Chapter 26: The Hunter
Under Su Xiao's "sincere" invitation, Shenfu ultimately agreed to join the team. From the other party's few words, it was clear that he was quite "looking forward" to this team-up. As a result, the subsequent conversation went smoothly, and Su Xiao naturally canceled the 1 million Paradise Fame points he was about to transfer.
When dealing with that old fox Shenfu, one must never get entangled with him; otherwise, there's no way to outmaneuver this guy. If it came to competing in the ability to scheme from the shadows, no one could surpass Shenfu to date.
Su Xiao estimated that the various Beast Clan Lords' limit of tolerance was probably two to three days before they would bring the matter of the fungal carpet to the Beast King. So he and Shenfu agreed to set out for the Tribal faction's territory in three days. Shenfu had no objections to this. Just before the conversation ended, Su Xiao suddenly remembered something and sent a message:
Bai Ye: "[Temple Key], do you know the origin of this thing?"
Shenfu: "Not sure. Probably a quest item."
Bai Ye: "It should be a key item for a World Quest."
Shenfu: "Are you serious?"
Bai Ye: "..."
Shenfu: "Then it's probably right. Did you trigger a World Quest?"
Bai Ye: "Not yet. Not sure if someone else has triggered it, or if my Void Tree Reputation is too low to trigger this World Quest. You try?"
Shenfu: "[Void Tree Reputation: -1901 points.]"
Bai Ye: "..."
Shenfu: "World Quests are basically triggered by someone first, then the key quest items are locked. I estimate someone has already triggered it. If so, the person doing the World Quest is probably very anxious right now and will try everything to buy the key from you. By the way, I saw you posted a sell listing for this thing earlier. Did you catch anyone?"
Bai Ye: "No."
Shenfu: "Two possibilities: 1. They didn't see it. 2. The person who triggered the World Quest is very wary of you. Nine times out of ten, they've fought you before and are countered by you, so they didn't act rashly. They're probably contacting others now, entrusting someone to buy the key from you. World Quests are very difficult. Most Ninth Rank Contractors would choose to give up if they got one. Look among the top thirty on the rankings for anyone you've fought before and whose abilities you counter."
Bai Ye: "Kain, Aige."
Shenfu: "Eighty percent chance the World Quest was picked up by one of them. Fifty percent chance they're executing it together. If it's the latter, they might recruit one or two more teammates. A temporary team of three to four people ensures a small number for easy movement and reduces the chance of backstabbing. Kain has Soul Ghost abilities, Aige has Magic, Lightning, and Soul systems. Their combined combat power is enough to handle a World Quest, maybe even overkill.
If it were me, I'd choose a teammate from Healing, Divination, Causality, or Perception systems. For combat, Healing is priority, but for quest execution, Divination is definitely top priority. If I can't find one, then I'd consider Healing, then Causality. Only as a last resort would I pick Perception. Among the Contractors here, Witch Liliya and the Holy Light Paradise Diviner are good choices. I estimate they'll pick Witch Liliya; she has Divination + Causality abilities."
Seeing Shenfu's deduction, Su Xiao found it quite reliable. As for how to handle this, he would just confront it directly. There was no need to waste time maneuvering with the person who received the World Quest.
Su Xiao opened the World Contact Platform and directly posted:
Bai Ye (Reincarnation Paradise): "Kain, Aige, Liliya."
Kain (Death Paradise): "Brother Bai Ye, what's this?"
Bai Ye (Reincarnation Paradise): "Thrown into the furnace."
Kain (Death Paradise): "Brother Bai Ye, what are you talking about?"
Kain (Death Paradise): "Damn! You ** actually threw it! You two, stop playing dead. Didn't you get the warning notification? It's almost spamming me. He really threw the key into the furnace."
Lightning Mage God Aige (Apocalypse Paradise): "Brother Bai Ye, calm down. Take it out first. Let's talk slowly."
Bai Ye (Reincarnation Paradise): "Looks like the key is almost melted."
Liliya (Holy Light Paradise): "I still can't figure out how you knew we three took that quest, and how you knew it was a key item."
