Sweeping Through Demons with the System Chapter 009: Going on a Killing Spree

"Do we really need this much silver? Can we reduce it a bit?"

"Little brother, too many people want to join the gang. Once you're in, you can learn martial arts and even get a monthly allowance. The price is already fair."

"Hmm... I'll gather enough silver first, then," Lu Shaolin said with a bitter smile.

"Alright, little brother, come find me once you've gathered the silver. I'm usually around here," the pimp replied, his smile unwavering.

"Hmm," Lu Shaolin nodded before turning to leave.

No need to visit the other brothels; they're probably the same.

Gathering twenty taels of silver brought another bitter smile to Lu Shaolin's face. Hunting was his only option.

The pimp might not look reliable, but Lu Shaolin had no other choices.

If the pimp took his twenty taels and failed to get him into the gang, he'd pay with his life. If he could join, the silver would be worth it.

A merciless glint flashed across Lu Shaolin's eyes. Gripping his spear tightly, he made his way toward Spring Flower Street's exit.

Back at the inn, only four or five tables were still occupied, their guests continuing to drink and revel.

"Ah, sir, you're back!" the innkeeper noticed Lu Shaolin and greeted him.

"Hmm, innkeeper, could you send up some hot water later? I'd like to take a bath," Lu Shaolin responded, nodding with a smile.

"Of course, we'll have it sent up to you shortly."

"Thank you!" With his hands clasped in a slight bow, Lu Shaolin then made his way up the stairs.

Upon entering his room, Lu Shaolin leaned his spear against the bed's side, as was his habit, and then lay down to rest.

Soon, a knock sounded at the door.

A waiter came in with the hot water.

Following a thoroughly refreshing bath, Lu Shaolin comfortably drifted into sleep.

...

Early the next morning, Lu Shaolin made his way back to Panshan Village.

In the kitchen, he set a pot of rice to steam and stewed a pot of wolf meat.

After eating to his satisfaction, he picked up his spear, preparing to head into the mountains for a hunt. Just as he was about to leave, a "bang" resounded—the courtyard door was violently kicked open.

A robust man, towering over 1.7 meters and dressed in black, stepped into the courtyard. A long blade was in his grasp, and he was flanked by Wu Cheng and Li Sanbao.

Both Wu Cheng and Li Sanbao had daggers sheathed in their belts.

With a "thud," Li Jian tossed a piece of broken silver at Lu Shaolin's feet.

"Here's two taels of silver. Don't say I'm bullying you in front of our fellow villagers."

"I'll let your earlier remarks slide. Pack up and leave this house immediately. You don't have much time left anyway, and vacating this place will be just in time for my cousin to hold his wedding banquet," Li Jian spoke condescendingly, as if he were granting a favor.

"Heh heh," Lu Shaolin let out a cold laugh. "So that's why you two were lingering outside my home last time—you had your eyes on my property."

"Boy, don't make the mistake of cutting off your nose to spite your face. Leave now, or I'll cripple you right here!" Li Jian's eyes widened menacingly as he spoke.

"None of you are leaving this courtyard today!" Lu Shaolin's eyes gleamed with a murderous intent, his voice icy.

"A frog at the bottom of the well! I'll cripple you!" In a fit of rage, Li Jian unsheathed his long blade and aimed a slash at Lu Shaolin's chest.

With a "clang," Lu Shaolin lifted his spear to block, yet the force drove him back three steps!

"What incredible strength!" Lu Shaolin's brows furrowed, recognizing that Li Jian's might surpassed that of an average individual by at least hundred pounds.

"Here I thought you were someone formidable, but you act so arrogant with such meager strength?" Li Jian sneered and swung his blade down once more.

Lu Shaolin narrowly evaded the strike with a backward leap.

Relentless, Li Jian continued his flurry of slashes, each of which Lu Shaolin skillfully dodged.

By now, Lu Shaolin had discerned that Li Jian's sole advantage lay in his superior strength; his blade technique was rudimentary, not even reaching the level of Small Success. As long as he sidestepped a direct confrontation, he would be safe.

