After tidying up the breakfast dishes, Nian Xifeng paused to think.

"Well, I might as well earn some pocket money this morning. Funds have been tight lately," he muttered, pushing open the front door and locking it behind him.

Nian Xifeng headed to the Adventurer’s Guild, where he took on a quest. The gold from it would cover his and his sister’s expenses for a month.

Of course, he used an alternate identity—not his real face or name—for safety. He couldn’t risk exposing his abilities.

Sometimes his sister, Nian Yuchi, asked where the coins came from, but he’d brush it off. Over time, she stopped questioning. As long as her brother wasn’t doing anything wrong, she respected his space. She wasn’t the type to pry; everyone needed a little freedom.

In a shadowy corner, Nian Xifeng stirred his ability slightly. His body shifted dramatically—he grew burly, his features aging into those of a middle-aged man.

Pulling on a cloak, he approached the guild’s reception desk.

The receptionist greeted him with a warm smile. "Uncle Feng, back for another quest?" she asked, recognizing his usual disguise.

Nian Xifeng often came like this, taking only high-level tasks no one else dared attempt. The staff remembered him well.

His first high-rank quest had caused quite a stir: a newcomer tackling something deemed suicidal. When he returned victorious, sneers turned to flattery.

The same receptionist had witnessed it all. Since then, he visited rarely—once a month, or every two if funds lasted. Always high-level. Never low.

He was the only one here who could solo such missions. Yet no one knew where he lived; his background was a complete mystery.

In this disguise, Nian Xifeng spoke little. Words could slip and reveal too much.

"Hmm. The usual," he replied tersely.

The receptionist nodded, used to his silence. "Right away, Uncle Feng." She turned to find a suitable task.

Bored, Nian Xifeng waited.

A voice cut in from behind. "Uncle Feng! We’ve heard of your strength. Would you consider mentoring us?"

Nian Xifeng turned. Five or six people stood there, led by a man around his disguised age.

"...," Nian Xifeng stayed silent.

"I’m Yun Bai, captain of the ‘Ridge’ mid-tier team," the man pressed. "We need a high-rank quest to advance, but we can’t manage it alone. Your help would mean everything."

Nearby adventurers scoffed. "The Ridge team? How dare they ask Uncle Feng for backup? Shameless!"

"Yeah! We didn’t even get to ask first!" others chimed in.

Nian Xifeng ignored them, fixing his gaze on Yun Bai. "That’s just vanity. Not earned through effort."

Yun Bai hesitated. "It... doesn’t matter. Just help us rank up!"

Higher ranks meant better pay: a 10-silver task might yield 20 silvers for mid-tier teams, even more for high-tier. Plus, having the strongest man here as an ally? Unbeatable.

"Even so... I won’t take you," Nian Xifeng said flatly. He wanted no ties.

"Huh?" The group froze. That wasn’t the script!

Just then, the receptionist returned with a task sheet. "Here’s your high-rank quest, Uncle Feng."

"Thanks," he said coolly.

"My pleasure," she smiled, still curious about him—but like everyone else, she’d found no clues.

Nian Xifeng snatched the sheet, scanned it, and left without another word.

His target: a rampaging Fierce Beast in the forest outside the city. It had lost its mind, destroying everything in sight.

The guild offered top coin to eliminate this threat. A frenzied Fierce Beast was exponentially stronger—three sane ones couldn’t match it. That’s why it was high-rank: to prevent pointless deaths.

Its presence made travel risky, especially for weaker folk.

Outside the city gates, Nian Xifeng expanded his senses. His awareness swept outward like ripples.

Within moments, he pinpointed the beast. Retracting his senses, he moved toward it.

The Fierce Beast had a single horn jutting from its forehead, a dog-like head, and a bull’s massive frame. Its eyes burned blood-red as it smashed trees and rocks.

Spotting Nian Xifeng, it charged blindly, muscles coiled for impact.

"You should retreat. For your own safety," Nian Xifeng said calmly.

The beast ignored him, barreling closer.

Nian Xifeng sighed. "Your choice. Don’t blame others."

He raised a finger. Energy gathered at its tip. As the beast lunged, he released it—a thin beam shot forth with a *whoosh*, slamming straight into the beast’s skull.

Its charge faltered.

*Boom!*

The Fierce Beast collapsed, dead in one strike. A neat hole pierced its horn, blood oozing from both ends.

"Foolish," Nian Xifeng murmured. He hoisted the corpse and trudged back to the guild. Pedestrians scattered—no one wanted to cross paths with a man dragging a beast larger than himself.

"Only the strongest adventurer could fell a frenzied Fierce Beast!" someone praised.

"Yeah! If only we had his power!" another agreed.

"Pfft. Dream on. Dreams have everything," a third joked.

Nian Xifeng ignored them. They didn’t know him.

At the guild desk, the receptionist beamed. "So fast, Uncle Feng!"

He handed over the corpse, collected his payment, and left.

She always added extra coin—part bribe, part gratitude. He never kept quest rewards; he’d dump the whole beast here, taking only gold.

Why didn’t he quest daily if he needed money? She’d never figure it out.

In a dark alley, Nian Xifeng ensured no one followed. Shifting back to his true form, he headed toward Nian Yuchi’s academy.