Chapter 26

Three hours?

But Fang Yue and the others get six hours—that's double!

Shi Wuliao was furious inside, but he dared not confront Lin Ling for fear the man would retaliate by cutting off even this small benefit.

Do non-Guard Team members have to be exploited for benefits? Damn it!

Shi Wuliao suppressed his anger—three extra hours was better than nothing; maybe he'd encounter something strange during night patrol, and reporting it brought extra rewards.

The six had just taken the mission and were about to leave when Fang Yue suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, Captain Lin, can you give me a blade?"

"A blade? Did Chen Mu teach you Blade Technique?" Lin Ling asked, surprised.

"Yeah, a little."

"A little? That means you haven't learned it yet. But no matter—I'm generous."

Lin Ling turned around inside, then tossed a blade down at Fang Yue's feet.

"Here, take this blade."

Fang Yue picked it up and saw it was a blade with some rust.

It resembled a Yanling blade—straight blade body, curved tip, and a reverse edge along the spine.

But the blade was covered in rust, as if no one had used it for years.

Fang Yue looked disgusted.

"Captain Lin, can I swap for another blade?"

"Swap blades?" Lin Ling stared at Fang Yue with a strange expression: "Don't regret this. Let me tell you first—this blade has a reputation. It was retired by Chen Mu when he broke through his realm, replaced with a new one. Many wanted it but never got the chance."

Fang Yue heard this and immediately changed his mind, stowing the blade away.

"I was just joking! I'll take this blade—I said it, even gods can't stop me!"

"…"

Fang Yue sheathed the blade and turned to leave…

"Wait!"

Lin Ling suddenly called out to Fang Yue, stroking his chin with a sly grin: "I heard you refugees call yourselves 'players,' all short-lived creatures with only twelve hours of lifespan. If I didn't assign you a mission and held you back, wouldn't you just die for sure?"

Others might be doomed, but Fang Yue wouldn't be.

He still had eight days left—far from urgent—though his cultivation consumed lifespan at an alarming rate.

Lin Ling didn't know Fang Yue's thoughts and continued smugly: "Don't look so sour—I'm just reminding you I helped you today, so remember my kindness, understood?"

Fang Yue couldn't help but roll his eyes internally.

…Are you a child? Demanding others remember your favors? I even wondered earlier why he brought this up.

Outwardly, he still bowed respectfully: "I will never forget Captain Lin's kindness."

"Good. Now go on night patrol."

"Yes."

Fang Yue led the way out, and the other five hurried to follow.

Once outside the Guard Station, the five of them stared hungrily at Fang Yue's blade.

"Ye Ge, will you sell this blade?"

"Ye Ge, this looks like a treasure blade—can I touch it?"

"Ye Ge, blades are lethal weapons—unsuitable for your status. I think my longsword suits you better. How about we swap?"

Are you all treating me like an idiot?!

Fang Yue stared blankly.

"Not for sale. Go away."

Ignoring the persistent bunch, Fang Yue gazed happily at the Rusty Knife in his hand.

"Name: Rusty Knife."

"Tier: Mortal Grade Low."

"Restriction: None."

"Sharpness: 1 point 【Rusted】."

"Durability: 2/3 【Neglected】."

"Description: A blade covered in rust."

"Note: Someone really uses this blade to kill? A professional team is already waiting at the village entrance—the banquet table is set. Please, Sir Corpse, hurry up and arrive!"

…Wait, that's not right.

This blade isn't what I expected.

Fang Yue was confused, his gaze fixed on 【Rusted】 and 【Neglected】.

"Rusted: Metal corrodes, sharpness reduced."

"Neglected: Long-term neglect lowers maximum durability."

…Junk blade!

Fang Yue was certain—this was garbage. Lin Ling was trying to kill him!

Not every weapon discarded by a powerful cultivator is valuable—more likely, it's the one everyone else already broke before replacing it.

He ran his fingers along the blade—its cold metal still felt solid, once a fine blade, but time had been merciless.

If he found a blacksmith to properly maintain and repair it, maybe it could still be usable?

But weapon repair costs were steep.

Fang Yue glanced at the fifty coins in his pocket—his confidence wavered.

In this setting where anomalies run rampant, weapons and other equipment are extremely valuable, and maintenance and repair are very expensive.

Seeing that Fang Yue did not respond to them, the others realized there was no chance of buying weapons, and immediately switched tactics.

"Ye Ge, this blade clearly has high sharpness—a precious sword for a hero, perfect!"

"Ye Ge, we're counting on you to protect us tonight!"

Among the five, only Niu Niu showed a hint of restraint.

"Ye Ge, how many points of Yu Li do you have now? After training under the Instructor, my Yu Li rose from 3 to 3.7—I'm a main force tonight! I won't hold you back."

Me? I have 1 point of Yu Li, and I'm still suffering Heavy Injury and Qi Deviation—I'm the one who needs your protection.

Fang Yue did not reply to them; he walked ahead along the night patrol route.

But due to his Heavy Injury, he could only walk slowly.

The others watched, assuming Fang Yue was pretending to be a master.

Yet after only a few steps, Fang Yue suddenly shuddered, and his slow steps firmly planted themselves on the ground.

Previously just a few paces ahead, he suddenly accelerated, effortlessly pulling distance from them.

The others sensed no change, but Niu Niu blinked slightly, feeling that in that instant, Fang Yue had undergone some indescribable transformation.

He couldn't say exactly what it was; he looked up at the darkening sky and silently followed behind Fang Yue.

Fang Yue had indeed changed.

Because… dusk had fallen, Yese Liming had arrived!

When the sun had just completely sunk below the horizon, and the last light faded, Fang Yue heard a system notification.

"System Notification: Yese Liming has arrived. Talent 【Night's Breath】 effect activated."

His body shuddered; a cool sensation surged into his heart and spread through his limbs, wonderfully soothing.

"System Notification: Congratulations, Heavy Injury state lifted."

It's back… I feel it—my strength has returned!

I said it: the attributes I lost will be reclaimed—even the sun cannot stop me!

Open attribute list.

"Name: Yese Liming."

"Realm: Post-Heaven Third Rate."

"Status: Meridian Disorder (weak), Normal."

"Health: 200/200."

"Internal Energy: 25/25."

"Yu Li: 32 (+20)."

"Xie Li: 32 (+20)."

"Talent: Night's Breath (Human-Class Upper Rank)."

"Skills: Analysis Pupil (Human-Class Lower Rank), Starfire Blade Technique Level 1 (Post-Heaven Third Rate), Starfire Heart Method Level 1 (Post-Heaven Third Rate)."

"Lifespan: 8 days, 8 shichen."

My youth is back!

Fang Yue couldn't help but smile, but the smile froze halfway.

(End of Chapter)