Laiyan, one of the southern city-states of Bran, sits on the Rhenau River, known as Bran's economic artery. With convenient land and water transportation and a thriving economy and trade, it's often called the Little Pearl of the South.
A hundred miles west of Laiyan City lay the former Xiaoshi Village. After leaving the woods, Tang En immersed himself in systematic training, not traveling much. Laiyan City, which should have taken half a day's walk, ended up taking five or six days and still wandering through the wilderness.
At this time, the system issued the task again.
The mission is to find the killer organization and join it.
This was a necessary task for the assassin, and it also lasted seventy-two hours. If you failed, your experience would be reset to zero the first time, your health would be reset to zero the second time, and your life would be over the third time.
Because of the scarcity of information on the other world, the old butler couldn't offer any good advice on this mission, only asking him to find a town as soon as possible. The assassin organization was a business closely tied to money, so the chances of finding it in the city were higher.
Tang En walked quickly along the road for two hours and saw a majestic city in the distance.
"Laiyan City?" As Tang En reached the foot of the city, he was stunned by the large characters on the wall. This city name seemed familiar... Oh, right, York once said that Sethman passed by here before coming to Xiaoshi Village.
"It seems that Sethman and I are going in opposite directions. Forget it, improving strength is more important, so let him live a few more days." Tang En said hatefully, touching the axe.
"What, ten copper coins for the entrance fee?" Tang En encountered a problem when entering the city gate.
"No? If not, just stay aside." The armed guard had a blank expression.
Tang En was dissatisfied: "Didn't that carriage just go straight past?"
The guard looked at him with disdain: "He's a nobleman, how can a country bumpkin with a rotten axe on his waist compare to you?"
"Damn it!" Tang En walked to the side depressed.
After being in the alien world for ten days or so, Tang En was just able to make ends meet in the wild, so he had no money.
Come back at night and climb over the city wall? Tang En's mind raced, and an idea came to him. However, looking at the towering city wall made of large blocks of blue-black rocks and the huge crossbows shining coldly side by side on it, he rationally gave up the idea.
"Get out of the way, get out of the way…"
Just as Tang En was thinking about how to enter the town, he heard a commotion at the city gate. Looking up, he saw another luxurious carriage passing by, with cavalry guards driving away the people in line.
Hey, a carriage... Tang En slammed his palms, quickly squeezed into the crowd, and approached the carriage.
It was at this point that the fruits of his recent training were apparent. Although the crowd was dense, Tang En navigated the crowd like a fish in water, weaving and turning without stopping.
Tang En also realized his own ability at this time, and couldn't help but sigh with emotion: If I had this ability in my previous life, I would have been able to get on any bus...
Avoiding the knights in front who were riding horses and shouting, Tang En lowered his body, jumped out from the retreating crowd, and instantly got under the bottom of the carriage.
After a few seconds of silence, nothing unusual happened. He breathed a sigh of relief. Haha, it worked! Thinking you could stop a killer with just a broken city gate? You're so naive...
"Xia, did you have fun today?"
Uh, Tang En was stunned, and a magnetic male voice suddenly sounded in his ears. It was the person in the car speaking.
"Well, it's okay. Thank you for the invitation, Vincent." The female voice sounded a little cold: "But, can you please call me Josiah, or Miss Chloe?"
The man said helplessly, "Okay, Josiah. You are still so sensitive."
"I'm sorry if that hurt you. I'm sorry I'm not used to being called that by anyone other than my family."
"It doesn't matter. One day I will be able to call you Xia with dignity."
"Haha, really..."
Tang En curled his lips under the car and said, "Give up, kid." The tone of his voice clearly showed that the falling flower has feelings, but the flowing water is ruthless.
But it was obvious that the man didn't think so. He said confidently, "Well, yes, I will definitely work hard. I know you like autumn orchids and blue roses. We saw the autumn orchids today, and the blue roses won't bloom until next season. But don't worry, I've already instructed a farm to plant them."
There was no doubt that the owner of this carriage was also a noble in Laiyan City. Therefore, the carriage did not stop at the city gate, but went straight through the corridor into the city.
