Worldwide Class Change: An Invincible Swordsman

"My lord, there's definitely something wrong with that Swordsman."

"His arrogance is boundless. He must be related to the death of the Goddess."

"My lord, should you directly apprehend him and force the information out?"

Harkins shook his head. "No need. This fellow is connected to Christie Burton. If we were to make a move, he certainly wouldn't stand idly by."

"I've already dispatched investigators. Eleanor was last seen in the black market. It's a lawless zone, which ultimately led to her death."

"Our priority now is to go to the black market and find clues."

Harkins and his men entered the black market.

Harkins moved swiftly. He knew exactly where to gather information: the Etheric Trade Association. It wasn't just a place for trade but also a hub for intelligence. They could uncover anything that happened in the black market, even details about the murderer who took Eleanor's life; they had ways to investigate.

Additionally, there was another organization in the black market known as the Orc Alliance. This organization was an Assassination Guild. With enough money, apprehending three murderers wouldn't be an issue.

「Etheric Trade Association.」

Harkins entered, wearing a mask.

"Distinguished guest, are you looking to buy or sell equipment?" a voice inquired.

"I'm here to gather information," Harkins stated.

"And what information might you be seeking?"

"About Eleanor. How she died, what exactly transpired. I need to know everything about what she encountered."

"Very well. Please wait a moment. The fee is one billion."

Harkins casually produced a card.

The attendant said, "Eleanor arrived at the black market yesterday afternoon with twelve Heroes. She clashed with Wanderers from the Heavenly Earth Association."

"A Wanderer calling himself Chen Jinnan ambushed Eleanor, leading to a fierce battle. Elder Granny Jinhua, a Sixth-stage Powerhouse of the Heavenly Earth Association, intervened, killing the twelve Heroes. Eleanor managed to flee."

"Ultimately, she met a gruesome end in an alley, decapitated by a Corrupted Hero. We have preserved her body. Would you like to retrieve it?"

"Yes," Harkins replied.

"Very well. That will be one hundred million."

"Who is this Chen Jinnan?" Harkins asked.

"A junior member of the Heavenly Earth Association, a Third-stage Wanderer."

A Third-stage Wanderer dared to attack Eleanor? Harkins thought.

"And Granny Jinhua?"

"An Elder of the Heavenly Earth Association, a Sixth-stage Expert."

"Where is the Heavenly Earth Association located?"

"At the Cloud End Tavern."

「Inside the Cloud End Tavern.」

The blind man sipped his drink, savoring its taste, his cup pausing in mid-air.

Killing intent... he sensed.

Harkins arrived with a dozen men and sat down. An attendant approached, asking, "What can I get for you?"

"I'm looking for your boss, Jin Yunxi," Harkins stated.

"You need the boss for something specific?"

"It's about Eleanor."

The attendant froze.

CREAK…

Jin Yunxi descended the stairs, followed by a group of Wanderers. He came after all, Jin Yunxi thought, inwardly surprised.

"That would be me," Jin Yunxi said.

Harkins glanced at Jin Yunxi and asked coldly, "I want to know why your Heavenly Earth Association killed my sister, Eleanor."

"There's a flaw in your question," Jin Yunxi countered.

"What flaw?"

"Why was your sister trying to apprehend members of my Heavenly Earth Association?"

Eleanor trying to capture people from the Heavenly Earth Association? Was she that bored, with nothing better to do? Harkins mused.

"I already know what happened," Harkins stated. "Eleanor didn't clash with your association; your Heavenly Earth Association struck first. Your Granny Jinhua killed the people with Eleanor. I can overlook that, but I must thoroughly investigate my sister's death."

"You have someone named Chen Jinnan. He made the first move."

Jin Yunxi turned and ordered, "Bring Chen Jinnan out."

An attendant heard the command, went into the backyard, and quickly returned with a man. He was middle-aged and carried a large cleaver.

"This is Chen Jinnan," Jin Yunxi announced.

Harkins looked at the middle-aged man. "Why did you kill my sister, Eleanor?"

