Chapter 2582 Turning an Enemy

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How could he not know?

If he didn't know, he wouldn't have come so confidently to carry out the assassination mission...

According to his usual style, he would always investigate the target's details thoroughly, even probing into some details that ordinary people wouldn't pay much attention to, making sure that he fully understood the target before taking any action.

Don't underestimate these details as seemingly useless, although many times they don't come in handy, in unexpected situations, these details often play a critical role. This is the very reason why Mercenary King Ling Hu has been able to kill his targets repeatedly and complete his missions.

But this time, Mercenary King Ling Hu failed...

At this moment, to simply summarize the reasons for the failure, the information regarding Qin Fang was indeed incomplete, it could even be said to be a fatal mistake by Mercenary King Ling Hu... Perhaps treating this task as his last mission of his mercenary career, he became a bit complacent, lowering his standards significantly, thus setting lower expectations.

When the client only provided very basic information, and noticing that the target was quite young, Mercenary King Ling Hu didn't dwell much on these... Unexpectedly, this very complacency placed him in this almost desperate situation.

As for Qin Fang's strength, although Mercenary King Ling Hu wasn't fully confident, he knew it was definitely not inferior to his own.

Adding the assistance of these eighteen Nether Beasts before him, even a Half-Step Supreme Realm expert wouldn't be able to withstand it, not to mention him being merely a Great Grandmaster-level Peak expert...

"I surrender..."

Mercenary King Ling Hu was straightforward, directly discarding the military spike in his hand and admitting defeat.

The situation was beyond his control, he had no other option... Fighting to the death would inevitably lead to an ugly demise, if not injuries.

"Speak, what do you want to do?"

Zi Dan, Mercenary King Ling Hu had been navigating the underground world for so long, his experience was substantial, how could he not discern Qin Fang's ulterior motives?

At the very least, Qin Fang's desire to kill him wasn't very strong...

Which made sense; even though Mercenary King Ling Hu had attempted to assassinate him several times earlier, they held no deep personal vendetta, it was simply because of the connection through this mercenary task... The grievance seemed significant yet wasn't exceedingly large.

"Help me with something, and I will restore your freedom..."

Qin Fang smiled lightly and spoke calmly... Mercenary King Ling Hu was smart, naturally discerning Qin Fang's intentions, so he openly stated his real objective.

"Speak..."

Mercenary King Ling Hu paused for a moment, vaguely sensing Qin Fang's request might be challenging, yet after some thought, he spoke.

"Help me lure out your employer..."

Qin Fang straightforwardly said, considering someone hired Mercenary King Ling Hu to assassinate him, taking out such a lurking enemy was indeed Qin Fang's best option.

"That's impossible..."

Mercenary King Ling Hu was taken aback, but promptly refused.

"Although I don't want to die, I cannot betray my employer... This is a rule in the mercenary world, as well as in the entire underground world, even if I wanted to retire, I couldn't break it, the consequences of doing so are beyond what you and I can handle!"

As the saying goes, without rules, there can be no order.

The underground world's various forces are intricate, seemingly fragmented, labeled as a rabble by the perceived world, but in reality, the entire underground world is governed by unwritten rules, maintaining its stability.

Sometimes, these unwritten rules can constrain a person more than any formal laws...

For instance, confidentiality over client data, employment information, and such...

This is not only a mercenary rule but also a rule of the entire underground world. Mercenary Alliance, Assassin's Alliance, both adhere to this...

Otherwise, if one privately sells out their client's data, who would dare to commission the underground world for future tasks?

"You don't need to worry about this! Even if you don't tell me, I have already guessed who approached you..."

Mercenary King Ling Hu's reply was within Qin Fang's expectations. Whether mercenaries or assassins, even if they fail a mission and get captured, they can choose death but can't sell out their client's information...

The consequences of a leak are severe.

Not only must the mercenary or assassin die, but the target to be assassinated must also die, along with comrades and partners of the mercenary or assassin, sometimes even implicating their family, friends, and such...

This is why most of the powerful forces in the underground world have their own law enforcement teams or scavengers...

Qin Fang is also a registered assassin of the Assassin's Alliance, naturally aware of such rules, but because he knows, he dares to speak as he did, clearly having some leverage, "Qingyuan from Kunlun Sect, Hu Yiren of the Blood Demon Sect..."

"Uh..."

Initially, Mercenary King Ling Hu didn't take Qin Fang's words seriously, assuming Qin Fang was bluffing, but when these two names were mentioned, his face instantly froze, his mouth gaped slightly, yet he was speechless.

