Qin Ze quickly skimmed the news and discovered that Wang Biao was one ruthless man.
No fewer than twenty martial artists had died at his hands.
They even included five Law Enforcement Department officers and one adjudicator.
Law enforcement officers were at least Level Two Martial Artists, while adjudicators started at Level Three.
In the Abyss, these people already made up a force that was not to be underestimated.
Yet every one of them had died at Wang Biao's hands.
For that reason, Brother Biao had been given the title of Shame of Humanity.
But Qin Ze searched for ages without finding a single news article that mentioned why Brother Biao had killed them.
The online spectators had also weighed in with their opinions.
[Scum like this shouldn't be allowed to live in this world. Good riddance.]
[So many martial artists died at his hands. Do you know how many resources the country spends training just one martial artist?]
[Human nature is inherently good. No one is born enjoying the senseless killing of innocent people. Why hasn't anyone mentioned his motive?]
[Heh! There's definitely something fishy going on.]
[Not a single martial artist is any good. I think Brother Biao is a good man. Good for him for killing them.]
[Down with martial artist tyranny, freedom belongs to the people.] (deleted)
[Whaddya gonna do about it?]
[They're going to livestream the whole execution!]
[My dad died at his hands. Now my dad can finally rest in peace.]
[Down with martial artist tyranny, freedom belongs to the people.] (deleted)
[The authorities said he was part of a terrorist organization. Good thing they caught him in time.]
[The martial arts exam is almost here. Could such a high-profile livestream draw retaliation from that organization?]
[The Jiang City Law Enforcement Department isn't just there to eat for free. If they dare show up, they'll all be thrown into one pot and stewed!]
[Maybe it's a sting operation.]
[Bored home alone late at night? College girls online for * chats. Click www... for details.]
Sure enough, the internet was this harmonious no matter what world he was in.
Qin Ze moved his mouse and clicked the link.
Let me see which college girl is so shameless!
Over the following week, Qin Ze went about his daily bone tempering as usual.
Thanks to the clones' tireless efforts, Qin Ze had already tempered ten bones in his left hand, faster than he had expected.
After school in the evenings, he occasionally went to Ma Yan's house for a meal. After all, it was hard to refuse such warm hospitality.
During this time, the City Defense Bureau had also cleared out all the exotic beasts above F-rank in the otherworld.
The administrator terminal could display footage transmitted in real time from the shelter.
Several cameras in the eastern district were intact, and Qin Ze discovered that the City Defense Bureau had explored as far as the poison gas.
At first, they used a drone, but it had barely gone any distance before it was completely corroded away.
Later, they brought in an Intermediate Martial Artist.
He too turned back the way he came after going only a few meters in.
For the moment, the City Defense Bureau had no solution and could only keep watch outside.
Only then did Qin Ze feel a little more at ease.
There was another piece of good news that made Qin Ze quite happy.
The Hater Circus had finally welcomed its first client.
Most reincarnators made money their first priority. With the experience from their previous lives, they soon became filthy rich.
Qin Ze, on the other hand, was practically a disgrace to reincarnators. His pockets were cleaner than his face.
To make money, he had specifically had the Hater Circus branch out into mercenary work.
Whether it was assassination, hijacking or escorting shipments, guarding establishments, or catching mistresses in the act-
As long as the money was right, everything was negotiable.
Where there was light in the world, there was darkness.
Especially in a world so steeped in martial prowess, the black and gray areas were particularly active.
After nearly a month of hard work, the little haters had finally made a little name for themselves in Jiang City's underworld, and a client had actually approached them of their own accord.
Out of respect for the client, Qin Ze decided to receive him personally that night.
Time was like a middle-aged man's energy: gone in a flash.
Before he knew it, night had fallen and the city lights had come on.
Qin Ze arrived at a warehouse in the north of the city.
This was the Circus's headquarters. The once-dilapidated warehouse had been converted into a fairly presentable office.
Given Qin Ze's current finances, this was all he could afford to rent.
If the area around Ma Yan's home was a slum, this was a genuine haunt of every sort of character from every walk of life, Jiang City's gray zone.
Gotham City and Queens were both little brothers compared to it.
Even the police couldn't be bothered to come here.
Qin Ze sat down in the boss's chair and gave it a spin.
"Not bad. It really looks the part."
Brother Devour and Dharma King stood to either side of him.
Brother Devour wore a lion mask, while Dharma King had a minotaur mask.
"Wear this."
Dharma King placed a mask in front of Qin Ze.
The mask was divided down the bridge of the nose, pure black on the left and pure white on the right, with golden patterns tracing its edges. It was both wicked and alluring.
"You've prepared everything."
Qin Ze put on the mask, and the feeling came to him at once.
Besides Dharma King and Brother Devour, there were twenty-seven little haters at headquarters.
He had also stationed more than thirty clones at various places around Jiang City that he considered important, so he could obtain intelligence at any time.
"When the client gets here, all of you keep it together."
"I don't care what you do normally, but in front of outsiders, at least act like human beings."
Qin Ze tapped the tabletop as he spoke.
Dharma King bowed like a perfect gentleman. "As you wish, my dear leader."
Brother Devour raised his head. "Don't worry. I, the Dark Night Lion King, have already made a name for myself. I can't afford to lose face like that."
Qin Ze rolled his eyes. "You'd better."
"Leader, the guest has arrived."
A moment later, a clone wearing a rooster mask pushed open the door and spoke respectfully.
Qin Ze waved his hand. "Bring my honored guest in."
Brother Rooster turned and led a Person in Black Robes inside.
The man had a large build and stood nearly two meters tall.
He was covered from head to toe in a long black robe, with a black mask on his face as well.
Middle Eastern women showed more skin than he did.
"Please, sit."
Qin Ze poured the man a glass of water.
After sitting down, the Person in Black Robes first surveyed his surroundings, then turned his gaze to Brother Devour and Dharma King.
These two were the strongest, having already broken through to become Level One Martial Artists.
Yet they treated Qin Ze, who wasn't even a Level One Martial Artist, with the utmost respect. This left the Person in Black Robes somewhat puzzled.
But that no longer mattered. Two Level One Martial Artists were enough.
Qin Ze interlaced his fingers on the table and said calmly, "Let me introduce myself. I'm the leader of the Hater Circus. You may simply call me Leader."
"Zero."
The Person in Black Robes' voice was hoarse and grating, like two pieces of iron scraping together.
"All right, Mr. Zero."
"What job would you like to entrust to us?"
The Person in Black Robes said, "My commission is a matter of great importance. It requires not only strength, but also courage. Do you have what it takes?"
Crackle-
A lightning snake appeared at Dharma King's waist as he warned, "Show our leader some respect."
The Person in Black Robes' gaze sharpened.
A gifted ability user!
And an extremely rare, powerful lightning ability at that.
"Forgive me for failing to recognize your worth. I ask for your forgiveness, Leader."
The Person in Black Robes lowered his head slightly.
Gifted ability users were highly sought after wherever they went.
This little organization really did have hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
Qin Ze smiled. "Let's put such a trivial matter behind us. Please tell us your commission, friend."
The Person in Black Robes enunciated each word. "I want you to raid the execution ground."