Chapter Twenty-One: Taking Charge of Blackstone

Zhu Yu ignored the Wheel King’s pleas for mercy and instead asked two questions that concerned him deeply.

“According to your dossier, you never had access to martial arts growing up. Where did you acquire the techniques that enabled you to reach the top-tier first class realm? And you even have martial arts to teach others?”

The Wheel King replied, “As a palace messenger, I often delivered letters to the Wen Yuan Pavilion, so I secretly read some of the martial arts manuals stored there.”

Zhu Yu nodded thoughtfully and continued, “There’s another matter. It’s rumored in the martial world that Blackstone can appoint officials across the land, and Xi Yu said your organization receives vast tributes from these officials every year. Yet, my edicts for appointments have never been compromised. I want to know, what’s really going on?”

“Although Blackstone is an assassin organization, assassins aren’t the majority. The intelligence agents far outnumber them,” the Wheel King explained. “I place great importance on information flow, and as a messenger, I see your edicts before anyone else. I exploit the time gap. Blackstone’s information always travels at least three days faster than the court’s; the longest lead time was two months, and on average, we’re ten days ahead. Over time, I discovered that intelligence is vital to assassinations. In recent years, Blackstone’s assassinations of top martial artists have been carried out mostly by those in the second class realm, sometimes even third class. Xi Yu and Lei Bin handle assassinations against top-tier martial artists. I attempt assassinations on those newly entering the master realm. Since Blackstone’s founding, I’ve only tried to assassinate three masters, and each time, I was lucky to succeed. Blackstone never accepts jobs against veteran masters.

“We always avoid direct confrontations. That’s why the martial world exaggerates the strength of Blackstone’s assassins. Just the other day, someone ambushed me—a veteran master, full of confusion, wondering why I wasn’t in the master realm. I feel wronged!”

The Wheel King, desperate to save his life, answered Zhu Yu’s questions in detail, offering additional information. Xi Yu and the others were still reeling from their initial shock as they listened to the Wheel King call himself a humble servant, as though reintroducing the once decisive killer. Zhu Yu, at first, listened with interest, although the comparison between Blackstone’s efficiency and the court’s was a bit humiliating. When he heard the last remark, Zhu Yu glanced strangely at the man beside him, Zhuge Zhengwo.

At that moment, Zhuge Zhengwo was also feeling constrained. How could this man speak so carelessly? Who ambushed whom? Surely, he’d gone in with a determination to die—if you weren’t a master, why blame me? You wasted my resolve!

Zhu Yu now had a new question, but this time he turned to Zhuge Zhengwo instead of the Wheel King.

“I’ve heard the Wheel King mention ‘newly entered masters’ and ‘veteran masters’ several times. What’s the difference? I only know that within the master realm, there are prodigies and masters.”

“It’s perfectly normal for Your Majesty not to know these details, since you’ve never practiced martial arts. Since you’re already aware of the distinction between prodigies and masters, I won’t elaborate further. Let me explain the difference between newly entered masters and veteran masters.

“In the ranks of newly entered masters, there’s no differentiation between prodigies and masters—it refers to those who have just stepped into the master realm. Veteran masters, on the other hand, are those who have spent many years in the master realm. Newly entered masters are easy to understand: they’ve just broken through, and while there’s a gap between them and top-tier first class, it’s not large. They are the weakest group in the master realm.

“As for veteran masters, we must discuss the master realm itself. As everyone knows, after the master realm comes the grandmaster realm, but few ever reach it. Most remain stuck as masters. The master realm has no subdivisions, because the difference in martial prowess is vast. Masters naturally live over two hundred years.

“Do you think someone who’s trained in the master realm for ten years is the same as someone who’s trained for a hundred? A master who’s trained for a century can easily defeat a group of newly entered masters single-handedly.

“The division is simple: within ten years of entering the master realm, one is a newly entered master. Their martial prowess varies, as talent abounds in this world.”

Zhuge Zhengwo offered Zhu Yu a detailed explanation. Zhu Yu never expected so many layers within the master realm. He was already confused by the distinction between prodigies and masters, and now there were newly entered masters and veteran ones.

The Wheel King, still kneeling below, watched Zhu Yu and Zhuge Zhengwo converse, as if forgotten. When their discussion ended, he spoke up.

“Your Majesty, no matter what, I have worked earnestly for you and for Jing Nation for decades. Even if I have no merits, I have labored hard. I beg Your Majesty to spare me.”

“So thoughtful? Then reflect on it in prison,” Zhu Yu replied, turning to Zhuge Zhengwo. “He’s yours. Escort him to the Six Gates prison. No one may visit him except me. If he escapes or dies, you’ll be held responsible.”

“I obey, Your Majesty,” Zhuge Zhengwo replied, preparing to take the Wheel King away.

Realizing there was no hope, the Wheel King broke out in curses, demanding, “Don’t talk to me about merit and hardship! I single-handedly founded Blackstone, built it step by step. I consider myself a talented man. Is this how you call yourself emperor? Blind! Not only do you refuse to use me, you lock me away. With an emperor like you, Jing Nation is doomed!”

Hearing the Wheel King’s tirade, Zhu Yu smiled, stepped forward, and stared into his eyes.

“I can answer that question. Yes, you are indeed a talented man, and I’m reluctant to lose you. But a eunuch who doesn’t wish to be a eunuch is not a good eunuch. Wait in prison to serve your final purpose.”

He whispered the last sentence directly into the Wheel King’s ear.

With those words, the Wheel King’s spirit was instantly subdued, and he was led away by Zhuge Zhengwo like a puppet with its strings cut.

Watching the Wheel King’s pitiful retreat, Zhu Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief and turned to return to his seat, ready to continue discussing the matter of Blackstone’s leadership with Feiyou Chen and the others.

But to his surprise, upon turning around, he found Feiyou Chen and Xi Yu, along with the other four, all kneeling. At the moment Zhu Yu turned, they spoke in unison:

“We respectfully invite Your Majesty to take command of Blackstone. We are willing to serve you with utmost loyalty!”

“Very well, very well,” Zhu Yu replied cheerfully, helping each of them up.

Once his excitement subsided, he began to address the matter at hand.

“Now, I’ll announce my first order as the leader of Blackstone.”