[You’ve finally amassed enough money, and the hardships along the way have made you realize how foolish you once were for wasting time.]

[With this money, you’ve hired 50 professional assassins. Seeing them lined up before you, you grin with satisfaction; you’ve never had such power in your hands before. With this strength, you think, is there anything in the world you can’t accomplish?]

Zhang Qiming read this part and could only roll his eyes. Did his predecessor get hit in the head or something? Thinking 50 professional assassins would let him rule the world? Any expert from the Zhang family could probably wipe them out in an instant.

Sure enough, the next part of the text confirmed Zhang Qiming’s thoughts.

[Your first act after gathering your forces, of course, is revenge! You go after Zhang Nian, but on your way, you unexpectedly encounter Zhang Jiuri, drunk and in a state that reminds you of your former self. You order him to step aside, but seeing you with so many men, his fighting spirit ignites, and you clash. In the heat of battle, Zhang Jiuri retreats during the day, but that night, he sneaks into your camp...]

[Under the cover of night, Zhang Jiuri uses a powerful sleeping agent, and your 50 assassins fall like chicks, completely annihilated! Zhang Jiuri single-handedly wipes out your “army.” Left in despair, you cry like a child as your painstakingly gathered fortune is wasted. Though you’re over a hundred years old, you’re crying like a kid.]

[Seeing you in such despair, Zhang Jiuri offers a half-hearted apology, but nothing more. When he finds out your target is Zhang Nian, he joins your cause. But it’s still not enough. You know that to defeat someone from the Zhang family, you need the support of other Zhang clan members. Gain more allies from the Zhang family.]

[Task Rewards:] [Gain approval from more than 1 Zhang family member: Reward—Dugu Nine Swords, Arrow-Breaking Style, able to shatter any projectile!] [More than 10 members: Reward—Dugu Nine Swords, Blade-Breaking Style, able to block any blade!] [More than 50 members: Reward—Dugu Nine Swords, Qi-Breaking Style, strong enough to resist advanced inner power!] [More than 100 members: Reward—Complete Dugu Nine Swords! Unmatched power, dominate battlefields, and take heads as easily as picking apples.]

Zhang Qiming was stunned. The reward for this mission was the Dugu Nine Swords! Unlike other martial arts, this set was famed for its ability to counter any weapon with sheer defensive prowess. If he could master the entire set, he’d be nearly invincible—even among Zhang clan members! Taking down someone like Zhang Nian would be like sipping tea. But the mission requirements were absurd!

“There probably aren’t even 50 Zhang family members in the future, let alone 100. How is this even a revenge mission? This is an impossible mission!” he muttered.

Yet, Zhang Qiming quickly realized something: this was set a hundred years ago! When he returned to the Zhang family estate, there’d be hundreds of family members. Completing the mission might actually be possible!

“Damn, this could be my big break!” Zhang Qiming thought, thrilled. He enthusiastically slapped Zhang Jiuri on the shoulder, who assumed his excitement was over forming their team and thought little of it.

Zhang Qiming noticed something else: a progress bar appeared below the mission. [Family Members: 5 (Names: Zhang Qiling, Zhang Haike, Zhang Haixing, Zhang Jiuri, Zhang Qiming...)] [Minimum reward available, would you like to claim it?]

Nice! Even he was counted in!

“See, being self-obsessed has its perks!” he chuckled. With only Zhang Nian still holding a grudge, Zhang Qiming silently vowed to find ways to win him over.

With 5 approvals already in hand, Zhang Qiming mentally commanded, “Claim!” Immediately, he gained the Arrow-Breaking Style from the Dugu Nine Swords. Now, he could counter any projectile, whether a hidden weapon in a tomb or a trap from enemies.

“Alright, we’ve gotten what we came for. Let’s head back and report,” Zhang Jiuri suggested, holding a scorpion-shaped dart he had picked up.

“But the way back has collapsed, so there’s no way out,” Zhang Haixing said with a worried expression. Her brother, Zhang Haike, looked equally concerned.

“Up ahead.” The quiet Zhang Qiling pointed in the opposite direction toward the abyss. “There’s another path, but it’s dangerous.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Nian jumped up, exclaiming, “Why didn’t you say so earlier instead of making us dig around!”

Zhang Qiling gave him a calm look, “My goal is the Heavenly Staff. The path ahead is dangerous—proceed with caution.” He started walking without further explanation, with Zhang Jiuri immediately following behind.

Zhang Qiming smirked at Zhang Nian. “What’s the matter? Are you scared?”

Annoyed by his taunt, Zhang Nian roared, “When did a good-for-nothing like you get the right to lecture me?!”

“Oh really?” Zhang Qiming replied calmly. “You’ve been relying on others to handle every obstacle since we entered the Zhang estate—whether it was the Bronze Horses or the chasm here. Who’s the real good-for-nothing?”

In a rage, Zhang Nian pulled out a scorpion dart and aimed it at Zhang Qiming. Sensing that Zhang Qiling was far enough away, he sneered. “There’s no one to save you this time. Let’s see if you can dodge this!”

“Zhang Nian, stop!” Zhang Haixing called out, but her attempt to intervene was too slow.

The dart shot forward with blinding speed.

“Prepare the medicine!” Zhang Haike urgently told Zhang Haixing. He knew Zhang Qiming wouldn’t be able to dodge in time.

But just as the dart was about to hit, Zhang Qiming pulled out a fearsome-looking blade and, with one swift movement, sliced the dart clean in two!

Zhang Nian’s eyes widened in shock, his face pale. “Impossible!”

Before he could process what had happened, Zhang Qiming closed the gap between them in an instant, his blade ready to strike.

A loud clang rang out as Zhang Qiling’s knife intercepted Zhang Qiming’s, stopping his strike. Zhang Nian, still dazed, looked up to see Zhang Qiming’s blade mere inches from his head.

“If you’re going to attack, you better be prepared to die,” Zhang Qiming said coldly before following Zhang Qiling down the path.

“Serves you right!” Zhang Haixing snapped at Zhang Nian before following the others.

“Looks like we’re the ones needing protection on this mission. We really have been naive,” Zhang Haike commented to Zhang Nian before heading after the group.

Left alone in the tunnel, Zhang Nian muttered to himself, “How did this happen? Am I the real good-for-nothing here?