Qing Yan stood atop a small shop roof, arms folded, eyes locked onto the two assassins below as they scrambled through the streets like rats chased by fire.
Qing Yan (muttering):
"Let's see… who in this world do you trust to protect your pitiful lives? Show me… your so-called salvation."
Scene Cut — Alleyway, Two Assassins Fleeing
First Assassin (painting):
"Run faster! Head for the slave basement under the guild — the manager's there! He'll save us for sure!"
Second Assassin (stumbling):
"Y-Y-Yes!"
High above them, Qing Yan appeared midair, gliding effortlessly on the wind, robes fluttering like a predator's wings.
Qing Yan (hovering):
"Hoooh... You two seem calmer than before. Is it because you're near someone strong...?"
They didn't answer — just ran harder.
Qing Yan (thinking, smirking):
"Silent now? Fine. I'll find out myself."
He vanished.
Scene — Outside the Guild
First Assassin (thinking):
"Th-there it is! The entrance! Behind the guild—"
Second Assassin:
"A-Almost there!"
They burst into the bounty guild, darting past the front desk and sprinting toward a painting hung behind the morning shift manager's seat.
Qing Yan appeared midair again, watching from above with narrowed eyes.
Qing Yan:
"Ooooh... so he's the one you were running to? Your great protector?"
The two assassins rushed toward a large canvas — a centuries-old oil painting of a temple floating above the clouds. As they neared it, the surface shimmered like disturbed water.
Without hesitation, they leapt forward and disappeared into it — their bodies swallowed silently, as if the painting drank them whole.
The manager jolted upright.
Morning Shift Manager (startled):
"Wh-Who the hell are—?!"
Too late.
Qing Yan touched down gently, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder.
Qing Yan (grinning):
"Good morning, Manager. How are you?"
Manager (thinking, panicking):
"It's him! That terrifying master from before!!"
He forced a smile, rubbing his hands together.
Manager (nervous chuckle):
"H-Haha... g-good morning, sir. I'm doing well! Very well! And you?"
Qing Yan:
"Oh, I'm fantastic. Would've loved to share a cup of tea, but I've got urgent business... Shall we catch up later?"
Manager (sweating):
"Y-Yes, of course! Any time!"
Qing Yan (smiling):
"Great."
He stepped forward and phased directly into the painting — just like the assassins.
Scene — Underground
Qing Yan emerged on the other side, his senses tingling.
Qing Yan (thinking):
"Hmm… Some kind of linked artifact? A hidden spatial portal... and my Qi sense didn't even pick it up. Who are these people?"
Deeper Underground — A Dim, Stone Chamber
The assassins ran frantically down a spiral stairwell. At the bottom stood a man in shadowy robes — the Night Shift Manager, calmly sipping a cup of tea beside an ancient altar.
Both Assassins (crying out):
"M-MANAGER!!!"
They stumbled toward him, shaking, wide-eyed, barely coherent.
Night Shift Manager (startled):
"Wh-What the—? Why are you two here?!"
First Assassin (grabbing his sleeve):
"P-Please… please… save us!!"
Second Assassin (crying):
"He's coming!! That thing is coming!!"
Their hands trembled violently. Sanity was slipping from their eyes.
Second Assassin (muttering, broken):
"P-p-p-p-please…"
Night Shift Manager (lowering his tea):
"Save you? From who? Who did this to you?!"
First Assassin (whispering, voice hollow):
"Th-that human—no... no..."
He fell to his knees.
First Assassin (eyes widening in horror):
"Demon. No—Demon King."
He stepped forward slightly, the stairs groaning under his pressure.
Qing Yan (thinking):
"Demon King, huh? I like the sound of that."
A sudden gust of cold wind blew through the sealed chamber.
From the top of the stairs, Qing Yan stood — backlit by an eerie blue glow, smile razor-sharp, eyes glowing faintly with murderous delight.
Qing Yan (grinning):
"Well... someone's been talking about me."
[TO BE CONTINUED]
Author Note – Chapter 12