When Xiang Shaolong saw Ling Yi dragging a huge wild boar back, his eyes lit up.
Compared to the strange wild game porridge, which was a mixture of unknown ingredients and tasted neither sweet nor sour, Xiang Shaolong naturally preferred roasted meat.
"Come help if you want to eat." Ling Yi simply threw the wild boar into the yard and didn't want to move.
This wild boar weighed over 400 pounds, but fortunately, the body Ling Yi was in had been training for many years and was in decent physical condition.
Even so, Ling Yi felt exhausted.
"Dude, you're really something! Haha, you single-handedly took down a wild boar. Impressive! I'm a master at barbecue, so don't worry, I guarantee you'll eat your tongue off the plate."
Xiang Shaolong took a military dagger out of his boot and began butchering the wild boar.
As a former special forces soldier, Xiang Shaolong has extensive experience in wilderness survival, and dealing with wild boars is a piece of cake for him.
The elderly couple were naturally happy to be able to eat wild boar meat.
They busily assisted Xiang Shaolong, some boiling water, others chopping meat, and for a while they were quite busy and happy.
"Braised pork ribs, roasted pork leg, and tenderloin on a hot stone slab—perfect." A few hours later, everyone sat in the courtyard, enjoying the delicious food.
"It's a pity there weren't many seasonings, otherwise the taste would be even more perfect." Xiang Shaolong took a big bite of a rib and said with great enjoyment.
"Your dagger is quite nice. Give me the dagger, and I'll return the jade pendant to you," Ling Yi said.
Xiang Shaolong rolled his eyes and said, "Brother, you've done a really good job! The jade pendant is mine, and the dagger is mine too. You're trading my dagger for my jade pendant?"
"Are you going to change it or not?" Ling Yi asked.
"Exchange!" The Space-Time Jade Pendant was key to his return home, so naturally he wanted to exchange it. However, this situation, where he would lose out on both sides, really annoyed him.
Having retrieved the Space-Time Jade Pendant, Xiang Shaolong carefully wiped it clean before tucking it back into his waistband.
"Prepare some dried meat for the journey tomorrow," Ling Yi added.
"Now that the jade pendant is back, why should I go with you?" Xiang Shaolong said, dissatisfied.
"I didn't ask you to come along; you only need to prepare my portion."
Xiang Shaolong's eyes darted around, and he chuckled as he leaned closer to Ling Yi, asking with a slightly ingratiating tone, "Brother, you say you're an assassin, are all the people in your assassin organization as skilled as you?"
"No one can defeat me," Ling Yi said arrogantly.
"So, what are you going to Handan for?"
"Let's make a deal!" Ling Yi said after thinking for a moment.
"A big deal?"
"Yes, deals that could cost you your life are naturally big deals."
Xiang Shaolong was speechless for a moment, then continued to probe, "I wonder what kind of business it is? Tell me, maybe I can even help you come up with some ideas. Although I'm no match for you in a fight, when it comes to brains, I dare say no one in this world can Peter me."
"Your speech and behavior are indeed extraordinary, and your knowledge is also remarkable. Besides, this matter is not a secret, so it's harmless to tell you."
" King Xiang of Qin's wife, Zhu Ji, and their son, Zhao Zheng, were imprisoned in Handan City. King Xiang of Qin now ruled the State of Qin with immense power and unparalleled wealth."
"Once we rescue Zhu Ji and her child, we can make a big deal with King Xiang of Qin."
Upon hearing Ling Yi's words, Xiang Shaolong jumped to his feet and asked incredulously, "You're saying that Ying Zheng hasn't become First Emperor of Qin yet?"
What year is it this year?
"In the third year of King Xiang of Qin, how come you also know about the matter of Zhu Ji and her son?" Ling Yi asked, feigning ignorance.
Xiang Shaolong did not answer Ling Yi's question. Instead, he paced back and forth like a madman, muttering to himself.
" Ying Zheng hasn't returned to Xianyang yet, and hasn't become First Emperor of Qin, which means that even if I were to arrive in Xianyang now, I couldn't go back."
"If something happens to Ying Zheng, First Emperor of Qin is gone, wouldn't I be unable to go back forever?"
Xiang Shaolong suddenly stopped, looked at Ling Yi and asked, "You intend to kidnap Zhu Ji and her child, and then extort money from King Xiang of Qin?"
"Utterly foolish! If this is how you do business, it's not a business transaction, but a suicide mission. State of Qin is so powerful now, do you really think a mere assassin like me can stand against the power of an entire nation?"
"I'll rescue Zhu Ji and her child and return them to King Xiang of Qin. Wouldn't it be a better deal to do King Xiang of Qin a favor?"
Xiang Shaolong's eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "Brother, I want to join!"
"Why should I involve you in this business that I can handle on my own, thus taking a share of my profits for nothing?"
"Brother, you're wrong about that. As the saying goes, 'A hero needs three helpers.' You're bound to have oversights on your own, right? You have the strength, I have the brains. Let's join forces and become the richest people of this era. Isn't that perfect?"
"Besides, you can decide on the benefits; I won't be greedy. Just give me whatever you think I'm worth, how about that?"
Ling Yi remained expressionless for a long while before slowly nodding and saying, "Go prepare the dried meat!"
Xiang Shaolong nodded immediately and ran to the campfire to roast the meat.
Just then, Ling Yi suddenly raised the dagger in his hand, and immediately heard a "clang" as a silver light was deflected by the dagger.
Ling Yi looked towards the top of the wall and smiled, "If you're hungry, come in and have some roasted meat."
