Chapter 270: Are You Planning to Hijack the Escort?

Chapter 270: Are You Planning to Hijack the Escort?

Young Master Qi is a notorious playboy with a slew of despicable traits.

Manager Qi hiring assassins is naturally not a good person either.

Those who live by the sword, die by the sword, but Xu Lu is not adept in such matters.

So after recognizing the token, firstly, he retrieved the item to give to Su Mo; secondly, losing this Assassin's Order almost certainly sealed Manager Qi's fate.

This could be seen as eliminating a menace.

Su Mo reclined in his chair, thoughtfully weighing the token in his hand, his mind replaying the sword techniques of the two white-robed swordsmen from the previous night.

There were indeed some corresponding elements between them.

However, it would be premature to directly equate this 'great manager' with the Assassin's Tower.

He looked at the token in his hand, his eyes flickering with a complex mix of emotions.

Suddenly, he looked up at Xu Lu:

"Do you know how to use this token to place a contract with the Assassin's Tower?"

Xu Lu shook his head: "In the past, I only sought wealth and had little respect for those who take lives so casually. So, I don't know much about it.

"But if the chief escort wishes to know, I can look into it."

"Good."

Su Mo nodded: "Then I’ll entrust this matter to Hero Xu. If it can be accomplished, please help me place a contract."

"Who is the target?"

Xu Lu was somewhat curious.

Su Mo smiled: "The great manager."

Xu Lu was momentarily stunned, not understanding who this great manager was.

Su Mo then explained the part where the great manager revealed his identity.

Yang Xiaoyun, listening on the side, pondered:

"Xiao Mo, are you trying to test the waters?"

Su Mo nodded slightly:

"It seems there are intricate connections between the Assassin's Tower and this great manager.

"Now that we have this so-called Assassin's Order, we might as well use it to probe.

"Looking at the conclusions, there are essentially three possibilities...

"First, the Assassin's Tower doesn't know the great manager's identity, cannot confirm the target, and thus cannot carry out the kill.

"In this case, if they don't want to ruin their reputation, they will surely provide an explanation.

"Second, the great manager himself is from the Assassin's Tower. Upon receiving such a task, they might kill the great manager, or they might turn around and cause trouble for us."

"However, regardless of which possibility it is, it will clear the already muddied waters."

"The third possibility is that the great manager isn’t from the Hidden Kill Tower but has deep ties to it."

"If this is a problem, they won’t stay silent and will definitely react."

"I’m waiting to see how they’ll respond."

"What if... they vanish without a trace, leaving no ripple?"

Yang Xiaoyun suggested another possibility.

Su Mo smiled: "No ripple is still a ripple. If that happens, we’ll just put this on hold for now. Once we deliver this shipment, I’ll ruin their reputation."

"But that’s highly unlikely."

"Since they’re in the assassination business, they need to maintain some credibility."

"I pay you to kill someone, and you take the money and do nothing... who’d ever hire them again?"

"Manager Qi’s just a businessman and doesn’t understand the ways of the martial world."

"But there are plenty like Hero Xu, who’ve been around the martial world. If word gets out that the Hidden Kill Tower takes orders but doesn’t act, do you think they’d ever get business again?"

"To outsiders, the martial world always looks calm and peaceful."

"Only those in it know how many rules there are."

"Whether black or white, they’re all bound by rules."

"Assassins have their own code, and the Hidden Kill Tower is known as an assassin organization. If their reputation’s ruined, they’ll have no foothold."

"So, if they take a job, no matter how hard it is or if they can pull it off, they’ve got to respond. Otherwise, they’ll destroy their own name."

"That’s why the Hidden Kill Order is so important."

"Alright."

Su Mo waved his hand and threw the Hidden Kill Order to Xu Lu: "We’ve wasted enough time. The ones downstairs are probably here by now. Let’s go, we need to check out and get moving."

The people in the room acknowledged and grabbed their pre-packed luggage.

