"Six months ago, a ferocious monster appeared outside my city of Fengtian. It has claimed countless lives since its arrival. My City Lord’s Mansion has joined forces with several experts to surround and annihilate it multiple times, but each attempt has failed, resulting in heavy casualties. Just yesterday, another hundred people lost their lives to this beast. That is why I have come to you today..."
As he reached this point, Bai Chen stood up, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply. "I know that Senior Zhong, who resides at the Lin Family, is a man of many affairs and should not be disturbed. But we are truly at our wits' end. I hope you, Patriarch Lin, can put in a good word for us and see if you can persuade Senior Zhong to rid us of this beast."
Upon hearing this, Lin Hanyi rarely frowned. Had it been anyone else, he would have refused point-blank. But today’s request was clearly different, and he was well aware of the monster outside the city; if nothing else, members of his own Lin Family had perished in its jaws.
"I cannot make decisions on behalf of Senior Zhong," Lin Hanyi said after careful deliberation. "The most I can do is ask him for you. Whether he agrees or not, I cannot say."
Bai Chen’s face lit up with joy at these words.
"Thank you, Patriarch Lin! If that senior is unwilling, I will certainly not pester him further and will seek another way!" Bai Chen replied.
"That is fair."
Lin Hanyi then stood up and headed toward the back courtyard where Zhong Qing resided.
"Greetings, Senior Zhong." Even while still outside the courtyard, Lin Hanyi bowed respectfully.
Zhong Qing was busy walking his bird. Seeing Lin Hanyi, he smiled slightly. "Patriarch Lin, there is no need for such formalities. May I ask what brings you to me so suddenly?"
"I do indeed have a matter I would like to ask for Senior Zhong’s help with."
Walking up to Zhong Qing, Lin Hanyi got straight to the point and relayed everything Bai Chen had entrusted to him.
"Oh? A monster, you say?"
Zhong Qing was still contemplating whether to accept when, suddenly, the system sounded.
*"Random mission issued: Please eliminate the monster outside Fengtian City. A mysterious reward awaits."*
**Chapter 26: In This World, Being an Ordinary Person is the Hardest**
"Oh?"
"A mysterious reward."
He had always been a man of great curiosity. This mysterious reward piqued his interest immediately. What mattered most was that, lately, this damn system had seemed increasingly reliable.
"Patriarch Lin, this monster has harmed countless people. Since I have encountered it, it is only natural to remove such a scourge for the sake of the people," Zhong Qing said, smiling at Lin Hanyi. "I shall make a trip out there tomorrow morning."
"Thank you, Senior Zhong!"
Lin Hanyi was overjoyed. After taking his leave from Zhong Qing, he quickly carried the good news back to Bai Chen.
"It is truly wonderful that Senior Zhong is willing to take action!"
Bai Chen’s face was filled with excitement as he finally breathed a sigh of relief. "I shall return now to make preparations and come to escort Senior Zhong tomorrow morning."
After parting ways with Lin Hanyi, Bai Chen returned to the City Lord’s Mansion to make arrangements.
Early the next morning, led by Bai Chen, the City Lord’s Mansion arrived at the Lin Family estate with a large entourage. While the City Lord’s Mansion was making their preparations, the news that Zhong Qing would be eliminating the monster today had spread like wildfire throughout Fengtian City.
Consequently, by the time Bai Chen arrived at the Lin Family gate, people from all walks of life in Fengtian City had gathered there, including, without exception, the heads of all the other major families.
"I hear the expert from the Lin Family is going out of the city to slay the monster today."
"Indeed, indeed! Before, the servants had only felt the aura released by his attendants in the taverns, but we have never actually seen him strike."
"That’s true. Even though his attendant’s aura is real, who knows if he himself is a dragon or a worm?"
"We shall see soon enough."
When Zhong Qing appeared at the Lin Family’s main gate, he was taken aback by the spectacle. The street was so packed with onlookers that not even a drop of water could pass through, and among them were many ordinary commoners.
Just then, an old woman carrying a basket walked forward and knelt directly before Zhong Qing.
"Immortal, oh Immortal, please, you must help our Fengtian City eradicate this plague and avenge my son!"
The old woman knelt on the ground, weeping uncontrollably.
"Yes, Immortal, please, you must help us get rid of this disaster!"
"My daughter was also cruelly slaughtered by that beast."
