An incense stick later, Su Chen walked out of the County Office, with the clerk following behind him.
"Take care, Yang Zhuangshi," the clerk said respectfully.
Su Chen nodded, turned, and left. His figure soon disappeared at the end of the street.
After leaving the County Office, Su Chen didn't immediately go complete the bounty mission. He first returned home, then headed to the blacksmith's shop.
The old blacksmith recognized Su Chen. As soon as he saw him, he came forward. Su Chen asked, "Is my weapon ready?"
"It's ready."
As he spoke, the old blacksmith brought out an improved Goose Feather Saber and handed it to Su Chen. "I also modified the scabbard while I was at it."
Su Chen said nothing as he took the weapon. After inspecting it, he drew the improved Goose Feather Saber.
The instant it left its scabbard, a clear clang rang out. Looking at the smooth, razor-sharp blade, he nodded in satisfaction.
"Here are twenty taels of silver."
Su Chen then took twenty taels from his robes and gave them to the old blacksmith, who accepted the money happily.
As the old blacksmith beamed with delight, Su Chen left the smithy with the saber.
After the time it took to eat a meal, Su Chen returned home and changed into his black coat. He instantly looked much more imposing.
He slipped the improved Goose Feather Saber into his severed arm, keeping it close to the concealed arm. After inspecting it, he found that nothing seemed different from usual, and felt reassured.
Then he tested how easily he could draw it. At first, his movements were a little stiff, but after drawing and swinging the saber several times, he gradually grew accustomed to it.
However, when he saw the black coat torn by the blade as he drew it, Su Chen could only smile wryly. "The effect is pretty good, but it sure wears through clothes."
Fortunately, he had bought plenty of black coats, so he didn't mind.
After practicing for a while, Su Chen stopped. "I don't know if it's because the saber is new, but my movements are still a little rough. I'll practice at home over the next couple of days, so I don't fall short when it really comes to a fight."
The magistrate's mission was in three days. There was still time.
He planned to spend the next two days practicing as much as possible. When the time came to make his move, he would ensure it was a single, deadly strike.
Three days flowed by like a rippling stream. In the blink of an eye, dusk arrived.
Su Chen changed into a set of clothes, took his Sleeve Blade and Steel Saber, and left White Stone City.
According to information from the County Office, his target that night was named Chu Ming. On the surface, he was a merchant, but in reality, he secretly conspired with the Rebirth Sect.
He provided the Rebirth Sect with all kinds of intelligence, and the sect used it to steadily expand its power.
The authorities had repeatedly tried to wipe out the Rebirth Sect rebels, but each attempt had failed because word of their plans leaked ahead of time.
At midnight, Chu Ming would meet with the Rebirth Sect rebels in the West Suburban Wilderness. The best time to strike would be after their meeting was over.
Su Chen didn't care about their dealings. His only task this time was to kill Chu Ming.
Though Chu Ming was a merchant, he cared only about profit. To sell information, he had caused many innocent people to die.
Some virtuous families had even been wiped out because Chu Ming conspired with the Rebirth Sect.
Before long, Su Chen reached the West Suburban Wilderness. He concealed himself and waited for time to pass.
As time trickled by, Su Chen suddenly heard faint footsteps nearby.
In the weak moonlight, he caught sight of a blurry figure. Only when the person came closer did he recognize him as Chu Ming.
Seeing that Chu Ming was alone, Su Chen didn't make a move. Instead, he held his breath even more and kept himself hidden.
Sure enough, it wasn't long before three people jumped down from three separate trees. Their nimble movements made Su Chen's gaze sharpen.
"Did you bring it?"
All three wore black and had their faces covered. When they saw Chu Ming, they asked in hushed voices.
Su Chen couldn't hear them at all. In the pitch darkness, he couldn't make out what they were saying from their lips, either.
Chu Ming nodded without speaking. He took something from his robes and handed it to the leader.
After inspecting it, the leader looked at Chu Ming. Chu Ming nodded, then suddenly turned around and scanned the area.
Suddenly, Su Chen heard Chu Ming call out, "May I ask which hero is hiding in the dark, spying on us? Please show yourself!"
At those words, Su Chen instinctively started to rise, but abruptly stopped himself. He kept his nerve and made no sound.
His eyes, however, darted about as if searching for the person Chu Ming had discovered.
"I've been lying in ambush here for so long and haven't noticed anyone else show up. How did this guy spot them?"
After looking around for a while, Su Chen saw no one else and began to grow suspicious.
"Did he spot me? But that's impossible. I'm dozens of meters away, and I've been holding my breath the whole time. How could he have noticed me? And when?"
As he wondered, Chu Ming's voice rang out again. "If you refuse to show yourself, then don't blame me for taking matters into my own hands."
Su Chen still didn't move. He remained prone, watching Chu Ming intently and waiting for him to make a move.
He planned to kill Chu Ming in one strike when they attacked him, then slip away before the other three could react.
But as he waited, Su Chen sensed that something was wrong. After saying those words, Chu Ming merely walked around once and didn't attack.
Moreover, Su Chen noticed that the other three were doing the same.
Seeing this, Su Chen finally understood. He had nearly been fooled by them.
"So much for 'I've already found you.' It was nothing but a trick to fool a child. I almost fell for it!"
Su Chen felt rather speechless. Fortunately, he'd been cautious and hadn't revealed himself right away.
Otherwise, the four of them would probably have surrounded and attacked him by now.
Shaking his head to calm himself, Su Chen stayed hidden until Chu Ming left.
"Damn it, these people are even more devious than I am!"
Because he'd nearly fallen for their trick, Su Chen had made a point of staying wary. He didn't show himself after they left.
Sure enough, before long, he saw the three who had left return. They hid in the trees and silently watched their surroundings.
If Su Chen had stood up just now, the three of them might have spotted him.
After waiting a while longer, Su Chen watched the three disappear from sight before finally letting out a breath of relief.
He hadn't even made a move against Chu Ming, yet he felt more exhausted than he would after a good, hard fight. These guys had eight hundred minds between them!
Su Chen got to his feet and brushed the weeds off himself. His expression shifted back and forth, and after a long while, his gaze flickered.
"Chu Ming is far more cautious than I expected."
"If I'd attacked him directly based on the information from the authorities, I might have fallen into his trap."
"Forget tonight's operation. I'll investigate Chu Ming's movements myself before making a move. It's not too late, and Tao Wenxuan never gave me a deadline!"
Thinking this, Su Chen didn't head in the direction Chu Ming had gone. Instead, he left in the opposite direction.
Before you continue