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."

"Meat?"

"I’ve been hunting beyond the mountains. I had my reasons to cross them and come here."

"Well, I see. You look like you’ve been hunting for a while, judging by your build. Got any experience?"

"I wouldn’t call myself a skilled hunter yet."

I scratched my chin sheepishly.

"To be honest... my father always told me I was clumsy. That’s partly why I ran away from home."

The merchant laughed.

"You’re reckless. Do you think the market streets are any kinder than home? Go back while you can."

I crafted my story further.

"I can’t go back. I left with my beloved. We’re trying to start a new life. I thought this side of the mountains would be far enough to avoid running into my father. But I don’t know how to sell the game I catch..."

"A runaway with your lover, huh? Bold. Alright, kid, you need connections to sell meat around here. You can’t just speak without offering something in return, you know?"

I bought a few more withered fruits. The merchant chuckled.

"Looks like you’ve got money to spare. Not completely clueless, are you?"

"I plan to earn enough to repay what I took from home."

"At least you’ve got some sense. See that alley over there? Go ask around."

I followed his advice and met the butcher, who greeted me with a cigarette in his mouth.

"A hunter, are you?"

"Not quite there yet, but it’s my dream."

"Bring me whole carcasses. Don’t bother cleaning them; I’ll skin them for you. Deliver them here, and I’ll pay fairly."

"Thank you, but..."

I glanced around the empty butcher shop.

"You don’t have a single piece of meat hanging here."

"Are you doubting me?"

"......."

"I get it. Young folks are skeptical. Look, this place has been booming recently. Especially in the food business. The Black Sky Axe Sect has been buying up food like there’s no tomorrow. They’re even hoarding enough to feed beggars."

"Has something happened?"

"Don’t know. Heard the sect leader’s top disciple suddenly developed a huge appetite. Who knows? Not my problem. I’m just glad to make some good money."

The sect leader’s top disciple.

I filed that information away and returned to Number 29.

"A hunter?" she asked skeptically.

"Yes."

"Suspicious."

She gave me a piercing look, and I explained simply.

"What if we deliver the meat directly to the sect’s estate after supplying the butcher?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I’ll work as a temporary employee at the butcher’s shop. He’s the only one there, so he can’t leave the shop unattended. If I offer to deliver the meat for a small extra fee, he won’t refuse."

"......."

"As someone from his usual supplier, I wouldn’t raise suspicion. It would also give us a chance to scout the estate. On the day of the operation, we could even hide inside beforehand."

"...Hmm."

"Even if the plan changes, gaining access to the estate would still be valuable."

Number 29 pondered deeply.

"And where do we get wild game?"

"Have we not hunted enough beasts in our time?"

"This place is different. The animals here will run the moment they see us."

"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.