The City of Sin, that is just a nickname people have given to this city. In reality, its true name is Mercenary Coast! Yes, naming a city after a coastline might seem strange, but the mercenaries from all over this continent have already accepted this title. This city was officially called West Coast Metropolitan Free Port hundreds of years ago, but gradually, it became a gathering place for mercenaries from all over the continent. With several wars of aggression and changes in dynasties, this place was preserved thanks to the protection of the Mercenary Alliance. Eventually, it turned into a disputed zone where several kingdoms' territories intersect. In reality, the surrounding countries have lost their true control over this place. Although officially under the jurisdiction of the Western Mar Empire, the Mercenary Alliance controls the taxation, security, and various military and political powers here.

After hundreds of years of free trade and the development of Mercenary Guilds, Mercenary Coast has become a large city that stretches for hundreds of miles along the northern coast. It is a combination of a port, trade hub, mercenary hub, black market, and various criminal industries. Surprisingly, this city doesn't even have a proper city wall. It has grown in a wild and savage manner and has achieved the scale it has today. The crimes committed here have almost become commonplace on the streets. The people who live here are either weak and desperate residents or adventurers who want to make a fortune, or fugitives wanted by various countries. Of course, there are also mercenaries from all over. Basically, all the powerful mercenary groups in the Western Continent have their headquarters or important branches set up here.

This has built an incredible and sinful city with a population of tens of millions!

Many people may wonder why so many ordinary residents are willing to live in such a dangerous city full of sin and anarchy. In fact, the reason is simple: there are almost no taxes here. The major mercenary groups have their own territories and don't bother with the residents, although they also don't collect taxes. So if they are lucky enough to avoid being involved in criminal activities, they can still have a better life compared to other countries plagued by years of war and heavy taxes. After all, although there are crimes, killings, robberies, gambling, drugs, rape, and even more perverse sins, at least there are no devastating wars! As long as ordinary residents don't get killed, even if they get bullied, they can still survive! They can still have food to eat, their homes won't be destroyed by magic, and their children won't be forced into battlefields as cannon fodder!

At this moment, in the southwest port area of Mercenary Coast, in a two-story inn near the Beruse Dock, a tense meeting is taking place.

Here, it looks like an exquisite small building, but in reality, it is the headquarters of the Black Armor Mercenary Guild, which essentially controls this area of the docks!

"That criminal has crossed our bottom line!" A big man with a thick black beard wearing black chain armor says in the meeting room.

"That's right! Captain Bameng! If this continues, business on our Red Light Street will deteriorate further! Your mercenary guild also holds shares on this street! It will be a loss for all of us!" A fat bald man, wearing a vulgar and gorgeous deep purple silk robe, spreads his hands and says.

"We have been investigating desperately these past few days! But this killer is too cunning! We have no leads, but the prostitutes keep getting murdered! Our mercenary guild has allocated a lot of manpower, but as soon as the killer sees our people, they avoid them from afar. In such a large red light district, with so much daily business and people coming and going from all over, the killer always finds an opportunity!" A tall, skinny man with red hair wearing scale armor says.

"Ah! What should we do! In any case, this matter must be resolved quickly! Maybe all the prostitutes should flee to the other side of the river in the port area over there!" Blackbeard Buck spreads his hands. He notices the tall black-haired female swordsman standing by the meeting table and asks, "Instructor Water Night! What is your view on this matter?"

"Who is she..." The obese merchant Ulu also notices this beautiful swordsman and his eyes light up as he asks.

"She is the swordsmanship instructor we recently hired! Miss Water Night Clear Sound. Don't underestimate her strength just because she is a beauty. I can say this, I, as the captain, can't last more than three rounds against her. Not to mention our mercenary guild, even among the entire Mercenary Coast, her swordsmanship can be ranked top three!" Captain Bameng says. "If it weren't for the fact that her home is close by and it's convenient for her to take care of her son, she wouldn't have chosen our small mercenary guild. Isn't that right, Instructor Qingyin?""Hehe, you're too modest, Captain Bameng," Qingyin said lightly.

"Ah! No way! You already have a son! I couldn't tell at all! You look like a young girl in her twenties!" the merchant Ulu exclaimed.

"Hehe," Qingyin chuckled softly, her complexion seeming to improve a bit. After all, there was no woman who didn't enjoy hearing compliments.

"Since Teacher Shuiye is a master in swordsmanship, she must have a way to capture that despicable criminal! The lives of those prostitutes are human lives too! Most of them have tragic circumstances. Just because of the profession they are in, should they be left to be murdered without anyone caring?" Ulu stared straight at Qingyin, saying.

