C7 The Destiny Was Beaten to Death

The man in black didn't mince words. "If you're eager to die, I'll oblige with a swift end!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the man in black took off with a burst of speed. Chen Ming slapped his forehead, "I almost forgot, these goons only get a stupidity aura when they're near the protagonist, thinking they can win impossible fights. As an NPC, I don't get that luxury. Luckily, I'm scripted as one of the strongest of the younger generation."

Chen Ming spread his fingers, and the Prince Su Sword began to spin in his grasp. "Go!" he commanded.

The sword qi swirled, billowing Chen Ming's white robes. The Prince Su Sword sliced through the air, leaving a trail of light. The man in black whirled around, a dagger in his hand resembling a wolf's tooth, attempting to intercept the Prince Su Sword. In that instant, he bellowed, "Attack now!"

Chen Ming sensed trouble brewing. The earth beneath him roiled, and his eyes sparked with realization, "Earth Escape Technique!"

They hadn't come just to gather intelligence; they were here for blood. The man in black had forced Chen Ming to release the Prince Su Sword, while another assailant moved in for a close-range kill.

From the churning soil, a figure in grey leapt out, brandishing a blade at Chen Ming. "Hahaha, the Prince's head will fetch a fortune, and today, I, Qiu Sandao, will rise to fame!"

Chen Ming sidestepped Qiu Sandao's incoming strike, the blade's wind tousling his hair wildly. The blade's energy carved a ten-foot gash in the stone wall!

Qiu Sandao roared with laughter. "You dodged the first strike, but let's see your next move. What can a swordless Magic Cultivator do against me?"

Chen Ming took a quick measure of his opponent. This man in black was certainly at the Dao Entering Stage Level One, and Qiu Sandao was the reputed unbeatable ace assassin of that level. In the Yan Kingdom, nine Dao Entering Stage practitioners had already fallen to Qiu Sandao.

With a knowing smile, Chen Ming said, "So it's you. You hail from the Killing Palace!"

Qiu Sandao burst into laughter and taunted, “So what if you know? Your backup has already been tied up by the three Hall Masters! Your death is certain today!”

As Qiu Sandao charged at Chen Ming once more, the Prince Su Sword was still on its way back. Chen Ming delivered a swift kick to Qiu Sandao's head, prompting another laugh from his opponent. “A Magic Cultivator thinks he can take me on with brute strength? You're signing your own death warrant!”

Qiu Sandao couldn't be bothered to dodge and then came the sickening crack of his own skull shattering. Chen Ming's ferocious kick sent him flying, blood streaming down his forehead, eyes bulging in death.

The man in black stared at Chen Ming, incredulous. “This is impossible. I’ve never heard of you undergoing such harsh training. How is your physical strength so immense?”

Chen Ming chuckled. “Picked it up this morning.”

Realization dawned on the man in black. “It's no wonder, being the Prince Regent's grandson, you've managed to conceal it for so long without anyone catching on!”

Chen Ming's face fell into a frown. I speak the truth and you still doubt me. But what does it matter? A dead man doesn't need to know so much.

With the Prince Su Sword back in his grasp, Chen Ming sprang into action, soaring towards the man in black. The sword radiated energy, slashing through the air as he unleashed its most powerful technique, “Overbearing World!”

The move was a full-force sword strike, channeling all his strength. The man in black parried with his Wolf Fang Dagger, but sparks erupted and blood began to trickle from his right hand.

Despite catching Chen Ming's Overbearing World, the man in black's hand shook uncontrollably. Chen Ming, now a human juggernaut, lunged again, each step cratering the earth. The Prince Su Sword whirled in his hand for another devastating blow. The man in black attempted to block with his dagger, but his already injured hand was no match. A gruesome snap echoed as his arm broke under the force.

Chen Ming launched into the air, delivering a powerful kick to the chest of the man in black. The impact forced blood to spurt from the man's mouth as he collapsed to the ground, utterly devoid of any strength to retaliate.

