Divine Emperor of Death

In a certain location in the Northern Divide...

The full moon cast an ethereal glow on the hidden abode nestled high in the secluded mountain, shrouded in mist and mystery.

A group of unknown silhouettes, each cloaked in flowing black robes adorned with intricate symbols pertaining to their identity or position, gathered around a glowing jade lantern that hovered in the air. Their eyes gleam with otherworldly power.

The glowing jade lantern responded to their aura by burning darker and releasing a strand of grayish-black energy.

"Are you sure that he entered that abode?"

"Yes."

As though confirming it was working and confirming the location of their target, the black-robed people nodded at each other and moved out, finally appearing before the hidden abode.

They surrounded it with their immaculate presence, their steps light, their movements floating rather than walking as though leaving no trace behind. One hunched on a tree, a few surrounded all four directions, and the remaining strode forward with lazy steps.

The sound of nature abruptly began to turn inaudible by the second, filling the area with utter silence as though the moon had completely gone missing.

A group of black-robed people entered the abode as though they didn't even bother to hide themselves anymore.

The interior was dimly lit by a few candles, and a subtle hum of tension filled the air. Their target though— made their eyes severely twitch as their hearts sank.

"A trap…?"

Someone sounded out, although no one bothered to reply.

They observed the chamber that seemed to be plain without any defenses whatsoever. Even after a second, no killing formation was activated. Only the flickering shadows of the fireplace at the corner of the room created an eerie ambiance that put them on their toes.

Observing nothing of concern, they retraced their gaze back to the corpse of their target that seemed to be thoroughly crushed.

It was like a flattened piece of meat, a fleshly crimson blob that seemed to have been cleanly crushed under the feet of a giant, making it rather comical to be seen as there was no damage to the abode whatsoever. It was like their target was simply crushed by spatial gravity.

"Judging from the fact that there was no resistance at all while being crushed, this kind of killing method could be from the Stone Race's Legacy Treasure. If not, one of the spatial-attributed spirit clans' Legacy Treasures."

"What kind of feud would they have with our target? Could it be that the perpetrator aimed for the person who was controlled and not our target?

"It can't be…"

"Young Master, what are the chances that our target didn't escape but really died…?"

Three assassins discussed before an old, hoarse voice echoed out from a black-robed man. He had his back hunched and held a cane in his hand to support himself, but considering the aura of that old man, that may very well be a hidden armament dagger or a peculiar artifact instead of a support utility.

"Hard to say, Second Ancestor." The Young Master shook his head, "Our target is a master of soul arts and curse abilities and also has the ability to jump from one possession to another, so it is possible that he might've been killed by someone whom he could've offended as well before he made his jump to another possession."

The Second Ancestor nodded.

"That complicates things, but with this, he must only have three or four possessions left. We managed to locate two more suspicious individuals from your disciple's information, didn't we?"

"Yes." Answered the Young Master before he took out a messaging talisman.

"He must've come back today since news about him is blaring everywhere we go. Let me check with him again."

The messaging talisman rumbled and unleashed a dark glow, connecting him to the holder of the same messaging talisman on the other side.

"Disciple, your master needs you."

The Young Master spoke into the messaging talisman, waiting for a response.

"…"

"…"

"…"

Three breaths passed, and it made the Young Master confused as well as awkward since Grand Elders and even the strongest Ancestor he could possibly bring out were all looking at him.

"Ah, Master Deathseeker. What's up?"

Finally, the messaging talisman released a glow as a reply came back, causing Master Deathseeker to be full of smiles.

"Brat, why haven't you come to see your master yet and pay your respects? Ah, leave it. Right now, my Ghost Tear Hall prepared a hunting party for the Accursed Warlock and managed to locate one of his possessions locations, even making a move to eradicate him, but he's already dead, crushed by an unknown force. Before you even ask, there are no soul remnants either, making us believe he died and shifted his soul to another possession, but seeing that there's no trace of the perpetrator, we believe that this scene might have been intentionally constructed to fool us."

