Chapter 48: Remember to Leave a Good Review

Yuan Zhen’s expression shifted instantly; he immediately tossed aside the small wooden tablet in his hand, his arms aching from digging.

“I think that’ll work. Let’s just bring the teacher’s ashes back—so much easier. Then we can tell a moving, heroic story and spread word of our teacher’s greatness. After all, saying he died drunk on the roadside doesn’t exactly win much respect,” Yuan Zhen said, his mind working quickly. In a blink, he’d spun a new tale.

Feng Dian shook his head, replying earnestly, “I think we should say our teacher was attacked by a wild beast. How could we, as his students, just stand by? Under my leadership, we vanquished the terrifying beast. Sadly, our teacher was gravely wounded and passed away…”

“That’s good—better than mine,” Yuan Zhen agreed at once, pleased with Feng Dian’s suggestion. It not only praised their teacher but also gave them a chance to boast. What a brilliant idea.

Ye Kun could only feel that, even at ten years old, these two were already up to their necks in mischief. What would become of them once they grew up?

“Brother, how do you think we should handle the teacher’s body? Carrying him back as we are seems impossible,” Ye Qin said softly from the side, gazing at their teacher’s corpse. He felt truly sorry for the man—his wife had run off with someone else, and now he himself was gone. Hopefully, in his next life, he’d be reborn to better fortune.

Ye Kun was actually a bit puzzled. Why did he still have the strength of a child, yet his body was so tough, hard as steel? Had the system only transformed his body’s resilience, without enhancing his strength?

Sometimes what you want never comes, and what you don’t want sticks around no matter how you try to shake it off. How frustrating.

Though Yuan Zhen and the others were talking nonsense, one thing was practical—it was better to cremate the body.

Anything was better than letting it become food for wild beasts.

“Ye Kun, say something. Should we burn him or not? Either way, we’re done digging—no more strength left,” Feng Dian asked, turning to Ye Kun. It seemed that, in Feng Dian’s heart, Ye Kun was still their big brother.

Ye Kun sighed and said helplessly, “Let’s all go gather some dry wood and bring our teacher’s ashes back home.”

Hearing their big brother’s decision, Yuan Zhen and Feng Dian, fired up as if injected with adrenaline, hurried off to collect firewood. In their minds, they consoled themselves: You’re the one who decided to burn the teacher; we only suggested it. If anything goes wrong, Ye Kun will take the blame.

Meanwhile, at the edge of the Sunset Mountains—

Pan Pingping was lurking with a squad of men. Last night, he’d heard the news that a teacher from the training institute would be bringing students here to train. So he’d hastily thrown together a team of unreliable mercenaries—this backwater place could only offer such low-grade muscle.

No matter what, today he had to break that bald-headed brat’s leg to vent his pent-up anger.

“Boss, it’s almost night. Is the person you mentioned still coming? We’re getting impatient waiting here,” grumbled the leader of the mercenaries—a burly, fierce-looking man pushing forty, two hatchets strapped to his back. His appearance alone was intimidating.

Pan Pingping’s right hand was still wrapped in medicinal paste; that Thunderfist from last night had nearly crippled it. Such a deep-seated grudge could not be forgotten! The thought alone made his blood boil.

But come to think of it, even if they were slow, shouldn’t they have arrived by now? Could the intelligence have been wrong? Were they not coming to the Sunset Mountains after all?

“My friend, I doubt your target will show up,” a lean, sharp-faced man said, chewing on a twig, his tone unfriendly.

Pan Pingping, a young noble of some standing in Ankang Prefecture, was not about to let himself be lectured by these lowly mercenaries.

“I’m your employer! Do as you’re told—just keep waiting!” Pan Pingping had not told his father about today’s plan. It was his own idea. After all, his father had warned him just last night not to provoke Ye Kun for now—not while Old Wei still protected him. In a few years, when Old Wei was dead, he could do as he pleased.

A cold, elegant woman leaning against a tree spoke coolly, “If they’re not coming to the Sunset Mountains, would they dare venture into the Misty Forest? Young master, you’d best pay us the balance now. The mountains aren’t safe after dark.”

“Hmph! You useless, cowardly mercenaries! I have plenty of money—enough to buy your worthless lives!” Pan Pingping’s arrogance was astonishing, fueled by his fury at Ye Kun. After a day’s wait, he hadn’t even glimpsed the bald brat; it felt as if he’d been played for a fool once again.

Hearing this, the five mercenaries exchanged glances, their eyes lighting up. Clearly, this young master was wealthier than they’d imagined…

Perhaps it was time for a little side business.

“What are you doing? Don’t you dare! I’m warning you—if you lay a finger on me, my father will have you all torn to pieces!” Pan Pingping never imagined the men he’d hired would turn on him.

“Oh dear, we’re so very scared,” one of them mocked.

The cold woman said quietly, “All young masters are the same.”

The leader raised a hand, smiling. “Alright, don’t frighten our employer. Young master, these men are unruly—always killing their employers. As their boss, I try my best to discipline them, but it’s no use. What can I do?”

Now Pan Pingping was truly frightened. He’d snuck out today without his father’s knowledge. Now, even if he shouted for help, no one would come.

“What do you want from me?” he stammered.

The leader crouched beside him and patted his head. “Young master, how much do you think our worthless lives are worth?”

Pan Pingping instantly realized his mistake. His earlier insults had provoked them, and this was the result.

That damned bald brat—this was all his fault! Now he was in real danger, and he’d love nothing more than to stick a few green leaves on that bald head of his.

“Um, sir…?” Pan Pingping forced a smile, not knowing the man’s name.

The leader sighed. “Our employer doesn’t even remember our names. Clearly, we’ve disappointed you. I apologize, but I still hope you’ll leave us a positive review with the Mercenary Guild. It’s so hard to get promotions these days—good reviews are everything. Those who don’t give good reviews usually end up buried in the dirt.”

“I’ll do it! I’ll give you a five-star review! I know the guild’s managers personally—whatever needs doing, I’ll handle it!”

Sure enough, at these words, the five mercenaries fell silent for a moment. The thin man pulled the leader aside and whispered, “Boss, these simple jobs are a waste of time. If this guy can really get us what we want, it’s not a bad deal.”

“That’s true. But do you trust him?”

“No.”

“Exactly.”