The Indestructible Chieftain

Chapter 002: Qingyi Building

"Dalil, this mission is not simple, so while we aim to capture the target, we allow for eliminating the target as well."In the spacious meeting hall of the Black Wind Stronghold, Xiong Ba, with a round waist and broad back, sat on a pear wood chair covered with tiger skin, smoking dry tobacco, his approving eyes fixed on the robust and powerful Jiang Dalil, who resembled a fierce tiger or leopard.At the age of forty-six, Xiong Ba had not engaged in combat for several years, his body had become overweight, and in the past two years, he had taken on two concubines who required his care. He no longer possessed the hot-blooded courage to block the road and rob caravans alone with an axe as he did in the past.Fortunately, in recent years, Jiang Dalil had emerged as a talented individual, becoming the fastest and most efficient blade in his hands. Jiang had helped deal with many tricky matters, effortlessly intercepting caravans every time, allowing Xiong Ba to gain fame and fortune without having to risk his life in battle.As a result, he found Jiang Dalil increasingly pleasing and considered him to be his own. If it weren't for the concubines he had recently taken a liking to, he might have even considered rewarding this third son."Black Wind Stronghold's leader, Xiong Ba, entrusts you with a capture mission. Mission content: Capture or eliminate Qiu Xuemei, the Jifeng Whip from the Ancient Tomb Sect.Mission difficulty: Grade C, Level B.Qiu Xuemei: Recently entered the Inner Qi realm, a former disciple of the Ancient Tomb Sect, skilled in using the long whip, whereabouts known through secret letter.Capture reward: 50 cultivation points, 50 potential points, 50 reputation points.Killing reward: 30 cultivation points, 30 potential points, 30 reputation points.Do you accept the mission?""It's just a Grade C mission, I accept it!" Jiang Dalil hesitated for less than a moment before responding with confidence.If it were an experienced veteran in the Inner Qi realm, he would have refused without hesitation. Even though he wouldn't truly die in this world, actively seeking death and experiencing real death would result in significant losses, making it unnecessary to take such risks.However, facing only a novice in the Inner Qi realm, he believed he could give it a try."Third Brother, have you thought it through? This is no ordinary individual...she has made a name for herself in Yuanzhou." The second-in-command, a bookish man named Duoming, sipped his tea and smiled. "Although she has only just entered the Inner Qi realm and cannot yet project her inner energy outward, she is still formidable. If you encounter her, I suggest using some underhanded tactics, using what I've taught you, but don't be reckless.""I understand." Jiang Dalil said, taking the mission letter, picking up the old wine jug on the table that Xiong Ba had placed there, and turned to leave with a broad stride and a knife on his back."I will return within a month, regardless of whether the mission is completed or not.""Haha, good, I will host a feast for you in advance when you return," Xiong Ba laughed heartily, watching Jiang Dalil leave.Duoming leisurely set down his teacup, his fair face still wearing a smile. "If Third Brother can truly complete the mission this time, I'm sure the merits he has accumulated will attract the attention of the higher-ups and he might be transferred early."Xiong Ba sighed as he took a drag of his cigarette. "Third Brother is indeed a talent. It's a pity that our Black Wind Stronghold is too small."Duoming raised an eyebrow. "Big Brother, what do you think if I also accompany Third Brother to the higher-ups?"Xiong Ba glared, "What nonsense are you thinking about? Only Third Brother can go to the higher-ups. If he succeeds, the two of us will enjoy the rewards together.""Big Brother..."Duoming's eyes softened, a slight sigh in his heart. "Water flows to the lowest point, people strive for higher ground. That's why you have been stuck as a bandit leader in Black Wind Stronghold all these years, too soft-hearted. I'm different...I'm sorry for Third Brother. It's a shame to waste such a good fighter."In this world, there are many mysterious organizations on the martial arts scene.One of these organizations is enough to make many martial artists change their expressions.No one knows who the mysterious master of this organization is.He could be your ordinary and boring friend, the aunt who sells vegetables outside your door every day, a tea shop owner with exceptional tea skills, or a flower thief who claims to only pluck the most beautiful flowers...Everyone knows that there is definitely such a person.Just like how they know that Li Xunhuan's flying knife skills are accurate, but only the dead truly know how accurate they are.Another identity of Jiang Dalil in the martial arts world is a killer from the Qingyi Building.In almost two years, after being reborn in this