Chapter 172: A Gold-ranked Assassin from the Poison Scorpion Society?

"What did you say?"

He looked at the Chief Advisor Samuel before him, his voice hoarse and carrying a hint of disbelief.

"That kid named Roko, he agreed?"

"Yes, Master Marquis."

Samuel bowed respectfully, recounting the sequence of events exactly as they had happened.

"He agreed very readily, without even the slightest hesitation."

Archibald fell silent.

His slender fingers tapped unconsciously against the tabletop, emitting a "tap, tap, tap" sound.

Everyone in the study dared not even breathe loudly.

They all knew this was a habit of Master Marquis when he was deep in thought.

But this time, his thinking time seemed exceptionally long.

Ecstasy?

No, there was none.

After the initial astonishment, what surged into Archibald's heart was a deeper level of vigilance and suspicion.

It was too abnormal!

This was completely illogical!

Could a guy who could see through a trade blockade, kill members of the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group in return, and even dare to send people to steal a dragon's treasure be a foolish brute?

Clearly not.

Then why would he knowingly walk into a tiger's den?

Was it extreme arrogance that made him think he could handle everything?

Or was it...

Did he have other motives? Was he planning to counter-scheme?

In Archibald's mind, countless thoughts were colliding wildly.

"Uncle."

Engels, standing to the side, spoke up cautiously.

"That kid must be young and hot-headed, blinded by our series of victories! He thinks he's invincible! He's purely coming here to die!"

Archibald gave him a cold, warning glance and said nothing.

Trash is trash; they can only ever see the most superficial things.

Just then, the old man dressed in butler attire walked in as silently as a ghost.

"Master Marquis."

The old Butler bowed slightly.

"There is a reply from the Poison Scorpion Society."

Archibald's gaze sharpened instantly.

"Speak."

"They have accepted your offer."

The old Butler's voice was flat and waveless.

"They promise to dispatch a 'Gold-ranked Assassin' to eliminate the target in Sunset City."

"Gold-ranked Assassin?"

Archibald raised an eyebrow.

The Poison Scorpion Society had a strict hierarchy for assassins, divided from low to high into four grades: Black Iron, Bronze, Silver, and Golden Grade.

And above Golden, there was a legendary grade, which was "Gold Medal."

Every Gold-ranked Assassin was a true trump card of the Poison Scorpion Society, a terrifying existence standing at the pinnacle of the art of assassination.

When they took action, they had almost never failed; it was said that the strength of every Gold-ranked Assassin was at least Golden Grade! Or even higher!

To deal with a mere Roko, the Poison Scorpion Society was actually willing to deploy a Gold-ranked Assassin?

"What are their conditions?" Archibald asked in a deep voice.

"They said this target is somewhat special; intelligence indicates he seems to possess Holy Light Power that suppresses dark forces."

The old Butler replied.

"Therefore, they need us to provide some 'assistance' when they take action."

"Assistance?"

"Yes, they need us to find a way to temporarily suppress Rocco Raymond's Battle Qi on the night of the banquet, even if only for a brief moment."

"Furthermore, they demand that after the deed is done, the target's corpse, as well as that magical armor on him, must belong to the Poison Scorpion Society."

Archibald's eyes narrowed.

The Poison Scorpion Society's appetite was truly not small.

However, none of this was a problem.

As long as Roko could be made to die, paying some price was worth it.

As for suppressing Battle Qi—

A sinister smile appeared at the corner of Archibald's mouth.

He had long since made preparations.

"Tell them I agree."

"Yes, Master."

The old Butler bowed and retreated.

The study fell into silence once again.

With the guarantee from the Gold-ranked Assassin of the Poison Scorpion Society, the trace of doubt in Archibald's heart was finally suppressed.

He slowly stood up, walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, and looked down at his city.

This was Sunset City!

It was his Kingdom!

Here, he was the only King!

"To hell with whatever schemes and plots."

In Archibald's eyes, the light of confidence and cruelty reignited.

"In the face of absolute power, everything is futile."

"Roko Raymond, even if you were made of iron, how many nails could you crush?"

"I have prepared a grand welcome ceremony for you; I hope you will like it."

He issued an order toward the door.

"Pass on my command!"

"Have the first, second, and third legions of the City Guard on full alert!"

"Starting tomorrow, seal off all roads leading out of the city!"

