Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
In the courtyard.
Yang Xiaoman came out of the house very quickly.
“Inside, there’s 50 thousand in cash and nothing else.”
Tang Songting finished examining the corpses and said, “1 Rank-2 Vitality Pill, 3 Rank-1 Vitality Pills, 1 Rank-1 Bone-honing Pill, and 9 Normal Vitality Pills.”
“The market price of medicinal pills is around 3 million. There’s also a whole F-class alloy saber. The sword is broken, so that puts a large dent in its value.”
Yang Xiaoman complained, “Can you not break the weapons next time? Now they can only be sold as scrap metal.”
With a cold look on his face, Fang Ping said, annoyed, “It was three Rank-2 martial artists against three Rank-1 martial artists, yet the fight took two minutes!
“I was surrounded by two Rank-2 martial artists. If I didn’t make any ruthless moves, was I supposed to count on you guys to save me?
“I had the Peak Rank-2 on my end. You guys had the Middle-stage Rank-2.
“What was the result?
“Although his Vitality, combat techniques and even his weapon weren’t a match for yours...
“It was three against one, yet you nearly let the person run away!
“Also, Yang Xiaoman, are you and Tang Songting morons?
“Who let you two leave from the backdoor?”
Yang Xiaoman justified her actions. “I saw there was no one at the backdoor, and we couldn’t just watch the show, so I came to join in.”
Fang Ping felt his head splitting again and moaned, “Then what if there was someone hiding by the backdoor? If they ran after you left your post, would you guys know about it?
“I already told you guys to guard the backdoor. Unless we asked for help, you shouldn’t have left!
“Zhao Lei, the three of you as well. Tell me, how big are your problems?
“This is a group mission. What we had to do was use the smallest means to get the largest gains!
“If you guys had settled those three people earlier, then the four of us could have attacked the other two together. Unlike now, where I had no choice but to break his sword.
“Also, do you all think making risky moves wouldn’t use up Vitality?
“Three attacks with my saber and my Vitality was depleted by about 400cal. I’ll need at least a Rank-2 Vitality Pill to recover...”
Fu Changding said dully, “That was just you showing off...”
“Go to hell! If you guys hadn’t almost let that guy escape, would I have been so anxious?”
Fang Ping cursed before he added, “We’ve taken down three Rank-1 martial artists and two Rank-2 martial artists this time. We could probably get about 60 credits as the reward.
“After this, our credits will be calculated based on 30 thousand for one credit.
“Based on my calculations, the loot from this time, including the changdao and broken sword, adds up to about 6 million.”
“6 million. I’ll have to use up one Rank-2 Vitality Pill, while you three also have to use up one Rank-1 Vitality Pill. That’s already 1.6 million!
“Including our expenses on the road, and the allowance for Wang Cheng and the others...
“At best, we could get 4 million based on market prices.
“If I take 30% of the total loot, that’s 1.8 million. After deducting what I’ve used myself, I could get 900 thousand. In reality, will I get that much? Of course not!
“It sounds nice when we say we defeated 5 martial artists in one go, including two Rank-2 ones.
“In the end though, we still only get this tiny amount. Is it worth it?”
Even that poor bastard Huang Bin gave him more. While the mission was not worth much money, they obtained many items, and he only had to split it with Old Wang at that time.
Now, there were so many people.
With the one mission that Fang Ping accepted, he definitely did not earn even one million. This was all considered additional gains.
Fu Changding and the others had even less!
If they considered additional expenses to be 10%, then each of them could only take 10%. After taking off the cost of one Rank-1 Vitality Pill, then they could earn 300 thousand at best.
If this was the extent of their harvest, then everyone might as well do Rank-1 missions individually. They might earn even more.
Zhao Lei lightly frowned. After some thought, he said, “Maybe we’re not suited for missions that require many people. I feel like we can do some individual ones. Going together doesn’t require too many combat techniques or whatever.
“Plus, powerhouses have good stuff on them. These people wouldn’t have that many goodies left behind.”
“When you reach the Catacombs, have you ever thought about how to fight in a group battle?”
“This...”
Zhao Lei could also feel a headache coming on. He paused before resuming. “Whatever you want to say, just say it.”
At this, Fang Ping smiled. “This is the right attitude to discuss business. My meaning is very simple. When doing missions, don’t talk about the spirit of martial arts.
“There’s no need to think about if it’s one-on-one or not. Once they’ve been caught, we surround them!
“Other than that, if we come across a mission like this that involves many people, and there really is someone who runs away, we catch the big ones and let the small fry go. Rank-2 is worth more than Rank-1!
