"Junior Brother Jiang, this task might not be suitable for you," the deacon said with a bitter smile. "Three-star missions for students are generally not too difficult, but this one lacks clear information. Are you sure you don't want to change it?"
Jiang Chen shook his head. "No, I'll take this three-star mission."
"Alright," the deacon said. "The content of the mission is to go to the Huo family in Fenghuo City. The family seems to be in trouble and has requested assistance. However, the specifics are not mentioned in the task."
Seeing Jiang Chen's determination, the deacon didn't try to dissuade him further. Instead, he explained the mission details.
"Understood. I'll set off for Fenghuo City now," Jiang Chen replied.
After finalizing the mission, Jiang Chen didn't linger in the academy. He immediately set out for Fenghuo City.
---
Fenghuo City, one of the cities under Lingyun Mansion's jurisdiction, was located 800 miles northwest of Lingyun City.
Unlike Cangshan City, Jiang Chen's hometown, Fenghuo City had long been dominated by the Huo family. The family had acted as the city's overlords for many years.
Even with their power, the Huo family had now turned to Lingyun Martial Academy for help.
Clearly, the trouble they were facing this time wasn't something ordinary.
---
Half a day later, Jiang Chen reached the plains near Fenghuo City.
"Strange," he muttered, gazing at the outline of the city in the distance. "Fenghuo City is supposed to be as prosperous as Cangshan City. Why is the road so desolate?"
As he puzzled over this oddity, a sudden cry for help echoed nearby.
"Help! Please, help!"
Jiang Chen's brows furrowed, and he quickly moved toward the direction of the voice.
---
Not far ahead, he saw a group of warriors surrounding an old man and a young girl with murderous intent.
The old man was hunched over, carrying a tattered cloth bag on his back. He stood protectively in front of a girl, no older than fifteen or sixteen, who was trembling behind him.
The girl's pale face reflected sheer terror as the scene unfolded.
"Hahaha… Old man, stop screaming," sneered the leader of the group. "Tianlongzhai will soon conquer Fenghuo City and rule this entire area. Do you really think anyone will come to save you?"
He grinned wickedly. "Hand over your granddaughter to us, and maybe we'll let you live!"
Jiang Chen stood at a distance, observing the situation coldly.
The arrogant words of the black-clad man rang in his ears, filling him with disdain.
"Grandfather…" the girl whispered, her voice trembling with fear, as despair filled her wide, terrified eyes.
"You… You'll have to kill me before you lay a finger on my granddaughter!" the old man declared, standing firm. A fierce determination burned in his aged, cloudy eyes.
"Hmph! Old fool, I gave you a chance to live, and you spat on it!" snarled the man in black. His gaze turned cold as he raised his sword.
"In that case, I'll grant you death myself!"
The man in black swung his sword, aiming to pierce the old man.
---
Whoosh!
Just as the sword was about to strike the old man, a streak of sword energy sliced through the air.
The sharp blade of energy flashed past the neck of the black-clad man.
In an instant, blood sprayed into the air.
The man in black's head fell to the ground with a dull thud, severed cleanly by the swift and deadly sword energy.