An incense time later, a well-nourished Sean Wu approached the job board in the center of the residential area plaza. It was a central hub for earning contribution points through work and hard labor. Each job was inscribed on the board using magic runes and indentations. Words and characters constantly shifted in and out with each passing second, as if the board itself were a monitor in the New York stock exchange, updating itself in real time.

Sean took the time to carefully consider what kind of request he would take up. There were many different types of jobs, with varying levels of difficulty. The requests ranged from gathering medical herbs to slaying demonic beasts and pathfinding.

Sean pointed his talisman toward a paragraph of text on the stone board. The words on that spot started to twist and turn until the text on the particular location became empty. The empty spot on the board immediately began glowing. Words and characters started to appear on the unoccupied space as a new posting replaced the vacant space.

The youth looked down at the talisman in hand, the details for his job were now inscribed within this stone emblem.

Saint Devil Walks a Thousand Marathons

Trainee Identification Token

[Description] (Common)

“A token reserved for young masters with strong backings.”

The name (Shi Huang Zi) Sean Wu is attributed to this token.

Contribution Points: 0

Active: Send a distress signal within 25 miles

FACTION QUEST: Expedition

Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆☆☆

Explore the area as indicated. Beware of traps and spiritual beasts

you may find along the way. Recommend for a party of four.

[Reward: 1000 EXP, 1200 Contribution Points]

The request was not a difficult one. All he had to do was map out an unexplored cave about three kilometers north of the residential area.

[Hmmm, the pay is quite good. But then again, it would make sense for this type of job to pay out to four to five people since it is a group expedition.]

“Divided by four, it would amount to.. 300 points a person.” Sean rubbed his chin.

An idea suddenly popped into his head, what if he could complete the job all on his own? Then he would be able to keep the pay all for himself, without having to split it four ways.

“No, no, no! I shouldn’t take any chances.” Sean quickly retracted the thought. If the system recommended four people, then he would set out with four people.

下一章

A tough-looking cultivator stood in front of a wooden table. Behind him was a long line of people. All of them were waiting for their turn to come up and speak to the youth sitting across the table. Fortunately for Sean, the name Shi Huáng Zì still had its uses.

“My name is Wú Yòng. I practice the Samsara Purgatory Art. With only two apple slices and a peeled orange, I can kill a man faster than the eye can follow.”

Sean Wu leaned back into his chair and interlocked his fingers. The youth turned his head as if in deep thought. “But what use are you to this team?”

“Ah! I can cook, I- I can dance-“

“Good, you are hired.”

The tough-looking cultivator named Wú Yòng made a beaming expression of relief. He quickly picked up his things and hurriedly ran off to the side.

The next cultivator walked up. He was a good-looking fellow with a fair complexion. “My name is Fù Chóu. At the age of ten, my entire clan was slaughtered before my very eyes. I ran off to the mountains and lived with a pack of wolves for an entire year. By chance, a passing master discovered my circumstances and took me in. He taught me to find peace within myself, and to not give into petty desires such as revenge. For seven long years, I cultivate the-“

“I’m going to stop you right there.”

“..Eh?”

“Your backstory is too long, next!”

Fù Chóu was stunned, did that bastard notice my killing intent? It only flickered for a fraction of a second, there was no way he could have detected it so easily.

In truth, Fù Chóu was not the his given name. This cultivator’s true identity was Shā Shǒu. He was a man who had a deep resentment for the ten families*. He was a killer who targeted the sons of influential figures. The infamous Shi Huáng Dì was a name well known to him. The bastard was a devilish genius who suddenly disappeared off the face of the continent three years ago after leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. To think the same guy would resurface here, Shā Shǒu licked his lips, the opportunity was too golden not to take. No matter how strong this Shi Huáng Zì was, he would not be able to hold his own against Shā Shǒu, someone who had cultivated his way to the third step*.

“Let me come! Let me come with you, senior!” The man masquerading as Fù Chóu began tugging at Sean Wu’s left leg while crying his eyes out.

“Arrrrrrgh, fine! You can come, stop bawling.”

Still clutching onto the youth’s leg, the devilish Shā Shǒu let out an internal snicker. ‘Too easy, it was too easy! Once this guy lets his guard down, I will take him out and make it look an accident. Of course, if the others get my way, I’ll put them six feet under as well!’ Fù Chóu turned his head upward to look at Sean, “thank you, senior! Thank you, this lowly one will not forget this kindness!”

….

Finding the fourth and final member was not a difficult thing to do. Sean simply pointed at the crowd and picked out a respectable cultivator. This cultivator’s name was Huā Shēng, a young man with an affable demeanor. He was well-known and well-respected within the community for being a fair and righteous person.

On the inside, this Huā Shēng was secretly a wolf in sheep’s skin. He was a serial killer who killed for the joy of bloodshed and slaughter. Unlike the vengeful Shā Shǒu who acted on vengeance, Huā Shēng was someone who could have been described as a true psychopath. He was an killer who did not care for status or prestige. ‘Like pigs waiting to be slaughtered’. The evil Huā Shēng snickered. ‘It is only a matter of time before I kill all of you.’

….

An incense time later, with the party having been formed, the four members made way toward the edge of the expedition site.

“Wú Yòng, grab the bags. We are heading out.”

“Coming!” Wú Yòng quickly got up and followed Sean Wu out the door.

Trailing behind the other three, the large man named Wú Yòng covered his mouth and turned his head away from the bunch. An evil grin spread across his face, Wú Yòng was holding back a maniacal laugh, ‘did you fools think this expedition would be a picnic? I was once a bandit from the mountains. Stabbing you all in the back and taking all your valuables will be as easy as skipping a rock along a pond!’

….