A playing card flicked out from between his fingers, tracing an arc of white light through the air. It cleanly sliced through the first and second lit candles, flashed onward, and embedded itself into the third. A faint smile tugged at the corner of Li Juxu's mouth — his strength had indeed increased.
In the past, even with all his effort, he could only cut halfway into the second candle, never all the way through. Now, he had not only severed the first two but also buried the card two‑thirds of the way into the third. The boost in power was no small thing. And this was only his first try. Once he perfected his strength, angle, and technique, he was confident he could slice all three candles clean off.
He holed up in his room, practicing again and again, tireless.
On the third day, with a glinting streak of light in the air, the first, second, and third candles all snapped at the base. The card buried itself into the fourth, wobbled twice, and fell to the floor.
He'd finally done it!
Everyone needed goals. When you achieved one, the joy was indescribable — a true sense of accomplishment. To Cao Gang, this might have meant nothing, but Li Juxu was more than satisfied. This success also showed him his gap and his path forward.
He had always taken his card‑throwing skill seriously, and after the battle in camouflage gear, he valued it even more.
According to Cao Gang, some ordinary people could already slice through three candles. Li Juxu had been unable to do the same, and though he acted unconcerned, he'd felt secretly discouraged, thinking he lacked talent. This success reignited his courage. If ordinary people could cut three, then with his Strength Potion, his target would be four.
Cao Gang returned with no good news. The settlement was full of people, and many wanted to join the team, but few were suitable.
First, they needed decent strength — the team did not carry dead weight, let alone useless people. A bad teammate could get everyone killed.
Second, their values had to align. If you were told to cover a retreat but ran for your life, you were unwanted no matter how strong.
Third, they needed obedience and a willingness to sacrifice. If everyone fought over good gear, the team would fall apart — just like when Cao Gang claimed the Strength Potion; if no one had backed down, the team would have broken up.
And fourth, selection went both ways. The team chose new members, but members also chose the team. You had to want each other.
The results of the explosion came out. As many had guessed, an outsider gang had used a Strength Potion as bait to rob people. But they'd run into a ruthless man who pulled the pin on a grenade. Both sides were destroyed.
Unfortunately, no Strength Potion was found at the scene. Whether it had been blown away, destroyed, or picked up by some lucky soul, no one would ever know.
In the settlement, cases like this became cold cases. No plaintiff. People injured in the blast could only consider themselves unlucky. The settlement's authorities took no responsibility for damages.
A week later, Cao Gang brought Drummer back from the hospital to recover at the motel, saving on medical fees. Hunters were used to injuries; they didn't care where they healed. For low‑level hunters, motels offered the best value, so Drummer didn't call Cao Gang cheap.
After that, Cao Gang left again.
Wang Xiaoxin had not returned since leaving. No one knew if she was still upset over what Wild Boar had said. She was Cao Gang's girlfriend, so only he would comfort her. Everyone wisely avoided mentioning her.
While Drummer was in the hospital, he hadn't been idle — he'd lined up a private job for Li Juxu.
A newly formed team had taken a mission. Whether it was too dangerous or they were inexperienced, several members died, and their sniper was wounded. They'd recruited replacements for the others, but still needed a sniper.
The wounded sniper in the same hospital room had his right arm amputated; he would never be a sniper again.
When Drummer heard they were looking for a new sniper, he immediately thought of Li Juxu.
No one in the team knew much about Li Juxu's personal life — he never spoke of his family. But everyone knew he desperately needed money. While others rested during downtime, he always took side jobs for extra cash. Cao Gang turned a blind eye; as long as team interests weren't harmed, he didn't interfere with members' private activities.
"Several dead and wounded? That mission can't be easy," Wild Boar objected immediately. He didn't recommend Li Juxu take such a dangerous job.
"I don't know the details — you'll have to negotiate in person. But their team leader is rich. Even though the mission failed, the wounded sniper still got full pay, plus an extra 5 million copper coins in compensation. And all medical bills were fully covered," Drummer said.
Wild Boar fell silent.
Normally, successful missions paid in full. Failed ones only paid 10–20%, just pocket change. Medical fees were usually covered if you were injured, but compensation varied widely. Generous leaders paid well; cheap ones might only give a few pounds of fruit.
5 million copper coins in compensation was top‑tier. This leader was definitely wealthy.
Li Juxu didn't hesitate. He asked Drummer for the contact and left right away.
The Long‑Eared Rabbit Hotel was one of the most high‑end places in the settlement, combining accommodation and dining. Guests didn't even need to wash their own clothes. The service was first‑class — the only downside was the price:8,000 copper coins a night.
Monkey's lifelong dream had been to stay there for ten or fifteen days and enjoy himself. Sadly, he never got the chance.
As soon as Li Juxu stepped into the lobby, he was stopped. High‑end hotels meant tight security. Li Juxu stated his business.
"One moment, sir."
The guard made a call, confirmed, then led Li Juxu to the seventh floor.
The door opened, revealing a young man around twenty‑four or twenty‑five, already waiting.
Li Juxu had never stayed in a luxury hotel and had no idea how fancy this room was, but the living room alone was at least eight times larger than his motel room. A fridge, wine cabinet, coffee machine — everything was there. Thick, expensive carpet covered the floor. Li Juxu unconsciously slowed his steps, afraid of dirtying it.
The guard judged from the young man's expression that he had brought the right guest, then quietly closed the door and left.
"You're 18?" the young man asked, staring at Li Juxu for a long moment, his tone skeptical.
"98.9% accuracy within 500 meters. 92.6% within 1000 meters," Li Juxu replied calmly.
He was used to doubts about his age, and he knew exactly how to ease an employer's worries.
Sure enough, hearing this, the young man stood up and extended his hand.
"I'm Pu Shaoyun. Everyone calls me Young Master Pu."
"Night Owl."