Cultivation: I Can Traverse Otherworlds

The Ghost Tower is Daqi’s top-ranked assassin organization. It has existed for over two hundred years and has successfully assassinated several famous masters of the Martial World and dignitaries of the Imperial Court, including Martial Saints of the Vajra Realm.

Many across the land hate it to the bone, and no small number of them are people who wield great power.

The former Seventh Princess, now Duke Qii Wanyan, is one such person.

The Court has even placed high bounties on Ghost Tower assassins, generously rewarding anyone who provides clues.

And yet...

For many years, the Ghost Tower has persisted.

This assassin organization is hidden in the deepest corners of the Martial World. No one knows their exact numbers or where their headquarters are located.

The Ghost Tower Master is an exceptionally elusive figure. Even members of the Ghost Tower do not know their identity or origins, only that they are a peerless master and quite possibly a Sumeru Martial Saint.

Killing one or two Ghost Tower assassins isn’t hard. Eradicating the entire organization, however, is nothing short of a fantasy.

’Destroy the Ghost Tower to obtain the Celestial Essence Skill?’

Relatively speaking...

It would be simpler just to steal the Cultivation Technique from the Imperial Palace. The odds of success would be higher too.

"Daoist, you want to find the Ghost Tower?"

Jiao Ru looked astonished and shook his head repeatedly.

"Since ancient times, prostitutes and assassins have never been eradicated, because there are people who need their services."

"Ghost Tower assassins all operate through single points of contact. If any one of those lines is broken, the trail goes cold. And what’s more..."

"You can’t even be sure if some assassins are actually from the Ghost Tower. They could just be impostors, or even using the Ghost Tower’s reputation to jack up their own prices. How could you possibly eradicate them?"

He was not optimistic about this.

"There’s no harm in trying," Zhu Ju said with a faint smile.

"Now that I’m back, I can stay in the Divine Capital for a month. We’ll see what results a month brings."

’A month?’

’He’ll be lucky to even find a trace of the Ghost Tower!’

Jiao Ru was speechless.

"As one of the Divine Capital’s Twelve Unscrupulous Marshals, you are well-informed. You should know where to go to commission a mission from the Ghost Tower." Zhu Ju lightly waved his duster.

"Take me there."

"Alright!" Jiao Ru sighed, gathering the documents in front of him. "But if we can’t find any clues, Daoist, don’t blame me."

"Of course," Zhu Ju said with a calm smile.

’Kill Prime Minister Zhang, or destroy the Ghost Tower.’ He decided to try for the latter.

Setting aside the matter of Prime Minister Zhang’s character for a moment—some said he was so loyal he appeared treacherous, while others claimed he was so treacherous he appeared loyal.

But it was a fact that he had cultivated his prestige for many years and was a paragon for scholars across the land. He commanded immense respect both among the common people and within the Imperial Court. Even with a muddle-headed monarch like Emperor Chong’an on the throne, Prime Minister Zhang was still hailed as a virtuous minister, which spoke volumes about his cunning.

To kill him...

...would be to make an enemy of the entire world.

While Zhu Ju cared little for his own reputation, he had no intention of making himself universally despised.

*

*

*

「Xiangguo Temple.」

Of the Divine Capital’s One Hundred and Eight Workshops, a small few did not bear the "Workshop" name. Xiangguo Temple was one of them.

It was home to the Divine Capital’s largest monastery—Xiangguo Temple—as well as its most famous commercial street.

From daily necessities to precious handicrafts.

From fruits and vegetables, beef, mutton, and horse meat, to high-end goods like pearls, silks, spices, and medicinal herbs—everything could be found here.

The smells of cow dung and incense mingled in the air, and the people passing through came from all walks of life.

The Daqi Royal Family had once intended to establish the area as a central hub for Monks and Buddhism. However, finding it too chaotic, they later sought a quieter location and built the Great Compassion Temple. Gradually, this place had transformed into a market dedicated to the trade of all sorts of goods.

CREAK...

The courtyard gate opened.

A nondescript, middle-aged man who blended perfectly into the crowd gestured them inside and sighed in resignation.

"I knew you would come looking for me."

"Brother Shen." Black Saber Fu Feizhou cupped his fists.

"My wife and I have nowhere left to turn. If we had any other choice, we wouldn’t have come to the Divine Capital to trouble you."

"Brother Shen," White Sword Shenn Wan said.

"The Miao Manx Saintess is a master of disguise and poison, and she’s also a Vajra Martial Saint. You’re the only one who can stop her."

The Black and White Heroes, who had been hiding under new names since entering the Divine Capital, had now appeared here.

