Chapter 44 - 45: Why Risk Your Life for So Little Money?

Chapter 44: Chapter 45: Why Risk Your Life for So Little Money?

The light flashed past, as dazzling as fireworks, yet as fleeting as a shooting star. Right in front of the other Guard, it took away a fresh life.

"You..."

The struck Guard had a look of deep bewilderment on his face. In the blink of an eye, this bewilderment completely transformed into indignation, leaping onto his features.

THUD!

Even as he fell, his eyes remained fixed on Su Chen’s other arm. The flickering anger in them did not dissipate even in death.

"Second Brother..."

The other Guard stood frozen in place for a long time before snapping back to his senses. Looking at his second brother who had died tragically under Su Chen’s blade, he let out a hoarse roar.

"Ah, I’m going to kill you!"

The next moment, his figure lunged forward like a bolt of lightning. Every move and stance carried a chest full of rage, venting it without holding anything back.

Facing the Guard’s berserk assault, Su Chen’s expression remained as unruffled as an ancient well. His eyes were as sharp as blades, acting with calculated precision.

"Bastard, stop running if you have the guts!" the Guard roared, his expression darkening after failing to land a hit for so long.

He had been attacking fiercely, hoping to make physical contact with Su Chen so he could use his power to shatter his heart meridians and avenge his brother.

However, Su Chen had no intention of confronting him head-on. Instead, he dodged left and right. The occasional strike of his blade felt like he was merely humoring the man.

Their exchange did not feel like a life-and-death battle to him; rather, it seemed as if Su Chen was toying with a child. This feeling intensified the anger in his heart, causing his moves to become increasingly frantic.

Su Chen naturally noticed his change. After playfully humoring his opponent for a while, a smile unconsciously crept up the corners of his mouth.

"The opportunity has arrived!" he thought.

Su Chen paused his footsteps, bringing his body to a halt. Then, he stomped hard and lunged forward with a sudden dash.

"Bring it on!"

Seeing this, a look of joy washed over the Guard’s face, and he couldn’t help but shout. Covering the distance in a few quick strides, he arrived right in front of Su Chen in a flash.

"Hahaha, your time to die has come!"

The smile on his face grew more distinct as Su Chen closed the distance. The corners of his mouth split wide, revealing his current mood.

His hand movements were not slow in the slightest. On the arm that Su Chen hadn’t noticed, the muscles rapidly bulged as power gathered into his palm along his arm.

SWOOSH!

The Guard swung his arm, clenching his hand into a fist, and pulled it back. During the retraction, an invisible wave of air seemed to ripple. Then, he violently punched out. A sudden whistling sound erupted as a massive fist, the size of an earthen pot, struck out like a high-speed drill.

Su Chen’s eyes narrowed. He extended his arm, clenched his five fingers into a fist, and threw a punch of his own. It was as if the surrounding air was being compressed and pushed away.

BAM!

The two fists collided, instantly stirring up an invisible shockwave that swept in all directions, whipping up their sleeves and hair. The muscles on both their faces trembled slightly from the immense impact, rippling outward like waves.

"What? You... you’re actually a Power Training Martial Artist too!"

The expression of avenging a great grievance that had just surfaced on the Guard’s face instantly froze the moment his fist clashed with Su Chen’s. His entire body petrified on the spot. He stared at Su Chen in astonishment, seemingly never anticipating that Su Chen was also a Power Training Martial Artist.

However, the ferocious power transmitting from Su Chen’s arm was recklessly ravaging his internal organs.

"No way, you’re a freaking Power Training Martial Artist! Why the hell are you playing coward?!" he roared silently in his heart, an immense wave of grievance and anger erupting like a volcano.

If he weren’t currently unable to speak, he would have definitely cursed out loud.

"A Power Training Martial Artist who not only disguises himself as a one-armed man for a sneak attack but also deliberately hides his Inner Power to confuse his opponent... I’ve never seen such a despicable and sinister Power Training Martial Artist in my life!" he thought.

COUGH COUGH COUGH!

Driven by intense rage, a flush of red surged to his cheeks. Following a few heavy coughs, he violently spewed out the blood accumulated in his throat, and his complexion finally improved slightly. Then, he looked up at Su Chen, unable to hold back any longer, and cursed angrily, "Son of a bitch!"

This was his final act of stubborn defiance before death!

Su Chen froze for a moment. He didn’t say a word, simply watching quietly.

In less than a few breaths, the Guard’s body toppled backward. Under the dual assault of Su Chen’s powerful attack and force, merely shouting that curse had exhausted all of his strength. Now unable to hold on any longer, he lay on the verge of death. Shortly after falling, he breathed his last and passed away completely.

Su Chen calmly approached their corpses and patted them down. Looking at the silver he had scavenged, he let out a soft sigh. "Only thirty-three taels of silver in total. Why risk your lives so desperately?"

He shook his head, put away the silver, and turned to leave.

Not long after Su Chen left, a group of Governmental Constables in official uniforms walked over and took the two corpses away.

Meanwhile, Su Chen changed his clothes and arrived at the County Magistrate’s Office before the sky turned dark. The Governmental Constables at the County Magistrate’s Office obviously recognized Su Chen and didn’t make things difficult for him. After going inside to announce his arrival, they called the advisor out.

"Yang the Warrior!"

The advisor cupped his hands in greeting to Su Chen, his expression shifting slightly. Just a moment ago, he had received news of Zhu Ming’s death. Not only that, but the Government Office had also discovered two additional corpses. An investigation revealed that the two men were Zhu Ming’s Guards. They had died right on the heels of Zhu Ming’s murder. One didn’t need to think hard to realize their deaths were definitely related to Su Chen.

Su Chen nodded, maintaining his aloof demeanor. The advisor didn’t mind and said, "Yang the Warrior, the County Magistrate has been waiting inside for a long time. Please!"

Following the advisor into the main hall, County Magistrate Tao Wenxuan came forward to welcome him. He smiled and said, "Yang the Warrior truly possesses profound strength, completing the bounty with such ease."

These words were not empty flattery. Before Su Chen accepted this bounty mission, several Assassins had also taken it up. Without exception, all of them had vanished without a trace. Since Su Chen accepted the mission, many days had passed. Tao Wenxuan had assumed Su Chen had gone on a one-way trip just like the others. He never expected Su Chen to give him such a surprise today by successfully slaying Zhu Ming.

Tao Wenxuan clapped his hands lightly, and a maidservant brought out one hundred taels of silver. Su Chen, who had been expressionless the entire time, squeezed out a smile the moment he saw the silver. "Lord Tao is too polite."

Seeing Su Chen accept the silver, Tao Wenxuan chuckled and gestured for Su Chen to sit down so they could talk at length. However, Su Chen shook his head. "I still have other matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb you two any longer."

"Wait a moment," Tao Wenxuan said helplessly, stopping Su Chen. He wondered why this guy just couldn’t take a hint.

"Does Magistrate Tao have any other business?" Su Chen asked.

Tao Wenxuan didn’t speak. The advisor beside him chimed in at the right moment, "Yang the Warrior, we have another bounty mission here. I wonder if you might be interested?"

Not needing the advisor to say more, Tao Wenxuan spoke as if he had Su Chen figured out completely. "The reward is two hundred taels of silver!"

"Let’s hear it!" Su Chen raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.

The advisor glanced at Tao Wenxuan and then said, "The target of this bounty mission is named Wei Jie, who is also a member of the Rebirth Sect."

Hearing this, Su Chen glanced at the advisor and thought, "What’s the deal? Are you guys picking a fight with the Rebirth Sect or something?"