Killer Deployment

Just because I glanced at you once in the crowd, I could never forget your face.

Southeastern Province, Yunzhou Stadium Concert.

A stunningly beautiful woman, cold and ethereal like a goddess from the moon palace, appeared on stage.

The crowd roared, applause thundered.

Colorful light signs were raised high as countless men shouted with hoarse voices:

"Qianqian, I love you!"

"You're divine, Qianqian! Look at me!"

"Damn, she's so beautiful!"

Shangguan Qianqian gazed at the audience, her voice pure and light as she sang. The crowd below erupted into a tidal wave of harmonies.

"When I think of you, you're in my mind. When I think of you, you're in my heart. I'd rather believe we were destined in a past life, that our love story in this lifetime will never change..."

As the song ended, Shangguan Qianqian held the microphone and softly announced, "Next, I’ll perform a new song for you all—one that hasn’t been released yet. It’s called 'Red Bean'."

"Sometimes, sometimes, I believe everything has an end. Meetings and partings happen in their own time. Nothing lasts forever..."

When the chorus hit, paired with Shangguan Qianqian’s flawless vocals and mesmerizingly clear voice, the entire audience was instantly captivated, lost in the music.

Song after song concluded, and the concert gradually drew to a close.

Many music enthusiasts in the crowd knew one thing for certain:

Over the past year, Shangguan Qianqian had evolved. She was no longer just one of the "Four Rising Stars."

In Great Xia, she had now earned the right to be called a queen—both in music and film. A dual-threat talent, unmatched in history.

During a backstage interview, a female singer surnamed Wang broke down in tears before the cameras: "I don’t know why, but I feel like I’ve always lived in Shangguan Qianqian’s shadow..."

"Qianqian-jie! You were amazing!"

Backstage, Xue Yuanyuan rushed forward excitedly, hugging Shangguan Qianqian. "I loved 'Red Bean' so much—it made me cry!"

Shangguan Qianqian patted her lightly. "If you want, I can write a song for you."

"R-Really?!"

Xue Yuanyuan was stunned. After all, Shangguan Qianqian was renowned as a composer—critics even hailed her as Great Xia’s greatest genius!

Every song she wrote became a massive hit.

Her lyrics and melodies were nothing short of masterpieces.

Shangguan Qianqian replied casually, "It’s just a song. I have plenty. This one’s called 'Fleeting Years'."

Meanwhile, the singer surnamed Wang left the concert venue, unconsciously tugging at her hair—as if she were going bald from stress.

In the car after the concert, Shangguan Qianqian’s expression shifted slightly. A faint unease crept into her heart, and she instinctively glanced out the window.

"Shangguan Qianqian—1 star. Killing her isn’t even worth it. Nie Qinglan would be more useful—she’s the daughter of Boss Nie."

Two black-clad figures spoke in the distance.

One of them sighed. "If we could kill someone else, would we be here? The others are even harder targets. An Yi and Lin Chenxing are strong, but they’re both on the Heavenly Rankings—who can take them on? Still, eliminating Shangguan Qianqian at least nets us one star..."

"The others think the same. We’re not the only ones after her—competition’s tough."

The assassin shook his head helplessly.

Then, in the next moment, his head kept shaking—right off his shoulders.

The other assassin stared in shock as his partner’s neck gushed blood. What the hell?!

SHING!

A spear, blazing like fire, shot through the night!

Before the assassin could react, a three-meter-long dragon spear impaled him straight through the chest.

Han Liang retracted his weapon, raising an eyebrow at Xiao Yike. "Damn, I didn’t think you could fight in this state."

Xiao Yike scratched his head sheepishly. "I’m a bit weaker like this, but I won’t hold you back."

In his frenzied state, his attacks were wild and unrestrained.

But in this form, Xiao Yike’s blade work was sharp and graceful—silent yet deadly.

The assassins never even saw their deaths coming.

"Now it’s up to Mo Jiu. There’s still an SS-rank assassin over there—not an easy opponent." Han Liang hefted his spear.

WHOOSH!

A bullet streaked through the night, leaving a trail of light.

Shangguan Qianqian’s eyes snapped open as she drew a slender sword.

A flash of sword light sliced through the car’s windshield, leaving a razor-thin cut.

The blade’s momentum didn’t stop—it split the sniper’s bullet in half.

"Virtual Realm?! No way!"

On a distant hill, the sniper’s face paled.

He had assumed she was just a helpless woman—but she was a Virtual Realm martial artist?! How the hell do we kill her?!

He immediately considered retreating. Facing a Virtual Realm fighter meant certain death.

"I’m surprised she’s this strong too."

A deep, eerie voice spoke behind him.

The sniper’s hair stood on end as he spun around—

Only to meet the edge of a massive axe.

---

Jiangbei City, in front of Huachuang Tower.

Master Jienan’s face was grim.

The assassin from Eagle Country was a match for a mid-level Virtual Realm fighter!

With his godly throwing knives and hit-and-run tactics, Jienan’s Indestructible Vajra Technique could only defend—barely holding on.

Under his guidance, Long and Hu had improved rapidly, reaching the Transformation Realm. But they were still outmatched.

Now, both were wounded and out of commission.

Jienan glared at the Eagle Country assassin. He never expected to run into an old rival here.

"Blind old man, what a coincidence!"

Dino twirled a throwing knife in his hand, grinning. "The moment I saw your name on the list, I came looking for you. After all, I was the one who took your eyes. Claiming your head should be familiar territory, right?"

"You bastard! Fight me again if you’ve got the guts!"

Long wiped the blood from his face, forcing himself to stand despite his injuries, his voice seething with rage.

"Alright!"

Dino flashed a cruel smile.

He gripped four throwing knives at once and hurled them all!

Clang!

Jie Nan managed to block one, but the remaining three shot straight toward Long.

"No!"

Jie Nan roared in anguish.

He knew firsthand the lethality of those blades—Long wouldn’t survive!

A shadow darted in, shielding Long at the last moment.

The three knives struck the figure’s dark fur, sparking like steel on flint, yet failing to even pierce its hide.

"Listen up, baldy—next time, don’t use ‘dog’ as an insult."

Hongtian exhaled a smoke ring, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, his tone icy and indifferent.

"Impossible! My knives… blocked by a dog?!"

Dino’s face darkened, his pride shattered.

"I don’t believe it!"

He reached for another handful of knives, poised to strike—

But in an instant!

Hongtian lunged, a blur of movement like a demonic gust through the night.

Blood sprayed!

The tips of his claws gleamed like razors, slicing clean through Dino’s throat.

The crowd gasped in horror.

"Pathetic trash."

Hongtian flicked his paw dismissively. The cigarette still burned, its ember glowing faintly in the dark.