Silver Rank Assassin Blood Raven Guest

"Thank you, Uncle Zhao."

Lin Zhao, still catching his breath, managed a smile. Silver-white energy patterns, faint and indistinct, flickered on the surface of his leg muscles – the residual Internal Breath from his Mystic Wolf Seed.

With this power, his speed not only far surpassed that of ordinary low-level Martial Masters, but his evasion techniques had also improved significantly. Zhao Tieying's full-power Shadowless Sword attack from earlier hadn't even grazed a corner of his clothes.

"Good! One step closer to becoming a true all-around Martial Path expert." He stretched his shoulders, clearly sensing the two Internal Breath Seeds resting quietly in his heart: the Mystic Dragon Seed (black, dragon-shaped) coiled in the center, and the Mystic Wolf Seed (silver-white, wolf-shaped) pressed against its side, subtly suppressed by the former. It wasn't a Bloodline conflict, but rather the natural dominance of a superior cultivation method over a rudimentary one.

"So, there's this kind of suppression relationship between different Breathing Techniques," Lin Zhao realized. "It seems the Internal Breath Seeds from superior Breathing Exercises naturally suppress those from lower-grade techniques. In the future, I need to prioritize practicing superior cultivation methods." This was a Martial Path principle he'd discovered after cultivating two techniques simultaneously.

"The Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique has reached its peak. Next, I should prioritize cultivating the 'Bone Softening Technique' from the Raven Shadow Scroll, and the 'Black Bear Breathing Technique' also needs to be put on the agenda," he muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming. "Internal energy that can reshape the bones and change form is rare in the Northern martial circles. It would be incredibly useful for stealth or evading hidden weapons."

Given his current Martial Path foundation, cultivating such rudimentary techniques wouldn't take long, perhaps half a month at most to get started, and it wouldn't delay his main cultivation progress with the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique.

Moreover, the special effects of these techniques could quickly compensate for his weaknesses, making them highly cost-effective.

Upon returning to the fortress, Lin Zhao headed straight for the blacksmithing workshop in the back mountains.

"Young Master, please take a look at the 'Pulse Protecting Pattern Mystic Iron Helmet' I forged recently!" Zhang Tiezhu, holding a gleaming iron helmet, hurried forward. The brim was engraved with simple Resistance Patterns. While not comparable to Lin Zhao's "Guaranteed Exquisite" quality, it was a passable piece of Martial Arts Equipment.

"Not bad. You're now a proper Martial Arts Blacksmith Apprentice," Lin Zhao nodded, his tone kind. "I have my own cultivation and fortress affairs to attend to. I'll have to trouble you with the daily operations of the blacksmithing workshop from now on. If you can exceed the quota of fifty sets of armor this year, besides double wages at year-end, I will also investigate the whereabouts of your father, Zhang Laochui, as quickly as possible and rescue him."

"Thank you, Young Master!" Zhang Tiechui was overwhelmed with gratitude and quickly bowed. He then turned and rushed back to the forge, his motivation fueled by the dual incentives of rescuing his father and the high salary.

Lin Zhao found an empty spot, sat down, started a fire, worked the bellows, and picked up the Mystic Iron Hammer to begin forging armor plates. He intended to go all out and push his Martial Arts Blacksmithing skill to Tier Four.

About seven days later, after his relentless day-and-night forging (forging armor during the day and studying Pulse Protecting Patterns at night), a familiar notification sound finally echoed in his mind:

[Martial Arts Blacksmithing: Breakthrough to Tier Four (512/20000)! Unlocked New Special Effect: Hundred Refinements (Forging efficiency increased by 100%, Mystic Iron utilization rate increased by 30%, capable of forging "Internal Breath Conduction Pattern")]

"Is this the special effect of Tier Four blacksmithing? Excellent!" Lin Zhao's eyes lit up. "Doubled efficiency means I can forge at least ten more sets of armor each month. I'm one step closer to saving up for cavalry!"

However, the fact that his blacksmithing skill was still not at Perfection at Tier Four made him feel even more that this craft was unfathomable. "If that 'Red Fire Anvil' Zhao Hai from a hundred years ago were to be measured by my proficiency level, he would have likely broken through Tier Six long ago. It's a pity that legends are gone. Nowadays, within the Great Ming, it's hard to find a recognized Martial Arts Blacksmithing Grandmaster."

In the following days, besides his two hours of cultivation each day, Lin Zhao spent all his other time in the blacksmithing workshop.

