Chapter 608: I Want to Be Low-Key Too, But Strength Doesn't Allow It

An assassin, previously part of the group surrounding Crown Prince's Junior Tutor Cao Hou, suddenly charged at Zu An.

“Seventh Rank!”

Observing the force with which the assassin approached, Zu An quickly assessed their cultivation level.

He inwardly cursed. This individual was clearly the second most powerful among the assassins targeting Cao Hou, yet they had abandoned Cao Hou to attack him, bringing several companions—all at least Sixth Rank cultivators!

What about your professionalism? Shouldn't this force be directed at Cao Hou or the Crown Prince? Why are you coming after *me*?

In truth, Zu An’s time as a Brocade-Clad Guard was too brief for him to fully grasp the significance of a Gold Plaque Envoy.

Within the entire Brocade-Clad Guard, there were only ten Gold Plaque Envoys. Each of them, in addition to being sharp-witted and reliable in their duties, was primarily required to be a master—a top-tier master.

They were all at least Seventh Rank, with rumors even suggesting the existence of Ninth Rank enforcers.

Huang Huihong, who had been dispatched to Brightmoon City to apprehend Zu An, was merely a Silver Plaque Envoy, highlighting the immense prestige associated with Gold Plaque Envoys.

To the assassins, a Gold Plaque Envoy posed a greater threat than even Crown Prince's Junior Tutor Cao Hou.

After all, they had no idea which Gold Plaque Envoy this was; if it were a Ninth Rank master, they wouldn't stand a chance.

Therefore, they had to deploy their strongest available force to intercept him.

Zu An didn't dare to be complacent. He quickly met the Seventh Rank assassin's attack with a palm strike.

The Seventh Rank assassin felt his attack vanish into Zu An’s palm as if a clay ox had sunk into the sea. He was startled, exclaiming, “Damn it, at least an Eighth Rank!”

Unaware this was an effect of the *Taotie Devours Heaven Art*, he assumed Zu An’s cultivation far surpassed his own. Of course, it didn't feel like a Ninth Rank attack; if it were, he would have been instantly defeated by that single palm strike.

They secretly cursed their bad luck, wishing it had been a Seventh Rank Gold Plaque Envoy instead.

The Crown Prince’s faction, however, was greatly encouraged. The Crown Princess’s beautiful eyes turned in Zu An’s direction, thinking, *After this is over, I must properly thank this person.*

Zu An himself was somewhat in a daze. While he knew his current cultivation couldn't be judged by conventional ranks, he had never imagined being able to meet a peak Seventh Rank master head-on, palm to palm, without yielding an inch.

Could I really be this strong already?

Just then, two more assassins attacked him from the left and right, clearly intending to relieve the pressure on their Seventh Rank companion.

Zu An knew these assassins were masters of killing techniques, so he didn't dare to let his guard down. To suffer an ignominious defeat now would truly be an embarrassment to all transmigrators.

Unwilling to expose himself by using his usual martial arts, he instead activated the *Taotie Devours Heaven Art*. While he couldn't yet achieve Wu Geng’s feat of turning his palm into a black hole, he could already generate a powerful qi vortex in his hand.

He directly absorbed the elemental energy from the long sword of the assassin attacking from his left, then, with a casual twist, contorted the sharp blade into a tangled mass of scrap metal.

The assassin, utterly shocked, swiftly retreated. But Zu An, whose speed was a particular strength, wouldn’t let such an opportunity slip. He closed the distance in a single stride, hitting the assassin with a palm strike that sent him spitting blood.

Everyone on the field was stunned. This person was incredibly powerful!

Even Crown Prince’s Junior Tutor Cao Hou regarded him with a mix of surprise and uncertainty. *Who is this Gold Plaque Brocade-Clad Guard? Why can't I discern his cultivation? He doesn't appear to have an exceptionally high cultivation level. Could it be that he has reached a realm of profound mastery, where his power is so deeply internalized that it appears ordinary, making his true strength far beyond my perception?*

The Crown Princess’s eyes, too, shimmered with unusual light. It wasn’t that she was smitten with this Brocade-Clad Guard, but knowing there was such a reliable protector in a moment of crisis brought a profound sense of security.

Witnessing their gazes—a mixture of apprehension and admiration—Zu An felt a certain thrill.

What’s the point of cultivation if you can’t show off a little?

He also secretly marveled at how effective the *Taotie Devours Heaven Art* was. It could neutralize an opponent's energy invisibly, making it impossible for others to discern his true cultivation—truly a perfect tool for feigning weakness to trap a stronger opponent.