"I want to turn Sunset City into a true iron barrel! Not even a fly shall fly out!"

"Additionally, take that bottle of 'Deep Sea Slumber' from my 'collection room'."

"I will personally mix the wine for our distinguished guest at the banquet!"

Three days later.

Outside the city gate of Vanguard Valley, there was a sea of people.

All the subjects came spontaneously to see off their Master, the Lord.

Their faces were a mixture of worry, reverence, and pride.

At the very front of the procession, Roko was in casual attire, sitting astride a magnificent warhorse.

Behind him were Hart, Fula, and twenty Storm Knights dressed in black casual clothes, yet they could not hide the fierce aura about them.

Every one of them appeared so calm, so composed.

"Master!"

In the crowd, an old man with white hair shouted loudly,

"We will wait for your return!"

"We will wait for your return!"

The mountain-shaking, sea-roaring sound gathered into a warm current, surging toward Roko.

Roko turned his head and gave his people a brilliant smile.

He raised his arm high and waved it vigorously.

"Set off!"

At the order, the procession slowly moved, stepping onto the journey toward the western horizon.

On the main road leading to the western province, a caravan of over twenty people was moving forward at a steady pace.

They were dressed in ordinary clothes, and the horses under them were not of any precious breed; they looked just like one of the countless small caravans traveling across the continent, completely unremarkable.

This was precisely Roko and his party.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, they had changed into casual clothes and disguised themselves as a caravan heading west to sell furs.

"Master, we have entered the territory of Silver Moon Province."

Hart rode up to Roko's side and reported in a low voice.

"Everything is normal; no suspicious traces have been found."

"Hm."

Roko nodded and scanned his surroundings.

The weather was clear, the road was flat, and the pedestrians and caravans encountered along the way all looked as usual.

It was too quiet.

Quiet to the point of being abnormal.

Given Archibald's personality, would he just watch him arrive at Sunset City safe and sound?

Absolutely impossible.

Roko's vigilance was raised to the highest level.

"Tell the brothers to stay alert; the quieter it is, the more likely it is to hide murderous intent."

"Yes!"

Hart took the order and left.

The procession continued forward, and by evening, they arrived before a dense forest.

The main road passed through the forest, and this was the only way to the next city.

"It's getting late, Master. Should we camp outside the forest, or push through overnight?" Hart came to ask for instructions.

Roko looked up at the sky, then at the gloomy forest before him.

The forest was silent; not even a bird's chirp could be heard.

Dead silence.

"No more waiting, push straight through."

Roko said indifferently.

"The ambush should be waiting for us inside."

Hart felt a chill in his heart, his hand gripping the sword hilt tightening subconsciously.

"Everyone, prepare for battle!"

He did not ask further and immediately relayed Roko's order.

The twenty Storm Knights' gazes sharpened instantly; beneath their seemingly relaxed postures, their muscles were already quietly tensed, and Battle Qi circulated slowly within their bodies, ready to erupt with a thunderous strike at any moment.

Fula sat in the carriage behind Roko, gently lifting the curtain, her heterochromatic eyes vigilantly scanning the darkness ahead.

Her brows furrowed slightly.

"Roko, I sense it—a very uncomfortable aura."

"It is the smell of blood, and—poison."

A flash of realization crossed Roko's eyes.

"It seems the people from the Poison Scorpion Society can no longer wait."

The procession slowly drove into the forest.

As soon as they entered, the surrounding light dimmed instantly; towering trees blocked the sky, and the air was filled with a scent of decay and dampness.

On both sides of the road lay bottomless darkness.

Clop, clop, clop—

The sound of hooves appeared exceptionally clear on the silent forest path.

Everyone held their breath.

Suddenly!

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

Dozens of crossbow bolts tipped with a ghostly green glow erupted from the darkness on both sides, like the fangs of a viper, shooting silently toward Roko in the very center of the procession!

The speed and the cunning angles were clearly the result of meticulous calculation!

However, these poison arrows, capable of piercing steel plates, seemed to strike an invisible wall when they approached within three feet of Roko's body.

"Clang! Clatter!"

After a crisp series of sounds, all the poison arrows were deflected, falling powerlessly to the ground.

Silver-grade Battle Qi body protection!

Almost at the same time, Hart let out a roar.

"Enemy attack! Protect the Master!"

