Chapter 16 - Targeted!

Chapter 16

Targeted!

Once you enter the core district, wanton killing is forbidden.

This was a rule jointly established by the government and major families, and naturally, it must be followed by all… Even though the Yuan family holds sway over the Zhang family, they are ultimately a small family. If they were to violate the taboo, neither the major families nor the government would spare them!

However, Zhang Henglong couldn’t be certain of this.

After all, the Yuan family had many reckless individuals!

For the sake of profit, they wouldn’t hesitate to harm their own. What wouldn’t they dare to do?

If they learned that the Zhang family had produced a genius with such terrifying talent, they would undoubtedly do everything possible to eliminate him—even if he was a core district resident!

Thus, Zhang Henglong wanted Zhang Hengde to protect Su Xiaobai.

This showed how highly Zhang Henglong regarded Su Xiaobai’s future!

…

Core district, east region, Yuan Family manor.

“The Zhang family’s eighth guest elder?”

“Seventeen years old, an advanced quasi-warrior, and master of two micro-level martial techniques!”

“A genius! An absolute genius!”

“….”

The Yuan family convened a high-level meeting as soon as they received the news.

When all the senior executives reviewed the intelligence regarding Su Xiaobai, their expressions changed dramatically.

It’s terrifying!

At seventeen years old, he had already reached the level of an advanced quasi-warrior and mastered two micro-level martial techniques. Such talent was undoubtedly at the pinnacle in terms of both cultivation aptitude and comprehension!

Even the strongest martial gods might not possess such potential!

“He must be killed!”

Yuan Feihe, the head of the Yuan family, spoke coldly.

The aura of an advanced grandmaster radiated from his body, sweeping across the meeting room. Everyone felt a wave of scorching heat rushing toward them.

This was the intense killing intent of an advanced grandmaster!

“Master, we mustn’t act recklessly!”

“There has never been a precedent for assassinating a guest elder. Not only because they are powerful, but also because they are core district residents. If we rashly attempt an assassination, we risk violating the ironclad rules, enraging the government and major families, and inviting endless trouble!”

A mid-level grandmaster of the Yuan family voiced his concerns.

The others nodded gravely.

The focus wasn’t on killing.

It was on the price that had to be paid for killing!

The rule forbidding the killing of core district residents was an iron law jointly issued by the government and the major families.

It aimed to prevent elite warriors from killing each other, which would weaken humanity’s overall strength.

Violating this rule was akin to provoking the government and the major families—an act fraught with severe consequences.

The Yuan family was only a minor family. Even though they had some backing from a major family, breaking such a rule would be crossing the line. If their relationship with the government and major families soured, they would face dire repercussions. In the worst-case scenario, the entire family could be wiped out!

For one person, no one was willing to take such a huge risk.

“Do you think we have a choice?” Yuan Feihe retorted coldly. “Do you understand what it means if such a genius is allowed to grow? The Zhang family and the Yuan family are already at odds. Now that he’s become the Zhang family’s guest elder, it’s only a matter of time before he joins them in targeting us!”

Everyone’s hearts sank.

A seventeen-year-old advanced quasi-warrior was already a terrifying prospect.

Coupled with his extraordinary comprehension, having mastered two micro-level martial techniques, if he were allowed to grow unchecked, it wouldn’t take long for him to crush the Yuan family!

The Yuan family had no room for retreat!

“If we don’t kill him, the Yuan family will perish sooner or later!”

“But if we kill him, the Yuan family might not necessarily be doomed!”

“Who says iron rules don’t have loopholes?”

“Do you remember how those geniuses of the past were assassinated?”

Everyone recalled.

Indeed, every iron rule had its loopholes.

For example, core district residents could not kill indiscriminately within the base.

However, if the other party attacked first and you acted in self-defense, their death wouldn’t be your responsibility.

Another scenario was if the target left the base and ventured into the wilderness. In the wilderness, where there was no communication signal and no oversight by the major families, life and death became a matter of fate. The rules no longer applied.

Lastly, there were professional assassins.

These experts would accept exorbitantly high prices to act within their professional limits, ensuring no connection to the client.

“Right now, he’s just a minor figure. Provoking him openly would be unwise.”

“Luring him to the wilderness would also be difficult.”

“Professional assassins are undoubtedly the best option!”

Yuan Feihe’s eyes gleamed coldly. “When it comes to assassination, their experience is unparalleled. Moreover, regardless of success, it won’t implicate the Yuan family. This is the safest approach!”

“However, there’s still one remaining issue… According to the intelligence we’ve received, all we know is that this guest elder’s surname is Su and that he’s seventeen. Beyond that, we know nothing!”

“Based on the disruption in intelligence flow, it’s likely our informant has been killed. The Zhang family has undoubtedly locked down all information, so our immediate priority is to identify this eighth guest elder in Base 18 and issue the assassination order!”

“Xiu Ming, this task is yours!”

A senior member of the Yuan family stood and solemnly nodded. “Understood, Master!”

“It’s a pity to personally eliminate such a genius. But if he must blame someone, let him blame his own bad luck. He joined the Zhang family and brought this fate upon himself!” Yuan Feihe’s voice was brimming with murderous intent.

Meanwhile, Su Xiaobai had returned home.

He had no idea that he had already been targeted moments after leaving.

“Brother, you’re back!”

Su Ling’er greeted Su Xiaobai with a heartfelt smile.

“Ling’er, here, write your name on this card!”

Su Xiaobai handed a blank core district identity card to Su Ling’er.

To him, having a core district identity card didn’t matter.

But for an ordinary person like Su Ling’er, it was a different story. If she ever encountered danger and he wasn’t around, this identity card would be her greatest protection!