Bai Ye (Reincarnation Paradise): "Shenfu, come out."
Shenfu (Sanctuary Paradise): "This has nothing to do with me. Bai Ye is slandering me."
Bai Ye (Reincarnation Paradise): "After it's done, you get thirty percent of the profit."
Shenfu (Sanctuary Paradise): "If you three want to buy this key, come find me in Yonghuan City."
Liliya (Holy Light Paradise): "A few seconds ago, you said this had nothing to do with you."
Shenfu (Sanctuary Paradise): "Did something like that happen?"
[Prompt: Shenfu has retracted a message.]
...
Su Xiao closed the World Contact Platform. The reason he gave Shenfu thirty percent of the profit from this matter was not only because he had other things to deal with now, but also because doing so wouldn't be a loss.
Going to the Tribal faction with Shenfu this time was both to let Shenfu help share the Tribal's firepower and to utilize Shenfu's various bizarre abilities.
If Shenfu got no benefit, he wouldn't put in effort later. Conversely, if he got something before heading to the Tribal faction, he'd naturally be more willing to contribute.
After resolving this, Su Xiao took out the feather left by Voodoo Warlock Baze. As the green flesh formed a head and the eyes on the head opened, when the dark green pupils focused, Voodoo Warlock Baze asked, "What is it?"
"Bring your eldest grandson to Midwinter City."
"He arrived this morning."
"Come to the manor now. If conditions permit, it's best to hire a mental physician. The treatment process is... complicated. It might cause some degree of psychological trauma to your eldest grandson."
"Don't worry. My eldest grandson is a warrior of the tribe. He fears no pain."
Hearing this, Su Xiao said nothing more. He just picked up the feather standing on the table, and the twisted flesh head in mid-air dissipated.
In the afternoon, two people walked into the manor from the back door, following the forest path to the backyard of the ancient castle.
One of them was Voodoo Warlock Baze, still in his usual attire. Behind him was a burly man over three meters tall, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted. He looked about thirty years old, with wild, unkempt hair. Even in the winter wind and snow, he was bare-chested, his body covered in various scars, exuding a powerful aura. No wonder Voodoo Warlock Baze was so satisfied with his eldest grandson.
Guided by a servant, the grandfather and grandson went up to the fourth floor of the castle, stopping in front of a treatment room door. Baze's eldest grandson strode in, sat himself on the surgical chair, and said in a deep voice, "Start. But don't use anesthetic herbs on me."
"..."
Su Xiao paused, holding the injection gun. He put it down and quietly triggered a mechanism on the operating table. Anesthetic alchemical poison spread through the corridor outside the door. By the time Voodoo Warlock Baze realized something was wrong, he could only support himself against the wall with one hand, then slumped down by the wall. Anesthetizing him was to prevent him from rushing into the treatment room out of concern for his grandson during the surgery.
Inside the treatment room, Su Xiao picked up a device resembling an extractor and attached it to the center of Baze's eldest grandson's forehead, immediately putting the man on alert.
"Soul paralysis, that's all. Don't worry, it's just to prevent you from moving or trying to escape during the treatment."
As he spoke, Su Xiao put on an alchemical mask connected to a tube. When he pulled back the curtain behind him, revealing various treatment instruments, Baze's eldest grandson's gaze became extremely serious. The tough guy's heart gradually grew uneasy.
Ten hours later, Su Xiao tossed the extractor filled with black liquid matter into a metal tray. After observing for a moment to confirm that Baze's eldest grandson's organs were all in place and none missing, he began micron-level cell suturing with Spirit Shadow Thread.
After suturing the front, he sutured the back, then the sides. Completing all this, Su Xiao was quite satisfied with the suturing. Only a hair-thin faint scar was visible. With treatment potions, the physical damage would probably heal in a few hours.
Su Xiao used surgical forceps to lift the cloth covering Baze's eldest grandson's face. The cloth was completely soaked with tears and saliva. Su Xiao tossed it, along with the forceps, into the metal tray.