“Also, the purpose is not to be brave and mighty on your own.
“Everyone, I said so before: Our intention here is to earn money, not to challenge ourselves!
“Maybe you guys are not lacking money, but I am. Can we not always be so wasteful?
“Lastly, this temporary team of ours actually hasn’t been allocated very appropriately...”
Confusion showed on everyone’s faces.
“All a bunch of confrontational martial artists. It’s too limiting.
“I need a scout—an investigative type of martial artist.
“Like this time, we actually needed an investigative martial artist to test the waters in advance, take a look at the situation, and confirm the target as well as the other party’s strength.
“Are there any Rank-3 martial artists?
“Any surveillance?
“Other than that, was the other party really the mission’s target? If we made a mistake, the person I killed at the door earlier might have been an innocent person.
“Previously, we didn’t make it clear that the other party was definitely our target, so Wang Cheng and the others didn’t dare to get closer.
“That’s why I said we need an investigative martial artist.”
Everyone was looking at each other...
Suddenly, Fang Ping looked at Chen Yunxi and smiled widely. “Stop looking. Your pole-standing is at the elevated stance, and you’ve achieved great results in Stepping Techniques. No one more suitable for it than you!
“How about it. Are you interested?”
Chen Yunxi was not too pleased, but she did not feel comfortable refusing either, so she turned to Yang Xiaoman with a pleading look.
Yang Xiaoman gave a small cough. Right as she was about to open her mouth, Fang Ping said, “Don’t choose me. I’m the key player, so I must save my energy and strength to prepare for a hard fight.”
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiaoman shrugged and looked at Chen Yunxi somewhat helplessly.
Unless Chen Yunxi could replace Fang Ping’s position, letting Chen Yunxi act as the scout was indeed the best choice.
Seeing this, Chen Yunxi showed signs of irritation as she nodded. “Fine.”
“Therefore, I recommend you learn and gain more knowledge in this field after returning to school.
“Really, I actually think that you’re very suited to go down this path...”
Chen Yunxi ignored him, looking at her shoes with her head down.
“Chen Yunxi is in charge of investigating, while Tang Songting and Yang Xiaoman will continue to be in charge of the periphery in the future.
“The three of us—Me, Zhao Lei and Fu Changding—will be the key players.
“When we meet an opponent, give the strongest to me, then leave the next strongest to Zhao Lei. Fu Changding is in charge of cleaning up the small fry.
“Whoever finishes dealing with their opponent first, remember not to stand around and watch. Side by side, finish off the small fry in the periphery, and then finally, deal with the main target together.
“We don’t want to get hurt or use up too much Vitality.
“Yang Xiaoman and Tang Songting, unless it’s absolutely necessary, keep guarding the perimeter!”
Just as Fang Ping finished speaking, Yang Xiaoman said unhappily, “I have to keep guarding the perimeter? On what basis!”
“On the basis that you aren’t a match for the three of us!”
“I...”
Yang Xiaoman was a little indignant. Fu Changding added cheerfully, “I have 5 more honed bones than you.”
Crossing his arms, Zhao Lei said plainly, “Same goes for me.”
“You guys...”
Yang Xiaoman was full of reluctance. Frustrated, Fang Ping said, “Is the periphery not important? If the enemy has reinforcements, you guys will be in the frontlines.
“Not to mention, those who manage to escape from our grasps wouldn’t be weaklings either.
“It can be said that your task is more formidable and dangerous.
“It’s settled!
“Six people is just enough. The other four can do logistics. The accepting of missions and the handling of loot can be passed to them.
“Only a team like this can complete missions with the most efficiency.”
After hearing his explanation, the others did not oppose him anymore.
The only one who was a little unsatisfied was Chen Yunxi, but Fang Ping ignored her. Scouts died the fastest, and if not for the fact that he knew she was extremely wealthy and had a stash of life-saving medicinal pills, Fang Ping really might not have chosen her to do this.
...
At Su City, Fang Ping accepted three missions in a row as training for the team.
After the three missions, Fang Ping and the others had cleaned up three strongholds with more than 10 martial artists. At this point, they had made a small name for themselves in Su City’s Military Department and Department of Investigation Services.
Everyone knew that a team of Rank-2 martial artists from MCMAU had come to Donglin to carry out some missions.
Additionally, it did not seem like a one-time thing.
As expected, very quickly, Fang Ping and the others rushed to another city in Donglin, and started to accept missions very frequently.
In half a month’s time, Fang Ping’s team of people went to four cities in Donglin and accepted 12 missions!
