Servant or Disciple?

The Yan Feng Guild's dark hall offers various bounty tasks, including protection, employment, and assassination. Among these, assassination tasks undoubtedly carry the highest rewards.

"Let's look at the ones with the highest rewards," Luo Feng thought as he sipped his wine, reviewing the assassination tasks.

The highest bounty: Assassinate Mo Lixiao, the Supreme Commander of the Huyang Army, with a reward of 1.2 million Universe Sands.

"Anyone who can put up a bounty of 1.2 million Universe Sands and isn't afraid of the City Lord's Mansion is probably from Shiguo," Luo Feng speculated. "According to the rules of the Yan Feng Guild's dark hall, the reward must be paid in advance. If the task isn't completed, the bounty remains in the guild. Only someone with substantial resources would risk leaving such a large sum there for a long time."

The second-highest bounty: Assassinate Xueyun, the leader of the Shiguo forces in Huyang City, with a reward of 1 million Universe Sands.

The third-highest bounty: Assassinate Zhu Hu, the leader of the Zhu Clan, with a reward of 530,000 Universe Sands.

The fourth-highest bounty: Assassinate Chun Yu, the leader of the Kuiying Pavilion, with a reward of 180,000 Universe Sands.

...

The seventh-highest bounty: Assassinate Mu Yang, the leader of the Blood Python Society, with a reward of 120,000 Universe Sands.

...

Seeing the familiar bounty on the Blood Python Society's leader, Luo Feng mused, "Ranking seventh, Mu Yang must have some wealthy enemies."

"The top three bounties are significantly higher, with a sharp drop-off afterward." Luo Feng had gathered detailed intelligence on Huyang City from his friend Shentian, so he was familiar with the targets listed in these bounty tasks.

Mo Lixiao: The strongest member of the Five Great Families in the City Lord's Mansion, Supreme Commander of the Huyang Army.

He was extremely powerful, personally dispatched by the Yuguo royal capital to oversee a large city, equipped with the best mechanical treasures and an elite personal guard.

Already formidable on his own, his command of the army made him truly terrifying.

Xueyun: The leader of the Shiguo forces in Huyang City, who had long been a thorn in the side of the City Lord's Mansion, causing significant losses to the Five Great Families, who had been unable to deal with him.

These two were very powerful and had crossed paths more than once.

"Zhu Hu from the Zhu Clan is ranked third?" Luo Feng was curious. "The Zhu Clan is a local family in Huyang City, focused on business with seemingly few enemies. Yet Zhu Hu's bounty is higher than those of the dark forces' leaders? And despite the long-standing 530,000 Universe Sand bounty, the Zhu Clan remains stable."

From these assassination tasks, Luo Feng could infer that Mo Lixiao, Xueyun, and Zhu Hu were not to be trifled with.

"Of course, the Yan Feng Guild's master, myself, and a few other reclusive figures in Huyang City don't have bounties on our heads," Luo Feng smiled. "Not having a bounty doesn't mean we're weak."

"Which task should I choose?" Luo Feng pondered.

Employment and protection tasks consumed time and effort while offering lower rewards, so naturally, he leaned toward assassination tasks.

"Leaders of the evil dark forces are all viable options," Luo Feng considered. He had his principles—only kill those who deserved it! And the leaders of dark forces, guilty of countless crimes, were naturally on the list.

"Mu Yang's bounty is a bit low," Luo Feng murmured. Three dark force leaders had higher bounties than Mu Yang, so he decided to study them carefully.

For his first bounty task, Luo Feng was determined to succeed.

Preparation was key.

...

As Luo Feng sat on the large stone atop the mountain, studying his potential targets, a figure flew toward him.

"Master," Morosa said, "That Mo Yuhu is here to visit."

"Mo Yuhu?" Luo Feng was surprised. The first Void True God he met upon arriving on the Origin Continent was Mo Yuhu.

"When Master was in seclusion for over an era, Mo Yuhu visited once before," Morosa explained. "Knowing you were in seclusion, he didn't disturb you further. This is his second visit."

Luo Feng smiled. "The second time? Let him in."

"Understood," Morosa nodded, then couldn't help but add, "Master, shouldn't we consider hiring a few more servants?"

"Hire servants? We're focused on cultivation in the cave mansion, and food and drink can be prepared in advance. Why would we need servants?" Luo Feng laughed. "Besides, when we're out, aren't you my servant?"

Morosa whispered, "Master, your reputation in Huyang City is growing, and more people are coming to visit you. I have to guard the door and serve as a servant."

Luo Feng chuckled.

When guests arrived, Morosa, the only servant, had to prepare wine and food and serve them. Despite his disguised strength, Morosa was an Eternal True God-level World Beast and was likely to reach the Chaos Realm faster than Luo Feng. He indeed wasn't suited for menial tasks.

"My mistake," Luo Feng laughed. "Don't worry, I'll hire some servants in the next couple of days."

"I'm not in a rush," Morosa grinned as he flew toward the cave entrance to bring in Mo Yuhu.

Mo Yuhu, feeling nervous and apprehensive, followed Morosa up the mountain.

