C29 The Deterrence of the Mercenaries
Kou Quan's eyes bulged in shock upon hearing Lin Yaoyang's words, his gaze filled with utter disbelief.
He had convinced himself that even at death's door, Lin Yaoyang wouldn't truthfully reveal the technique that killed him, instead fabricating a tale about an Animal Bone.
An Animal Bone, of all things! Throughout his life, Kou Quan had only heard of such relics in name, never laying eyes on one. He had doubted their very existence, so how could one surface in the modest Qingye Town?
And how could it possibly be wielded by a member of the modest Lin Family?
"How... How can this be!? You... You better not be deceiving me!"
Kou Quan's throat was clogged with a mix of blood and saliva, his voice emerging as a strangled, incredulous croak.
Lin Yaoyang was indifferent to whether Kou Quan believed him. It was irrelevant now; Kou Quan was as good as dead. Besides, the less known about the Animal Bone, the better.
With a thud, Kou Quan collapsed, his last breath expelling a mist of blood. As Kou Quan's body slumped to the ground, Lin Yaoyang withdrew the Animal Bone from his grasp.
The spear-like Spider Leg melded seamlessly onto the back of Lin Yaoyang's hand, vanishing without a trace as if it had never existed.
The only evidence of its existence was the gaping hole in Kou Quan's fist, extending to his forearm, wide enough to fit three fingers. It was a chasm so deep that lifting Kou Quan's arm revealed a void where bone should have been, all of it consumed.
At that moment, the system's voice echoed in Lin Yaoyang's mind.
"Lin Yaoyang has slain a First Grade Martial Master, Kou Quan, and three Level 9 Warriors. Due to the low level of the enemies, no special reward will be granted."
"Ding!"
"Lin Yaoyang has earned 2,000 experience points."
"Ding!"
"[Your proficiency in the mid-grade Profound Rank technique, Power of the Ant King, has increased.]"
"Ding!"
"Advanced Profound Rank combat skill, Lion's Roar, 5th stage. Proficiency increased."
Lin Yaoyang's mind echoed with a series of reward notifications before returning to silence. Utter silence.
Such rewards were expected by Lin Yaoyang. After all, this wasn't like when he faced Yin Zhiping and the Ghost Faced Demonic Spider, where he had surpassed countless minor levels and even a major one to defeat his foes.
This was merely a one-sided slaughter. After dispatching these few individuals, Lin Yaoyang stood there, his body barely breaking a sweat.
The surrounding mercenaries watched him intently, their eyes universally flickering with fear. Indeed, the combat prowess Lin Yaoyang had demonstrated was nothing short of terrifying.
To compare them to him was to compare the earth to the heavens—there was simply no comparison.
A mercenary couldn't help himself and swallowed hard, stealthily wiping the sweat from his palms onto his trousers.
Lin Yaoyang's gaze was icy as he addressed them, "Rest assured, I have no intention of taking your lives."
The mercenaries all fixed their eyes on Lin Yaoyang, hanging on his every word. Some had already begun to strategize their escape routes in their minds, just in case Lin Yaoyang decided to silence them. They wondered how they could quickly flee the scene.
Hearing Lin Yaoyang's assurance, whether they believed him or not, everyone felt a momentary relief.
Lin Yaoyang cleared his throat and added, "But!" His sudden interjection had their hearts in their throats once more as they awaited his next words.
"You should be aware that killing you would be as easy as flipping my hand. If I wanted to eliminate you, not one of you would make it alive to the town. If there are any doubters among you, feel free to test that claim! I'll even give you a five-minute head start!"
Lin Yaoyang's statement was clearly laced with hyperbole. The idea of giving them a five-minute lead was laughable. Even if he allowed them a 500-meter head start, catching them might still be a challenge.
After all, they were the ones who had spent years battling through the Demonic Beast Forest. They knew the quickest and safest escape routes, as well as the best hiding spots—they had an innate sense of it all.
My actions were primarily aimed at deterring them, and it worked! The effect was quite satisfactory. No sooner had I finished speaking than some of the more timid mercenaries began to shake.
For a long moment, not a single mercenary dared to suggest fleeing. They weren't fools; no one wanted to be the first to stick their neck out.
Lin Yaoyang observed them and gave a nod of approval before continuing, "I've got a pretty good memory for faces. If, after I return to town, I catch even a whisper about me... it doesn't matter who leaked it, just a whisper! None of the twenty-plus of you will get off scot-free..."
His voice was low and grave, intentionally so, casting a tense atmosphere over the mercenaries who stood in silence around him. For some reason, they all deeply believed that Lin Yaoyang would follow through on his word.
Lin Yaoyang's caution stemmed from his fear that these mercenaries would blab about his possession of advanced techniques and combat skills throughout the town. If such news were to spread, it would undoubtedly spell endless trouble for him.
Possessing a high-level Profound Rank combat skill was no small matter. Even a low-level Profound Rank skill could incite envy among the powerful, potentially drawing assassins from other towns or even cities, eager to kill for the prize.
At present, Lin Yaoyang's strength wasn't formidable. He was only a notable figure within the confines of Qingye Town. Beyond its borders, in slightly larger locales, he would be outmatched by Martial Arts masters and Chief Wu-level experts. No matter how potent his techniques and skills, they would be rendered futile, mere trophies for the taking by others.
This was the reality of absolute power. Yet Lin Yaoyang was loath to resort to a bloodbath, unwilling to slaughter the mercenaries—it went against his principles. Left with no other choice, he opted for this middle ground, a path fraught with danger and uncertainty.