Chapter 29. The First Mission

The clan mission center was one of the three largest buildings which Amon had seen outside the estate. It was the one with the eight storeys.

Many people were seen coming in and out of the building. Everyone recognized Madam Lin, hence they bowed when she passed.

Entering the ground floor of the building, Amon saw that the available missions were posted along the side walls. Everyone could study them and choose the suitable one for themselves. In his previous chat with Madam Lin, Amon had learned that missions were classified into six difficulties, indicated by alphabets: E, D, C, B, A, and S.

The lowest and easiest difficulty was the E-grade mission, while the highest and most difficult was the S-grade. This bottom floor was mainly filled with young members of the clan, this was because this floor contains only missions of the E-grade which posed less risk. Young clan members looking for experience mostly picked the mission on this floor.

As Madam Lin was about to ask Amon to look around for a suitable mission, someone greeted them.

"Sister, you are here."

They turned to the source of the voice and saw Lin Fong was there.

"Why are you here?" Madam Lin asked.

"Why can't I be here?" Lin Fong replied with a smile. His heart, however, was aching. Ever since the hearing two and half years ago, his sister had treated him with coldness. Though he knew the reason was that he had shown opposition to her adopted son, he considered the blame solely on Amon. If the boy had not appeared, his relationship with his sister would have been just fine.

"I have no time to speak with you. I am helping my son pick a mission here."

"About that, you don't need to bother. We already have a suitable mission for him."

Madam Lin frowned hearing it. "We? Who do you mean by we? Everyone is allowed to choose their own missions. What do you mean you have a suitable mission?"

"It's me and big brother. About the mission, please follow me upstairs."

"Upstairs. Are you saying the mission is from the second floor? Don't be ridiculous. The mission above are D grade ones, they are meant for mid to peak Strength stage cultivators. Lin Mo is not even at the Strength stage yet."

"Sister, please don't get agitated. We have discussed this with father and he has agreed with our choice. You can go ask him if you want. If this boy is to prove his worth to our clan, he has to show that he is willing to brave dangers following our order. This is necessary if he wants to be accepted in our clan."

"Mother, it is fine. If I can get accepted by the clan, then everything's worth it. Let's go up," Amon said.

Madam Lin was about to object further, but hearing Amon's calm words, she didn't say anything further. Lin Fong saw her silence as compliant and started walking over to the stairs. Amon walked after him with Madam Lin following reluctantly.

They went up the stairs and came up to a similar floor. But this floor was not as crowded as the bottom floor. Lin Fong led them to a group not far away. There was one man in his thirties accompanied by three teenagers. The four saw Lin Fong coming, they greeted him with respect and did the same to Madam Lin. They completely ignored Amon. The three teenagers even gave a disdainful glance at Amon.

"This is Amon who will be going on the mission with you," Lin Fong said to the four.

"A group mission?" Madam Lin asked.

"Yes. See? We actually do him good. We know he is still green to the outside world and his cultivation is still lacking. Thus, we arrange a group mission. Even though the mission itself is of higher grade, he only needs to observe. He can gather experience as he watched his peers work the mission."

Madam Lin looked at his brother with suspicion, she was not convinced.

"Look, we even ask an escort to watch over these young members. He will not interfere with the mission but he will take action if there is any real danger threatening the boys' lives." Lin Fong was referring to the man in his thirties.

"What is his cultivation?" Madam Lin asked.

"I am at the peak Transformation stage of the Human Realm," the man answered for himself. "My name is Lin Giru. You can rest assured that I won't let anything happens to these kids."

Madam Lin didn't deign Lin Giru any response, she was still looking at Lin Fong, "What is the mission?"

"There is a report that a lair of Greasy Horned Weasel was found. We have to seize the chance immediately before the other clans catch wind of it. Their horns are excellent materials for making high-quality engraved weapons. Our clan will get a high profit if we sell these horns to the engraver guild."

