If I Wanted To Kill You, You'd Already Be Dead

"You know of the corruption!?" Xiao Chen cautiously backed up, his unnerving unease growing. "Who are you really!? An assassin sent to catch me off guard!!?"

"I already told you that my identity is of no relevance," replied Xue Ren as he began to blur through the falling rain droplets. "And if I wanted to kill you—"

SHING!

"—You'd already be dead."

"!?!?"

'So fast! I didn't even see him move!'

If it wasn't certain before, then it was now confirmed!

Whoever this cloaked figure was, he was definitely an expert of at least the Middle Foundation Establishment Realm!

In truth, Xue Ren had yet to even reach the 3rd Layer of Qi Condensation. However, because of his intense practice of the Ancient Gold Body Refining Technique, he had progressed to the Peak Bronze Body state and subsequently improved his physical prowess by leaps and bounds.

And though the Body Path Technique focused primarily on physical strength, speed was still increased right alongside it—just by less.

'My speed is no worse than an average Middle Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator right now; of course you couldn't see through it,' Xue Ren thought to himself as he retracted the dagger he had placed up against Xiao Chen's throat.

"Do you want me to deal with the Yellow Blade Bandits and corrupt officials or not?" he asked, getting a little grumpy. "If you don't, then forget I said anything and we'll pretend like none of this ever even happened—"

"No, I want it!"

"???"

"Y-Your help, I mean," said Xiao Chen, blushing a little. "I need it."

"Don't act embarrassed like that." Xue Ren's lips curled in disgust. "And state how much you're willing to pay for my services. They don't come cheap, so any lowballing will be immediately met with me performing a disappearing act."

Xiao Chen was taken aback by the shamelessness of this unknown cloaked expert, but if it meant getting back at those bastards, he'd pay whatever cost was necessary.

"3-3, no—400 Lowest Grade Spirit Stones…! That's really all I have, so please—"

"Deal," said Xue Ren as he pulled down his cloak and turned around. "I'll bring you back the heads of the most powerful experts they have. I expect to be paid in full upon my return."

Huh!?

That easy!?

400 Lowest Grade Spirit Stones was a good sum, but to the average Foundation Establishment Realm Master, it wasn't a whole lot…

Was this guy just that short on change or something??

"Oh, also." Xue Ren's voice echoed one last time before he vanished into the shower of rain hailing from above. "If you think you can shirk out of paying what you've promised me… I'll just have to add your head to the pile as well."

Immense dread washed over Xiao Chen in that moment as large beads of sweat formed all over him. He lowered his head in fear, furiously nodding and shouting, "N-Never would I dream of it, Senior!!" until the cloaked figure's enigmatic presence could no longer be felt.

"Phew… He's finally gone…."

Xiao Chen felt relieved, but at the same time, wondered if the penny-grabbing Senior would actually be able to pull it off—the elimination of the Yellow Blade Bandit Gang and the corrupt city officials.

— Within the Yellow Blade Bandit Gang's Hideout, in the dim candlelit cellar meeting room —

"You're saying that you let one of the Coalition Leaders escape!??"

The furious shout of a corpulent man wearing ten pounds of jewelry bled the ears of the Yellow Blade Bandit Leader and the various high-level Bandit Members.

"I knew I shouldn't have listened to big brother and trusted you idiotic lot," the corpulent man cursed loudly. "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself!"

'Then go and do it yourself, you fat tub of lard!'

The Yellow Blade Bandit Leader and his subordinates inwardly hurled insults at the official while wearing twitching friendly expressions.

'This fatass only knows how to rely on his brother, and isn't even in the Foundation Establishment Realm at the age of 120! Where does he get off thinking he can talk down to us like that!?'

"L-Lord Chung, there's no need to get so angry." The Yellow Blade Bandit Leader rubbed his hands together like a suck-up peasant. "We've already sent 3 Early Foundation Establishment Realm hired mercenaries after that Xiao Chen. There's no possible way he'll still be alive come morning."

"Humph! I sure hope so for your sake!" Lord Chung glanced around, his irritation growing. "And where the hell is my entertainment?? Was I not promised the best girls you had!? Where are they at!??"

"Lord Chung, we've already prepared your accommodations," replied the Yellow Blade Bandit Leader. "They should be arriving any second now."

*Bang*

"Ah, here they are," he stated while looking at the stairway that led up and out of the dungeon cellar. "Only the finest quality have been brought out for someone as great as you."

Staring at the young 14-16 year old dressed-up beauties descending the stairs, Lord Chung smiled lasciviously. They were clearly scared, what with how they were shaking all over, but he liked it best when they were like this.

It made it all the more fun to ravage them!

"Wait, they're all virgins, correct?" Lord Chung asked with narrowed eyes.

"Naturally," replied the Yellow Blade Bandit Leader. "Just as you requested, they're untainted."

"Good, good." Lord Chung laughed. "At least you're useful for something. I'll be reporting this excellence back to my big brother, so expect a hefty reward within the next few days."

"!!!" "!!!"

"Thank you very much, My Lord!" All of the Yellow Blade Bandits bowed, greed filling their unseen faces.

This was precisely why they listened to the commands of this pig! All for the benefits!