Outside Dongling City.
Beside the Si River.
"Cao Rong, why did you let me go?" A man with a face full of whiskers and rugged features showed a puzzled look.
Cao Rong said, "I have heard that although you, Tian Buyi, bear the name 'unrighteous,' you are very loyal and place great weight on promises!"
Hearing Cao Rong's words of praise, the bearded man immediately said with pride, "That's only natural. I, River Dragon, have roamed the jianghu relying on one thing—loyalty. I've always meant what I said, never going back on my word."
"Good!" Cao Rong said. "Then if I spare your life today, you owe me a favor! Is that fair?"
Tian Buyi said, "Extremely fair!"
Cao Rong said, "I'll use that favor to have you do one thing for me!"
"No problem!" Tian Buyi, his face covered in whiskers, heavily slapped his chest. "You're letting me off this road, which is a life-saving grace to me! As long as you say it, if I can do it, I'll risk my life to get it done for you."
Cao Rong nodded. "I want you to kill someone!"
"Kill who?" Tian Buyi said.
"See for yourself!" A roll of white paper slipped from Cao Rong's sleeve, and then he tossed it to the bearded man before him named Tian Buyi.
Tian Buyi quickly caught the rolled-up white paper, then opened it.
Several breaths later, he finished browsing through it.
Then he nodded. "Simple. A mere yellow-haired brat whose Martial Path hasn't even become Graded yet—I could throw a rock and kill him instantly!"
Cao Rong said, "Do this well, and the favor you owe me is settled. You and I will have no further ties!"
At those words, Tian Buyi grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth. "I understand.