Chapter 201: Black Martial Artist

Unsettled? What do you mean?

Lu Jing frowned and asked.

The driver glanced at Lu Jing through the rearview mirror and said, "Young lad, it's normal you don't know since you're not from here. Lately a few reckless black Martial Artists have shown up out of nowhere, and they're terrifying!"

Black Martial Artists refer specifically to unregistered social martial artists who engage in criminal activities.

"Oh? Master, could you elaborate?"

Lu Jing smiled and asked curiously.

When he took on this A‑rank mission, he was only told to assist in the capture and received little introduction about the target.

"You've asked the right person. Someone else would definitely not know. As for us drivers, not to brag, but we're absolutely the most well‑informed when it comes to news."

The driver first praised himself, then said proudly, "My fellow drivers say there are five black Martial Artists, their strength comparable to Warriors of the Fifth Realm, and the crucial point is they wield hot weapons!"

"Hot weapons?"

"Yes. Those things aren't effective against demon beasts, but against people they're extremely deadly. I've heard many experts who went after them were killed, and these guys are ferocious—kill anyone they see. At least twenty people have died at their hands!"

The driver got excited, slammed the accelerator onto the highway, and said, "Even with the police blocking information, the news spread. Not long ago, all the police forces of Wan City were deployed to capture them, and it's been a week with no sign yet."

Lu Jing nodded and didn't ask further.

If the driver's rumor is true, this mission is relatively simple.

The target doesn't even reach the level of a Warrior of the Sixth Realm; the reason it's classified as A‑rank is likely because they possess hot weapons.

Hot weapons are extremely lethal against martial artists below Grandmaster level—one hit to a vital point can be fatal—but for Lu Jing they're essentially ineffective.

His defense is now stronger than that of an ordinary Grandmaster; even a primordial projectile striking him would leave at most a pale mark and couldn't break his guard.

Of course, a heavy bomb or the like would be another story.

"A‑rank mission: solo completion yields 100 credits and 5 million cash. *tch*, once a Martial Artist's strength rises, making money becomes ridiculously easy..."

Lu Jing thought this to himself.

Soon after, the taxi driver braked and turned back, reminding, "Young man, that's it up ahead. I'll drop you off here; the road ahead is narrow, not good for reversing."

Lu Jing looked out through the window and saw a desolate stretch of hills; the path was completely blocked by weeds as tall as a person.

"Alright, thank you, master."

Lu Jing got out, tossed the driver a hundred‑yuan note, and said, "No change needed."

"Report to Ji Squad: a taxi arrived on the path and is staying put!"

In front of the factory, an officer reported the situation to Ji Ling.

"A taxi came to this place?"

Ji Ling was puzzled, "Check their identities; if there's no problem, have them turn around and leave. This isn't a place ordinary people can come to."

"Yes!"

Lu Jing got out and prepared to walk forward, but he stopped almost immediately.

Under the observation of his mental power, a squad of officers in police uniforms surrounded him.

"What are you doing? Raise your hands!"

Seeing a sudden emergence of armed officers, the driver jumped, "Whoa, this place is swarming with police!"

"Officers, I just brought him here; I don't know anything else."

The driver immediately betrayed Lu Jing, then floored the accelerator and vanished like a flash.

Lu Jing kept a calm expression, looked at the lead officer, and said, "I'm a student of Shogunate Martial University, here on a mission."

"You came on your own?"

The officer examined Lu Jing with a doubtful gaze, seeming not to believe he could handle the mission.

In front of the factory.

Ji Ling paced back and forth across the clearing, "Have the military experts arrived yet? If we delay any longer, it'll be night!"

Based on Ji Ling's knowledge of these black Martial Artists, they would likely try to break out after dark.

If support can't arrive in time, not only might they escape, but the police forces would surely suffer heavy losses.

"Ji Squad, they're saying it's almost ready!"

An officer approached with a young man.

"The Shogunate Martial University student arrived first; how should we proceed?"

Ji Ling was slightly startled and looked at the boy beside her.

The youth appeared quite young, with fair skin and handsome features—a bright, masculine‑looking pretty boy.

His attire was simple: a white shirt with black casual pants, and a long sword at his waist that looked extraordinary.

If the officer hadn't told Ji Ling beforehand that he was there to assist in the capture, she would have even thought Lu Jing was a teenage boy who ran out from a neighboring household.

"Show me your credentials," Ji Ling frowned, "You know this mission is dangerous, right?"

"Mm, I know."

Lu Jing handed over his student ID.

"A freshman?!"

Ji Ling glanced at the ID, surprised, and said, "What is Shogunate Martial University doing, assigning this kind of mission to a freshman? Isn't this murder?"

Lu Jing quickly explained, "I'm a special case; you can treat me as a senior."

As he spoke, Lu Jing used his mental power to retrieve the credentials from Ji Ling's hand.

Ji Ling watched as the document seemed pulled by a great force and instantly appeared in the youth's hand, a flash of shock in her eyes.

What kind of technique is that?

Is that the rare mental‑type Talent Endowed?

Although shocked, seeing Lu Jing, who was the same age as her brother, Ji Ling still couldn't bring herself to let him enter the dangerous factory.

Wait a moment, there are two military department experts coming; if they can resolve it, you won't need to act.

This...

Lu Jing blinked, not knowing what to say.

Just now he unfolded his mental power domain, already having clearly investigated the situation inside the factory.

In the corner room, five Martial Artists holding thermal weapons were huddled.

One of them was at the early stage of the Sixth Realm, while the remaining four were at the late stage of the Fifth Realm.

Facing these people, Lu Jing was confident he could end the battle within a minute.

However, judging by the female police officer's attitude, it seemed she didn't intend to let him act?

That's fine; if other experts come to handle it, Lu Jing would also be happy to take it easy.

"Captain Ji, the military department's experts have arrived!"

Before the police officer could finish speaking, a sudden braking sound that made one prick up ears rang not far behind.

"Where is the target? Take us there!"

"Let's settle this quickly; after we're done, we can go try Wan Shan City's specialty barbecue, then have a few dozen fresh beers."

Two burly middle-aged men jumped down from a military jeep.

Ji Ling hurried forward to meet them; these two burly men, as big as bears, seemed more reliable than that youngster just now.

"Gentlemen, the mission target is inside the factory; you must be careful, their thermal weapons are extremely formidable!"

Ji Ling pointed to the not‑far‑away factory; as dusk approached, the light had dimmed, the surroundings were pitch black, and each factory loomed like a beast crouching in the darkness.