Chapter 30: Operation Slaughter the Heng Association, A New Year's Eve Raid

Time passed, and it was already five months after Lin Heng had broken through to the Grandmaster level.

In the central region of Lanzu, on the Lan River just outside the capital of the Fei Pu Dynasty, a painted boat was slowly sailing along the river.

A secret gathering was taking place aboard the boat.

Elders from the former "Anti-Yun Sword Palace Alliance"—Hao Shuang of the Li Hen Pavilion, Shu Qiu of the Divine Physician Sect, Xue Ming of the Bloodthirsty Gang, Shi Wuzheng of the Netherworld Palace, and Yu Mo of the Infinite Palace—were all present on this boat.

In addition, several mysterious figures wore masks and were cloaked entirely in wide black robes, their identities hidden.

There were seven such figures whose identities were unknown to outsiders, but each radiated a powerful aura. Even if they were not peerless Grandmasters, their strength was above the twenty-fifth level of the Master realm, making them extremely formidable.

These twelve individuals constituted the entire membership of the current "Kill Heng Society," representing the twelve major forces in the martial world.

"The latest news from Yun Sword Palace has just arrived. One month ago, Lin Heng made a brief appearance at his Grandmaster celebration, but since then, he has shown no intention of leaving the mountain. He continues to seclude himself in the sect for cultivation," Hao Shuang, the meeting host, informed everyone present.

"From the aura he displayed during that brief appearance, it’s clear his cultivation is advancing rapidly, breaking through toward higher levels."

"Now, we must prepare for the worst."

Over the past few months, these twelve great forces had come together, coordinated and united.

They had gathered many experts, ready to strike Lin Heng unexpectedly when he finally descended the mountain for travel, aiming to kill him with overwhelming force.

Everyone assumed that since Lin Heng, a young prodigy, had just broken through to Grandmaster, he would surely want to explore the vast world.

However, events had not unfolded as they hoped.

A month after his Grandmaster celebration, Lin Heng remained deeply immersed in cultivation within the sect, seemingly indifferent to the world’s splendor—a natural born cultivator.

This extraordinary discipline both delighted his own sect and filled his enemies with dread.

The "worst-case scenario" was that the Kill Heng Society had to prepare to infiltrate Yun Sword Palace’s mountain gate and eliminate Lin Heng by force.

This was no easy task. As one of the three great orthodox martial sanctuaries, Yun Sword Palace was powerful and had many allies. They were no pushovers.

This was a high-stakes gamble: if they won, they could preserve their interests, avoid having an invincible force standing over them and their descendants for centuries, and potentially seize Yun Sword Palace’s assets.

If they lost, they would lose everything, enduring endless turmoil for themselves and their future generations.

Yet no one in the Kill Heng Society showed any sign of retreat.

Having come this far, they had made their choice and would not turn back.

"Does anyone want to quit now?" Hao Shuang asked symbolically.

There was no response.

Seeing this, Hao Shuang continued, "Very well, then let us discuss the plan to infiltrate Yun Sword Palace and assassinate Lin Heng. Please speak freely."

After a brief pause, a masked figure in black robes spoke in a low voice:

"Normally, a Grandmaster-level martial artist would take ten years to advance one stage, an extraordinary talent indeed. But Lin Heng is a prodigy beyond the ordinary. Perhaps in a year, or even less, he could transcend his current realm."

"The longer we delay, the harder it will be to kill him."

"Therefore, we must act quickly and decisively. At the latest, the assault should be launched by the end of this year."

"I suggest we strike on New Year's Eve. Many Yun Sword Palace experts and disciples will return home to celebrate, leaving only a few without family to guard the mountain gate. That will be the moment when the palace’s defenses are weakest."

No one objected, and the timing of the attack was set.

Next was the discussion of specific strategies.

One masked figure spoke up, "Though many will leave on New Year's Eve, the core experts of Yun Sword Palace will not disperse. They will celebrate within the mountain gate. Before we strike, we must find a way to draw these experts away."

"We can attack Yun Sword Palace’s enterprises across various regions or create major incidents to distract them, forcing them into a defensive posture and reducing the number of experts guarding the mountain."

Hao Shuang nodded in agreement. "This is feasible. I will mobilize our disciples to harass and kill within the territories of the five great imperial dynasties under Yun Sword Palace, attracting their experts to pursue us."

Shu Qiu, elder of the Divine Physician Sect, also offered his plan: "I happen to have many medicines to test recently. This is a perfect opportunity. Heh heh heh."

Others chimed in with their own sinister ideas.

Heh heh heh...

Laughter filled the gathering.

"Finally, the original force allocated to intercept and kill Lin Heng is insufficient. Since we plan to storm Yun Sword Palace’s mountain gate and kill him, we must prepare more strength. Otherwise, even if we succeed, the losses will be too great."

After discussing how to distract Yun Sword Palace’s experts, another masked figure shared their view.

They sought to eliminate Lin Heng for their own benefit, not to die in the process.

If they achieved their goal but suffered heavy losses, it would be a defeat in itself.

"No problem. I will seek more experts to join us and try to recruit more neutral factions," one said.

All twelve forces pledged funds and manpower.

Someone else suggested they rehearse a formation to better coordinate their forces and reduce casualties during the surprise attack.

No one objected, and the proposal was approved. They decided to practice the widely known Three Talents Formation.

Once all preparations were complete, and before the actual attack, they would conduct this training.

With the discussion concluding, the meeting drew to a close.

The Kill Heng Society then began full-scale operations.

They secretly offered large rewards to recruit more experts and neutral factions, while assembling forces to create disturbances across various regions one or two months before New Year's Eve, aiming to draw Yun Sword Palace’s experts away from the mountain gate.

After these preparations, they gathered all their elite forces.

They rehearsed the Three Talents Formation and waited for New Year's Eve to arrive.