The group was led by a tall man who wore a dashing cerulean robe on himself. He seemed the toughest of these bunch of old men and was indeed living aptly true to his title.
The boss walked in front and had the craftiest swagger among the lot. His eyes spoke volumes of experience and to add to it all, the air of mystery around him was a tad mightier than the rest.
No one could really embody a boss but the boss himself alone. And how could the boss speak that easily this early in the game.
"Hummmm..." The boss kept mum and let his subordinates continue to spout some drivel.
There were five of them here and each one never doubted that bringing an entire team to finish a single man was a bit overkill.
Alas, this was the wish of King Zhang Jia and it was always a good idea to not get on that horrible man's bad side.
This was why 5 Mortal Shedding Experts at the 8th Stage were here to grant justice unto a fallen noble.
But such a kind and tame description was definitely far from how each of these old men thought truly about the recently departed Prince Zhang Mu.
"That fucker! The princeling finally met a cunt he can't pierce and died without even getting the chance to repent his sins in the past." another goon spat on the ground with disgust.
"HAHAHA! I would have paid a hundred spirit stones to see the last look on that stupid idiot's face!" a second laughed outrageously loud that garnered the attention of the guards on the city gates.
The Haran soldiers would have definitely scolded if these were any other people but when they saw the emblem of an eagle on the sleeves of these people, the poor city guards could only swallow the shout that was already at their throats.
"Let's finish this soon. We still have many missions to accomplish after this one." The tall man in the lead finally uttered his first words after they arrived.
"Will do, boss!"
"After we're done, i want to taste the lovely beauties of Haran! You'd allow that, right boss?" This group of old men acted like they were still teenagers that hadn't slept with a maiden just yet.
Still, these were casual banter between good friends that has already seen much of life and death battles. Their comrades lived and died alongside them.
They were forged by blood and pain. And although they were not good men by a wide margin, still, being bad never meant that one can't also be good to a select chosen few.
"If we can end this quickly then there would be a good chance that I'll make an exception this time and let us spend a few nights in here.
So keep that great nose of yours in tip top shape for this quest, Shi Zeng." The boss threw a carrot to one of his men and led them all into the city of Haran.
The gates opened without warning and collection of dangerous grandpas did not even have to pay a single spirit stone to enter. Everyone knew of this group's notoriety.
"Woah! Is that the revenge party sent by the Zhang Family?"
"So they're the Elders of the Zhang Clan? They're old and unremarkable."
"How stupid and unlearned could you two be?!"
"Do you see that Skull Tattoo on their arms?"
"That's the unique symbol of the Monster Brigade!"
"THE MONSTER BRIGADE!"
"I hear that they eat people for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!"
"What you heard is outdated already! These men would even go as far as..."
The active whispers rang audibly in place as no one was dumb enough to forget the legendary deeds marked by that particular guild in this part of the world.
The Zhang's most talented prodigies have made a name for themselves inside the Liquid Poison Sect. It could be seen from this fact alone what kind of backing the Zhang Family had in their fold.
"Please state your purpose in visiting, gentlemen." an old voice stopped the march of the five men. They were already outside the magnificent gates of the Ning Palace.
The guards in here looked both alert and apprehensive all at the same time. It was fortunate that a good seasoned man has spearheaded these lowly assembly of humble cultivators.
"We seek an audience with Princess Ning Xi. Please let her know that a representative of the Zhang Family has come to investigate about the murder of Prince Zhang Mu." The boss answered softly.
He doubted that they would find even a sniff of the murderer this early in the morning but here was as good a start as any and that was reason enough for this old soldier to be here also.
"On behalf of the Ning Family, I apologize Master Tian Song. Princess Ning Xi explicitly told us to deny any visitors today." the old gatekeeper replied.
"You dare say that even after you know who we are?" The boss, Tian Song, raised a brow in amusement.
"I'm afraid that it is as you say." the old palace guard captain nodded resolutely.
Although he was merely at 5th Stage of Mortal Shedding Realm but he would have to die first before he forgot his duty towards the Clan of Ning.
He was one hundred ninety six years old at the moment and had only four more years to live.
