"Eighth on the Evil People List?" Han Jin muttered, unable to stop his eyes from widening as he looked at Ji Qing. He never could have imagined that this seemingly ordinary passerby was the infamous Demon ranked eighth on the Evil People List.
"What is the Evil People List?" Ji Qing's gaze turned to Han Jin. This Chief of the Escort had traveled extensively throughout the Martial World and was well-informed; he surely knew of the Evil People List.
"The Evil People List is one of the Martial World Lists published by Lingxiao Pavilion, featuring over a hundred figures of the Martial World. It doesn't rank individuals by their Martial Arts, but solely by their sins."
Ji Qing raised an eyebrow. "So, my name is on this Evil People List?"
Han Jin hesitated for a moment before speaking. "The latest edition of the Evil People List was released seven days ago. The biggest change was the inclusion of Ji Qing, a Scholar from Liang City. For the heinous crimes of murdering his father and mother, and being ruthless and devoid of humanity, he is ranked eighth on the Evil People List!"
Ji Qing frowned slightly. For the past half-month, he had been traveling exclusively along narrow mountain trails and was truly oblivious to news from the Martial World. So he was already ranked eighth on the Evil People List. Now he was truly famous in the Martial World, his Evil Name spreading far and wide!
"Eighth on the Evil People List, so you are Ji Qing? Hahaha, I didn't expect such an unexpected windfall. Your head is now worth a bounty of one thousand taels of silver!" The speaker was the leader of the Desert Eighteen Riders. He stared at Ji Qing, his eyes shining. It was as if Ji Qing were already a massive pile of gleaming silver. This was an absolute godsend.
However, upon hearing this, the three short, grotesque men were displeased.
"Brother, what should we do if someone tries to steal our bounty?"
"We three brothers have tracked this Ji Qing all along the way. Now they want to snatch our bounty? Then send them to hell!"
These three freaks were not only bizarre in appearance but also highly eccentric in temper. They attacked at the slightest provocation. One used a saber, one wielded a sword, and the third employed hidden weapons. Moving with the agility and ferocity of a gale, the trio lunged straight at the Desert Eighteen Riders.
The Desert Eighteen Riders couldn't be bothered to waste words. "Slaughter these three dwarfs!"
But just as the words left his mouth, a rain of hidden weapons enveloped the Desert Eighteen Riders. Each projectile moved with blistering speed from a treacherous angle, infused with Inner Power. The Desert Eighteen Riders were instantly caught off guard.
At the same time, the other two freaks struck. Their saber and sword swept through like a raging storm. In just a few breaths, the Desert Eighteen Riders collapsed to the ground with a chorus of agonizing screams, completely devoid of life. A thick stench of blood permeated the air.
Dead!
The Desert Eighteen Riders—who had just been acting so imperious, ready to wipe out the Weiyuan Escort Agency—were actually dead just like that? Everyone from the Weiyuan Escort Agency seemed unable to believe their eyes. How could the Desert Eighteen Riders, who had roamed the desert unchecked and were brimming with evil deeds, die so quickly? They had just clashed with them, knowing it would have been a piece of cake for the Desert Eighteen Riders to annihilate everyone in the Weiyuan Escort Agency. Every single one of the Eighteen Riders was a Third-class Expert. Yet, they had all perished at the hands of these three freaks.
"Are you the Lingdong Three Monsters?" Han Jin asked.
"Heh heh, that's right, it's us three brothers."
Han Jin suddenly understood. "No wonder...
"The Lingdong Three Monsters are three blood brothers, each mastering a different weapon. It's said that their minds are linked, allowing them to cooperate flawlessly without leaving any openings. Even though all three are only Third-class Martial Artists, when they join forces, they can fight a Second-class Expert!
"As the saying goes, a slight edge in Martial Arts determines the chasm between life and death. When the Desert Eighteen Riders encountered the Lingdong Three Monsters, they naturally were no match..."
