This Bounty, I Accept

The Zhao family was the wealthiest in Hengnan County, and their residence was naturally grand and extraordinary, situated in the easternmost part of the county.

Su Chen walked along the bluestone street, and from a distance, he saw the large characters "Zhao Residence" painted in vermilion with gold powder trim.

Beneath the grand plaque of the "Zhao Residence" were two vermilion gates, each ten feet high.

At this moment, several young servants in green robes stood on either side of the main gate, greeting arrivals and departures.

Most of the people entering and exiting were martial artists, carrying sabers and swords.

"It seems I'm not the only one looking to take on this job," Su Chen murmured with a light smile, then quickly walked up to the Zhao Residence gate.

Seeing Su Chen's black martial arts attire and the ring-pommel saber hanging from his waist, the gatekeeper servant couldn't help but ask, "Esteemed hero, are you here to...?"

"Take the bounty," Su Chen replied softly.

The servant's face immediately lit up with a smile, and he nodded, "Please come in."

With that, he led Su Chen into the courtyard.

They passed through the first courtyard, crossed a decorative screen wall, and finally arrived in the main courtyard of the Zhao mansion.

At this moment, the courtyard was lit by torches, and dozens of martial artists were seated on chairs on both sides.

In a circular chair at the front sat a middle-aged man dressed in brocade, who was the master of the Zhao family.

The servant announced loudly, "Master, another hero has arrived to claim the bounty."

This announcement drew the attention of everyone in the courtyard.

The martial artists casually sized up Su Chen. Seeing his slender appearance, which didn't suggest advanced martial arts skills, they relaxed their guard and looked away.

"Esteemed hero, please take a seat first," the Zhao family master gestured for Su Chen to sit.

Su Chen nodded and walked to the last chair on the right side to sit down.

As soon as he sat down, a sharp-mouthed, monkey-faced young man next to him leaned over.

"Brother, are you also here to scrounge for money?"

The term "scrounge for money" was a kind of underworld slang, roughly meaning to rely on power or deceitful means to get some money from wealthy families or gentry.

"Also?" Su Chen smiled and looked at the man, "So, you're not here for the bounty, just to scrounge for money?"

Hearing Su Chen's question, the sharp-mouthed, monkey-faced young man shook his head and replied, "I don't know about others, but I just want to grab a few taels of silver and run."

As he spoke, he looked at the martial artists in the courtyard with a hint of disdain on his face, "These people have already let greed blind them."

"They don't even consider that Master Zhao is usually as stingy as a rusty iron rooster. How can he be so generous today as to offer a bounty of ten thousand taels of silver."

"I'm sure the flower thief he's offering a reward for is a formidable character."

"These people, every one of them, if they dare to accept this bounty, they'll probably die without even knowing how they died."

"I advise you to be careful too, brother. Just fool them out of a few taels of silver and leave. Don't let the ten thousand taels blind you and lose your life for nothing."

Hearing this, Su Chen couldn't help but let out a light laugh and replied, "Thank you."

In his heart, however, he was impressed.

"This person's martial arts are average, but his mind is quite sharp."

"If these people really encounter Tian Boguang, I'm afraid not a single one of them could withstand a single blow."

Just then, the Zhao family master spoke from the main seat.

"I am deeply grateful to all the esteemed heroes for gracing me with your presence."

"Without further ado, I will first show you the silver."

Saying that, the Zhao family master clapped his hands.

The next second, a team of young servants in green robes entered, carrying ten large chests.

The chests landed with a dull thud.

"Open the chests!" the Zhao family master shouted loudly.

The next second, the ten chests were opened simultaneously.

In an instant, the courtyard was filled with the glint of silver, followed by the sound of people swallowing their saliva.

A full ten thousand taels of silver were laid out before them.

The impact on these martial artists was immense.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on the silver, unable to look away.

Su Chen's eyes also flashed with excitement.

"Soon, this silver will be mine..."

Master Zhao was very satisfied with everyone's reaction.

"Gentlemen, the silver is here. Whoever has the ability can take it."

At this moment, a burly man with an exposed chest at the front spoke, "Master Zhao, please tell us quickly, who is the person offering the bounty? I'm determined to claim these ten thousand taels of silver."

As soon as the words fell, another voice abruptly rang out, "You've decided? Heh, did you ask me first?" The speaker was a burly man holding a bronze hammer.

The bare-chested strongman glared back fiercely, "What? You want to spar with me first?"

At the same time, the others also started arguing.

Seeing the situation becoming increasingly chaotic, with the clear intent of erupting into a brawl at any moment.

The master of the Zhao family had to step in to calm things down.

"Everyone, please refrain from arguing. Listen to me first..."

With the master of the Zhao family's calming words, the atmosphere in the courtyard became a little more harmonious, though everyone still wore hostile expressions, occasionally spitting out trash talk.

The master of the Zhao family no longer played coy and immediately said, "I've invited everyone here this time because I want to deal with a notorious rapist. His name is Tian Boguang!"

The moment Tian Boguang's name was spoken, the previously noisy courtyard fell silent, a deathly hush.

The martial artists from the jianghu who had been shouting and arguing moments before now didn't even dare to breathe.

After a long pause, someone tremblingly asked, "Tian Boguang? You mean the Lone Walker of Ten Thousand Miles, Tian Boguang?"

"Precisely!" The master of the Zhao family nodded in response.

As soon as the word "precisely" left his mouth, several people immediately stood up and left the courtyard without looking back.

The remaining dozens of people, except for Su Chen, all wore expressions of terror.

"Master Zhao, goodbye. We can't take this job." Another dozen or so people hastily got up and fled in panic.

The sharp-mouthed, monkey-faced young man beside Su Chen was also filled with dread.

"My goodness, I knew this money wouldn't be easy to earn. It's true. Asking us to deal with Tian Boguang is no different than asking us to die... No, I need to get out of here quickly too."

Saying that, the young man also got up to leave. Seeing that Su Chen had not moved from his chair.

He couldn't help but stop and ask with some confusion, "Brother, why are you still here? Hurry up and go. Tian Boguang is not someone we can handle."

Su Chen, however, shook his head, remaining unmoved.

The strongman sighed and didn't try to persuade him further, assuming Su Chen was a naive jianghu newcomer whose eyes were blinded by money.

He inwardly lamented, "Another person is going to die for nothing."

Then, he quickly ran out of the courtyard.

Seeing that only a dozen or so people were left in the courtyard, the master of the Zhao family looked anxious and hurriedly stood up, wanting to persuade them to stay.

"All you great heroes, why are you all leaving?"

"If you think the money isn't enough, we can discuss it further..."

Just then, the bare-chested strongman stopped and replied.

"Master Zhao, since we know each other, I'll give you a piece of advice. Don't keep the bounty posted. It's best to take it down as soon as possible."

"That Tian Boguang is known as the Lone Walker of Ten Thousand Miles, a top expert in the jianghu."

"Even if we all went together, I'm afraid we wouldn't be a match for him in a single strike."

"To deal with him, unless you can invite someone like Second Master Liu from Hengyang City."

"If you can't invite him, it's best to give up. Don't post the bounty of ten thousand taels of silver. Perhaps giving it to Tian Boguang could even save your life..."

Hearing this, the master of the Zhao family finally understood exactly how formidable Tian Boguang was.

His face turned pale, and he slumped onto the chair, weak and powerless, muttering unconsciously, "It's over, it's over. What should I do now..."

Just then, Su Chen stood up and said loudly, "I accept this bounty!"