Chapter 130: The Desire for Slaughter Is Rising

Ku Po grabbed his own hair and gave a bitter smile.

"When I first became a debt collector, I got injured once, not seriously, and ended up stupidly going to An De Lu Hospital."

"That damned mage only asked me a couple of casual questions, tossed me a shoddy healing spell, and in just a few minutes left me with a medical bill of a full five gold coins!"

Huh?

It sounds a bit familiar, not sure, listen again.

"Five gold coins—back then, and even now, it's an unimaginable sum for me. I had no choice but to take their usurious loan."

At that point, Ku Po tapped his own badge.

"Dr. Ji, the merchants in Sunlight City say our collectors are ruthless and black‑hearted, but compared to those bandit mercenaries, we're just a small witch meeting a great witch!"

"I couldn't even think of postponing that debt; even though I was already a silver‑rank debt collector then, I had to scrimp for over a year to barely repay it, and I've never dared set foot in An De Lu Hospital again."

"In fact, many people in Sunlight City are like that—prefer to suffer to death rather than go there for treatment."

"Doctor, if he really intends to lay a hand on you, I advise you to leave Sunlight City at once!"

For a collector to give such high praise, it seems this An De Lu really has something.

He jumped in fright, looked around wildly, and saw opposite him, in the darkness beyond the candlelight, a silhouette seemed to be sitting.

"Drink up, the freshest milk."

AdaiEr's complexion finally eased a little.

He strained to turn his neck and realized this wasn't his own apartment, but a strange... what?

His own employer turned out to be a mage?

He passed through the long corridor and collapsed onto a soft chair.

"If any more inexplicable things happen, I'll immediately rent a quiet apartment for you!"

All done?

"Not bad, he's an honest good man, Ya Tuo, see him out."

"Laoshu, I don't want to hear the losers' nonsense; just state the facts."

Ji Ming hurriedly caught up with her and pointed at the row of stalls on Commercial Street.

The man pondered briefly, his words tinged with a hint of smile.

"Dr. Ji, could the person who just arrived be connected to An De Lu Hospital?"

Ku Po's expression grew increasingly embarrassed, stumbling over each word.

The towering mercenary seemed accustomed to all this, merely hanging his hands.

"No problem, at worst I admit cowardice; the big lord can argue with a little flea like me, wouldn't that be a loss of face?"

"Um, esteemed sir, I…"

A faint whiff of mint drifted in, and the meticulously groomed goat beard was immaculate.

"He is a noble from the northern Shen Lin Wang Guo, surname unknown, likely a descendant dispatched from a great noble for experience."

…

Ku Po pressed his lips together and exhaled.

"Snort."

…

AdaiEr lifted her staff and turned to leave.

Ji Ming was taken aback, stammered.

"Alright, go stir up a few more rats from outside the city, then hire an assassin."

He lowered himself and gently patted the little cat's head.

The man's voice rose and fell, bearing an exaggerated aristocratic emphasis.

He leaned close to Ji Ming, lowering his voice to the minimum.

Then he saw the iron tower descend again, snapping its own neck as if peeling a banana.

"Awake?"

"Absolutely certain, sir, I wouldn't dare lie, never!"

"Sa Ni, give a report, what did you encounter in that treatment room?"

Damn, it's the employer!

The man's laughter grew louder, like a noble lord who, after watching an opera, stands to mingle with the actors, stepping into the candlelight.

In the blurred view, a dark shape approached; Sa Ni felt like a rabbit, its collar lifted after being seized.

Then, with a sudden force, she was pressed to the ground.

"By the way, here's the bread I saved for you, with honey and milk, very tasty."

The conversation split in two; on the other side of Sunlight City, Sa Ni groggily opened her eyes.

Having thanked Ku Po for the intel, she began treating the next patient.

"It seems our little Ji Ming still has two teeth; a single rat can't harm him."

He inhaled and emphasized again.

"Young master, I'm here."

Around him, many flickering points that seemed to be candle flames danced; he blinked desperately, trying to discern exactly where this was.

Ji Ming now understood why this An De Lu Hospital wanted to give him a harsh warning.

He hurriedly composed his posture, fumbling to tidy his appearance.

If that fails, think of another method, like calling Xi Er Wei Ya to draw a map or something.

After a quiet stare for a moment, Ji Ming shifted his gaze and extended a finger.

Having said that, he quickly added.

The profession is the same, the effect similar, yet his own price is so low—it's downright hindering others from making money!

He applied violence enough to kill, and performed unimaginable miracles, yet the man's words remained as calm as ever.

