Another man chuckled. "Of course, it's to squeeze more money out of the employer."
"The second brother is right," another added. "That employer is just an ordinary man—there's no need to fear offending him. If he pays up, we'll beat this kid to death. If he doesn't, we'll let him go. And just for good measure, we'll even tell the kid who hired us."
The first speaker grinned and gave a thumbs-up. "Big brother is brilliant! One job, two payouts—genius!"
"Heh, serves the employer right for having no background and still trying to hire an assassin." The second brother smirked. "This is just the beginning. Next time we need money, we'll go to him again. If he doesn't pay, we'll expose his dirty secret."
"Big brother is truly wise," the second brother praised. "This is basically a long-term meal ticket."
—
Hearing this, Lin Feng's eyes darkened. Someone had put a hit on him—and it might even be someone he knew.
The original owner of this body had been nothing more than a tyrant at home but a coward outside, bowing and scraping before everyone. It was hard to imagine he had made enemies to the point of someone wanting him dead.
For now, Lin Feng couldn't figure out who it was.
Just then, movement in the opposite room caught his attention. The gang members seemed to be settling in for the night, though one of them was preparing to step out.
Seeing this, Lin Feng quickly pressed himself against the side of the window, staying out of sight while keeping an eye on the outside.
With a creak, the wooden door across from him swung open.
A young man, appearing to be two years older than Lin Feng, stepped outside.
The dim light made it difficult to discern his features, but it was clear that, like Lin Feng, he wore coarse linen clothes. However, unlike Lin Feng's tattered attire, this man's garments were new and without a single patch—far better off than him.
These ruffians were lazy and gluttonous, surviving on robbery and extortion. While sect-controlled cities had yamen officers, they rarely intervened in such matters. Anyone who reported a crime risked a brutal beating, often to the point of death.
Over time, people simply stopped seeking justice.
As a result, thugs and bandits ran rampant. But the powerful martial sects didn't concern themselves with petty criminals—at least, not unless it became excessive. When it did, sect disciples would be sent out for "training" and clear them out.
The young man who had stepped out walked over to the base of the wall and began relieving himself.
Lin Feng studied him carefully—then suddenly froze.
Something new appeared in his vision.
An attribute panel hovered above the man's head.
Name: Li San
Life: 9
Martial Arts:
Mad Demon Staff Technique (Unranked) (Entry Level)
Lin Feng's heart pounded.
I can see other people's stats? This is strong.
As the saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."
This thug wasn't weak—his life value was much higher than Lin Feng's, and he had at least begun practicing a martial technique.
Where did he learn it?
There were still two more inside. Lin Feng had no idea how strong they were.
Martial artists held overwhelming advantages over ordinary people. If Lin Feng were uninjured, he might have been able to take one down in a surprise attack.
But there were three of them.
And he was severely wounded.
While Lin Feng was deep in thought, Li San finished his business and turned as if he were about to check on him.
Lin Feng reacted instantly, leaping back onto the ground and feigning unconsciousness. His movements were silent and nimble, as swift as a monkey.
Bang! Bang!
Li San kicked the shed door twice, the chains rattling loudly.
Lin Feng remained motionless, breathing shallowly.
"Big brother, second brother!" Li San called out. "Come and see—this kid isn't dead, is he?"
Creak.
The wooden door across the yard swung open again, and two more men stepped out.
Lin Feng narrowed his eyes, his vision sharpening.
Name: Zhang Er
Life: 9
Martial Arts:
Mad Demon Staff Technique (Unranked) (Entry Level)
—
Name: Wang Gousheng
Life: 10
Martial Arts:
Mad Demon Staff Technique (Unranked) (Entry Level)
As expected.
All three had decent life values and had learned the Mad Demon Staff Technique.
This world revered martial prowess. Those with the opportunity would try their hand at cultivation. If they were geniuses, they could enter a sect and soar to greatness.
But most were mediocrities—these three included.
Zhang Er cursed as he strode toward the shed. "Damn it, in this heat, the last thing I need is a corpse stinking up the place."
Wang Gousheng frowned. "The employer is bringing the money tomorrow morning. He can't die yet."
Lin Feng knew this wasn't the time to act.
The system granted him a small breakthrough point each day. At midnight, he would receive another.
If he invested it into Hunting Beast Fist, he could push it to the Small Success realm.
With that, these three would be nothing more than prey.
The real problem was hunger.
Lin Feng was both parched and starving.
He had already eaten everything edible in the woodshed. If he couldn't sustain himself, breaking through would be meaningless.
Feigning weakness, he let out a frail voice. "Water… food… I need… water…"
The three men visibly relaxed upon hearing his voice.
Li San sneered. "Tsk. You should've spoken up earlier. I just finished pissing—you could've had something warm and sweet."
Lin Feng's eyes flashed with cold amusement. Laugh while you can. Let's see who has the last laugh tomorrow.
Wang Gousheng, the apparent leader, gestured at Zhang Er. "Go get some water and dry rations. Make sure he lasts through the night."
Zhang Er grumbled but went inside.
Clank.
The lock on the woodshed rattled as Wang Gousheng undid it.
Li San stepped inside and delivered a swift kick to Lin Feng's side. "You're lucky—you get to live another night. You should be thanking your grandfathers here!"
Lin Feng memorized this humiliation. This one was going to die first.
On the surface, he remained frail, whispering, "Water… food…"
Seeing him so weak, Li San didn't bother kicking him again.
"Big brother, this kid probably has internal injuries from our Mad Demon Staff Technique," he mused. "I doubt he'll last long."
"It doesn't matter," Wang Gousheng said. "He only needs to last through the night."
Zhang Er returned with a chipped porcelain bowl containing half a bowl of water and tossed three cornbread buns beside Lin Feng.
"Eat up," Wang Gousheng said. "One more day to live is one more day."
Lin Feng cautiously nudged the bowl closer, confirming it was indeed water. He took a small sip.
It tasted sweeter than any water he had ever drunk.
Seeing him move, the three lost interest and walked off.
At the door, Li San turned back. "Don't make a sound tonight, brat. If you wake us up, I'll beat you to death myself."
Lin Feng remained silent, but his resolve hardened.
—
After the three left, he devoured the cornbread buns and drained the water. He had intended to save some for his breakthrough, but hunger won.
His body felt slightly better, his strength somewhat restored.
He gathered dry firewood and spread it across the floor—an early warning system. If someone stepped in, he would hear them.
Laying on a bed of soft grass with a bundle for a pillow, he closed his eyes.
Tomorrow, everything would change.