From the Peak Rank-2 martial artist at the beginning to the 12th one, Fang Ping and the others had already begun to accept missions of newly-entered Rank-3 martial artists.
...
March 16.
Provincial Capital of Donglin.
Gold City.
Fang Ping released a light breath, satisfied. “Finally at Peak Rank-2!”
In this half a month, he had not used the system honing again.
Mainly relying on his own Vitality nourishment and the appropriate usage of some Wealth points, it took him half a month to complete the honing of his remaining 6 bones.
Wealth: 6000000
Vitality: 480cal (515cal)
Mentality: 420Hz (439Hz)
Honing: 126 bones (90%), 80 bones (30%)
An accumulation of 6 million Wealth points was about 5 million more than the 850 thousand he had before leaving.
This was not all of Fang Ping’s gains. In fact, through more than ten missions, Fang Ping had obtained medicinal pills worth as much as 10 million.
In addition, Fang Ping had gotten 80 credits.
His total gain was over 12 million.
In fact, his Wealth points had increased up to ten million, but a part of it was used in combat supplements and everyday cultivation.
After finishing his cultivation, Fang Ping took a shower before leaving his room to the hotel coffee shop.
Fu Changding and the others were already waiting at the shop.
Upon seeing Fang Ping’s approach, everyone hurriedly gave questioning gazes.
Fang Ping nodded slightly as he smiled. “Peak Rank-2 now.”
Fu Changding asked hastily, “Then is it time to accept that Peak Rank-3 mission?”
Fang Ping groaned. “The 6 of us had accepted some newly Rank-3 missions with martial artists who haven’t honed their torsos. The difficulty wasn’t great.
“However, Peak Rank-3 martial artists have completed the honing of their torsos...”
“So what...”
“So what?” Fang Ping said huffily, “That means that the other party’s Vitality is near 1000cal with fewer vital points.
“If we can’t handle them, even running away would be hard.”
Yang Xiaoman pouted. “Then what did you want us to come to Gold City for? Isn’t it for that Peak Rank-3 mission?”
Two days ago, Gold City had released a new mission, which was to apprehend a Peak Rank-3 martial artist.
The mission rewards were incredibly high!
At best, a regular Peak Rank-3 martial artist could give 100 credits or its equivalent in cash or resources.
However, this time, Sun City was not only giving 5 million as a reward, they would also be giving a piece of energy mine... The piece had already been weighed, and the information stated it was 5 grams.
Fang Ping asked Lu Fengrou earlier and found out that energy mines were not for sale. The government did not allow any outside transactions.
However, there were many people who entered the Catacombs. Some came across it accidentally, while some sold it privately.
The value of 1 gram was almost a million!
This little thing was extremely precious!
To martial artists, the effect of energy mines was better than Vitality Pills. It could be used for replenishing Vitality, honing, and breaking through.
Fang Ping had entered Peak Rank-2 and wanted to successfully break through to Rank-3. If he could get that small piece of energy mine, the chances of succeeding were much higher.
The martial artists in the Catacombs cultivated with energy mines, as they were much purer than medicinal pills.
For one Peak Rank-3 martial artist, the reward offered was worth almost ten million.
There were plenty of people interested, and this mission was not limited to just one team. The mission by Gold City was made open to the public. Anyone could claim the mission.
It just depended on who found the target first!
At first, Fang Ping said he wanted to go to Nanjiang, but after suddenly bringing them to Gold City, everyone guessed that he probably intended to accept this mission.
“It’s both a yes and no because I actually just wanted to see if we had a chance.
“These few days, I’ve heard that many people are looking for that fellow, but perhaps he already fled Gold City much earlier. There’s no way he’d be found so easily.
“Gold City has plenty of middle-ranked martial artists. They even have Grandmasters.
“If he bumped into any of them, he could be killed in one slap.
“Till now, he hasn’t been found, and I’m afraid we’d waste too much time. Not to mention the fact that even if we were to find him, we might not be his match, so as of now, whether or not to accept it, whether or not to find him, I haven’t made my decision yet.”
After a pause, Fang Ping continued. “Also, Gold City has offered such a high price for just one Rank-3 martial artist. Did you all manage to find out why?”
A few of them shook their heads. Zhao Lei thought for a moment before he said, “I have an old classmate at Donglin Martial Arts University. Two days ago, I saw he had sent a few messages into the group chat.
“This wanted guy seems to be a researcher from a research institute...”
Zhao Lei continued in a low voice, “Apparently, there was a research discovery at this research institute, and someone paid an extraordinary amount for him to steal the data.
“This guy risked his life and was found out, but at that time, none of the people at the research institute were a match for him, so he managed to escape.
