Chapter 169: The Assassins Are Ready to Strike

In the deep night, the city square blazed with light.

“Ah, you are the Sage!”

When this exclamation reached the crowd, the entire square erupted.

“Sage, thank you for saving my family—please accept my deepest bow!”

“My father was nearly driven mad by Sunset Tea pain, but thanks to your intervention, our whole family will pray to the gods day and night for you.”

“Big Brother Sage, here’s some candy.”

People surged forward in excitement, their thanks never ceasing—even the child standing in line beside Xia Mingyu handed him a piece of candy.

Even the patrolling guards bowed respectfully from afar toward Xia Mingyu’s position.

This had nothing to do with status; it was pure, heartfelt reverence for this young elder.

At the entrance, the magician checking tickets for the children noticed the scene at the end of the line.

With his keen eyesight, he clearly saw Yude hiding behind Xia Mingyu, overwhelmed by the excited crowd.

“So the one who saved Monkey-Face Alchemist is that Sage.”

The magician pondered, his heterochromatic eyes burning with growing interest—he could hardly wait to meet the man and discover exactly what kind of person he was.

Saint? Good man? Ordinary man? Evil man? Or perhaps… a devil like himself?

Time slipped away second by second, and the long line, amid children’s cheers, finally reached its end.

“Sage, I’ve long heard of your name—please hand me your invitation.” The man dressed as a magician spoke gently.

“Alright.” Xia Mingyu handed over his invitation.

For some reason, this man with his utterly ordinary face gave Xia Mingyu an uncanny impression.

If he had to describe it, it was as if the man carried an illusionary quality—present before him, yet unreachable, as if existing in another world.

Xia Mingyu shook his head, shaking off the strange thought—surely he was just exhausted from these past days.

“You’re the one from that day…” Yude, standing beside him, exclaimed suddenly.

“Yes, I am Lu En, leader of this circus. Welcome to you both.” The magician smiled faintly.

Under Xia Mingyu’s puzzled gaze, Yude briefly recounted their meeting.

Was offering Yude a new life about performing for children in the circus?

Just imagining that scene made Xia Mingyu feel an urge to smile.

Yet for most deformed people, shunned or even hated by society, this truly was already a good life.

“Looking back, my invitation that day was presumptuous—I assumed your past without asking. Forgive my foolish arrogance.”

The magician bowed deeply to Yude, his stunningly beautiful face filled with remorse, his voice sincere.

“No, no—I’m grateful for your invitation, but I’ve vowed to serve the Sage for the rest of my life.” Yude waved his hands frantically.

As he lowered his head, Xia Mingyu suddenly noticed—the circus leader had heterochromatic eyes!

His left eye was as mesmerizing as violet amethyst; his right eye blazed like molten gold.

In an instant, recalling what Tamerlan had said in the Starfire Hall, Xia Mingyu tensed, his vigilance rising to its peak.

But when he remembered the gentle, kind silver-haired girl, his body relaxed instantly, and a faint smile touched his face.

No matter what, he felt he couldn’t judge people through prejudice.

A person’s true nature must be judged by personal contact—not by first impressions.

Otherwise, even good people could be driven to evil.

Though subtle, this detail was noticed by the magician, still bowing his head in apology.

For someone of his rank, many things didn’t need sight to be perceived—he sensed information through superhuman acuity.

The magician’s lips curled slightly.

“Please enter, honored guests. May you have an unforgettable night.” He extended his right arm, bowed, and smiled brightly, gesturing them in.

Thus, the black-haired youth and the alchemist beside him stepped into the brilliantly lit circus tent.

Behind them, Luo Yi and Luo Lan, along with Kallen, hurried to follow and protect the Prince—but the magician raised a hand to stop them.

“Master Magician, the one who just entered is my lord, whom I am sworn to protect. May I ask you to allow us to enter as well?”

Kallen spoke politely.

At the same time, he removed his concealed protective artifact, revealing the emerald-green noble aura atop his head.

“In my circus, only children of pure innocence may enter—besides those I personally invite.”

The magician said calmly, his tone quiet but absolute.

Hearing this, Kallen frowned slightly—he couldn’t risk leaving the Prince unprotected in such a crowded circus.

He turned his gaze to Luo Yi beside him, hoping the eldest son of Crimson Fox Fortress could sway the magician with his influence.

But to his surprise, Luo Yi—who was usually bold and brash—now stood stiffly before the magician, utterly devoid of the confidence he once showed riding through the city gates.

“Uncle…” Luo Yi’s lips moved, uttering the word as Luo Lan looked away in discomfort.

The magician’s face darkened. He turned and swept away, pulling the tent flap shut behind him.

Kallen, who had overheard, froze in shock.

Uncle?

This heterochromatic leader was none other than Lady Rosa, Lord of the Southern Region’s younger brother!

Though inwardly stunned, Kallen stayed silent, respectfully waiting with the two uncles at the circus entrance for the Prince’s return.

Meanwhile,

“Target has separated from the three Crescent Knights.”

In the shadows of the square, assassins—hidden by magical artifacts or innate abilities—reported to their leader.

Their communication was unique: they compressed their voices with magic, making them inaudible to others.

“Captain, should we storm the circus and strike now?”

The assassin captain hesitated.

On one hand, this opportunity was rare—the target had always remained within the castle, making assassination too difficult and costly.

On the other, his superior—the leader of the Faceless Assembly, the great “Shadow of the Throne,” Ramon—had warned him before accepting the mission: do not provoke the circus named after monsters.

“Wait for my order.” In the end, the captain suppressed his killing urge and decided to observe.

(End of Chapter)