Days passed one by one. Every day, Su Mu left early and returned late. Rain or shine, he perfectly fulfilled his duties as a Hunter.
His Identity Points were also slowly accumulating. Upgrading the Submerging Wave Saber Technique from Minor Achievement to Great Success required a full three hundred Identity Points. For Su Mu, that meant five months of accumulation—a long and arduous journey. Fortunately, watching his Identity Points constantly increase every day was a kind of enjoyment in itself, so the days weren't too difficult for Su Mu to endure.
His current life was already vastly better than when he was a refugee. He could eat his fill, and he could see hope. However, ever since Sun Dazhao sought him out last time, Su Mu had deliberately kept a low profile. He even only brought a small portion of his daily catch back to the city, throwing the rest away. Although it was a bit of a pity, it was better to be safe than sorry; one could never be too careful. He didn't even think about hiding the game.
Su Mu had also secretly inquired around. Those Hunters that Sun Dazhao had introduced to Chief Xing had never returned since going to the South City Bureau. Su Mu guessed that they had likely met with foul play. Silver was good, but one needed to be alive to spend it.
He wasn't sure if it was because he was diligent enough in hunting, but the rate at which his Points increased on the panel had slightly improved compared to before. Now, he could earn five Points in just two days. Over the course of a month, he had saved up a full seventy Points.
He thought, "At this rate, in three months at most, I'll be able to upgrade the Submerging Wave Saber Technique to the Great Success Realm. By then, I'll be able to advance or retreat with ease. Whether seeking a position as a constable, or guarding a Nursing Home to make a living, at least I will have the opportunity to choose."
Su Mu's heart was full of anticipation for his future life. After running about hunting outside the city all day, even though his physique was much stronger now, he still felt a bit exhausted. After fetching some water and washing up, he lay down on his bed and closed his eyes, resting to gather his energy for tomorrow's hunt.
***
Tonight was starless.
Looking down from the Sky, the entirety of Wuling City was shrouded in darkness. Unlike the brightly lit Inner City, the Outer City was almost completely swallowed in darkness and dead silence. Only a few places had visible lights. One of them was the South City Government Office.
CRASH!
A teacup was hurled to the ground, shattering into pieces. The tea inside splashed all over Xing Zhao Fu, soaking a large patch of his blue Constable Uniform. However, this prominent figure—who could make the South City tremble with a stomp of his foot—now kept his head bowed, looking completely submissive. The only person capable of making Xing Zhao Fu, known as the Viper, so obedient was naturally the number one figure in the South City Bureau—the South City Sima, Hu Yuxing.
"Xing Zhao Fu, look at what you've done!" Hu Yuxing's face was full of anger. He pointed at Xing Zhao Fu and scolded, "In half a year, you've lost troops and officers, yet that Black Dragon Stronghold is still at large. Even bringing in a dog to be the Chief Constable would be better than you!"
Xing Zhao Fu wore a bitter expression. "Sima, I really have tried my best. The truth is, the First Boss of the Black Dragon Stronghold is already an expert at the Third Stage of Body Tempering, and the Second and Third Bosses are at the Second Stage of Body Tempering.
"In our South City Bureau, aside from me at the Second Stage of Body Tempering, the other Martial Artists who have entered the ranks are only at the First Stage of Body Tempering.
"We can't beat them, we truly can't."
"Are those constables you recruited just decorations? Even if you have to pile up human lives, you must flatten the Black Dragon Stronghold for me!" Intense killing intent flickered in Hu Yuxing's eyes. "If you can't flatten the Black Dragon Stronghold and the higher-ups blame us, you'll be the first one I deal with!"
"Sima, the Black Dragon Stronghold is incredibly cunning. They always hide in the deep mountains and old forests to ambush us. However, I've already thought of a solution. I will recruit a group of Hunters skilled in navigating the mountains and forests. With them leading the way, I can definitely capture everyone from the Black Dragon Stronghold in one fell swoop!" Xing Zhao Fu said confidently.