Su Mo pushed open the door, and everyone filed out.

As they stepped out, the inn’s lobby immediately buzzed with noise.

"They’re here, they’re here."

"It’s Chief Escort Su, all right."

"What’s in that box has to be the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron."

Amid the discussions, Su Mo had already reached the corner of the stairs. Looking at the inn's lobby, filled with martial artists, he couldn't help but smile:

"I wonder what’s so special about today to bring all of you here?"

As soon as he said this, everyone present looked at each other.

Someone immediately spoke up:

"Escort Chief Su, we heard that just before Master Ji died, he entrusted something to you."

Su Mo glanced at the man, a middle-aged man he didn’t recognize, and simply nodded:

"That’s correct, it’s true."

"Is that item the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron?"

Hearing this, someone else quickly pressed for an answer.

Su Mo, however, shook his head: "What it is exactly, I don’t know, and I can’t really say. Before Master Ji passed away, he asked me to deliver this item to an old friend. As for the details..."

He paused here, then smiled and said:

"This is part of the escort job I’m handling, so I hope you understand I can’t say more."

The crowd exchanged glances, clearly not ready to drop it, but not sure what else to say.

After a while, a voice emerged from the crowd:

"Escort Chief Su, why so secretive? Many of us here are old friends of Master Ji.

"We’re not here to give you a hard time.

"We just want to carry on Master Ji’s legacy and make sure this item is safe...

"But if this item is part of your escort mission, then of course, we wouldn’t step out of line with you.

"We just want to know where this item is going.

"Or maybe let us tag along on this escort job. It’d definitely make the trip safer.

"This trip would also be a way to honor Master Ji’s memory!"

"That’s right!"

"Well said."

"That makes perfect sense!"

This made sense to a lot of people, and they nodded in agreement, feeling there was no better way to handle the situation.

Yang Xiaoyun looked furious at this, and Hu Sandao’s hand was already on his saber.

Zhen Xiaoxiao, meanwhile, was staring toward the kitchen, sniffing away like she’d forgotten she just had breakfast.

Xu Lu had already jumped out the window before leaving the room. He was off to handle the task Su Mo had given him.

Only Su Mo smiled lightly:

"Guys, you’re putting me in a tough spot.

"I’m in the escort business. First off, we can’t talk about what we’re transporting; second, we can’t share the route; and third... who it’s going to has to stay secret.

"Although all of you are friends of Master Ji, and in principle, I shouldn’t withhold this information, if I were to make an exception... who would dare to use my Ziyang Escort Agency in the future?"

"So, I kindly ask for your forgiveness."

"That's outrageous!"

With a loud thud, a burly man stood up:

"We call you Chief Escort Su out of respect, but now you're acting all high and mighty?"

"This is unacceptable, that's not allowed—do you even respect us?"

"You're out of line!"

Yang Xiaoyun aimed her Dragon's Spear from a distance, but Su Mo held her hand and said with a smile:

"Yang Xiaoyun, stay calm. In the martial world, we should win others over with reason."

"Running an escort agency, we depend on the goodwill of our martial world friends. It's their support that has brought Ziyang Escort Agency its current success."

Yang Xiaoyun looked at Su Mo in surprise. That's not what you said back at the inn.

Then she heard Su Mo ask with a smile:

"By the way, may I know your name, sir?"

"Hmph!"

The burly man stepped forward from the crowd: "I'm Sun Bei'e! Known in the martial world as the King of Fists!"

Yang Xiaoyun frowned, trying hard to remember, but she couldn't recall anyone by that name in the martial world.

Su Mo, however, smiled and said: "Ah, Senior Sun, I've heard of your reputation."

"So, Senior Sun, how do you think we should handle today's situation?"

"Hahaha!!!"

Sun Bei'e felt flattered by Su Mo's respectful tone, his heart swelling with pride.

No matter what happened today, the top figure in the Eastern Wasteland held him in high esteem. When word got out, he wouldn't be underestimated anymore.

