Chapter 181: Killer Ji Wuli

"Has Ye Xiu's whereabouts not been found yet?" Le Hou, one of the Thirteen Guardians of Mount Song, asked.

"Isn't this a special situation? Originally, I planned to wait in Huayin County and take action to eliminate him when he returned to Huashan. But he was captured before he even arrived in Huayin County. You can't blame me for this," Ji Wuli explained somewhat helplessly.

"No matter what, you've already accepted the deposit from our Songshan Sect, so Ye Xiu, you must kill him," Le Hou emphasized.

"Don't worry, don't worry. Since I've already accepted the money, I will definitely kill him. However, Ye Xiu's situation is a little different from what you said before. So the price will have to be increased." Ji Wuli said, pulling out a small abacus and saying with a smile.

"The price we offered is already very high." Le Hou frowned, looking at Ji Wuli with a bit of displeasure.

"The price is high because Ye Xiu is worth it. Originally, you only asked me to kill a disciple of the Huashan Sect named Ye Xiu. But you didn't tell me that this Ye Xiu was actually the man of Dongfang Bubai, the leader of the Sun Moon Sect. And you didn't tell me that Yao Yue, the Grand Palace Master of the Yihua Palace, also had a crush on him. For these two reasons alone, I absolutely wouldn't do it unless the price was increased tenfold." Ji Wuli quickly fiddled with his abacus, instantly increasing the price tenfold.

Le Hou frowned at Ji Wuli, but he knew there was nothing wrong with what Ji Wuli said. It

was just the sudden tenfold increase that still left Le Hou a little confused.

"Your price is too high. Tenfold?" Le Hou couldn't help but ask.

"It's because Ye Xiu has such a close relationship with Dongfang Bubai and Yao Yue. It's me alone. Who else would dare to kill Ye Xiu?" Ji Wuli smiled, looking like he had Le Hou in his sights.

"But this time, Ye Xiu is not accompanied by Dongfang Bubai or Yao Yue. He only has Lin Pingzhi by his side. And Lin Pingzhi is weak and will not have any impact on your actions at all." Le Hou couldn't help but say.

"Hey, if it weren't for the fact that Ye Xiu wasn't accompanied by Dongfang Bubai and Yao Yue this time, do you think I'd dare take your business?" Ji Wuli said generously, not disguising anything. "The reason I increased the price tenfold is because I know that after I kill Ye Xiu, I'll face a siege by the Sun Moon Cult and the Yihua Palace. I have to escape, escape from this area, or even leave the Ming Dynasty, to survive. If I leave here and go to a place where I don't know anyone, I'll have to reestablish information channels and connections, and start everything over again. Doesn't that cost money? You can't let me pay for it myself, right?"

Hearing Ji Wuli's words, Le Hou was helpless. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, ten times, ten times. As long as you can kill Ye Xiu, I'll give you the money."

"Okay, it's a deal." Ji Wuli's face suddenly beamed. His income had increased tenfold, and he was overjoyed.

Seeing Ji Wuli like this, Le Hou felt a little sorry for the money, but he also knew that it had to be spent.

Because Ye Xiu was incredibly important to the Songshan Sect. Or rather, Ye Xiu's death was incredibly significant to the Songshan Sect. The fact that

the Sun Moon Sect's leader was a woman was already beyond their expectations, but what was even more surprising was that the Sun Moon Sect's leader, Dongfang Bubai, had fallen for Ye Xiu, a Huashan Sect disciple. Remember,

as one of the Five Great Sword Sects, and even when it was the leader of the Five Great Sword Sects, the Huashan Sect had a deep conflict with the Sun Moon Sect—no, more like hatred. Huashan

Sect elders Yue Su and Cai Zifeng, along with a host of Huashan Sect disciples, were killed by the Sun Moon Sect's ten elders, who also stole the Sunflower Manual. The Sun Moon Sect's ten elders were also murdered by the Huashan Sect.

It's safe to say that the two sides had an unbreakable feud.

But now, the Sun Moon Sect's leader, Dongfang Bubai, had fallen for Ye Xiu, a Huashan Sect disciple. This was unbelievable.