"I not only know these two are the masterminds but also the reason why they targeted me..."

Qin Fang said with a gentle smile.

For what?

Isn't it for the Azure Heart that Qin Fang holds!

Of course, there's another reason; the conflict between Qin Fang and Elder Qingyuan has become completely irreconcilable... Although they can't be said to be at each other's throats, this kind of conflict is bound to erupt sooner or later within the Kunlun Sect.

Rather than wait until Qin Fang has grown stronger, it's better to strike now while his roots in the Kunlun Sect are still shallow. Eradicating him would snuff out any potential crisis in its infancy, making it much easier.

As for the other party, Hu Yiren from the Blood Demon Sect, Qin Fang couldn't quite grasp his true purpose...

Though they stand on opposing sides, there isn't any animosity between them that cannot be resolved. Especially since Qin Fang obtained information from Blue-wing Bat King Wei Chunqiu that seems to indicate Hu Yiren might be the mastermind behind this, not Elder Qingyuan.

"Is it simply to let Elder Qingyuan take advantage of the opportunity to rise in rank, to facilitate smoother collaboration between them? I don't think so..."

Qin Fang also harbored significant doubts in his heart, but he couldn't quite guess them.

"Since you already know, why ask me?"

The Mercenary King Ling Hu looked at Qin Fang with a strange expression, then asked quite quizzically.

"Don't get it wrong! I'm not asking you; I want you to help me draw them out... You haven't said anything, I guessed everything. So you haven't broken any of the underground world's rules!"

Qin Fang waved his hand, refuting the Mercenary King Ling Hu's suggestion, and his tone softened significantly, conveying a sense of closeness.

"I see..."

It must be said, the Mercenary King Ling Hu was somewhat swayed by Qin Fang.

Does this break the rules?

Strictly speaking, it surely breaks the rules!

But if you interpret it loosely, then it doesn't break the rules...

The Mercenary King Ling Hu had been in the underground world for a dozen years, always alone, so he wasn't afraid of any underground world's sanctions... Of course, it was better if such trouble didn't occur.

Therefore, Qin Fang's proposal also tempted him quite a bit.

"Moreover, this is your last mission in your mercenary career. If you were to fail the mission and die... Although your reputation might take a slight hit, it would allow you to vanish from the underground world completely! You know what that means..."

Qin Fang added with a grin.

This was what he inferred from the words of the Mercenary King Ling Hu, and it happened to serve as the last straw that broke the camel's back at this moment...

"Alright, I agree..."

The Mercenary King Ling Hu immediately nodded in agreement, "However, I have a small request. I must be involved in the formulation of this plan..."

"No problem..."

Qin Fang understood why the Mercenary King Ling Hu made such a request. He feared Qin Fang would renege on the deal and burn bridges after crossing the river, so he wanted to leave himself a backup plan, just in case!

"Pleasure working with you!"

"Pleasure working with you..."

And so, the future King of Assassins, Qin Fang, and the Mercenary King Ling Hu shook hands and made a collaborative promise.

Whoosh~~

Although it was a verbal commitment, Qin Fang was true to his word. With a wave of his hand, the eighteen Nether Beasts instantly disappeared into the surrounding dense foliage at an astonishing speed...

This scene naturally did not escape the eyes of the Mercenary King Ling Hu.

To be honest, the shock in his heart hadn't diminished in the slightest!

Earlier, he had engaged with these Nether Beasts in battle. They are at the Spirit Beast Level, significantly formidable in strength, especially when three or five Nether Beasts attack together, even making it difficult for him, a Grandmaster Peak level expert, to cope with...

But for so many Spirit Beasts to be tamed by Qin Fang, it's quite terrifying...

In the martial world, power is always revered.

Martial Arts Realm is one aspect of power; while dominant, there are also some unorthodox existences that are equally formidable.

Beast Tamers, for example, are one such anomaly.

Beast Tamers might not be extraordinarily powerful themselves, sometimes even much weaker than those of the same peer level, possibly even being killed in a single blow...

But whoever underestimates a Beast Tamer will surely die a very, very miserable death...

At this moment, in the eyes of the Mercenary King Ling Hu, Qin Fang is a mysterious Beast Tamer, and a formidable one capable of commanding over a dozen Spirit Beasts, undoubtedly standing at the pinnacle of power.

Perhaps a bit shy of the Supreme Realm, yet undeniably fearsome... (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation votes, monthly votes. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users please read on m.qidian.com.)