The Double Agent of the Heavenly Demon Sect

Chapter 11

Several buildings surrounded by an estate.

Its sheer size was close to that of a small village. The Black Sky Axe Sect. They had been described as a small sect, but in reality, their scale was far from modest.

Number 29 commented,

"The regular guards number about thirty. They patrol in teams of three. There are four gatekeepers..."

"The walls are quite high," I added.

"Can you climb them?"

"...Yes, I can."

"If you can't, just admit it."

"I can climb them."

"...Hmm."

Number 29 roughly outlined a route.

"We can't take down all the guards. Our mission is to leave no trace. If the enemy discovers we're from the Blood Demon Squad, the operation fails. We need to eliminate the target in one clean strike, silently."

"......."

"But the target is a master—a truly skilled one. Unless we attack from behind, a prolonged battle will be inevitable. And if the fight drags on..."

"That’s the end."

"Every single guard will have a whistle. Their security level is high. To launch a surprise attack, we'll need to overcome countless restrictions. We’d have to bypass all the guards without making a sound, ambush the Black Sky Axe Sect leader, take his head, and then break through the guards again to escape."

I understood her point and thought carefully.

"Assassination seems impossible. It would require a willingness to die alongside them to even attempt it."

"Exactly. And I don’t plan on dying. Got any better ideas?"

"Hmm..."

I thought for a moment. I didn’t want to die either.

"...We have about fifteen days until the operation, don’t we?"

"Correct."

"Give me one day."

If there wasn’t a solution, I would create one.

"I’ll come up with a plan."

"Alright. Do you need my help?"

"I’ll act on my own."

"Fine."

The Black Sky Axe Sect.

Though called a "small sect," it was substantial in size.

In this region, their influence was absolute. I began my reconnaissance in the market district.@@@@

The food being sold was of noticeably poor quality. Many people were visibly starving. A skinny dog leaned against a wall, barely alive.

Had it starved to death? No, it was peculiar—there wasn’t a trace of meat on its bones, as if something had devoured it.

This was unsurprising, considering we were near the Heavenly Demon Sect’s domain. The barren terrain around Mount Tian made growing crops exceedingly difficult.

Still, the state of the market was dire. Most goods on display were of abysmal quality. Decent fruit was so rare it was practically nonexistent. And the merchants’ faces?

I bought a withered apricot and glanced at the merchant’s plump cheeks.

They were not starving.

Was the lack of goods due to everything being sold out?

"Business going well?" I asked.

"Hmm? You’re not from around here, are you? Never seen your face before. You come from far away?"

"Yes, I’ve traveled a long distance. To be honest..."

I glanced over the stall’s wares, mentally noting the items that didn’t overlap.

"I came here to sell meat."

"You never know until you try. Besides..."

I glanced at her.

"I trust you."

Her expression darkened slightly.

"Smooth talker. Have you charmed many women before?"

"What?"

"Never mind. You’re right—it’s worth a try. You’ve got a sharp mind."

She stood up.

"I’m impressed, Number 30."

"By the way, I told the butcher and merchant we’re a married couple, so..."

She kicked me in the shin.

Why is it that all the women in the sect are so fierce?

We executed a diversionary strategy. After some time, Number 29 vanished from view, only to return with a deer on her back. It was a bit scrawny, but still edible.

"How did you catch it?" I asked.

"Once you spot one, it’s easy with the Hidden Step technique."

She was using an advanced skill I hadn’t yet mastered. I smiled broadly.

"I knew you could do it, Number 29."

"Now we need to make it look like it was shot."

She was right. We staged the kill and delivered it to the butcher, who clicked his tongue.

"Amateurs, huh? Still, it’s usable. Is that your wife?"

"Yes."

I pulled her closer, and she flinched, glaring at me.

She clearly didn’t like it, but it was necessary for the act.

The butcher laughed.

"Shy, isn’t she?"

"......."

"I’ll pay you fairly. Can’t rip off newlyweds, can I?"

"Actually, I have a favor to ask..."

I feigned desperation and proposed delivering the meat to the Black Sky Axe Sect myself. The butcher looked at me skeptically but relented.

"Fine, but don’t expect much extra. You’ll get a bit more, but that’s it."

"That’s enough for me."

"Good kid. Saves me the trouble of dealing with thieves. Alright, go on then."

I left the shop with the meat. Getting into the estate was surprisingly easy.

"You’re from Zhang’s butcher shop? New hire?"

"Just a deliveryman."

"Alright."

The guard gave us a once-over before opening the back gate.

"Hurry up and drop it off."

I whispered to Number 29,

"See? It worked."

"Next time, warn me before grabbing my shoulder. I was startled."

"It couldn’t be helped."

"Hmph."

She was as prickly as a cat.

Together, we stepped into the Black Sky Axe Sect’s estate.