Chapter 149 - 107: Generous Reward! Perfect Timing!

Cold snow fluttered down, within the courtyard.

Gu Xiaojiang rarely appeared and was drinking with Gu Sheng. Nowadays, he had also begun using Blood Nourishing Powder for medicinal baths, embarking on the path of flesh and blood transformation.

This step wasn’t difficult for him; the hard part was breaking through the limits to generate Qi Blood Power later on.

However, he was confident that advancing to the Blood Refining Realm before the age of eighteen wouldn’t be a challenge, and it might not even take that long. As a result, Gu Xiaojiang’s mood had grown more relaxed. His cultivation progressed step by step, unlike before when he felt suffocated by pressure.

The only thing giving him some trouble was the progress of Iron Stone Fist.

The breakthrough from Great Achievement Realm to Perfect seemed indefinitely distant. After all, at this stage, he had to find his own way forward. Gu Jingang could no longer provide any guidance; Gu Sheng might offer occasional hints, but ultimately, it would depend on him.

"You should feel satisfied. At your age, having achieved this level of strength, advancing to the Bone Refining Realm in the future is undoubtedly certain. If you’re still not happy, wouldn’t others feel like giving up on living?"

Seeing Gu Xiaojiang’s dissatisfaction, Gu Sheng teased him with a laugh.

Young people were always proud and ambitious, hoping to grow stronger faster.

Gu Xiaojiang responded with a wry smile:

"My realm has progressed, but I lack practical combat experience. At best, I spar with the martial artists in the manor. I’ve hardly engaged in life-or-death battles. To be honest, I want to become a mercenary, but my father and the others forbid it..."

This was understandable.

Gu’s Manor had invested a lot of effort in Gu Xiaojiang. If he were to die so recklessly, wouldn’t that be a complete loss?

Even if improving his combat experience was necessary, they would never let him recklessly become a mercenary.

"Once you advance to the Blood Refining Realm, plenty of opportunities will arise."

Gu Sheng simply offered a smile.

"Why do you think the same way as them? My father and the others also said that I’d have to advance to the Blood Refining Realm before becoming a mercenary. Sigh, that will take quite a while."

A trace of yearning flickered in Gu Xiaojiang’s eyes.

Recently, several prominent figures had emerged among the mercenaries.

"The mercenaries boast some formidable warriors. Whether it’s ’Autumn Water Sword’ Yan Heng, the newly-rising ’Axe Butcher,’ ’Quick Blade’ Zhou Song, or the ’Three Tempest Brothers,’ each one is a powerhouse among powerhouses. Truly enviable."

"Especially ’Axe Butcher.’ I’ve heard Uncle Jingang mention him multiple times, saying this individual might have innate Divine Power—possibly even stronger than his own!"

Upon hearing his name spoken with such reverence by Gu Xiaojiang, Gu Sheng couldn’t help but feel a peculiar sense of amusement.

Gu Xiaojiang had no idea that the ’Axe Butcher’ sat right across from him, drinking together.

Gu Sheng chuckled lightly. He had heard of the others mentioned as well, and had even interacted with ’Quick Blade’ Zhou Song, who had once invited him to join a mercenary elite circle. Gu Sheng had ignored the offer, likely sowing some resentment in Zhou Song’s heart.

Seeing Gu Xiaojiang’s eagerness, Gu Sheng smiled consolingly:

"Don’t worry. Train diligently; with your talent and strength, you’ll have your moment to shine."

More or less, Gu Sheng could empathize with Gu Xiaojiang’s emotions.

Endless cultivation was ultimately for the sake of some pursuit. Day after day of silent training— even someone like Gu Sheng occasionally felt a restless desire for battle.

The saying ’With powerful weapons comes a thirst for blood’ was apt.

In some respect, the mercenary missions offered Gu Sheng an outlet for his frustrations.

Gu Xiaojiang’s inner restlessness was normal; he was, after all, young and yearning for excitement and recognition.

...

Shouldering a massive axe, Gu Sheng slowly stepped into the mercenary compound, immediately attracting reverent gazes. The name ’Axe Butcher’ carried weight, especially given the butcher’s solitary and violent nature, even showing no courtesy to those of equal strength. Naturally, this only heightened others’ wariness.

"One more mission, and I should be able to advance to Great Achievement in the Blood Refining Realm!"

Gu Sheng mused quietly as he approached the wooden table.

"Find me a target at entry-level Blood Refining Realm."

"Please wait a moment, sir."

This was the same clerk Gu Sheng had worked with before. Familiar with Gu Sheng’s preferences, the clerk immediately lowered his head to begin searching.

After a short while.

The clerk raised his head, his expression slightly troubled.

"Sir, the information on wanted criminals suggests there are no targets meeting your requirements. Among entry-level Blood Refining Realm targets, only two remain. Both are experts in movement techniques, and one specializes in disguise, making them quite troublesome."

Gu Sheng frowned.

Previously, he prioritized targets who weren’t skilled in movement techniques or disguise to maximize his success rate and avoid spending excessive time tracking them down.

Yet now, there were none left.

It was understandable.

These bounty targets weren’t like monsters that refreshed in cycles. As mercenaries continuously completed missions, the number of wanted criminals naturally dwindled. The remaining ones would inevitably become harder to deal with, eventually reaching a balanced situation.

The mercenary system was destined to be a product of Canghe County’s special circumstances. Over time, the numbers would stabilize within a certain fluctuating range. Gu Sheng had every reason to believe that Liu Yuanhu would eventually figure out ways to integrate these unruly mercenaries.

A moment of hesitation crossed his mind as he debated lowering the target realm to Jade Skin Realm or raising it to Small Success in the Blood Refining Realm.

At that moment.

The young clerk spoke up:

"Sir, there’s a particularly popular mission recently. Would you like to consider it?"

Startled, Gu Sheng responded coolly:

"Speak. Let me hear it."