With the sound of bamboo thudding, Han Xiao sensed something and quickly dodged, just in time to avoid the sharp whistle of five to six swallow-tail darts that embedded themselves into the bamboo behind him.

Emerging from the shadows, two assassins revealed themselves. The taller and more muscular first wore a tight-fitting black suit that seemed to absorb the surrounding light. His mask was sleek and featureless, save for two narrow slits for his eyes, which glinted coldly in the darkness. His stance was firm and disciplined, exuding a deadly confidence that suggested years of experience in the shadows.

The second assassin was shorter and leaner, with a wiry build hinting at agility and speed. His outfit was similarly dark but had several pockets and straps, indicating he carried various tools and weapons. His mask was more intricate, with a subtle pattern etched into the surface, and his eyes were sharp and calculating, constantly darting around as if assessing every possible angle and threat. Unlike his companion, his demeanor was more tense and twitchy, giving off an aura of unpredictability.

Their contrasting appearances made them a formidable pair. The taller one radiated brute strength and unwavering focus, while the shorter one exuded a sense of nervous energy and quick reflexes. Both were seasoned killers, and their silent communication through subtle nods and gestures spoke of a well-practiced partnership.

Han Xiao glanced toward the darts and saw gray steam rising from the bamboo where they had embedded, clearly showing signs of a highly toxic and corrosive poison. His eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation, understanding the lethal intent behind the attack.

“Well, that was a warm welcome,” he said, his tone laced with sarcasm. He shifted his gaze back to the two assassins, noting their contrasting appearances and calculating demeanor.

The taller assassin, with his firm stance and disciplined aura, seemed unfazed. His cold eyes met Han Xiao’s with a steely determination. The shorter one, however, looked more alert and jittery, his eyes constantly moving, analyzing every possible threat and escape route.

Han Xiao’s mind raced as he evaluated his options. The toxic darts had been a clear message: these assassins weren’t here to play games. They were here to kill. But he wasn’t about to let them succeed.

“Impressive poison you’ve got there,” Han Xiao continued, maintaining his calm facade. “But if you think that’s enough to take me down, you’re sorely mistaken.”

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The assassins remained silent, their eyes locked onto him, ready for any sudden movement.

“Alright then, let’s get this over with,” Han Xiao muttered, unsheathing his sword and preparing for the inevitable confrontation.

He knew that even a slight graze from any of the weapons released by the leaner assassin would be fatal. The poison was highly toxic and corrosive, and he had to be extremely cautious.

His senses heightened, Han Xiao focused intently on his surroundings, ready to react at a moment's notice. He couldn't afford any mistakes.

"I see you're serious about this," Han Xiao said, eyes locked on the assassins. "Let's see if your skills match your poison."

The taller assassin moved first, lunging forward with a swift, deadly precision. Han Xiao parried the attack, his sword meeting the assassin's blade with a sharp clang. At the same moment, he kept a close watch on the leaner assassin, knowing that a secondary attack was imminent.

Sure enough, the leaner assassin hurled another set of poisoned darts, aiming for Han Xiao's blind spot. With a fluid motion, Han Xiao twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the darts as they embedded themselves in the ground where he had stood just moments before.

His mind raced, calculating his next move. He had to take down the assassins quickly and decisively, without giving them any opportunity to land a hit.

"Your poison won't save you," Han Xiao growled, launching a counterattack with a series of rapid, precise strikes aimed at the taller assassin.

As the clash of blades intensified, Han Xiao's focus never wavered. He knew that any lapse in concentration could be his last. He had to stay sharp, outmaneuvering and out-thinking his opponents at every turn.

His current sword skills stemmed from three years of hard work by the former Han Xiao, ingrained deep within his muscles as muscle memory. Coupled with his present raw strength and agility, he easily parried the combo attacks of the two assassins. Many times, he narrowly escaped the silent darts released from the darkness, all while maintaining the high level of his swordsmanship. The clinking sound of metal against metal echoed through the woods. Instead of faltering, he gradually became more polished with his sword skills, refining his timing, execution of attacks, defense, and when to step back.

The two assassins quickly realized their target was using them to hone his swordsmanship, which made them increasingly nervous. They understood this was not a good sign for them; targets who improved under pressure were the ones they had been taught to avoid.

The other assassin whistled, and the tall assassin quickly stepped back, swinging his sword. They dashed, and in the next moment, they were over twenty yards away, keeping their distance from Han Xiao.

"Something is seriously wrong here. Don't you feel it, Dirty Blade?" the thinner assassin communicated telepathically to his partner. They had been given code names upon joining their assassin group, with their original identities kept secret even from each other to ensure security. Thus, they identified themselves by code names.

"Sure, the information regarding this brat doesn't align with the mission. Shall we forfeit this, Poison Shadow?" Dirty Blade responded. “Damn it! We're trapped by the amount attached to this D-rank mission.”

“Yeah, it seems they're using us to measure this brat’s limits,” Poison Shadow replied, analyzing Han Xiao’s capabilities beyond the mission details he’d learned from some of the disciples.

“Argh! We've been misled again. Screw them. The money's not worth it. Let's leave,” Dirty Blade cussed.

“Leaving? That won’t be so easy. Look at him,” Poison Shadow said. They both glanced at Han Xiao, who was grinning and eying them playfully.

"Are you done Strategizing your play? Then come at me and entertain me more," Han Xiao taunted as he lunged toward Poison Shadow.