The Shining Star Above The Heaven-Chapter 405: The Visit From Capital

Like before, he focused his full attention, his mind working in a split second. Just before the slash could cut his neck, he tilted his head slightly. When time resumed its normal flow, the slash missed him, but he still sensed danger from above.

Reacting instantly, he used spatial lock to hold the incoming attack above him, but at the same time, he felt another threat from his right side.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows between the trees, slashing a sword toward his legs.

From behind him, something moving at incredible speed was already dangerously close—a shadowy figure attempting to stab him from behind. All of this unfolded within the split second after he had slowed time.

At that moment, he was under attack from above, the left, the right, and behind. His feet were also bound by chains, which he suspected to be an artifact.

There was no time to create a spatial shield, as the assassins were already too close, launching their surprise attack. He suspected they had watched him take care of their comrades earlier and devised this tactic, which was undeniably impressive.

They had to ensure he was immobilized and attack him from close range, giving him no time to raise his invisible defense. To overwhelm him, they coordinated their strikes to land almost simultaneously, forcing him into a state of confusion, unable to decide which attack to defend against. Even a split second of hesitation would be enough to kill him.

However, unfortunately for them, the assassins did not fully grasp the extent of his abilities or strength. Although he couldn’t form a spatial shield in time, he had something else with a much faster activation speed.

Before any of the attacks could land, his mind worked swiftly, and he unleashed heavenly lightning around his body. Bolts of lightning erupted in all directions, surging through the air and even reaching the sky, repelling the incoming strikes.

Rumble!

He could unleash lightning instantly, and although he didn’t have time to gather its full strength, its power was enough to weaken and deflect their attacks, and that was all he needed. The assassins’ strikes were repelled by the sudden surge of heavenly lightning from his body.

They attempted to retreat, but Aldrian used his gravity laws to prevent them from escaping too far. As their movements grew sluggish, he turned his attention to the chains binding his feet.

With his death laws, death energy gathered around his legs, corroding the chains and drastically weakening their durability. In an instant, he broke free with ease.

The assassins, still stunned that Aldrian could block their attacks even at such close range—let alone counterattack—were even more shocked by the ominous presence of his death energy. However, that moment of hesitation proved fatal. It gave Aldrian enough time to unleash his lightning with enough power to harm them.

Rumble.

The heavenly lightning struck their bodies directly, sending them crashing into their surroundings. The assailants on his left and right were flung into several trees, while the one above him was electrocuted midair before plummeting to the ground beside him. The attacker behind him was hurled several hundred meters away, only coming to a stop after colliding with multiple trees.

Now that he had successfully countered, Aldrian could finally see them more clearly—two women and two men. Their bodies convulsed as heavenly lightning crackled around them before they lost consciousness.

Even the Thunderous Shadow Pavilion assassins, renowned for their mastery of lightning laws, could not withstand the heavenly lightning that struck them directly. Once it entered their bodies, its violent and overwhelming power became too much for them to endure.

Without hesitation, Aldrian cast his slave seal on them before turning his attention to three figures emerging from behind the trees.

They raised their hands as if in surrender. Aldrian tilted his head.

"What are you doing?"

Arson, along with the First and Second Fingers, stepped forward, seeming to concede defeat after witnessing how effortlessly Aldrian had anticipated and countered the assassins’ attacks.

"I give up, master. You’re too strong and too fast even for us. We’d rather save ourselves from embarrassment," Arson admitted.

"Yes, you are far too great for us. You seem to have no weaknesses at all, master. We observed everything—your movements and senses are incredibly precise and efficient," the First Finger said.

"Indeed," the Second Finger added. "And we also witnessed that terrifying law of yours—it made our very souls shudder. There’s no way we could focus on an assassination if you were our target, master."

Aldrian smiled at them and nodded.

"Is that so? Then I suppose there’s no point in continuing this. Let’s head back to the mansion to discuss your next course of action."

With that, he turned, as if ready to walk away, making his way toward the edge of the forest.

Arson and the other two eyes flashing with intent. Hidden behind their raised hands were concealed flying knives, waiting for the perfect moment. They had been waiting for Aldrian to turn his back to them, but just as he did, he suddenly vanished from their sight.

A chilling sensation crept over them as they instinctively realized someone was already standing behind them.

"That’s what you wanted me to say and do, right?"

Aldrian’s voice sent shivers down their spines. They whirled around, instinctively trying to retreat—only to be met with the crackling surge of heavenly lightning radiating from his body once again.

"Well, shit," they all thought.

No more than five seconds later, three more unconscious figures lay scattered across the forest floor.

Aldrian looked at the scene with satisfaction. From this test, he could confirm that these assassins were truly formidable and terrifying. Even he had to admit that, without his domain power boost and time laws, he would have died twice.

With a leisurely stride, he walked toward the edge of the forest, feeling relaxed after this impromptu training. His battle with these skilled assassins had provided him with valuable lessons.

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Aldrian walked out of the forest and headed toward the mansion, but then he noticed something that puzzled him.

From his vantage point, he could see and hear a commotion on the other side of the forest, where a road connected the residential area to the mansion. Anyone visiting the mansion had to pass through that path, yet at this moment, a carriage was making its way along it—drawing the angry attention of the city’s residents.

The crowd glared at the carriage and its entourage, some even throwing small objects at it.

Focusing his attention, Aldrian tried to determine what was happening and who was inside the carriage to provoke such hostility. When he finally understood the situation, understanding dawned on him.

The person inside had been sent by the Second Prince. Naturally, the people of this city harbored resentment toward them.

However, he found the situation amusing. What was the Second Prince planning? His curiosity grew as he observed the scene.

Just then, a soldier came running toward him, stopping right in front of him, gasping for breath.

"My apologies, my lord, but I have news," the soldier said between ragged breaths. "The envoy from the capital has arrived. The one sent by the Second Prince is already near the mansion."

Aldrian nodded. "Alright, thank you. Just return to your post—I’ll wait for him in the guest room."

He patted the soldier’s shoulder and walked past him.

A glint flashed in Aldrian’s eyes. He was truly curious—what was the Second Prince up to this time?

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Inside the carriage, two figures sat facing each other, their gazes fixed on the outside scenery. One wore noble attire, while the other was clad in knight’s armor.

The middle-aged man in noble clothing maintained a cold expression as they traveled down the road since they emerged from the teleportation portal.

As expected, the moment the city’s residents recognized him and his entourage, hostility flared. The people openly glared at them and hurled curses in their direction.

His guardian knight had immediately took out a carriage from his storage ring, hitching it to the horned horses they had brought from the capital. The rest of the escort had done the same, bringing their own horses to avoid seeking transport in this city.

Along the road, the nobleman experienced something that had never happened in his life. He watched as the city’s people, filled with hatred, brazenly bared their fangs at him and his entourage. Some even dared to throw pebbles and rotten fruit at his carriage, making his expression grow even colder.

"They dare to show such ugly expressions toward us and even curse our presence here. It seems the existence of that mysterious swordsman has emboldened them," the nobleman said coldly.

"It can’t be helped, my lord. With the strength of the mysterious swordsman, these people have gained the courage to defy us. As long as he remains in this city, they feel secure and fear nothing," his guardian knight replied.

The nobleman scoffed. "Not for long. Once that bastard is writhing under His Majesty’s feet, these people will be the first to suffer my wrath."

His eyes flashed as he gazed outside at the passing scenery. The forest soon gave way to a vast estate—his destination.

He would make sure this visit proceeded exactly as the Second Prince had planned!