Demon hunter's Cooking Manual

However, there was no impulsiveness.

He knew that at this moment, even if the soldiers returned, facing the thieves who had already taken over the city gates and the key points of the docks would be futile. Even if they actually managed to reclaim them, it would come at a heavy cost of casualties.

But more likely, the casualties would be nearly total.

The latter was something he could not afford at all.

Therefore, the only option was to rely on Jason.

And Jason?

Did not refuse.

Firstly, he had promised Li Deshang to deal with the 'thieves'. In his impression, these 'thieves' referred to those three or even a group, rather than just one.

Even if only one came, he planned to take care of the rest.

It's not about anything else, it's just a promise.

Secondly, Li Deshang offered him conditions that he could not refuse at this stage.

Whether it was the so-called 'Nourishing Essence Pill' or the channel for the 'Secret Medicine', they were exactly what he wanted.

Especially the latter.

So, Jason nodded directly.

"Alright."

Jason's voice was brief but calm and powerful, which greatly delighted the anxious Li Deshang.

With Jason around, even if something actually happened, there would be room to remedy it.

"Master Mu, I can't thank you enough."

Li Deshang bowed once more, then turned and instructed the servants behind him, "Prepare the carriage, and fetch the heavy armor from the warehouse."

The carriage was quickly prepared, and once Jason and Li Deshang boarded, they headed directly to the city gate.

On the carriage, after taking several deep breaths to calm his mind, Li Deshang pointed to the box beside him.

"Brother Mu, this is a set of refined iron heavy armor, put it on first."

As he spoke, Li Deshang opened the box.

Inside the box, the iron armor was tightly packed.

Under the candlelight, it glimmered coldly.

A sense of thickness and hardness surged forth.

"I obtained this set of armor by chance. It is rare even among the troops; once worn, it's resistant to swords and arrows. Aside from being heavy, it has no flaws."

"With this armor, you can even confront martial artists who have achieved mastery in 'Bone Tempering', Brother Mu."

Li Deshang introduced the armor to Jason.

"Alright."

Jason still did not refuse.

For Jason, who lived in the 'Nightless City', he did not mind using more quick and convenient means to solve enemies.

Otherwise, he wouldn't choose to use a cloak to obscure one of the thieves.

Now wearing armor?

That was even more natural.

As for his innate defense that far surpassed the armor, above the war machine level?

If those around him didn't know about it, then it didn't exist.

It was a card that could be used.

Li Deshang looked at Jason, who acted accordingly, and couldn't help but sigh.

"I truly regret my initial approach!"

"When I first learned that Brother Mu had opened Martial Arts Street, establishing his own school, I was still holding a wait-and-see attitude, preparing to connect with Brother Mu—after all, the Martial Arts Street great competition was imminent. Although you won against Peng, Zhang, Li, and Zhao, Martial Arts Street does not belong to these four alone, there are other masters. You might suddenly falter, and the promising prospects would quickly vanish."

"Falling from grace, those around you too would be at risk. If I then stepped in to protect you, the martial arts school, and those around you, naturally you would be grateful to me, and I would have a capable general, even one worthy of passing down."

Li Deshang spoke earnestly, enunciating clearly, eyes fixed on Jason.

Then, saying this, the official of the Mountain City smiled.

With a bit of self-mockery.

"Brother Mu, please don't laugh, nor be offended. Though I was born into a branch of the Northern Li Family, the family's methods of 'managing people' have been deeply ingrained in me through years of exposure. It has been one of the key reasons I reached this step today. In the past, I found pride in it, but until today, faced with great calamity, I realized how wrong I was."

"Even in my heart, I couldn't help but think 'everything is fate, we have no control over it.'

"Until Brother Mu agreed to help, I finally breathed a sigh of relief."

"I personally felt the sensation of falling from the clouds."

"Indeed, the intention to harm others should not exist."

Having said that, Li Deshang stood up in the carriage with a bitter smile.

Not fully upright, with the carriage roof present, Li Deshang could only stand bent halfway.

Then, the official paid his respects once more in this awkward position.

"It's merely a transaction."

Jason responded, looking at him.

For Jason, Li Deshang's attitude, whether genuine or not, was not important.

