Chapter 122: Assassin Advanced Course

In the principal’s office, He Jingfeng sat in the guest chair, with three silent black-clad men standing behind him.

Tang Miaoxing sat in the principal’s seat, hands clasped on the desk, with three others standing on either side.

The man on the left was a silent old man with a white beard; introduced by Tang Miaoxing, he was his younger brother, Tang Qiushan.

The two on the right were an elder and a middle-aged man; the elder had a hostile expression and seemed difficult to deal with—he was Zhang Wang, Tang Gate’s armorer, master of its weapon-crafting and mechanical arts.

The middle-aged man was Tang Ming, the face of Tang Gate’s middle generation and the master of Tang Wenlong, who represented Tang Gate at the Luotian Da Jiao.

These three, together with Gate Master Tang Miaoxing, were Tang Gate’s four current senior leaders.

The fact that all four received He Jingfeng together showed how highly Tang Miaoxing valued him.

“Can you speak now?”

Tang Miaoxing fixed He Jingfeng with a gaze: “What is the purpose of your visit, Grand Master?”

“Of course it’s good news!”

He Jingfeng smiled: “As Gate Master of Tang Gate, you must have heard at least some rumors about the origins of the Yinming Pavilion?”

Tang Miaoxing said gravely: “You mean the former underground assassin organization that spanned Europe and America—the Spear of God?”

He Jingfeng nodded: “Correct. The Spear of God has now been absorbed by Bai Yujing and reorganized as the Yinming Pavilion, retaining some of its former operations despite becoming a transnational occult force.”

“From that perspective, we are essentially in the same line of work.”

Tang Miaoxing’s eyes sharpened; he exchanged a glance with his two brothers and shook his head: “Tang Gate has long abandoned such business. Say what you mean plainly!”

“Indeed, the current situation in the Eastern lands no longer permits such activities.”

He Jingfeng glanced at him: “But the arts passed down by Tang Gate for a thousand years were forged precisely through such work. Without the trials of life and death, one cannot master their essence.”

“You’ve noticed it too—Tang Gate’s overall quality has been declining in recent years.”

“New disciples grow worse with each generation—where is the glory of the Mian Mountain battle?”

“How many among you can even inherit your pride—the Dan Shi technique?”

At first, Tang Miaoxing and the others merely looked displeased.

But when they heard the final remark about Dan Shi, their expressions darkened.

Zhang Wang frowned tightly and growled: “He Gezhu, have you overstepped?”

“Enough!”

Before he could finish, Tang Miaoxing raised a hand to stop him, calmly saying: “Let He Gezhu finish.”

He Jingfeng smiled softly: “My request today is simple. The Spear of God was a Western force; though absorbed into the Yinming Pavilion, its senior ranks remain mostly Western.”

“I dislike this imbalance. I wish to bring in some Eastern forces.”

“You may call it personal preference—or perhaps a strategy of balance.”

“Among all Eastern occult factions, the first I set my eyes on was Tang Gate—equally famed for assassination.”

At this point, He Jingfeng’s meaning was clear.

He looked at Tang Miaoxing with calm sincerity: “Gate Master, partner with me.”

“You provide me with talent; I provide you with opportunities for assassination training. I guarantee every mission assigned to Tang Gate aligns with Eastern values—no senseless killings for money!”

At these words, Tang Qiushan and Zhang Wang exchanged glances, their expressions complex.

Only Tang Miaoxing remained expressionless, seemingly unmoved.

“Your kindness, He Gezhu, I deeply appreciate—but Tang Gate has known peace too long. Our younger generation is uneven in talent. Sending them to the Yinming Pavilion risks not just their lives, but damaging your reputation.”

He Jingfeng smiled: “Do you look down on me?”

Tang Miaoxing shook his head: “How could I? It’s simply that our Dao differs—we cannot walk the same path.”

“Excellent—‘Dao differs, no alliance possible!’”

He Jingfeng praised: “The Yinming Pavilion needs men like you!”

Seeing He Jingfeng still refused to relent, Tang Miaoxing frowned.

“He Gezhu, I respect you as a great man—I don’t wish to speak too bluntly...”

“I understand perfectly.”

He Jingfeng smiled: “Gate Master, don’t misunderstand—the Yinming Pavilion is not what you imagine. Assassination is merely one part of our vast operations.”

“We intend to gradually reduce this business until we fully transform.”

“To achieve this, we even shut down the Spear of God’s training grounds and relocated the orphans we once raised—giving them lives beyond being assassins.”

“For this reason, we will inevitably face manpower shortages. That’s why I seek cooperation with your Gate.”

