I looked at the tavern owner, then at the three men grinning like fools. Two of them reached for their swords, and one pulled something from his robe.

But I had already released cold energy through my lower dantian.

To shut down any unexpected developments, I unleashed the full force of a Full Moon Cold Pressure.

In an instant, the ones grabbing their swords–and the bastard pulling a medicine bottle from his chest–froze solid. The way they were frozen confirmed once more that my mastery of Moonlight Cold Heart Technique had deepened.

I turned to lock eyes with the tavern owner.

His right hand was still raised, frozen in place as our eyes met.

Even in that moment, his gaze was fierce.

The kind of eyes only someone who’s killed many people could have.

I glanced at the trash food on the table, then waited for the tavern owner to say something.

“I’ll spare your life. But you’re going to eat this garbage.”

“……”

“Don’t want to?”

I struck the tip of my chopstick with Wooden Puppet Pressure Technique and lodged it into the owner’s forehead. Thunk– As he collapsed backward, peace finally returned to the shabby tavern.

“……”

I didn’t want to stain my sword killing people like this. Skill has nothing to do with it–truly evil people are the ones like these.

I drew the flash dagger and tapped the medicine bottle the man had tried to throw. It didn’t shatter due to the frost.

I channeled flame qi into the flash dagger, heated the bottle, then shattered it. A dark liquid dripped out and melted the frozen man’s foot.

The stench was overwhelming, and I had to hold my breath.

He must’ve already died from the frost, as there wasn’t even a scream. Still, I’d never seen anyone walk around carrying something as deadly as Firebone Acid in a bottle.

It felt… off. Poor-looking bastards walking around with something so expensive.

With flash dagger still in hand, I walked into the kitchen and headed out the back. At the incineration pit, I found a messy pile of clothes. Either the original owner of this inn’s clothes… or those of customers who came to eat and never left.