After speaking, Han Jin shot a glance at Ji Qing. Ji Qing looked back at him meaningfully. He could tell that Han Jin's words were seemingly meant for him. The Lingdong Three Monsters were obviously here to make trouble for Ji Qing. However, the Lingdong Three Monsters weren't exactly bright and completely missed the underlying meaning of Han Jin's words. They thought Han Jin was merely praising their fearsome reputation.
"Is there anyone else trying to steal our bounty?"
Han Jin cupped his fists in salute. "Our Weiyuan Escort Agency only escorts goods; we do not interfere in Martial World disputes." With that, he signaled his people to retreat into the temple.
"Brother..." Ji Yao tightly gripped Ji Qing's sleeve. Though young, her experiences fleeing along the road meant she seemed to know exactly what Ji Qing was about to do.
"Be a good girl, Yao. Stay right here. I'll be back soon."
Ji Qing then stood up and walked step by step toward the Lingdong Three Monsters.
"Ji Qing, don't blame us three brothers. Rather than letting someone else snatch the bounty of one thousand taels, it's better if it falls to us." The Lingdong Three Monsters spoke casually, but the trio was already standing in strict formation, not daring to let their guard down.
For some reason, as Miss Lin looked at Ji Qing's retreating back, her heart rose in suspense. "Chief of the Escort... how are Ji Qing's Martial Arts, considering he's eighth on the Evil People List?"
Han Jin's expression was grave as he shook his head. "The Evil People List bases its rankings on sins. As for his Martial Arts... I'm not sure. But since he was able to commit such monstrous crimes in Liang City and escape with ease, his Martial Arts definitely aren't weak.
"However, the Lingdong Three Monsters have roamed the Martial World for over a decade. They are even more troublesome..."
There were many people in the temple, but the atmosphere at this moment was exceptionally quiet. Ji Qing walked to the doorway step by step. He was now only twenty or thirty feet away from the Lingdong Three Monsters. Ji Qing stopped, his hand gradually closing around the hilt of his saber. The Lingdong Three Monsters fell silent. Despite their earlier lighthearted words, their expressions were now solemn, as if facing a formidable enemy!
WHOOSH...
A cool breeze blew in, bringing an underlying chill to everyone present.
CLANG.
Ji Qing drew his blade. With a flick of his thumb, the long saber was unsheathed. A brilliant stroke of Blade Light abruptly flared in the darkness, seemingly intent on slicing through the pitch-black night. Simultaneously, Ji Qing lightly pushed off the ground with his feet. In the blink of an eye, he crossed the gap of twenty to thirty feet.
"Heavenly Line!"
Ji Qing didn't hesitate at all, directly unleashing his Ultimate Technique. He even fully erupted with the Inner Power inside his body, instantaneously amplifying his power by thirty percent. Ji Qing held nothing back; his opening strike was at his absolute peak! This slash was already the strongest attack Ji Qing could currently execute!
From the moment Ji Qing drew his saber, it seemed that only this single stroke of Blade Light remained in the vision of the Lingdong Three Monsters. It was too brilliant. Such a magnificent Blade Light was almost something the Lingdong Three Monsters had never seen in their entire lives. Unfortunately, such a gorgeous strike was not meant to be admired, but to kill. This was a murdering blade!
The figures of Ji Qing and the Lingdong Three Monsters crossed paths. The Lingdong Three Monsters' eyes went wide.
"What a fast blade..."
A deep, bloody gash appeared on the necks of all three men.
THUD.
The Lingdong Three Monsters collapsed to the ground in unison. Blood poured from their necks; they were already dead.
Dead!
The Lingdong Three Monsters, who had dominated the Martial World for over a decade, were actually dead just like that? And Ji Qing had only used a single move. An instant kill with a single slash!
Silence!
The entire temple grew even quieter. Everyone from the Weiyuan Escort Agency gaped, but no one made a sound. They didn't even dare to breathe too heavily.
Ji Qing sheathed his saber. He lowered his head slightly. An embedded hidden weapon was lodged in his abdomen, and blood had already stained his clothes red.