Chapter 35: How Did You End Up In A Place Like This?

    Who the fuck are you? The leader of the freelancers shouted when he saw me. It was the druggie who had been thrashed by Old Man Wi.

    With bloodshot eyes and a stench reeking of drugs, he raised his dao and pointed it at me. Hey, do you really think you can take us on alone?

    Eh? Why not?

    Youre crazy. Dont you see how many people we have? Get the fuck out of here and Ill pretend I didnt see you.

    I dont want to. I smirked and strode briskly toward the men.

    The druggie must have sensed something in my nonchalant demeanor, because he started trying to bribe me. You seem very confident in your abilitiesbut what does that matter in the face of overwhelming numbers? Instead of getting hurt senselessly, how about joining us and getting a share of the profits?

    Well? Youre here to get a sword from the old man anyway. Why dont you just kill him and take it? I wont interfere.

    You ought to read this at .

    Wow, I havent seen such a self-righteous scumbag in a very long time.

    Heehee, thats the best praise a lowlife like me can get! Even if the old man dies here, no one will ever look for his body. The druggie grinned, revealing a gap in his teeth. He obviously didnt know what sarcasm was.

    He motioned with his hand and ordered his men to surround me. Then, thinking he had the upper hand, he sneered, Im going to give you one last chance to switch sides before I change my mind. You look pretty young; do you really want to ruin your future because of some random old man?

    Hmm I feigned indecision and secretly observed the freelancers, but my heart quickly sank in disappointment.

    There isnt a single decent warrior among them. Their skin is red, yellow, or black from drug abuse, the tips of their swords are wobbly, and they all seem lethargic. Some of them are even panting from the short hike.

    All my motivation and excitement evaporated in an instant.

    No one in their right mind would take on such a shitty job, I said. Even the rough-and-tumble freelancers had their own rules. According to Bok Man-Chun, those who attacked others during the Freelancers Bazaar would be looked down upon by their peers.

    This is a free translation. You should not be seeing ads.

    In other words, the men gathered here were all trash. Holding the sword that Old Man Wi had given me loosely, I strode toward them. Tsk tsk, if I dont send you all to the afterlife today, youll just continue to cause problems for everyone else.

    Ptooey! Kill that bastard first! The druggie spat on the ground and yelled, hiding behind the other freelancers.

    Before the rain of blades could fall on me, I sprang forward like a charging tiger and slammed into the freelancer in front of me.

    SWOOSH!

    Ugh! The man in front of me widened his eyes in terror as I swooped down on him. He raised his sword in panic, aiming for my shoulder.

    That brief moment of hesitation was enough for my sword to carve a red line across his neck.

    SPURT!

    KEUAK! The freelancer screamed as he desperately tried to stop the bleeding from the two-inch gash on his neck. Unfortunately, it was too late. The light in his eyes was already fading.

    This is a non-profit translation. You should not be seeing ads.

    SMACK!

    As he staggered off balance, I kicked him into another freelancer and used the opening to slash at the other startled enemies.

    SWISH! SWOOSH! WHOOSH!

    In an instant, two more were down, their carotid arteries severed. Decapitating them was a waste of energy, and letting them stumble around causing confusion before they died served as a good shield for me. Just like that, I used their numbers and lack of cooperation to my advantage, easily outmaneuvering them and killing three more.

    Shit! Get out of the way, asshole!

    If youre going to die, die alone!

    Harsh expletives were yelled from all around me as the encirclement lost its meaning. Some freelancers had even started slashing at each other in the chaos.

    I dont need qi to defeat these thugs; the physical enhancement from the Eighteen Strikes of the Viridian Forest is enough.

    I launched myself into the air, twisting my body to dodge spears and swords from both welcomes you.

    I kicked away the weapons coming at me with both feet, somersaulted through the air like a cat, and stabbed the fool who tried to attack me from behind.

    CRACK!

    As my sword sliced through his skull, his face instantly paled in shock. I landed on the ground, pulled out my sword, and pushed the dying man away from me.

    In the light of the flickering torches, I could see my face reflected in Moon Shadow. This is a much better sword than I thought. Its as light as a feather, yet it can cut through a human skull without leaving a single nick or dent.

    Die!

    Right now, Im barely able to apply what Ive learned, but Ill get better bit by bit.

    Suddenly, Old Man Wi narrowed his eyes. By the way Why didnt you use your qi during the fight just now? Or is it something you cant use?

    He doesnt seem to have figured out the truth yet, but damn, this old mans senses are sharp!

    You ought to read this at .

    Bok Man-Chun asked incredulously, What? Are you saying that Boss didnt use qi just now? He cracked a mans head open

    Thats because he used a sword I forged. If it had been made by someone else, it would have been difficult for him to cut a persons bones without qi, but with my sword, its a piece of cake.

    Hearing Old Man Wis shameless self-praise, Bok Man-Chuns jaw dropped. Eh

    With a serious, desperate look on his face, Old Man Wi asked me, Answer me. Young Warrior, are you suffering from a condition that prevents you from using qi?

    Do I have to answer that?

    Yes.

    About that My guts told me that Old Man Wis insistence was related to his request, and if I wanted to earn his trust, I needed to answer his question with sincerity.

    northbladetl.com welcomes you.

    I glanced at the box of Seven Stem Nine Leaf Grass that was still in Bok Man-Chuns arms. Once I ingested the spiritual herb, Id be able to advance the Heaven Defying Divine Art to the next level.

    I cant use it right now, but its only temporary.

    . Old Man Wi was silent for a while, as if he was making a difficult decision. Finally, he said: Im sorry, but I want to take back what I said earlier Are you interested in accepting my request?

    I smiled broadly. Of course.

    I want you to kill a person for me.

    Inside Old Man Wis tent, all kinds of weapons were displayed in an order only he knew. The three of us sat around a small table in the middle of the tent.

    A murder contract Who is the target? Bok Man-Chun asked, a dangerous gleam in his eyes as he tried to find out how dangerous this job was. Depending on the target, the risk could be high or low.

    Old Man Wi winced, then said hesitantly, I cant tell you that until you come with me to kill him, and Im looking for someone who can do it as soon as possible.

    I have to go with you?

    Yes. I need to see him die with my own eyes.

    .

    If you kill him, I will do everything in my power to make the weapon you want.

    This is a free translation. You should not be seeing ads.

    With that, Old Man Wi said nothing more. This was as much as he wanted to disclose.

    Hmm Bok Man-Chun scratched his chin indecisively.

    I stared at Old Man Wis rigid expression for a moment, then said to Bok Man-Chun, Administrator Bok, could you step outside?

    Boss, you cant decide this on a whim

    That was an order, I interjected sternly.

    I understand. Bok Man-Chun got up and left the tent with a worried look on his face.

    When Bok Man-Chun was out of earshot, I said in a low voice, I have a question for you.

    I have said all that I have to say.

    My question has nothing to do with the request.

    Fine If its something I can answer, Ill answer it.

    As soon as Old Man Wi let his guard down, I caught him unprepared, asking, How did you end up in a place like this?

    What do you mean?

    Allow me to put it more clearly. How did the Clan Head of the Wi Clan, one of the Eight Clans of the Blood Cult, end up in a place like this?

    With lightning speed, Old Man Wi lunged at my throat.