Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior-Chapter 61 - 59: Paths to Power, Assassin!

However, the noise from the house just now had already been heard by Shi Feng outside the courtyard, so Su Mu couldn’t refuse him at the door.

Might as well meet him.

At this point, Su Mu stopped his cultivation and invited Shi Feng into the courtyard. Shi Feng glanced around the courtyard and found it hadn’t changed much since last year, still appearing somewhat empty, with some broken items remaining unchanged.

Shi Feng couldn’t help but feel surprised; his brother Su was truly obsessed with martial arts. Upon realizing this, Shi Feng felt more confident about his visit.

The two sat down, and Su Mu brewed a pot of tea, which was gifted by the Little Doctor, most likely taken from the pharmacist’s house.

"Great tea!"

After a few pleasantries, Shi Feng got to the point.

"Brother Su, have you ever heard of the Demon Slayer Bureau?"

"Demon Slayer Bureau?"

Su Mu was slightly stunned; he had indeed never heard of the Demon Slayer Bureau. Seeing Su Mu’s puzzled expression, Shi Feng was even more certain that Su Mu was an Ascetic Monk.

Moreover, Su Mu had previously used the Tiger Subduing Fist to smash the Black Mountain Rebel Army, most likely a secular disciple of the Vajra Temple, with no issues regarding his identity. This was also why Shi Feng sought out Su Mu today.

"It’s not surprising that Brother Su hasn’t heard of the Demon Slayer Bureau. It is an office in our Great Yan Dynasty responsible for slaying and capturing demon fiends, with authority to oversee local matters. It’s actually on par with the County Magistrate in rank, directly answering to the Demon Slayer Bureau in Qingzhou."

"It’s just that Qingyun County is located in a remote area. The Demon Slayer Bureau has only been a government office since I can remember. I know Brother Su dislikes constraints, so this Demon Slayer Bureau is quite suitable. Last year, the County Captain issued a government notice: the Demon Slayer Bureau is restarting recruitment for assassins."

"With Brother Su’s skills, this role suits you very well. Not only is the remuneration generous, but you can also exchange for martial arts secret manuals and rare medicines."

After listening to Shi Feng, especially the last part, Su Mu was tempted.

Currently, most of the martial arts Su Mu had were only Ninth Grade, the lowest level among the Grade-Entering Martial Arts. The only Eighth-Grade Martial Arts were the Vajra Body and the Small Faceless Transformation Technique.

Both the Small Faceless Transformation Technique and the Vajra Body, when cultivated to Small Success, could increase comprehension by 2 points, clearly making it an Eighth-Grade Martial Arts. Yet, this martial art ultimately couldn’t be used in combat.

Right now, Su Mu was already an Eighth-Grade Bone Forging Realm martial artist with a terrifying 36 points of comprehension. Ordinary people might have to choose carefully and consider whether it suits them and the cultivation threshold.

But for him, there’s no such distress. If he could acquire more Eighth-Grade, or even Seventh-Grade Martial Arts, Su Mu was confident he could master them.

However, the problem was having the resources to even begin.

"More martial arts secret manuals would mean an actual increase in strength for me... and there’s also the rare medicines!"

For martial artists, rare medicines are either used for cultivation or as healing potions.

"Perhaps the Demon Slayer Bureau might directly provide the ointment for the Second Bone Forging; it’s worth a try."

Seeing Su Mu’s interest, Shi Feng seized the opportunity, "If Brother Su is interested, I can tell you more."

"Please do, Brother Shi."

Su Mu listened intently, and Shi Feng immediately began, "Currently, there are no demon beasts causing trouble in Qingyun County. In reality, assassins only hold a name at the Demon Slayer Bureau, so you can rest assured. They actually help the government capture and hunt notorious criminals. It’s said that some exceptionally skilled individuals may be specially recruited by the Demon Slayer Bureau and granted official status, though this rarely happens."

"But it’s dangerous... those wanted by the government are no easy prey; they’re all ruthless characters who gamble with their lives."

Shi Feng spoke solemnly.

Su Mu now understood; it was similar to bounty hunters. Though they bore the name of the Demon Slayer Bureau, the Demon Slayer Bureau in Qingyun County was virtually nonexistent.

