My mom is waiting for treatment, and you're summoning me to be a hero?

"Zhao Qian...is he dead?"

Fano's face turned somewhat pale.

The death of a hero, especially in a trial organized by the city lord, is no small matter.

This directly concerns the safety of the area under his rule.

If this isn't handled properly, there's a real possibility that there won't be any more slots for summoning heroes in the future.

"Where's the body? What's the situation at the scene?"

Fano forced himself to remain calm and pressed for more information.

Before he finished speaking, several guards had already used a makeshift stretcher to carry a body covered in tattered cloth out of the dark entrance of the mine.

The rag was pulled back, revealing Zhao Qian's terrified and distorted face.

His eyes were wide open, his pupils dilated, and he had an expression of disbelief.

All eyes turned to the corpse.

Especially the fatal wound on his chest.

The wound ran through his back and looked horrifying.

"This...wound! Could it be that Bai was pierced by the spider leg of an elite Dark Ink Spider?"

A young warrior guessed, his voice trembling.

But experienced adventurers immediately shook their heads in denial.

He crouched down, ignoring the blood, and carefully examined the edges of the wound and the broken fibers of the torn clothing.

"No, look at the holes in the clothes, they're very neat, it's obviously from a sharp weapon."

"Wounded by a sharp weapon? Could it be... a person?"

"Who would dare kill the Hero? Even if it's just a fight between Heroes, someone will go to jail if someone dies."

……

Someone murmured those words.

Everyone in the room looked up at the same time, their eyes immediately turning to Wang Tong.

The reason is simple—in the cave, the two men conspired to steal many people's sacks.

Wang Tong is the prime suspect!

It seems... not impossible that the two killed each other over a dispute about the spoils.

Wang Tong felt the piercing, suspicious gazes directed at him, and his heart nearly leaped out of his throat.

He knew better than anyone how Zhao Qian died.

In the Holy Ancient Empire.

Especially in cases involving the death of a hero, the punishment will never be taken lightly.

I had heard Fano say before that it was okay for heroes to fight amongst themselves, but it was absolutely forbidden for anyone to die.

He just didn't expect to go to jail.

If he were still that outstanding hero who was about to receive a reward and had a chance to join the Heroes' Association ahead of schedule, there might still be some room for maneuver.

But right now... he's practically worthless.

"Why...why are you all looking at me like that!"

Wang Tong's voice sounded somewhat shrill due to nervousness.

He abruptly took half a step back, as if trying to avoid those gazes.

"Why...why would I kill him? Maybe...yes! Maybe it was some other disgruntled adventurer who did it!"

He frantically tried to explain himself, attempting to muddy the waters.

Suddenly, as if he had just remembered something.

Suddenly, he raised his hand and pointed at Lin Mo, who had been standing silently beside Su Lin.

Her voice grew even sharper with excitement: "And him! Lin Mo! With his strength, killing Zhao Qian would be a piece of cake for him, wouldn't it? Otherwise, where would he get so many fangs? Maybe he robbed someone and then killed them to cover his tracks!"

The accusation was vicious and direct, instantly drawing some attention to Lin Mo.

Lin Mo had initially just watched this farce with indifference.

He was plotting how to absorb that level 25 essence as quickly as possible.

Hearing Wang Tong's accusations, he slowly turned his head, his gaze shooting towards Wang Tong like an icicle.

There were no angry rebuttals, no anxious explanations.

Only murderous intent.

"Try calling out again."

This sentence immediately choked Wang Tong to finish his sentence.

He involuntarily took another half step back.

Just as the atmosphere was becoming increasingly tense, Bai Rong suddenly spoke:

That's enough.

He walked to Zhao Qian's body, his sharp gaze sweeping over the wounds.

He glanced again at the panicked Wang Tong and the indifferent Lin Mo.

"First, send Zhao Qianyong's body back to the city lord's mansion. I will personally perform an autopsy!"

Bai Rong's statement was like a command, temporarily suppressing the commotion at the scene.

Lord Fano quickly spoke up, addressing the crowd, especially the heroes and adventurers.

He sternly instructed, "Did you all hear what Captain Bai Rong said? This matter must not be leaked before it is thoroughly investigated!"

