Xu the Third and Xu the Fourth's facial muscles twitched for quite a while before they reluctantly accepted the reality with darkened faces.
Physician Feng's terms were indeed cruel, and even included a commitment to not back out for eternity, with the interest rates were ridiculously high...
However, the brothers, who were driven into a corner, had no other choice but to accept.
Having been through a lot together, the two fully understood that Feng Yin was already showing kindness by giving them a way to survive!
Having nothing to their names and no exceptional skills, the best course of action would be to throw them out to fend for themselves.
With one brother severely injured and the other's abilities as thin as paper, in the dire situation where they had almost no means to make a living, they could at most survive for ten days before succumbing to hunger and cold, leaving no trace behind.
In this world, ordinary manpower was the least valuable!
Despite their desolation, the brothers sighed in relief, their hearts filled with both humiliation and a touch of joy as they quickly signed the document, imprinted their handprints, and made commitments...
And then they comfortably settled into the wards in the backyard of the medical hall.
Then, to their surprise, they discovered blankets to cover themselves, and upon lying in bed, they couldn't help but express their relief with a sigh of satisfaction.
"What a heartless swindler..."
The brothers simultaneously sighed with great relief.
…
(2)
It wasn't out of kindness that Feng Yin decided to keep the brothers.
Feng Yin's compassion had already gone to the dogs as he gradually came to understand the chaos of this world.
After dinner, when he had nothing better to do, it was a good time to chat.
Xu the Fourth was examining his own Heavenly Judgment, feeling regretful. "Imagine if this gadget could not only take things out but also store our items, wouldn't it be wonderful? It feels like such a waste."
Xu the Third and Feng Yin both chuckled simultaneously.
You're dreaming.
Wouldn't that be like the storage space of legends? There are so many powerful moves in the Heavenly Judge, and it's already unimaginable that it can do what it does now.
If everyone had a storage space... Ha!
All he has to say was, that's a bit too ambitious... You can only dream of such things.
Feng Yin quickly ended Xu the Fourth's daydream.
"What are your real names? Surely, you can't just be called Xu the Third and Xu the Fourth?"
"How could that be? Of course, we have real names. 'The Third' and 'The Fourth' are just our family ranks…"
"Family ranks? Then, you must have at least two older brothers, Xu the First and Xu the Second, right?"
"More than just two older brothers, we also have a sister. But in our family, girls don't count in the male hierarchy. Our second and third sisters are older than our brothers, the Fifth and the Sixth, yet they are still known as the Fifth and the Sixth son..."
"Second sister, third sister? The Fifth and the Sixth? Your father, Mr. Xu, sure did a great job! Respect!"
"Oh? Sir, are you acquainted with our father?"
"No no, I don't know him. Anyway, let's get back to your actual names!"
"I'm called Xu Qingtian, and the Fourth is Xu Dadi."
Xu the Third spoke proudly, "These are the names we took upon ourselves once we started our journey in the martial world. An imposing name holds significance here, unlike at home. I call myself Whirlwind Blade, while the fourth is Snowflake Blade."
Self-proclaimed?!
Xu the Third has actually started to flaunt his literature skills?
Whirlwind Blade, Xu Qingtian…
Snowflake Blade, Xu Dadi…
Looking at those two unsophisticated faces that could bring their stomachs into view when they open their mouths wide…
Feng Yin's mouth twitched unconsciously and he suggested with some facial spasm, "I think I'll stick to calling you both Xu the Third and Xu the Fourth, it's just simpler."
"Suit yourself, it's all the same."
Seemingly recalling his identity as a martial artist, Xu the Fourth also started to speak in the same literary style.
"Oh, God..."
Feng Yin sighed.
...
"Does your Heavenly Judge organization... follow any particular guidelines? Are there any organization's secrets to be preserved?"
Feng Yin had been in this world for over ten years, always prudent, and beside himself, no one knew that he was a professional assassin.
However, the result of his low profile was: his information, knowledge, and understanding of the organization, were far less than that of others.
Because he never asked, even if he ever overheard something, he treated it as a bonus. If he didn't, he never demanded it.
He never intentionally investigated, let alone deliberately searched.
He paid attention to the Iron Rank mission updates every day, and if there was an appropriate mission, he would take it on and regardless of the outcome, he would return quietly.
Like a saying:
He who doesn't concern himself with matters beyond his window, focuses all his attention on honing the art of killing.
Feng Yin had the courage to take risks when he needed to, but he was also clear-headed and calm on when to lay low.
"Of course, the Heavenly Judge is free, how else could we have so many members?"
Xu the Third patted his chest, the place itched under the healing wound, a feeling that made him simultaneously uncomfortable and relieved.
"If you want to make money, you can work. If you wish not to, you don't have to. You can join freely, and you are free to leave whenever you wish. No one will stop you, there's no need to do anything specific. If you stop taking on missions, it is considered as graduation…"
"It's truly free, everything depends on your own abilities and choices."
"Revealing your identity is your choice, stringent confidentiality is also your choice. If you earn techniques or medicines, you're free to use or sell them, that's also a personal choice."
As Feng Yin heard these words, he thought deeply.
In light of this, he couldn't help but think of an occupation on Earth: an internet writer.
It also seemed to offer such freedom, and also had the feature of working when one wants to, and not when one doesn't...
With a whirlwind of thoughts, a horde of odd thoughts sprouted in his mind: Heavenly Judge assassin equals internet author?