Hearing Su Mo's question, he didn't hesitate and said:

"Just leave the item here and go back to your escort agency."

"...Senior Sun, you want what's in my hand?"

Su Mo hefted the box in his hand.

Sun Bei'e nodded right away.

Su Mo looked troubled and glanced at the crowd:

"Is this what you all think?"

The crowd hesitated, sensing something was off.

Su Mo was well-known everywhere. In Profound Theory Valley, he took down three with a single sword. In Tianqu City, he struck down Sect Leader Youquan with his palm. In Liuyin City, he killed the Night Demon Lord with his fist.

Though they had their doubts about the last two events, they couldn't shake a sense of unease.

But... he shouldn't be such a pushover.

However, although it hasn't been explicitly stated, Su Mo's visible distress seems to indicate that if they nod, he would indeed put the item down and turn back to the escort agency.

For a moment, even though they knew something seemed off, they couldn't help but be driven by greed!

This is the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron. If they could obtain it, they could have a legendary weapon forged.

Even if it wasn’t as powerful as the legendary Sky Slaughter Sword, they could instantly become a martial arts expert.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to gain fame in the martial world?

Immediately, someone stepped forward:

"That's right, Chief Escort Su, just leave it here."

With this one taking the lead, several others stepped forward as well.

Su Mo frowned deeply, his gaze sweeping over these people, and he sighed:

"So, in broad daylight, under the open sky, you all actually want me to leave Master Ji's entrusted item here for you to take?

"You... you have some nerve, this is outright theft!!!"

"!!!"

Those who stepped forward were stunned.

For a moment, they were at a loss for words...

Before coming here today, they had considered how to swipe or snatch this item from Su Mo's hands.

But they all knew that they could suggest anything but theft.

They claimed to be helping Su Mo transport the item.

How did it suddenly become theft?

Just as they were about to explain, they saw Su Mo's face darken:

"You're asking for death!!!"

Without giving them a chance to explain, he darted over to Sun Bei'e and struck out with a palm.

Sun Bei'e, a real hothead, roared and threw his fists up in response.

He actually wanted to take on the top fighter in the Eastern Wasteland.

But in a flash, his fists were knocked aside, and Su Mo's palm struck his chest.

The Three Yang Burning Heart Palm was no joke.

His body was sent hurtling backward, and those who wanted Su Mo to leave the item tried to catch Sun Bei'e.

But as soon as their hands touched him, they coughed up blood.

Sun Bei'e kept going, pushing them further back.

As they were pushed back, anyone who tried to help got hit by the palm's power.

One by one, over a dozen people were pushed back to the inn's entrance before they finally halted.

Yet, without a word or movement, they all died on the spot, frozen in the same posture.

He doesn’t act unless he has to, but when he does, it’s swift and decisive.

No matter why these people gathered here today, coveting the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron, they were all doomed.

In a single clash, over a dozen people met their end.

"Su Mo, you!!!"

Seeing this, someone immediately erupted in rage.

However, Su Mo suddenly looked up at him:

"Do you also intend to rob the escort?"

With a sudden rustle!

The martial artists watching the scene quickly cleared a wide space, leaving him isolated.

The man was stunned, his righteous anger evaporating instantly.

He waved his hands frantically, saying, "No, no! I’m an honest man—how could I side with these people?"

Su Mo nodded. "Good."

After speaking, he went to the counter to pay the bill, then glanced at the corpses of Sun Bei'e and the others, shaking his head slightly:

"There are countless paths in this world—why choose to be a villain who robs escorts?

"Gentlemen, I still have an escort mission and cannot linger. Farewell."

Everyone immediately clasped their fists. "Please!"

No one dared to suggest again that he leave the item or help escort it.

Today, Su Mo clearly wasn’t in the mood for reasoning.

If anyone else spoke up, they’d surely be labeled a robber and beaten to death.

"Please."