"He is the director of An De Lu Hospital, possesses strong magical talent, and is proficient in many enhancement and healing magics; he is also the vice leader of the Mercenary Alliance, a full‑fledged warrior of over twenty levels, highly skilled with a stabbing sword. In short, in Sunlight City he is a high‑ranking authority, one of the top few people."

"So, if it comes to me, same time, same effect, the price is fifty copper coins?"

"After all, that's too expensive!"

... Damn.

Unfortunately, what crawled out of the darkness wasn't a kitten but a girl as frail as one.

He had expected excruciating pain all over his body, but unexpectedly, it was only fatigue.

"I want to see what else he can do!"

"What, a story?"

Sani was surprised to find that although the fatigue grew worse, the tearing pain from his cheek to his neck was actually gradually easing.

Ji Ming said soft words outwardly, but in his mind he was already plotting how to kidnap An De Lu's mother.

"But his reputation is terrible, linked to many horrific legends. Supposedly a tax collector once had a dispute with him and vanished in less than a week."

Just in time, we arrived at his territory and paid respects to this mountain that had a bit of a good connection.

"Thus An De Lu possesses all the traits of a Northern Noble—indifference, ruthlessness, bloodlust, violence, greed, and a pretended 'nobility' and 'elegance'."

Under the massive force, Sani, whose head was tilted to one side, felt his neck about to be snapped.

Sani no longer dared to utter even a single word, yet also could not admit betraying his employer, so he followed Ji Ming's plan and began to fabricate lies.

"Thank you, thank you..."

"Wait a moment!"

The Mercenary Alliance's great undertaking cannot be toppled merely by 'Doctor Ji Ming'.

For such a huge sin, Uncle An De Lu only sent an uninformed thug to cause trouble here—truly Ya Sa Xi~

Afterwards it was peaceful; the sun set, and no further incidents occurred until the last patient left.

"It might be unusable anyway; after all, my wound was a knife cut, the surrounding area was fairly clean, just rinse it, and suturing could save a few stitches."

"Friend, don't overthink; I asked because I trust you!"

The man snapped his fingers lightly, and a faint breeze suddenly swept through the sealed room.

"Doctor, rest assured! I'm absolutely on your side; I could never expose this!"

This is...

Looks like tomorrow I have to go to the Adventurers' Guild to find Boris, and first take the 'official channel' to try to resolve this.

"Ah!"

"This kind of trash is too filthy, not even worthy of participating in my great experiment!"

AdaiEr, who had just received a bonus, showed no smile at all, just standing still staring at Ji Ming.

He acted as if my price were high, as if you colluded with the mercenaries to sell me, what benefit could I have...

"Hmm~"

Ku Po glanced back at the doorway; with AdaiEr guarding, there were no ears.

It turned out to be a perfectly mature, handsome man in his prime—if not for the iron chain on his hand.

Watching the trembling kitten licking the blood on the ground, An De Lu nodded smugly.

He tugged the chain, forcibly pulling the wound‑covered girl next to Sani's corpse.

The man before him swung his arm, and heavy footsteps sounded; it turned out a tower‑like hulking man stood in the room's corner.

"Come, out."

"I must warn you, never try to oppose An De Lu."

"Then you're doomed; I'll eat you into bankruptcy!"

His words were gentle, as if encouraging his own kitten.

"Um, today's Clinic team‑building, let's go. I'll treat you to a meal as atonement."

Ku Po wasn't a fool; after all that talk he should have caught on, so he cleared his throat lightly and asked cautiously.

But just as his vision cleared, a sudden icy shock struck his mind.

Magic!

He approached silently, without hesitation, and punched Sani squarely on the cheek.

"Work's over; today is the opening day, here's an extra silver coin bonus—go buy something you like."

Ji Ming's smile remained radiant.

"Doctor, I know you must have had a strange encounter, if you have the ability..."

"Although Sunlight City is wicked at heart, there are still some satisfying places... Ya Tuo!"

Ji Ming seemed thoughtful, taking his price list.

Sani felt a surge of joy and quickly expressed thanks.

Seeing him so solemn, Ji Ming's gaze flickered a few times.

"Tonight, if any more issues arise, I won't hesitate—I'll clear a room for you!"

His short golden hair had natural curls, and his gray eyes held a hint of cloudiness.

Ku Po lowered his head and thought seriously.

"So, you were beaten up by Ji Ming and then kicked out of the Clinic?"

Compared with this punch, the doctor's seemingly fierce fist was actually gentle, like a massage!