Quit the Martial World . . .
Cha Eun Xiao's space ring was exceptionally stable, far more so than others in this world. Most space rings typically had a limited lifespan, lasting only between three hundred and five hundred years. However, Cha Eun Xiao's creations could endure for one to two thousand years.
Given his proficiency, he casually handed over a dozen space rings to the members of Boundless Saint's group. Although he could make them himself, these rings were still considered rare and invaluable treasures. Not long ago, when Cha Eun Xiao had given a space ring to King Chen Xuantian, the monarch had been astonished by the gesture.
Of course, Cha Eun Xiao's space rings weren't as exceptional as those crafted by Wan-Er and Xiu-Er. Theirs were genuine treasures with vast storage and exceptional stability. If Cha Eun Xiao ever needed money while in the Qing-Yun Realm, the space rings given to him by Wan-Er and Xiu-Er would be more than enough to meet his financial needs.
The thirteen assassins, now equipped with both space rings and their substantial earnings, were overwhelmed.
"Oh, heavens!"
"I'm a wealthy man now! Oooo!"
In the past, they had often derided the wealthy, proclaiming, "Idiot! You think money makes you better than others? If someone offered a reward for your head, I'd claim it without hesitation! Money means nothing, you jerk."
However, their newfound wealth had them singing a different tune. They now realized the true value of riches.
"Oh, my dreams..."
"They've finally come true!"
Boundless Saint took possession of the eighteen billion tael and secured it. He then stashed the remaining funds in a space ring.
"Alright. We have a long and prosperous life ahead of us. Now, let's attend to business and provide financial support to the families of our fallen comrades!" Boundless Saint chuckled with glee.
The assassins were reluctant to leave immediately. With their newfound wealth, they had grown timid. "What if we get robbed? We can't just walk out like this. It would be better if Ling-Bao Hall sent someone to escort us."
Their dependency on Ling-Bao Hall had seemingly grown.
Ning Biluo, however, couldn't hold back any longer. "Who would dare to rob you while you're all together? Who has the ability to do so? People should feel lucky not to be robbed by you. And now you're worried about getting robbed? I... that's..."
Boundless Saint spoke earnestly. "Well, everything is different now. We were once poor, so we resorted to thievery. But we're wealthy now, and we must be cautious. Besides, the world isn't as peaceful as it may appear."
Wan Zhenghao couldn't tolerate their timidity any longer. He waved his sleeve in frustration and left, thinking, "Are these assassins? The world is less peaceful because of them. And now they're telling me they're afraid? I've been wealthy for a long time, and I've never felt this scared. I'm no longer afraid now. Assassins are just like that. What's there to be frightened of? I truly despise them. Assassins? These guys?"
Despite their hesitations, the fourteen elite assassins, including Boundless Saint, remained in Ling-Bao Hall until late at night. Disguised, they slipped out the back door of the hall. Cha Eun Xiao and Ning Biluo sighed as they watched them leave.
At that moment, they couldn't help but feel...
At times, it proved challenging to articulate the profound complexities of their existence.
Was the martial world the sole reality for these individuals?
What was the purpose of their existence?
For wealth?
No one dared to voice that question, although it lingered in their hearts.
They all grappled with intricate emotions.
Were they living for their families or the promise of a better life?
That was true, yet the concept of a "better life" was multifaceted.
It revolved around strength, of course, but also around another undeniable facet: money.
But why did it always come back to money?
Although everyone acknowledged money's significance, they found it challenging to accept it wholeheartedly.
One certainty prevailed among them: Boundless Lake and the legendary Boundless Saint would fade into obscurity. The most fearsome assassin group in the world had unconditionally left the martial world behind.
"I am delighted for them, for the closure they've found," Ning Biluo remarked with a sigh. "Finally, an assassin can live the dream life we all secretly desire. They can bid farewell to the martial world and lead content, peaceful lives."
"What saddens me is that even someone as powerful as Boundless Saint had to tread so carefully and cautiously when choosing to depart, as though he were a criminal. He was apprehensive and required your assistance to make that decision," Ning Biluo continued.
"The path of an assassin is truly treacherous, both in the journey and the destination," he lamented.
Zhao Pingtian inquired, "Ning, did you genuinely let him go without seeking retribution?"
Ning Biluo offered a bitter smile. "How could I not? You see, I wasn't entirely confident about that sword strike. I couldn't be certain if he would survive. A minor misstep on his part would have been fatal. I could execute a precise sword strike, but I couldn't guarantee his steadfastness. He was in a precarious situation."
"If he had hesitated, even slightly, or taken a step backward, he would have perished. However, he withstood my attack without flinching. He didn't retreat at all. He was truly willing to lay down his life for this outcome."
"It was a game, and he won. A single sword strike could have ended it all. I forgave him for his past actions. They didn't set him apart from you and me; he was merely carried away. In his shoes, I might have made similar choices. Furthermore, it's evident that he no longer desires the life of an assassin. Now that he has acquired the means to retire, he's reminiscent of my fallen brothers who often looked at me and asked, 'When can we lay down our swords and escape to the mountains to live the tranquil lives we crave?'"
"We're all the same. He chose to depart, and he was on the cusp of doing so. There was no need for me to push him to the brink of death. Why not offer him a chance to move forward?" Ning Biluo shared, his voice filled with sorrow.