I'm Here to Join You!

Lu Chen naturally had not asked on a whim.

He had thought long and hard, but still could not figure out how to escape his current predicament.

The Black Kill Pavilion had already obtained practically all his information.

They knew where he was from and that he had a younger brother and sister. They had even come straight to Qingshan Village to spy on him.

It was no different from someone sneaking up to his bedside in the dead of night while he remained completely unaware.

If the Black Kill Pavilion wanted him dead, he could lose his life at any moment.

He had been lucky this time. They had sent only one person, and that person was not very strong. Lu Chen had also happened to feel someone watching him, so he had set a trap and lured him out.

But what if they ignored all that and openly relied on their strength to capture him, or simply killed him outright?

What could he possibly use to resist?

Even if he managed to run, they knew everything about him. A monk might escape, but his temple could not!

Ah, no wonder most protagonists in the novels I used to read were orphans. That's such a huge advantage!

He sighed inwardly, but he felt no dissatisfaction or resentment whatsoever about having a younger brother and sister.

He liked Lu Ming's stubbornness, diligence, and courage to work hard to protect his family. He also liked Lu Tang's adorable nature, thoughtfulness, and intelligence. He cared about the other people in Qingshan Village too, and would not abandon them lightly.

Under these circumstances, he really could not think of a way to escape the Black Kill Pavilion's attention.

Should he kill everyone in the Black Kill Pavilion in Shahu County?

But how was he supposed to know how many people the Black Kill Pavilion had?

What if he missed one?

The best solution he could think of was to join them!

Crippled Blade was dumbfounded.

What do you mean?

You want to be an assassin too?

Crippled Blade did not know how to answer.

Why did Lu Chen want to join the Black Kill Pavilion?

Was he afraid of the Black Kill Pavilion, so he wanted to join because he could not beat them?

The Black Kill Pavilion did not have a tradition of killing its own. If an assassin targeted someone within the organization, the other assassins would rise up and attack together.

As far as Crippled Blade could tell, that seemed to be the case.

"Don't want to answer?"

Lu Chen raised the dagger.

Crippled Blade immediately panicked.

He had lost a lot of blood. Although many of his wounds had already healed, his internal organs would not recover so quickly. He was still somewhat dizzy, and his reactions had slowed considerably.

"Mmph! Mmph!"

He nodded hurriedly, like a chick pecking at grain.

"You mean I can join you?"

Crippled Blade nodded.

"Is it difficult?"

He shook his head.

Excellent!

Lu Chen raised the dagger.

Crippled Blade's eyes went wide.

Motherf... where's your martial virtue? I already answered you, and you're still going to attack me?

Lu Chen held Crippled Blade's head down, a smile on his face, and slowly pushed the dagger into his mouth.

Crippled Blade closed his eyes.

Lu Chen dug the dirt out of Crippled Blade's mouth.

Crippled Blade opened his eyes, a trace of terror and lingering attachment to life still in them.

I'm not dead!

So he was digging the dirt out for me... why does that sound so strange?

Crippled Blade hurriedly spat the dirt and sand out of his mouth. His whole face scrunched up.

"Can you take me to your base? I've thought it over. The Black Kill Pavilion is so huge that I can't possibly fight it on my own, and I don't want to die. After thinking it through, my only choice is to join you. Also, if the employer dies, does the mission go away too?"

Lu Chen patted Crippled Blade on the back with great sincerity, helping him catch his breath.

Crippled Blade's face was pale, but his eyes were slightly bloodshot. After spitting the dirt out of his mouth and throat, he felt more comfortable than he ever had in his life.

He raised his head and met the faint smile on Lu Chen's face. He could not help shuddering, but forced out a smile. "Yes, yes! If Li Jun dies and you join us, naturally there's no need to continue the mission."

Lu Chen nodded. "Good, then let's get going. You're badly hurt too. Are you all right?"

He asked in a gentle voice.

"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Crippled Blade no longer wanted to stay with Lu Chen.

This man was a little frightening.

Lu Chen smiled.

[Crippled Blade's fate has changed under the host's guidance and influence]

[Fate Value Settlement: 100]

The Fate Value from someone in the Marrow Washing Realm really was high. Lu Chen had not even killed him, only crippled him, yet he had received so much!

His Fate Value balance was finally no longer in the red.

[Hunyuan Body Initial Level] (Divided into four levels: initial, intermediate, advanced, and perfection. 50% unlocked; some Hunyuan Body effects obtained.)

Lu Chen glanced at the detailed explanation of these so-called partial effects and rejoiced inwardly.

The effects were incredibly powerful.

First: Immune to All Poisons!

All other negative effects reduced by 20%!