"Please, Immortal, you must help us!"
Following the old woman, more ordinary people knelt in succession, pleading with sincere devotion. As they kowtowed and begged, these commoners began offering things from their hands: some held scraps of silver and copper coins wrapped in coarse cloth, some held baskets of eggs, and some held insoles with floral patterns sewn stitch by stitch by the elderly themselves. There was a motley collection of all sorts of humble items.
Looking at this group of lowly, ordinary people and at the items being offered—so plain they could not be plainer—Zhong Qing, who had long since integrated into this world of cultivation, felt a momentary trance.
To him, this was merely a trip down the mountain with his disciples, a simple matter of slaying a monster to obtain a system reward. But to these ordinary, simple people, it meant revenge, or perhaps the return of a peaceful and stable life.
Ah! Indeed! Of all things in this world, being an ordinary person is always the hardest!
"Rest assured, I will not let you down."
Zhong Qing lifted his hand, and a gentle force helped the commoners to their feet.
"Thank you, Immortal!"
Seeing that Zhong Qing had agreed, the crowd was ecstatic, their enthusiasm bordering on fanaticism as they insisted on offering their gifts.
"My good people, there is no need for these. Please, take them back," Zhong Qing declined.
"Immortal, please, you must accept them."
"Yes, yes, if you do not, our hearts will not be at ease."
Seeing their unyielding enthusiasm, Zhong Qing offered a troubled smile. He reached into the basket of the first old woman who had approached and pulled out a steamed white bun.
"This bun is enough."
Zhong Qing took a light bite, offered a hearty laugh, bade farewell to the commoners, and finally walked toward Bai Chen.
"I am Bai Chen, the Lord of Fengtian City. It is an honor to meet you, Senior Zhong."
Bai Chen hurried forward and bowed respectfully.
"City Lord Bai, you are too kind," Zhong Qing said with a faint smile.
"It is only right that a senior is willing to slay the monster for our Fengtian City," Bai Chen said, bowing his head. "Please, Senior, board the carriage."
With that, Bai Chen gestured in the direction of the transport.
When Zhong Qing saw the carriage, he was slightly startled. To welcome him, Bai Chen had prepared eight Horned Dragon Horses, each possessing a cultivation level in the Xiantian Realm, arranged in perfect order to pull an extremely luxurious palanquin. In the center of the palanquin was a soft couch embroidered with floral patterns, and in front of it sat an array of gourmet delicacies and fruits. Surrounding the couch, beautiful women played the zither and the flute. Behind the carriage followed two long columns of two hundred city guards, dressed in black armor and holding long spears.
Initially, Zhong Qing had not wanted to be so high-profile. He had intended to simply go over and finish off the monster. But, catching the nervous look in Bai Chen’s eyes, he decided not to disappoint such good intentions.
With a faint smile, he replied, "Very well."
As Zhong Qing gave his consent, the grand procession set off toward the outskirts of the city.
Not long after, the massive group arrived at a spot fifty miles outside the city.
At this point, Bai Chen, also clad in armor, came before Zhong Qing, cupped his hands respectfully, and said, "Senior, that monster haunts this area."
"Hmm."
Zhong Qing nodded, leapt lightly, and descended from the carriage.
From the moment he stepped into this area, he felt the environment shift. The trees were twisted, and the rocks were strange and jagged. The air was filled with a violent, chaotic aura.
"Do you happen to know the exact cultivation level of this monster?" Zhong Qing asked.
"This... my apologies..."
Bai Chen said with a look of shame, "Everyone who has actually seen the monster’s true face is dead. I have only caught a glimpse of it from afar and cannot determine its aura."
"I see."
Zhong Qing nodded. It seemed he would have to investigate for himself.
Just as he was about to instruct the others to wait where they were so he could enter alone, a heaven-shaking roar suddenly erupted from the mountain forest in the distance. The crowd instinctively looked up. A three-headed wolf, dozens of meters long, soared into the sky, colliding with two brilliant rays of sword light.
Instantly, the mountain forest roared, emitting a sound like a major earthquake.
"What a terrifying disturbance."
"Is someone already fighting the monster?"
Bai Chen asked, his voice trembling with shock.
Zhong Qing nodded, his expression remaining calm as he looked up at the battle in the distance.
"Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom..."
