Lin Lei's mind was permanently branded with that scene.
In response to Hise's question, Lin Lei nodded. "It's very captivating. I've memorized that scene just now. However, I'm afraid the quality of the stone sculptures I carve will be very difficult to reach the level of 'Dream Awakening' again."
The birth of a divine masterpiece was an extraordinarily difficult thing.
The previous Lin Lei had been consumed by grief to the extreme, pouring all of his emotions into the work, forgetting everything, reaching the most wondrous state of mind, before finally completing it. But now, carving for the sake of carving — reaching that level of quality was almost impossible.
"As long as it's carved by Master Lin Lei, that's enough. I'm not asking for the level of 'Dream Awakening' — reaching the standard of an ordinary master is more than sufficient," Hise said with a smile.
Lin Lei nodded.
If that was the case, Lin Lei was fully confident.
"Mr. Hise, how about this — the stone sculpture you've requested will be ready for pickup in one month?" In truth, Lin Lei only needed three days, but he wanted to leave himself plenty of free time.
Hise nodded. "Fine, one month. That's hardly any time at all. No rush — I've got plenty of time. Ha ha."
"Master Lin Lei, if there's anything you need, just say the word. If it's something I can do, I'll absolutely take care of it," Hise said generously.
Lin Lei couldn't help feeling a bit nervous deep down.
Patterson had already been killed by him. The only target remaining in Lin Lei's heart was Clyde. Whether it was killing or capturing Clyde, neither was something the current Lin Lei could accomplish.
But the King of Slaughter, 'Hise,' could certainly do it!
"Mr. Hise, if I asked you to help me capture a king within the Holy Alliance, would you agree?" Lin Lei held back his impulse and tested the waters first.
Hise was taken aback, looking up at Lin Lei with surprise and suspicion. "Capture a king?"
"Yes." Lin Lei nodded firmly.
Hise's brows furrowed. He pondered for a moment, then looked at Lin Lei and said, "Let me ask you this — if I helped you capture this king, would you kill him?"
"I probably would!" Lin Lei answered honestly.
To deceive the King of Slaughter was exceedingly unwise. As for killing Clyde — if his mother had truly been killed by the man, how could Lin Lei possibly not seek revenge?
Lin Lei also had a premonition deep in his heart. His mother had gone without a word for so many years. Nine times out of ten, she was already dead, or imprisoned somewhere. Regardless of which was the case, he had to avenge his mother.
"Kill a king?" Hise looked at Lin Lei.
Lin Lei gazed back at Hise with hope.
But Hise was very clear on the matter. While in terms of rank, a Cardinal was slightly higher than a kingdom's king, the political impact of killing a king far exceeded that of killing a Cardinal.
When a Cardinal died, the Church could immediately appoint a replacement.
But when a king died, the entire kingdom would likely descend into a war of succession. And the Church of Light would once again grow hostile toward him on top of it.
"I'm sorry, but I must decline this request," Hise said solemnly, looking at Lin Lei. "Lin Lei, killing a king carries far too great an impact. Besides, the Church of Light has treated me quite well. I don't want to turn the Church of Light and my 'Saber Organization' against each other over a single stone sculpture."
The King of Slaughter, 'Hise' — behind him naturally stood 'Saber,' one of the four great assassin organizations.
Hise understood the weight of things.
A single stone sculpture was not worth causing a rift in his amicable relationship with the Church of Light. Over the years, the Church of Light had treated him with great courtesy, and Hise was well aware of that. He was no ungrateful wretch — if they had shown him such respect, he would not turn around and lay a hand on their Holy Alliance's king.
"Think of a different request," Hise said apologetically.
A wave of helplessness washed over Lin Lei. Clyde's strength might not mean anything to Hise, but Clyde's identity was precisely what would prevent Hise from taking action.
Lin Lei forced himself to stay calm.
"Mr. Hise, I'd like to ask — is there any way for a seventh-level mage to kill a ninth-level powerhouse?" Lin Lei inquired.
Hise glanced at Lin Lei, thought for a moment, and said, "When it comes to methods of killing, I know quite a few. However, making a seventh-level mage kill a ninth-level powerhouse — that does present a bit of a challenge." As he spoke, Hise's mind was racing through possibilities. This 'King of Slaughter,' who hadn't killed anyone in a long time, was rapidly cycling through one killing method after another in his head.
Lin Lei didn't dare interrupt Hise's thinking and waited quietly to the side.
Suddenly, Hise turned to look at Lin Lei. "Is this ninth-level powerhouse a mage or a warrior? If it's a mage, I actually have a method."
"A warrior," Lin Lei immediately answered.
Assassinating a warrior versus a mage called for completely different tactics. Upon hearing Lin Lei say it was a ninth-level warrior, Hise couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
Lin Lei could only wait anxiously to the side.
"Ah, I've thought of one!" Hise's eyes suddenly lit up as he looked at Lin Lei. "Ha ha! It's actually a method I stumbled upon and memorized on a whim back in the day. I can't believe that after eight hundred years, I still remember it."
"What method?!" Lin Lei's heart surged with excitement.
Heavens!
He never expected that this King of Slaughter actually had a way to let a seventh-level mage kill a ninth-level powerhouse.
"The King of Slaughter really does know the most assassination techniques — of course he knows more than I do. Still, if I'd lived another five thousand years or so, I'd probably know even more," Derinkoort's voice echoed in Lin Lei's mind.
Lin Lei smiled bitterly. Grandpa Derinkoort just couldn't stand losing.
"The method is..." Hise smiled at Lin Lei. "Use poison!"
"Use poison?"