A figure performed a graceful side somersault from the top of the wall and landed in the courtyard, walking a few steps to Ling Yi.
The person who came was Shan Rou.
At this moment, Shan Rou was looking at Ling Yi with her big, curious eyes.
"You have some nerve, daring to even set your sights on Zhu Ji and her son. Don't you know that the chieftain and Zhao Mu have a very close relationship?"
"If they can do this deal, so can I, Ling Yi. Besides, even if I don't do it, do you think Cao Qiudao will let me off the hook? I might as well take a gamble; the outcome is still uncertain."
"You knew all along that the leader's true identity was Sword Saint Cao Qiudao?" Shan Rou sat down next to Ling Yi, picked up a piece of roasted meat and started eating.
"Didn't you already know? When I mentioned Cao Qiudao before, you weren't surprised at all."
"I want to join too!" Shan Rou swallowed the roasted meat in her mouth and looked at Ling Yi.
"I don't need more manpower."
Shan Rou pointed at Xiang Shaolong and said with dissatisfaction, "You can even take in such a piece of trash, why did you refuse me?"
"Hey, who are you? That's going too far. What do you mean by 'useless'? I'm the big brother's strategist, I use my brain!" Xiang Shaolong said, dissatisfied.
Shan Rou ignored Xiang Shaolong and continued speaking to Ling Yi, "This person has a mysterious background and behaves extremely strangely. Keeping him by your side is not a wise move."
"If you wish to join, then follow me. I only trust myself, and my sword will never be drawn on its own initiative."
After Ling Yi finished speaking, he turned and went into the house, leaving Shan Rou and Xiang Shaolong staring at each other hostilely.
"Who exactly are you?" Shan Rou asked coldly.
"What's it to you?" Xiang Shaolong retorted defiantly.
"Don't cause any trouble before rescuing Zhu Ji and her child. Otherwise, even if you are a woman, I, Xiang Shaolong, will not show you any mercy."
Same here!
Shan Rou had long been dissatisfied with Cao Qiudao's use of the assassin organization to indiscriminately kill innocent people. After testing Ling Yi several times, she discovered that Ling Yi's strength was indeed unfathomable.
Perhaps, if she and Ling Yi joined forces, they could put up a fight against Cao Qiudao.
As for the deal involving Zhu Ji and her son that Ling Yi mentioned, Shan Rou did not believe that Ling Yi could succeed.
There are quite a few people watching this mother and son now. No matter how strong Ling Yi, it will be difficult for him to pull chestnuts out of the fire. If the plan goes wrong even slightly, they will become the target of everyone's criticism. At that time, they may not have a place to stay in the world.
Shan Rou only wanted to stay by Ling Yi's side, use Ling Yi's power to Weaken the assassin organization, and eventually lure out Cao Qiudao so she could plot his death.
Nothing more was said that night. The next morning, Ling Yi and his companions bid farewell to the kind old couple and continued their journey toward Handan.
Since they had no horses, the three of them had to walk.
Ling Yi's pace was not fast to begin with; he was leisurely, as if he were on a trip. In half a day, the three of them had only traveled less than twenty miles.
There happened to be a small town ahead, so the three decided to have lunch there and see if they could buy any horses.
"This place is already within the territory of Handan, and it's called Youpeng Town. There happens to be a Martial Practitioner arts academy in the town." Shan Rou was clearly very familiar with the place. He was mainly saying this to Xiang Shaolong to avoid making a fool of himself.
" Martial Practitioner Arts Hall? What kind of place is that?"
"As long as you have a sword and know a move or two, you can eat and stay here for free."
"Such a good thing?"
"Hmph, ignorant! Do you really think free food is so delicious? Do you even know what the purpose of this Martial Practitioner arts academy is?"
Before Xiang Shaolong could ask, Shan Rou explained, "This is a place where powerful and influential people choose their retainers. Since they are choosing, they will naturally distinguish between them and see who is superior."
"For Martial Practitioner, how are they distinguished? Naturally, they must fight. At best, they will be injured and leave the battlefield in disgrace; at worst, they will die and be abandoned in the mass grave in the back mountain."
Xiang Shaolong unconsciously gripped the pistol in his arms, his expression becoming more serious. He finally realized that this was ancient times, an era where Wang Quan reigned supreme, and human life was the least valuable thing in this era.
Ling Yi remained completely unfazed. In the original owner's memories, there were also memories of this Youpeng Town.
Youpeng Town, originally a wonderful name, meaning "friends come from afar," but the countless White Bone in the mass grave on the back mountain are a testament to the cruelty of this town.
"What am I going to do without a sword?" Xiang Shaolong asked, shrugging.
"Then just wait to die," Shan Rou said bluntly.
"There are places selling weapons in town; we can buy a few then," Ling Yi said.
"But don't cause trouble later. Anyone who dares to enter the Martial Practitioner arts hall has some skills, so don't meddle in other people's business," Shan Rou reminded her.
"What if someone else causes trouble?" Xiang Shaolong asked.
"Kill!" Shan Rou said coldly.
The Martial Practitioner arts hall is not small; it can easily accommodate several hundred people. However, the facilities inside are quite rudimentary.
In most places, there's just a straw mat laid out, where three or five familiar swordsmen sit together, drinking tea or wine, but they all speak in very low voices.
When Ling Yi and his two companions entered the Martial Practitioner arts hall, each carrying a Bronze sword, it was almost lunchtime.
The three found a corner spot and sat down. Ling Yi and Shan Rou's gaze swept across the crowd and spotted a kind-faced, rather disheveled old man drinking wine. Beside him lay a strange, black wooden sword...