The area around Xiangguo Temple was a haven for all sorts of characters, and the air was thick with pungent odors. Anyone with the means to do so would have moved elsewhere.

The courtyard here was small and its owner unremarkable, yet the two of them were placing all their hopes on him.

"You think too highly of me."

Shen Ming shook his head.

"The Miao Manx Saintess Qiyao is no ordinary Vajra Martial Saint. I am only in the Divine Treasure Realm. You should return to Longyun Valley and lie low."

"Return to the valley?" The Black and White Heroes exchanged a look.

"The Valley Master is old now; he’s no match for that Witch. If we go back, we’ll only bring disaster upon our Sect."

"Hmph!" Shen Ming scoffed.

"What? You lead her to my doorstep and you’re not afraid of bringing me trouble?"

The two of them froze.

"Brother Shen," Black Saber Fu Feizhou began.

"Aren’t you..."

"Brother Shen." Just then, the door to an inner room opened and a pregnant woman slowly walked out. "You have friends over?"

"Pei’er," Shen Ming turned and said hurriedly.

"You’re not well. You just took your medicine, so you shouldn’t be out in the draft. Go back to the room and rest. I can handle this."

"Brother Shen, you’re married?" Black Saber Fu Feizhou’s face showed surprise. His expression shifted, and he let out a soft sigh.

"Forgive us."

"Just pretend my wife and I were never here."

"...Yes." White Sword Shenn Wan also nodded, forcing a smile.

"Had we known Brother Shen was married, we should have prepared a wedding gift before coming. We have troubled you today."

They had originally thought Shen Ming was still the solitary man of the Martial World he once was, and so had come to ask for help.

Now...

He now had a wife, and a pregnant one at that. To involve him further would be morally wrong.

Though reluctant, they still offered to leave.

"Brother Shen," Ge Pei’er said, her lovely eyes blinking.

"How can we leave our guests standing outside? Please, come in. I didn’t know Brother Shen had friends from the Martial World."

She looked curious and welcomed them warmly.

Having been married for some years, in Ge Pei’er’s impression, her husband was honest and dutiful, even a little dull.

It was a rare occasion for him to have friends visit, and judging by the look of things, their relationship wasn’t a simple one. She couldn’t help but be a little curious.

"This..."

The Black and White Heroes looked hesitant.

"Come in," Shen Ming sighed.

"I’ll go prepare some hot tea."

"Brother Shen works at the Ox Shop, shoveling manure and drumming up business. It’s a bit dirty, but it pays the bills." Ge Pei’er gestured for the pair to sit, her eyes lingering for a moment on the saber and sword they carried. A hint of concern appeared on her face as she asked in a low voice,

"Are you two from the Martial World?"

"...Not really." White Sword Shenn Wan casually placed her longsword aside and said with a smile.

"We’re from Nanzhou. It’s a long journey, so we carry a weapon for protection. It’s usually enough to scare off petty crooks."

"Oh!" Ge Pei’er nodded, relieved, and then asked curiously,

"How did you two meet Brother Shen?"

"Well..." Shenn Wan hesitated for a moment, her lovely eyes flickering slightly.

"It was a long time ago. It’s better not to talk about it."

"Oh!" Ge Pei’er didn’t press the matter, taking the teapot Shen Ming brought and pouring the tea.

"Are you two planning to live in the Divine Capital?"

"Making a living in the Divine Capital is far from easy. Brother Shen could help you find some work, but it would only be menial labor."

In her eyes, since the two had traveled so far to reach the Divine Capital, they must be planning to settle here.

Plenty of people had come to the Divine Capital over the years to rely on friends or family.

"We’d be content just to have something to do. We ask for nothing more," Black Saber Fu Feizhou said with a faint smile.

Ge Pei’er smiled charmingly.

She had a very good impression of this couple. They looked honest and kind, giving off a down-to-earth feeling.

’They really are Brother Shen’s friends, all cut from the same cloth.’

"My dear."

Shen Ming took the teapot.

"You are unwell. Go back to the room and rest. I’ll take care of..."

Hmm?

Before he could finish, his expression flickered. A moment later, a loud crash echoed from nearby.

BOOM!

It seemed a house had collapsed.

Several powerful auras flared up immediately after, then scattered in a panic.

In the next instant, those powerful auras were suppressed almost simultaneously, with only one managing to escape.

Shen Ming and the Black and White Heroes exchanged a look, each seeing the grave expression in the other’s eyes.

’So strong!’

Just now, there were at least three First-Grade Grandmasters, yet they were captured alive in the blink of an eye.

Such skill...

They knew they were no match.

Immediately after, a loud and clear voice rang out:

"Everyone, no need to panic. I am Unscrupulous Marshal Hai Pig Jiaoru, acting on orders to capture Ghost Tower assassins."

