"Huh? You? An Assassin??"
Cursed Arm Hassan was lucky he was wearing a skull mask, otherwise his expression would have been incredibly twisted.
He sized Mo Shuying up and down. With his bulging muscles and overwhelming sense of power, could this man really be an Assassin? What would he assassinate with? His fists?
"That's right, I'm an Assassin too."
As soon as Mo Shuying finished speaking, he activated Presence Concealment, hiding his presence from everyone present.
Cursed Arm Hassan was immediately surprised.
Such a masterful concealment technique!
"Presence Concealment? Are you really an Assassin?"
Cursed Arm Hassan began to believe him. Mo Shuying deactivated the skill and smiled, finally someone believed him.
"Yes, a genuine Assassin."
"..."
Cursed Arm Hassan didn't dwell on the fact that Mo Shuying was clearly human, because it was impossible for a human to possess Presence Concealment. There had to be some secret involved.
"Ahem, even if you are an Assassin... it's still no good. Didn't I say it already? Even I can't meet the First. There's no way you can. We're not familiar enough to trust you completely."
Rejected again, Mo Shuying pinched his chin, deep in thought about how to get this guy to agree to take him to see the First.
Just as Mo Shuying was at his wit's end, a woman wearing a skull mask entered.
"Cursed Arm, they are good people, worthy of trust."
It was Smoked Drunk Hassan. Mo Shuying looked at her in surprise, and she nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
"Hmm? Even you, Smoked Drunk..."
Cursed Arm Hassan hadn't expected another Hassan to speak up for Mo Shuying.
"Yes, Lord Cursed Arm, they are my benefactors. It's good to see you all again. I apologize for not being able to guide you then."
Smoked Drunk Hassan said to Mo Shuying and the others.
Mo Shuying shook his head.
"It was just a small matter, nothing to it."
To Mo Shuying, the outcome was no different.
"Perhaps it was a small matter to you all, but to me, it was a life-saving kindness, a debt of gratitude that cannot be repaid."
Smoked Drunk Hassan looked at Mo Shuying and suddenly said this, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Fujimaru Ritsuka's eyes held a hint of caution. Usually, the next line after that phrase was... I'll offer myself in return?
Mo Shuying was also startled. Smoked Drunk Hassan's mask obscured her face, but Mo Shuying found her physique a bit hard to accept.
First, she was dark, pitch black. Second, she was thin. Although she had obvious muscles, she was too thin, definitely not Mo Shuying's type.
If she really were to offer herself, it should at least be someone like Hassan of the Serenity. At least her mask could be removed.
What? Hassan of the Serenity is dark too? What are you saying! Is Mo Shuying the kind of person who judges by appearance?!
"Stop! Ahem, I said it was a small matter, it's fine. Let's just be friends."
Mo Shuying held out his hand in an "Erkang" gesture, stopping Smoked Drunk Hassan from saying anything further.
"This..."
Smoked Drunk Hassan paused, then understood, and said softly, "Sir, your righteousness is admirable, Smoked Drunk is truly impressed. From now on, whenever Sir has need of me, Smoked Drunk will not hesitate, even unto death."
These words sounded polite, but someone wasn't being polite.
"Actually, there is something. We'd like to meet the First. Is that possible?"
"..."
Mo Shuying asked. Smoked Drunk Hassan was stunned, then smiled.
"Yes, I can go to the temple and introduce you all."
"Smoked Drunk!"
Smoked Drunk Hassan's words shocked Cursed Arm Hassan, who urgently tried to stop her, but Smoked Drunk Hassan shook her head and said, "No need to say anything, Lord Cursed Arm. My mind is made up. Thank you for taking care of me for so long."
"..."
Cursed Arm Hassan was somewhat speechless and helpless. For them, the Hassans, there was only one chance in their lives to meet the First. Meeting meant certain death.
Because for the First, when he was needed to resolve issues, it precisely indicated that the current Hassan was incompetent, causing the Old Man of the Mountain's organization to decline. This was the original sin, to be cut down!
Smoked Drunk Hassan was using her own life to seek an audience with the First.
Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others naturally didn't know about this. Mo Shuying wasn't very familiar with this part of the story either, so he didn't remember it at the moment.
As Fujimaru Ritsuka was thanking Smoked Drunk Hassan for their help, a figure materialized in the room out of thin air—it was Li Shuwen.
"Enemies are coming, and they're very close. The leader is a purple-haired Rider, and there are about a hundred Riders in total. It's best to prepare for battle."
Li Shuwen had been out for a stroll when he detected the enemies' presence and immediately returned to report.
"What?"
Cursed Arm Hassan immediately looked at Mo Shuying and the others, thinking they had brought the trouble, but then reconsidered. No one would be that foolish, and with Arash and Smoked Drunk Hassan vouching for them, it probably wasn't their fault.
The only possibility was...
"It seems we've been followed."
Da Vinci rubbed their chin, adopting a detective-like expression.
"That shouldn't be possible. I scouted last night, and there were definitely no pursuers, unless..."
"Unless we were spotted and tracked during the day."
Arash also frowned. He hadn't noticed anything either, which felt like an oversight on his part.
"A purple-haired Rider... Lancelot?"
Artoria mused thoughtfully.
When Mo Shuying heard it was Lancelot, he said, "Oh, in that case, no worries. Ritsuka, you and Mash go handle him."
Mo Shuying looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka with a strange smile on his face.
"Huh?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka was stunned. She hadn't offended Mo Shuying, had she? Why would he try to get her into trouble like this?
She knew who Lancelot was—hailed as the strongest Rider, his combat power was undoubtedly absurdly high. And after fighting Gawain and the others, Fujimaru Ritsuka understood that these Riders had been blessed in some way, meaning their combat power would surely increase even further. How were they supposed to fight an enemy like that?
As if seeing Fujimaru Ritsuka's apprehension, Mo Shuying smiled and said with feigned profundity, "Don't worry, would I harm you? Although this Lancelot is formidable, he's not without weaknesses. First, the man can't move when he sees a beautiful woman. It's his nature, there's nothing he can do about it."
Everyone: "..."
Fujimaru Ritsuka: "A beautiful woman? Hehe~"
"Also, come here, I'll tell you something."
Mo Shuying beckoned, and Fujimaru Ritsuka approached curiously. Then Mo Shuying leaned in close and whispered a few words in her ear.
At first, Fujimaru Ritsuka was a bit shy, but after listening to Mo Shuying's words...
"...Really?"
"Of course! Why would I lie to you about something like this?"
"..."
Fujimaru Ritsuka looked conflicted but ultimately chose to believe him.
"Alright, I'll go find Mash. Everyone else, get ready too."
With that, Fujimaru Ritsuka got up and ran out. Mash was still playing with the children outside.
Cursed Arm Hassan watched Mo Shuying and the others preparing to move, his brows furrowed beneath his mask. This was his village, and he called the shots!
"Wait a moment! Our guests don't need to intervene. This is our village; we will protect it ourselves.
Everyone, please rest here. We'll go prepare."
Cursed Arm Hassan stood up, motioning for Arash and Smoked Drunk Hassan to leave with him.
Outside the room, Cursed Arm Hassan spoke to Smoked Drunk Hassan again. "Have all the villagers arm themselves, and send signals to the other Hassans still nearby. This time, it's a battle for life and death!"
"Yes!"
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