"Vincent, I really appreciate your kindness. But a farm is for growing food, not flowers."
"It's okay, I don't mind!"
"Uh...but the farmer will mind."
"They? Why would they mind?"
...
Because they need to eat and pay rent, brother... Tang En sighed secretly, and took advantage of the intersection of carriages and pedestrians on the road in the city to roll out from under the carriage.
Tang En was lucky that no one paid attention to the passers-by who suddenly appeared on the street.
Tang En didn't take the previous conversation too seriously. Although he felt sorry for the farmers, he himself was in a difficult situation at the moment.
"Oh my god, where can I find the killer organization? I can't just ask anyone..." Tang En walked aimlessly along the side of the road.
Laiyan City was known as the Little Pearl of the South, so its architecture was naturally not outdated. At least what Tang En saw at the city gate was quite good. Compared to the modern city before his time travel, while there were fewer fashionable skyscrapers, the various buildings with a classical aesthetic made Tang En very comfortable.
The smooth blue brick paved roads stretched in all directions, and the clatter of horse hooves echoed on them. Occasionally, there were a few unknown statues standing on both sides of the street, which made Tang En stop from time to time. Uh, don't get me wrong, Tang En didn't go there specifically to see those open and avant-garde female statues... Of course, even if he did, it was with an artistic perspective. For example,
"Tsk tsk, this is great. It really is true that the most beautiful scenery is on the dangerous peaks."
"Oh, this is so realistic, but the flower is placed in the wrong place. Sigh, it's just a piece of lush grass. What's the point of your flower? It has no aesthetic value at all. It's a waste of art..."
...
Ahem, business is important. Business is important. Tang En touched his chin. "I can't say for sure. I need to ask someone..."
Assassins are a profession that is often hidden no matter where they live. After all, their business is to take people's money and lives. Finding them is indeed difficult. But as the saying goes, every dragon has its own way, and every rat has its own way. Those who have taken the path of the lower class and made money through illegal means are often well-informed. While the accuracy of their information may not always be guaranteed, it is still a clue.
Finding a killer wasn't easy, but finding thugs wasn't. Tang En decided to start with these people.
The port in the southern part of Laiyan City is the most prosperous place in Laiyan City because of the Lainan River. It is also the main source of city tax revenue.
Such an economically and geographically significant port naturally became a key focus for officials of all ranks in Laiyan City. At least three-fifths of Laiyan City's garrison was stationed here year-round. Laiyan City's sheriff once declared that no matter where in South Port there was unrest, their cavalry would arrive within half an hourglass (approximately five minutes).
But like a delicious cake, it not only attracts delicate cutlery, but also flies.
Nangang had the strictest security in the city, but its dark forces were also the most rampant. Initially, the sheriffs of Laiyan City ignored these "little fleas" and simply dispatched elite cavalry to clear them out. The initial results were impressive, with many dark forces eliminated. To demonstrate their resolve, the sheriffs kept the gallows in Laiyan City's central square constantly littered with executions on Sundays.
But then the forces of darkness struck back fiercely, bringing bloody retribution to the city's officials and cavalry. Death was a constant spectacle in the homes of officials and on the streets patrolled by cavalry. That period was the darkest hour in Laiyan City. The cries of death and screams rang out incessantly in the streets, and the air was thick with the scent of blood. Residents locked their doors day and night, daring not to leave.
The chaos lasted for a full month, and finally, through some unknown agreement, a ceasefire was reached. Since then, public security in Nangang has remained strict, but the dark forces of Nangang still exist, and both sides maintain a superficial calm.
At a loading dock in Nangang, a middle-aged man wearing a tricorn hat and a ragged coarse cloth jacket was walking hurriedly. People around him couldn't help but show contempt when they saw him.
Some people even asked knowingly, jokingly: "You idiot gambler, it's noon and work is about to start, where are you going?"
The middle-aged man didn't care about the contemptuous looks from others. He laughed and said, "I'm lucky today. I'm going to gamble for ten minutes to try my luck."
After saying this, he left in a hurry without waiting for the man to answer, as if he was afraid that he would not be able to get to the casino quickly and lose his good luck.