The roaring continued. But those two streaks of sword light, as brilliant as they were, seemed ineffective against the three-headed wolf, instead being forced into a steady retreat by the beast’s violent attacks.
Finally, after another series of collisions, the masters of the two sword lights transformed into two streaks of light and were sent flying, crashing into the forest like cannonballs.
**Chapter 27: Is This Kid Naive?**
"Have those two been defeated?"
Bai Chen said, his face turning pale. He felt even more nervous inside, for even from watching the battle, it was clear the monster’s strength was even more terrifying than he had estimated.
However, the masters of the two sword lights did not perish from the impact. After crashing into the forest, they quickly transformed back into two streaks of light and shot upward. Once in the air, they seemed to deploy some kind of treasure, causing a dense fog and smoke to envelop the entire space around the three-headed wolf.
This thick smoke and fog seemed capable of blocking not only the wolf’s vision but also its unique senses, causing it to spin around in confusion. Taking advantage of this gap, the masters of the sword lights retreated, fleeing in the direction where Zhong Qing and the others were waiting.
Zhong Qing finally caught a clear look at the two figures: they were two women, one in a white dress and one in a cyan dress. The woman in white had a cold, ethereal expression, radiating a haughty air that could not be profaned. The woman in cyan looked younger, with a cute face that still held a hint of youthful naivety.
Though they looked somewhat disheveled from the battle, they could not hide their beauty. In fact, their tattered clothing added an unconventional charm to their appearance. Both women were of the highest class.
"Ladies, please, stay your steps."
Seeing them, Zhong Qing could not help but send a voice transmission.
The two women, fleeing at high speed, naturally spotted Zhong Qing and his group. The woman in white, leading the way, furrowed her brow immediately. "What are you doing here?"
"To be honest, I came here to eradicate this monster. I had just arrived when I saw your battle with it," Zhong Qing said truthfully.
However, hearing this, the two women’s brows furrowed even deeper.
"Sister, where did this flashy guy come from? Bringing a bunch of ragtag rabble to try and kill this wolf?" the girl in cyan said, frowning. "Even if you want to put on a show and act tough, there's a time and place. Why make it so flashy? No true expert would ever do this."
"If he wants to put on a show for himself, that's one thing, but isn't he just leading people to their deaths?"
The woman in white also glanced at the entourage next to Zhong Qing—the flashy palanquin, the musicians playing zither and flute, and the group of uneven family patriarchs. The city guards, who looked slightly more presentable, were in reality nothing but fragile vases that would likely shatter at a single swipe of the wolf’s claws.
"You are no match for that wolf. While we have temporarily trapped it with our Spirit-Soul Fog, you should leave quickly. In half a quarter of an hour, the fog will dissipate, and you won't be able to leave even if you want to."
The woman in white said, her expression emotionless.
"How can we know we aren't a match before we have even fought?" Zhong Qing couldn't help but laugh. "May I ask, what is the exact cultivation level of that wolf?"
"I offer you good advice, yet you refuse to listen. You are truly ignorant. You insist on leading so many people to their deaths."
Seeing that Zhong Qing would not take her advice, the woman in white’s delicate face showed a hint of indignation. She said coldly, "That wolf is at the Mid Moon Profound Realm. This cultivation level should be enough to make you give up!"
"What?"
"Mid Moon Profound Realm?"
"Run! Run quickly!"
Upon hearing the woman’s words, the family heads who had come to watch the show turned pale with fear, their bodies trembling as they prepared to flee. For them, such a level of power was unimaginable; a mere flick of energy from its claws could crush them to dust.
Bai Chen’s face also twisted in gravity. He looked at Zhong Qing, his expression heavy. "Senior Zhong, what should we do? Flee or fight?"
"If we flee, we retreat now. If we fight, I and my city guards will support you with all our might. We can draw the beast’s attention to create an opening for you."
Clearly, even Bai Chen, who had been full of confidence, was losing heart. Although Heibai had revealed that Zhong Qing possessed Moon Profound Realm strength, they didn't know exactly what level, and Zhong Qing's true power remained a mystery. Furthermore, due to the constitution and savagery of monsters, humans of the same level were usually no match for them. To reliably kill a Mid Moon Profound Realm wolf, one would typically need a human expert at the Late Moon Profound Realm. It wasn't that he looked down on Zhong Qing, but this wolf was simply too strong.
