Chapter 27

The burly man clenched the gold coin, accepting the commission. As mercenaries who lived on the edge of life and death, they earned their living by risking their lives. As long as the reward was substantial, they would accept the mission without hesitation, even if there was only a one percent chance of success. As for the consequences... for people who lived from day to day, this was not something they needed to consider.

Besides, the young guy was alone and not particularly strong.

"We'll go prepare first, hurry up," the four mercenaries at the table left one after another, dispersing into the surrounding forest as if by chance.

The burly man shouldered his large saber and walked toward Tang Yan, who was leaving the city gate: "I heard you call out just now... are you the young master of the Tang family?"

Tang Yan was deep in thought about how to get in, and he casually replied, "What's it to you?"

"If it's just idle talk, then it's none of my business. But if you are really the young master of the Tang family, we can reach a mercenary agreement." The burly man grinned, looking very honest.

"Hmm? Can you help me?" Tang Yan looked up.

"On the condition that... you are really the young master of the Tang family."

"I am!" Tang Yan affirmed.

"Hehe, that makes things easier. If you're willing, we can reach a mercenary agreement right now. You pay me the commission, and I'll help you get into Divine Spring Town."

"Tell me your plan first." Tang Yan was somewhat interested but also skeptical.

The burly man lowered his voice, "There are other entrances to Divine Spring Town, guarded by the army. I know one of the guards there."

"Are you kidding? A guard can let me in?"

"Of course not, but I can ask him to find the Tang family members you need inside. If you are really the young master of the Tang family, won't all the problems be solved?"

"Alright!" A glint of determination flashed in Tang Yan's eyes.

"Alright, but what about my commission?"

"As long as I can get in, any amount of gold is fine."

"Good, please." The burly man smiled in satisfaction, extending his hand to invite Tang Yan into the forest.

"Are you sure that's Tang Yan?" Zhou Linglu, who had received the news, quietly came to the city gate, gazing at Tang Yan's back, which seemed somewhat familiar, but... how could he have crossed the forest?

"He has been verified, it's Tang Yan." A subordinate respectfully responded.

"He can't possibly cross the forest alone. Ren Tiancang might be around. Be careful, don't mess things up."

"Don't worry, everything is arranged. Let the mercenaries handle it first. If Ren Tiancang isn't following, they are enough to kill Tang Yan, and we won't be directly involved, so we can deny everything. If Ren Tiancang is really around, these mercenaries can lure him out, and we can take the opportunity to act."

Zhou Linglu nodded lightly and instructed, "Inform Uncle Hua, Tang Yan is here! Gather all the searchers here and continue the plan."

As everyone began to move, Tang Yan, who was about to enter the forest, suddenly stopped. His gaze swept over the forest and the surrounding mercenary groups and taverns, searching for something.

The burly man turned and asked, "Why aren't you moving?"

In his previous life, Tang Yan often dealt with tomb raiders, making him cautious and careful. He had let his guard down due to excitement earlier, but now, as he calmed down, he wondered if the group of white-robed trackers were also nearby. He had exposed his identity to enter the city, and they might have noticed.

The more he thought about it, the more alert he became. "Where is the entrance you mentioned?"

"It's right ahead, at the second peak. What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

"Divine Spring Town is such an important place, shouldn't it have only one entrance?"

"There is only one main gate, but there are several other entrances, all heavily guarded."

Tang Yan stared intently at the burly man, looking directly into his eyes, and slowly backed away.

"Kid, where are you going?" The burly man feigned surprise, but his eyes became noticeably sharper.

These subtle changes did not escape Tang Yan's keen observation. His suspicions grew, and he took a few more steps back, then turned to a heavily made-up middle-aged woman, "Miss, hello, can I ask you a question?"

The woman smiled sweetly at the sweet call, "What is it, little brother?"

"Are there many entrances to Divine Spring Town?"

The woman glanced at the burly man and smiled, "How could there be many entrances? If there were, wouldn't everyone just go through them instead of crowding here? Amra, don't deceive the little kid."

Just then, Tang Yan's peripheral vision finally caught the presence he had been wary of—white-robed figures! They flashed by, quickly heading into the forest, occasionally glancing back at him.

"Meddling in other people's business!" The burly man coldly snorted, his amiable demeanor completely gone. He lunged forward, his large hand swiftly grabbing for Tang Yan's throat. "Come with me!"

Tang Yan's body swayed slightly, easily evading the grab, leaving only a faint afterimage on the spot.

"Huh?" The burly man was slightly surprised, had he missed?

Tang Yan appeared five meters away, looking warily at the noisy crowd, and turned to run toward the city gate.

The woman giggled, "Can't even catch a kid, you're both slow and clumsy, Amra, aren't you ashamed?"