With the "Hundred Refinements" special effect, his forging speed doubled. Previously, Zhang Tiechui took three days to forge a set of Mystic Iron Plate Armor, but he could now forge two sets in a day. The difference was so vast it astonished the apprentices.

Two months passed in the blink of an eye. Not only did the "Bone Softening Technique" successfully reach the introductory stage (Tier One 156/1000), but the Spring Equinox of the twenty-fourth year of Jiajing also quietly arrived.

Tender green shoots emerged from the frozen soil in the Qixia Mountain Valley, and the chill gradually receded, signaling a good time for travel.

One morning, on the muddy mountain path, Lin Zhao led ten regular guards, driving three ox carts pulled by Western Frontier Snow-Treading Colts. The carts were covered with dry grass, hiding twenty-five sets of Mystic Iron Plate Armor and fifty Hundred Refinements Mystic Iron Sabers underneath.

Throughout the winter, Lin Family Fortress had forged fifty sets of armor. He kept the twenty-five best sets to equip the standing guard (who had transitioned from part-time guards to full-time warriors). The rest were to be transported to Northern Garrison City for sale, and to purchase more Pangolin Dragon Essence.

Lin Family Fortress now, relying on the blacksmithing workshop as its "money tree," could easily achieve an annual income exceeding three thousand five hundred taels. If the forging efficiency could be further improved in the second half of the year, an annual income of over ten thousand taels wouldn't be impossible – a level many Battalion Commander's Territories couldn't reach.

Inside Northern Garrison City, in a magnificent noble mansion, the middle-aged man in brocade robes, Zhou Bo'an, was leisurely dining. He ate with elegance, using silver chopsticks to pick up the Mystic Mane Fierce Wolf meat from the plate and chewing it slowly, as if everything around him was irrelevant.

At some point, a figure in a black robe and bamboo hat appeared silently in the shadow of the candlelight. This was a professional broker from the Black Raven Tower, specializing in delivering missions and commissions.

"The 'Night Raven Guest' sent half a year ago to assassinate Lin Zhao is still unaccounted for. According to my spies in Qixia Mountain, Lin Zhao not only didn't die but even broke through to the low-level Entering Martial Master realm. It seems the Night Raven Guest either failed and was killed, or absconded with the money." The broker's voice was kept extremely low, with a hint of coldness.

"Our major client suspects the capabilities of the Black Raven Tower. Lord Xuanying has decided to assign this mission to you to save face. Considering that a Silver Rank Assassin like yourself is required, the client has raised the commission to eight thousand taels of silver." He handed over a stack of silver notes with a face value of one hundred taels. "This four thousand taels is the deposit, Lord Blood Raven. The Tower Master has high hopes for you. This time, you must be extremely cautious and ensure a swift success."

Zhou Bo'an took the silver notes, flicked his fingers, and a smile curved his lips. "Where is Lin Zhao now?"

"He's within Northern Garrison City. The scout said he often wears a Mystic Iron Rakshasa mask, making him easy to identify. He's likely active near the Xuanyao Tavern."

"Understood. Await my news." Zhou Bo'an waved his hand, and the black-robed broker flickered and disappeared into the darkness. He carefully placed the four thousand taels of silver notes into a Mystic Iron Box inside the room – which already contained over twenty-five thousand taels of silver notes, his savings from decades as an assassin. Afterward, he removed his brocade robe in front of a bronze mirror, changed into a dark night-walking outfit, took the Shadow Leopard Dagger from the wall, blew out the candlelight, and his figure merged into the night.

Zhou Bo'an's father was once a Martial Battalion Commander in the northern region. Unfortunately, his father was a compulsive gambler and sold even the hereditary position of Battalion Commander's office, moving his entire family to Northern Garrison City. This incident made Zhou Bo'an hate his father to the bone. From a young age, he diligently practiced his ancestral Shadow Leopard Breathing Technique, not only becoming a mid-level Entering Martial Master but also personally killing his spendthrift father. In his youth, he accidentally came into contact with the Black Raven Tower's "Netherworld Martial Venerate" faith and became a devout follower. With his strength as a mid-level Martial Master, he gradually climbed his way up to become a Silver Rank Assassin. The Black Raven Tower's assassins were divided into three tiers: Bronze Rank (low-level Martial Master + 5 missions), Silver Rank (mid-level Martial Master + 15 missions), and Gold Rank (high-level/peak Martial Master + 30 missions). Above them were five transcendent "Diamond Tower Masters," all Grandmaster Warriors in the Heavenly Gang Realm, whose identities were mysterious and unpredictable – perhaps wealthy salt merchants, Garrison Generals, or even royal guards of Feudal Kings.