However, just as he waited nervously for Zhong Qing’s decision, he found Zhong Qing patting his shoulder with a smile. "City Lord Bai, relax. There is no need for such worry."
Because the Heavenly Eye had a limited range and the wolf had been fighting far away, Zhong Qing hadn't been able to accurately assess its cultivation level through his aura or the eye earlier. Of course, he had used the Heavenly Eye on the two women and seen they were at the peak of the Star Profound Realm, so he had already guessed the wolf was likely in the Moon Profound Realm. Asking them was merely to confirm it.
The woman in white’s answer confirmed his hypothesis. At this level, it was simple—it would likely take just one finger. Of course, if the wolf were stronger than he expected, he wouldn't be afraid either. Having signed in for so many years, he was still hiding a few trump cards. Just a few, of course.
"Thank you, ladies."
Zhong Qing bowed to the two women in mid-air, then turned to Bai Chen. "City Lord Bai, please wait here for a moment. I shall return shortly."
With that, Zhong Qing stood with his hands behind his back and slowly stepped into the air, heading straight toward the wolf’s location.
"This guy, he won't listen to advice? Is he going to force his way into a death trap?"
"Why is he so ignorant?"
Seeing Zhong Qing insist on his own way, the girl in cyan furrowed her brow. "Even the two of us working together weren't a match for it. Can he fight that wolf alone? Isn't this just a naive kid throwing his life away?"
The woman in white said nothing, but her pupils tightened as she stared at Zhong Qing heading toward the monster.
Zhong Qing flew into the sky above the mountain valley. Looking down at the lingering mist, he waved his hand lightly. The mist dispersed instantly, leaving the valley clear. The three-headed wolf, its six crimson eyes flashing, revealed its true form.
The wolf immediately caught Zhong Qing’s scent.
"Heh heh, I didn't expect that after those two human women ran off, another human kid would deliver himself to our doorstep. Brothers, it seems we can have another full meal!"
One of the wolf’s heads spoke in a sinister voice.
"Indeed, brothers. And this human kid has such tender skin; he looks like he’ll taste delicious!" another head chimed in.
"Tell me, how did a Moon Profound Realm monster end up running around in a place like this?"
Zhong Qing ignored their comments and questioned them instead. A place like Fengtian City was, in the grand scheme of the Eastern Region, quite remote. Normally, a monster of this level wouldn't appear here.
"Want to know? Once you are inside our bellies, you'll find out naturally!" One of the wolf heads let out a playful laugh, opening its gaping maw to engulf Zhong Qing.
"Since you don't want to talk, then don't ever speak again."
Faced with the wolf’s attack, Zhong Qing did not hold back. But because the creature was so repulsive, he didn't even want to touch it. He casually plucked a leaf from a tree and flicked it lightly.
**Chapter 28: The System’s Reward, Right to the Heart**
The leaf drifted past.
The snarling, baring-toothed three-headed wolf was instantly sliced in two by the leaf, then crashed heavily into the mountain forest.
This was the terror of the "Same-Level Suppression" effect! Anyone, or any creature, at the same cultivation level or below could be wiped out by any action he chose to take. It was a strategy centered on saving time and effort!
Zhong Qing looked calmly at the three-headed wolf, which had already lost all traces of life, and stood with his hands behind his back.
*"Congratulations to the host for completing the mission to slay the three-headed wolf."*
*"The host is rewarded with a small world, one mile in radius. The small world can hold any items, including living beings. The host himself can enter it at will. The small world functions exactly like the real world."*
"Oh? A small world, you say?"
Hearing the system's voice, Zhong Qing’s face lit up with pleasure. This damn system was indeed becoming more and more reliable! A portable small world like this might seem useless, but its practical value was immense. Especially since it could hold living beings and he could enter and exit at will, it truly reached the very core of what he desired.
Was this small world not equivalent to his own private backyard?
Not only that, but if he ever encountered anything truly dangerous—even the end of the world—he could just shrink into his small world and let the outside world collapse however it liked. Was there any defensive artifact more formidable than this?
In that very moment, Zhong Qing already began planning many things. If nothing else, he could move the countless sacks of cultivation manuals and the divine weapons that were overflowing his storage room entirely into his small world. Then, he could build some small structures inside to make it his own garden. It would be absolutely wonderful.
And while Zhong Qing was immersed in the joy of his system reward, the onlookers were left in stunned silence.