As soon as the cloth was removed, Baze's eldest grandson's eyes opened. His trembling pupils stared at Su Xiao. As the soul paralysis gradually wore off, he struggled to move his body, trying to get as far away from Su Xiao as possible.
"The treatment was very successful. You're fine now. Your soul has strengthened by two to three times."
As soon as Su Xiao finished speaking, Baze's eldest grandson wobbled off the surgical chair and slowly walked out step by step. Seeing this, Su Xiao was even more satisfied with his Spirit Shadow Thread suturing skills. Judging by Baze's eldest grandson, he could walk right after the treatment.
An hour later, in the inner hall on the second floor, Voodoo Warlock Baze, now recovered from the anesthetic poison, looked at his eldest grandson, whose spirit and energy had fully restored. Unconcealable satisfaction and joy shone in his eyes. The vigorous life force fluctuation could be faintly sensed even from over ten meters away. However, what puzzled Voodoo Warlock Baze was that his grandson's gaze sometimes seemed vacant, which hadn't happened before.
"This is..."
Voodoo Warlock Baze looked at Su Xiao.
"A side effect of the soul potion. Have a mental physician adjust it later, and it should be fine."
"That's good then."
A smile returned to Voodoo Warlock Baze's old face. Originally, Su Xiao wanted to keep the grandfather and grandson for dinner. A table of sumptuous food was prepared in the banquet hall. But Baze's eldest grandson insisted on leaving as soon as possible, saying there was a very important urgent matter in the tribe.
This surprised Voodoo Warlock Baze. Their Holy Serpent Tribe had an urgent matter, and as the tribe's high priest, he didn't even know about it. However, under his grandson's strong insistence, the grandfather and grandson eventually left that night.
In the banquet hall, soothing music lifted the mood. Su Xiao, Bubu Wang, Baha, and Gurwe were having dinner. Snow fell heavily outside the window, while the hall was warm and comfortable. Yet in this pleasant atmosphere, Gurwe was restless. Eating dinner, the dull thumping sounds from a few meters away made her hands tremble slightly.
Amu was punching a large leather bag hanging up, causing blood to seep out from inside. Finally, it untied the rope at the bottom of the bag, and three figures spilled out.
"We... were wrong. We'll never take Gurwe outside Midwinter City again. Never."
Head Wolf York spoke with blood dripping from his mouth and nose.
"Amu, chop them up and bury them in the backyard."
After saying this, Su Xiao put down his utensils and took a sip of water.
At first, Gurwe thought this was just a scare. But when Amu cleaved an axe into York's chest and unhesitatingly pulled out the Dragonheart Axe, ready to chop off York's head with the second swing, Gurwe knew this wasn't a bluff.
"I... I was wrong. I won't go to other fiefs without permission anymore."
"Of course you can go. This fief is jointly governed by you and me. I have no right to restrict your freedom."
"No, you came here because you're helping me manage this fief. If I got caught by another lord, you'd be in a tough spot. I understand. I now understand why I can't go to other fiefs."
"..."
The kind smile on Su Xiao's face gradually faded. He gestured for Amu to drag the three out.
"Good that you understand. It was never about me protecting you. I'm a lord, and so are you. If I die, you'll eventually become a puppet. If you die, I lose the legitimate claim to continue managing this fief."
Hearing this, Gurwe nodded thoughtfully. Seeing this, Su Xiao felt much more at ease. Originally, his plan was to be kind to this young lord, make her obedient, and as long as she didn't leave the Fierce Winter Fief territory, everything else was fine. But the problem was, this little one had her own ideas. This afternoon, she had gone to the Demon Horn Fief with the three members of the treasure-hunting team.
But from the current situation, Gurwe having her own ideas was actually a good thing. Instead of controlling her, it was better to make her an accomplice. That way, if other lords tried to deal with Su Xiao by winning over Gurwe, the most likely outcome would be that Gurwe pretended to be won over but secretly came to Su Xiao to tell him who was trying to recruit her.
Moreover, today's incident confirmed one thing for Su Xiao: Charm Attribute is sometimes quite useful. If his Charm Attribute were high enough, Gurwe would have trusted him long ago, instead of considering running away this afternoon because she was always afraid of him.