“This partnership is temporary—you may end it at any time.”

“And if it goes well, Tang Gate may join other Yinming Pavilion operations—even become a full partner, if you wish.”

At this, Tang Miaoxing and the others fell silent.

He Jingfeng smiled faintly and continued: “As for loyalty, Gate Master, you need not worry. Our ties with the Company run deeper than any outsider suspects.”

“Believe me—I need only make one phone call, and the Company will persuade your Gate on my behalf.”

True or false?

Tang Qiushan and Zhang Wang exchanged skeptical glances.

Tang Miaoxing said softly: “I do not doubt your influence, He Gezhu—but this matter is beyond my authority. I must convene a senior meeting for careful deliberation.”

“Then I shall give your Gate time to deliberate.”

Seeing Tang Miaoxing soften, He Jingfeng nodded, then smiled: “Whatever your decision, the Yinming Pavilion’s doors remain open to you—and one of the Seven Shadow Seats will always be reserved for you, Gate Master.”

“...”

Tang Miaoxing’s expression was complex; he sighed deeply: “Your generosity makes me seem petty.”

He Jingfeng shook his head: “You misunderstand. These terms are not offered out of generosity—but out of personal respect for the fallen heroes of old Tang Gate.”

With that, he rose from his chair and turned toward the office door.

The three silent black-clad men turned as well, following He Jingfeng out.

Tang Miaoxing and the others stared after his retreating figure, uncertain whether his words were manipulation—or his true intent.

Just then, He Jingfeng, who had just opened the door, suddenly paused, as if remembering something, and turned back:

“Oh, by the way—the Yinming Pavilion also has considerable operations on the island nation to the east...”

At this, Tang Miaoxing and the others all reacted.

He Jingfeng smiled faintly, then left the office.

After his departure, the four men in the room exchanged glances, sinking into silence.

After a moment, Tang Miaoxing broke it first: “Speak your thoughts.”

Zhang Wang and Tang Qiushan exchanged glances; the latter hesitated: “I think... either way is fine.”

What’s the point of that?

Tang Miaoxing and Zhang Wang stared at him in silence.

There was no helping it—the old man had always been indecisive; asking him to decide was asking too much.

Tang Miaoxing shook his head and turned to Zhang Wang.

Zhang Wang pondered briefly, then murmured: “If they can guarantee the safety of our disciples, I see no harm in cooperating.”

“Are you serious?”

Tang Miaoxing said coolly: “If you guarantee safety, how can they undergo the trials of life and death?”

Zhang Wang frowned: “You really want to use this to train your disciples?”

“What else?” Tang Miaoxing glanced at him. “Do you think I’m after their money? Their wealth?”

Zhang Wang flushed with anger: “That’s not what I meant!”

Tang Miaoxing shook his head: “I know you didn’t mean that.”

“Then what did you mean?”

Zhang Wang snorted: “You only care about training disciples—do you care if they live or die?”

Tang Miaoxing frowned and fell silent.

Zhang Wang said coldly: “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. You want to cooperate with the Yinming Pavilion—not just to train disciples, but to find new candidates for Dan Shi!”

“You—”

“What, you?”

Zhang Wang snapped: “You, me, everyone—we’re all brothers who grew up together. Do you really need me to remind you what happened to Feng and Hai?”

Tang Miaoxing’s face darkened.

Tang Qiushan quickly intervened: “Enough. Xiao Ming is still here!”

Zhang Wang glanced at the embarrassed Tang Ming, snorted, and turned his head away from Tang Miaoxing.

Seeing this, Tang Qiushan sighed helplessly: “I get it now—you both want to cooperate, but you disagree on how to treat the disciples.”

“Then why not ask the younger ones?”

He turned to Tang Ming: “Xiao Ming, what do you think?”

“Me?”

Tang Ming, who had been silent until now, scratched his head, thought for a moment, then whispered: “I haven’t thought much—I just think studying abroad is a good opportunity.”

“Look, even our military doctors go overseas to gain battlefield wound experience.”

“Isn’t it the same for our Tang Gate disciples?”

“How can that be the same?” Zhang Wang snapped. “Military doctors treat wounds—we kill people!”

Tang Ming blinked: “You’ve always complained we lack experience—so why are you suddenly more worried than we are?”

Zhang Wang was speechless, then, enraged, slapped Tang Ming on the back.

Tang Ming gritted his teeth and took the slap, smiling as he said, “Actually, ever since I chose to join Tangmen, I’d already prepared myself for this. As for the others, I don’t know, but they’re probably no different from me.”

“I have no objection to killing those who deserve it.”

“If it’s the island nation, all the better!”

(End of Chapter)