Chapter 116: Hiring a Killer

"Grievance Grass, a rare spiritual herb, is remarkably effective in the refining of certain magical artifacts and the casting of peculiar spells."

On the dais, the auctioneer opened a wooden box, and a cold, sinister aura instantly permeated the air. Most of the crowd frowned upon sensing this chill, but a select few grew bright-eyed; they knew that this item was indeed rare and highly useful.

After displaying it and quietly observing the reactions of the crowd, the auctioneer closed the box once more. "This Grievance Grass was consigned by a guest. There are over five stalks in total, but the client has a special request: the terms must be discussed in person. Fellow Daoists who are interested may go to the hidden chamber after the auction to converse with the seller."

Leaving these words behind, the auctioneer had the grass whisked away.

Sitting in the audience, Jiang Chen felt a surge of interest. Grievance Grass is born from the accumulation of vengeful, malignant energy. While rare, it is of little use to the average cultivator; however, it is a potent supplement for refining malevolent artifacts or practicing dark arts.

"In the wake of floods, homes are destroyed, families torn apart, and countless wandering ghosts are left behind. With the resentment of the people rising to the heavens, this is likely how such Grievance Grass comes to be," Jiang Chen mused. "The Blood-Malignant True Flame I cultivate can refine the power of this grass to bolster its own might. If possible, I should secure it."

With his formidable soul, Jiang Chen possessed a natural advantage in comprehending spells, yet thus far, he had only brought his 'Qi Thread Technique' to perfection. If he could obtain enough Grievance Grass, he was confident he could advance his Blood-Malignant True Flame to the pinnacle of completion in a short time.

An incense stick's time later, the auction concluded after a mid-grade artifact was sold for a high price of nine hundred spirit stones. Jiang Chen slipped away from the crowd and, guided by the auction staff, entered the hidden chamber. Someone was already waiting. As Jiang Chen spoke with the so-called seller, two figures watched the scene from the shadows.

"Fellow Daoist Gray-Bone, I must trouble you once more."

The refined and graceful Gao Sixing cast his gaze toward the Taoist standing beside him. The man wore gray robes and was so emaciated he looked like skin stretched over bone. His eyes were a rare, unsettling gray, appearing as if he were blind; meeting his gaze always left one chilled.

The Gray-Bone Taoist nodded at these words. "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Gao. Since I have accepted this commission, I will not disappoint you. However, I hope you have the compensation you promised ready." His voice was raspy. Having said this, he turned his gaze back to the hidden chamber, scrutinizing those who entered, screening for his next accomplices.

Gao Sixing felt increasingly satisfied watching the Gray-Bone Taoist. It was pure luck that after he released word of the Grievance Grass, the Gray-Bone Taoist had approached him. After confirming the man's identity, Gao had personally stepped forward to finalize the deal: the Gray-Bone Taoist would slay the Taiping Taoist, Jiang Chen, eradicate the Taiping Sect, recover the Shell Seed, and erase all traces of the deed.

"Jiang Chen, my belongings are not so easily taken," Gao Sixing thought, his heart filled with murderous intent as he recalled the River Bandits and the Fish-Spirit Sect—all his previous efforts had merely paved the way for Jiang Chen.

He had full confidence in the Gray-Bone Taoist. Not only was he a practitioner who had achieved the Minor Completion of Qi Refining, but he also possessed some skill in artifact refinement and held several magical items. His combat prowess was not to be underestimated, and to be safe, they planned to recruit two additional helpers.

"Fellow Daoist Gray-Bone, this person appears to be the Corpse Taoist. I hear he specializes in corpse-manipulation arts and possesses an Iron Corpse, which could perfectly counter Jiang Chen's flying swords. He might be an excellent choice." Gao Sixing pointed toward Jiang Chen in the hall, his impatience for Jiang Chen’s death growing.

The Gray-Bone Taoist frowned slightly, then relaxed. He had crossed paths with the Corpse Taoist before. While his strength was not extraordinary, he was steady, discreet, and not prone to recklessness—a man who could keep a secret. Most importantly, the Iron Corpse would indeed serve as an excellent meat shield. Though he was confident in his own strength, he did not underestimate Jiang Chen; caution was necessary.

"Fellow Daoist Gao has an exceptional eye. I have dealt with the Corpse Taoist; he is indeed a suitable candidate." The Gray-Bone Taoist nodded, offering a bit of flattery. Despite his own strength, he had no reason to offend a member of the Gao family. Having spent years in the cutthroat world of cultivation, he had become indifferent to such trifles and enjoyed these effortless gestures of goodwill.

Gao Sixing felt even more elated. He was accustomed to flattery, but hearing it from a Minor Completion Qi Refiner was different from hearing it from a mere servant, especially since he himself had only reached the peak of Spirit Perception and had yet to begin true Qi Refining. At this moment, his self-satisfaction reached its peak, and he felt more certain than ever that he had made the right choice.

Thus, after some deliberation, Gao Sixing and the Gray-Bone Taoist selected the Corpse Taoist and the Black-Hearted Old Man as their accomplices. Unlike the Corpse Taoist, the Black-Hearted Old Man was more extreme in his methods—robbing and plundering without mercy, leaving no living soul behind. It was precisely for this ruthlessness that Gao Sixing chose him.

Upon receiving the news, Jia Ming, the middle-aged Taoist who had been conversing with Jiang Chen, changed his attitude, shedding his previous perfunctory manner. Observing this, Jiang Chen guessed the truth, and it was at this moment that Jia Ming spoke again.

"Fellow Daoist, how familiar are you with the Taiping Sect?" Jia Ming asked, his eyes searching Jiang Chen’s reaction.

Jiang Chen felt a surge of inner surprise, but his face betrayed only a mixture of annoyance, confusion, and curiosity. "The one in Qinghe County? It seems to have stirred up quite a bit of trouble recently. I have heard the name, but I have never dealt with them. I am not well acquainted."

After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Chen gave his answer.

Jia Ming nodded. "In that case, it is simple. If you truly desire the Grievance Grass, you must kill the Taiping Taoist, Jiang Chen. Once the deed is done, two stalks of Grievance Grass shall be yours. Do not worry; a practitioner of Minor Completion Qi Refining will be joining the fray. You need only provide some assistance."

Jia Ming’s voice was low as he revealed the true nature of the transaction. Jiang Chen felt a wave of irony wash over him—he had not expected someone to hire him to kill himself.

"If you have reservations, feel free to consider it. However, if you refuse, I must ask you to remain on Yan-Hui Island for one month. As compensation, I will offer you fifty spirit stones." Seeing Jiang Chen’s feigned hesitation, Jia Ming added a warning, and at that moment, a chilling aura spread out, as if to intimidate him.

Sensing this aura, Jiang Chen knew the man was not lying; a Minor Completion Qi Refiner was indeed tracking him.

"Truly, there is nothing one won't see in this world," Jiang Chen sighed inwardly, his expression shifting once more.

"I will take the job. But as a precaution, you must give me one stalk of the Grievance Grass in advance." His voice was low, his face full of ruthless resolve.

Jia Ming was delighted rather than startled and immediately agreed. Requesting a deposit for dirty work was standard practice. As for the risk of someone taking the goods and vanishing—that was allowed, provided they had the capability to get away with it. Even evil cultivators valued their reputation in certain regards; if word spread that they were untrustworthy, life would become difficult. In fact, a major reason Jiang Chen and the Black-Hearted Old Man had been chosen was their relatively decent reputations for fulfilling contracts.