"Slash! Slash! Slash!"
The flurry of spear shadows raked over Brother Lang, leaving countless tiny holes in his clothes. The ripping sound filled the air as his black garment turned into tattered rags, and he was sent flying backward in disarray.
"Spit!"
Brother Lang climbed to his feet, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Although Teng Qingshan had spared his life on Alex's orders, the spear strikes had inflicted severe internal injuries.
"I recognize you. You're from the Li family of the Yangzhou Salt Merchants."
Alex, holding a hunting knife, blocked the road with a wide grin. "You tried to cheat us out of the payment and, after paying, conspired with bandits to rob us. Is this how the Li family does business? Or is this someone else's idea? Speak up! Who sent you? If you cooperate, I might spare your life." Alex's sunny smile gave the impression of a benevolent saint, starkly contrasting with his earlier ruthless actions.
"Fine, I'll talk, just spare me!"
Brother Lang, seeing Alex's seemingly naive smile, felt a surge of cruel hope. He had encountered such fools before—like the naive disciple he once tricked and killed to gain a martial arts manual, which had brought him to his current status.
"See, isn't that better? Peace and harmony," Alex said with a smile, watching Brother Lang approach. Teng Qingshan, familiar with Alex's methods, found the scene peculiar but held his tongue.
"The person who ordered me was... was... you die!"
Brother Lang, now within striking distance, suddenly twisted his Coldblade upwards in a deadly arc aimed at Alex.
But Alex was faster. As Brother Lang shifted his blade, Alex's hunting knife descended, its edge meeting Brother Lang's right arm.
"Shhhk!"
A dull thud followed, and Brother Lang's severed arm, still gripping the Coldblade, hit the ground.
"Ahhh!"
Brother Lang screamed, clutching his bleeding stump, his terror mounting as he saw Alex's unchanging smile.
"Now, tell me why the bandits ambushed us and why you and your accomplice are here," Alex said calmly, sheathing his knife. He bent down, picked up the Coldblade, and began wiping it clean, his demeanor as friendly as ever.
In contrast, Brother Lang and Er Gouzi, trembling nearby, felt a growing dread. The sight of Alex meticulously cleaning the blade only intensified their fear.
"I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!"
Er Gouzi, the man with the triangular eyes, stammered, "It was all Brother Lang's idea! I'm just a messenger!" He sold out Brother Lang without hesitation.
"Brother Lang works for the Yangzhou Salt Merchants under Li Dalaiye. He was ordered to deal with you. The deal involved giving you 10,000 taels, but they intended to pocket it all. Brother Lang said he was supposed to get a cut, but now he's out 9,000 taels because of you. That's why he tried to kill you."
"I see."
Alex continued to polish the blade, not looking at the two captives. His indifference made them shiver more. Brother Lang was close to breaking from the fear.
Suddenly, a notification echoed in Alex's mind. "Reincarnator 111 completed the title task 'First Stage of the Slayer: Hundred Killings' (killed over 100 in this world). Kill value: 124 (Note: Upon leaving this world, kill value can be converted to main god points, one point per kill value)."
Another notification followed, "System Reminder: Congratulations, Host. 124 Luck Points have been credited. Current balance: 134 Luck Points."
"Killing to gain luck," Alex thought, recalling a concept from a novel he'd read. Killing could absorb the victim's luck, which explained why some villains grew stronger. However, it also incurred karmic consequences, which could eventually lead to downfall if unchecked.
"Brother Alex!"
Teng Qingshan's call interrupted Alex's thoughts. Looking up, he saw Teng Qingshan and the other hunters approaching.
"Qinghu, your smoke bombs were effective. Those bandits are all dead," Teng Yongfan said, leading a group of unharmed men.
"Mm."
Alex nodded, realizing the points he gained were likely from the bandits killed by his poison. He refocused on Brother Lang and Er Gouzi, who were trembling in fear.
"Master, we told you everything. Spare us, please!"
Brother Lang begged, clutching his bleeding arm. He had repeated the story for the others' benefit, explaining how Qin San, a vindictive man, had orchestrated the ambush after failing to cheat them.
Alex, wiping the Coldblade, looked up with a cold smile. "Well, then, let's see how the Li family deals with this," he said, deciding how to handle the situation.