"Is there an issue, sir?"The store assistant thought there might be something difficult to convey that Chase might be concerned about by the look on Chase's face. However, he did not leave Chase alone like a short-sighted salesman. Instead, he gave a sneaky look left and right before whispering in Chase's ear."Do you have something difficult to convey? If so, I have a proposition that you might be interested in.""Oh? Let's have a listen." Chase pretended to look extremely interested.The store assistant got more confident in his own judgment when Chase said that. This customer indeed had something too troubling to voice out. He felt quite sure of what he should do next."I believe you might not know this, but our store provides mercenary services. You look like someone with a high cultivation. Would you be interested in accepting mercenary work?" The store assistant paused at this point."Continue." Chase pretended to look drawn in.He was glad to be in the right place."The
"For someone like you, the job can be divided into two parts. Find the man in the picture and your mission is considered complete. You'll receive a hundred gold coins as a reward. If you manage to kill this man and bring his corpse back, then I'll have to congratulate you as the reward will be 10,000 gold coins," Toledo explained the reward in one go.To be honest, Chase would have been interested if the target was not him. He had killed three men a few days ago at the city gates and only got a few dozen gold coins for it.Chase pretended to look excited to make his act more convincing.He said, "Is that true? All I need to do is find this man and I'll earn a hundred gold coins? If this is true, I'll have to thank you properly, Toledo.""Don't be too happy yet. Now that you've accepted this job, I'll need to give you more information. There is one other person other than you who has taken on this mission. He's also an early-stage marquis of martial arts. His name is Hal Chadman, an
"Is that so? Hal, your information is always so reliable. I'm really benefiting from it," Chase said."Not at all, but I do hope you'll share any news about the person in the portrait with me as well," Hal replied. Although his words sounded casual, his expression clearly conveyed that he expected some valuable information in return for what he had provided.Hearing that, Chase responded, "Of course, of course."Their conversation was pleasant overall, and when Chase took his leave, Hal even walked him downstairs.After leaving Hal's inn, Chase went to the tavern he frequented. He looked for a secluded spot, removed his disguise, and reverted to his true self before heading back home.On his way back to the small house, Chase continued to ponder how he could fake his own death to infiltrate Shadow Pavilion. Upon seeing Chase's dilemma, Lucas offered a suggestion, "Find a corpse and destroy the face. That should do the trick.""But will the fake really pass as me?" Chase was int
"Yes, sir. Please go ahead and absorb it," Chase said. He then sat down cross-legged, patiently waiting for Lucas to provide feedback.Within half an hour, Chase suddenly felt a surge of heat within his body. He remained calm, knowing that this was the result of Lucas digesting the divine crystal.He guided the heat flow to circulate through his body once. As he began the second circulation, the heat flow diminished until it completely disappeared. It was now fully absorbed by Chase.However, when Chase checked internally, he found that his cultivation level hadn't increased at all. He released his aura entirely in disbelief, confirming that there was indeed no change. Puzzled by this, he retracted his aura again.In that brief moment, many people in the city sensed his aura. Several individuals rushed out of their rooms, but as the aura quickly vanished, they could only look around in confusion and give up.Among those who noticed were Hal from the inn, Toledo from the shop, an
After breakfast, Harold and his wife felt that Chase seemed more genuine. Previously, he had been so calm and composed, almost unnaturally so for someone his age.Once Wanda led Rania away from the table, Chase returned to his usual demeanor. It was not that Chase had feelings for Rania or anything, but he naturally had a soft spot for gentle and fragile women."Chase, my young friend, why don't you settle down in Eagle City instead of wandering around? We have everything you could need here," Harold suggested with a hint of meaning in his tone."A man's ambition should know no bounds, Lord Scanlon. Please don't make light of such things," Chase understood immediately and changed the subject.Reluctantly, Chase asked, "Lord Scanlon, do you have any prisoners on death row?""What do you mean by 'death row'?" Harold was puzzled.Oops, they did not understand what 'death row' meant here."I mean people who have committed serious crimes and are awaiting execution," Chase explained.
It was clear that Lucas was more invested in this matter than he had been in any other before, likely due to the divine crystal.Hearing Lucas' reassurance, Chase no longer hesitated. With a single thought, a foreign consciousness appeared in his mind. Chase sensed it and confirmed that he could indeed expel this consciousness at any time and force Lucas back into the Dragon Vein Secret Realm.As Lucas took control of his body, Chase retreated into his mind. He felt a strange sensation. He was able to perceive and see what his body was doing without actually controlling it. It was a peculiar feeling.Though Lucas' control over Chase's body wasn't as fluid as Chase's own, it was adequate."Who are you? What do you want?" the prisoner asked nervously after seeing Eddard bring a stranger over and then leave. While controlling Chase's body, Lucas instantly moved into the cell without a word. He struck the prisoner unconscious with a single palm strike.Chase then witnessed something
Chase found it amusing to see the prisoner so wary. He was just a late-stage true master of martial arts. Chase had killed several marquises of martial arts, so this guy was nothing to him."So, what does my benefactor want from me? As long as it's something I can do, I'll do it," the prisoner said quickly, assuming Chase had freed him to do some task. He was eager to save his own life."I don't need you to do anything. You're safe now, so you can leave," Chase replied, not wanting to waste more time talking to a doomed man."Can I really go?" The prisoner still could not believe it. After all, he was a notorious criminal and had long since stopped believing in others' goodwill.Chase did not say anything more. He just pointed to the door, indicating that the prisoner was free to leave.Hence, the prisoner did not hesitate and walked out the door, soon disappearing into the night. Was Chase really going to let him go? Of course not. Chase had already placed a trace of his consciou
"Definitely. Of course." Seeing Chase agree to his proposal, Hal readily made an empty promise.Who knew what would happen in the future? Besides, after completing this task, he would have the upper hand once he joined Shadow Pavilion."What are you waiting for? Let's hurry," Hal urged, his previous dissatisfaction vanishing."Alright, Hal. I'll lead the way." Chase then led Hal through various turns until they reached the inn.Hal then saw fake Chase sitting on the second floor, drinking. To make the scene more convincing and to ensure more witnesses, Chase pretended to act impulsively, but Hal held him back."Hey now, there are too many people here. It's not good to attack in public. Besides, that person seems to be an early-stage marquis of martial arts. We should wait for a better opportunity," Hal advised."You're right, Hal. I was too hasty," Chase replied, though he was inwardly irritated.What was going on? Hal had been in such a hurry before, and now, he was hesitant af