Professional Assassin C09

Chapter 9: Completing a Job in the Martial Arts World (2)

“The original host was really a bit careless,” Lin Yuetian commented. “Marriage and dating are different. Marriage involves two families. Prenuptial checkups, property agreements, and family background investigations are all essential.”

Even if the system had two brains, it could never have predicted that it would hear such socially orderly words from an assassin. Unable to hold back, the system quipped, “Don’t you feel any sympathy for the original host? Can’t you at least criticize the scumbag? Don’t you think the original host is too pitiful and the scumbag is too despicable? Aren’t you completely lacking in empathy?”

Lin Yuetian was unbothered, replying in surprise, “If I had empathy, would I still be an assassin?”

The system was speechless and quickly changed the topic. “Starting from this world, the novice protection period is over. Don’t mess around anymore. Treasure your life and health. Here are the original host’s wish tasks for this world:
Task one, take revenge on the Demon Sect;
Task two, make the scumbag Xiao Li regret; Task three, marry Xiao Li.”

“Got it,” Lin Yuetian nodded and strapped a pair of swords to his waist. “Don’t worry about me handling things. Let me first figure out where to earn my first bucket of gold.”

System: ?

“You can’t do anything without money!” Lin Yuetian explained.

From the original host’s memories, Lin Yuetian knew that this martial arts world had assassin organizations. However, they were self-sufficient, training their own assassins and not accepting external recruits. Lin Yuetian sighed at the missed opportunity. Just as he was about to head out, he took a few steps and then turned back.

“I remember you mentioned I earned 1,000 points as a reward when the last world ended. You also said I could use these points to buy anything I wanted to take back to my original world. Can I purchase things now? Can the items I buy be used in this mission world?” Lin Yuetian asked.

“Of course, but if the items exceed this world’s setting, they’ll cost more points,” the system warned. “Don’t even think about whipping out a Desert Eagle and yelling ‘The times have changed!’”

“I wasn’t thinking that,” Lin Yuetian paused and then tactfully said, “Are there any other rules? If you don’t fully inform me of all the mission rules, wouldn’t that make you somewhat… unprofessional as a system?”

System: “Can you blame me? You’ve shocked me so much I can’t even think straight. Who would remember all that? Fine, anyway, there shouldn’t be any more rules I haven’t told you about.”

The system didn’t want to know what Lin Yuetian intended to buy or what he planned to do. It directly opened the system shop, letting Lin Yuetian browse himself.

The shop truly had everything, from internal cultivation manuals to futuristic technology. Lin Yuetian’s hands itched, and so did his metaphorical wallet, but with only 1,000 points, he couldn’t afford to splurge. After much deliberation, he spent 500 points on a disguise technique. Before purchasing, he confirmed with the system multiple times that this technique, while intricate, wasn’t supernatural and could be used in a modern world. Only then did he feel reassured enough to pay.

Using the technique, he crafted an utterly inconspicuous face for himself in front of a mirror, changed out of his blood-stained clothes, and happily jumped out of the window.

The original host came from a reputable family, and his martial skills were among the best in the martial arts world, especially his light-footwork technique and impressive swordsmanship. Lin Yuetian took full advantage of the light-footwork skill. After familiarizing himself with the city’s layout on the first day, he began his new venture.

Distributing flyers.

Lin Yuetian dug out paper and pen from the original host’s belongings, staying up all night to copy numerous flyers with identical content:

To friends of the martial arts world,

I am a nobody passing through, short on travel funds, and willing to help solve your problems while earning some extra money. The martial arts world is rife with disputes; traveling it inevitably leads to enmity and grudges. If you wish to eliminate a foe, write down their name, appearance, and address, attach a deposit of 100 taels, and place it on your rooftop. If I take the deposit and letter that night, it means I’ve accepted the job. Within seven days, I will deliver the enemy’s head to your residence for verification. Of course, along with the head, I will also include the remaining payment details. Please ensure the final payment is also placed on the roof.

Sincerely starting my business, serious inquiries only.

Signed,
A Wandering Swordsman

Under the cover of a moonless, starless night, Lin Yuetian left the inn where he had been staying. His toes lightly touched the rooftops, moving like a black magpie soaring high. His light-footwork was exceptional, and his leaps were as graceful as a breeze brushing against willow branches, leaving no trace. Few in the martial arts world could detect him, and in a city without a major martial arts sect, he was unstoppable. The night became his best camouflage as he traversed the city, throwing flyer-wrapped stones into the courtyards of larger homes. By dawn, he left the city and found a secluded field to rest.

