Starting with Mingyu Gong, the Soul-Chasing and Life-Stealing Technique

Lu Chen questioned Murong Qing, partly because he knew that his interception and the plundering of Murong Qing's opportunity had made him a mortal enemy. These men in black, after asking only one question, were ready to kill him, demonstrating their habitual ruthlessness and domineering nature. Moreover, they lacked any real identity, clearly obeying orders. If one didn't know who was behind them, they might lose their lives someday – all fools indeed.

Secondly, he had designs on Murong Qing. If she wasn't as troublesome as he imagined, then making her an employer wouldn't be bad.

When Murong Qing inquired about his background, Lu Chen knew that his strength had finally earned him some respect, which was a partial victory. However, he didn't show it on his face. Instead, he frowned and said, "Is this not bad? I think it's pretty average."

Murong Qing unconsciously raised her eyebrows a few times. She suddenly felt extremely insulted. Considering how rich the martial arts of her Murong family were, any sword technique that she found impressive was definitely not ordinary.

Furthermore, Lu Chen's sword strike was so fast it was silent and left no trace, completely comparable to my own fifteen years of sword practice. Considering his internal strength, such skill was simply genius-level, yet he said something completely ordinary!

Seeing that the woman's expression was off, Lu Chen took a few steps closer and said, "These people must be looking for you, right? They're so vicious, you should have told me so I could be on guard!"

Although Murong Qing had consummated her marriage with Lu Chen, she had never seen his face clearly. Now that she saw him, she could only see that he had fine eyebrows and handsome eyes, a delicate nose and thin lips, and his eyes sparkled like stars. His complexion was normal, and his unique radiance was truly captivating.

While I wouldn't dare say that "Mingyu Gong" is the most powerful internal skill in the world of Gu Long, it is certainly cool.

That was the undisputed number one.

Just look at Yaoyue, Lianxing, and Hua Wuque; aren't they all ridiculously handsome?

Moreover, every woman has a special feeling for her first man. Unbeknownst to her, Murong Qing's thoughts had already changed, but she was completely unaware of it.

Murong Qing remained silent for a long time before her lips parted slightly: "Who exactly are you? Your swordsmanship is indeed quite good, and I'm not just flattering you."

"I'm also extremely curious why you, with such skill, would take that blow from me." Her voice was exceptionally clear and crisp, like pearls falling onto a jade plate, carrying a resolute tone.

Lu Chen knew that she had taken the Strengthening Pill and should recover from her injuries like himself, but he didn't reveal it. He said, "Alright, seeing how sincere you are and how pleading you look, I'll tell you. My name is Li Feiyu."

My master is a reclusive master of great skill, whose surname is [missing information]. He told me that we martial artists should not bully the weak, and we should maintain composure and dignity when dealing with women. That's why I saw you coming in with a radiant face, which seemed a bit off. I was thinking about how to save you, which is why I took your palm strike!

Lu Chen naturally wouldn't tell Murong Qing that he was just a useless weakling before, and he knew even more deeply that when you're out in the world, your identity is something you give yourself.

Sure enough, a ripple appeared in Murong Qing's eyes. Having witnessed Lu Chen's swift killing of three experts at the Meridian Opening Realm, she believed his words without a doubt. She felt that if Lu Chen were not so noble and virtuous, how could her palm strike have hit him? A sense of guilt rose in her heart, and she slowly said, "Judging from your voice, you are quite young. You should be no more than twenty years old. In this land of Xiliang, there is actually a young talent like you. How come I didn't know?"

Lu Chen knew about the Western Liang region, which was similar to the Gansu and Ningxia areas in his previous life, but he didn't expect her to be so arrogant, acting as if she should know everything.

Lu Chen understood that this woman was skilled in martial arts, and that the reason she was successfully drugged must be due to her arrogance. He said, "This world is vast, full of hidden talents." The implication was that this little wench knew nothing.

Murong Qing's experience naturally made her realize that this was not a lie. She relied on her family's secret treasure to make her immune to all poisons, but she did not expect that aphrodisiacs would be used. If she had not started practicing the "Starry Sky Returning to Origin Technique" passed down by the Murong family since she was five years old, and had not had a deep foundation, she would have definitely suffered an inexplicable defeat and brought shame to her family.

In view of this, Murong Qing nodded slightly and said, "Alright, since you don't know me, from now on, let's pretend we've never met and forget about today's events. It's better for both of us."

Lu Chen was taken aback. He had been showing off in the hopes of getting some freebies from the system by taking advantage of this woman, but who knew she would just back out of it.

Lu Chen naturally wouldn't beg and plead. Without Zhang the butcher, does that mean he has to eat pigs with hair on?

"Alright then." Lu Chen nodded. "Then we'll meet again someday." He turned and left.

Although Lu Chen and this woman had a shared destiny, he was forced into it, and due to the pain in his chest, he didn't experience any pleasure. It was only because this woman gave him his first kill, activated the system, and provided a reward that he received a pill in return; so they weren't really indebted to each other.

Now that they won't even give their names, I'll just treat it as a one-night stand and leave without a second thought.