Chen Jinnan looked utterly confused.

His sister? Who is she? Do I know her? I don't think so!

"I, Chen Jinnan, have roamed the martial world and killed countless people," he declared. "But I've never heard of a woman named Eleanor, nor have I ever killed anyone by that name."

Jin Yunxi shot him a sidelong glance. Could you not boast so much? You're only a Third-stage. Who could you possibly kill?

Jin Yunxi explained, "He only arrived at the Cloud End Tavern today. I can assure you, the one who clashed with your sister was not this Chen Jinnan, but an impostor."

"But many people heard the name," Harkins countered.

"He's not a fool," Jin Yunxi said. "If he was assassinating your sister, why would he reveal his identity?"

"To gain fame. That's a goal you Wanderers often pursue," Harkins retorted.

Jin Yunxi's brow furrowed. That actually makes sense.

"Believe it or not, he didn't assassinate your sister. You can verify this at the Etheric Trade Association. He only arrived today, and their information is always accurate."

Harkins remained silent. He had already been to the Etheric Trade Association.

Jin Yunxi continued, "Throughout the incident, the impostor using Chen Jinnan's name never revealed his face. After the initial conflict, your sister Eleanor attacked our Young Master. That's when Elder Granny Jinhua intervened. She killed the experts with Eleanor, but she did not kill Eleanor herself."

Harkins was silent; this matched the information he had gathered. He also knew of Eleanor's intentions. She had realized the Young Master of the Heavenly Earth Association was nearby and had plotted to kidnap him, which led to the confrontation.

What a fool! This is the black market! Harkins cursed his sister inwardly. It's impossible to gather enough forces here to deal with the Heavenly Earth Association. In the black market, everyone hides their secrets. That's why they all wear masks, completely unaware of each other's true identities. Eleanor not only exposed someone else's identity but also her own.

"Jinhua severely injured my sister," Harkins stated flatly.

"Yes," Jin Yunxi affirmed. "Your sister attempted to kidnap the Young Master and was severely injured in the process. However, she didn't die from that."

"But her death is still inextricably linked to Jinhua!" Harkins insisted.

"If you seek revenge, the Heavenly Earth Association will meet your challenge, even if you are from the Bach Family. But the Heavenly Earth Association is merely being framed in this matter. He is the real murderer."

"Jiang Chen?" Harkins asked.

"We don't know for sure, but it's highly probable. We are currently investigating. The Heavenly Earth Association fears no one, but we absolutely will not be scapegoats."

"I demand an explanation from the Heavenly Earth Association," Harkins declared.

"You are not qualified to demand that," Jin Yunxi retorted. "Not unless your Demigod from the Bach Family intervenes. In that case, of course, our President will also step forward."

Harkins's hand tightened on his sword hilt.

Jin Yunxi's hands rested on the handle of his cleaver.

The tension between them was palpable, like swords drawn and bows taut.

The blind man chuckled inwardly. This kid, Jiang Chen, is in serious trouble. He's offended the Bach Family and now the Heavenly Earth Association. Things are escalating. He wanted to use the Heavenly Earth Association to eliminate a threat, borrowing their 'blade' to kill. It seemed like a perfect plan. In reality, it's an utterly terrible idea, the worst kind. Did he even consider if the Heavenly Earth Association would agree to be used like that? And even if he intended to borrow their strength, doing so without any prior notice is a complete show of disrespect to the Heavenly Earth Association.

Harkins rose. "I will investigate this thoroughly."

"As you wish," Jin Yunxi replied indifferently.

Harkins turned and left.

Jin Yunxi walked over to the blind old man and said coldly, "You must have heard all that. Borrowing a blade to kill someone—that blade isn't so easily borrowed."

"That has nothing to do with me," the blind man replied. "Telling me this is pointless."

"Isn't he your disciple?" Jin Yunxi pressed.

"He is not," the blind man stated firmly.

Jiang Chen fumed internally. Blind old man, you have no honor! I've taken care of you for ten years, and this is how you treat me...?!