Furthermore, it wasn't just Dongfang Bubai. Yao Yue, the Grand Palace Master of Yihua Palace, also fell in love with Ye Xiu, just like Dongfang Bubai.

Le Hou admitted that Ye Xiu was indeed quite handsome, but the fact that he could capture both Dongfang Bubai and Yao Yue with just his looks still left Le Hou and everyone in the Songshan Sect baffled.

However, no matter how incredible they found it, it had indeed happened. Therefore, this alone was a fact that the Songshan Sect had to take seriously. Furthermore,

Ye Xiu, through unknown means, had managed to coax the Wudang Sect into becoming Huashan Sect's backer.

The Sun-Moon Divine Sect and Yihua Palace were fine, given their less-than-stellar reputations, especially the Sun-Moon Divine Sect, a known enemy of the Five Mountains Sword Sects. But the Wudang Sect was a completely different matter. If the ties between the Huashan and Wudang Sects weren't severed, it wouldn't be long before the leadership of the Five Mountains Sword Sects would revert to the Huashan Sect, let alone a merger.

The Sun Moon Sect, Yihua Palace, and even the Wudang Sect's connection to the Huashan Sect all stemmed from Ye Xiu.

Ye Xiu was the nexus between the Huashan Sect, the Sun Moon Sect, Yihua Palace, and the Wudang Sect.

Only by killing Ye Xiu could they sever this link and halt the Huashan Sect's continued growth.

Furthermore, due to Ye Xiu's connections to Dongfang Bubai and Yaoyue, the Songshan Sect, while eager to kill Ye Xiu, couldn't do it themselves, or at least couldn't let anyone know it was someone from the Songshan Sect who had killed him. Consequently, the Songshan Sect hired the

assassin Ji Wuli. Ji Wuli was a ruthless and exceptionally skilled Grandmaster, a master of the third level, surpassing even Zuo Lengchan.

It was precisely because of this strength that Ji Wuli dared to undertake the mission to assassinate Ye Xiu.

Of course, Dongfang Bubai and Yaoyue were rumored to have both attained Grandmaster status. Ji Wuli had taken advantage of the absence of Dongfang Bubai and Yaoyue to assassinate Ye Xiu.

According to Ji Wuli, after killing Ye Xiu, he'd immediately take the money and run away, the farther the better. He even considered leaving the Ming Dynasty and continuing his career as a killer in the Song Dynasty or the Yuan Dynasty.

"But now Ye Xiu has been taken by the Jade Rakshasa Lian Nishang. Do you have a way to kill him?" Le Hou pressed. It

wasn't surprising that Le Hou was so anxious. Yaoyue had captured Ye Xiu in the first place, but hadn't she also surrendered to Ye Xiu's power? He worried that if the Jade Rakshasa Lian Nishang followed suit, the trouble would only worsen.

"Don't worry, Ye Xiu has somehow separated from her," Ji Wuli said with a sly grin.

"Didn't you say you couldn't find Ye Xiu?" Le Hou stared at Ji Wuli in astonishment.

"I didn't find it before, but after you increased the price tenfold, I found it." Ji Wuli smirked. As a Grandmaster assassin, his access to information was quite good. His men had discovered Ye Xiu, and there was no trace of Jade Rakshasa Lian Nishang around him. Now, Ye Xiu was only accompanied by a small child.

Le Hou, observing Ji Wuli's desperate demeanor, could say nothing. He simply hoped that Ji Wuli would eliminate Ye Xiu.

In fact, Le Hou felt that waiting for Ji Wuli to kill Ye Xiu and then eliminating Ji Wuli would be the safest option, thus cutting off all leads at Ji Wuli's location.

However, Ji Wuli was incredibly powerful, even three times stronger than the Songshan Sect's leader, Zuo Lengchan. Furthermore, as an assassin, Ji Wuli was well-versed in various killing methods and possessed a strong sense of vigilance. The Songshan Sect would have to possess a force that could crush Ji Wuli, or else it would be impossible to kill him.

