Chapter 155 - 109 Blood Refining Great Success! Open Strife and Veiled Contention!

The Blade Operator’s Courtyard.

Gu Sheng walked slowly through the gate, instantly drawing everyone’s attention. He moved quickly, had taken Poison Bee Guest’s head, and rushed directly to Canghe County’s city. At this point, no one knew he had casually slaughtered the Gale Wind Trio along the way.

Still, the bloodstained head in his hand carried a formidable aura.

Some people were aware that Gu Sheng had accepted the mission to eliminate Poison Bee Guest. Now that he returned with the head, it naturally meant—

Gu Sheng had completed the task.

This was no ordinary feat; it was snatching meat from the tiger’s jaws among a group of formidable Blade Operators.

Gu Sheng paid no attention to the crowd and casually tossed the head forward. A minor official hurriedly picked it up, carefully comparing it with Lian Xubai’s portrait.

"It’s... it’s Poison Bee Guest Lian Xubai!"

"Congratulations, Lord Butcher, for eliminating the scum and completing the mission!"

Amid the wave of congratulations erupting around him, Gu Sheng’s expression remained cold. He knew there was scheming behind this mission, and he naturally wouldn’t show gratitude or a friendly face. If anything were out of place, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Blade Operator known as ’Butcher’ disappeared from Canghe County entirely after this.

He had no intention of drawing too much attention or becoming someone else’s pawn or bargaining chip.

"The reward," Gu Sheng said, his voice betraying no emotion.

"Y-yes, sir, just a moment," the minor official stammered as he rushed to the back courtyard.

Not long after, he returned in a fluster, carrying a silver note and a blue-and-white book, which was evidently freshly transcribed.

"Sir, this is the reward for the mission."

Gu Sheng accepted it, pocketing the silver note casually, and then opened the Golden Body Skill manual.

His brows furrowed slightly.

The Golden Body Skill manual only contained cultivation techniques, without any insights or cultivation experiences.

He distinctly remembered that Lu Luo had mentioned during the auction that the Golden Body Skill came with cultivation experiences and insights up to the Great Achievement Realm.

"Sir, is there something wrong?" The minor official, seeing Gu Sheng’s frown, trembled nervously.

Gu Sheng shook his head slowly, merely casting a deep glance toward the back courtyard before striding away.

Well, no insights are no insights. It’s understandable. If the manual had included cultivation insights, its value would have been more than double. Poison Bee Guest didn’t warrant that investment.

Back courtyard.

Watching Gu Sheng leave without a word, Zhang Guangqun let out a scoffing laugh.

"This Butcher is as unruly as expected. It seems he has indeed sensed something. Still, I didn’t anticipate that his strength was this capable. A newcomer climbing past others to complete the mission first—he must be someone rough on the surface but meticulous beneath."

A subordinate beside him immediately chimed in with flattery:

"No matter how unruly he is, he still has to beg for scraps under your authority, Lord."

Zhang Guangqun curled his lips into a faint smile.

"I’m not worried about him being unruly. I’m worried he would lack capability. A person like that, if properly groomed, will surely become a powerful asset under the Magistrate someday!"

At that moment.

A figure in black robes swiftly entered the courtyard and whispered something into Zhang Guangqun’s ear.

Zhang Guangqun’s expression shifted, his eyes flickering with sharp light.

"Are you sure?!"

"Absolutely sure!"

Zhang Guangqun burst into laughter.

"Excellent! The death of the Gale Wind Trio has given us the perfect measure of this Butcher’s true strength—it’s worth it! Based on the description, this Butcher should possess Blood Refining Realm Great Success level strength, and he’s cautious and prudent."

He had access to records of every mission taken.

The Butcher never accepted targets above Blood Refining Realm entry-level strength, which spoke volumes about his personality—it was clear he was a man with a rugged exterior and a meticulous mind.

"The reason he acted this time is likely because the reward for Lian Xubai was lucrative. A pity that the intelligence came in a little late, or else I could have arranged a meeting with him."

Hearing Zhang Guangqun’s regretful sigh, his subordinate laughed immediately:

"No need to worry, Lord. As long as the Butcher remains in Canghe County, he’ll eventually come to take on more missions. No matter how strong he becomes, he’ll ultimately serve as your pawn!"

Zhang Guangqun laughed heartily but corrected him:

"No, no, no. We’re all pawns of the Magistrate."

With hands clasped behind his back, Zhang Guangqun softly uttered the name "Butcher," contemplating how he might pull this man into his fold.

...

As time passed.

The news of the Butcher’s rage-filled killing of the Gale Wind Trio at Tianze Village gradually spread.

In an instant, the Butcher’s fierce reputation soared even higher, overshadowing other Blade Operators by a significant margin, leaving few who could dare to compare themselves. Even Swift Blade Zhou Song dared not utter the Butcher’s name anymore.

Regarding this.

Gu Sheng naturally remained oblivious. He had already made up his mind to let the Butcher persona lie low for a while.

The spoils from this endeavor were considerable.

Poison Bee Guest and the Gale Wind Trio—four Blood Refining Realm experts. Though Gu Sheng had not yet thoroughly inventoried everything, he roughly estimated that the loot from these individuals would be enough to cultivate himself to Blood Refining Realm Great Success, and perhaps even satisfy a large portion of the resources needed to reach Blood Refining Realm Perfect.

Exiting the city, Gu Sheng deliberately took a few detours to prevent any trackers. However, with the Perfect Realm Snake Breath Skill, tracking him was essentially impossible.

Returning to Gu’s Manor.

After meticulously cleaning away the bloodstains on his body, Gu Sheng reverted to his original appearance—clean and handsome.

No one would ever connect the refined young man before them to the infamous Blade Operator ’Butcher.’

This was intentional on Gu Sheng’s part. The Butcher’s combat style was famously brutal and savage, bearing no resemblance to Gu Sheng at all.

Gu Sheng began assessing his gains this time.

First was silver coin.

The silver notes collected from the four individuals, combined with the two hundred taels from the reward, amounted to a total of seven to eight hundred taels!

Beyond that.

Poison Bee Guest’s "Guidelines for Raising Poisonous Bees" was also an invaluable treasure.

Gu Sheng gently opened it and examined it piece by piece.

After a long while, he lifted his gaze, his eyes revealing an expression of awe.