Swallowed Star 2: Land of Origin

Chapter 22: Chapter 21: The Three Children of Moyu Hu

The bounty missions of the Flame Wind Association's Dark Hall also are categorized into protection, hiring, assassination, and others, among which the assassination missions undoubtedly offer the highest bounties.

"Look at the ones with high bounties," Luo Feng said as he drank and studied the assassination missions.

The highest bounty mission: to kill the supreme commander of the Huyang Legion 'Moli Xiao,' with a bounty of 1.2 million Cosmic Sand.

"Those who can offer 1.2 million Cosmic Sand as a bounty and are not afraid of the city owner's mansion are very likely from the Shi Kingdom," Luo Feng speculated, "According to the rules of the Flame Wind Association's Dark Hall, for assassination missions, the bounty must be paid in advance to the Flame Wind Pavilion.

If the mission is not completed, the bounty remains with the Flame Wind Pavilion! Without sufficient backing, no one would be willing to leave such a massive fortune there for long."

The second-highest bounty mission: to kill the leader of the Shi Kingdom's forces within Huyang City, 'Xue Yun,' with a bounty of 1 million Cosmic Sand.

The third highest bounty mission: to kill the leader of the Zhu Clan, 'Zhu Hu,' with a bounty of 530,000 Cosmic Sand.

The fourth highest bounty mission: to kill the Puppet Shadow Master 'Chun Yuyi,' with a bounty of 180,000 Cosmic Sand.

...

The seventh highest bounty mission: to kill the Blood Python Association Leader 'Mu Yang,' with a bounty of 120,000 Cosmic Sand.

...

Luo Feng noticed the familiar bounty for the Blood Python Leader which ranked seventh. The enemies of the Blood Python Leader surely were generous!

"The top three bounties are quite high, and then there is a notable drop afterward," Luo Feng noted. Having received detailed intelligence about Huyang City from Shang Tianyan, he was also familiar with the information on these mighty figures listed in the bounty missions.

Moli Xiao: The strongest amongst the Five Great Families of the city owner's mansion, and the supreme commander of the Huyang Legion.

His individual strength is extremely formidable, and the Royal Capital of Yu Kingdom sent him to command a large city, equipped him with the best legion Mechanical Stream Secret Treasures, and his Royal Guard Army is incomparably elite.

Already powerful individually, and commanding a legion, Moli Xiao is extremely fearsome.

Xue Yun: The leader of the Shi Kingdom's forces within Huyang City. He has long been lurking in Huyang City, causing significant losses to the Five Great Families of the city owner's mansion, who have always been unable to deal with him.

Both individuals are very strong, with extraordinary backgrounds.

They have also clashed more than once.

"Zhu Clan's Zhu Hu, ranked third?" Luo Feng was curious, "The Zhu Clan is a native family in Huyang City, honestly doing business, supposedly without many enemies. How come Zhu Hu's bounty is even higher than those of the dark forces leaders? Most crucially, with a long-term bounty of 530,000 Cosmic Sand, the Zhu Clan remains stable."

From these assassination missions, Luo Feng could see that within Huyang City, Moli Xiao, Xue Yun, and Zhu Hu were not to be trifled with.

"Of course, people like the Flame Wind Pavilion's master, like me, and those few recluses living in Huyang City, we have no bounties," Luo Feng said with a smile, "Having no bounty doesn't mean being weak."

"Which of these assassination missions should I choose?"

Luo Feng pondered.

Hiring and protection missions require much time and energy for less reward. Naturally, he would choose an assassination mission.

"Leaders of dark forces who commit all kinds of evil can be considered as options," Luo Feng thought. He always prepared before he acted and only killed those who deserved it! Since leaders of dark forces did countless evils, they naturally made the list of options.

"The bounty for the Blood Python Leader is a bit low," Luo Feng shook his head slightly. Three dark forces leaders had bounties higher than the Blood Python Leader, surely warranting further research.

The first time taking a bounty mission must be a success.

Preparations had to be made.

******

Luo Feng sat on a large stone on a high mountain, studying potential targets, when suddenly a figure flew nearby.

"Master," Morosa said, "Moyu Hu has come to visit."

"Moyu Hu?" Luo Feng was surprised; the first True God of Void Space he met upon arriving at the Land of Origin had been Moyu Hu.

"While you were secluded for over a decade, Moyu Hu also came to visit," Morosa said, "Knowing the master was in seclusion, he did not disturb you further. This is his second visit."

Luo Feng smiled, "The second time? Let him come in first."

"Alright," Morosa nodded, but couldn't help adding, "Master, should we perhaps hire a few servants?"

"Hire servants? We're focused on cultivation in the cave mansion, occasionally drinking and eating some fruit which we can prepare in advance. What do we need servants for?" Luo Feng chuckled, "And when we're out, aren't you my servant?"

Morosa spoke softly, "Master, your fame in Huyang City is growing, and more people are visiting you. I have to guard the door and also serve as a servant."

Luo Feng laughed.

Whenever guests visited, the sole servant Morosa needed to prepare fine wines and food, and be on hand to serve. Although Morosa was disguising his strength, he was, after all, an Eternal True God Level Sector Beast, and he was continuously growing stronger, perhaps even faster than Luo Feng himself, making it really unfitting for him to perform menial tasks.

"It's my fault," Luo Feng smiled, "Don't worry, I'll hire some servants in the next few days."

"I'm not in that much of a hurry," Morosa grinned and flew towards the entrance of the cave mansion to bring Moyu Hu in.

Moyu Hu appeared somewhat restrained and nervous as he followed Morosa, flying up the high mountain.

