chapter 170
170. The Hero Turns Out to Be Myself
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Lin Nuo speculated that the group of soldiers would check the thug’s body, confirm if he was critically injured or dead, then drag them back for a retrial. At that moment, he would have to say “Okay,” then pretend to submit, lowering their guard, and let Ling Meng send them flying with a single move of the Earth Tide, making them experience the spin of a washing machine.
Face the gale!
But, there was a twist in the tale, as a celestial-like maiden in white descended from the sky, exuding an aura as if a fairy had descended to earth.
Lin Nuo was dumbfounded.
What the heck? How did they get here?! Could it be because of the conscription order issued by Zhou Lingcheng?
What star group are they? With the prestige of Xuan Yun Sect, at least ten stars or more!
Seems like five stars is the max.
So, it’s a five-star group then. After all, Han Xianzi’s reputation is not small, and Liu Shuqin herself commands awe far and wide, easily entering a five-star group.
As for Su Kexin.
Just a rookie, but probably able to join a five-star group thanks to her connections with Han Xianzi and Liu Shuqin.
“Master, why have you wrapped your mouth up…”
“I caught a chill, just wrapping it up a bit.”
“Master caught a chill? That’s so sudden.”
“Yes, it’s just that sudden.”
Right, these two girls came so suddenly.
Now, he wrapped his mouth and nose with a cloth, coupled with the cover of a grey cloak, he didn’t believe they could recognize him.
Lin Nuo changed his plan, now with two more girls arriving, the original plan was no longer feasible.
After all, Liu Shuqin’s strength was not to be underestimated, being the true disciple of Han Xianzi. If Ling Meng didn’t unleash her full power, she definitely couldn’t beat Liu Shuqin.
If Ling Meng did unleash her full power, she definitely couldn’t beat the explosive state of Su Kexin.
Thinking it over, he was out of options. He had to think of another way to go back with them, wait for Liu Shuqin and Su Kexin, the two girls, to run away, then make his escape.
The soldiers parted, making way for the general and Liu Shuqin to come through.
Lin Nuo remained calm, knowing that for now, the best strategy was to feign submission and wait for the right moment to act.
Liu Shuqin and Su Kexin paused when they approached Lin Nuo. Even though his mouth and nose were covered with a cloth, those bright, spirited eyes were unmistakably Lin Nuo’s.
They dismissed the thought, feeling foolish for seeing Lin Nuo in every passerby.
After all, Lin Nuo would never appear in Zhou Ling City dressed like this.
Liu Shuqin stopped a few steps away from Lin Nuo and bowed respectfully: “Thank you, noble sirs, for stepping forward to rid the people of evil, for eliminating the notorious assassin ‘Poison Bee’. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you both once again.”
“Poison Bee?”
Lin Nuo was confused and deliberately deepened his voice, “That person was Poison Bee?”
Hearing his tone, Liu Shuqin and Su Kexin felt it was Lin Nuo, but the voice didn’t quite match.
“Yes, there’s no need for modesty, hero. You must have known already, otherwise, you wouldn’t have fought so fiercely,” Liu Shuqin said with a light laugh.
Lin Nuo: “……”
Honestly, I had no idea.
That person was Poison Bee?! Not just some street thug? No wonder his skills, his methods, were of a professional level. If it weren’t for my own battle-hardened experience, I would have been a ghost under his blade by now.
Poison Bee, you met a tragic end.
And big sister, aren’t you a well-bred lady of quality? How could you stoop to cursing?
Lin Nuo was baffled, and his female disciple Ling Meng even more so. She had no idea why Lin Nuo had fought with the man and had killed him in a fit of rage.
The surrounding soldiers were shocked by the news, especially the soldier captain.
He was stunned for a whole year. Just moments ago, he had been arrogantly planning to capture Lin Nuo for trial, and now he learned that Lin Nuo was the hero who had slain Poison Bee.
He hurriedly bowed in apology:
“I’m so sorry, hero, truly sorry. I was blind and failed to recognize your greatness, wrongly accusing you. I beg your forgiveness!”
Lin Nuo: “……”
No, no, it’s not just you. I didn’t know I was such a towering figure either.
Who knew in advance that was Poison Bee? And why on earth did he pick a fight with me?
“Both of you heroes, when I first saw you, you were answering the call of the righteous faction. The city’s officers were unaware of your true strength and could only assign you to a one-star group. But now that you’ve eradicated the assassin Poison Bee, with such a feat, you naturally qualify to join the five-star group. I can report to the city lord and have you both join the five-star group. What do you think?” Liu Shuqin said with a smile.
“Five-star group? That’s great, Master! A direct promotion to the five-star group will aid our plan…!”
“Let me consider it.”
Lin Nuo interrupted Ling Meng’s words, responding to Liu Shuqin.
This sudden offer of the five-star group, previously so coveted, now made him hesitate with Liu Shuqin and Su Kexin’s arrival.
Lin Nuo continued: “May I ask, miss, are you also part of the five-star group now?”
“Mm, yes, my sister and I are temporarily supporting the five-star group. We hope to have virtuous and benevolent heroes as companions, to join us in ridding the people of evil, driving away demons and fierce beasts,” Liu Shuqin continued with a light laugh.
“Alright, I understand.”
As he expected, those two girls were indeed in the Five Stars Group.
He continued, “May I see the belongings of that thug, no, the ‘Hornet’?”
“Of course.”
The soldiers parted, allowing Lin Nuo to approach the ‘Hornet’s’ corpse. The body had no visible wounds, just a mouthful of blood covering him, leaving a trail of blood all along the way.
Lin Nuo was mainly interested in his hidden weapons, those dozen or so darts—what materials they were made of, and whether they bore any manufacturer’s mark. He might have the chance to procure a batch for himself.
Controlling over a dozen darts at once was a fierce move he could perform in the past, but after his rebirth, his strength had waned, and he could no longer manage it. Moreover, such control required high-quality hidden weapons, full of spiritual energy and essence, to be easily manipulated.
Lin Nuo glanced over them and, as expected, found the hidden weapons to be of excellent material and full of spirit. Each one could fetch several gold coins without being overpriced.
Should he take a couple while he’s at it?
Damn, there are too many people around, all watching. It’s not easy to snatch.
There was also an assassination list, which he took and casually flipped through.
Oh, there were quite a few names, every Tom, Dick, and Harry was on it, but most had been crossed off, showing the assassin’s high efficiency.
Lin Nuo read on until he reached the last name.
Lin Nuo.
What the? This Lin Nuo is?
There was a note added.
Xuan Yun Sect.
Well, well, so you’ve marked me as a target for assassination too?
So the previous fight wasn’t a coincidence, but your mission. You knew of my identity, Lin someone.
Good, you died well, damn it, I’ll scatter your ashes.
In a fit of rage, Lin Nuo kicked the ‘Hornet’s’ corpse hard.
“Master Wu?” Liu Shuqin looked on, somewhat surprised.
“It’s nothing, I was just checking if he was dead. Alright, he’s definitely dead.”
Lin Nuo nonchalantly returned the booklet to the soldiers. Of course, while Lin Nuo was browsing, Ling Meng also came over to take a look.
“What a pity,” Ling Meng suddenly sighed.
“What’s the pity?” Lin Nuo asked.
“The last name on the list, it wasn’t crossed out.”
Lin Nuo: “?!?”
You really wish your master dead, huh?