Oracle City, Heavenly Oracle Sect, Middle Heavens.
The third biggest city in the Middle Heavens, Oracle City is the home to the Heavenly Oracle Sect.
Known as the 'Capital of North', the Oracle city is also the second-largest in terms of population, just behind the Imperial City.
In a certain tavern, a group of men was sitting around a table, chatting softly.
"When will the Commander arrive?"
"He should arrive soon."
"Will he complete the mission, or will he come here first?"
"Does that even matter?"
"Nah, but I wonder what the mission is? I heard that he's here to assassinate someone important? It must be one of the Elders of this sect, or… maybe the new Head Elder? This guy is a nuisance, the old one was better."
"True, the old one was a bit more sensible. This new guy is just too arrogant. I am lowkey hoping he's the target."
Just then -
Creak…
The doors of the tavern were slowly opened, and someone covered in black robes from head to toe stepped inside.
He gazed at the table of these men for a few moments and then stepped towards them.
The men at the table froze when this person gazed at them, but in the next moment, a smile blossomed on their faces. One of them even stood up from his seat and added one extra chair from the nearby table.
The black-robed man didn't say anything and took the seat.
After a few more moments of silence, the black-robed man finally spoke, "how have you people been? It's been almost two decades since I last saw some of you."
"Aishh, Commander Su, I can't believe you still have that intimidating aura."
"Yeah, Commander Su, don't tell me you were busy in secret missions all this time?"
Su Ming smiled inwardly, and said, "Well, I was just waiting for the call. Nothing much happened."
One of the men asked, "Commander Su, we all have been well, in fact, most of us were even in touch with each other. If only you had told us about your real identity, we would have paid you a visit once in a while."
Su Ming rolled his eyes, "We have already talked about this so many times. I am a man with humble origins, why are you guys more focused on me than on the missions?"
"Um, Commander Su, since the topic of missions is already here, do you mind telling us about our next target?"
"Well, it's a young lady from the Bai Clan."
"Bai Clan? Isn't that…"
"Yeah, This mission is pretty tough. The Bai Clan is one of the twelve God Clans of the Upper Heavens. And in this mission, our first target is the Bai Clan's Young Miss, Bai Qian'er. She's the second daughter of the Bai Clan head."
Someone asked, "Commander Su… are we really going after the children now?"
"Nah," Su Ming shook his head, "This is not our main mission, it's just one of the objectives in the mission. Our main mission is to bring an all-out war between the Bai Clan and the Zheng Clan."
"Bai Clan and Zheng Clan… Commander Su, I don't think we even need to interfere in this case. Two decades ago, after that incident, I don't think these two clans would ever reconcile. And to be honest, I am surprised why they haven't killed each other in a dog fight."
Commander Su smiled, "Just focus on the mission. This mission is personally given by his majesty."
"His majesty!?"
"Commander Su, who is the real target this time?"
"It's Zheng Clan's Clan Head - Zheng Juxing. Let's go, we only have a month for this mission."
"Yes!"
"Um, Commander Su…"
"Yeah?"
"Have you taken out your target in the Heavenly Oracle Sect?"
"...Why do you ask?"
"Nothing, it's just, I was curious."
Su Ming thought for a second and replied, "The mission was canceled. There's no need to waste time here."
"Oh, then Commander Su, who was the target?" Someone else asked, "My bet is on the new Head Elder."
"Mine too."
"Nah, I think it was one of the other Elders."
Su Ming smiled at them and after a long thought, he said, "My target was neither of them."
"Hm? Then?"
"It was the whole Heavenly Oracle Sect. I guess it was their lucky day."
"...!!"
…
Two days later.
Bai Clan, Upper Heavens.
One of the Twelve God Clans, and one of the most powerful clans at that, the Bai Clan was among the absolute peaks of the world.
In the main hall, there were hundreds of men standing, all at either side of the hall - like a royal courtroom.
And at one side was a high platform, with a huge throne on it.
On this throne, sat a middle-aged man.
Everyone in the hall was silent and they were staring at a person standing in the middle of the Main Hall.
This person was covered from head to toe in red robes, and there was an embroidery of a dragon coiling around him.
"Why are you here, Dragon Envoy?" A voice thundered, making the whole hall tremble from its pressure alone.
But the person at the center of this pressure, the Dragon Envoy, didn't even flinch.
He stared back at the middle-aged man on the throne and spoke, "We have received information from the Middle Heavens - someone will target your Second Daughter."
There was no change in the expression of the middle-aged man, "What's the need to inform this? My clan doesn't need anyone's help. And those rats from the Middle Heavens? Let them come, this place will be their graveyard."
The Dragon Envoy remained silent for a moment before saying, "Clan Head Bai, the Empress doesn't wish for you to repeat your mistakes. Your pride will only harm you. Your daughter is the only direct descendent left, the Empress has great interests in her."
Clan Head Bai frowned, "Boy, don't forget this is my house. You will be long dead before your Empress can react. Just go back to that hell. And tell that Empress of yours, I have no interest in betrothing my daughter to her bastard son."
"Watch your words, Clan Head Bai!" the Dragon Envoy hissed, "You should be grateful that your daughter is getting a chance to marry the Crown Prince of the Heavens. If you continue with your ways, you will lose everything, just like how you lose your wife and your firstborn!"
BOOM!
In an instant, the Dragon Envoy was squished into a paste.
The middle-aged man, Clan Head Bai, raised his head and stared at the ceiling. He slowly said, "I don't like to repeat myself. The Bai Clan stood at the peak of the world before your Empress was even born. Just because we don't interfere in your dirty matter, doesn't mean you can throw that dirt on us too."
"Go and tell this to your Empress: My daughter will marry whoever she wishes. Neither she nor the Bai Clan will ever again be the pawns of her schemes. This war is yours, do not drag my clan in your mess - go and fight Emperor Ye Tian Xuan on your own, this time I won't block him. The last time I helped you people, my family was used as a pawn. Not this time, and not ever again will such a thing repeat."
As he spoke, the bloody mess on the floor began to slowly move and reconnect - from the flesh, bones and every single drop of blood converged, and soon, the Dragon Envoy was standing with no wounds, fully healed, living, and with intact robes.
He stared at the Bai Clan Head intensely and after a few minutes, his body slowly faded.
He had left the hall.