Chapter 119: The Assassin at the Banquet

After Tang Bi fled, Yang Xiao did not pursue him. Instead, he returned to Chen Tong’s side to check on the severity of his injuries.

"Senior Brother Chen Tong, how are you feeling now?" Yang Xiao asked with concern as he approached.

Chen Tong shook his head and said, "I took an antidote gifted to me by our master, and after circulating my qi, I feel much better. It finally came in handy and saved my life. Fortunately, the poison I inhaled was only a diluted vapor; otherwise, my chances of survival would have been slim. This Tang Bi is truly formidable. I thought my defenses were watertight, yet he still managed to slip a trace of poison through to incapacitate me."

"It was fortunate that Junior Brother Yang Xiao stepped in to defeat Tang Bi, giving me the time to stabilize," Chen Tong continued. "As long as I recuperate properly, I should be fully recovered in a few days. The remaining toxins in my body will be purged through my own cultivation by then."

"That is good to hear," Yang Xiao nodded.

Chen Tong looked at Yang Xiao with astonishment and admiration. "Junior Brother Yang Xiao, your abilities are truly impressive. I confess I may have underestimated you previously. To think you could defeat Tang Bi—it is quite shocking. You are surely among the best in our Heavenly Sword Sect. Especially at the middle stage of the Qi Condensation realm, you possess such skill; once you reach the late stage, you will likely be invincible among the younger generation."

Yang Xiao smiled modestly. "You flatter me, Senior Brother. I was merely lucky. My methods happen to offer some resistance to Tang Bi’s toxins, which allowed me to drive him back. Otherwise, given the gap in our cultivation levels, it would have been nearly impossible for me to defeat him."

"Do not be so humble, Junior Brother," Chen Tong insisted, still looking at Yang Xiao with deep gratitude. "Once we return to the marketplace, I must report your victory over Tang Bi to our master, and I will certainly host a grand banquet to thank you for saving my life."

"You are too kind, Senior Brother," Yang Xiao replied with a serious expression. "I only achieved this by chance; there is no need to make a fuss. As for telling our master, let us leave it at that. I prefer to keep a low profile, so I hope you can keep this a secret. Consider it a personal favor." Yang Xiao did not want to attract excessive attention, especially from Master Sword-Forging. Although they were master and disciple, he feared that such news might invite suspicion. He preferred not to let others learn too much about his secrets.

He did not yet fully trust Master Sword-Forging. He had joined the Heavenly Sword Sect solely to advance his cultivation, and in the absence of deep familiarity, he felt it best to keep his background hidden.

"It is strange that you would want to hide such talent from our master," Chen Tong asked, puzzled. "Logically, you should want more people to know of your prowess so that you might earn greater respect and favor from him. What is wrong with that?"

"Please, Senior Brother, do not ask further. Just promise me this; consider it a return for me saving your life," Yang Xiao said helplessly. Chen Tong was a straightforward man, but in the world of cultivation, such bluntness could eventually lead to trouble.

Killing Wang Hai had already been startling enough; now, defeating Tang Bi would make it nearly impossible to remain unnoticed. And being too conspicuous was rarely a good thing. One might pass off killing Wang Hai as a stroke of luck, but doing the same to Tang Bi twice in a row would defy belief. Once suspicion was cast upon him, trouble would follow.

Yang Xiao was not afraid of other Qi Condensation cultivators, even those in the late stage. However, if a Circumference-stage master set their sights on him, he would have no way to escape. To avoid unnecessary complications, he had to insist on Chen Tong’s silence.

"Very well, since you insist, I shall keep this detail to myself," Chen Tong said with an honest smile. "However, you must attend the celebratory banquet I have prepared for you. It is the least I can do to express my gratitude, and you cannot refuse."

"Since you insist, Senior Brother, I shall accept," Yang Xiao smiled.

"Excellent! Let us return as soon as possible. Once I have rested for two days, I will drink with you to my heart’s content. I have a bottle of spirit wine infused with precious herbs—something I usually save for special occasions. Thanking my savior is certainly a grand enough reason to enjoy it." Chen Tong laughed heartily.

Seeing his sincerity, Yang Xiao agreed. Two days later, Chen Tong invited him as promised. Though still slightly pale, Chen Tong looked much better than before. At the banquet, he poured out his thanks once more, and the two began to drink.

Usually, Yang Xiao avoided alcohol, as it could cloud one’s mental state, and most cultivators preferred tea. However, Chen Tong was an avid drinker, and Yang Xiao found it hard to refuse. The wine, infused with medicinal herbs, was indeed fragrant, smooth, and restorative.

The two were enjoying their conversation and the wine when, suddenly, a flying sword pierced through the window, darting directly toward Yang Xiao. The assailant was clearly hiding far away.

Yang Xiao’s reflexes were lightning-fast. As the sword reached him, he reached out and caught the hilt firmly in his hand.

Chen Tong was shocked, shouting, "How bold! An assassin daring to strike on someone else's turf!" He immediately rallied his men to hunt down the intruder. The marketplace fell into chaos, and many disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, hearing Chen Tong’s shouts, rushed toward his residence.