Murong Qing was taken aback, because she felt that her looks alone were enough to make any man linger and be unable to extricate himself. Her innate pride led her to say these words.

To her surprise, Lu Chen left so decisively, without a single word of farewell, as if staying with her for even a moment longer would be torture. How could she bear it?

Just as she was about to speak to express her displeasure, she saw Lu Chen pause and turn around. Murong Qing quickly shut her mouth, her eyes darting to the side, afraid of being seen.

Lu Chen turned around and said, "Do you know where I can buy information?"

"News?" Murong Qing frowned slightly. "You're really not a savage, are you?" She felt that with Lu Chen's martial arts skills and background, he shouldn't be asking such an easily answered question. Little did she know that this was not a level of knowledge Lu Chen could possibly possess.

Upon hearing the word "savage," and then glancing at his tattered clothes, Lu Chen retorted irritably, "I am a savage, so what!"

Murong Qing rolled her eyes at him and snorted, "Which category? The imperial court or the martial world?"

Lu Chen said, "The best place in the martial world is a place that accepts assassin commissions."

Murong Qing was startled and exclaimed, "You're an assassin?"

Lu Chen said, "You're meddling too much."

Murong Qing's eyes flashed with intense anger. His figure drifted away against the sunlight, and he said, "Assassins are like rats in a ditch, hated by everyone. With your skills, you shouldn't be like this."

This place is no longer safe. If you ever can't survive, you can come find me at Canhezhuang in Suzhou!

A slight smile played on her lips. At least she had finally gotten rid of "Li Feiyu" instead of being dumped by him.

Upon hearing Murong Qing's words, Lu Chen was shocked: "Indeed, it is this Gusu Canhe Manor, the Murong family. Could it be that they are the same as the Murong family in the novel 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' who are determined to restore their country?"

"This country that's been dead for hundreds of years is still being pursued as a life goal? Stay far away from me!"

Then he thought, "This kid Murong Fu is quite something. Is his obsession too deep that he's allowed this lineage to exist outside of Earth as well?"

Lu Chen shook his head again: "You're so dense, what are you thinking! This woman just said she didn't want to see me again, that it would be better for both of us."

Now you're saying you're going to find me? You're just after my body!

A person who is indecisive is not a good person!

Hmph, so you don't want me to do anything? If I don't become an assassin, how can I become stronger?

I had absolutely no choice!

Lu Chen didn't want to guess what this woman was thinking.

As a master once said, women's minds are too complicated; anyone who tries to guess what's on a woman's mind is either a fool or a madman.

Lu Chen was neither. He knew that now was not the time for romance or enjoying life, but for completing the system's tasks and becoming a powerful person!

Once is enough for someone who has been "forced into locking up their man"!

Lu Chen descended the mountain and headed straight for the nearby city of Liangzhou.

Because she was poor and had suffered too much, she only wanted peace and quiet and didn't want to see anyone, so she lived in the mountains.

Lu Chen had upgraded from a musket to a cannon, so he wasn't worried at all. When he entered the city, the gate guards checked the sidewalks as usual.

Lu Chen was taken aback. He didn't have any travel permit. Could it be that he couldn't get in?

However, when the soldier stepped forward, Lu Chen only glanced at him indifferently. The soldier's heart skipped a beat, and a layer of cold sweat instantly seeped out from his back.

As a gatekeeper, you may not have many other skills, but good eyesight and keen hearing are essential for survival.

Seeing Lu Chen's tattered clothes and sharp eyes, he was probably the extraordinary person his colleagues had mentioned. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he immediately went to the person behind Lu Chen to check his travel permit. It was as if Lu Chen didn't exist.

Lu Chen had prepared for the worst, but he didn't expect things to turn out this way, so he naturally went into the city.

He lives in a modern society and is extremely curious about this ancient architectural style that is full of traces of time.

That feeling is incomparable to any modern renovation; it's like the excitement of a country bumpkin entering a grand garden.

However, his attire was not presentable enough, and with so many pedestrians on the street, it was inevitable that some people would look at him with strange eyes.

Fortunately, after looting the corpse, Lu Chen was now a wealthy man. He first went to a bathhouse to wash up, then had someone buy him a nice set of clothes. He wandered around the streets for a while before finally settling into a large-scale inn called "Changfeng Inn".

Lu Chen selected a room and ordered food and drinks to be brought over.

After a while, the waiter brought out the wine and dishes, bowed, and was about to leave when Lu Chen waved his hand and said, "Brother, wait a moment, I have something to ask you."

The waiter stepped forward, his face beaming with a smile, and said, "Young master, you're too kind. What would you like to ask?"

Lu Chen picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and said, "Where would anyone hire an assassin here?"

Lu Chen knew that if he wanted to find something related to his expertise, he would have to make inquiries. Inns and teahouses were places where all sorts of information gathered, but as for whether it was true or false, he would have to distinguish between them.

The rewards for the system's first mission must be completed within seven days. Lu Chen, whether he had the chance or not, decided to take the plunge first.

The waiter's expression changed, and he stammered, "Young master, you must be joking..."

Seeing his expression, Lu Chen handed him a silver ingot and said coldly, "Waiter, don't call me 'Young Master,' call me 'Boss'!"

