The Swordsman Lin Zhongxing

The kid Wang Kai was referring to was naturally I Want to Become Immortal.

Xiao Jie was somewhat surprised. He had pegged Wang Kai as the type of "businessman" who only cared about money, yet his tone now sounded genuinely worried.

"Didn't you say that everyone has their own fate? Since that kid chose this path, why bother worrying about him?"

Wang Kai explained, "I'm mostly afraid he'll kick the bucket right away and I'll lose a customer. It's rare to find such a generous client; better he stays alive if possible."

Xiao Jie asked curiously, "Then what are you planning to do? Leave the village to find him?"

This guy had been hiding in the village for three years; even without leveling up, he had to have improved in some way.

Xiao Jie didn't believe for a second that Wang Kai had zero combat ability.

To his surprise, Wang Kai immediately denied the suggestion upon hearing it. "That won't do. Making money is important, but my life is more important. I swore the day I entered this game that I would never leave the village."

He suddenly looked at Xiao Jie.

"Brother Hidden Moon Follows Wind, I can tell you're definitely an expert. Why don't you go find him for me? You don't have to go far; I doubt that kid could have made it very far from the village. Just check the woods nearby to see if he's still alive."

"If he's still alive, hurry up and call him back. It's going to get dark soon, and I forgot to warn him about that earlier."

Xiao Jie asked, "What happens when it gets dark?"

"Night Ghouls spawn at night. Those things are physically immune to damage; a newbie has no way to fight them."

Night Ghouls? Xiao Jie wondered if this game really had monsters like "ghosts and spirits." He remembered seeing that option during the prayers at the Ancestral Hall.

Naturally, he wasn't about to agree to Wang Kai's request.

"Haha, are you kidding me? You're afraid of dying, so why wouldn't I be? Besides, I'm not even close with him." (And I'm not exactly close with you either.)

"Don't be like that. Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda, you know. Good deeds bring good rewards."

"Forget it. You said yourself that everyone has their own fate, and I think you're right. If you want to save him, go do it yourself."

"How about this? If you go find him and bring him back, I'll give you 500 copper coins. How's that?"

Xiao Jie pondered for a moment. 500 copper coins was not a small sum.

He had worked himself to the bone chopping wood all day and only earned a little over two hundred.

500 copper coins converted to five thousand yuan in real money. The studio hadn't been doing well lately, and five thousand yuan was nearly a month's salary.

Xiao Jie was actually tempted. He had been outside the village yesterday and hadn't seen any monsters nearby, so it wasn't too dangerous. The key was that he had just learned a powerful combat skill, which had boosted his confidence; he even had the urge to find a monster to test his strength.

If he could make a quick buck while completing a rescue mission, that wouldn't be bad at all.

However, Xiao Jie wasn't about to show his hand so easily. Besides, he didn't even have a decent weapon; it would be too dangerous if he actually ran into a monster.

He deliberately changed the subject. "Why are you so invested in this, anyway?"

"Sigh, it's just that his brother, I Want to Seal the Heavens, and I were on good terms back in the day. He's an old friend who helped me out, so I should look after his younger brother if I can."

"How about this? I'll add another hundred. Six hundred is a fair price."

"One thousand. And you have to lend me a set of gear. If I go out looking like this, I'm just handing my head to the monsters. Most importantly, I need a good blade—there's a Wild Goose Feather Saber in the Blacksmith Shop. If you can get me that blade to use, I'll take the job."

Wang Kai's face twisted in conflict.

But time was tight, and he didn't dare hesitate. He gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! One thousand it is. I'll get you the gear, too. But don't you dare run off with the goods. Should we sign a contract?"

Xiao Jie was speechless. "I'm honestly impressed. If you aren't afraid of that little brother of yours dying, we can take all day to discuss a contract."

"Alright, alright, no contract. Just wait here, I'm going to get the gear."

Wang Kai turned and ran into the Blacksmith Shop, returning in less than a minute.

He opened the trade window. A Wild Goose Feather Saber, a set of leather armor, five bottles of Wound Medicine, and a bottle of Strength Pill appeared in the slots.

Xiao Jie was stunned. "Damn, you actually managed to borrow these? Your master trusts you that much?"

"I'm Blacksmith Zhou's top apprentice with maxed-out affinity. Stop talking and go, go! It's already five o'clock; it'll be dark in an hour. If you don't leave now, it'll be too late."

With that, Wang Kai clicked to confirm the trade.

Xiao Jie accepted the trade and felt quite satisfied looking at the new gear in his inventory. He equipped it all immediately.

Wolf Skin Bracers, Leather Breastplate, Leather Leggings, and Lightweight Leather Boots.

Of course, the most eye-catching piece was the Wild Goose Feather Saber in his hand. A level-one newbie holding a green-tier weapon with a gleaming blade—he was officially the sharpest-looking guy in Ginkgo Village.

Xiao Jie figured this set of gear was worth nearly five thousand copper coins. Wang Kai had really put his money where his mouth was.

With this gear and his newly learned combat skill, what was there to be afraid of?

It was a pity it was only a loan.

He wasn't the type to steal someone else's equipment.

Without further ado, he ran straight out of the village.

It was already five o'clock. The sun was setting, and the golden rays of dusk spilled through the trees along the edge of the valley. Though it was still bright, the scene carried a sense of desolation and gloom.

Combined with the bleak, somber atmosphere of the woods, Xiao Jie didn't dare linger for a second.

Ginkgo Village was located at the southernmost tip of Ginkgo Valley. There was only one road leading north, so he didn't have to worry about not finding the person. Besides, Wang Kai was right—I Want to Become Immortal shouldn't have gone too far.

He had no intention of risking his life, planning only to search the area around the village and call it quits if he couldn't find anyone; he wasn't about to throw his own life away.

However, since he had taken their money to solve their problem, he couldn't be too half-hearted about it.

As soon as he entered the woods, he spotted a wild dog foraging near the edge. Xiao Jie didn't bother to hide, charging straight toward it—it was the perfect target to test his blade.

Sensing the footsteps, the wild dog jerked its head up to look at him, letting out a growl as if to show its dominance.

Its snow-white fangs were strikingly prominent, making it look incredibly vicious.

Xiao Jie didn't attack immediately; he assumed a starting stance and slowly closed the distance, one step, two steps, three steps.

Seemingly sensing the threat, the wild dog let out a low snarl and suddenly lunged into the air.

Now!

Xiao Jie moved in a flash, the Wild Goose Feather Saber in his hand tracing a lethal arc as he slashed directly into the dog's pounce.

One Cut Two Pieces!

Swish! -63 (Critical Hit)!

The blade flashed past, and with that single strike, he cleaved the wild dog clean in two, leaving it to collapse on the ground in a bloody mess.

The sound of the blade slicing through flesh and bone gave Xiao Jie a genuine sense of satisfaction.

One-shot kill—so cool!

A fine blade paired with a powerful combat skill truly lived up to the word "fierce."

With his fear now completely gone, he followed the narrow path through the sparse woods, searching as he headed toward the valley.