I Can Extract Divine Power

Chapter 359 - 155: Death Night

In the bustling inn, people came and went, discussing the recent change in weather and other everyday trifles.

Few people paid any mind to Wang Tianxing.

At a table by the window, a man in a black robe sat with his face completely obscured, yet he drew no attention.

After all, the world was full of Jianghu People, and there was no shortage of eccentrics among them.

The common folk were used to seeing people in black robes. In fact, there were countless others who went so far as to run around wearing nothing at all.

Not long ago, the Government Office had even arrested a man for streaking in broad daylight.

After spending enough time in the Jianghu, people tended to pick up a unique quirk or two. So, a man in a black robe with his face covered was, by comparison, nothing out of the ordinary.

"Find a way to get this to the Third Prince," Wang Tianxing said, pushing a wooden box across the table to the man in black.

The man in black lowered his head to look at the wooden box, but his eyes landed on Wang Tianxing’s palm.

In his palm lay a single Elixir, placed on the table along with the box.

"How many is that now?" the man in black asked, his voice raspy.

Wang Tianxing waved his hand dismissively. "That’s the third. As we agreed, two more and the special poison I gave you will be completely neutralized. Do two more things for me, and I’ll grant you your freedom."

The man in black fell silent.

Wang Tianxing continued, "I know the Third Prince treated you well. But a man has to live for something in this world, and it’s not worth throwing your life away so young."

After a long silence, the man in black picked up the Elixir and the wooden box. Then, right in front of Wang Tianxing, he swallowed the Elixir.

A faint smile touched Wang Tianxing’s lips as the man took the Elixir.

The man in black tucked the wooden box into his robes and looked up at Wang Tianxing. "I’ve seen Shen Bai’s power. You are no match for him. He killed that terrifying abomination in the blink of an eye. I’ve never seen that kind of strength before. If you make an enemy of him, you’ll be doomed beyond redemption."

Wang Tianxing shrugged. "The very possibility of being doomed is what makes it such a perfect challenge. If it were just some ordinary task, I wouldn’t have bothered. The opponents the academy sets me up with are all so dull. The weak ones are stupid, and the strong ones are just as stupid."

"Only Shen Bai has piqued my interest."

The man in black uttered a single word: "Madman."

Hearing that word, Wang Tianxing didn’t get angry. Instead, he nodded. "I quite like it when people call me that. As I was saying, a man needs a purpose in this world. My purpose is to find things I consider interesting... and make them happen."

Not wanting to dwell on the subject, the man in black changed topics. "After this is done, if the Observatory investigates thoroughly, they’ll inevitably trace it back to me. When that happens, I’m a dead man. What’s my way out?"

Wang Tianxing said mockingly, "Our little arrangement never included an escape route."

The man in black shook his head. "I’m only doing this to stay alive. Without a way out, finishing this job just buys me a little more time. The Observatory will find me sooner or later, and I have no desire to be hunted like a rat in the streets."

Wang Tianxing rubbed his chin. "You’ve put me in a difficult position."

The man in black said, "I’ve done many things for you, and you promised you’d protect my life. You may be a madman, but you’re a man of your word. All I need is your promise."

Silence fell.

In the rest of the inn, the ebb and flow of conversation continued unabated.

Wang Tianxing tapped his fingers on the table, over and over. After about the time it takes for half a stick of incense to burn, he finally stopped.

The man in black asked, "You’ve come up with something."

Wang Tianxing nodded. "That Li Yun fellow... when the time comes, his life will pay for yours."

He said this with utter, unsettling calm—a placidness so profound it was terrifying.

After a moment’s silence, the man in black said, "Fine. I trust you."

"This world does need a little trust," Wang Tianxing said, pouring a cup of tea and sliding it over. "I’ll be waiting for your report. Remember, the grand plan will only succeed once you give this to the Third Prince."

The man in black drained the cup of tea without a word, a silent agreement. He then rose and left the inn.

Once the man in black was gone, Wang Tianxing’s gaze returned to the street below.

Below, people milled about, and a bustling energy filled the air.

Children played and laughed in the street corners, a picturesque scene of mortal life unfolding before his eyes.

Wang Tianxing toyed with his teacup, a sick and crazed smile spreading across his face. ’The lives of an entire province, about to be extinguished. What a spectacular sight it will be. Like a firework display of death... utterly captivating.’

’Oh, Li Yun, Li Yun... weren’t you the one who wanted to serve the academy until your dying breath? This time, I’ll grant you your wish.’

Wang Tianxing set the teacup back on the table. He watched for a moment longer before leaving the inn and disappearing at the end of the street.

...

「Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, the night was over.」

The next day, as the sun rose and warm light spilled over the land, the world began to stir. The quiet streets erupted once more into a clamor of activity, the hubbub of voices from the common folk bringing the city back to life.