Therefore, Le Hou could only hope that Ji Wuli would kill Ye Xiu and flee far away, preferably leaving the Ming Empire and fleeing to another country, the farther the better.

Meanwhile, the Songshan Sect was also planning to shift the blame for Ye Xiu's murder to someone else, perhaps Shaolin Temple.

After Ye Xiu's death, and after some time had passed, Dongfang Bubai, Yaoyue, and the others had become estranged from the Huashan Sect, and the relationship between the Wudang Sect and the Huashan Sect had weakened, the Songshan Sect could restructure and merge the Five Mountains Sword Sects into one.

...

"Hello, everyone! You're Ye Xiu, right?" Ji Wuli appeared before Ye Xiu, smiling broadly and greeting him. It could even be said that Ji Wuli was quite enthusiastic, his eyes filled with fondness for Ye Xiu. Ye Xiu brought him a significant income, and there was no reason for him not to like him.

"Who are you?" Ye Xiu looked at Ji Wuli, a hint of wariness rising in his heart.

Because of Murong Qiudi and Lian Nishang's sudden action, Ye Xiu became more wary of outsiders. Well, another reason was that Ji Wuli was a man, not a beautiful woman.

"My name is Ji Wuli, and I'm a killer. I'm here to kill you." Ji Wuli introduced himself generously.

"Ji Wuli? A killer?" Ye Xiu looked at Ji Wuli in surprise. At the same time, he became more alert as he looked at Ji Wuli, and his muscles tensed slightly.

"That's right, I'm a killer. As long as someone pays me, I'll kill anyone and do anything." Ji Wuli laughed.

"So, who asked you to kill me?" Ye Xiu asked.

"Well, I can't tell you, I can't tell you. My employer paid a huge sum, so I can't reveal any information about him to you. But if you can pay more, I can let you die knowing the truth. I'll tell you who my employer is. Well, this information can only be revealed before you take your last breath. How about this? As long as you're willing to pay, then I will definitely not let you die in vain." Ji Wuli said, pulling out his abacus and clacking away. "Ten thousand taels, just ten thousand taels, and I'll let you die in peace."

"Then I really have to thank you?"

"Hey, after all, I'm a killer with integrity. What do you think? Opportunities are rare, they never come back, right?"

"Thank you, but thank you."

"Well, how about I pay you a little? Five thousand taels, no, eight thousand taels. For eight thousand taels, I'll tell you the answer." Ji Wuli offered a slight discount.

"I can give you the money, but you have to tell me the information about your employer right now," Ye Xiu said seriously.

"No, no, no, no! It's too early, too early. I can only tell you when you're dying, when you have your last breath left. After all, while I'm confident in my abilities and methods, what if someone suddenly appears and rescues you, but fails to kill you? You run away, taking your employer's information with you. How can I continue my business?" Ji Wuli shook his head.

Ye Xiu hadn't expected Ji Wuli to be so principled.

"Well, since you're unwilling to pay, then I'll send you packing now," Ji Wuli said, striking Ye Xiu.

The moment Ji Wuli struck, Ye Xiu responded with a palm strike.

Bang, Ye Xiu's palms collided with Ji Wuli's. Ye Xiu's arm went numb, and a powerful surge of Qi tried to penetrate his body, but was shattered by Ye Xiu's Qi.

Ji Wuli, however, was knocked back two steps by the power and Qi carried by Ye Xiu's palm.

"You are actually a Grandmaster as well? And your cultivation is even higher than mine?" Ji Wuli stared at Ye Xiu with eyes

wide open, looking at him in disbelief. Ye Xiu did not speak, but stepped forward and continued to attack Ji Wuli.

Ye Xiu's internal energy was slightly stronger than Ji Wuli's, but he lacked combat experience. Facing Ji Wuli, he would not be directly knocked down by the other party. In fact

, the fight between Ye Xiu and Ji Wuli was just right. This was

because Ye Xiu's internal energy was stronger than Ji Wuli's, and the level of martial arts he practiced was not inferior. Ji Wuli's only advantage was that he had more combat experience than Ye Xiu.