Of course, he didn't dare to fully unleash the *Taotie Devours Heaven Art* to absorb others' cultivation in plain sight; he had no desire to become a public enemy of the cultivation world. Such a technique was best used discreetly.

Rage points from Qiu Honglei: +123!

He continuously received a stream of rage points in the system, clearly emotional fluctuations from the assassins witnessing their comrades being injured. However, one name in particular made Zu An freeze.

Qiu Honglei?

She’s here too?

Zu An immediately scanned his surroundings. Unfortunately, everyone was clad in black, and the chaos of the battle made it impossible to discern individual identities.

While he was momentarily distracted, the assassin on his right attacked.

Zu An’s figure flickered, dodging the blow. His primary target remained the Seventh Rank assassin, who posed too great a threat from the sidelines.

Seeing Zu An approach, the Seventh Rank master unleashed everything he had learned throughout his life, capable of both offense and defense, ensuring he first established an unassailable position.

Zu An frowned. He discreetly summoned Hundred Voices and had him unleash a mental shockwave on the Seventh Rank master.

Since this Seventh Rank master certainly wasn’t Qiu Honglei, there was no need to hold back.

He had intended to keep a low profile, but alas, his strength wouldn’t permit it.

Given the situation, he might as well project an image of a formidable master. After all, he was masked, and no one would know his true identity.

His only concern was whether his presence might inadvertently sabotage Qiu Honglei’s grand plan. Unfortunately, this was beyond his control, so he could only proceed step by step. He resolved to discreetly rescue Qiu Honglei later.

The Seventh Rank master was completely unprepared. He suddenly felt dizzy and disoriented, his mind utterly blank. By the time he regained his senses, he had already been struck by a palm, sending him sprawling to the ground, vomiting blood.

Just then, a slender sword thrust at Zu An from behind—it was the assassin he had dodged earlier, attacking once more.

However, the assassin had just witnessed Zu An’s single strike cripple their Seventh Rank companion. A chill ran through them; they knew their end was likely near. Yet, the sword had already been committed, too late to retract. They decided to fight to the bitter end.

Zu An’s two fingers, like antelope horns, precisely clamped onto the assassin’s sword blade, while his other hand swiftly struck towards their body.

“Spirit Rhinoceros Finger?” the assassin uttered, surprised.

Zu An was even more surprised. He had deliberately altered his technique, yet he was still recognized?

In truth, very few people had ever seen this move of his, and even fewer knew its name.

Yet, he didn’t recognize the voice of the assassin before him.

Suddenly, he recalled how Qiao Xueying had deliberately altered her voice to conceal her identity. His heart stirred, and he immediately shifted his hand three inches to the side, allowing the other party to gracefully dodge. “Honglei?”

No wonder this figure was so graceful and captivating. Alas, it’s a pity he hadn’t studied her more closely; he would have recognized her instantly otherwise.

“Ah Zu?” The assassin was also startled, her voice returning to its normal pitch.

Zu An’s heart leaped with joy. As he continued to feign a struggle with her, he transmitted his voice through his qi: “Why are you in the palace, assassinating the Crown Prince?”

No wonder her cultivation felt significantly weaker; she must have been concerned that using the Everlasting Palace Lantern would reveal her identity and origins.

“How did *you* become a Brocade-Clad Guard?” Qiu Honglei simultaneously asked.

“It’s a long story,” both replied in unison.

Zu An felt a slight discomfort. “I’ll get you out of here first.”

Qiu Honglei shook her head. “No, we’ve burned our bridges this time. We must kill the Crown Prince.”

“When did your Demonic Cult get involved with the Crown Prince again?” Zu An asked, utterly bewildered.

“It’s too difficult to explain in the moment,” Qiu Honglei replied, clearly distressed. “In any case, I can’t abandon my comrades and escape alone.” She had initially embraced a 'succeed or die' mindset, but upon seeing Zu An, she found herself reluctant to perish. Yet, the thought of fleeing by herself was something she simply couldn’t bring herself to do.

The two exchanged words while tacitly feigning attacks on each other, creating a thrilling spectacle. It was indeed a pleasure to coordinate with someone so clever.

However, everyone else present was utterly bewildered. The Gold Plaque Brocade-Clad Guard had just virtually obliterated a Seventh Rank master, so why was he now struggling to defeat a mere Sixth Rank assassin?

Those from the Eastern Palace wondered if this Sixth Rank individual possessed some extraordinary ability.

The other assassins, conversely, were overjoyed. “The Saintess is truly worthy of her title; her actions are indeed extraordinary!”

Just then, Qiu Honglei’s expression changed. She quickly warned, “Be careful, my master is here!”

From now on, please call me the monk who is long and enduring!