Su Mo clasped his fists and led the group out of the inn.

Outside the inn, another group of martial artists stood.

Though they didn’t see everything clearly, they understood the gist of what had happened.

Seeing Su Mo emerge, they didn’t dare block his way and all retreated.

But the street was too crowded, and as they retreated, they quickly ran out of space.

As Su Mo approached, some used their lightness skills to flee the crowd.

But others, unwilling to back down, gritted their teeth and shouted:

"Su Mo, we respect you as the Eastern Wasteland’s top master. If you put down what you’re holding, we’ll leave you alone!"

"Otherwise..."

He instinctively glanced around.

The crowd seemed to embolden him, and with a grit of his teeth, he drew the single-edged saber in his hand with a clang:

"Otherwise, I refuse to believe you can slaughter everyone here!"

His voice boomed, reaching everyone nearby.

Some sensed the impending doom; once these words were spoken, it would truly confirm their act of hijacking the convoy. They turned and left without hesitation.

But others saw this as their moment to prove their worth.

In an instant, they unsheathed their weapons, poised to clash with Su Mo in a life-or-death struggle.

Someone else shouted:

"The Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron is in the box in his hands, everyone, let’s see who’s skilled enough to claim it!!"

No sooner were the words spoken than someone sprang into the air.

Their blades rained down from above.

Su Mo sighed softly. He had killed to establish his authority, hoping to avoid further bloodshed.

But now, it seemed he had underestimated their greed.

Without hesitation, he flicked two fingers, and with a whooshing sound, the two people still in mid-air had their chests pierced, blood spurting out. They died before they hit the ground.

As the crowd was about to surge forward, there was a loud rumble from the ground.

Zhen Xiaoxiao ran forward a few steps, her single-legged bronze statue swung in a wide arc, clearing the path ahead.

A few broke through from the flanks, but Yang Xiaoyun’s Canglong Bahuang Dianyun Spear met them head-on.

With a flash of starlight, the spear lunged like a dragon.

The spear pierced one person's throat, and with a flick, the body was hurled from the spear, toppling a cluster of foes.

On the other side was Hu Sandao.

Despite mastering only three saber techniques, they were clearly not enough to deal with experts.

But today, most of those gathered in Jinyang City were a disorganized mob.

By cycling through these three saber techniques, they failed to breach his defense, and he cut down many.

Su Mo, having killed two at the start, didn't need to act for the time being.

As Zhen Xiaoxiao carved through the crowd, in just two or three rounds, the battlefield echoed with cries of agony, with only a few still standing.

In a moment, even Hu Sandao and Yang Xiaoyun had nothing to do.

"Su Mo!!"

Suddenly, someone stood on the roof and shouted:

"Today, you’ve slaughtered innocents in broad daylight, how dare you still claim the title of the Eastern Wasteland’s top expert!?"

"Innocent, you say?"

Su Mo looked up; the speaker was hidden among the crowd, clearly unwilling to reveal themselves.

He just smiled: "In broad daylight, blocking the road to rob the convoy, dare you say any of them are innocent?"

"We were merely curious about the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron, who would rob your escort..."

His words abruptly ceased.

For someone had appeared beside him.

Su Mo casually seized the person by the spine, and with a single step, he was already on the long street.

He pinned the person to the ground with his foot and looked at the crowd:

"Since I stepped into the martial world, I have never killed indiscriminately.

"I make my living through the escort agency, depending on the goodwill of all, always striving to forge good relations.

"But let me say this: while I seek good relations, I am not weak or easily bullied.

"Concerning the items escorted by my agency, I urge you all to give up your delusions.

"Otherwise, if you lose your lives for this, don’t say I didn’t warn you!!"

After saying this, he glanced at the person on the ground: "And to those with ulterior motives, I advise you to tread carefully!"

With that, he suddenly lashed out with a kick.

The person on the ground flew out like a shooting star, crashing hard into the outer wall of a tavern.