But after tonight's dinner, Gurwe's mindset underwent a dramatic change. She was no longer afraid of Su Xiao and even felt like his co-conspirator. The psychological aura of a dark young lady immediately emerged.
Su Xiao rubbed his brow with one hand. This incident made him fully aware of his own Charm Attribute of -18, no, it was now -19. With this Charm Attribute, trying to gain others' trust through kind acting was completely impossible. He couldn't even fool a child, even though Gurwe was a particularly clever young lord.
Conversely, if he formed a conspiracy with others, trust would skyrocket.
"What are you worried about?"
Gurwe, who had learned that Silver Feather and the other two had been taken for treatment and had fully embraced her role as an accomplice, spoke up. Her demeanor had become much more natural.
Su Xiao was silent for a few seconds before asking, "Regarding my care for you this morning during breakfast, what did you think? Was my acting that bad?"
"I was terrified. I... I ran away this afternoon precisely because I felt you were going to kill me and bury me in the backyard."
"..."
Su Xiao said nothing. He realized that besides her Word Spirit ability, Gurwe's perception talent was even more astonishing.
Gurwe continued eating, but couldn't hold back for long. She whispered, "You need to be careful. Recently, the lords around us have all been hostile. They've all subtly tried to recruit me. Among them, the White Dragon Lord to the north, whose fief borders ours, has the strongest intention to recruit me. He even sent his trusted aide to see me."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Yes. This afternoon, when I ran to the Demon Horn Fief, the one who met me at the station was the White Dragon Lord's trusted aide. If Fenris hadn't brought me back, I would have fallen for it. These scumbags, no, beast scumbags."
Gurwe slammed her little fist on the table in anger. Undoubtedly, she had completely and wholeheartedly embraced her role as an accomplice.
"Don't worry about it. I'll handle it later."
"Mm, I'm full. Going to sleep."
Gurwe yawned, left the banquet hall, and walked into a corridor lined with windows. Unconsciously, a smile appeared on her face. After so long, she had finally, finally found an accomplice.
Su Xiao returned to his bedroom. The communicator rang again. Taking it out, he found it was Grand Commander Kane. After answering, he exchanged pleasantries with Kane for over half an hour before fobbing him off.
From Kane's few words, Su Xiao learned one thing: among the Beast Clan's over 140 lords, more than ninety percent were eager for the fungal carpet. Some simply wanted to obtain the cultivation method for it.
The reason for this was not just the fungal carpet itself. It involved a misunderstanding. The various Beast Clan lords naturally knew what the Fierce Winter Legion's combat power was like before. It was in the upper tier, but nowhere near as exaggerated as now. Saying the current Fierce Winter Legion was one of the main forces on the main battlefield wasn't an exaggeration. The Fierce Winter Legion was too formidable and had a fierce style.
This change in the Fierce Winter Legion was achieved through the War Lord. But the Beast Clan lords didn't know this. They mistakenly believed it was due to the fungal carpet's powerful enhancement, making them even more eager for it.
Su Xiao didn't plan to explain. Even if the lords later got the fungal carpet and found it wasn't as strong as imagined, would they stop using it? No. The answer was that they would both use it and desire an even stronger fungal carpet.
Currently, the fungal carpet's level cap was Lv.30. Using Evolution Points to raise the insect race's clan level would also increase the fungal carpet's level cap. Then he could enhance the fungal carpet's strength and gradually introduce stronger versions.
Su Xiao checked yesterday's fief settlement. The base was 3,000 Reputation Points, plus 2,100 from seven legions participating in battle, and an additional 4,290 Reputation Points as a bonus for the legions' achievements, totaling 9,390 Reputation Points.
But this wasn't the final gain. Due to the Dark God Cult on the fief, the night's Reputation Points were reduced by 1,800, leaving Su Xiao with only 7,590 Reputation Points. The Dark God Cult side was tougher than expected.