WHOOSH!

A black shadow shot over from the distance, like an arrow released from a bowstring, its speed astonishingly fast. It was the survivor from just now.

"Celestial Serpent Step!"

White Sword Shenn Wan narrowed her eyes.

"It’s a Divine Treasure Martial Saint from the Yi Gate."

"The Celestial Serpent Step can compress one’s muscles and Qi Blood to their absolute limit, producing astonishing explosive power." Black Saber Fu Feizhou subconsciously glanced at Shen Ming.

"Of course..."

"There are a few movement techniques in the world superior to it."

Soul Chasing Life-Taking Sword Shen Ming’s ’Ten Steps One Kill’ was the most powerful Body Technique for short-distance bursts.

Bar none!

"He’s finished."

Shen Ming shook his head, a look of horror in his eyes.

Just as the words left his mouth, a terrifying pressure descended from the sky, making one’s heart sink.

The sky seemed to suddenly darken at that moment.

By the time everyone came to their senses, a Daoist wearing a Daoist Robe and holding a duster had appeared not far away.

At the Daoist’s feet lay none other than the practitioner from the Yi Gate—or rather, the assassin from the Ghost Tower.

"Daoist!"

The portly Hai Pig Jiaoru flashed into the scene, reached out and grabbed the Divine Treasure Martial Saint who was limp on the ground.

"Trying to escape, were you?"

"I already told you, with Daoist Ziju here, you can’t escape. You really don’t know what’s good for you."

"Daoist."

Jiao Ru licked the corner of his mouth, his eyes showing excitement.

"Your methods are truly incredible. In just a few short days, we’ve already identified most of the Ghost Tower assassins."

"Within a month, we can definitely eradicate them all!"

He knew Zhu Ju’s methods were impressive, but the experience of the last few days had still been an eye-opener for him.

’Daoist Ziju seemed to possess eyes that could see through anyone’s heart; no one could hide secrets from him.’

’He just found a drop point for Ghost Tower missions and followed the clues right to their leadership.’

’Two days!’

’In just two days, he’d already taken down a core Ghost Tower stronghold in the Divine Capital.’

’Including today’s, they had already captured two Divine Treasure Martial Saints.’

’The Ghost Tower was, after all, just an assassin organization; they couldn’t have that many masters. By now, they’ve probably lost an arm.’

’A month?’

’They probably won’t even need that long. They can be completely wiped out!’

"Mm."

Zhu Ju nodded slowly, his gaze sweeping across the long street to fall upon the Black and White Heroes and Shen Ming and his wife.

Mm...

A trace of doubt flashed in his eyes, then he nodded lightly to the Black and White Heroes, his body rose into the air, and in a flash, he disappeared.

"Who is that man?"

White Sword Shenn Wan asked curiously.

"The Divine Capital is truly a place of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. I have never even heard of such a peerless master."

Black Saber Fu Feizhou nodded.

To be able to take flight like that, one must be in either the Vajra or Sumeru Realm. There were not many such experts in the entire world.

"He is Daoist Ziju of Baiyun Temple, the Duke’s master." Shen Ming’s expression changed.

"Some say he’s in the Vajra Realm, but..."

"I’m not so sure!"

"This Daoist Ziju seems to be investigating the Ghost Tower," Black Saber Fu Feizhou remarked, seemingly offhand.

"The Ghost Tower has existed for so many years, I wonder if it can escape this calamity?"

Shen Ming turned his head, looked at his wife’s confused face, and his expression darkened.

......

「Night.」

Ge Pei’er was weak and had already returned to her room to rest. The Black and White Heroes and Shen Ming gathered around an oil lamp to discuss matters.

"The Capital City is no longer safe."

"The rebellious army will arrive any day now, with the Third Prince’s troops following close behind. The Divine Capital will surely be in chaos for some time."

Shen Ming spoke in a low voice:

"I went out this afternoon to ask around. I don’t know what methods ’Daoist Ziju’ used, but the Ghost Tower’s strongholds in the Divine Capital have been taken down by him one by one. No one can escape his investigation."

As he said this, his expression darkened.

He was the one who carried out the assassination mission against the Seventh Princess Qii Wanyan. Now that the Duke wanted revenge, he would surely be the primary target.

Although Shen Ming was hiding his identity in the Divine Capital and very few people knew the truth, he could not let his guard down.

Daoist Ziju’s methods were too uncanny; several Ghost Tower assassins who were living under hidden identities had already been captured.

He...

...might not be an exception.

"I plan to leave the capital."

Shen Ming took a deep breath and said,

"For my wife and for our unborn child, I’ll change my name and leave the Martial World behind."

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