"Kill!"

The twenty Storm Knights erupted instantly, Obsidian Gold Armor appearing out of thin air on their bodies, and powerful Battle Qi soared into the sky!

They did not even pay attention to the assassins who had launched the sneak attack, but instead immediately surrounded Roko's carriage tightly, forming an impregnable defensive formation!

"Hmph, your reaction is not slow."

A cold, sinister laugh rang out from the darkness.

Following that, dozens of figures dressed in black night-traveling clothes, wearing scorpion masks, flashed out from the woods.

Each of their auras was extremely cold, and the weapons in their hands shimmered with a deadly chill.

The leader was thin and tall, holding two ink-green daggers, and his strength had clearly reached the late Silver grade!

"Rocco Raymond, we of the Poison Scorpion Society have been ordered to take your life."

"Just by relying on you lot?"

Roko's voice came out from the carriage, calm and flat.

"A bunch of vermin hiding your heads and showing your tails, that's all."

"You seek death!"

The lead assassin was enraged and let out a sharp shriek.

"Kill! Leave no one alive!"

Dozens of Poison Scorpion Society assassins lunged forward like ghosts.

"Well come!"

Hart's fighting spirit soared; he drew his longsword and was the first to meet them.

"Storm Knights! Charge!"

"Roar!"

The twenty knights roared in unison, with Hart as the spearhead, forming a cone-shaped attack formation, taking the initiative to launch a counter-charge against the assassins; their bodies were covered in impenetrable Obsidian Gold Armor.

In their hands were sharp swords that could slice through iron like mud.

In their hearts was the supreme glory of protecting their lord!

One side was the Poison Scorpion Society, skilled in concealment and assassination.

The other side was the fierce tiger, proficient in frontal assault.

Instantly, the most brutal collision erupted right there on the forest path!

The Poison Scorpion Society assassins soon discovered with horror that their prized poison blades, when hacking at the knights' black armor, could not even leave a white mark!

Yet the opponent's longswords could easily tear through their defenses!

This was by no means a battle between evenly matched forces!

This was a one-sided massacre!

The Storm Knights were like a ruthless meat grinder; wherever they passed, severed limbs flew, and blood flowed like a river.

"No! Impossible! What kind of armor is this!"

The leader of the assassins, watching his subordinates fall one after another, let out a roar of disbelief.

His elite squad, which he took such pride in, was actually so vulnerable before this group of Knights!

"Your opponent is me!"

Hart's cold voice rang out in his ear.

A fierce sword light slashed down at his head!

The assassin leader was terrified and hurriedly raised his twin daggers to block.

"Clang!"

A loud noise erupted, and sparks flew in all directions.

The assassin leader only felt an irresistible force coming from the daggers; the web of his thumb was instantly split, and he was knocked back repeatedly. Hart's strength was already on par with his own.

Now that he was wearing Obsidian Gold armor, his strength and defensive power had been greatly amplified!

"Damn it!"

The assassin leader knew that this mission had failed.

There had been a serious error in the intelligence!

The combat power of these guards far exceeded their estimates!

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes; he feinted a move and turned to flee into the darkness.

"Want to run?"

Hart sneered and was about to pursue.

Just then, a cyan figure moved faster than him!

It was Fula!

Her speed was as fast as lightning; she started after him but arrived first, instantly blocking the path of the assassin leader.

"Your opponent is me."

Fula's voice was cold, and her heterochromatic eyes burned with ice and fire.

The assassin leader looked at the dainty cat-eared girl before him, a flash of disdain and lewdness in his eyes.

"Little beauty, get lost! Otherwise, don't blame me for not knowing how to cherish the fairer sex!"

He swung his dagger, stabbing toward Fula's throat.

Fula did not dodge or evade, simply extending a fair palm.

A layer of blue flame instantly ignited in her palm.

"Frostfire Shield!"

"Sizzle!"

The poison-coated dagger, the moment it touched the Frostfire, seemed to have met its nemesis; it began to emit plumes of black smoke, and its tip corroded and dissolved at a speed visible to the naked eye!

"What?!"

The assassin leader was terrified; what kind of hellish flame was this?

In the split second he was distracted, Fula's other hand had transformed into a sharp claw, striking his chest as fast as lightning!

"Pfft!"

Five bloodstains, deep enough to see bone, appeared instantly!