The Zhao Clan didn't send anyone the next day.
That alone told Fan Lin everything.
"They're not giving up," he muttered, standing by the window of his courtyard. "They're thinking."
Good.
Thinking enemies made bigger mistakes.
SYSTEM PANEL
Host: Fan Lin
Realm: Spirit Warrior Level 4
Strength: 97
Agility: 130
Spirit: 73
EXP: 0 / 2600
SP: 1580
Bloodline:
Moonfang Flame Wolf (Unique Lv2)
Skills:
• Wind Shadow Sword Technique
• Wind Phantom Blade (Earth Rank)
Items:
• Wind Spirit Jade Sword
• Storage Ring
Fan Lin tapped the window frame lightly.
"Time to move first."
But not with brute force.
That was for fools.
A Cunning Move
An hour later, inside a quiet teahouse near the merchant district—
Fan Lin sat across from Su Meiyun.
Steam rose from the teacups between them.
"You came willingly this time," she said, eyes sharp.
Fan Lin smiled lazily.
"I need information."
She raised a brow.
"And I need profit."
"Then we understand each other."
Fan Lin leaned forward slightly.
"I want Zhao Clan's supply routes."
She didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she studied him.
"You don't plan to fight them head-on anymore?"
Fan Lin chuckled.
"I already proved I can."
He lifted the cup calmly.
"Now I want to break them… properly."
Su Meiyun smiled faintly.
"Good answer."
She slid a folded map across the table.
"Caravan leaves tonight. Carrying spirit stones and beast cores."
Fan Lin didn't touch it immediately.
"Who else knows?"
"Just you."
He nodded.
"Then Zhao Clan is already dead."
The Trap Within the Trap
Night fell again.
Outside the city walls, along a narrow forest path—
Torches flickered.
The Zhao Clan caravan moved steadily.
Six guards.
Two wagons.
One elite escort.
Fan Lin crouched high in the trees, watching.
Not attacking.
Waiting.
Because something felt off.
"Too clean…"
His eyes narrowed.
"They're expecting me."
Instead of leaving—
He smiled.
"Perfect."
Turning the Trap
Fan Lin didn't strike the caravan.
He circled.
Silently.
Carefully.
Until he reached the rear.
Then—
He killed the last guard without a sound.
Dragged the body into the shadows.
Took his cloak.
Blended in.
Minutes later—
He walked beside the caravan as if he belonged there.
No one noticed.
No one questioned.
Because no one expected the hunter…
…to walk inside the trap.
The Real Enemy Appears
Suddenly—
A voice echoed from the front.
"Enough pretending."
A man stepped out from the shadows ahead.
Black robes.
Cold eyes.
Zhao Clan Elder – Zhao Ming.
Realm: Spirit Warrior Level 6
The caravan stopped.
The remaining guards stepped back immediately.
Fan Lin sighed.
"Finally."
Zhao Ming stared directly at him.
"You're more troublesome than expected."
Fan Lin removed the hood slowly.
"You talk too much."
Unique Fighting Scene – "False Opening Kill"
Zhao Ming attacked instantly.
Fast.
Heavy.
Crushing.
Fan Lin didn't dodge.
Didn't counter.
He made a mistake.
At least—
That's what it looked like.
He stepped slightly too slow.
Raised his sword too late.
Left his side open.
Zhao Ming's blade struck.
Blood appeared.
But Fan Lin smiled.
Because it was deliberate.
A shallow cut.
A false opening.
Zhao Ming committed fully—
Thinking he had the advantage.
That was the mistake.
Fan Lin moved.
Closer.
Inside the attack.
"Wind Phantom Blade."
At point-blank range.
No space.
No defense.
The wind blade exploded outward.
Zhao Ming's eyes widened—
Too late.
BOOM.
He staggered back, chest torn open.
But not dead.
Not yet.
System Combat Growth
DING
High-Risk Combat Bonus
EXP +300
EXP: 300 / 2600
Zhao Ming roared.
"You—!"
He surged forward again.
Faster.
Stronger.
Desperate.
Fan Lin's eyes sharpened.
His bloodline pulsed.
Everything slowed.
Not in reality—
But in perception.
Killing Field – Advanced
Fan Lin stepped sideways.
Half a step.
That was all.
Zhao Ming's attack missed by inches.
But more importantly—
His own force carried him forward.
Off balance.
Exposed.
Fan Lin didn't rush.
Didn't panic.
He waited.
For the exact moment.
Then—
One clean strike.
The blade passed through Zhao Ming's throat.
Silence.
DING
Enemy Eliminated
EXP +700
SP +500
EXP: 1000 / 2600
SP: 2080
Aftermath – Ruthless Efficiency
The remaining guards froze.
Fan Lin looked at them calmly.
"Run."
They didn't hesitate.
They fled.
Fan Lin didn't chase.
"Fear spreads better."
System Reward
DING
Mission Completed: Sabotage Zhao Clan Supply
Rewards:
EXP +1200
SP +800
Item: Minor Spirit Body Fragment
LEVEL UP
Realm: Spirit Warrior Level 5
Stat Increase:
+15 Strength
+18 Agility
+12 Spirit
SYSTEM PANEL (UPDATED)
Strength: 112
Agility: 148
Spirit: 85
EXP: 0 / 3000
SP: 2880
Bloodline:
Moonfang Flame Wolf (Unique Lv2)
Fan Lin exhaled slowly.
Power surged through him again.
Familiar.
Addictive.
New Mechanic Unlocked
DING
Spirit Body System Activated
Fragment Detected
Fan Lin smiled.
"Finally."
Closing
Standing beside the burning caravan, Fan Lin looked toward the distant city.
Zhao Clan's strength was crumbling.
Piece by piece.
Not through direct war—
But through precision.
Control.
Strategy.
He sheathed his sword.
"The game just got bigger."