Everyone should have a basic, good life.

Such ideas, however, require a foundation for their emergence; they do not arise naturally or universally.

Chen Jing took a deep breath, frantically shouting in his mind to calm himself down, calm down, calm down.

He, Li Huaxing, and his younger sister Wan Tong were all adopted by the same man. This man gave them very little food and made them beg and do things at a very young age.

Originally, Chen Jing had some older brothers and sisters, but when they reached the age where their bodies were fully developed, they were all sold by men to places like the fledgling area or the eggshell area, where they became prostitutes and slaves.

People like that man are not uncommon in this land; children who have lost their families are used as tools to make money. If Chen Jing hadn't been lucky enough to meet the "expert" of the hunting party, become his apprentice, and earn a living, he wouldn't have been able to protect himself and his younger siblings.

Chen Jing had also considered rebelling against this man and had made some prior plans and preparations, but he did not expect that after the man heard that he had led the slave spirits away from the hunting group, he sold his sister Wan Tong directly.

Suppressing his anger and murderous intent, Chen Jing asked Li Huaxing, "Where were they sold?" He thought to himself that if they were brothels in the fledgling district, he could borrow money from friends he knew in the hunting group. He had lured away the wandering slave souls this time, which saved everyone's lives. He shouldn't encounter too many difficulties or obstacles when he went to borrow money.

"The ship, the ship district... that person said it was sold in the ship district, to the Black Hand!"

Upon hearing Li Huaxing's words, Chen Jing's expression darkened.

Once someone falls into the hands of a villain, it's very difficult to rescue them.

"Jing, Brother Jing, it's all my fault. I... I was too cowardly. I should have stopped him..." Li Huaxing said painfully, her lips trembling. "I was so useless... I should have fought him to the death..."

Chen Jing looked at his younger brother, Li Huaxing, who was only thirteen years old, two years younger than Chen Jing. Chen Jing closed his eyes and said, "This is not your fault. You can't beat him."

Although "Father" was an alcoholic and didn't exercise at all, he was an adult and had learned swordsmanship when he was young, so he was not someone that a teenager like Li Huaxing could fight against.

"I'll have a way. You stay put, don't do anything extreme, and don't let anyone know I'm back," Chen Jing said. What could he do? He was just an ordinary person, not even a superhuman, and he had no resources to take anyone away from the Black Hand.

After comforting Li Huaxing, Chen Jing prepared to leave the house.

He decided to seek help from the hunting party, from his teacher and the leader!

If they can't do anything...

Chen Jing clenched his fists, pressed his lips tightly together, and recalled a sentence he had heard in another memory.

"Since you've come to this world, you should at least see the sun."

He pushed open the door, and outside, the air was thick with fog, heavy and oppressive, with no sunlight.

Chen Jing made up his mind that if they had no other choice, they would fight to the death. He was the monster lurer, the best monster lurer. Whether it was escaping, setting traps, or moving quietly, it was all part of his job!

"You've come all this way, you should at least see the sun." Chen Jing repeated this sentence softly, and only Li Huaxing heard it.

...

"Expert" is a member of the Phoenix Hunting Group, one of the three major hunting groups in Ash City. Originally, there were four major hunting groups, but one of them went to hunt slave spirits and was wiped out.

Unlike the other warriors in the Phoenix Hunters, he wasn't proficient in using various melee and ranged weapons, nor was he like the hunters in the group, skilled at setting traps and tracking tracks. Yet, he remained the strongest warrior in the Phoenix Hunters.

He did not wear heavy armor or carry a shield, but only wore tattered clothes that could only keep him warm and cover his body. His weapon was not special, but a very common straight sword. He did not look strong and was of medium build.

He had his own little house, with a table and chairs, all by himself. He was making tea, and his sword lay flat on the table, in a convenient spot to be drawn.

There was a very urgent knock on the door, but the "expert" had his back to the door and didn't turn around.

"Come in directly."

The door creaked open, and Chen Jing strode in. Just as he was about to speak, the "expert" extended his hand.

"Let's practice first. Your mind isn't calm enough, so don't talk."

The expert stood up abruptly, without asking why he had come or about matters related to the wandering souls of slaves. Instead, he walked to the side and picked up a practice sword.

Chen Jing paused for a moment, then silently picked up a sword as well.

The two stood still, without bowing or the so-called stronger man letting the weaker man make the first move. The "expert" stepped forward, and his tilted, hidden-length sword suddenly slashed out. Chen Jing instinctively blocked, and their swords clashed. The "expert's" blade passed over and struck Chen Jing's hand, knocking the sword from his grasp.

"If your mind isn't calm, you won't be able to focus; and if you're not focused, you can't do anything," the "expert" said.

Just as Chen Jing was about to speak, the "expert" didn't give him a chance: "Let's do it again."

Chen Jing remained silent and continued sparring with the "expert".

The battle between the two was a one-sided massacre. The "expert's" strength was not much greater than Chen Jing's, and his speed was not faster than Chen Jing's, but his control of distance was too perfect and too precise. Chen Jing was defeated one after another, without any power to fight back.

Gradually, Chen Jing's anxiety subsided considerably, and he finally seized an opportunity. Just as the "expert's" blade struck Chen Jing's vital point, his sword pierced the "expert's" left hand.

"Alright." The expert lowered his sword. "Speak, what's making you so agitated? Is it related to the wandering souls of slaves?"

"I……"

Chen Jing remained silent for a moment. How could he ask the "expert" for help? They were not related. On the contrary, Chen Jing owed the "expert" a debt of gratitude for his guidance. If the "expert" had not recommended Chen Jing to join the hunting group, Chen Jing would not even be able to get enough to eat right now.

The "expert" didn't urge him or seem impatient. Seeing his expression, Chen Jing realized he really had no other choice, so he told him what was going on.

"...That's how it is, teacher. What can I do to save my sister?" Chen Jing said, then lowered his head, not daring to look at his teacher.

"Most of the women sold to the ship district will be sent away." The "expert's" voice rang out: "They will be sent to the outside world, to the outside cities. The people in Ash City can't afford so many people, but the outside world is different."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jing's heart sank. What would happen to her if she were sent outside? Chen Jing couldn't bear to think about it; even a slight thought sent a sharp pain through his heart.

"I can step in and buy her back," the expert said.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jing was overjoyed and excited, and quickly said, "Teacher..."

“But they might not sell, and the price might not be something I can afford.” The expert glanced at Chen Jing: “I’ll just ask around. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to try other methods.”

Chen Jing asked in confusion, "What other methods? Are there any other methods?"

"Only you can do this." The expert seemed to recall something and sighed, "Don't always try to stay peacefully in your own life, don't be afraid of the darkness, the evil order."

Before Chen Jing could ask any more questions, the "expert" got up, pushed open the door, and left.

Chen Jing watched the man's retreating figure, clenching his fists, feeling a mix of gratitude, self-reproach, and regret.