Emboldened by this realization, Lu Shaolin transitioned from defense to offense. Channeling power into his arms, he executed a 'Sky Breaking' thrust with a "whoosh," the move lightning-fast, aimed directly at Li Jian's chest.

Caught off guard, Li Jian hastily parried with his long blade. With a soft "clang," he managed to deflect the spear and quickly retreated.

Seizing the moment, Lu Shaolin closed the gap and unleashed another 'Sky Breaking' thrust.

An inch longer, an inch stronger!

His strategy was to exploit the greater length of his weapon to corner Li Jian!

Visibly shaken, Li Jian hadn't anticipated the proficiency of Lu Shaolin's spear technique. He parried the long spear once more with his blade.

Yet it was evident that his blade couldn't match the speed of Lu Shaolin's spear!

Step by step, Lu Shaolin pressed his advantage, launching another 'Sky Breaking' thrust. This time, the target wasn't the chest but the thigh.

With a "thud," the spear punctured Li Jian's thigh and was swiftly pulled out.

This time, there was no blocking it—nor could he have.

"Ah! Damn it... you two, why aren't you helping—" Li Jian collapsed to the ground, his thigh spurting blood, as he yelled at the two men behind him.

In an instant, the tables had turned!

Wu Cheng and Li Sanbao stared at the menacing Lu Shaolin, their faces ashen and their legs quivering.

Normally, these two would just bully the villagers, flaunting their daggers for show; they had never actually engaged in a life-or-death battle with real weapons.

"I told you, none of you are leaving this courtyard today!" Lu Shaolin's face was menacing as he declared.

"Lu... Lu Family's kid, aren't you scared of... the... the law?" Wu Cheng stammered, his forehead dotted with sweat.

"The law? According to the Great Xia laws: A homeowner may strike any person who enters their home armed without permission, without facing legal repercussions," Lu Shaolin responded icily. His now-deceased teacher had specifically covered this law during the private schooling he had received in his previous life.

Wu Cheng felt as if his soul had left his body upon hearing Lu Shaolin's words. He turned to flee.

In a single stride, Lu Shaolin closed the distance. With a swift "whoosh," he thrust his spear, its blood-stained tip emerging from Wu Cheng's left chest.

With a "splat," he withdrew his spear and, ignoring the gasping Wu Cheng who had fallen to the ground, leapt towards Li Sanbao, who was also trying to escape. His spear found Li Sanbao's forehead with a slash!

Li Sanbao hit the ground with a "thud."

His forehead caved in, his face awash in blood; it was evident he wouldn't survive.

Grasping his bleeding thigh, Li Jian looked at Lu Shaolin, whose relentless strikes had been carried out without a moment's hesitation. Terror welled up in his eyes.

He didn't want to die.

Lu Shaolin, his eyes aflame, turned his attention back to Li Jian. His spear angled downward, he moved forward slowly.

"Lu... Little Brother Lu... No, Lord Lu, I beg you, spare me! I'm a member of the Black River Gang. If you kill me, they won't let you off. Lord Lu..." Li Jian's voice quivered as he sobbed, scrambling backward on his hands and feet.

"Hm?" Lu Shaolin halted momentarily, a look of surprise crossing his face. He had initially thought of joining the gang, but it seemed he had injured one of its members before even doing so.

Catching Lu Shaolin's momentary hesitation, Li Jian's eyes flickered with a glint of spite. If he managed to survive this encounter, he vowed to summon gang experts to eliminate this young child of the Lu Family!

"You think I would let you live? I know well the principle of; if you don't remove the roots when cutting grass, the spring winds will make it grow again." Lu Shaolin shook his head, took quick steps forward, and plunged his spear through Li Jian's throat.

"Gak... gak... you... gak..." Blood oozed from the corner of Li Jian's mouth as he fixed his gaze on Lu Shaolin. Before he could finish speaking, his head slumped to the side, and he died with eyes wide open.

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