Eternal Saber-Chapter 291 - 15: Hermit Code

A master from the Divine Land triggered a Purgatory-level bounty?

Chen Tang was startled and asked, "A Grandmaster from the Divine Land?"

Shen Yu shook his head and said, "No, I've heard it's just a Fourth Grade."

"A Fourth Grade Martial Artist, how could they reach a Purgatory-level bounty?"

Chen Tang was somewhat puzzled.

While in Wu'an County, Qingmu had mentioned once that Hermits are classified into several levels: Lower Concealment, Middle Concealment, Upper Concealment, and Celestial Concealment.

Generally speaking, Lower Concealment corresponds to Ninth Grade to Sixth Grade martial artists.

Middle Concealment corresponds to Fourth Grade and Fifth Grade martial artists.

Upper Concealment corresponds to Third Grade Martial Artists.

Celestial Concealment corresponds to Second Grade Innate Martial Artists.

Just a Fourth Grade Martial Artist, can't a random Upper Concealment kill them? Why would the bounty be elevated to Purgatory Level?

Shen Yu noticed the confusion in Chen Tang's heart and explained, "In the Hermit Realm, there are some special and strictly enforced rules. One of them is that Hermits are not allowed to target bounties below their level."

"For example, an Upper Concealment cannot assassinate martial artists below Third Grade. Middle Concealment cannot target martial artists below Fifth Grade."

Chen Tang's eyes flickered, lightly murmuring, "Interesting."

Shen Yu said, "After all, for Hermits, targeting a bounty of the same level is already an easy task. If they targeted those below them, it would be too easy, leaving that level of Hermits with no tasks to complete."

Chen Tang asked, "So the person here to assassinate you can only be a Lower Concealment?"

"Yes."

Shen Yu said, "Brother Chen, don't be careless. You created quite a stir at the port earlier, and it's very possible that someone in Qianzhu City has placed a bounty on you. When the time comes, you'll also have a Lower Concealment after you."

"So, we might as well return to the cargo ship, which is somewhat safer. After all, in a crowded city full of eyes, crises lurk everywhere, and one must constantly remain vigilant."

Chen Tang pondered, "Earlier you mentioned that the Dongyi Race is skilled in forging weapons. I want to craft a piece of armor. Where is the best blacksmith in Qianzhu City?"

"The best blacksmith is certainly in the Shadow Tower."

Shen Yu said, "However, we are not qualified to have him forge weapons or armor for us."

Chen Tang asked, "Why is that?"

Shen Yu said, "Because we don't have Hidden Coins."

"Hidden Coins?"

Chen Tang was puzzled for a moment; is this term used here?

Shen Yu explained, "Hermit Gold Coins, also known as Hidden Coins, are a special currency circulating only in the Hermit Realm. Transactions among Hermits can only be conducted with Hidden Coins, which are very difficult for outsiders to obtain."

Ah, I see.

The tone of these people's speech is somewhat peculiar, Chen Tang misheard.

However, these Hermits indeed live up to the name "old Hidden Coins," so to speak.

Chen Tang asked again, "How does one obtain these Hidden Coins?"

"Become a Hermit, complete the bounty tasks of the Shadow Tower, and different tasks will have corresponding Hidden Coin rewards."

Shen Yu said, "For example, completing a simple-level bounty targeted at a Lower Concealment like me, besides receiving half the bounty, will also reward you with one Hidden Coin."

"Just one reward?"

Chen Tang frowned, "That seems rather little."

"It's not a small amount."

Shen Yu said, "The value of one Hidden Coin is not fixed and cannot be measured with silver taels. Only Hidden Coins can be used in the Shadow Tower to exchange for corresponding weapons, medicines, information, cultivation techniques, and various services."

"In other words, Hidden Coins help determine your identity in the Hermit Realm. After all, there are so many Hermits with various hidden identities, and Shadow Towers are everywhere. The owner cannot possibly know all the Hermits. Only possessing Hidden Coins can prove you belong to the Hermit Realm."

