After leaving the metal and Mercenary Guild, Kraken did not immediately leave the city for Sunset Forest. He first strolled around Gengxin City seemingly casually. After confirming that no one was following him, he changed into an inconspicuous gray cloak, covering most of his face again, and then quietly returned to the vicinity of the Mercenary Guild.
He did not go in, but found a quiet seat by the window on the second floor of a tavern diagonally opposite the guild. He ordered a pot of the cheapest ale and sipped it slowly, while his eyes seemed to be absent as he swept past the guild door, and his ears quietly caught the noisy discussions inside and outside the tavern.
Listening to the high-pitched chatter of the surrounding drinkers, as expected, the news of Ning Fengzhi's assassination did not spread on a large scale. It was obviously quickly suppressed by the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but there is no airtight wall in the world. Some well-informed mercenaries and caravan leaders were already secretly exchanging the "inside information" they heard in low voices.
"... Have you heard? Just now, something big happened in the west of the city!"
"What's going on? Soul Master is fighting again?"
"Tsk, it's much more serious than that! It is said that... a big shot was assassinated! Several guards died, and even the close master next to the big shot was seriously injured!"
"Really or not? Who is so bold? Do it at Gengxin City?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down! Don't you want to live anymore? This thing is full of evil. A distant cousin of mine who works at the City Lord's Mansion said that the scene was handled cleanly, and not even a trace was leaked... I guess the background is scary!"
"Hiss... could he be from Upper Three Sects? Or the royal family..."
"Stop guessing! Drink, drink! The less you know about this kind of thing, the longer you will live!"
Similar whispers resounded in several corners of the tavern and were quickly replaced by louder noises. However, all parties with a keen sense of smell may have received wind of the news.
Kraken didn't care who assassinated Ning Fengzhi as long as it didn't involve him. He listened silently until he confirmed that there was no talk about a mysterious person selling Soul Bone and no information about Sect Master Ning's secret meeting with someone was leaked. Only then did he feel relieved.
It's time.
He put down the half-drunk ale and left a few Copper Soul Coin behind. He got up and left the tavern. He didn't go far but went around to the back alley of the Mercenary Guild. It was relatively quiet and there were far fewer people.
He found an uninhabited corner Mental Power and spread quietly to confirm that there were no prying eyes around him. Then his figure flashed into the shadows like Gui Mei. After a few ups and downs, he re-entered the interior of the Mercenary Guild building through an inconspicuous side window.
He came to the window where he had released the task in a familiar way. At this moment, the middle-aged steward who was responsible for receiving him was not there, and was replaced by a record-keeper who looked younger and a little lazy.
Kraken walked to the window without saying a word. He just placed the special certificate that represented his release of the mission - a small iron piece engraved with his unique Soul Power mark on the counter.
The young recorder was yawning. When he saw the iron piece, he was stunned for a moment. Then he remembered something and quickly sat up straight with a professional smile on his face, "Sir, are you here to check the progress of the task, or do you want to..."
"Cancel the mission." Kraken interrupted him, his voice was hoarse and low, and he spoke concisely.
"Cancelled?" The recorder was stunned again and rubbed his hands in embarrassment, "Sir, you are releasing a high-level bounty mission. The deposit paid in advance is not low, and many people have already accepted the mission to inquire for information. If it is suddenly revoked, according to the rules, the deposit will not be refunded, and some liquidated damages may have to be paid to the mercenaries who have already taken the mission..."
"Cancelled." Kraken repeated it without any waves in his tone, but an extremely obscure but heart-stopping cold aura instantly locked onto the recorder.
The recorder felt a chill on his back, as if he was being targeted by some terrible Soul Beast, and the rest of his words were stuck in his throat. He was just an ordinary Soul Grandmaster, how could he withstand such an invisible but oppressive aura.
Cold sweat broke out on his forehead for a moment, and he nodded quickly. "Yes, yes! I will handle the cancellation for you immediately! The deposit will not be refunded, and the liquidated damages... the liquidated damages will be deducted from the deposit, and any excess will be refunded or less will be compensated. You see..."
Kraken didn't speak, just took back that breath.
As if the recorder had been granted amnesty, he quickly started to operate. The procedure for canceling a high-level bounty mission is simpler than releasing it. The main thing is to check the voucher and register.
Soon after the formalities were completed, the recorder handed Kraken the invalidated iron piece of the voucher and a settlement document that recorded what was left after deducting the deposit and liquidated damages. He said cautiously, "Sir, it has been cancelled. Please keep these vouchers and settlement documents."
Kraken Without even looking at the settlement form, he picked up the scrapped iron piece and pressed his fingers slightly. The iron piece turned into a handful of iron powder and fell from between his fingers. He turned around and left the window.
The record-keeper who was still in shock was left behind, watching his leaving figure, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with lingering fear, and muttering in a low voice, "What a weirdo... spending so much money to release the mission, and then withdrawing as soon as he said..."
After finishing this matter, Kraken no longer stayed and left from the other side door of the guild, joining Gengxin City in the crowd that gradually became lively in the evening.
There were several mercenaries nearby who had obviously just returned from an adventure outside the city and still had dust and a faint smell of blood on their bodies. Their voices were still clearly audible on the noisy roadside.
"... Damn, I really lost my grandma's house this time! After chasing for three days and three nights, I was about to get the Thousand-Year Gale Demon Wolf, but it was intercepted by another group of people!"
"Stop talking, it's bad luck! I heard that Heaven Dou City is very busy recently!"
"Heaven Dou City? What's new? I'm not interested in hearing about the royal family's gossip."
"It's not the royal family, it's Shrek Academy! I heard that the Heaven Dou Empire royal family sent people to the Shrek Academy a few days ago and sent a large number of congratulatory gifts!"
"Congratulations? What happened to the Shrek Academy? Another genius?"
"Hey, you didn't know this! I heard that Shrek Academy has another strong man of Titled Douluo level!"
"Another Titled Douluo? Real or fake? Shrek Academy is going to heaven? How many strong men are these?"
"Who knows! Anyway, Heaven Dou Empire was so happy that he rushed to fawn over him! It is said that there were piles of gifts, as well as titles and territories specially granted by the royal family! Gee, this Shrek Academy is really incredible now..."
Heaven Dou Empire gave gifts to the Shrek Academy to celebrate the addition of Titled Douluo?
Kraken's footsteps paused almost imperceptibly the moment he heard these words.
Shrek Academy... Another Titled Douluo?
"I should have killed them all, right?" A voice sounded in his consciousness.