Chapter 8

Hank revealed a fawning smile and pushed open the office door.

"Boss, it's me, Hank."

Vil followed closely behind, entering the office, where a faint smell of blood and hormones mixed together.

"Is it Hank? Good that you didn't disturb my mood. Speak, what's the matter?"

In the office, a muscular man with a bare upper body and a shiny bald head sat, his fierce aura making it clear he was no weakling.

"This is the new guy, Bai Ye, recommended by 'that person.' Here is the letter of recommendation."

The muscular man glanced at Su Xiao, took the letter, casually flipped through it, and then tore it up, his hand still wandering over the body of a seductive woman beside him.

"The initial price was 200,000 beli, but with recent events, the price is at least 400,000 beli."

Su Xiao's face remained smiling, but he was still very weak, so he had to temporarily hide his true feelings. Although he really wanted to shoot the muscular man and ask how many beli it would be.

He directly took out 400,000 beli and handed it to the muscular man without a word.

Su Xiao's straightforward approach made the muscular man raise an eyebrow.

"True to the style of 'those people,' generous indeed. From now on, you are a member of the guard. Remember to call me Boss or Sir."

Su Xiao continued to smile, but his smile had a strange feeling.

"Sure, Boss~."

Successfully joining the guard, this was a significant step toward his mission to assassinate the king.

Hank, standing to the side, kept his head down, his eyes fixed on the ground as if there was something interesting there.

In reality, it wasn't so. Hank was showing an attitude, meaning he hadn't seen his superior take a bribe.

This incident revealed how chaotic the pirate world was. With money, perhaps even higher positions could be bought, which was undoubtedly good news for Su Xiao.

Beli meant little to him; what he lacked most was time. Problems that could be solved with beli were no problem at all.

[Notice: The Hunter has joined the Guard faction. The plot has undergone a minor change, gaining 2.1% of the World's Source.]

Leaving the office, Su Xiao received the standard equipment of the guard: a uniform and a matchlock gun.

In the warehouse, Su Xiao looked at the crude matchlock gun in his hand, speechless, and then turned his gaze to Hank.

"Hank, can I change my weapon?"

Hank showed a difficult expression.

"Well, these are designated supplies, and I..."

The hesitant tone made Su Xiao realize that the guy in front of him was asking for a favor.

Without showing any emotion, Su Xiao slipped 30,000 beli into Hank's pocket, and Hank's expression changed, his face full of smiles.

"We are colleagues, and we can discuss any difficulties. Choose your weapon, but you can only choose one. This is a rule that no one can change."

Su Xiao put down the matchlock gun and started looking around the warehouse. There were various weapons, and soon his gaze settled on a long sword.

The sword was about a meter long, with a blade width of about three centimeters and a slight curve. Although it wasn't as good as Su Xiao's own sword, it was still a decent weapon.

"I'll take this one."

Su Xiao picked up the sword and sheathed it. As he touched the long sword, the Cycle Paradise immediately gave a notice.

"Hey, hey, you can take other weapons, but not this sword."

Hank's expression turned cold, as if he had never received the 30,000 beli.

"What do you mean?"

Su Xiao, holding the long sword, tilted his head and looked at Hank, his eyes flashing with a cold light. Constant tolerance would only make others see him as weak and easy to bully.

Hank noticed Su Xiao's gaze and was startled, a chill running through him.

This guy has killed before, and not just one person.

Hank's inner struggle intensified. He wanted to confront Su Xiao on the spot, but the sight of Su Xiao with a sharp blade made him very wary.

"Hank, don't worry about these things. We are 'friends,' right?"

Su Xiao pointed the hilt of the sword at Hank's chest.

Either take the money and keep quiet, or Su Xiao would kill Hank on the spot. There were only these two choices, as this long sword was crucial for his mission.

And Su Xiao wouldn't give up something he had already obtained just because of a little threat.

Su Xiao believed that even if he killed Hank, as long as he bribed the muscular man with enough money, the other party would turn a blind eye.

"This matter is known only to you and me. Consider this sword a token of friendship."

Hank warmly patted Su Xiao's shoulder, having compromised. The tense atmosphere in the warehouse dissipated.

"I just arrived in the capital today and need to understand some things, so I'm determined to make you my friend."

Su Xiao sighed inwardly. Dealing with a regular guard was already so difficult; what kind of enemies would he face when he got closer to the king?

This sense of challenge made Su Xiao's heart beat faster, his blood boiling. He began to enjoy this feeling.

The warrior spirit within him was gradually awakened.

The reason Su Xiao was so assertive was also due to a notice from the Cycle Paradise when he touched the long sword.

[Obtained: Zanryu Flash]

Zanryu Flash (White · Rare)

Origin: Pirate King, Steel Forge Blacksmith Shop

Durability: 35/40-5 (This weapon has suffered severe damage, reducing its durability by 5.)

Attack: 5~16 (Based on the strength of the slash)

Requirements: 2 Strength to use, 5 Strength to use flexibly.

Rating: 10 (Note: White equipment is rated from 1 to 10. White equipment rated 10 is marked as 'Rare' and has special attributes.)

Special Attributes: Dragon's Dignity. When holding this weapon, it will have an intimidating effect on enemies. (Intimidation effect reduces enemy morale.)

Description: This was the sword of the young Dragon Slayer Roronoa Zoro, but it suffered severe damage, reducing its quality. After Zoro obtained the black sword Kitetsu, this sword was kept in Zoro's bedroom. After Zoro's death, this sword was not considered worthy to be buried with him and was later lost.

Master, I am almost rusting. Where are you? Please wield me and cut down that dragon!

Price: 1100 Paradise Coins (This item is a rule item and can be taken out of the pirate world.)

...

Roronoa Zoro is a significant figure, a strong warrior in the pirate world. Even the current world's strongest swordsman, Mihawk, might not be stronger than him.

How could the sword of such a strong warrior in his youth be weak? Su Xiao even suspected that if this [Zanryu Flash] had not been damaged, it might have been a green or even a blue weapon.

This was why Su Xiao was willing to confront Hank to get this sword.

Fortunately, they didn't come to blows, and this fake 'friendship' could last for a while.

"You're lucky. This sword was seized from a group of pirates. Few people other than me know it's a treasure. If I knew how to use swords and the warehouse didn't have a strict rule against choosing a second weapon, I would have taken it long ago."

Su Xiao smiled but said nothing, just sheathing the Zanryu Flash at his waist.

With the sword, his combat power increased significantly, giving him some peace of mind.

"Let's go. Something big is happening in two days, and we won't be idle then."

Hank sighed, as if worried about something.

"What's happening? Give me a heads-up so I can prepare."

"In half a month, the World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons, will be inspecting the Goa Kingdom. So, the day after tomorrow, we have to 'clean up' the junkyard!"