’If I want to borrow the Scholar’s Professional Ability again in the future, I’ll still need to establish a Resonance connection with Yuna.’

’Maybe I should bring Yuna over too?’

’But Yuna has no combat ability whatsoever. It would be too dangerous for someone so young to travel all the way to an enemy nation.’

’Leng Qingying, on the other hand, should now be stronger than an ordinary Level 5 Reincarnator.’

’I don’t have to worry too much about her safety.’

Lu Cang lay on his bed and began to study the Combat Skill he had imprinted.

"Secret of Cutting."

"All cuts can be made with mind and spirit as one, formed from momentum..."

This was a treatise that thoroughly explained the secret to cutting.

It didn’t provide any concrete Combat Skills, but it explained the concept of "cutting" with such crystal clarity that after reading it, Lu Cang felt as if he had been suddenly enlightened on the subject.

’It feels like all the cuts I’ve made before were wrong.’

’Not just the cuts from Combat Skills.’

’Even magical abilities like Wind Blade, Light Blade, Whip Slash, and Light Sweep... they were all wrong.’

’A true cut.’

Lu Cang brought two fingers together, pinching a current of wind between their tips.

He swept out with a horizontal slash!

SWISH!

A thin line of wind streaked across the room—

An extremely fine, long crack appeared on the wall.

SHIIING—

Immediately after, the cabinet, the headboard, the lamp... everything slid apart at an angle.

’That was it.’

’This is a true cut.’

’When fast, a cut is like a thread. When heavy with momentum, it is like a mountain.’

"I suppose besides the Secret of Cutting, there must be other secret techniques."

"Left for those who pass the inheritance to study... is that it?"

’In other words, this "Secret of Cutting" is probably only taught after passing some kind of inheritance trial.’

’However, I suppose I also count as someone who has passed the War God’s inheritance.’

’It’s only natural for me to take a look.’

"The inheritances of this world are full of surprises."

Before this, Lu Cang had no idea something like a War God Secret Technique even existed.

’Even after studying for so long, it feels like my understanding of this world is still just the tip of the iceberg.’

’Alright... time to go downstairs and pay for the damages.’

’And get a new room while I’m at it, then get some sleep.’

...

「The next morning」

A knock sounded at his door.

BANG BANG BANG BANG—

He used his Perception and saw Leng Qingying knocking outside.

BANG!

The door was kicked open.

"Lu Cang!"

Lu Cang sat up in bed, his gaze indifferent.

"Sir..."

Leng Qingying, who had burst in menacingly, became a little scared after seeing Lu Cang.

She was reminded of the endless days and nights she had been tormented by him.

"Iz said you needed my help, so I came."

"Who do you want me to kill?"

"The King of Ruijia?"

Lu Cang’s Perception hurriedly swept across the surroundings.

He immediately used Mage’s Hand to snatch Leng Qingying into the room and shut the door.

Lu Cang: "Who told you I wanted to kill someone?"

"If you’re not killing someone, what do you need my help for? All I know is how to kill people."

The young girl placed her hands on her hips, speaking with righteous confidence.

She had only ever received training in how to kill. An Assassin’s techniques were the techniques of killing, and her practice from morning to night was practice for killing.

"Sigh..."

"I just want you to help me get a few things."

"You want to steal a person?"

Lu Cang: "Sigh, not a person."

"Steal things."

"Oh... I guess that works too."

’I have no idea what her teacher taught her. Maybe I should find her a normal tutor?’

’I have plenty of spare cash on hand anyway...’

’But interfering in someone else’s life like this probably isn’t good. It’s better to let her experience a normal life and be influenced by the right environment.’

"Who are we going to steal from?"

"Hmm, first we’re going to steal from the Dark Church’s Forbidden Hall."

’Never mind. I have no idea what part of this is normal.’

...

Early in the morning, the four of them gathered.

After breakfast, they first bid farewell to the City Lord of Yuefeng City, telling him they were returning to Lorren and would not be staying any longer.

Then, they turned and headed for the Capital of Ruijia.

The Capital of Ruijia was named Sel City.

It was a great, massive city built atop a mountain.

It didn’t take much time for Lu Cang and the others to reach the city.

Upon arriving, they simply found an ordinary little inn to stay at—not too fancy, but not a dump either.

As for their identities for lodging, the four of them just made something up.

Iz used Flesh Magic to disguise himself as a middle-aged man, while Lu Cang maintained his child form, but with completely different facial features. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Lu Cang’s transformed appearance was rather vacant, giving him a foolish appearance.

The information they registered was a family of four: parents and two children, one aged eleven and the other nine.

After all, they were here to steal something.

They certainly couldn’t draw attention to themselves by registering the famous Izparut and Lorren’s Chief Mage, Lu Cang.

Iz, Lu Cang, and Leng Qingying gathered in the small room.

The three of them formed a circle.

Iz spoke first. "Alright, tell us the plan. How do you need us to cooperate?"

"Well, if things go smoothly, Master Iz shouldn’t need to get involved."

"Xiaoleng and I can handle the entire process on our own."

Iz: "Oh? You seem quite confident."

Lu Cang: "Mhm. After all, the most troublesome part is the Restriction, but it won’t be difficult for me to break."

"Master Iz just needs to help us with the aftermath. If we get discovered, please cover our escape."

Iz nodded slightly. "Yes, it’s best to avoid conflict."

"After all, I don’t really want to rob them openly. It would be a bit damaging to my reputation."

’Doesn’t *really* want to...’

’So he still kind of wants to?’

But Iz did indeed care about his reputation. Lu Cang could tell that much, at least from his obsession with being the world’s strongest Mage.

"What about the route? How do you plan to map it out?"

Lu Cang glanced out the window. "Let’s go scout things out first. We’ll make a detailed plan when we get back."

Compared to Lorren’s Celestial Passage Bridge,

Ruijia’s method of transportation was much cruder: a series of launch pads.