"Master, you-"

*Ting~* *Cling~* *Ting!~* *Rip~*

"…"

Davis had just spoken when the sounds of cold blades clashing resounded like thunder from the messaging talisman, causing Master Deathseeker's gaze to narrow as he imagined that it was Davis's scythe clashing with numerous weapons and, from the sound of it, could be small blades.

"Are you battling right now?"

"Yeah, I'm in some battle with Mid-Stage Immortal Emperors." Davis's voice appeared amused, "They're proving to be quite some trouble but not enough to keep me from speaking with you, Great Master. Thank you for saving my family from that wicked bastard."

"…!" Master Deathseeker froze before he yelled into the messaging talisman.

"What? Mid Stage Immortal Emperors!? Where are you right now? You cannot withstand their combined might if they are at all Level Five Immortal Emperor Stage and beyond. Use the spatial void stone I gave you and leave the area for good."

"Ah, Master- I can't hear you properly. What did you say? I should kill them all and also get revenge for the Ghost Tear Hall?"

"Kill who? Which faction are you battling with!?"

Master Deathseeker roared into the messaging talisman again, thinking it was one of the other three assassination organizations. However, if it was the case, he never imagined that his disciple would be reckless as the three of their depths were not privy even to them.

"Don't worry. You'll know soon." Resounded Davis's voice that was full of suspense.

"As for Accursed Warlock or any other outsiders for that matter, Master doesn't need to worry anymore."

"You-!"

The messaging talisman lost its glow just when Master Deathseeker began to reply, making his face redden with anger for being cut off like that.

"Damn it!"

He almost crushed the messaging talisman but turned around to leave, "I'll go save him."

"Young Master, you're acting too emotional." The Second Ancestor shook his head, "Even if he carries the hope of curing our Ghost Tear Hall's Deathly Madness Sickness or is your only favorite disciple, you should not interfere in his growth."

"Shut up! I'll go save him right now!"

"…"

The Second Ancestor turned, stunned by the unbridled disrespect of Young Master Deathseeker. But before he could even say anything, a black-robed assassin flew into the chamber and knelt on one knee.

"Ancestor and Grand Elders, we received urgent news."

"Don't you know we should not be disturbed unless the information involves this assassination hunt?" One of the Grand Elders pulled a dagger out of his sleeve, appearing like he was going to stab that messenger's soul into oblivion.

The black-robed assassin lowered his head more, "This information pertains to the Emperor of Death."

"Speak!"

Before anyone could say anything, Master Deathseeker, who was just about to leave, stopped and turned around as swiftly as lightning.

The messenger quickly took the chance and cupped his hands.

"It is said that the Emperor of Death, Young Master Deathseeker's disciple, managed to eradicate thirteen branches of the Soulsteal Pearl Temple, Oracular Reaver Abode, and the Malevolent Blade Hall located in the Central Divide from the evening and is still currently hunting them as we speak."

"…"

"Impossible…"

"Ridiculous… there would be at least one Mid Stage Immortal Emperor in all branches, some even at Level Six Immortal Emperor Stage…"

The Grand Elders shook their heads, unable to believe the words of the messenger, while the Second Ancestor's gaze shook.

Usually, the strongest Immortal Emperor Assassins stationed in a sect were nearing the end of their lives and could prove to be extremely troublesome to deal with as they would strike with the intent to cause suicidal harm, so attacking branches was off-limits in terms of diplomatic as well as survival standpoint.

For the Emperor of Death to attack thirteen branches, they were still surprised he managed to survive, much less able to access a messaging talisman in a battle as though he was full of leisure, making them doubt if this information was false or something.

As for Master Deathseeker, he remained frozen, his lips twitching with boundless pride before hurriedly taking out tens of messaging talismans and having them all glow at once.

"My bastard disciple started a full-blown war between the assassination sects. Command all branches to move along with him right now and slaughter them all! Kill!"