In the quiet room, Gu Gu had curled up on the table, finally able to sleep.
He had been on guard for five long days, never truly resting, staying alert even as Qin Fu lay in a coma. Now that Qin Fu was safe, Gu Gu could finally relax.
Qin Fu, meanwhile, sat up slowly, eyes scanning his brand.
First, the task list:
[Hunter – Main Quest (2): Completion of the Shadow Assassin mission requires approval from the Assassin Leader.]
The task showed the remaining time—eight days—and the contribution value for completing it.
[Quasi-Shadow Assassin, Contribution: 9999/10000]
Qin Fu's eyes narrowed. Almost there… the last piece was still missing, though he had no idea how to achieve it.
For now, recuperation was the priority. Soul overdraw couldn't be healed easily, even with the elixir. At this rate, he would need at least two more days to fully recover.
With a sigh, Qin Fu rose quietly, careful not to disturb Gu Gu, who was sleeping soundly. He stepped outside into the fresh air.
Sitting at the doorway, the village chief was smoking a pipe. Qin Fu paused for a moment, then walked over, dragged a chair, and sat down.
"Thank you for the medicine," Qin Fu said.
The village chief paused, then waved a hand casually.
"The flying dragon is gone; that's thanks enough. The medicine itself isn't anything special."
He puffed thoughtfully on his pipe. "Besides, the man who brought it didn't say where he went afterward."
Qin Fu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He had nothing better to do, so he listened.
"Who was he?" Qin Fu asked.
"Just a hot-blooded fool," the chief replied with a distant look.
He began telling a story of black and white dragons, eyes reflecting a nostalgic light. Long ago, in the Hundred Leaves Village, two young men—Mo Lang and Bai Qi—stood up against a flying dragon that had terrorized their home. Together, they slew the beast, earning the title of the Black and White Twin Dragons.
Afterward, Mo Lang and Bai Qi vanished. No one knew where they had gone.
"The medicine he brought," the chief continued, tapping his pipe, "he claimed it could cure any ailment. No matter the injury or disease, it works."
Qin Fu considered this and pulled out the valuables he had taken from the White Fox, along with several massive chunks of dragon meat, each nearly the size of a small house. He also laid out a collection of dragon scales.
"Village chief," Qin Fu said, holding the gifts out, "I cannot repay you for saving my life. Take this dragon meat and distribute it among the villagers—it's good for the body. As for the money, keep it; it serves no use for me. The dragon scales can help with armor, and serve as protection if beasts attack."
He said all this in one breath, leaving no room for refusal. Then he hoisted Gu Gu onto his shoulders and set off, leaving the village behind.
The village chief watched him go, lips twitching slightly in amusement. After a moment, he muttered to himself,
"Today's youth are in such a hurry. I didn't even say no… why must they always rush?"
Qin Fu had already arrived at Spirit Gathering Mountain. The moment he stepped out the door, a flicker of regret passed through him. His injuries were still raw; perhaps he was pushing too hard.
But there was no turning back. Pride, and a sense of duty, kept him moving forward. He headed straight for the cave rumored to hold treasures.
After all, a martial artist with the origin of martial arts cannot have no cards to play.
Perhaps it was the aftermath of the previous battles, but Spirit Gathering Mountain was eerily silent. No sound of life stirred in the air.
Qin Fu gazed at the somewhat desolate Juling Mountain, about to sigh at the emptiness, when Gu Gu beside him caught his attention.
The coo had unlocked a new skill—standing guard with his left eye while sentineling with his right.
Qin Fu patted him gently, a hint of helplessness in his smile.
"If you're really sleepy, then get a proper rest. Don't play tricks here. If things get dangerous, I'll run. You can sleep with confidence."
Gu Gu relaxed instantly, curling up with apparent trust, though the faint twitch of his ear feathers betrayed that he wasn't completely unconscious.
Shaking his head, Qin Fu continued his climb, heading steadily toward the mountain's peak.
Night had fallen by the time he reached the cave. Carefully, he removed the insect guide bottle from his waist and held it before him like a lantern, its soft green glow lighting the path ahead.
The cave walls were marked with scratches, and pearlescent objects lay scattered across the floor. In an instant, Qin Fu understood—they were the aftermath of his own power.
He pressed on, deeper into the cavern, until a glimmer of light appeared in the darkness. Stepping closer, a cave with perfect natural architecture revealed itself. Moonlight streamed down from a natural skylight, lending a serene, poetic aura to the hidden chamber.
But what drew Qin Fu's attention most was a peculiar object lying in the center—a stick resembling a rolling pin, its cracked surface glowing red.
As he picked it up, a message appeared:
[Scepter Abyssal Demon]Origin: Assassin Wu LiuqiQuality: Blue (Rare)Category: WeaponDurability: 100/100Attack Power: 21–42Equipment Requirements: Master the Blood Demon TechniqueRating: 70 (Blue equipment is rated 30–70)Additional Attributes: Adapts blade form to user habitsIntroduction: Once wielded by a divine soldier of the Divine Forging Kingdom, the contained blood demon was once extremely powerful. After many twists of fate, its power was reduced, leaving only fragments of its former might.Price: 15,600 Paradise Coins
Qin Fu raised the [Scepter Abyssal Demon], examining the countless fragments embedded in its body. Tentatively, he tried to infuse the power of the void into it.
A hideous blood demon surged forth, opening its gaping, bloody mouth to bite at him.
Gu Gu sprang awake, eyes blazing, and let out a sharp chirp that sent the blood demon retreating.
Qin Fu raised his eyebrows in surprise, a grin spreading across his face.
"Impressive, coo. Didn't expect you to have a trick like that."
Gu Gu narrowed his eyes in delight and chirped twice. Qin Fu returned his attention to the [Scepter Abyssal Demon].
The text had changed:
Introduction: Once a divine soldier of the Divine Forging Kingdom, the new blood demon has recognized you. You may now wield the [Divine Scepter Abyssal Demon] freely.
"Good job, coo. Bullies the weak, fears the strong." Qin Fu chuckled, shaking his head.
"But why does the Divine Forging Kingdom love smashing their weapons into pieces so much? What a habit…"
"It's a fine weapon, though not the most practical. And it contains a blood demon…" He paused, musing. "Better put it away for now. Go back and see if it can be dismantled, then try using it with the [Secret Scepter]. Maybe… I can create a growth weapon."
A sudden spark of inspiration ignited in Qin Fu's mind—but he also felt a chill run down his spine. The blood demon within the [Divine Scepter Abyssal Demon] seemed to harbor a subtle, ominous grudge. Something told him trouble was brewing.