Chen Tang pondered momentarily, saying, "So, according to what you said, if I kill a Hermit, I can also take the Hidden Coins he has on him. Why didn't you search that Hermit just now?"

"In theory, that's how it works."

Shen Yu said, "But if a person who isn't a Hermit is caught with Hidden Coins, you know what that means?"

Chen Tang asked, "Would that cause a lot of trouble?"

Shen Yu nodded and said, "In that case, there would be no need for anyone to place a bounty; Hermits would come after you for the Hidden Coins you possess."

"So, regardless of whether the Hermit's corpse had Hidden Coins or not, it's best not to touch it to avoid bringing trouble upon yourself."

This can't be controlled easily.

In his penniless situation, he can only make a living by looting corpses.

Moreover, if he wanted the Shadow Tower's blacksmith to forge armor, he could only use Hidden Coins.

Brother Yin said longingly, "It's said that the Shadow Tower in Qianzhu City has the strongest wine, but I never had the chance to taste it."

"Hmph!"

Xiao Pu rolled her eyes at Brother Yin, saying, "I've heard the Shadow Tower's lady boss is quite charming. Do you want to drink the Shadow Tower's wine, or do you want to see the people in the Shadow Tower?"

"Cough, cough!"

Brother Yin blushed, coughing several times.

Just then, the four of them passed under an arch bridge, with gentle flowing water below and a boatman rowing through.

On the bridge, there was a blind fortuneteller, an old woman selling sugar-coated haws, and young men and women standing on the arch bridge, laughing and chatting as they looked at the distant scenery...

People came and went; everything seemed very harmonious.

A family of three came from the opposite side, two adults on either side, holding the hand of a bouncing Child.

"Mom, I want sugar-coated haws!"

The Child's eyes lit up upon seeing the sugar-coated haws, unable to take another step.

"Sugar-coated haws aren't good!"

The woman seemed short on money, pulling the Child while saying, "When we go home, Mom will steam buns for you."

"No, no, I want sugar-coated haws!"

The Child sat on the arch bridge in protest, loudly crying.

The middle-aged man frowned deeply, looking down at the Child at his feet with some displeasure.

The woman crouched down, gently coaxing in a soft voice.

Chen Tang and his group walked all the way without encountering any issues.

Though this was a world of Hermits, its operations were not much different from the normal world.

Shen Yu and his two companions, after walking for so long, began to relax somewhat.

After all, people's energy is limited, and it's impossible to remain tense and on guard all the time.

Even Chen Tang couldn't detect anything amiss with the people around him.

But just as the child was crying and waving his arms, Chen Tang suddenly heard a strange wind sound!

In the next moment, a murderous intent erupted on the arch bridge!

The middle-aged man suddenly lunged at Chen Tang, his hands gleaming with cold light, as if equipped with two metal claws, charging towards Chen Tang!

The woman, initially crouched on the ground with her back to Chen Tang, suddenly turned around with a strange smile, flipping her palm to reveal a cold glinting short knife, stabbing at Chen Tang's abdomen from an extremely cunning angle!

On the other side, the old lady who was just selling sugar-coated haws gripped her hand, causing her bamboo cane to shatter with a bang, revealing a narrow longsword she swung towards Chen Tang's neck! 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

In the blink of an eye, three people attacked Chen Tang!

Perhaps there were four!

This time, the assassination target was not Shen Yu but Chen Tang.

Shen Yu reacted extremely fast, issuing a low shout, "Go help him!"

Brother Yin hesitated slightly but still drew the long knife from his waist to confront the middle-aged man coming head-on.

Xiao Pu held her sword in hand, guarding Shen Yu vigilantly while watching the surroundings.

But she failed to notice a shadowy figure that slipped out from under the arch bridge, silently approaching Shen Yu from behind.

This person had been hiding under the arch bridge for who knows how long, waiting until the assassination erupted above, capturing everyone's attention before making their move!