My Ultimate Sign-in System Made Me Invincible

Chapter 414: The Effect Of Liam’s Unique Energy (2)

“It’s in the Crimson Valley! Three hundred kilometers southwest of here! The main compound is built into the mountain itself, disguised as a merchant caravan waystation! The entrance is behind the third warehouse on the eastern side! There are approximately two hundred operatives stationed there at any given time, with another fifty support personnel! The Pavilion Master is usually in residence, along with three Vice-Masters and the Council of Elders!”

The words tumbled out of him so fast they almost ran together, each sentence delivered with increasing desperation as if he feared Liam might lose patience and stop him mid-explanation.

The bald assassin’s head snapped toward his younger companion, his eyes wide with fury and disbelief. His mouth opened, ready to shout curses at the traitor, to condemn him for his weakness, to—

Liam glanced at him. Just a glance, nothing more. But the killing intent in that brief look was so intense, so absolute, that the bald man’s words died in his throat. His mouth snapped shut with an audible click of teeth.

The young assassin continued his recitation, oblivious to or ignoring his companion’s reaction. He described the compound’s layout in exhaustive detail, including the guard rotations, the defensive formations, the emergency escape routes, the location of the treasury and armory.

He explained the hierarchy of command, named significant personnel, revealed operational protocols and communication codes. Everything he knew, every scrap of information that might possibly be useful, he offered up without hesitation or reservation.

It was a complete betrayal of everything the Devouring Petal Pavilion stood for. And he delivered it with the frantic energy of a drowning man grasping for any lifeline, no matter how slim.

After several minutes, his flood of information finally dried up. He’d told Liam everything he could think of, every detail no matter how minor. When the silence stretched for a few seconds, he looked up at Liam with desperate, pleading eyes.

“Thank you,” Liam said, his tone genuinely appreciative.

The young assassin had given him a clear, comprehensive information without the need for further persuasion, which was exactly what he’d been hoping for.

The young assassin swallowed hard, then managed to force out the question that had been burning in his mind. “Are… are you going to let me go?”

Liam nodded, a small smile on his face. “Of course.”

The relief that washed over the young assassin’s features was almost painful to witness. His entire body relaxed, tension draining away as if someone had cut puppet strings. He’d done it. He’d survived. He’d betrayed everything and everyone he knew, but he’d live to see another day. That was all that mattered.

In that moment, loyalty felt like a joke. The Pavilion had never cared about him as a person. Sure, they will continue to hunt Liam but that’s only because they don’t want to lose face, as not being able to deal with a single individual. But as for him personally, he doesn’t matter one bit, as he can be replaced easily.

Liam stood smoothly and raised his right hand. The white flame of the Essence Refining Flame materialized above his palm.

With a casual flick of his wrist, he sent a small portion of the flame toward the bald assassin and the fourth assassin, the one who’d tried the soul technique. The white fire landed on each of them, no larger than a candle flame.

The effect was immediate and absolute.

Their bodies erupted into white flames that burned with such intensity they seemed to contain all the light in the world. The screams that tore from their throats were sounds of pure agony, the kind of noise that would echo in the nightmares of anyone who heard it. The white fire consumed everything. Flesh, bone, spiritual energy, even the essence of their cultivation. Within seconds, nothing remained but very little ash that scattered on the evening breeze.

The young assassin watched this execution with eyes gone wide with horror, his earlier relief transforming into ice-cold terror. His mouth worked soundlessly, trying to form words that wouldn’t come. The screams of his dying companions still echoed in his ears.

Liam turned back to him, that same pleasant smile on his face. “Now then,” he said in the same friendly tone he’d used to thank the man for his information. “Why don’t you lead the way to the headquarters? I’d hate to get lost.”

The young assassin nodded so vigorously he nearly gave himself whiplash, desperate to demonstrate his cooperation, his usefulness, his value as a living guide rather than ash on the wind. “Yes! Yes, of course! I’ll take you there! I’ll show you everything! I’ll—”

“Good,” Liam interrupted gently. “Then let’s not waste any more time.”

He released a portion of his suppressing aura, just enough to allow the young assassin to stand. The man scrambled to his feet with awkward haste, nearly falling twice in his desperation to comply.

As they prepared to depart, Liam glanced back at the rooftop where the woman still lay in her catatonic state, staring at nothing. He considered finishing her as well, but ultimately decided against it.

He decided to let her live, if you could call her current existence living. Perhaps someone would find her eventually, try to heal her mind, which as he has already determined is impossible. He felt that she will simply waste away, trapped forever in whatever mental prison his energy had created.

The damages that he did to her isn’t something that can be measured and even the god of alchemy in the cultivation universe can’t save her.

Either way, she was no longer his concern.

The young assassin moved toward the edge of the rooftop on shaking legs, ready to lead his executioner to the heart of his organization’s power.

Behind them, ash continued to scatter in the wind, and a broken woman stared at the darkening sky with eyes that saw nothing at all.

***

Meanwhile, back at the headquarters of the Devouring Petal Pavillion, the Council of Elders were waiting for news from the assassins that were sent after Liam.

But they had no idea that their target was currently making his way to their doorstep, being shown the way by one of their members.