In fact, they’re bounty hunters disguised under the Demon Slayer Bureau’s name to capture criminals for the government.

An assassin lives on the edge, gambling with life!

"If Brother Su is interested, you can go to the Demon Slayer Bureau on East Cyan Cloud Street to apply, but you must be cautious."

"Alright, I will consider it. Thank you, Brother Shi, for letting me know."

After chatting for a bit more, Shi Feng got up and left. Su Mu paced the courtyard, contemplating the matter of becoming an assassin. He quickly recalled conversations with profiteers.

The bone forging formulas were evidently all held by major powers. Someone with Su Mu’s background had few channels to acquire formulas or Eighth-Grade Martial Arts.

The mainstream paths to power for ordinary martial artists were all controlled by major powers!

It’s either saving for several years to try one’s luck at the black market or an auction, joining some faction or major power as a Honored Guest Elder, or joining the Cyan Cloud Army of the government; there are no other ways.

But all this means being constrained, and under a roof, one has to bow.

In comparison, being an assassin might be better.

"There is no free lunch in the world... moreover, capturing criminals is a form of cultivation; martial arts, after all, are killing techniques, and weapons are meant to draw blood!"

Killing villains wouldn’t cause Su Mu any psychological burden, and after slaying criminals, seizing their possessions would be a great gain, not to mention the rewards from the Demon Slayer Bureau, truly a win-win.

"The three long sabers for this month are completed. I’ll first check the black market in the next couple of days... plan afterwards."

Under the night sky, a figure reached the black market in the desolate mountains.

A man wearing a cyan wolf mask paused at a stall selling secret manuals, casually picking up a manual.

"If you are interested, sir, you may read the first three pages for free."

"Do you have any Eighth-Grade Martial Arts?"

The stall owner glanced at him and chuckled, "You’re joking, sir. Ninth-Grade Martial Arts are hard enough to come by. In Qingyun County, each major power treats Eighth-Grade Martial Arts as treasures, which they wouldn’t easily teach their disciples, let alone acquire them lightly."

"Moreover, even if someone got hold of them, selling them would only invite fatal trouble."

"I see."

Su Mu had already guessed the answer. He then changed his tone, "I have a few manuals to either sell or exchange for others."

"That’s acceptable."

Su Mu immediately handed over several manuals for the stall owner to inspect. After a quick review, the stall owner spoke, "I exchange manuals at eighty-one for one or trade four for six."

"You could sell my manuals for more, how about three hundred taels plus two manuals?"

The stall owner pondered briefly and agreed.

Su Mu quickly selected two manuals, one named ’Iron Whip Leg’ and the other ’Iron Sand Palm.’

The leg technique could fill the gap in Su Mu’s martial arts, and the Iron Sand Palm was a fierce palm technique that could be used in cultivating the Second Realm of the Vajra Body. Su Mu had no palm technique, making one leg and one palm just right.

The deal was concluded, and Su Mu pocketed the silver notes and manuals; as he stood, the sound of metal resonated softly from his body.

"Bone Forging Realm... that man is an Eighth-Grade Bone Forging Realm martial artist!"

After Su Mu deliberately revealed the metallic sound of Iron Bone, the greedy eyes in the black market quickly became terrified, pupils contracted, and they hurriedly averted their gaze in fear of attracting Su Mu’s attention.

Returning smoothly to Qingyun City, Su Mu took out the two newfound manuals at night to comprehend them.

Flipping through them several times took less than an hour.

Iron Whip Leg (Entry-level 1%)

Not long after.

Iron Sand Palm (Entry-level 1%)

With Su Mu’s terrifying comprehension of 36 points now, alongside perusing the secret manuals, in just under two hours, the two newly acquired Ninth-Grade Martial Arts both reached entry-level.

The following morning, Su Mu left the house on Yanque Street and turned into a desolate alley. After a series of crackling sounds, a cold-faced ’Li Feiyu’ emerged.

Shortly after, Su Mu walked along the bluestone pavement toward East Cyan Cloud Street.

A rundown old government office came into view; its red-painted door paint had long since peeled off, with half a door panel hanging crookedly, creaking in the wind.

The plaque above the door read: Demon Slayer Bureau.

...