"Hahaha, a defeated opponent boasting so shamelessly!" Right at this moment, a burst of loud laughter suddenly rang out.
"Who is it?" Xing Zhao Fu's expression changed. With a CLANG, he drew his saber and charged into the courtyard in just a few steps. Hu Yuxing, on the other hand, turned deathly pale with fright and scrambled under the desk with a THUD.
CLANG CLANG CLANG!
Amidst a few crisp clashing sounds, two figures collided and then abruptly separated. Xing Zhao Fu retreated continuously, only stopping when he planted his foot on the steps. His right hand holding the saber trembled slightly, and his face was filled with shock and anger.
"I'm giving you a little lesson today. If you dare provoke our Black Dragon Stronghold again, I will surely take your head!" The other figure leaped onto the wall. He was thin, wearing a black cloak, and had a palm-sized blue birthmark on his cheek. He let out a strange shriek. As soon as he finished speaking, a sharp whistle sounded. Immediately after, several flaming arrows were shot into the South City Government Office from various directions.
"Fire!"
The fire surged with the wind. The constables and servants were thrown into chaos, running wildly in all directions.
"I'll fight you to the death!" Xing Zhao Fu was furious.
He never dreamed that the people of the Black Dragon Stronghold would be so audacious as to launch a night raid on the South City! A group of bandits launching a night raid on the South City Bureau and setting fire to the South City Government Office—Xing Zhao Fu could already imagine his fate. With the Black Dragon Stronghold causing such a scene, his future was definitely ruined, and it was uncertain whether he could even keep his life.
Having followed Hu Yuxing for many years, he knew all too well how ruthless this Sima was. Now, his only option was to make the Third Boss of the Black Dragon Stronghold stay. Perhaps the Sima would spare his life, seeing that even if he lacked achievements, he had at least put in the hard work. At the very least, if he, Xing Zhao Fu, died in battle here, the Sima would spare his wife and children.
Xing Zhao Fu charged forward with his Constable Saber. Completely disregarding his own safety, he madly attacked the Third Boss of the Black Dragon Stronghold.
SLASH!
Soon, a new wound appeared on the Third Boss of the Black Dragon Stronghold, leaving him shocked and angry. Xing Zhao Fu was at the Second Stage of Body Tempering, and so was he; their strengths were basically equal. Originally, relying on his rich combat experience, he held a slight edge over Xing Zhao Fu. But right now, Xing Zhao Fu was attacking like a madman with no regard for his life. For a moment, not only did he fall into a disadvantage, but he couldn't even manage to break away and escape.
Xing Zhao Fu's eyes were bloodshot. Looking like a crazed demon, he swung his Constable Saber so fast it created a howling gust of wind.
SQUELCH!
Xing Zhao Fu took a slash to the shoulder, but at the same time, his Constable Saber broke through his opponent's attack. He landed a strike on the other man's chest, nearly disemboweling him.
The Third Boss of the Black Dragon Stronghold spat out a mouthful of blood, his face turning ghastly pale. A look of sheer ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. He kicked Xing Zhao Fu to the ground and instantly vaulted backward, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.
"Xing, I'll remember you. Just you wait!" The voice of the Third Boss of the Black Dragon Stronghold echoed from afar; he had actually fled.
"Unless I die, you won't escape today!"
Xing Zhao Fu climbed up from the ground. His shoulder was a mangled mess of flesh and blood, and his blood dyed half his body red. But right now, he couldn't care less about his injuries. He absolutely could not let the Third Boss of the Black Dragon Stronghold escape. If the other man didn't die, he would be the one to die.
Tearing off a piece of his inner garment, he haphazardly bandaged his wound, grabbed his saber, and gave chase. Along the way, he didn't forget to shout orders to the arriving constables to encircle and suppress the Black Dragon Stronghold bandits who had intruded into the South City.
***
Deep in slumber, Su Mu suddenly opened his eyes.
The next moment, he did a kip-up, leaping to his feet silently. Like an agile civet, he darted to the door, pressed his eye to the crack, and looked out with a face full of vigilance.