“These are all distinguished guests I personally invited. Don’t cause any trouble,” the Count said coldly.

“My concern is that these people might be all show and no substance, ruining the master’s important affairs,” the trusted aide replied firmly.

Li Site smiled silently. This trusted aide wore iron armor even while eating, standing beside a greatsword; he must be the Count’s personal bodyguard, undoubtedly an expert. At least earning an honorary adventurer rank wouldn’t be a problem.

Everyone was chatting happily—was this aide the one stirring up trouble? Of course not. It had to be the Count’s order to test their abilities at the last moment, to see if they were truly capable of the great task.

There was no need to put on a show.

“Count, let’s not beat around the bush. We’re all straightforward people here. Let’s open the window and speak plainly. Besides, the dishes haven’t been served yet, so this is a good chance to practice. Let me show you that I’m not just all talk—I have skills worth relying on. Your friend here is no match for these two gentlemen,” Li Site said, spreading his hands. Both General Fen and Kill-brother were present; picking either one out, they were men among men.

“What do you mean?” the Count probed cautiously.

“Just a friendly sparring match,” Li Site replied.

He gestured invitingly to Morrison. Although his words were confident, there was still some concern—this place was cramped, so General Fen’s wide-range noble attacks wouldn’t be effective.

“Since this is Boss Direct Recruitment, it’s only right to have some audition work. But all my skills are finishing moves. If I accidentally injure this knight here…” Morrison stood up, unconcerned.

“Blades and swords have no eyes. Flesh wounds are inevitable. Understood,” the knight’s aide also stood without hesitation.

“In that case, I’ll give you two moves,” Morrison said, stepping back behind the dining table to a more open space.

“No need, just come at me,” the knight retorted, retreating as well. His boot positions aligned with his shoulders, knees bent low. He wielded two hybrid greatswords, their blades shining brightly. These swords were forged with infused magic stones, emitting a faint purple-blue aura.

“Oh?” Morrison lifted his cloak, revealing a full arsenal that made the knight briefly pause, though only for a moment.

Two flying knives shot out with a fierce whistling sound.

The knight’s dynamic vision was extremely sharp. Seeing only two knives, he immediately crossed his swords to block them. The wide blades simultaneously stopped both knives in a straight line.

But the force behind those knives was unbelievably terrifying.

Though the knight’s stance remained intact, his plated boots scraped the floor as he was knocked backward half a meter.

Morrison sneered coldly.

He aimed to establish a fixed perception: if the knight could block two knives, what about three?

The knives flew so fast they blurred into illusions, impossible to see the moves clearly. After the knives shot out, Morrison himself surged forward like a ghost riding the wind.

The knight still blocked two knives, but a dull soreness tingled at the tiger’s mouth of his hand. Where did this cannon-like throwing force come from? The third knife was too risky to catch, so he turned his head to dodge. The knife pierced straight through the wall, punching a large hole with dust swirling out.

Seeing Morrison charging in full force, the knight decisively dropped his greatsword and drew a broad sword for close combat. The clash of metal rang out sharply, sparks flying like waterfalls.

Morrison’s daggers were made of scrap metal, incomparable to the knight’s luxurious weapons stacked with gold dragons. The disadvantage showed as cracks quickly appeared on the daggers, about to shatter.

It was still an equipment advantage. Morrison wore a light crocodile leather jacket, barely armor, while the knight was clad in full steel plate.

Morrison could have killed the knight right then, with his new equipment advantage on full display, but since he was in someone else’s home, he had to show some respect and hold back.

He attacked the knight’s neck with one hand, only to have his arm locked firmly by the knight’s armored gauntlet, unable to move even an inch.

At this moment, Morrison was at an absolute disadvantage.

Unexpectedly, Morrison tapped his heel. A sharp knife suddenly sprang from the tip of his boot.

Though it seemed slow, less than three seconds passed from the moment Morrison lifted his cloak. The strength, speed, and reflexes of these experts were unbelievably fast.

It was unimaginable that a human could perform such a move. Using the force of being locked by the knight, Morrison lowered his center of gravity, hanging his entire weight on the knight. He twisted his body in a strange arc, spinning half a circle in midair. His toe struck the knight’s sword-wielding right shoulder with terrifying force, breaking through the armor. The sharp blade pierced flesh and dug into bone.

The knight’s right hand instantly went limp. The broad sword clattered to the ground as he collapsed heavily, armor and all, onto the floor. Morrison followed through smoothly, stepping on him in a fluid, seamless motion.

Morrison withdrew the boot knife, blood pouring out.

The knight… was instantly defeated.

The Count’s family was stunned, having never seen such a cunning and bizarre fighting style.

“Sorry for the poor show.” Morrison wiped the blood from the knife and tapped his heel, retracting the blade. He added, “I’m somewhat familiar with most creatures’ anatomy, especially humans. That knife struck his tendon, which caused his hand to go limp. He’ll need treatment quickly, or this hand might be ruined.”

Li Site gasped. This guy sure knew how to put on a show.

Fen’s eyes flashed. Morrison had never used his full strength. His weapons looked plentiful but were all cobbled together junk. It seemed like he was testing his limits. This person couldn’t be underestimated. With skills like these, where couldn’t he go on the Western Continent? But he had been fooling around for over a year now—could he really be a native?

“I admit defeat; your skills surpass mine,” the knight said frankly, standing up and acknowledging his loss.

Soon a doctor arrived and took the knight away for treatment.

After the small incident passed, Li Site and the Count chatted casually, like typical middle-aged men discussing politics—no substance, just empty talk.

At this time, dishes began arriving at the long table. They were prepared by a chef who had placed in the top twenty-four of the Aran Culinary Competition. From ingredient selection, cooking technique, plating aesthetics, to aroma and taste, everything was flawless.

All were grand dishes, no corners cut—seafood, land food, and airborne ingredients, whatever was expensive appeared on the table.

One dish featured large sea prawns paired with a variety of rare seafood delicacies. The pale sauce was crystal clear, and the meat was so fresh and tender that it trembled on the plate.

“These dishes are so good, they must send you straight to seafood hell, huh?” Morrison didn’t wait for the Count to pick up his fork. He grabbed a piece of prawn meat with his hand and popped it into his mouth, instantly turning his stomach.

“This friend here has incredible skills. I wonder where he learned them? I’ll have my son try some hardship too,” the Count said confidently. He considered himself a man who had seen countless people; many capable retainers lived on his estate, but none like Morrison.

The Count’s son gave an awkward laugh, clearly feeling he was no match.

Li Site sighed silently. Your son is clearly destined for greatness.

“Well, just learning won’t do. It depends on how tough your luck is,” Morrison replied casually.

Seeing Morrison unwilling to say more, no one pressed further.

The atmosphere suddenly grew silent.

The Count’s family lost their appetite.

Only Morrison continued eating; the others wore grim expressions.

Li Site knew it was time to get to the point.

“I heard from your son that this big job requires familiarity with the East Sea region. I don’t know the details, but the sooner we know, the better we can prepare,” Li Site said bluntly.

“You’re to escort three people to Heaven’s Port. A month later, someone will be waiting there. Hand over the three, and the job’s done,” the Count said calmly.

Li Site nodded, as expected.

“Who are these three people?” This was Li Site’s main concern.