My Will Rules Another World

Chapter 9: First Mercenary Mission

After leaving the Mercenary Guild, Ling Feng returned to his room and began his daily practice of the Proud Dragon Art. Cultivation had long become an unshakable habit of his new life in this world.

Early the next morning, Ling Feng packed his belongings and headed for the town gate.

As he walked out of the inn, he saw the familiar carriage party preparing their luggage for departure. Beside the carriage stood a woman wearing a veiled hat, completely hiding her face from view.

Ling Feng immediately guessed that this must be the mysterious lady who had spoken for him the day before.

He politely greeted Captain Hu standing beside her.

“Good morning, Captain Hu.”

“Morning, Ling Feng.” Captain Hu smiled and asked casually, “Where are you heading? If our paths align, we can travel together.”

Ling Feng shook his head slightly.

“Thank you for the kindness. I accepted a mercenary mission yesterday, and I am going to complete it now.”

“I see. Then go on with your business. We shall meet again if fate allows.”

“Of course. Wish you a safe journey.”

After bidding them farewell, Ling Feng walked straight toward the town gate.

Several people were already waiting there. They were undoubtedly other mercenaries who had also taken the same escort mission.

While waiting for the main caravan to arrive, Ling Feng took out a roasted fish and fed it to the little fire cat on his shoulder.

He then pulled out his newly obtained mercenary card and studied it carefully.

This world’s mercenary card was far more advanced than any ordinary identity card. Forged from special memory magic crystal, it could record mission records, personal strength grades, and even functioned like a bank card. It stored wealth through unique spiritual recording techniques.

Ling Feng could not help but sigh inwardly.

If he could c***k this magical recording method, the entire world’s financial system would face collapse.

Yet these cards had existed for nearly a thousand years without a single loophole. The mysterious spiritual crystal technology of this world was far more profound than he had imagined.

Unlike Earth’s bank cards that required annual fees, this mercenary card needed no maintenance cost at all. More importantly, it was bound solely to one’s unique spiritual wave. No one in this world could forge, steal, or tamper with it.

While Ling Feng was still examining the card, the sound of rolling wheels echoed from the distance.

He lifted his head, and his eyes widened slightly in surprise.

The leader of this escort caravan was none other than Captain Hu.

It turned out the mission he had accepted was protecting the exact same group he had traveled with to Kayue Town.

Truly, their fate was strangely intertwined.

Captain Hu also spotted Ling Feng and wore a look of astonishment. After a moment, he laughed.

“Ling Feng! I never expected to meet you again so soon. Our connection is truly extraordinary.”

Ling Feng smiled faintly.

“Indeed, fate brings unexpected encounters.”

Captain Hu turned toward the waiting mercenaries and spoke in a serious tone.

“Everyone, please state your name, occupation, and mercenary rank. I need your information to arrange proper guard positions.”

A cold‑looking swordsman stepped forward first, hand resting on his blade.

“Fang Tianya, twenty‑five years old, Intermediate Sword Master, B‑Rank Mercenary.”

Next came a frail‑looking young boy who spoke timidly.

“Chen Fan, twenty years old, Advanced Magician, C‑Rank Mercenary. Please take care of me, everyone.”

One after another, the remaining mercenaries reported their information.

In total, there were six people on the mission team. Five were swordsmen, and only Chen Fan was a magician.

All four ordinary swordsmen possessed strength above the Advanced Swordsman level and held B‑Rank mercenary certificates.

This was merely a B‑grade mission with mediocre rewards, so it naturally could not attract top experts.

Just as Captain Hu was about to close the register book, he noticed Ling Feng standing quietly aside without reporting any information.

Although they were acquainted, Captain Hu had never learned Ling Feng’s true strength or occupation. Deep down, he still held faint doubts about Ling Feng’s identity.

He took this chance to ask directly.

“Ling Feng, tell me your information as well. I need to record everyone’s details.”

A mischievous glint flashed in Ling Feng’s eyes.

He deliberately answered in a joking tone.

“Ling Feng, nineteen years old, unmarried. Family background — confidential. Definitely wealthy, no bad habits, clean record…”

The entire team froze on the spot, staring blankly at him.

Captain Hu quickly interrupted helplessly.

“Stop messing around! Just tell us your occupation and mercenary rank!”

“…and I’ve even been hailed as an outstanding young talent. Ah, you don’t need to dig too deep into my background. Still, better mutual understanding will help us fight in greater harmony, so we ought to get closer. As for my occupation, I am the most free‑spirited swordsman around. I hold an Advanced Swordsman title issued by the Swordsman Guild. Over at the Mercenary Guild, I am a newly‑registered G‑Rank mercenary. We will be travelling together for some time, so please take good care of your little brother.”

After rambling on with all that nonsense, Ling Feng finally stated his occupation and rank.