Opening the faction shop, Su Xiao found he had a total of 8,835 Reputation Points. The problem was that [Soul Crystal] had been exchanged until only one was left.
[You have consumed 1,300 Reputation Points.]
[You have obtained Soul Crystal ×1 piece.]
...
Su Xiao didn't plan to use the remaining over 7,000 Reputation Points for now. Although he could exchange them for Soul Crystals, he was more interested in the Technique-type set [Silver. Moonlight Set (3/3 pieces)] in the faction shop. This required 78,000 Reputation Points. It was certain that many people were eyeing this set.
Having increased his subordinate legions to seven yesterday also had benefits. The daily Reputation Points gained had significantly increased. Su Xiao opened the fief list.
[Fierce Winter Fief.]
[Number of Legions: 9 (in combat status).]
[Fief Evaluation: B-grade (Fief evaluations range from E to S-grade. Different evaluations grant the fief lord corresponding daily Reputation Points, ranging from 100 to 15,000 points...]
...
Yesterday before bed, it was still 7 legions. Without him noticing, it had become 9. He opened the detailed information and found that Eguin was commanding 4 legions, Harvey 3, and Viper 2. The legions commanded by Eguin and Harvey had each increased by one.
Other lords' generals leading legions into battle would have fewer and fewer troops, eventually requesting the lord to replenish them. But his three guys had more and more legions. And whether intentionally or coincidentally, they always developed secretly after Su Xiao fell asleep.
Dong dong dong~
Urgent knocking came. Opening the door, Spotted Fox Clan Pirlu said urgently, "My lord, it's bad! Eguin is privately recruiting legions under other lords on the main battlefield. Now over a dozen lords' stewards have come to demand an explanation. They're all blocking the entrance hall on the first floor."
"..."
Su Xiao frowned. This scene was eerily familiar. Yesterday when he got up, it was a similar situation. Yesterday, he had City Lord Fenris deal with the few who came. Thinking of this, he asked, "Did those from yesterday come?"
"My lord, not a single one is missing. They've all come again. From their expressions, they're even angrier than yesterday."
"..."
Su Xiao rubbed his face with one hand, knowing he couldn't avoid this today. Not only because Eguin was running rampant on the main battlefield, but also because he hadn't handed over the fungal carpet. The other lords were watching, and with this opportunity, how could they let it go?
The problem was, the Beast King hadn't spoken yet. Su Xiao wasn't ready to hand over the fungal carpet. The timing wasn't right.
"Have Eguin return immediately."
Hearing this, Pirlu was shocked. He really hadn't expected Su Xiao to recall Eguin from the main battlefield.
"It's not about bringing the legions back. Just have him come back himself."
Hearing this, Pirlu understood. The Iron Fortress City on the main battlefield had a teleportation tower. If it was just Eguin returning alone, riding the eldest son of the Abyssal Dragon would quickly get him to Iron Fortress City, then he could take the teleportation tower directly back to Midwinter City.
Two hours later, in the inner hall on the second floor of the lord's manor, Su Xiao sat in the main seat. On both sides sat a total of sixteen stewards from various lords. So-called stewards were only appointed as absolute trusted aides. For example, Pirlu was Su Xiao's steward. When Su Xiao was absent, he could represent Su Xiao's lord identity to some extent.
At this moment, the over a dozen stewards all had grim expressions but said nothing. The reason was that Eguin, who had rushed back from the main battlefield, was kneeling on one knee a few meters from Su Xiao, awaiting his judgment.
Besides Eguin's return, Harvey and Viper had also taken time to come back. Their legions were temporarily stationed at Iron Fortress City, managed by their respective trusted aides, so there was no problem.
Interestingly, Viper, sitting to the side, looked somewhat gloating and even winked at Eguin, while Harvey had a serious expression.
"I heard that on the main battlefield, you freely recruited legions under other lords."
As Su Xiao spoke, the low murmuring crowd on both sides fell silent. Pirlu, City Lord Fenris, and others were present. Some legion generals were also there, some with worried eyes, fearing Su Xiao would punish their leader Eguin.
"Speak."