"Stop right there!" Amra roared, charging forward, the ground rumbling with each step, causing a slight tremor.

The noisy mercenaries around them fell silent, casting curious glances. When they saw Amra chasing a little beggar, they all wore mocking smiles. Some continued with their own business, while others brought benches and poured drinks to watch the show.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Amra charged, each step causing the ground to tremble, the tremors spreading like ripples, rushing toward Tang Yan.

Tang Yan, unprepared for the sudden ripples and wrinkles on the ground, stumbled and fell awkwardly.

"I wanted to bury you quietly, but since you're asking for it, don't blame me!" Amra charged, his massive saber cleaving the air with the force of a thunderbolt, aiming straight for Tang Yan.

But Tang Yan was more agile than Amra expected. He rolled and sprang up, narrowly avoiding the powerful saber. Boom! The saber struck the ground, causing it to tremble violently, sending debris flying.

"Haha! Amra, aim better next time!" The mercenaries burst into laughter, mocking Amra.

Tang Yan looked at him coldly, "You revealed yourself so quickly, you're really stupid!"

"Brat, you've made me angry!!" Amra, both ashamed and angry, stomped his feet, sending a powerful shockwave toward Tang Yan. "Martial Skill, Earth Spike Wave!"

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Three sharp spikes burst from the ground, shooting diagonally toward Tang Yan.

"Martial Skill, Shadow Step!" Tang Yan's face was grim, and with a low roar, his body shifted half a meter in an instant, successfully avoiding the spikes.

The powerful spikes collided in mid-air, sending a cloud of dust into the air.

"Huh? Just now..." The mercenaries nearby raised their eyebrows, somewhat surprised. Even the lazy officer in the shade lifted his eyes, curiously observing Tang Yan.

"Tang Ying!!" Tang Yan roared toward Divine Spring Town, trying to draw attention, while simultaneously dodging to the side. His spiritual energy surged, gathering in his right eye. If necessary, he was ready to use the Eye of Annihilation.

"Today, no one can save you! Die!" Amra was furious, having failed repeatedly in front of hundreds of mercenaries. A third-stage Martial Spirit being unable to handle a mere Martial Master? If this news spread, his reputation would be ruined.

"Tang Ying!! Come out!! It's me, Tang Yan!!" Tang Yan roared and dodged.

"Tang your head!!" Amra charged from the side, stomping the ground, causing it to tremble. His saber cleaved the air, and the Earth Spike Wave worked in tandem, determined to kill Tang Yan.

Shadow Step!! Tang Yan roared in his mind, his feet digging into the ground, spiritual energy surging to his legs. His lean figure shot into the air, narrowly avoiding the attack, but... hiss, the saber's edge still left a deep, bone-deep wound on his back.

Everyone at the city gate fell silent, their expressions somewhat strange. This kid's movements were peculiar? He managed to dodge Amra's fierce attack again? Once or twice could be luck, but three or four times was not so simple.

Tang Yan landed, but the searing pain in his back made him kneel, beads of cold sweat appearing on his forehead. So close! If he had been off by even a fraction, his body would have been split in two.

Shadow Step? Shadow Step!! Practicing this martial skill for nine days on foot was the right decision.

"Amra, what are you doing?!" The four mercenaries, who had been waiting, rushed over upon hearing the commotion, only to see the two fighting.

A Martial Spirit fighting a Martial Master? A battle with no suspense had taken an unexpected turn.

"Stop!!" The officer at the city gate suddenly shouted, slowly standing up. This kid was unusual, not just because of his peculiar and somewhat familiar movements, but because he still shouted the Tang family's name toward Divine Spring Town in the most dangerous moment.

This irrational scene aroused his suspicion.

"This is none of your business, don't meddle!!" Amra waved his hand, and the four mercenaries charged at Tang Yan.

Shadow Step!! Tang Yan roared, his body flashing, leaving a trail of faint afterimages, narrowly avoiding the two on either side. But as a Martial Master, facing the combined attack of four Martial Spirits, his fate was sealed.

In an instant, two of them surrounded him, a web of lightning enveloping him.

"I said... stop!!" At the critical moment, the officer appeared in the battle circle, his right hand shaking, sending a powerful shockwave that shattered the dense web of lightning, sending the two charging mercenaries flying with cries of pain.

Whoosh!! The surrounding mercenaries were stunned, their eyes fixed on the officer with a mix of shock and awe.

Tang Yan panted heavily, regaining his composure, and fled to the side. But at that moment, a series of rapid hoofbeats echoed from the forest, and three unicorns galloped toward the city gate at breakneck speed. The lead middle-aged man kept shouting, "Move, everyone move!! Open the gate, we are mentors from the Giant Elephant Academy! Open the gate!!"