As he helped Crippled Blade to his feet, he asked, "How many people are there in your branch? I'm afraid they might have a problem with me. After all, I put you in this state, so I'd like to buy them some introductory gifts."

Flying daggers had pierced all four of Crippled Blade's limbs, and Lu Chen had severed the tendons in his hands and feet. From now on, he could stop calling himself Crippled Blade and call himself Cripple instead.

Crippled Blade wanted to cry but had no tears.

Now you're being polite?

Who was it that stuffed dirt into my mouth just now?

His head was a little foggy, and without thinking, he said, "Including me, only five—no, six people, I think."

Only six? Lu Chen muttered inwardly, then said with a smile, "All right, I understand!"

After they left the woods, Crippled Blade used his clothes to bandage his wounds as best he could. Lu Chen chatted with him as he supported him all the way to the county town.

"Master Lu, this way."

Crippled Blade led Lu Chen into the town.

It had to be said, he really was a martial artist. His physique was impressive.

In his condition, an ordinary person would not have been able to move and could only have crawled along the ground. Yet he looked as though nothing much was wrong and could still walk with Lu Chen supporting him.

"This is it!"

After taking many twists and turns, Crippled Blade brought Lu Chen to an inconspicuous little courtyard.

"This is the Black Kill Pavilion's headquarters in Shahu County? It's so small?"

Lu Chen looked at the house. It was no different from any of the others.

If Crippled Blade had not brought him here, he would only have thought an ordinary family lived inside.

Crippled Blade was about to knock when Lu Chen suddenly said with a smile, "You're not going to play any tricks on me, are you?"

At the sight of that smile, Crippled Blade shuddered. He gave a bitter smile. "I'm already in this state. What tricks could I possibly play?"

Lu Chen supported Crippled Blade with one hand while the other had already slipped around his dagger. "All right, I believe you. Go ahead and knock!"

"Knock, knock-knock-knock, knock, knock-knock!"

Seven rhythmic knocks sounded.

A young man inside heard them and stood up. "Elder Ning, Crippled Blade must be back. He was quite fast. It's only evening, and he's already brought the person back. Isn't he afraid someone will see?"

Elder Ning, who looked like an old farmer, sat in a chair tending to the Black Kill Pavilion's affairs. Hearing this, he did not even look up. "Go notify Li Jun. Tell him the mission is complete and have him come inspect the goods."

"Mm!" The young man hurried out of the room and left through the back door without meeting Crippled Blade.

Someone had already come to open the door.

The person who opened it was startled at the sight of Crippled Blade's condition. Then he saw a stranger beside Crippled Blade and immediately grew wary. "Who are you?" he shouted.

Elder Ning frowned inside the room. He picked up a weapon beside him, stood behind the door, and listened closely.

Did Crippled Blade fail his mission?

He was somewhat surprised.

By his estimation, Lu Chen should have been in the Organ Tempering Realm at most. With Crippled Blade's Marrow Washing Realm strength, completing the mission should have been as easy as taking something in the palm of his hand.

Had something gone wrong?

Outside the door, Crippled Blade glared at the man who had opened it. "Ghost Hand, can't you see I'm hurt? What are you shouting for? Hurry up and help me!"

"This is... Lu Chen. He wants to join our Black Kill Pavilion. Let's go inside and talk! Is Elder Ning here? I'm hurt and need treatment!"

Ghost Hand was a skinny middle-aged man. He hesitated at Crippled Blade's words and gave Lu Chen a careful look.

He knew who Lu Chen was.

This was clearly Crippled Blade's mission!

Wasn't he supposed to bring the mission back?

How had it turned around, with the mission target bringing him back instead?

Heavenly Gang reversed!

Ghost Hand muttered inwardly. Seeing that Lu Chen wore a peaceful smile the whole time, seemed to pose no threat, and had no visible weapon in his hands, he brought them both inside.

"Elder Ning, Elder Ning! Crippled Blade is hurt!"

He settled Crippled Blade in a chair, glanced at Lu Chen, and hurried into the room.

"I heard!"

The wrinkles on Elder Ning's forehead deepened.

He sighed, picked up a medicine chest beside the desk, and went outside.

The first person he looked at was the young man.

A gentle smile, delicate features, an upright figure, and a graceful bearing.

Elder Ning could not quite make sense of Lu Chen.

This person had actually come here!

No, he should say that Lu Chen had actually come here unharmed, in this peculiar manner.

"You must be Elder Ning. I've long admired your name! I'm Lu Chen. You should know who I am! I've come this time because I want to join you!"

Lu Chen spoke sincerely.

Ripples stirred in Elder Ning's usually placid eyes.

Join... us?