“Now, the company sponsoring the research institute behind the scenes is unwilling to admit defeat, so that’s why they released this mission through Gold City’s government...”
“Your old classmate also heard of this news?”
“From his meaning, Donglin Martial Arts University is also one of the partners contributing behind the scenes. Some of the personnel at the research institute are even instructors at Donglin Martial Arts University.
“That’s why some of the elite students of Donglin Martial Arts University now are also looking for that guy. If they completed the mission, Donglin Martial Arts University would reap even greater benefits.”
“The criminal managed to steal the data?”
“It’s unclear. He might not have. Otherwise, the mission would have stated to retrieve the data, and if that really was the case, they wouldn’t have opened it to the public.
“I suspect it’s a power move, as well as a warning to the one who lured him with money. These large forces are all like that.
“It wouldn’t be good to openly tear the other party apart, so they can only warn them through these methods.”
Zhao Lei shrugged indifferently. This was the norm for wars between the large forces.
For the other party to dare to hire someone to steal the research results from other large forces such as Donglin Martial Arts University, their strength was definitely not weak either.
Currently, Donglin Martial Arts University was not doing anything much. They only labeled the other party as a wanted criminal and put a high price on him. Just like that, that person was at a dead end.
This way, there was no public takedown, and at the same time, it set a warning for those on their own side that where there’s money to grab, there must also be a life paid.
Upon hearing this, Fang Ping’s lips curled. This was probably also the result of an agreement between the two parties. Otherwise, if they were to really have a public falling out, no one would end up looking good in the end.
“It’s a pity that we can’t find him, and even if we do, it’d be hard to handle...”
“The other party is just a researcher, we might still stand a chance. Fang Ping, will you claim it or not?”
“I want to make a trip to Nanjiang. Now, it would take up too much time...”
Fu Changding suggested, “We can spend three days to find the person. If we can’t find him, then forget about it; if we do find him, then we can try.
“The other guy is a Peak Rank-3 martial artist. The reward offered now is as high as ten million.
“When he ran away, he definitely would have taken his possessions with him. Would a Peak Rank-3 martial artist not have a few Rank-3 medicinal pills on him?
“A researcher’s combat ability isn’t great. If we were to take this on, the reward could be worth up to tens of millions.
“Furthermore, we have so many people, and we’ve done over ten missions. We’ve all improved, so it should be about time to test it out.
“The most outstanding batch of MCMAU’s new students surrounding a researcher not practicing actual combat...Although he’s one rank higher than us, are we really not a match for him? We’re all either twice-honed or thrice-honed. If it were really so, then we’re too useless!”
Among the 6 people, there were 4 twice-honed and one thrice-honed.
Fang Ping was at Peak Rank-2, while the others had also had honed 75 bones or more, although Tang Songting was lacking slightly.
With this line-up, even a Rank-3 martial artist might fear them.
Seeing the longing looks on everyone’s faces, Fang Ping considered for a moment before nodding. “Alright then, we’ll look for him until the 20th. If we still can’t find him by the 20th, then we’ll go to Nanjiang.
“We’ll accept a few missions, and on the way, I’ll take a look at things at home.”
“Done!”
Everyone was eager to test out their abilities. In the last mission, they had joined forces against a new Rank-3 martial artist.
It turned out that the other party had only completed the honing of his limbs, and had yet to hone his torso.
Fang Ping’s Vitality was higher than his. Even his honing progress was greater than his, as Fang Ping was thrice-honed.
When they encountered the target, the other party underestimated Fang Ping. In the end, Fang Ping cleaned him up as easily as dealing with a regular Peak Rank-2 martial artist.
That was a bit of a disappointment for Fu Changding and the others.
Indeed, the money they earned was no small amount. However, the encounter did not live up to their expectations, as everyone did not have a chance to go all out with their combat strength, so they were left unsatisfied.
After doing missions for half a month, and with a large chunk of the time spent on the road, the few of them were starting to become a little restless.
Now, they had come across a Peak Rank-3 mission with a pretty high reward, so naturally, everyone was filled with enthusiasm.
In actuality, Fang Ping was also tempted. He currently only had 6 million Wealth points.
This mission’s reward was better than three missions, and it was hard to come across. If he were to find the other party, it was possible that he would not scare him.
The few of them discussed for a moment before Fang Ping accepted the mission and arranged for Wang Cheng and the others to find the guy.
If he was being honest, Fang Ping knew that the likelihood of finding the guy was extremely low.
There were many people who had accepted the mission, and some of the teams were a lot more professional than Fang Ping’s team.