"Night Raven Guest was just a Bronze Rank Assassin, so it's normal for him to fail," Zhou Bo'an sneered inwardly as he moved stealthily across the rooftops. "Lin Zhao is merely a sixteen-year-old low-level Martial Master. How strong can he be to resist my assassination as a mid-level Martial Master? Once this job is done and I accumulate fifty thousand taels, I can redeem my family's hereditary Battalion Commander title." He had been waiting for this day for over twenty years.

Inside the Xuanyao Tavern, Lin Zhao ordered a pot of "Phantom Wine," commemorating the "Myriad Illusions Martial Saint," and slowly sipped it. The proprietress, Su Meiniang, still propped her chin on her hand, idly drinking behind the counter. Martial Trainees and Martial Masters came and went, as did noble youths wearing masks, gathering in small groups to discuss business, creating a lively atmosphere.

Not long after, a burly man clad in Mystic Iron Armor walked in. It was Diao Kui, who had traded with Lin Zhao multiple times. Zhao Tieying had confirmed that he was the second-in-command of the Wild Jackal Gang and was now a core member of the "Vagrant Alliance" in the north.

"Why has the supply been low recently?" Diao Kui walked to Lin Zhao's table, frowning. His gaze swept over Lin Zhao's Rakshasa mask, with a hint of scrutiny. "I was busy cultivating a while ago and neglected blacksmithing," Lin Zhao replied calmly, not intending to explain further.

"Why do I feel like your aura has become much stronger since last time?" Diao Kui stared at him intently, his tone filled with inquiry. The Vagrant Alliance was in need of martial blacksmiths, and he wanted to recruit Lin Zhao again.

Lin Zhao didn't respond and directly asked, "Did you bring the silver?"

Seeing that Lin Zhao was unwilling to talk more, Diao Kui didn't press the issue. He pulled out a stack of silver notes and waved it. "Twenty-five sets of armor, at the previous price, totaling eight hundred and seventy-five taels. Not a single bit less."

Lin Zhao stood up and led him towards the ruined temple outside Northern Garrison City to deliver the goods. With the increasing number of transactions, it was inconvenient to do it in the tavern, so they had long agreed to meet outside the city.

With Lin Zhao's current strength, plus ten armed guards, he wasn't afraid of Diao Kui double-crossing him.

Diao Kui had the armor loaded onto the ox cart and said, "Your armor forging skill is truly top-notch. Join the Vagrant Alliance with me! The alliance has a Heavenly Gang Realm Grandmaster Warrior overseeing it, and they can find you the best Mystic Iron ore veins. They can guarantee you become a Martial Grandmaster Artisan within three years, which is much more promising than staying in a small fortress."

"No need," Lin Zhao refused, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Seeing his attempt to recruit Lin Zhao fail again, Diao Kui sullenly led his men away.

Lin Zhao instructed the guards behind him, "You all take the supplies back to the fortress first. I'll stay in the city for a few more days to find some Pangolin Dragon Essence before returning."

"Yes, Young Master!"

Lin Zhao returned to the Xuanyao Tavern. He didn't see the Martial Master who sold him the Pangolin Dragon Essence last time, so he decided to wait a few more days. If he really couldn't find him, he would have to find a way to go to the Northern Desert to look for the Oirat merchants.

Bored, he walked to the bounty board at the tavern entrance, hoping to find some side-quest Martial Path missions. His gaze was suddenly drawn to a yellowed bounty notice:

[Recruiting: One low-level Entering Martial Master. Requirements: Superb archery skills, able to perform stealth in mountainous terrain, and execute one escort mission. Reward: One bottle of Pangolin Dragon Essence (can be converted to five hundred taels of silver). Payment upon completion of the mission. Rendezvous point: "Old Swordsman" inn west of the city. Ask for Shopkeeper Liu.]

Lin Zhao's face lit up—it was truly a case of finding something without even looking! Although his "Three Talents Slash" primarily used a sword, he had also practiced archery. Combined with his newly acquired "Bone Softening Technique" and "Mystic Wolf Step," stealth was his strong suit. This mission was practically tailor-made for him.

He didn't notice that from an alley across from the tavern, a pair of cold eyes were staring intently at his retreating back—Zhou Bo'an had been following him for half an hour, waiting for an opportunity to strike.