"Greetings, Supreme," Moyu Hu said respectfully.

As a True God of Void Space, he ranked among the middle echelons in Huyang City. The latest hot news in the entire Huyang City was that a dark force 'Blood Python Association' had been forced to bow down by an Eternal True God named Luo He, and Moyu Hu was well aware of this.

Luo Feng sat leisurely, looking at Moyu Hu, "What brings you to me?"

"The Supreme has said that I could ask for his help," Moyu Hu was somewhat nervous, but he knew from his understanding of the Supreme Lord Luo He that he was an eternal true god with a good temper.

"Yes, I have promised," Luo Feng smiled, "My promise is very valuable. Is this how you plan to use it up?"

Moyu Hu flipped his hand, and a small gray hammer appeared in his hand. He held the hammer respectfully, "This weapon is my greatest discovery in life. I found it exploring treasures outside the city, where I fortuitously discovered the body of an eternal true god. The most precious item was the weapon that belonged to the eternal true god.

I am willing to offer this weapon to the Supreme, only wishing for a chance for my child to become an apprentice."

Luo Feng looked surprised at the small hammer, "This is indeed an eternal true god-level weapon secret treasure. From my estimate, it values around 6000 cosmic sands. You, a mere true god of void space, having such a discovery. And yet you dare to show it in front of me? Aren't you afraid I would kill you and take it?"

"Such a treasure, I dare not sell to any power, because the slightest leak of information, and my entire family would be gone," Moyu Hu looked at Luo Feng, "I haven't met many eternal true gods, but the only one I trust is the Supreme."

Last time he guided the way, he wasn't killed! Wasn't robbed! And even got a chance to help!

Moyu Hu then decided to bet on Luo Feng's nature.

"Haha..." Luo Feng beckoned with his hand, picking up the small hammer, "I do not take disciples lightly."

"Eternal true gods do not take disciples lightly either, they usually require trials," Moyu Hu said, "I only hope the Supreme can give a chance for a trial."

Luo Feng said, "You should know that I have conflicts with the Blood Python Association."

"Yes," Moyu Hu nodded, "The news has spread throughout Huyang City." From this conflict, Moyu Hu could see how powerful the Supreme was! If his child could apprentice under the Supreme, that truly would be a grand opportunity.

Luo Feng said, "In the future, I will have conflicts with other dark forces. The Eternal True Gods who hold grudges against me are likely not few. If your child follows me, he might get involved."

Moyu Hu was secretly alarmed.

Already having conflicts with the Blood Python Association, and now with other dark forces?

"Since following the Supreme, naturally both fortune and misfortune must be borne," Moyu Hu replied decisively, as he very clearly understood that he dared only offer the small hammer to Luo Feng.

"How many children do you have?" Luo Feng asked.

"Three children, the Supreme can choose any one of them," Moyu Hu immediately offered a book respectfully, "This is the detailed information about all three of my children."

Luo Feng beckoned it over, "You are indeed well-prepared, but let me be clear in advance, I now only seek one servant! He needs to undergo a trial, and if he fails the trial, he cannot become my disciple. Moreover, the trial will be very long."

"Having the opportunity to be a servant for the Supreme is great fortune for my child," Moyu Hu promptly said.

"Good," Luo Feng nodded, "Bring your three children here, and I will choose one to be my servant."

Moyu Hu showed joy, "I will bring them right away."

He respectfully took his leave and quickly departed.

"Master..." Morosa looked at the small hammer Luo Feng was fiddling with in his hands, unbelievingly said, "You recruit a servant, and also just earned a weapon secret treasure valued at six thousand cosmic sands?"

Luo Feng laughed, "I said I'd recruit a servant within two days. Now I have! Wasn't that fast?"

"Fast!" Morosa praised, "And, Master, you truly know how to earn."

"Six thousand cosmic sands, to become my servant, it's not a loss," Luo Feng laughed.

"I am also Master's servant. To be on the same level as me, of course he doesn't lose," Morosa was delighted, as many of the more mundane tasks could now be handed to Moyu Hu's child.

Morosa said, "Master, in the future I can help you teach the child. No need for you to bother."

That way, he would have even more reason to order the child around.

"Good, if I take him as a disciple, then you will be his second master," Luo Feng said, "But I won't accept a disciple easily. If he doesn't meet the minimum requirements, he can just be a servant for life."

Morosa nodded, "Let me and Master teach together, the threshold for acceptance ought to be higher."

...

Moyu Hu returned home, his house was a modestly-located small cave mansion that he had bought for 1000 primal chaos crystals. It was considered average among the residences of true gods of void space.

"Father." The three young true gods were waiting, aware that their father was going to visit the eternal true god 'Luo He'. Seeing their father return, they were somewhat excited.

Moyu Hu smiled at his three children.

In the Land of Origin, love is a luxury! After all, most true gods live and cultivate under harsh conditions, let alone find a wife and have children.

Moyu Hu was fortunate; he had met his true love and together they had raised three children.

Since his wife's death, Moyu Hu's greatest concern had been his three children, whose lives he valued more than his own.

"Supreme Lord Luo He has agreed to give an opportunity. He will choose one of you three to be a servant," Moyu Hu said, "Being a servant, undergoing many trials, only then might one eventually become a disciple of Supreme Lord Luo He. If you can't pass the trials, you won't become a disciple of the eternal true god."

"We understand."

"It's a rare opportunity, and we will strive for it."

The three brothers grew up in Huyang City and were well aware of the value of this opportunity.

Moyu Hu nodded, "Let's leave right now."