Sword in hand, Chen Ming approached the fallen figure, decisively beheading him with a swift stroke. He then turned to the lifeless body of Qiu Sandao, severing his head as well. "Hmm, I'll have to remind Qingyao about this if I get the chance. Always make sure to finish off your opponent."

For a villain, playing dead and launching surprise attacks were all in a day's work.

"Ding! The assassination attempt on the Yan Kingdom's Prince Regent, orchestrated by the Killing Palace, has failed, triggering a backstory event. The grand era will commence in three years."

"New additions to the host's panel include Destiny, Identity, Prestige (affects Identity), Spirit Sense (enhances stage), and Aura."

A sense of foreboding washed over Chen Ming as he revisited his panel:

Chen Ming:

Prestige: 5

Identity: Cannon fodder (Prestige: 5)

Stage: Level Two of the Dao Entering Stage

Constitution: Infinite Dao Body

Skill: Dragon Elephant Power (Nine levels total) at Level Six (Cultivate the Dao Seed at Level Nine). Ninety-nine Profound Technique at Level 24 (Cultivate the Dao Seed at Level 72).

Technique: Prince Su Sword, cultivating the Kingly Sword Heart.

Dao Seed: None

Disciples: Zhuo Qingyao

Teacher's Virtue: 60 points

Spirit Sense: 0

Aura: None

Destiny: To perish at the hands of Armo, the Devil Dao's formidable disciple, during the Devil Slaying Conference one year after the grand era begins.

He hadn't been concerned before, but now, a chill ran through him. He was labeled as mere cannon fodder, less significant than an NPC, and his Destiny was an absolute nightmare. Why should he resign himself to a fate of idly waiting at the Ten Thousand Swords Sect for his demise at Armo's hands once the era unfolds?

Such a thought wasn't just perilous—it was utterly intolerable!

This Destiny was nothing more than a narrative crafted by the world for him. And judging by his current level of Prestige, if this were a novel, the Devil Sect's top disciple would unleash the Devil Sweeps the World, a move so fearsome it would claim the lives of thirteen righteous warriors. He'd be reduced to an unremarkable casualty, a nameless, faceless bystander—ultimate cannon fodder.

No, he had to stick to the script. With only four years left to live, he needed to find a way to rewrite his fate.

"Ding! Storyline challenge mission triggered. The incensed heir to the Prince Regent Mansion has been targeted for assassination. Only through fierce retribution can he cleanse his disgrace.

Annihilate the Killing Palace, and earn rewards based on the extent of its destruction."

Hmm, this was a storyline mission with rewards scaled to the level of devastation. Could completing this mission possibly earn him prestige?

Just then, a middle-aged man clad in a tiger-emblazoned robe burst from the woods. This was Wang Meng, Zhuo Qingyao's contingency plan. Upon seeing Chen Ming unharmed, Wang Meng quickly bowed and said, "I apologize for my late arrival, Your Highness. Please forgive your servant!"

Chen Ming picked up the black-clad assassin's mask, wiping the fresh blood from his hands, "Dig a pit and bury him. Also, summon the Tiger Troubled Guards. If the Killing Palace has a death wish, let's not disappoint them."

Wang Meng paused, taken aback. Chen Ming asked, "What's the matter? Is there a problem?"

Shaking his head, Wang Meng replied, "No problem at all. Your Highness certainly has the right to command the Tiger Troubled Guards. It's just that... you seem different from before. The former Crown Prince wouldn't have been so... merciless."

Chen Ming chuckled, "You think I'm oblivious to the schemes of those two elders? My father is still alive, yet the mantle of heir rests with me. It's obvious Grandfather intends for my father to ascend as Emperor of Yan Kingdom. If I couldn't see that, I'd be blind. To become Emperor of Yan, one must ensure there are no opposing forces within the kingdom."

Do you believe that's his genuine sentiment? No, no, no, he simply refuses to be a sacrificial pawn!