Assault and Kill Zhao Wu, Luck Breaks Rank

Chapter 4: Assassinating Zhao Wu, Destiny Breaks Rank

Chapter 4: Assassinating Zhao Wu, Destiny Breaks Rank

"Help... help me... gurgle gurgle..."

The rope tightened around his neck, and Zhao Wu instinctively thrashed, trying to break free. His struggle, however, only sent him plunging into the water.

After choking on several mouthfuls of river water, he somehow mustered the strength to burst his head out of the surface.

"He's this strong? Didn't they say he was a drunkard and useless person?"

Lin Mo's heart leaped in surprise. While interlocking his hands to grip the rope tightly, he curled into a ball and used his foot to push off Zhao Wu's back, exerting force.

Using the leverage to pull and twist, the rope dug deep into his neck, almost deforming it.

With half his neck caved in, Zhao Wu finally lost consciousness and sank into the river. Perhaps until his death, he would never understand who had killed him...

"Phew... that was close. I didn't expect that even with those less-than-ideal destinies, I almost got myself into trouble."

Lin Mo clung to the side of the black-canopied boat, using his last bit of strength to haul himself aboard. He lay there like a dead fish, his chest heaving as he greedily inhaled the fresh air.

He had observed Zhao Wu carefully when he set out earlier. His [Observe Qi and People] ability had clearly shown that Zhao Wu's destiny was mostly white, and largely unremarkable.

Things like [Drunkard and Useless Person], [Strong Body, Weak Kidneys]...

Although he had prepared beforehand, he hadn't expected that just the "strong body" aspect would almost allow Zhao Wu to react during the surprise attack.

If Zhao Wu had reacted, facing a thug like him, Lin Mo's chances of winning would have plummeted, and he might have even lost his life.

"Risk and opportunity always go hand in hand... at least this trip was worth it!"

Lin Mo looked at the two packages on the wooden plank and instinctively licked his lips. He quickly untied them.

Neither package was large; they were Zhao Wu's carefully selected belongings. One contained a few sets of more valuable clothes, and the other held the ready cash.

"One tael, two taels, two taels and five qian... seventeen taels and three qian!"

"How long would he have to go without eating or drinking to save this much? One life for two taels of money, factoring in his share and expenses for his debauchery, this scoundrel Zhao Wu must have harmed at least twenty to thirty lives?!"

Lin Mo gasped. From any perspective, he had eliminated a major threat to the people, and he felt no burden.

Suddenly, his mind jolted. When he sensed the source, he sank his consciousness into a Jade Talisman, and the corners of his mouth couldn't stop curving upwards.

[Punished evil and eliminated wickedness, killed Zhao Wu, Luck gathered +12]

Lin Mo watched the numbers on the Jade Talisman flicker, and two destinies pulsed. He felt a peculiar sensation...

He could seemingly change destiny?

Lin Mo tentatively focused his attention on the [Weak and Humble Destiny] aspect. It was the foundation for practicing martial arts, and something he desperately wanted to change.

If he relied solely on his current foundation, in half a month, even if he practiced day and night as he intended, he would likely struggle to sense Blood Essence, missing a chance to change his destiny and lineage.

Under his focused gaze, the words [Weak and Humble Destiny] seemed to dissolve like ink. When they reformed, the white light intensified.

[Destiny Breaks Rank, Cost *10, Weak and Humble Destiny -- Healthy and Strong]

Through the white light, Lin Mo saw the new destiny: [Healthy and Strong].

As his destiny changed, a warm current surged from his dantian, spreading throughout his limbs and bones. At first, it felt like a gentle warmth, like soaking in a hot spring.

A cracking sound of bones and joints echoed. When Lin Mo opened his eyes again, he clenched his fist and felt an immediate surge of power.

This was completely different from his usual frail, straw-like feeling. If Zhao Wu were alive again, Lin Mo would dare to fight him head-on!

"Perhaps I wasn't born with talent for martial arts, but with this ability, I can still cultivate the martial path!"

Lin Mo took two deep breaths, trying to calm his jumbled thoughts. At this point, he finally understood the function of this Jade Talisman.

He looked back into the black-canopied boat. His two younger cousins were still asleep. After checking them with [Observe Qi and People], the [Calamity of Blood Light] destiny had finally vanished completely.

He walked over slowly and checked their breathing, ensuring their vital signs were stable. He then rowed the boat, taking the unconscious cousins to the shore near Big Fishing Village.

After doing all this, Lin Mo decided not to keep Zhao Wu's clothes for resale or the black-canopied boat. Even though they were quite valuable, he made sure to destroy them thoroughly.

Once he reached the shore, he built a bonfire in the wilderness to dry his soaked clothes, while fiddling with the silver in his hands.

"Seventeen taels and three qian. These aren't banknotes, but solid silver taels, some smaller pieces, and copper coins..."

"At the Martial Arts School's general store, it's hard to keep such a sum of money. If people found out, it would be troublesome."

Adhering to a principle of caution, Lin Mo kept two taels of silver for himself. The rest he hid in his old house in Big Fishing Village, inside the yellow mud brick where he had previously hidden his money pouch.

The next morning, Lin Mo returned to the Martial Arts School's courtyard before anyone else woke up. He stood with the other apprentices on the muddy training ground, led by Xu Changfeng in reviewing yesterday's White Ape Stance Training.

Despite not sleeping all night, he was still full of vigor. This improvement in destiny seemed to bring not only abundant vitality but also significant growth in spirit, energy, and mind.

The process of practicing stance training was tedious. As long as one imitated the movements meticulously to a certain extent, Xu Changfeng would consider it satisfactory, especially among this group of apprentices, many of whom came from poor families.

He looked into the crowd. Many were already stepping onto the Plum Blossom Stances. More stepped on, and more fell. Rising and falling was the norm.

However, within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he noticed one person standing steadily on the Plum Blossom Stances, very conspicuously.

Lin Mo gritted his teeth and stepped onto the Plum Blossom Stances to practice. Although his movements were far from graceful, he managed to complete the first three forms of White Ape Stance Training.

Xu Changfeng clearly remembered that this person had only arrived the day before yesterday and had only learned yesterday!

Even though he had learned the White Ape Stance Training and could sense Blood Essence after some time, his learning ability seemed to exceed the norm.

"This kid is pretty good!"

Xu Changfeng watched Lin Mo's retreating figure and silently made his assessment.

After a serious morning of practice, by the time Lin Mo stepped down from the Plum Blossom Stances, his hands were numb and his legs felt weak.

He walked unsteadily only after most of the others had left.

"Even with an improved Destiny, sensing Blood Essence isn't something that happens in a day or two. But at this rate, he'll definitely pass the assessment within two weeks!"

"Before that, my body is still important. With this high-intensity training every day, I might need to buy some medicinal ointment."

Lin Mo walked out of the courtyard and joined the others in the dining hall. While shoveling down plain white rice, he was also thinking.