Wu Youshu’s teeth were chattering in terror as she replied, “Run!”

“Where can we run to, Sister Wu?”

Indeed, where could they possibly flee? Having provoked the Grand Freedom Demon Sect, where could they go to escape? Even if given another chance, she would never have imagined her luck could turn so “good.”

Despair washed over Wu Youshu, almost driving her to take her own life then and there. No matter where she ran, her family would be implicated. After all, no one lives alone in this world—her parents, siblings, and kin were the most important things to her.

Her parents had always supported her martial pursuits. Though Wu Youshu’s beauty was peerless, making her an ideal tool for an advantageous marriage, they respected her wishes, cherished her talent, and gave her the opportunity to train in martial arts. For that alone, Wu Youshu would not hesitate to die for her family.

Her close relationship with the willful and foolish Wang Yan’er was, in fact, something Wu Youshu forced herself to endure for the sake of her family. For her, dragging her family into this mess was the worst possible outcome, whether or not she could escape. At the very least, she needed to buy her family time to react. With renewed resolve, Wu Youshu replied, “First, let’s escape back to the family!”

On the Krosu Battleship—

“So, someone hired assassins to kill me?” Zhang Ning looked incredulous. Despite everything that had happened, it was already midnight, but he hadn’t been out that long. How had things escalated to the point where someone wanted him dead? And who could it be?

Reporting before Zhang Ning now was one of Han Zun’s subordinates. Due to the nature of their sect’s techniques, the Palace of the Dark Abyss had dealings with many assassin organizations. Though they weren’t the most notorious in the business, their status meant that others would invariably pay them respects before undertaking a job. This time, they had uncovered the lead. It turned out the twin sisters of the Wu family, whom Zhang Ning had previously encountered, bore a grudge after their conflict and, unable to ascertain Zhang Ning’s true identity, took extra precautions by contacting a local assassins’ guild.

“So that’s how it is…”

Upon hearing the cause, Zhang Ning closed his eyes in complex reflection, needing a moment to compose himself.

Zhang Ning, you need to be more alert! He admonished himself. After all this time in another world, with such impeccable resources at your disposal, are you still not even as capable as an ordinary person? If this were some overpowered protagonist, he’d probably have two or three beauties by his side, stirring up trouble everywhere, and slaughtering entire families in retaliation.

But still…

“Are you all right? Are a few petty assassins enough to scare you?”

Zhang Ning opened his eyes to see Han Zun looking at him with disdain, though a trace of concern flashed secretly in his expression. Zhang Ning nearly laughed at his demeanor but suppressed it. Then, after a moment’s thought, he asked, “Why do some people find it so easy to kill?”

Han Zun didn’t pause long before replying offhandedly, “Because it’s too easy. When something is too easy, people do it often.”

Yes, Zhang Ning thought, isn’t that the truth?

Zhang Ning wanted to say that it shouldn’t be like this, but the words wouldn’t come. In fact, he could impose such rules, restraining his own subordinates and those close to him. Given his status, it wouldn’t be difficult; if he achieved greatness, no one would object—at most, they’d call it a strong man’s quirk.

But that was an order Zhang Ning could not give. He couldn’t control others and only impose restrictions on those close to him—what sense was there in that? Wouldn’t being close to Zhang Ning be a curse? Moreover, Zhang Ning had always lived by the principle of not forcing others to do what he himself would not want. He was reluctant to coerce ordinary people, let alone those he cared about. So, would he have to start with the broader environment?

Yet Zhang Ning was but one man; how could he change the way life was so cheaply disregarded in the Azure Realm? How could he alter the mindset that, unless there was no enmity, the only way to resolve it was through violence?

Wait—the livestream! Zhang Ning suddenly thought. Maybe he could do what was within his power.

From Han Zun and Han Zhi Fei’s perspective, Zhang Ning had merely closed his eyes in thought, asked a question, then returned to normal, a resolute light shining in his eyes unique to those with unwavering faith. “I’m fine, no need to worry… but this matter cannot be left unresolved!”

Indeed, Zhang Ning had formed a preliminary idea for improving the Azure Realm’s habit of drawing swords at the slightest disagreement, but someone trying to kill him was another issue entirely. He hadn’t committed any heinous crimes—why should he tolerate such treatment? He was a man of principle, not a saint who returns good for evil.

Seeing Zhang Ning’s demeanor, Han Zhi Fei finally relaxed and said simply, “Naturally. I’ll go to the Wu family!” With that, he turned on his heel, showing Zhang Ning only his back.

So half my enemies are being dealt with in an instant? Zhang Ning couldn’t help but chuckle, then composed himself and commanded, “We’re going to the Wang family!”