The waiter hurriedly nodded and bowed, saying, "Yes, yes, yes, boss."

Lu Chen lightly pinched the corner of the table, breaking off a piece that crumbled into dust and scattered as he said, "Now you understand, right? I make my living in the martial world, you know what I mean!"

A hint of surprise flashed in the waiter's eyes, and he said in a low voice, "Boss, with your skills, if there's anything you can't handle..."

Lu Chen waved his hand and said, "It's not that I'm inconvenienced by anything, but rather that I'm willing to help others, and I enjoy doing so. Do you understand?"

The waiter looked Lu Chen up and down and said, "Sir, since you say so, please wait a moment." Then he left.

Lu Chen had only come to inquire about some information, but seeing the waiter's behavior, he picked up the wine pot, poured himself a cup of wine, and drank it by himself. He secretly pondered, "Could it be that the shop I came to is actually an intermediary that introduces assassins to people?"

There's a saying from a past life that even innocent people like drivers, boatmen, innkeepers, and spies should be killed, and it seems there's some truth to that.

Hmm, what if people think I have ulterior motives and try to get back at me? Since I'm already here, I'll see what's going on.

Lu Chen's mind worked quickly. Based on the fragmented memories of the original owner, he knew that the local government had offered bounties, hence the existence of bounty hunters and knife-wielding organizations.

However, he also knew that these people were not entirely righteous; they often double-crossed each other for the reward money, which the government was happy to see. This often saved them a significant amount of money in the reward.

Therefore, many people in the martial arts world do not want to deal with the government.

Lu Chen knew that the government was ruthless and greedy, so he didn't want to get involved with any organization by taking on a mission, which would affect his plan to develop his skills and survive.

Therefore, it's necessary to come here and try your luck.

"Knock knock!" A knocking sound rang out on the door.

"Enter!"

"Creak." A plump middle-aged man dressed in fine clothes pushed open the door and entered. Judging from his attire, he seemed to be the shopkeeper. He cupped his hands and said, "Young master, I heard you came from online."

Seeing that this person was not particularly handsome, but had an invisible sense of oppression, Lu Chen immediately activated the Mingyu Gong, and the feeling subsided a bit. He nodded slightly and said, "To be honest, I've gone a bit too far. I've come to your place to make a living, so please take care of me."

The shopkeeper smiled slightly: "Of course, I wonder how big your appetite is."

Lu Chen thought to himself, "As expected, I've accidentally wandered into the Heavenly Family. They want to know my strength and investigate my path." So he said, "I'm here on the orders of my elders to gain some experience."

After traveling to several places, I realized that the world is not like what is written in books, where right and wrong are indistinguishable and black and white are hard to tell.

So I wanted to do something simple to gain some benefit, in order to aid my spiritual practice.

The shopkeeper nodded slightly: "Yes, that's how the world is these days, but I wonder what your requirements are?"

Lu Chen said, "When I get down to business, I take it seriously, and the reward isn't necessarily a lot of money."

After all, many precious things may be insignificant in the eyes of others, and vice versa.

Therefore, if I wish to personally negotiate a satisfactory business deal with the employer, it's entirely up to you, brother. Thank you for your help.

As he spoke, he took out a large silver ingot weighing fifty taels and placed it on the table.

The shopkeeper narrowed his eyes and stared at Lu Chen for a long time. He had never seen such a strange situation before, but he couldn't figure out the other party's background.

Because those who practice martial arts are destined to either kill or be killed when they travel the martial world. Whether they are martial artists or officials in the imperial court, as long as they practice martial arts, they will eventually have to kill.

Killing someone will create enmity.

No one's family, friends, or relatives will think that someone deserves to die, so once you practice martial arts, no one can remain unaffected.

Even among Buddhists and Taoists, those whose hands are spotless are extremely rare, except for those who never leave the mountain and only know how to cultivate themselves in asceticism.

Therefore, Lu Chen's words sound perfectly reasonable.

As for Lu Chen, he had been studying this "unorthodox system" the whole way. The system specifically noted: the more valuable the employer's compensation, the more generous the reward.

So how can an employer's compensation be considered valuable?

It's probably not just about money.

Just like him and Murong Qing, the system can recognize the first kill and the bloodshed. Is this still a legitimate system?

Therefore, to take advantage of the system's benefits, one must break with convention in thinking. Only in this way can one complete the system's initial tasks well, obtain generous rewards, and perhaps then have the means to enjoy them to the fullest.

The shopkeeper stared at Lu Chen for a long time before slowly nodding and saying, "Alright, let's talk it out tonight."

"Thank you!" Lu Chen cupped his hands in thanks.

After hearing the shopkeeper's footsteps fade into the distance, he slowly closed his eyes and exhaled a long breath.

"Damn, what luck!"

This old man's strength is so great, I feel like he could squeeze my pee out of him with one hand. He's actually the manager of a restaurant. This place is something else.

It's both a danger and an opportunity; I hope it will bring me a satisfactory reward!

A glint of light flashed deep in Lu Chen's pupils.

He was somewhat apprehensive, but also extremely excited.

A boss once said: The bigger the storm, the more expensive the fish!