It would be a sad tale of his otherwise impressive record of loyalty to tuck tail now with only a handful of years remaining in his longevity.
But even if this old man could live for another 200 years more, it would be doubtful that he would choose to turn his back unto the ones that nurtured him from young and unto his present station.
After all, it was already hard to straighten a bent tree that was already molded by the blind grace of time.
"If that is your decision then you must forgive me if i also take mine, old dog." Tian Song whispered and in a flash a wicked mask sprouted on his face.
On that momentary glimpse, the clear trace of savagery could be seen perfectly under the first rays of the sun. No hint of mercy glinted in the mad man's eyes.
Tian Song raised a huge fist and pummeled heartlessly towards the old Captain of the Guards.
"Master Teng Wei!"
"Captain!" The younger guards roared in fear and anger.
They would have liked to dash closer to stop what was happening before their eyes but alas, the first stage of Mortal Shedding Realm could really not compare to that of an eighth stage in terms of speed.
And so the castle soldiers could only look in helpless impotence.
"BANG!" the bare fist connected and a rain of cobbled ricochets splashed in all directions.
"Nice hit, boss!"
"Should we begin to slaughter all these imbecile guards also, boss?!"
Two of Tian Song's men said one after another and some of the grieving guards could not help but take a step back from these unwanted visitors. A terrified look shrouded their countenance in full.
They could really not be blamed at all because of how fast they witnessed their captain fall before their very eyes.
But not one amongst them noticed that Tian Song was already standing a few inches back than where he had initially started.
"Silence. There's something wrong here." Tian Song whispered in a deep menacing voice. His eyes never left the thick silver smoke that denied the banishment of the gentle cold morning wind.
"BOINK!" a large shield materialized in front and it covered the entirety of Tian Song's body. This was one of his favored magical tools and it has saved his life for too many times to count already.
In his other hand was a tall giant longsword that quite complimented his stature completely.
"SHINGGGGG!!!" the four men behind also took their respective weapons out and the hum of power besieged the scene in a chaotic presence of myriad spiritual energies.
These were enchanted magical tools that a simple Mortal Shedding Realm could use to its full capacity.
"Be vigilant." Tian Song reminded his men. His punch had hit only air a few moments prior but the drastic explosion in the scenery disconcerted him more than he would have liked.
This newcomer was a dangerous opponent. Especially when Tian Song could also not sense the enemy at all.
"Teng Wei, is it? How about changing sides and work for me instead?" Everyone heard a job offer amidst the confusion.
The white smokescreen in front vanished and deeper into the palace entrance, two figures could be seen standing as if they were there for eternity and beyond but utterly skipped the notice of the gathered warriors outside.
This was unbelievable to all people concerned of course! But more so towards Tian Song and his men.
"Thank you for saving my life, Master Clark. Also for the kind offer. I'm flattered but...my life was already vowed unto the Ning Family. Even in death, I will become a ghost unto the clan's service and wellbeing."
Captain Teng Wei bowed his head towards his benefactor. He was totally expecting death to claim him a few breaths earlier but was surprised by the sudden rescue.
But it would be a lie for Teng Wei to say that he was not happy by Master Clark's timely save.
"A pity. The Ning is lucky to have you, Teng Wei." Clark nodded. It was at this time also that he looked at his would be preys.
They were already all in battle mode but he ignored them all the same. His eyes were rather curious about the effect of the tactic he'd applied in the recent engagement.
'Hehehe. I never knew that assassin smoke bombs would look that cool in real life.' Clark could not help but smile abundantly in consequence.
"Okay, boys. I am the one you're looking for. Although I appear only at the 4th Stage of Mortal Shedding Realm but i have eaten the flesh of an Ancient Titan Fiend.
Afterwards, I also swam unto and drank its blood to the last drop. So... be careful if you do attack me, okay? My body is unbelievably hard." Clark said and walked towards the five men in battle formation.
"A dumb fucking 4th stage duck that wanted to die! Let me grant your wish then!" an old man from the five spat on the ground and charged swiftly at Clark.
"CRACK!" bones shattered like food crackers en masse.
"AHHHHHHHH!" and a loud shout nailed the point violently in the aftermath.
"I told you my body was hard. Tsk. Tsk."