Fortunately, after the two sides canceled each other out, the two fought and were actually more or less evenly matched.

Tianshan Zhemei Hand, Fengshen Leg, and even the Thirteen Deadly Swords, etc., Ye Xiu's martial arts were continuously displayed without repetition.

Ji Wuli's attacks were ruthless and decisive, and every time he attacked, he aimed at Ye Xiu's vital points and weaknesses. Every time he attacked, Ye Xiu would be in a state of panic, but Ye Xiu's physical strength was stronger than his. Although he would be in a state of panic, he could always quickly stabilize his footing.

As a result, when Ye Xiu and Ji Wuli fought, neither of them could do anything to the other in a short period of time.

Tianshan Tonglao sat aside, watching Ye Xiu and Ji Wuli fight, and then frowned.

Tianshan Tonglao felt that Ye Xiu's fighting talent was really too poor.

Ji Wuli's internal strength was worse than Ye Xiu's. Although the martial arts he used were not bad, they were still far inferior to the Wind God Leg, Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand, and Thirteen Deadly Swords.

However, due to his lack of combat experience, Ye Xiu did not gain any advantage in the battle with Ji Wuli.

"Young Master Ye, attack decisively, without any hesitation. Why were you three inches slow to strike with that palm strike just now? And why did you dodge Ji Wuli's palm strike? Can't you match his palm power? Your internal energy is higher than his, so why can't you just fight him head-on?"

"Young Master Ye, don't you see his weakness? That spot three inches below the navel..."

"Young Master Ye, you've learned martial arts, so you need to be flexible. That move just now was meant to attack from below, but if you raised your palm three inches, wouldn't its attack range change?"

Tianshan Child-Grandmother scolded Ye Xiu impatiently.

However, her scolding turned into instruction.

Ye Xiu followed her instructions and made the necessary adjustments, and he found that his combat effectiveness had increased significantly.

Ji Wuli, who had been able to compete with Ye Xiu on equal terms, didn't expect that with just a few words from Tianshan Child-Grandmother, Ye Xiu's strength had increased significantly, and he even began to suppress him.

Ji Wuliu's eyes flashed with a fierceness as he looked at the Tianshan Child-Grandmother. However, he also knew that while the Tianshan Child-Grandmother might appear to be a little girl, her guidance to Ye Xiu clearly showed that she was no ordinary girl.

So, Ji Wuliu had already begun to think about retreating.

Since he couldn't kill Ye Xiu, he naturally had to flee.

As for whether he should refuse the deposit sent by the Songshan Sect if he couldn't kill Ye Xiu?

No kidding, there was no way Ji Wuliu would return the money. And most importantly, the reason for this was completely false information given by the Songshan Sect. The

information given to Ji Wuliu by the Songshan Sect stated that Ye Xiu's cultivation level was at most Xiantian level. Even after the news from the Songshan Sect, Ye Xiu's cultivation level was only around the fourth or fifth level of Xiantian, or even the fifth or sixth level. For a Grandmaster like him, killing a young Xiantian wouldn't be a piece of cake.

But in reality, Ye Xiu wasn't even a Xiantian level four or five level expert; he was clearly a Grandmaster level four or five level expert.

Ji Wuli was very generous for not asking for mental damages from Songshan Sect.

Wait a minute -

Ji Wuli suddenly thought of mental damages!

That's right, since Songshan Sect provided false information and even nearly put him in danger, then naturally Songshan Sect should be responsible. While

Ji Wuli was fighting with Ye Xiu, he couldn't help but silently calculate in his mind, calculating how much mental damages he should ask for if he wanted to ask Songshan Sect for mental damages?

Ji Wuli had originally fought to a draw with Ye Xiu, but because of the advice of Tianshan Tonglao, he was suppressed by Ye Xiu.

But now, Ji Wuli couldn't help but think about how much mental damages he should ask for from Songshan Sect. His mind couldn't focus all on the battle, so Ye Xiu found a flaw and an opportunity.

"Wind God Kick--"

Ye Xiu suddenly jumped up and kicked Ji Wuli. When Ji Wuli reacted, it was already a little late.