The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 554: City of Peace

City of Peace . . .

"That's absolutely true. I want to amass more wealth..."

"I'll eliminate as many of them as I can. There are plenty of soft targets on that list. They're practically gifts..."

"Those are mine! Anyone who dares to interfere, I'll cut them down!"

"Don't talk nonsense! Those are mine! You're stronger than me, so why don't you target someone with a higher price?"

"I'm going as well. The quickest to claim a bounty wins! Whether it's an easy or tough kill, it doesn't matter..."

"I just saw it... unbelievable. It's like a shower of gold falling from the heavens... I can't believe it."

"Don't worry. Ling-Bao Hall is a colossal enterprise. They won't renege on such a small sum."

"I concur."

"Indeed. Feng Monarch can produce supreme pills. Even if they spend their entire fortune on this, he can easily make it back. Money is hardly a concern for him..."

"I can only dream about it. But if I can take out a few names, I'll become someone else's dream."

"That's true... anyone with such wealth should possess great power. I just want to behead the one worth three hundred million. That should suffice, right? It's not too greedy..."

"What? Not too greedy for you?"

"The entire martial world wants that man's head. Do you really think it will be handed to you? Who do you think you are? Ning Biluo or Zhao Pingtian?"

"Humph..."

The assassins from Boundless Lake had left the capital before Ling-Bao Hall issued the warrants. They had secured the finest horses for their journey to the other two major kingdoms.

Upon receiving the warrants, they wasted no time and embarked on their missions. Their primary goal was to complete the tasks as swiftly as possible. Boundless Saint, upon obtaining the warrants, immediately mounted his horse and set out while issuing orders to his followers.

"Dispatch a messenger hawk to deliver instructions to the Golden Table assassins inside the two kingdoms. Instruct them to eliminate the easier targets first, now!"

"Eliminate as many targets as possible in the shortest time!"

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

"The six of us will split into two groups, one for the Kingdom of Tian-Yu, and the other for the Kingdom of Lan-Feng!"

"Hurry!"

"Five hundred billion! It's impossible to claim it all, but... two hundred billion is within our reach. That's more than sufficient for our needs." Boundless Saint continued to speak, motivated by the immense bounties.

The six exceptional assassins rode their horses at breakneck speed, not slowing down in the slightest. Upon reaching a mountain, they shouted, dividing into two groups. Each of them led three horses, totaling eighteen. They were like two sharp swords, one heading west and the other east.

Soon, they vanished in the swirling dust.

Five hundred billion!

It had galvanized assassins worldwide, filling them with excitement.

Over the past few days, Chen-Xing City had been teeming with people, but in just one day, ten percent of its residences stood vacant. Assassins departed the city in a frenzy, driven by both the constant danger and the monumental bounties.

Firstly, Chen-Xing City had become too perilous. Daily skirmishes, killings, and the ever-present search parties had made it a hazardous place to stay. Assassins knew they could be exposed and meet a gruesome end in the hands of the military.

Secondly, the bounties were irresistible. While assassinating Feng Monarch of Ling-Bao Hall was beyond their abilities and terrified them, they had survived the ordeal. They had traveled a long way only to return empty-handed, but they were alive. That was a stroke of luck.

Still, their failed mission had been costly. They needed to recoup their losses, and the reward warrants provided the perfect opportunity. It was a chance they couldn't afford to miss.

"I might not be powerful enough to take on Feng Monarch of Ling-Bao Hall, but can I handle the pampered nobility of those two kingdoms? Even if I can't claim the highest bounties, the lower ones are well within my grasp."

The bounties on offer this time were notably distinct from the one placed on Feng Monarch's head. Feng Monarch was a formidable figure whose capabilities matched the substantial price tag on his life. However, the prices on the heads of the individuals from the two kingdoms were astoundingly high, even though none of these men possessed any notable cultivation skills.

For the assassins, these targets represented easy money that was almost too tempting to resist.

With the announcement of these lavish rewards, assassins departed Chen-Xing City in droves. The city was now, beyond doubt, a safe haven—free from any troubles, devoid of assassins, and filled with an unprecedented sense of tranquility.

Not a single assassin would set foot in Chen-Xing City for an entire year. This became a historic record, illustrating the immense impact of the unprecedented rewards offered by Wan Zhenghao.

Of course, there were assassins who successfully completed their missions and returned to Chen-Xing City to claim their bounties. To address this issue, Wan Zhenghao implemented a practical solution by permitting assassins to redeem their rewards at any branch of Ling-Bao Hall within the Land of Han-Yang. This new policy received widespread support from the assassin community.

Chen-Xing City had entered a unique era of peace and safety.

Firstly, the city had already witnessed significant loss of life during the tumultuous events. Then, Feng Monarch's assassins had purged the Voluptuous Flower Buildings, resulting in further fatalities. Now, almost half a million assassins left the city within a single day.

Chen-Xing City, the capital of the Kingdom of Chen, typically bustled with activity. However, it had turned somewhat desolate in the wake of these events.

In just a few days, nearly two million people had either died or fled the city. Given that the total population was less than fifty million, the departed individuals were among the most vibrant and active.

For the foreseeable future, Chen-Xing City enjoyed an unprecedented level of public security. The streets were free of any signs of theft, and people felt no need to lock their doors at night. It had become an oasis of tranquility and peace.