"Greasy Horned Weasel? That's a mid inferior spirit beast," Madam Lin said.

"Yes, which is just right for a group of Strength stage cultivators," Lin Fong replied as he gestured at the three younglings. "They are all beginning Strength stage cultivators."

Mid inferior spirit beast? Amon thought. Similar level to the Crimson Grimalkin he had seen four years ago.

Madam Lin wanted to argue that Lin Mo was not one, but decided otherwise. It's not like Lin Fong was unaware of this fact. Instead, she said, "Greasy Horned Weasels rarely live alone. How do you suppose a few beginning Strength stage cultivators who lack battle experiences to deal with them?"

"That's why we have Lin Giru with them. If they meet a situation where the kids can't handle, he will interfere."

Madam Lin looked at them one by one. She then said, "I will go along with this, but I have one condition."

"A condition?" Lin Fong frowned. "Sis, this is already arranged. If you are worried that…"

"If you don't want this to become a big issue, then shut up and accept my condition. Or else, I will bring Lin Mo away now and I will go see father and discuss with him."

Lin Fong was helpless to his sister's stubbornness. He knew her temperament very well. If he insisted, she would not relent. It would just make matter worse. Hence, he said, "all right, what's your condition?"

"I want one of my retainers to follow this mission as well," Madam Lin said.

"Your retainer?"

Madam Lin took out a small jade piece. She held it on her forehead. The jade glowed bright green for a few moments. The glow soon receded and she stored the jade back.

That was a limited range communication device that was activated by aether. She had shown this device to Amon before. It could transfer one's thoughts to another who had a corresponding jade.

"My retainer will come soon," Madam Lin said.

Madam Lin stood there waiting. Lin Fong tried to strike a conversation with her, but he was being ignored. Embarrassed by such treatment, he glared at Amon, clearly indicating that Amon was the cause.

'Heh,' Amon simply sneered, which caused Lin Fong's anger to intensify. 'This brat! How dare he?' He cursed in his mind. His face was becoming red. But Lin Fong controlled his emotion, he did not want to antagonize his sister any further.

Amon did not care to conceal his contempt for this Lin Fong fellow. It was clear the guy meant nasty things to him. There was no point trying to fake friendliness.

As they were waiting, Amon went to the wallboard behind Lin Giru that contained the information about the mission. The board showed the mission objective, which was to hunt the Greasy Horned Weasel for their horns as Lin Fong had mentioned. A map was drawn with a marked area showing the rough location where the lair was supposedly seen.

There was also brief information about the Greasy Horned Weasel. A sketch showed what the weasel looked like. It looked similar to the weasel from his past life except that there was a long-bladed horn at the tip of its muzzle. This bladed horn was their objective. The description mentioned that this horn was also the most powerful weapon of the weasel, it could cut through steel easily.

Lin Giru approached Amon with the three teenagers. He said to Amon, "Boy, since we will be working together. Let us get to know each other. You have heard my name. I will be the one in charge while we are on the mission. You will have to hear and do everything I say. These three talented younglings are Lin Bu, Lin Sora, and Lin Lang. They are much older than you so you have to show them respect."

The three were still giving Amon the disdainful stare. Amon simply glanced at them for a short moment before returning his attention to the mission board.

"Hey, what kind of manner is that?" The one who was introduced as Lin Bu uttered. "Aren't you supposed to say your name in return?"

Amon continued to focus on the mission board, which angered the teenagers even further.

Lin Giru also frowned. "Boy, that kind of poor attitude will cause disharmony in the group. I said already you have to listen to my words. I command you to apologize to these three."

Instead of complying, Amon pointed at Lin Fong, who was bewildered by Amon's action. Lin Giru and the others had the same puzzled expression.

"He said before that I am only an observer. I will only watch you people work. So, there is no need for you to give me an order as I will not be doing anything."

Lin Fong almost flipped hearing Amon's words. This kid was using his words against him.