The person asking the question couldn't help but shake his head: "This gambler will be hacked to death on the street by the casino's money sooner or later."
It's no wonder people despised him. This gambler was addicted to gambling. Whenever he had a penny, he would go to the casino to try his luck. Throughout the year, he spent more time in the casino than at home. He even went to the casino when his wife was sick, and in the end, his wife passed away.
Anyone with a bit of humanity would have changed after this incident, but the gambler wasn't one of them. After a few days of depression, he still went to the casino. Even gang members looked down on people like him.
However, the gambler's good luck today clearly wouldn't last him all the way to the casino. While taking a shortcut through a dark alley, he was grabbed by the neck and dragged into a corner.
Before the gambler could start shouting, a sharp axe was placed on his neck from behind.
"Don't, don't kill me, let's talk it over. Is that you, One-Eyed Boss? I have the money, I'll pay it back..."
"Shut up. I ask questions, you answer. Got it?"
The gambler was lighting a fire like pounding garlic.
"Do you know where the assassin organization is?" Without a doubt, this person was Tang En. He had been wandering around the city for quite some time, finally arriving at Nangang and targeting the despised gambler.
"Uh, a killer organization? I've never heard of it..."
"Hmm?" The axe tightened again.
"No, I've heard of it, I've heard of it... a killer, a killer... is someone who cuts off hands, I, I..."
A hand-chopping one? Tang En didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He said coldly again, "Are you kidding me? A killer kills people."
"Murder? A murder organization... I know, I really know, it's the Thieves Guild!"
Uh, Tang En was stunned, and then he wanted to slap himself. Damn, this is another world, where are there any assassins? I played World of Warcraft for years in college and I even forgot about thieves...
"Address?" Tang En retracted his axe.
"Qingshi Avenue, Xicheng District."
"Thanks!"
"No, you're welcome... Do you have anything else to ask?"
"Um...you just said you have money?"
Uh, now it was the gambler's turn to slap himself: "Yes, a little..."
"How much is one point?"
"Five, six... seven silver coins."
…
There was a suffocating silence behind him. The gambler quickly added, "That's eighteen in total."
"Lend me ten, and I'll pay you back double by this time tomorrow." Tang En was truly penniless now, with only his axe on him. Even if he wanted to pawn it, no one would want it.
"Ah... well, look at what you're saying. It's just ten, ten silver coins. Are you...are you really going to pay it back?" The gambler's heart was bleeding. Damn it, ten silver coins. He'd only just earned twenty-five a month. And you're paying double? Even the devil wouldn't believe that! Who would borrow money from someone with an axe on their neck?
But he didn't have much choice now. If the other party used force, all the 25 silver coins on him would be gone. Thinking of this, the gambler trembled as he counted out ten silver coins and handed them behind him.
"Of course! Let me put it this way, this axe is very important to me, I'll leave it with you as collateral, and I'll come to get it in three days at the latest. But listen carefully, if this axe is gone, I will kill you." Of course, Tang En was really prepared to pay back the money.
"It's over." Hearing Tang En's words, the gambler felt even colder. This guy is a veteran. If he pawns the axe with me, it can't be called robbery. Even if he's reported to the sheriff and arrested, he can still use the excuse of selling it to me.
"I remember what you look like. Remember, take good care of this axe."
The frustrated gambler felt his hand sink to nothingness, and an axe was placed in his hand.
After a moment, the gambler cautiously glanced back. Behind him was empty, and there was no sign of anyone in the long and dark alley.
Bang——
The gambler threw the axe against the wall viciously: "Fuck you, you damn villain, I robbed your uncle of ten silver coins, ten silver coins... Damn it, I curse you to be hanged tomorrow..." followed by a series of swear words.
The gambler didn't stop until he had used up all the swear words he could think of, and then he stopped and took a deep breath.
"Huh... No, I have to go to the casino to make up for my losses." Thinking of the casino, the gambler suddenly regained a lot of spirits. He quickly left this unlucky alley and ran towards the casino.
After a while, the gambler came back in a wretched manner and picked up the axe on the ground.
"Damn it, who knows if that stupid thief is serious. I'd better take it with me and throw it away in three days."