Chapter Fifty-Two: Lin An’s Murderous Intent [Third Update—Seeking Recommendations]

“So you two are from the Lionheart Mercenary Corps? My name is Lin An, and this is my senior sister.” Lin An replied with a smile. Lionheart Mercenary Corps? He had never even heard of them.

“So it’s Brother Lin An!” Mo Feng greeted. “A true hero in his youth indeed. I didn’t expect someone so young to possess such power. You must be from a distinguished clan.”

He spoke with a hint of surprise in his heart. Lin An was being so cautious that he hadn’t even revealed his background, but Mo Feng didn’t mind.

“This is the depths of the Beast Forest, where even fifth or sixth rank magical beasts can be encountered. While you’re strong, if you run into a beast above the fifth rank, it won’t be so easy to handle, will it? And you also have a senior sister by your side whose strength is not as great.” Mo Feng continued.

“What are you trying to say?” Lin An asked bluntly.

“No need to be so guarded, Brother Lin. We merely thought you might encounter dangers here in the Beast Forest that you can't handle, so I suggest you accompany us. If trouble comes, we can look out for each other.” Mo Feng said, as if he genuinely cared for Lin An’s safety.

“That won’t be necessary. In fact, my senior sister and I were just about to leave the Beast Forest. The further we head toward the outskirts, the weaker the beasts, and the risks will be much smaller.” Lin An politely declined. Who would believe in good intentions inside the Beast Forest? Lin An certainly didn’t.

Besides, those who entered the Beast Forest rarely made casual conversation with strangers. If someone approached you, they were almost certainly after something—just like these two.

Mo Feng glanced at Xu Wen, his eyes full of surprise. He clearly hadn’t expected Lin An to be so wary.

But so what?

“Brother Lin, do you not know that the Beast Forest is ten times more dangerous at night than it is during the day?” Mo Feng persisted.

“All I know is that the human heart is a hundred times more dangerous than the beasts here. If you two have nothing else to say, we’ll be on our way.” Lin An said, preparing to take Nalan Yanran and leave.

Unexpectedly, Xu Wen blocked their way.

“Boss, they’re just two snot-nosed brats. Why are you being so cautious? Just kill the boy and take the girl with us,” Xu Wen said impatiently.

At this point, Mo Feng couldn’t be bothered to keep up the pretense.

“Idiot,” Mo Feng cursed at Xu Wen before turning his attention back to Lin An and his companion. “I was planning to let you die painlessly, but now you’ve brought this upon yourself,” he said.

If he hadn’t witnessed Lin An slay a fourth-rank magical beast, he wouldn’t have been so careful. For two people to venture deep into the Beast Forest, they were either fools or had hidden aces—Mo Feng believed Lin An was the latter.

Still, after a drawn-out battle with a fourth-rank magical beast, Lin An’s strength was likely depleted. With Mo Feng’s six-star Dou Spirit cultivation, plus Xu Wen, it would be easy to take Lin An’s life.

“So you finally reveal your true colors. Tell me, why are you targeting us?” Lin An asked.

“It’s simple. You two don’t look ordinary, so you must have valuable items. After your fight with the beast, you must be exhausted. Taking your possessions will be much easier, and more profitable, than venturing deeper into the forest,” Mo Feng replied with a chuckle.

In truth, they weren’t really a normal mercenary group taking assignments. Their specialty was to lurk in the depths of the Beast Forest, searching for those who had just fought high-ranking magical beasts and were left wounded and weak.

With so many mercenary groups in the forest, and plenty of confident experts, their monthly haul far outstripped that of those doing standard missions.

They had even once killed an eight-star Dou King, and that windfall… If word got out, countless mercenary groups would be envious.

They were always careful to leave no survivors, which was why few knew what the Lionheart Mercenary Corps truly did. Most would assume their targets died at the claws of magical beasts.

They called themselves “Scavengers,” specializing in these sorts of unsavory deeds in the Beast Forest.

“So that’s how it is,” Lin An nodded, now understanding their motives. In the end, they were simply backstabbers.

“Aren’t you afraid of us?” Seeing Lin An remain so calm, Xu Wen was surprised. He had seen all sorts over the years, including a Dou King who had once begged for his life, crawling and weeping before them—a memory that still brought him perverse joy.

“Afraid of you? Why should I be?” Lin An sneered. “If you were Dou Kings or Dou Emperors, perhaps I’d be wary, but you, mere Dou Spirits, couldn’t even handle the fourth-rank beast from earlier. Why would I fear you?”

He truly had no reason to be afraid. Within his Hall of Yama, he still had the two Underworld Envoys—Black and White Impermanence—whose strength was at the peak of Dou King. If he let them out, these two would be wiped out without effort.

What amused Lin An was that someone actually set their sights on him for the first time.

“Hahaha… Good, I hope you’re not just putting on a brave front!” Murder gleamed in Xu Wen’s eyes.

“This boy is yours. I’ll take the girl. Such a beauty—I’ve never seen anyone like her. Tonight is going to be a real treat!” Mo Feng revealed his true intent, his gaze toward Nalan Yanran lecherous, as if he could already picture her beneath him.

“Don’t worry, boss, I’ll handle the boy. You’d better take good care of that little beauty, or she might not last until I’m done!” Xu Wen jeered, but just as he finished, he suddenly sensed a wave of murderous intent wash over him.

“Haha…” he laughed. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen that look in someone’s eyes. Don’t worry, soon you’ll have reason to hate me—especially once your little beauty is under me…”

Xu Wen relished this feeling, taunting Lin An ceaselessly. Yet all of a sudden, a chilling dread gripped him, as though he were falling into an abyss, his very soul shuddering under the gaze of some monstrous presence.

“What’s wrong?” Mo Feng frowned. He knew Xu Wen’s perverted habits well, and had heard these lines so often he could recite them himself. For Xu Wen to stop mid-sentence was surprising.