Chapter 41: Though I am old, my spear remains sharp!

However, before speaking, the cautious Ji Ming still went over what had just happened in his mind.

Ji Ming sees himself as a competent yet harmless doctor, well suited to be a friend's physician.

And to achieve this goal.

First, the basic persona of being timid, lacking combat ability and ambition must remain unchanged overall.

Second, to increase personal value, add some humane shining points and a unique special ability.

Finally, emphasize the growth potential of constant optimization and change to attract big investors……

Following this design direction, as long as the part dealing with stupid thieves is dramatized a bit, using rhetoric to erase the existence of curses……

Also make the killing part embarrassing, adding the panic, guilt, and nausea that typical transmigrators experience……

Also the eavesdropping part—not intentional, but having been scared until the legs went weak, yet even so, summoning courage……

That's about enough!

After all, true and false are mixed, false and true intertwined.

Mixing one falsehood among nine truths often makes the finest deception.

When Ji Ming finished speaking, the old elf's cloudy eyes twitched, withdrawing the gaze that had been fixed on him.

He did not follow up his words with further questions, but instead came out with a random remark.

"So the shovel in your hand is your weapon?"

Ji Ming gripped the shovel handle tightly, his hands trembling, looking utterly dazed.

"I didn't have anything suitable, just making do with what I had; I never thought I'd actually kill someone today……"

Suddenly, the old elf's voice had no inflection.

"Ji Ming, you're lying, aren't you?"

"What?"

Ji Ming put on an innocent expression, feigning ignorance.

While hastily pulling up the game exit interface, he stammered out an 'explanation'.

"Well, actually I know a little combat skill, barely managed a few exchanges with that knife-wielding petty thief……"

"Don't rush, everyone has secrets; I'm not blaming you."

But the old elf's tone shifted, moving his scarred lips to reveal a smile that could hardly be called a smile.

"It's just that your recent changes are quite significant, surprising me a little."

That sentence carried a lot of information, causing Ji Ming's thoughts to flutter a few times.

Indeed, thinking about it, in this filthy Sunshine City, observation and attentiveness are mandatory lessons for people.

How could a half-elf shopkeeper, old and crippled, who single-handedly keeps such a large shop afloat, possibly be a pushover?

One can't allow oneself to scheme freely while others' slight calculations invite heavenly thunder.

Ji Ming's face also showed a warm smile.

"Thank you for your understanding, shopkeeper."

"Learning to grow is a good thing, Ji Ming; this is Sunshine City, and mere retreat cannot change anything."

After uttering such a sentence, the old elf lay back in the chair with a look of peace.

Coupled with that deathly pale complexion and the wounds covering his whole body.

Like an old man who, seeing his good-for-nothing junior finally make progress, sighs contentedly.

Ah, no……

Ji Ming, still concerned about the matter at hand, hurriedly reminded.

"Um, shopkeeper, the bandits will be here soon; why don't we go hide at the clinic together?"

The old elf didn't even lift an eyelid.

"No need, they've already arrived."

As soon as the words fell, Ji Ming heard familiar footsteps outside.

Perhaps feeling they had it in the bag, the bandits made no effort to hide their noisy approach.

Each swaggered arrogantly, like drums beating on a battlefield.

Ji Ming furrowed his brow, about to say more, when he noticed the old elf now holding a long spear.

The spear looked wooden, its shaft marked with growth rings and vine-like decorations, appearing at first glance as a noble's ceremonial piece.

Yet the brown blade with a faint cold gleam and its excellent balance revealed it could equally be a deadly killing spear.

Planting the vine-wood spear into the ground, the old elf leveraged it and rose effortlessly from the recliner.

"Child, you've done well; now hide behind the counter."

He lightly touched Ji Ming's shoulder with the spear shaft.

"Leave the rest to me."

Hah, looking down on whom!

As if saying I'd fight passionately beside you……

Ji Ming nodded and hurried to the back.

Seeing him hidden, the old elf turned and flourished his spear in place.

A flash of emerald magical aura passed, and the tightly closed doors slowly opened.

The bandits all blocked the doorway, probably still debating whether to smash the door or pick the lock for a surprise attack.

Thus, seeing the doors open on their own, they all wore bewildered expressions.

Unfortunately, for some of them, this scene was the final act of their lives.

Because in the next moment, the old elf stepped forward, swung his left arm, and thrust out the spear in his hand.

Ji Ming had actually considered this; as a hidden expert, what would the shopkeeper's specific fighting style be?

Was it the wood‑system magic commonly used by the elves?

Or was it the backup water‑system magic?

Or even, combined with this shop, some kind of elf alchemy that controls plant puppets in battle?

But he never imagined that, as a one‑armed, one‑eyed old man with a stiff leg,

this half‑elf's fighting style would be the simplest and most brutal weapon‑based melee.

However, at this moment, that simple brutality turned out to be the correct way to respond.

Because compared to this unfathomable half‑elf, the bandits whose average level was still six were practically begging to be killed.

No martial skills needed, no flashiness, not even any technique required.

The shopkeeper merely thrust an ordinary spear, enough to pierce the bandit in front clean through.

Only a few troublesome ones were still wearing leather armor or holding round shields—elite monsters.

But they could only cause a little trouble.

The bearded heavy‑armored fighter who managed to block one strike hadn't even had time to feel relieved before the next, almost instant second spear shattered his throat.

Facing this scene, Ji Ming watched from the rear, feeling safe; although he had the Grave Digging Technique as a theoretical basis, he could only be said to have just glimpsed the doorway, and all he could do was admire.

Wow, though I'm old, my spear is still sharp—this is damn impressive!

Likewise accustomed to long weapons, my combat experience and judgment are far inferior to his; today I've broadened my horizons.

So I watched and mimicked, hoping to learn a move or two from him.

Who would have thought that, in pondering this, I actually gained some insight.

At least next time I fight someone, I won't be so casual about it.

Thus Ji Ming fixed his eyes on the shopkeeper's back, inevitably feeling a surge of heat.

That thigh—I need to find a way to cling to it!

After the last bandit collapsed in a blood‑filled howl, the old elf remained unflushed and unbreathing, as if he hadn't even warmed up.

Feeling bored, he returned to the shop with his blood‑stained spear, reaching out to Ji Ming.

Before he could speak, he felt a weight in his palm—a plump moneybag landed there.

Ji Ming cautiously poked half his head out from behind the counter.

"Dad, we're here now."

"I…"

The old elf's face twitched for a moment, then he was choked speechless.