In modern times, this tactic might be as dubious as “I am Qin Shi Huang, send me money,” unlikely to convince anyone. But in a martial arts world where bizarre characters abounded, many believed in the idea of an “unrestrained expert taking commissions.”

For the next few days, Lin Yuetian focused solely on business. If anyone reneged on the final payment, he would assassinate one person from their household each day, starting with servants and accountants, escalating until the debt was settled. However, such drastic measures were rarely needed. Most clients, upon finding their enemy’s head in their courtyard, were so terrified that they didn’t dare withhold payment.

Some self-proclaimed righteous martial artists tried to challenge the lawless assassin, but their skills were at best second-rate. Many had eclectic, self-taught techniques and were often over thirty external martial artists. As the saying goes, “youth overcomes strength.” The original host, having been trained by top martial arts experts since childhood, was only seventeen or eighteen, full of vigor. He easily overpowered them, completing his assignments without issue.

“Enough money earned,” Lin Yuetian remarked contentedly. “The original host, so young and already with such martial prowess—truly formidable. No wonder he’s a talented youth from a prestigious family.”

“The original host was from a reputable sect… Look at what you’ve done…” The system sounded weak, almost in tears. “Do you know what people call you now? Ha, I bet you don’t. Let me tell you. Because you always demand a deposit of 100 taels, everyone calls you the ‘Hundred-Tael Ghost,’ meaning you send people to their deaths for just 100 taels.”

“That nickname is awful,” Lin Yuetian replied. “More importantly, it misrepresents my fees. When am I that cheap?”

The system said, “Fine, you don’t like it? There’s another nickname. Since you only use the short sword from your pair of swords, which is just over fifty centimeters long, people also call you ‘One Foot of Crimson.’ Isn’t that more poetic?”

Lin Yuetian seemed oblivious to the system’s bitterness. He savored the name for a moment and then said, “That one does sound better—quite artistic.”

The system gave up, determined to stay silent and avoid unnecessary suffering.

That resolve lasted exactly one minute before the system broke down again. Watching Lin Yuetian study a note with target information, it couldn’t help but ask, “Didn’t you say you’d earned enough?”

Lin Yuetian smiled and shook the note, explaining, “You misunderstand me too much. Doing business is just a way to earn some pocket money to get things done and complete my tasks. I ask clients for target information to gather clues—see, this note lists the name and appearance of the Demon Sect’s Left Protector, Ning Songhua.”

The system looked closely and, unsure whether to feel happy or sad, replied, “It really is him…”

“This client even included a letter, saying they recently heard of my exploits in the city and hope I’ll show some sense of justice by helping the righteous factions. They also mentioned how the Demon Sect, after wiping out the Martial Alliance Leader’s residence, nearly destroyed the top martial artists of the Central Plains and has become increasingly rampant. Not only have they taken over the Lin family estate as their base, but Left Protector Ning Songhua has been openly walking around. He entered the city three days ago, searching inns for traces of the Lin family’s young master, Lin Yuetian…” Lin Yuetian paused, “Good thing I left early to sleep rough; otherwise, I’d have been found.”

The original host had been pampered since childhood. Even when traveling, he paid attention to comfort. Lin Yuetian was different. Born in a slum in his original world and later becoming an assassin, he enjoyed luxury but could adapt to harsh conditions to complete a mission. Ning Songhua knew nothing of this and, relying on his impression of the pampered Lin family young master, had been searching in vain.

“What’s your plan?” the system asked.

“If a client has a request, I’ll fulfill it,” Lin Yuetian replied matter-of-factly. “I’ll just kill him first and talk later.”

————

—Qin Shi Huang (259 BCE–210 BCE), the First Emperor of China, unified the country in 221 BCE, ending the Warring States period and founding the Qin Dynasty. Known for centralizing power, standardizing laws, currency, and writing, he also initiated the construction of the Great Wall and left behind the famous Terracotta Army. Despite his achievements, he ruled with harsh Legalist policies, burned books, and enforced brutal labor for massive projects. He died in 210 BCE, likely from mercury poisoning, and though his dynasty fell soon after, his unification of China shaped its history.