world, Jiang Dalil spent a year growing from a small bandit leader to the third-in-command of the stronghold, and another year becoming a killer for the Qingyi Building.Thus, he had both visible and invisible identities.He was well-informed about the news on the streets and alleys.Having the identity of a well-informed killer from the Qingyi Building made it much easier for him to conduct various activities in the martial arts world.Two days later, on a remote road leading to Yuanzhou.A carrier pigeon flapped its wings across the azure sky and landed on Jiang Dalil's calloused hand.After reading the note inside the tube, Jiang Dalil's eyes flashed with a smile."Go!"He released the carrier pigeon and mounted his horse."Ride!"With a swift horse and a golden saber, Jiang Dalil, now wearing a human skin mask and disguised appearance, spurred his horse and galloped off.At this moment, dressed in a green robe with a black veil covering his face, he looked every bit the appearance of a killer from the Qingyi Building.In the past two days, through the channels of the Qingyi Building, he had obtained information about Qiu Xuemei, which even the leader of the stronghold had not investigated. Qiu Xuemei had quietly returned to Yuanzhou from Huizhou two days earlier.She was currently hiding in an undisclosed inn in Qingyang County, Yuanzhou, evading pursuit by the court.An undisclosed inn was an inn that had not been officially registered with the authorities and was not allowed to operate. Such inns were usually run by people on the road, serving those who did not wish to attract attention.As a white-hat force, it was difficult for the Black Wind Stronghold's leader to investigate the guests staying in such undisclosed inns. However, the Qingyi Building, being an assassin organization, was not a white-hat force and could easily gather information.Not only did Jiang Dalil find Qiu Xuemei's whereabouts, but he also investigated all her martial arts skills, personality traits, and preferences.In this world of numerous martial arts sects, there were many strange ones. For example, the Western Xiang Corpse Escorting Sect, whose members spent their days with corpses. Or the White Lotus Sect, which constantly opposed the court; the Sun Moon Sect, which clashed with the five major sword sects; the Star Cultivation Sect, which researched hybridizing insects; and the Five Poison Sect, among others, were all bizarre and sinister in their actions.Compared to these sects, which rarely ventured into the world, the Ancient Tomb Sect seemed much more open. Since the establishment of the Ancient Tomb Sect by Lin Chaoying, only a few disciples had left the tomb, including the rebellious Li Mochou, as well as Yang Guo and Xiaolongnu who voluntarily left. Qiu Xuemei could be considered the fourth disciple to leave the tomb.From the moment she left the tomb, Qiu Xuemei became a cast-off disciple of the Ancient Tomb Sect, committing many senseless killings in the martial arts world and following a twisted path similar to the former disciple Li Mochou, eventually leading to a warrant by the court.However, Qiu Xuemei was not as skilled as Li Mochou. With only a bit of skill and no strong backing, she had been on the run for less than half a month, evading authorities in a pitiful state.In response, Jiang Dalil could only lament, "This is a poor woman who has been shut out and doesn't understand the laws of the outside world." There was nothing more to say.He could even imagine.A woman who had lived in seclusion in the ancient tomb for many years, knowing only martial arts and nothing of ethics, morals, or worldly laws, would face great shock and influence upon entering the bustling world.Perhaps any man who knew a little sweet talk could easily deceive the inexperienced Qiu Xuemei.And then, a drama of betrayal and abandonment would follow.Afterwards, the plot of Qiu Xuemei turning dark and seeking revenge on society was already foreseeable.It was a tragic martial arts story that followed the same template as Li Mochou, a fellow disciple of the sect.Even if Xiaolongnu hadn't had Yang Guo's deep love, and Yang Guo hadn't abandoned his little steamed bun, it was likely that Xiaolongnu would have turned dark in the end, following the same path as Li Mochou.Therefore, the Ancient Tomb Sect, created by the ancestor Lin Chaoying, was something Jiang Dalil looked down upon, distorting the normal worldview and values of a person.But that didn't stop him from wanting to eliminate Qiu Xuemei.Emotional sympathy did not equate to physical softness."Qiu Xuemei loves listening to music. After settling in Qingyang County, she went to listen to a wandering musician yesterday. This Qiu Xuemei, indeed a silly girl sent out by the Ancient Tomb Sect, has been wandering the martial world for a few years and still lacks experience. She even went to listen to music while being wanted by the court. Moreover...a wandering musician just happened to pass by Qingyang County?"