Volume One, Chapter 15: Killing the Chicken

Jiang Buyue sighed deeply; he truly had not expected the young woman before him to possess such terrifying strength. Though it appeared to be a draw, in reality, he had lost. During their clash, Jiang Buyue had retreated over ten meters, even suffering a wound from the thunder at the tip of the spear, while Wang Xianglan had only stepped back a few meters before steadying herself, her sleeve slightly soiled. Had this been a real fight to the death, he would likely be the one lying on the ground now.

Glancing at his broken willowwood long knife, a wave of unease washed over Jiang Buyue. Could he possibly be responsible for compensating for this? In his experience, willowwood weapons were far beyond the means of someone as poor as himself. He guessed that the school's willowwood long knife was simply aged, hence its fragility.

“Jiang Buyue, are you alright?” Wang Xianglan approached him with an unexpectedly soft and gentle expression—quite the contrast to her fierce demeanor moments ago, as if she had seen the killer of a loved one.

Wiping the blood from his cheek, Jiang Buyue replied, “I’m fine. Class leader, you really surprised me just now.”

Wang Xianglan blushed and quickly retreated into the group of girls.

Meanwhile, several boys had gathered beside Jiang Buyue, cheering loudly.

“Jiang Buyue, you’re amazing!”

“Damn, that was badass!”

“Awesome!”

“Uh... is ‘awesome’ all you guys know how to say?”

The chubby boy squeezed into the crowd, excitement written all over his face. “Brother Yue, you were seriously too cool just now!”

Jiang Yiyun stood there, somewhat bewildered, glancing between Jiang Buyue and Wang Xianglan, wondering silently: “Could there be more classmates like them—wolves in sheep’s clothing, poised to shock everyone when they finally reveal their true strength?”

He found it plausible, very plausible. One such person might be a coincidence, but two? That seemed suspicious.

“They both must be near the peak of the Quasi-Warrior level,” Jiang Yiyun speculated inwardly.

Outside the school gates, the bustling traffic continued nonstop.

“Brother Yue, let’s hit the Summoner’s Rift!”

Jiang Buyue shook his head and waved him off. “Chubby, the college entrance exam is coming up soon. Better focus on preparing.”

The chubby boy shrugged indifferently. “After graduation, I’ll work at my dad’s company and carry on the family business!”

Jiang Buyue gave a silent expression, then said, “Forget I said anything.”

“Brother Yue, seriously no internet café? Just one night to have fun? I’ve been getting trashed by elementary schoolers for days!”

Jiang Buyue waved him off again.

***

Jiang Buyue didn’t have to wait long before the bus for Route 15 glided up. The destination was quite remote, and the bus was sparsely populated. He picked any seat and settled in.

Almost half an hour later, the bus stopped. An electronic female voice announced, “Tiansheng Slaughterhouse stop.”

The Tiansheng Slaughterhouse was his former part-time workplace.

He needed to find a way to earn some Kill Points; seeing all the good items in the shop but being unable to get them left him itching inside.

The slaughterhouse was the perfect solution—he could both gain Kill Points and earn money.

The wages were relatively high, two hundred Huaxia yuan per day, yet few dared to work there because of the dirty, chaotic environment and inherent dangers.

With the resurgence of spiritual energy, even seemingly harmless poultry held the risk of mutating into first-tier beasts, which only warriors could confront.

None of this worried Jiang Buyue. Though he might not be able to win in a fight, he was confident he could outrun any threat.

Inside the workshop, a busy scene unfolded.

[Ding! You have slaughtered a chicken, earning 1 Kill Point. Current Kill Points: 2.]

[Ding! You have slaughtered a chicken, earning 1 Kill Point. Current Kill Points: 3.]

[Ding!...]

Though Jiang Buyue had never slaughtered a chicken before, his muscle memory quickly adapted.

Half the night passed swiftly.

[Ding! Current Kill Points: 153.]

Since he was working part-time, only the first half of the night, he earned one hundred Huaxia yuan.

At eleven p.m., the streets were deserted, silent.

Jiang Buyue’s old district did not sparkle with the dazzling neon lights of the city center; it was already fast asleep.

Wearing a white shirt, he ran along the dimly lit street, flickering street lamps illuminating his way.

With 60 points in constitution and 60 in agility, he had covered twenty kilometers in half an hour.

Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, he sat on a bench by the roadside, catching his breath and opening the system panel.

[Shadow Step: Perfected (1.4%)]

“Twenty kilometers just raised it by 0.4%,” Jiang Buyue muttered to himself.

After a short rest, he stood to head home.

[Ding! You have slain an ant, earning 0.1 Kill Point. Current Kill Points: 153.1.]

***

Jiang Buyue paused, looking down to see a neat line of ants marching past his feet.

A mischievous smile curled on his lips.

[Ding! You have slain an ant, earning 0.1 Kill Point. Current Kill Points: 153.2.]

[Ding...]

A typical ant colony numbered between 500 and 2,000 ants. Slaying one ant earned 0.1 Kill Point, so taking out a whole nest could net at least 50 Kill Points.

In Jiangnan Base City’s Central District, the streets were alive with traffic, dazzling lights, and blinking neon—a stark contrast to the quiet old district.

This was the city’s most prosperous area.

The Jiangnan Base City Martial Artists Association building, the Law Enforcement Department building, and the Global Trade Center—three towering, iconic skyscrapers reaching toward the stars.

Most shops here were open twenty-four hours a day.

Inside a store, Jiang Buyue spent a thousand Huaxia yuan buying a backpack full of insect powder and spray, wincing at the cost.

He placed the items into his spatial ring, preparing to leave when he suddenly spotted a familiar figure.

It was the chubby boy!

Beside him was a strikingly beautiful woman with emerald eyes and flowing golden hair.

The two entered a hotel exuding romantic charm and elegance—it was clearly a couples’ hotel.

Chubby was checking in!

Jiang Buyue wondered if the fool was being set up for a honey trap.

After considering, Jiang Buyue followed them into the hotel.

The receptionist blocked his way.

“Miss, I’m just going upstairs to buy a condom; my room is already booked,” Jiang Buyue said calmly, without embarrassment.

The receptionist looked skeptical. Such a handsome young man—how could she not recognize him? And he seemed so young; was he even of age?

Jiang Buyue produced his ID card.

“Miss, I’m of age. My girlfriend is upstairs.”

The way he addressed the receptionist as “Miss,” combined with his handsome face, softened her stance. She asked no more and let him up.

As Jiang Buyue’s back disappeared from view, the receptionist sighed wistfully, “Such a handsome young man. Why do I never meet anyone like him?”

At that moment, a breathtakingly beautiful figure entered the hotel.