Chapter Thirty-Seven: Divine Weapons Descend from the Heavens

In such a dark environment, even the slightest glimmer of light was sure to attract the enemy's attention. Most crucially, the Divine Needle of Taiyi was the embodiment of Yan Yuanqing's own power, and thus would never harm its master.

"This is the room, isn't it?"

"Yes, we must act quickly. Even if it's Shi Yurou who lives here, any commotion will draw the guards from the other courtyards!"

"We have only one minute—finish it fast!"

"The boss said, no distinction between life and death!"

"Understood!"

These whispered exchanges were caught by Yan Yuanqing's keen ears. Instantly, his other hand clenched into a fist. As expected, these people had come for Shi Yurou, and intended to take her life.

Ten meters!

Five meters!

Three meters!

One meter!

At last, they entered Yan Yuanqing's range of attack. The black-clad men clearly had not anticipated that their covert operation would be discovered so soon.

Suddenly, a shadow burst from the corridor ahead, charging toward them. After a brief moment of shock, the assassins reacted swiftly. Several instinctively drew daggers from their waists, the blades etched with deep blood grooves.

These were weapons made for killing.

Seeing the unexpected figure swinging his right arm toward them, the leaders immediately raised their daggers to block. At the same time, they calculated how to counterattack after parrying this strike.

But what happened next was beyond their expectations.

A golden light flashed suddenly before their eyes, dazzling in the darkness. When this golden radiance clashed with their weapons, it sliced through iron like mud.

Arcs of light swept through the air, and the daggers in their hands were all severed in two. The golden glow, only slightly diminished, stabbed toward the black-clad men.

Panic erupted among them.

"What is that!"

"A Jedi Knight?"

One even shouted the name of a character from a famous film, so uncanny was the resemblance of the golden light to a laser weapon.

They hurried to respond, but before such lethal brilliance, all their defenses were futile. Some managed to dodge in time, but still lost several fingers to the golden blade. They had to endure the searing pain in silence, not daring to utter a cry, for if the nearby guards were alerted, it would mean certain death.

These guards were descendants of the poor families once rescued by the Shi clan, now charged with defending the entire household. Their loyalty to the Shi family was unwavering, unaffected by any individual's status within the clan. Even Shi Yurou—currently targeted by her own kin—remained under their protection.

"Retreat! This one is possessed!" came the desperate cry from among the assassins, likely their leader. As his words fell, the already battered group lost all resolve. Faced with the threat of death, missions, contracts, and duty paled before the value of their own lives. They were here for money, but what use was gold if one lost his life?

Yan Yuanqing would never let them escape so easily. He advanced swiftly, the Divine Needle of Taiyi stabbing several times in succession, pinning one man in place.

The others, witnessing this, were overcome by terror; one even began to shout about monsters. Watching the retreating figures, Yan Yuanqing halted. To capture a single prisoner was enough.

As for the rest, their formation was shattered; surely the commotion had drawn the guards’ attention, and it was unlikely they could escape the Shi estate.

Yan Yuanqing ignored the captive for now, quickly pushed open the door, and entered Shi Yurou's room.