With Bai Rong's intervention and Fano's warning, the matter of Zhao Qian's death was temporarily put on hold.

After that, everyone officially embarked on their journey back to the city.

……

On the way back to the city, Su Lin still walked beside Lin Mo.

But she was unknowingly surrounded by several other brave warriors from the same period.

They wore forced smiles and spoke words of flattery or probing.

After all, Su Lin was the first in this trial and obtained the level 18 skill essence.

He was also invited by Bai Rong to join the Hero Association ahead of schedule.

She undoubtedly became the most promising among this group of heroes.

There's no harm in currying favor beforehand.

Su Lin was somewhat unaccustomed to this sudden surge of enthusiasm.

She glanced at Lin Mo from time to time, only to find that he never looked at her.

He ignored the flirtatious and inquisitive glances around him.

In stark contrast to the adoration surrounding him, Wang Tong hung alone at the very back of the group.

He hung his head, his face ashen, his eyes sometimes vacant, sometimes flashing with resentment as he looked at Lin Mo's back.

Lin Mo's overwhelming victory, Su Lin's complete estrangement, and the huge hidden dangers brought about by Zhao Qian's death...

All of this kept replaying in his mind, making him feel suffocated.

His jealousy of Lin Mo grew wildly like poisonous weeds, while his fear of being exposed gnawed at his nerves like a leech.

His appearance was completely observed by Fano and Bai Rong.

Fano shook his head inwardly, his opinion of Wang Tong dropping even further.

Bai Rong remained calm, his gaze deep, and Wang Tong's reaction further confirmed his judgment.

This person is dishonest and unlikely to achieve great things; in fact, he may be a source of trouble.

However, how to handle this still needs to be considered.

……

Speechless all the way.

The group finally returned to Ancient Wood City before it got completely dark.

Fano made special arrangements for the adventurers to stay overnight at the city lord's mansion.

The reason is quite valid—theoretically, all adventurers who entered the mine are suspects in Zhao Qian's death, including Lin Mo.

Centralized control is required until the preliminary investigation is completed.

The adventurers had some reservations, but they dared not disobey the city lord's orders.

Lin Mo was assigned to a relatively quiet and private room.

This was arranged by Fano.

After all, Lin Mo is a talent that the White Tiger Knights have their eye on, and his future development is limitless.

How could a mere city lord like him dare to offend such a person?

At the doorway, Su Lin asked Lin Mo, "Are you really not considering coming to the Hero Association with me?"

If possible, Su Lin would love to have Lin Mo become her regular teammate.

After all, who wouldn't want such a powerful teammate?

But Lin Mo didn't even turn his head, he just spoke in a calm voice.

"Not interested."

His voice remained calm, yet it carried an undeniable resolve.

After saying that, he gently closed the door, leaving Su Lin outside.

Su Lin stood in front of the tightly closed door, paused for a moment, and finally sighed softly.

The room was dimly lit.

After confirming that no one was watching, Lin Mo sat down on the simple wooden bed.

The blood that had been hidden in his clothes couldn't wait to seep out.

It flapped its little wings and flew into the air, then exaggeratedly took a few deep breaths.

"Phew—I was suffocating! I can finally breathe!"

Yin Xue flapped its wings, its little face full of disdain.

"Those humans are so cunning, such a nuisance! Especially that kid named Wang Tong, he's obviously no good, as stupid as a brainless cave worm, and he even tried to frame you? Humph!"

She flew in front of Lin Mo, hands on her hips, her tone becoming smug again: "But you were right to refuse that damn knight order! What White Tiger? It sounds so shady. Follow me, the Demon King, and I guarantee you'll level up ten times faster than in that kind of place!"

Lin Mo did not refute Yin Xue's words, which was also a major reason why he refused to join the White Tiger Knights.

The black sword's properties allow the user to challenge monsters of a higher level.

The leveling speed is definitely faster than joining a pampered knightly order.

With that thought in mind, he opened his attribute panel.

Name: Lin Mo

[Level: 15]

【Body: 1933】

[Agility: 1933]

【Spirit: 1933】

Free attribute points: 200

[Skills: Mirror Image, Double Strike]