Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 267: Chapter 154 Stone-breaking Crossbow_2

Mu Qinghe remained silent for a moment, then let out a sigh.

”Alas! This is the only way, but when we act, we must be swift. That beast is specially bred by the Holy Pill Sect, and if they discover us, we’ll be done for.”

Mu Qingyuan turned to look at Mu Qinghe and asked, ”Did you tell them what we’re doing this time?”

Mu Qinghe shook his head. ”No, I only told them it’s an escort mission.”

Mu Qingyuan nodded and walked over to Gu Sheng and the others. His gaze was sharp, scanning their faces like an eagle, while a powerful aura emanated from him, crashing over Gu Sheng and the others like waves.

The oppressive aura came and went quickly, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Mu Qingyuan paused for a moment before speaking. ”Do you know who you’re working for this time?” As he spoke, his hand repeatedly stroked the hilt of his blade, the same action mirrored by the hands of Mu Qingwen and Mu Qinghe behind him.

Among the recruited men, aside from Gu Sheng, regardless of cultivation level, none were strangers to earning extra money like this. These seasoned mercenaries already knew the three were from the Mu Trading Firm, but at this moment, they all shook their heads like rattles and loudly proclaimed, ”No idea! We’re just here for the money. We don’t ask questions we shouldn’t or see things we shouldn’t!”

Mu Qingyuan heard this and a satisfied expression appeared on his face, though his hand still didn’t leave the hilt of his blade. Staring coldly at Gu Sheng and the others, he said in a crisp tone, ”Whether you know or don’t know, you better pretend you don’t! Your portraits have already been sent back to my clan. If anyone dares to speak out of turn, heh, you know the consequences!”

”Swoosh!”

With that, he drew the blade partially from its scabbard, and a fierce burst of sword Qi swept forth, forming a chilling gust of wind that left everyone feeling a sudden chill in their hearts.

The recruited men felt their hearts sink. A sense of foreboding crept over them, making them realize this task might not be as simple as they had thought. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be such an intimidating display!

This kind of pre-task intimidation certainly didn’t resemble a typical escort mission!

Mu Qingyuan took note of their frightened expressions. After sheathing his blade, the stern demeanor gave way to a warm smile.

”But don’t worry. Although this task involves some danger, with the three of us here, everything is under control. You will only need to provide support when the time comes! Upon completion, Blood Refining Realm individuals will receive 1,000 taels each, while Bronze Bone Realm individuals will get 1,500 taels!”

As the saying goes, ’Under great reward, bravery arises.’ Those who had been apprehensive earlier immediately shed their fear upon hearing the generous compensation. Some even began eagerly rolling up their sleeves, ready for action.

Mu Qingyuan signaled to Mu Qingwen and Mu Qinghe with his eyes. ”Hand out the equipment!”

Mu Qingwen and Mu Qinghe nodded. They dragged out two large wooden chests from behind a boulder at the edge of the canyon.

When the chests were opened, inside lay rows of finely crafted crossbows.

”These are Stone-breaking Crossbows, forged using hundred-refinement techniques. They can inflict significant damage to Copper Bone Realm beast-blood creatures. Every one of you will receive one. Follow my commands for their use!”

Mu Qingyuan lifted a crossbow from the chest, and then drew a specially made arrow from another chest to load it.

After cocking the crossbow with a click, Mu Qingyuan aimed at a large tree that required a person to wrap their arms around to fully encircle.

”The Stone-breaking Crossbow is immensely powerful, but its recoil is also substantial. When using it, make certain to press down firmly on the body of the crossbow with one hand to maintain accuracy!”

He demonstrated by holding the crossbow with one hand while pressing on the top of it with the other. He then gently pulled the trigger, and with a whoosh, the arrow shot out with a crisp sound.

”Boom!”

The arrow hit the tree, instantly creating a massive explosion. The arm-span-wide tree was pierced with a large hole.

The wood within the hole was blackened, as though scorched by fire.

”Crack, crack!”

The sound of wood breaking followed, and within a few breaths, the tree collapsed from the damaged section. When it hit the ground, even the earth trembled slightly.

Gu Sheng, impressed by the power of the Stone-breaking Crossbow, couldn’t help but pick one up to examine it closely.

