Chapter 44: Why Risk Your Life for Such a Pittance?

Chapter 44: Why Risk Your Life for Such a Pittance?

A streak of light flashed, dazzling like fireworks yet fleeting as a shooting star.

Before the eyes of another guard, a life was snuffed out in an instant.

"You...!"

The stricken guard wore an expression of stunned disbelief, which quickly hardened into fury etched across his face.

Thud!

Even as he collapsed, his eyes remained fixed on Su Chen's other arm, the fury in them undimmed even in death.

"Second Brother...!"

The other guard stood frozen for a long moment before roaring in anguish, staring at his slain comrade's corpse.

"Die, you bastard!"

In the next heartbeat, he lunged like lightning, his every strike fueled by raw, unbridled rage.

Su Chen met the onslaught with icy calm, his sharp eyes calculating every step. The guard's furious assault came like a storm, but Su Chen refused to engage directly, weaving and dodging, his counterattacks mere half-hearted slashes as though toying with his opponent.

"Fight me properly, coward!"

Frustrated by his inability to land a decisive blow, the guard snarled. He had hoped to channel his Vital Force to rupture Su Chen's heart meridians in close combat, but his prey kept evading. The dance of blades felt less like a duel to the death and more like a child's tantrum to Su Chen, whose smirk widened as he played his role.

Opportunity struck!

Su Chen abruptly halted, then surged forward in a single explosive step.

"Come then!"

The guard's face lit up as he charged, closing the distance in three bounding strides.

"Ha! Your time's up!"

His grin widened with every step, his lips curling into a manic smile. Muscles rippled beneath his sleeve as Vital Force surged through his arm, condensing into his fist.

Whoosh!

A fist like a mortar drum hurtled forward, spinning like a drill bit with a deafening roar.

Su Chen narrowed his eyes, his own fist lashing out as though cleaving through air itself.

Boom!

Impact unleashed a shockwave that tore through the space between them, whipping their clothes and hair into a frenzy. The force contorted their facial muscles like ripples on water.

"What?! You're a Vital Force Cultivator too?!"

The guard's triumphant expression froze mid-impact. His body turned to stone as Su Chen's Vital Force ravaged his internal organs.

You're a cultivator too? Why pretend to be weak?!

The thought screamed in his mind, a volcanic surge of humiliation and rage. If not for his shattered body, he'd be cursing up a storm.

A cultivator who ambushes with a hidden arm, feigns weakness, and hides his Internal Qi? The most despicable he'd ever seen!

Coughing violently, blood spattered his lips before he spat a mouthful crimson. His face paled, but his eyes burned with defiance.

"Bitch, my mother!" he rasped, his final act of rebellion.

Su Chen simply watched in silence. Within moments, the guard toppled backward, his last breath spent. Vital Force and Su Chen's attack had drained him completely.

Kneeling beside the corpses, Su Chen rummaged through their pockets. The silver taels clinked as he counted, "Only thirty-three taels? Why risk your life for such a pittance?"

He pocketed the coins and left.

Moments later, officials arrived to collect the bodies.

Changing clothes, Su Chen reached the County Courthouse before dusk. Recognized immediately, he was ushered inside.

"Champion Yang!" the County Clerk greeted, his expression shifting. News of Chu Ming's death had just arrived, along with two more corpses identified as his guards. Their deaths following Chu Ming's made Su Chen the obvious suspect.

Su Chen nodded, maintaining his aloof demeanor. The Clerk continued, "The County Magistrate awaits you."

Inside the Grand Hall, Tao Wenxuan approached with a smile. "Champion Yang, your prowess is truly formidable. To complete such a dangerous bounty so effortlessly?"

The task had claimed several Sword Bearers before Su Chen. When days passed without word, Tao had assumed Su Chen shared their fate. Now, he clapped his hands, and a maid brought forth one hundred silver taels. Su Chen's stoic face cracked into a faint smile as he accepted the reward.

"Too kind, Magistrate Tao."

As Tao gestured for him to stay, Su Chen declined. "I have other matters to attend to."

"Wait", Tao interjected, exasperated. Doesn't he see I want to offer another task?

"More business, Magistrate?" Su Chen asked.

This time, the Clerk spoke, "We have another bounty. Interested?"

Tao seized the moment, "Two hundred taels this time."

Su Chen raised an eyebrow. "Who's the target?"

"Wei Jie", the Clerk replied. "Another Pure Land Sect member."

Su Chen glanced at him. Are you lot at war with the Pure Land Sect or something?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end