Chapter 80 – On the eve of departure
"No need to investigate further; the real mastermind is right here in the Capital City. It's Qingfeng, the follower of the God of Cookery, Zhuge Kongfang. He's the one behind it all."
Lin Feng's words left Hero Guo momentarily stunned.
"That's impossible! Fabricating stories like this is illegal."
Lin Feng shrugged and explained, "Zhuge Kongfang wanted to retire and buy some land, but the prices in the Capital City were too high. So, he handed over a batch of substandard cleavers to his follower, Qingfeng. To open up the market, Qingfeng created the Cleaver Sect and used Li Dazui, the sole disciple of the God of Cookery, as a gimmick to quickly expand their network. In our world, this is called a pyramid scheme. If you go find Qingfeng now, he'll probably confess everything."
"I don't believe it! I'll investigate myself!"
Hero Guo, unwilling to accept it, took his men to capture Qingfeng overnight. Before they even started the interrogation, Qingfeng confessed everything, exactly as Lin Feng had described!
When he returned to Department Six, Lin Feng was still leisurely sipping tea.
Seeing him return, Lin Feng stood up with a smile and cupped his hands, "Thank you, senior, for granting me the Raging Waves Palm!"
Though Hero Guo was still a bit reluctant, he honored his promise and taught Lin Feng the last three moves of the Raging Waves Palm.
[Raging Waves Palm, Seventh Move: Mountain Shout and Sea Roar]: Upon execution, it deals 2500 skill damage to the target and inflicts moderate internal injuries. (Moderate Internal Injury: Victim's Vitality reduced by 30% and damage by 25% for 5 days)
Cost: Consumes 200 Internal Strength per use, no cooldown.
[Raging Waves Palm, Eighth Move: Great Waves Wash the Sand]: Upon execution, it deals 2200 skill damage to the target, causes 40% minor area damage, and inflicts light internal injuries. (Light Internal Injury: Victim's Vitality reduced by 15% and damage by 10% for 3 days)
Cost: Consumes 350 Internal Strength per use, no cooldown.
[Raging Waves Palm, Eighth Move: Azure Waves Surge]: Upon execution, it deals 4000 skill damage to the target, causes 60% major area damage, and inflicts moderate internal injuries.
Cost: Consumes 600 Internal Strength per use, no cooldown.
"Congratulations on mastering the complete Earth Grade martial art, Raging Waves Palm! Base Force +260 points! All palm technique damage +15%!"
Seeing the last three moves, Lin Feng felt his efforts were well worth it. The Raging Waves Palm was incredibly practical.
Not only did it have a variety of moves from low to high, allowing him to choose different moves against enemies of varying strengths, but the last three moves also had high damage and useful skill effects like internal injuries and area damage, freeing Lin Feng from relying solely on single-target attacks.
In future encounters with large groups of players, he wouldn't need to take them down one by one; a single palm strike would topple them in droves!
This is the kind of effect powerful martial arts should have.
Lin Feng even felt a bit eager, hoping for another chance to face dozens of players trying to block his 'glorious path.'
Besides the Raging Waves Palm, Hero Guo also gave him the rewards for the Southwest Three Poisons quest.
Since the quest had been upgraded to nightmare level, the rewards were much more generous than before.
Experience +8000 points, 50 taels of gold, 1 Profound Grade high-level weapon, 1 Profound Grade mid-level movement technique, 1 bottle of Profound Grade Tiger Subduing Pill, 1 bottle of Profound Grade Gathering Qi Pill.
The massive experience points allowed Lin Feng to level up again, reaching level 32.
And he had only a few hours left before leaving the novice map.
Hero Guo noticed the hint of farewell on Lin Feng's face.
He didn't try to persuade him to stay but smiled and said, "I hope the next time I hear about you, you'll have made a name for yourself, renowned across the world."
"Thank you, senior, I will."
Lin Feng smiled slightly and, as if remembering something, pulled out a letter from his sleeve before leaving.
"This was found on Sai Ban. It might be useful to you."
Hero Guo opened it and immediately looked serious. It was a letter from the Southern Barbarian King proposing an alliance with the Jin Kingdom to attack the Ming Dynasty.
"I didn't expect you to give me such a great gift before leaving. I, Guo, thank you."
Hero Guo naturally understood the significance of the letter, which could potentially elevate his position.
Lin Feng sighed and said, "I just hope the Ming Dynasty can hold on a little longer."
Those familiar with history would know that the Ming Dynasty was the last feudal dynasty in China founded by the Han people. After its fall, the Qing Dynasty, now known as the Jin Kingdom, took over.
Lin Feng knew this letter wouldn't change much. The Ming was weak, and the Qing was strong. Even if the Ming Dynasty suddenly woke up and tried to catch up, it couldn't bridge such a large gap in national power in a short time.
He was just lending a small hand, hoping the Ming Dynasty could lose with some dignity.
"You have provided a key item for the Ming court. A true hero serves the country and the people. Reputation Points +3000! You have also earned the exclusive title of 'Hero'!"
Lin Feng didn't expect that just by handing over a letter, he would receive such a pleasant surprise.
Three thousand Reputation Points—how many villains would he have to defeat to accumulate that? He didn't expect a single letter to do the trick.
Moreover, the Hero title had unexpected effects.
[Hero]: Charisma permanently +8 points. The first impression of righteous NPCs is at least friendly, at most admiring. When encountering difficulties, righteous NPCs are highly likely to help you voluntarily.
(Note: If your Sin Value exceeds your Reputation Points, this title's effects will be temporarily frozen.)
Leaving Department Six, Lin Feng found Mo Baibai and An Qingxue still waiting outside.
"Do you have any business?" Lin Feng asked, puzzled.
Mo Baibai remained silent, and An Qingxue lowered her head, too shy to speak.
Mo Baibai sighed and said, "Speak up! Didn't you say you wanted to ask for a friend slot? Go ahead."
An Qingxue's face turned beet red, and she stammered, unable to say a word.
Mo Baibai felt helpless towards her boss, who usually chatted away but lost her ability to speak after meeting Lin Feng.
She had to relay the message, "Boss Lin, my boss wants to ask if she can add you as a friend. Is that okay?"
"Of course, no problem. I should have remembered earlier. You could have just messaged me about this; no need to come in person."
Mo Baibai shrugged helplessly, "I had no choice. My boss insisted on asking in person to show sincerity, but now she's too shy to speak."
Lin Feng chuckled and proactively added An Qingxue as a friend. She accepted immediately, then grabbed Mo Baibai and ran off as if escaping.
After running a distance, An Qingxue suddenly stopped and slapped her forehead.
"What now?" Mo Baibai asked.
"I forgot to ask which map he's going to. We could go together when we reach level 30!"
"Seriously, boss, you're turning into a simp?"
"Do you have to put it so harshly?"
"Didn't we agree to leave the novice map and head to the Heavenly Sword Map to join the Emei Sect? The Emei Sect is the best place for female players. Not only is the sect powerful, but it also has martial arts suitable for female players to practice."
"Most importantly, your bestie is already an elite disciple of the Emei Sect. She said she could get us in without an assessment. This is a huge benefit. Don't you want it?"
"But... okay..."
...
Three chapters~ Tomorrow, two chapters of Sword Cultivator~