Su Xiao said coldly. Eguin, kneeling on one knee toward him, tilted his head somewhat defiantly and muttered, "I didn't do that. Those were all routed troops."
"Still making excuses! You've only been out for two days and caused such a disaster. If I let you continue, how can I explain to the over a dozen people present? Guards, drag him out and behead him. Immediately."
Su Xiao's words stunned not only Harvey, Viper, Pirlu, and others but also the over a dozen stewards who had come to demand an explanation. They really had only come to seek an explanation, not to have Su Xiao execute Eguin.
Others present didn't understand Su Xiao's meaning, but City Lord Fenris understood perfectly. In his ears, Su Xiao's words were automatically translated as:
'Still making excuses (Well done, but don't talk too much). You've only been out for two days and caused such a disaster (Only two days out and already so accomplished, well done). If I let you continue, how can I explain to the over a dozen people present (Don't worry about these few, I'll back you up). Guards, drag him out and behead him (Fenris, quickly plead for Eguin). Immediately (Plead now).'
City Lord Fenris took the hint. Before others could react, he spent two seconds brewing his emotions, then fell to his knees with a thud beside Eguin, weeping, "My lord, no! Eguin he..."
City Lord Fenris began to showcase his acting skills. The over a dozen stewards looked at each other, unsure what to say. Have Su Xiao really execute Eguin? Ridiculous. This guy was one of the main forces on the main battlefield. But letting it go like this would make it hard for them to report back. However, the steps had been set. Continuing to make a scene would leave everyone unable to save face.
The final punishment was that Eguin was sentenced to 300 cane strikes, with Harvey and Viper accompanying him throughout. Due to their deep "brotherly bond," Viper almost laughed out loud during the process and, despite others' objections, strongly pleaded for Eguin, causing Eguin, who should have received 300 cane strikes, to get over 800.
At noon, Su Xiao went up to the fourth floor and entered an empty room. After having Baha keep watch on the surroundings, he temporarily switched to the [God Hunter] title and activated a never-before-used ability of this nine-star title.
The wall in front twisted, and a spatial door opened. This was using the [Hunter Badge] to open a door to the Hunter Guild.
[God Hunter · Description: While wearing this title, you will be recognized as holding a [Hunter Badge], allowing you to accept or post commissions at the [Hunter Guild].]
After completing this, Su Xiao switched titles to [Hunter]. The next second, his aura changed, and a metal mask appeared on his face. Even someone very familiar with Su Xiao wouldn't recognize him now.
Stepping into the spatial door, after a spatial fluctuation, Su Xiao arrived at a place resembling a general store. A prompt appeared.
[You have arrived at Hunter Guild · Branch 109.]
Su Xiao looked around at the furnishings, mostly wooden and very vintage. This wasn't the Hunter Guild headquarters. He had to complete a commission, obtain a physical [Hunter Badge], and complete the corresponding registration before he could go to the headquarters. What he had come to was a branch that could accept commissions but had no other services.
Su Xiao approached the wooden counter. Through the wooden railing, he saw an old man sitting inside. The scar-faced old man glanced at Su Xiao and asked, "From the Paradise faction?"
"Yes."
"Then it's more convenient. Look at the commission list yourself."
With that, the scar-faced old man continued fiddling with the wooden carving in his hand, ignoring Su Xiao.
Su Xiao tried to activate the commission list with his disguised brand. A list similar to the faction shop appeared before him. The contents were commissions available in this world. Commissions from other worlds were on later pages.
After an initial look, Su Xiao saw that many exotic beasts were wanted. Some rewards were Soul Coins, some were Precipitated Glass. Before long, he found what he wanted: a commission regarding the Soul Death God. The good news was that the reward for this commission was Precipitated Glass. He continued scrolling down, and one commission caught his eye.
[Hunting Commission: Shadow of Law Annihilation.]
Commission Content: Kill the Shadow of Law Annihilation · Kukulin Bai Ye (After accepting the commission, partial information about this person can be obtained. As few who have fought him have survived, information about this person is scarce).
Reward Amount: 1.5 million Soul Coins.
...