Chapter 280: Drama Within a Drama

Obviously, the soundproofing barrier at the Duojin Inn was extremely effective. Even if Xiao Sixteen screamed at the top of his lungs, no one would come to save him.

Inside the room.

Xu Xiaoshou carefully applied ointment to the man's wounds, all the while feeling anxious, terrified that he would try to move again. He was scared! But he also wanted the information! However, if Xiao Sixteen didn't cooperate, he would just have to die! Dying like this would be such a waste!

Xu Xiaoshou said with a serious expression, "I'm telling you sincerely, you really shouldn't move. The moment you move, I get nervous..."

Xiao Sixteen had completely broken down. What's this about "I move, you get nervous"? Is he even speaking sense? He just wanted to give Xu Xiaoshou the King's Essence Blood from his ring, that's all! He was so sincere, but what he got in return was...

He instinctively wanted to glance down at his wounds, but a soul-deep terror made him shiver uncontrollably, and he immediately suppressed the urge. Cannot move! Move again, and he really would die!

Xu Xiaoshou watched as the wounds gradually healed again and sighed, "Alright, continue. You were just talking about Zhang Taiying? What level is he?"

"Throne King."

As expected. To be the head of a major family in Tiansang City, his strength must be considerable. Thinking this, Xu Xiaoshou continued, "How many Throne Kings and Grandmasters does the Zhang family have?"

Xiao Sixteen's eyes were hollow, and he answered without hesitation: "Ostensibly, it's just Zhang Taiying, but secretly there might be more. At least, I estimate, more than three."

"What about Grandmasters?"

"As for Grandmasters, there are probably more than ten."

Xu Xiaoshou was astonished. This was a formidable family! He knew that on the Holy Divine Continent, reaching Grandmaster cultivation meant one already had the foundation to establish a sect or school. And the higher-tier powers were overseen by Throne Kings. However, a standalone power like the Zhang family, no matter how strong, isn't an academic system like the Spiritual Palace, so it's generally difficult for them to have more than a handful of Throne Kings. For the Zhang family to have at least three Throne Kings overseeing them was enough to demonstrate their dominant position. They truly had a wealth of talent!

A grand academy like Tiansang Spiritual Palace, which covered an entire county and several cities, only had how many Throne Kings? Even if you included those decrepit old geezers, there would only be a dozen or so! As for those truly in their prime, Xu Xiaoshou had only ever seen four. The Four Great Overlords. That was it.

If the Zhang family had at least three... Xu Xiaoshou immediately abandoned the idea of counterattacking the Zhang family to eliminate the danger at its root. It would be unwise. What if they had more hidden away, a fourth, a fifth... How could he deal with that? Would he be walking into a trap?

Xu Xiaoshou collected his thoughts and looked back at Xiao Sixteen. The man was completely numb. When Xu Xiaoshou fell silent, he did too, seemingly having given up all struggle, content to be a mere answering machine betraying his masters.

However...

"Locked on. Passive points: 1."

Even if he could deceive Xu Xiaoshou, he couldn't fool the information panel that seemed to perceive everything in the world. A message about being locked on immediately pulled Xu Xiaoshou out of Xiao Sixteen's act. Though, he had never truly relaxed to begin with...

"What a pity. Although I wasn't going to give you a chance and you'd still die after I got my information..."

"But if you keep acting and don't try to fight for it, then that one-in-a-million chance won't even appear!"

"Sigh." Xu Xiaoshou sighed inwardly. Initially, he had wondered if he could actually bring himself to kill Xiao Sixteen after getting the information. Now, it seemed... It wouldn't be necessary.

"Go on then. Explain clearly all of the Zhang family's actions concerning me."

Xu Xiaoshou's gaze remained unfocused, as if he was deep in thought, appearing completely engrossed by Xiao Sixteen's intelligence.

Xiao Sixteen's voice remained hollow: "The Zhang family didn't just put a bounty on you in 'Dark Underworld Street'; more importantly, they issued a warrant for your arrest with the 'Three Incense Sticks' too."

"'Three Incense Sticks?'" Xu Xiaoshou grew even more confused.

"Yes, the 'Three Incense Sticks' is the most mysterious assassin organization on the entire continent, revered as the holy temple of assassins. Once this organization issues a warrant for someone, that person is practically guaranteed to die."

"Why?"

Xiao Sixteen finally showed a flicker of interest, glancing at Xu Xiaoshou as if looking at a dead man, then his lips parted. "'The 'Three Incense Sticks' has eight bounty levels. The first five are merely for show; they don't issue warrants for them, and no one ever takes those jobs. It's the latter three levels that are truly terrifying."

"This is the origin of the 'Three Incense Sticks' name. They are divided into 'Dead Disciple,' 'Evil Person,' and 'Rotten Corpse,' corresponding to the sixth, seventh, and eighth bounty levels respectively."

"Even for the lowest level, 'Dead Disciple,' the minimum bounty amount is no less than one million spirit crystals!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Xiaoshou's face immediately turned ashen. A million? Damn, I'm worth that much? He himself felt an impulse to cut off his own head and send it over. Had the Zhang family gone mad? Could they be so reckless with their money?

"A million bounty..." Xu Xiaoshou now understood how desperate the assassin industry was. A mere fifty thousand could attract Grandmasters like Li Qi and Xiao Sixteen. A million? What a joke!

"You're lying to me!"

Xiao Sixteen's lips curved into a smile. He finally saw fear in the devil's eyes. What a wonderful thing it was. If this fear could ultimately bloom at his own hands, that would be true perfection.

"Lying to you?"

"I don't need to lie to you. Everything I just said is true. The only reason you're still alive right now is because the big shots at 'Three Incense Sticks' don't think much of your strength."

"For them, they want to kill, but they also care about their reputation!"

"They wouldn't bother with someone of your caliber."

Xiao Sixteen scoffed at this point, "We're different. Lesser assassins, we just need resources, just money!"

Xu Xiaoshou expressed understanding and comforted him, "Everyone has their own troubles and difficulties. Being an assassin must be very tiring, I understand. You've really worked hard."

Xiao Sixteen: ???

What the hell kind of focus is that? Are you comforting me? Do I bloody need your comfort? I'm a ruthless assassin, I don't need this!

"Suspected. Passive points: 1.""Resisted. Passive points: 1."

Xu Xiaoshou sighed, silently patting Xiao Sixteen's shoulder. After a long moment, he finally asked, "Do you have anything else to say?"

Xiao Sixteen shook his head. "No. I've said everything that needed to be said. All information concerning the Zhang family has been completely given to you. What you need to be wary of might not just be the Zhang family. The 'Three Incense Sticks' warrant also means that as long as the person isn't dead, it will never be stopped."

Xiao Sixteen didn't dare to even twitch a finger. He couldn't make the slightest movement now. But after suppressing the pain, he could still feel the miraculous effects of the healing medicine the young man had given him, even amidst the muscle spasms. His severed limbs almost felt as if they could move again, albeit with difficulty. Just a little more...

Xiao Sixteen calculated. His eyes were hollow, not a hint of killing intent escaped, no cold glint appeared; there was only despair. Despair that had reached its numb extreme.

Xu Xiaoshou withdrew the hand from Xiao Sixteen's shoulder, also appearing detached from the situation, his face thoughtful and conflicted, murmuring softly.

"'Three Incense Sticks,' huh...'"

As he spoke, his hand swept past, and Xiao Sixteen's head flew into the air.