What mattered was that the transaction was real.

As for anything more?

It had nothing to do with him.

But the more Jason exhibited this indifferent attitude, the more Li Deshang felt at ease.

"My uncle often said there are valiant heroes in the martial world, who take life lightly and honor promises. Before, I didn't believe it, but now... I believe."

In the recent situation, Li Deshang did not believe Jason was unaware of what occurred.

Especially, when he later lost composure and mentioned the strategy of luring away the tiger to leave the mountain.

As long as one is normal, they can guess what happened.

Yet under such circumstances, Jason did not leave, still willing to fulfill his promise.

This was on the premise that Jason had already acquired a portion of "Tiger Blood Strong Yuan Powder."

Li Deshang believed that with Jason's strength, having this "Tiger Blood Strong Yuan Powder" would, after one or two years of tempering, be enough to reach the stage of "Bone Tempering" completion, and once "Bone Tempering" is achieved, it would be a different outlook altogether.

It could be described as having a bright future.

By that time, obtaining more similar "Tiger Blood Strong Yuan Powder" would not be a difficult task.

There are many forces willing to recruit martial artists who have completed "Bone Tempering."

Even the Northern Li Family would not reject them.

Moreover, as long as one's status is clean and they express their intentions, they might be summoned as a husband, becoming part of the Li Family, gaining the qualification to fight for the top ten "Secret Medicines" in less than a year.

And such a person is willing to accompany him in taking risks.

Li Deshang was truly moved.

Although unable to stand straight, Li Deshang tried his best to straighten his back.

"Master Mu, your great kindness will never be forgotten."

"In this life, Li Deshang will never let down Master Mu."

Li Deshang said solemnly.

Between life and death, there is great fear, and also emotional excitement.

When moved as an introduction, such emotions immediately stirred the uncooled hot blood of this official.

That was the scholarly spirit he had accumulated while burning the midnight oil studying diligently.

That was his yearning when listening to tales of chivalrous heroes from his uncle.

He wanted to be like those chivalrous heroes.

Or rather...

He wanted to give it a try.

With hands cupped, Li Deshang stared unblinkingly at Jason.

As for Jason?

"Alright."

A brief response.

Regarding what happened in Li Deshang's heart, Jason was not curious at all; he was already used to people around him occasionally imagining things and then behaving strangely.

"That's great!"

"From now on, Master Mu, you and I are brothers."

"I, Li Deshang, will never let you down."

Li Deshang smiled.

And at this moment, the carriage stopped.

"Sir, the city gate is just ahead."

The driver answered.

"Master Mu, how about we..."

Li Deshang instinctively wanted to discuss with Jason, find a reliable method, otherwise, having just become brothers, sending his brother to charge into battle was truly unsettling.

But before Li Deshang could finish speaking, Jason had already jumped off the carriage.

In the darkness, the city gate was tightly closed, with not a bit of additional noise.

There was only the sound of patrolling soldiers.

If there's nothing wrong with the city gate...

Jason pondered, then turned to look towards the dock.

In the pitch black, the dock was illuminated by many lanterns, which were the lights from berthed ships, and the lamps on the pontoon bridge.

At this moment, these lights were incredibly conspicuous.

The night wind blew.

Amidst the sound of the wind were faint shouts and cries of battle.

Without any hesitation, Jason headed straight towards the dock.

"Master Mu! Master Mu!"

After getting off the carriage, Li Deshang saw Jason's silhouette heading to the dock, and he repeatedly called out, only to receive Jason's hand wave without turning back, immediately causing this middle-aged man still lingering in second youth to be moved to tears.

"Be careful!"

"Master Mu, you must be careful!"

Li Deshang shouted.

The officer by the city gate hurried over.

"Sir?"

Although the soldiers just transferred had returned, this officer was still unclear about what had happened.

"Everyone get up, hold your posts, do not leave your duty."

"Also, have the firearm camp all on the walls."

"No!"

"Half of them come down, the rest follow me."

"Hurry!"

Li Deshang urged as he spoke.

A moment later, Li Deshang's carriage turned its front, heading straight for the dock.

Behind the carriage was a fifty-man team, each holding slender fire lances that under the moonlight gleamed with an unusual cold glow.