"If I were to encounter this villain, I would definitely be able to capture him face to face!" Qingyin confidently stated. Deep down, she also loathed the perverted criminal and sympathized with those prostitutes. Like herself, women with exceptional swordsmanship could secure careers and protect themselves. But what about ordinary women who had some beauty? In this sinful city, if they didn't have someone to rely on, besides becoming miserable prostitutes, was there any other means of survival?

"If we really encounter that pervert, there's no need for Instructor Shuiye to take action! None of us mercenaries are weaklings. We can definitely neuter him! But the problem is that we can't find him! Our Heixiong men aren't afraid of death in a fight, but we are really not skilled in solving cases. This job requires bravery, attention to detail, and excellent martial arts skills..." Bameng spoke before looking at Qingyin again.

"Captain Bameng, let me also participate in this matter..." Qingyin said.

"Very well, that's great! Teacher Shuiye is not only superb in swordsmanship, but she also has a sharper mind than these big rough men! Our Red Lantern Street Business Association has hope now! If Teacher Shuiye can catch that pervert, our business association will definitely show our gratitude!" Merchant Ulu exclaimed excitedly.

"Well... I'll do my best." Although Qingyin felt pleased to be praised for her intelligence, after all, she was used to being called a beauty. But in reality, she had no idea how to catch this criminal.

At noon, Qingyin returned home, and next-door neighbor Aunt Li'er had already prepared the meal.

Aunt Li'er was a servant at the neighboring Cangweiyi household. Qingyin didn't have enough money, so she gave her some to help with cooking and cleaning for her own family.

"Mom!" Shuiye Chen was already waiting at the doorstep.

"Ah, Xiaochen, why did you finish school so early?"

"Uh, yeah," Shuiye Chen replied.

It was clear that Shuiye Chen had something on his mind, but Qingyin didn't say much: "Xiaochen, you must study hard! Become a useful person in the future!"

"Mom, what's the use of studying? In this world, strength is the most important, having knowledge is not as practical as having good swordsmanship!" Shuiye Chen said.

"How can you say that!" Qingyin frowned, displeased. "Mom wants you to study hard, so you have to study hard! Mom doesn't want you to think about fighting all the time! With Mom here, there's no one in this city who dares to threaten our family's safety!"

"Mom! You say this, but you don't allow me to think about fighting!"

"Are you talking back to Mom?" Qingyin's face turned serious.

"Uh..." Shuiye Chen closed his mouth. He loved and feared his young, beautiful, and exceptionally skilled mother. Although he practiced swordsmanship every day, he couldn't last a second against his mother! Moreover, his mother was exceptionally skilled in swordsmanship but never taught him. She only made him study things he had no interest in! Although Mom had mentioned that he inherited the genes of the legendary hero, his father, and his mother, and indeed had great talent in martial arts.

"Alright! Go in and eat!" Qingyin said in a commanding tone.

Shuiye Chen didn't argue back and obediently went inside.

Lunch was quite good, with bread, tomato soup, fresh vegetables, and stewed meat. One could say that Qingyin and her son had a decent life in this city. Of course, it was all thanks to Qingyin's income as a swordsmanship instructor. However, the mercenary group was stingy and didn't provide much. She had just rented this old small courtyard and lived a decent life.

"Xiaochen," Qingyin spoke during the meal.

"Huh? What's the matter, Mom?"

"Recently, Mom might be busy in the evenings. I might come back very late, even in the early morning. Don't always wait for me. Take care of yourself and go to school on your own in the morning. Aunt Li'er will help you with meals and changing clothes!"

"It's official business again... It's been a long time since I had my mother's cooking!" Shui Yechen complained.

"If your mother doesn't work hard and earn money, where will you have food to eat!"

"My sword skills can defeat several adult mercenaries! I can also go on adventures to earn money and support my mother! She doesn't have to work anymore!" Shui Yechen said.

"What nonsense are you talking about! At your age, you should be obediently going to school! Do you want everyone to look down on you?"

"Do people respect you just because you go to school? I see those uneducated experts are much more respected than some old scholars, with their wealth, power, and countless beauties!" Shui Yechen said.

"Bang!" Qing Yin slammed the fork on the table and angrily said, "What are you saying! Where did you get these dirty thoughts! Thinking about power and beauties at such a young age! Don't you feel ashamed!?"