Everyone present felt a dull headache coming on. Yet they were genuinely shocked to hear Ling Feng was an Advanced Swordsman. Nineteen‑year‑old Advanced Swordsmen were extremely rare. Coupled with that strange dagger‑like sword hanging at his waist, all eyes studied Ling Feng closely.

There was an inexplicable aura about him, and his sword lent him an almost ethereal bearing. But his silly remarks and the little cat perched on his shoulder quickly dispelled that other‑worldly air, replacing it with a very easy‑going charm.

Inside the carriage, the lady barely held back her laughter. She was only now discovering how amusing Ling Feng truly was, and curiosity stirred within her, making her want to figure him out.

Ling Feng’s odd shift in attitude stemmed from thoughts he had sorted through the previous night. He had always strived to grow stronger, yet his heart had been adrift. That inner confusion stayed hidden when he was alone. But after interacting with the caravan, he clearly realised he possessed no real purpose in this world. He had not truly blended into this realm at all.

Now he had reached a resolution. Since he had ended up here, he might as well travel freely. He would live like the wandering heroes of old, beating up those who deserved a good thrashing. There was no urgent need to fit in; after all, he was not originally from this world. Observing everything as an outsider could turn out to be quite an interesting experience.

Captain Hu brought everyone back to focus.

“Our mission is to escort the young lady safely to the Imperial City. Every one of you must guarantee her safety. Nothing must happen to her.”

Once briefed, the group made their preparations and set off toward Tianxiang Imperial City.

Along the way, Ling Feng learned more about his teammates.

Chen Fan was an orphan, raised and taught magic by his master from childhood. According to the boy, his master was an extraordinarily powerful Archmage. Chen Fan could not tell exactly how mighty he was, but his master could cast all spells below Tier‑3 instantly — at minimum, he was an Intermediate Archmage. Mages of such calibre were highly sought‑after across every empire. Ling Feng wondered why such a figure would choose to dwell in a tiny remote village. There must have been some unavoidable reason behind it.

Fang Tianya practised the Gale Sword Art and channelled Gale Battle‑Qi. It was an inherited family skill, ordinarily nothing remarkable. Through relentless effort, however, he had attained Intermediate Sword Master at twenty‑four, which was nothing short of a miracle.

Whenever there was spare time on the journey, Fang Tianya would find a spot to practise his sword forms. After Ling Feng pestered him repeatedly, he allowed Ling Feng to watch. He saw no reason to keep the ordinary family skill secret.

Watching Fang Tianya train, Ling Feng confirmed that the sword art itself was quite plain. Reaching Intermediate Sword Master with such basic techniques spoke volumes about the young man’s natural talent and sheer hard work. Still, many flaws lingered within his moves. He relied almost entirely on arm strength, never drawing power from his waist or legs.

Having analysed the weaknesses of Fang Tianya’s fighting style, Ling Feng mentally worked out ways to refine the techniques.

“Tianya, is this how you normally practise the Gale Sword Art?”

Misinterpreting the comment as mockery, Fang Tianya frowned, sheathed his blade, and headed back toward the resting party.

Ling Feng realised he had phrased it poorly. Fang Tianya was already self‑conscious about his commonplace sword art, and those words had struck a nerve. He quickly called after him.

“Tianya, that is not what I meant. I only wanted to understand your technique so I could help you improve your sword forms.”

Fang Tianya had intended to ignore him, but those words made him halt. He hesitated, then slowly turned around.

“You claim you can improve my sword art?”

Ling Feng knew Fang Tianya remained sceptical, yet the prospect of refining his skill was far too tempting.

“Of course. I know astronomy and geography, I have read countless scrolls. Tweaking a few sword moves is trivial for me. Back in my day…”

“Hey, where are you going? Come back, I will explain your flaws right now.”

Fang Tianya had begun walking away again amid Ling Feng’s rambling, and only stopped once Ling Feng promised to get straight to the point.

Dropping the idle banter, Ling Feng cut to the core problem.

“Your sword art holds many weaknesses. Most importantly, you only use strength from your arms. Your waist and legs contribute almost no force. Adjust your stance like this, and unleash power from your entire body. And this move can be executed this way…”

While speaking, Ling Feng demonstrated using Fang Tianya’s greatsword.

Ling Feng spent the time teaching Fang Tianya both the revised sword forms and a brand‑new set of techniques he had created specifically to suit Fang Tianya.

When the lesson ended, Fang Tianya stood rooted to the spot in a daze, half‑convinced he was dreaming. With this improved sword art, he could at minimum advance to Junior Sword Saint. After absorbing Ling Feng’s theories on swordplay, he dared to believe that reaching High‑rank Sword Saint would no longer be an impossible fantasy. He was so lost in his own thoughts that he did not even notice when Ling Feng turned and left.

Ling Feng understood that Fang Tianya needed plenty of time to digest everything he had learned. He therefore headed back toward the camp alone.