"Greetings, Your Excellency," Mo Yuhu said respectfully.

As a Void True God, he was considered mid-level in Huyang City. The recent news that the dark force "Blood Python Society" had been forced to bow by an Eternal True God named Luo He was the hottest topic in Huyang City, and Mo Yuhu was well aware of it.

Luo Feng sat casually, looking at Mo Yuhu. "What brings you here?"

"Your Excellency once said I could ask for your help," Mo Yuhu said nervously, but based on what he knew about this lord, Luo He was a rather kind Eternal True God.

"Indeed, I did promise that," Luo Feng smiled. "My promises are valuable—are you sure you want to use it?"

Mo Yuhu flipped his hand, revealing a small gray hammer, which he respectfully offered. "This weapon is the greatest treasure I've ever found. I discovered it when exploring a treasure outside the city, near the corpse of an Eternal True God. The most precious item was this weapon. I'm willing to offer it to you, Excellency, in exchange for a chance for my child to become your disciple."

Luo Feng was surprised as he examined the small hammer. "This is indeed an Eternal True God-level weapon, worth about 6,000 Universe Sands. For a small Void True God like you to have such a find, and to dare present it to me? Aren't you afraid I'll take it and silence you?"

"Such a treasure, I wouldn't dare sell it to any other power because if word got out, my entire family would be doomed," Mo Yuhu said, looking at Luo Feng. "You're the only Eternal True God I trust."

The last time he had guided Luo Feng, he hadn't been killed or robbed and was even granted a future favor. Mo Yuhu was betting on Luo Feng's character.

"Haha…" Luo Feng waved his hand, taking the small hammer. "I don't take disciples easily."

"Eternal True Gods don't easily take disciples; they usually set a test," Mo Yuhu said. "I only ask that you give my child a chance to be tested."

Luo Feng replied, "You're aware of my conflict with the Blood Python Society."

"Yes," Mo Yuhu nodded. "The news has spread throughout Huyang City." From that conflict, Mo Yuhu could see how powerful Luo He was. If his child could become Luo He's disciple, it would be a great fortune.

Luo Feng continued, "In the future, I'll likely clash with other dark forces as well. I'm sure I'll have many enemies among the Eternal True Gods. If your child follows me, they might get caught up in it."

Mo Yuhu was startled.

Having just had a conflict with the Blood Python Society, he was now planning to clash with other dark forces?

"Following you means sharing in both the blessings and the risks," Mo Yuhu said decisively, knowing full well that the small hammer was only safe with Luo Feng.

"How many children do you have?" Luo Feng asked.

"Three. You may choose one, Excellency," Mo Yuhu said, respectfully presenting a book. "This contains detailed information about all three."

Luo Feng waved a hand, taking the book. "You've come well-prepared, but I must clarify that I'm only looking for a servant right now! The candidate will need to pass a test, and if they fail, they won't become my disciple. The test will also take a very long time."

"Becoming your servant is already a great fortune for my child," Mo Yuhu said quickly.

"Alright," Luo Feng nodded. "Bring your three children here, and I'll choose one to serve as my servant."

Mo Yuhu was overjoyed. "I'll bring them right away."

He respectfully took his leave and quickly departed.

"Master…" Morosa stared at the small hammer Luo Feng was playing with, unable to believe it. "You just hired a servant and earned a weapon worth 6,000 Universe Sands?"

Luo Feng smiled. "I said I'd hire a servant within two days. Did I do it quickly or not?"

"Quick!" Morosa praised, "And, Master, you're very good at making money."

"6,000 Universe Sands for becoming my servant. It's worth it," Luo Feng laughed.

"Even I'm your servant. He's lucky to be on the same level as me," Morosa said happily, thinking of all the chores he could pass on to Mo Yuhu's child.

"Master, I can help train the child in the future. You won't need to worry," Morosa offered.

"That way, he'd have an excuse to boss the child around," Morosa thought.

"Fine. If I take him as a disciple, you'll be his second master," Luo Feng said. "But I won't take a disciple easily. If he doesn't meet the minimum requirements, he'll be a servant for life."

Morosa nodded. "With both of us teaching, the bar for becoming a disciple should be high."

...

Mo Yuhu returned home, which was a modest cave mansion bought for 1,000 Chaos Crystals. It was a standard residence for a Void True God.

"Father." The three young True Gods were waiting. They knew their father was visiting the Eternal True God 'Luo He,' and they were excited to see him return.

Mo Yuhu smiled at his three children.

In the Origin Continent, love was a luxury! Most True Gods lived tough lives, let alone finding a wife and having children.

Mo Yuhu was lucky to have found his true love and raised three children together.

Since his wife's death, Mo Yuhu valued his three children more than his own life.

"Luo He has agreed to give you a chance. He'll choose one of you to be his servant," Mo Yuhu said. "You'll face many tests to become his disciple. If you fail, you won't become an Eternal True God's disciple."

"We understand."

"This is a rare opportunity. We'll do our best."

The three brothers had grown up in Huyang City and understood the value of this opportunity.

Mo Yuhu nodded. "Let's go now."