"Mom! I... I didn't mean it that way. I want money and power so that Mom doesn't have to struggle for a living anymore. I want her to have a good life! As for beauties, hmph, look at the mercenary coast, besides Mom, there's not a single woman who can catch my eye! Having Mom in my life is enough! Why would I need any other beauties?!"

Qing Yin looked at Shui Yechen with a mix of shock and disappointment. "What are you saying? Are you equating your mother with beauties? Your mom is your mom! When you grow up and become an adult, your mom will get older, and you will naturally marry and have children, and live your own life! What you're saying is all nonsense!"

"Mom, you might sound correct when you speak, but you don't consider reality at all. With your strength, you won't grow old. Many years later, you'll still be young and beautiful!"

"So what? Xiao Chen, if you dare to argue with me, I won't be nice anymore!"

"But..."

"Shut up and eat!" Qing Yin said sternly.

Faced with such a gaze, Shui Yechen dared not argue anymore and could only eat in silence.

"I'm not sure when I'll come back tonight! Go to bed early! Don't lie to me, I'll have Auntie Li supervise you. If I hear that you're being disobedient when I come back, don't blame me for being harsh on you!" Qing Yin commanded harshly.

Shui Yechen lowered his head and reluctantly accepted Qing Yin's orders.

After dinner, Qing Yin went to the pier to teach the mercenaries sword skills, while Shui Yechen said he was going to school and left home.

In the afternoon, Qing Yin arrived at the headquarters of the Black Armor Mercenary Corps located at the Beru City dock and entered the office of the captain, Babang.

"Oh, Instructor Shui Yeh!" The captain clearly respected Qing Yin.

"Captain, I have come up with a method that may be able to get close to this psychopathic killer," Qing Yin said directly.

"Oh? What method?" The captain immediately stood up.

"It's using myself as bait to lure out that psychopath. Once he reveals his true identity, with my strength, I can catch him in an instant! There's no way for him to escape my sight!" Qing Yin said coldly.

"Ah! That's not possible! Absolutely not!" Blackbeard Babang shook his head vigorously!

"Captain! You should know my abilities!"

"I absolutely believe in Instructor Shui Yeh's skills... It's just that the psychopathic killer is extremely cunning. I'm afraid you might suffer... "

"Hmph, Captain, you know too little about me. A mere criminal, I don't even consider him a threat!"

"Don't underestimate your opponent!"

"Captain, I understand. Even so, I will proceed with caution. I am fully confident. Of course, if I can't lure him out, that's a different story!" Qing Yin said.

"How are you going to play the role of bait?" Babang asked.

"I... I..." Qing Yin suddenly hesitated and stammered, "I plan to play... a prostitute, and go to the red-light district late at night. This way, perhaps I can lure out that psychopath!"

"Mmm... With Instructor Shui Yeh's conditions, there is indeed no bait more enticing than playing the role of a prostitute. However, it's too unfair to you! Besides, there is a certain level of danger... We just hope you can help, there's no need to go to such extremes," Babang said.

Qing Yin sighed softly and said, "It's about what we discussed last time. I want my son, Xiao Chen, to go to the Coast Pearl Private High School."

"Oh! This, this is not a small matter! The Coast Pearl is the most prestigious private noble high school in the entire mercenary coast. Its education quality is even better than many imperial royal academies. But without a school district house in the Third Garden Street of the Queen's City area, there is no way to get in. Even for me, I can't get my own child in either!" Babang said."I know, I just want to buy a property in that school district! But now the security in the city is getting worse and worse, only the security and overall situation in the Queen's district is very good, and the price of the school district houses is skyrocketing! Although I have some savings, I still need a sum of money to make up the down payment." Qingyin said.

"How much do you still need?"

"A school district house costs about 2 million imperial gold coins, with a down payment of 600,000. I still need 300,000 imperial gold coins! I hope the mercenary group can lend me 300,000 gold coins." Qingyin said.

"300,000? That's not a small amount..."

"Yes, but I also have a rough estimate of the annual income of the Red Light District. If the business continues to be slow like this, it will be difficult to bring back popularity again!" Qingyin said.

"You're right, but it's hard for our mercenary group to come up with so much money all at once. Let me discuss this with the president of the Chamber of Commerce! I'll get back to you as soon as possible, is that okay?"

"Thank you, President!” Qingyin slightly bowed, then left the office.

In the office, Barmeng watched Qingyin's figure with interest, "She's willing to take on a huge debt just to buy a school district house for her son... Water Night Instructor really loves her son..."