In the past, even using a six-stone bow, Gu Sheng was only able to deal effective damage to Blood Refining Realm individuals who had attained Small Success. Against those at Great Success or Perfect achievement, his attacks were effortlessly deflected. But now, this intricate, compact crossbow he held in his hands exhibited such impressive might—it genuinely surprised him.

Gu Sheng’s archery skills were already at the specialized level. He had initially thought his current strength made his archery redundant. However, the Stone-breaking Crossbow now opened a whole new door for him.

Though his archery skills had reached their limit, he could simply upgrade his weapon!

Judging by the power Mu Qingyuan had just demonstrated, the Stone-breaking Crossbow could undoubtedly pose a real threat to those in the Copper Bone Realm. Moreover, paired with First-level Penetration used in a surprise attack, Gu Sheng was confident he could achieve a one-shot kill.

As he continued to admire the Stone-breaking Crossbow, Gu Sheng couldn’t resist asking Mu Qinghe, ”Sir, I’m somewhat skilled in archery, and I’m quite fond of this crossbow. May I purchase one?”

Mu Qingyuan glanced at Gu Sheng and was shocked upon realizing how young he was. He turned to Mu Qinghe with a puzzled and slightly angry look.

Mu Qingyuan misunderstood, suspecting Mu Qinghe had recruited a young heir from another powerful family within Red Cloud Prefecture. The secrecy of their undertaking required absolute discretion. If it weren’t for the urgent nature of their mission, Mu Qingyuan might have immediately erupted in rage against Mu Qinghe.

Realizing Mu Qingyuan’s displeasure, Mu Qinghe quickly leaned closer to explain, ”Brother Yuan, this guy isn’t from Red Cloud Prefecture. He’s merely a talented youth from some backwater place.”

Mu Qingyuan’s expression eased upon hearing this, though his eyes remained full of disdain. ”Asking is pointless. You can’t afford it.”

Gu Sheng chuckled and replied, ”How would I know whether I can afford it if you don’t name a price? What’s the harm in quoting it?”

Mu Yuanqing frowned, his tone turning harsher. ”The Stone-breaking Crossbow costs 18,000 taels apiece. The specialized arrows are 100 taels each, sold in sets of ten. Can you afford it?”

The Stone-breaking Crossbow’s ability to effectively harm those in the Copper Bone Realm made 18,000 taels per unit somewhat reasonable. However, the exorbitant cost of 100 taels per arrow was undeniably steep.

Given its non-guaranteed accuracy, it wasn’t uncommon to expend dozens of arrows in a single battle for less experienced archers, making operational costs potentially far outweigh the initial investment in the crossbow itself.

Fortunately, Gu Sheng faced no such concerns. Thanks to his extraordinary precision and the enhancement of the First-level Penetration effect, the Stone-breaking Crossbow in his hands would surely deliver even greater damage!

Gu Sheng reached into his robe and pulled out twenty silver notes valued at 1,000 taels each.

Handing the silver notes to Mu Qingyuan, Gu Sheng smiled and said, ”I came into a bit of fortune recently, so I’ve some savings. Here are 20,000 taels. Please count them.”

When everyone witnessed Gu Sheng actually producing such an enormous sum of money, they were stunned. None of them had anticipated that Gu Sheng would be so wealthy!

”Is he really from some backwater place?”

This question lingered stubbornly in Mu Qingyuan’s mind.

20,000 taels was no small amount. Even under lucrative assignments like these from the Mu Trading Firm, a Copper Bone Realm individual would need to complete more than ten such jobs to earn that much.

Earning money was one thing; saving it was something entirely different.

For Martial Artists in the Blood Refining and Bone Refining Realms, cultivation heavily relied on expensive elixirs. As a result, most of their earnings were spent on purchasing pills, leaving only elite scions or individuals with unique income sources willing to splurge on weapons.

Although the Stone-breaking Crossbow was powerful, it was still just a ranged weapon, with inconsistent performance and glaring weaknesses. Its efficiency diminished drastically in close quarters, so even those with the means rarely considered it unless for specialized missions like those led by the Mu Trading Firm.

After carefully examining the silver notes, Mu Qingyuan confirmed their authenticity and found himself momentarily frozen.

Even for him, spending 20,000 taels outright on a ranged weapon felt exorbitant!