Night falls, the night is like a curtain, stars scattered across the sky.
The yamen hangs high with lanterns, the oil lamps ever bright.
Main hall.
The constables sternly wield their knives, guarding in the courtyard.
Mr. Liou steps into the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back, walking towards the main hall, disregarding the constables around him.
Early this morning, he met Qin An and detected the Body Storage Realm strength on him.
Quite surprised, but that's all there was to it.
As someone who has been immersed in the Body Storage Realm for a long time, Mr. Liou looks down on those entering it for the first time.
Even if one enters the Body Storage Realm, so what?
The Heart Method might improve, but if the Cultivation Technique doesn't, they still face a fate of death.
Recently, someone came to the yamen saying the County Magistrate invited him over.
The River Saber Sect may rely on powerful forces in Lingzhou, but even the County Magistrate dares only to extend an invitation, nothing more.
Though he didn't know why he was invited, he figured since there's nothing to do, he might as well check things out personally and also prompt Mr. Wang to quickly find the missing disciples.
As soon as he entered the hall, Mr. Liou felt a surge of Evil Qi.
"A demon?"
Inside the hall, four chairs are arranged.
Mr. Zhang is seated in one, while on another sits a white-haired monkey.
The monkey is covered in white fur, with protruding fangs, yet dressed in silk, holding a folding fan in one hand and a tea cup in the other, leisurely sipping tea.
Mr. Liou frowns.
He knows the entity's identity: the leader of Cangyuan Mountain, one of the most prominent demons in Ding County.
It's rumored to have been at the Body Storage Realm for a long time, mysterious and unpredictable, serving as a branch of a certain demon power in Lingzhou.
Mr. Liou is aware of the yamen's collusion with demons; the benefits involved are quite complex, with even the River Saber Sect getting its share, so Mr. Liou never spoke of it.
Today, the monkey demon was called over, and Mr. Liou knew there must be a major issue at hand.
Mr. Zhang's expression was grave, and once Mr. Liou was seated, his tea cup was crushed in his grip.
"The beasts of Cyan Snake Valley dare not show up!"
"They rely on the backing of demons from Lingzhou. Let's see how long they can stay arrogant!"
"Scoundrel!"
The more he spoke, the more intense the flames of anger burned in Mr. Zhang's eyes.
He had invited forces from three sides, but only two showed up; the snake demons from Cyan Snake Valley completely ignored him.
The monkey demon gently shook its fan, pinched its throat, and said, "Why get angry, sir? A mere trash at the Body Storage Realm, Mr. Liou and I can easily kill it."
As it spoke, it emulated the slow speech of scholars, yet carried a ridiculous air of comical imitation.
Mr. Liou frowned deeper: "Are you talking about Qin An?"
Mr. Zhang returned to his senses and nodded: "Precisely. Today's invitation is to resolve the matter concerning Qin An and the covert agents from the Evil Extermination Bureau."
Covert agents?
Mr. Liou's frown deepens further.
Mr. Wang hadn't mentioned the covert agents to him; he's learning about it now.
"If there are covert agents, they must be killed."
If news of Ding County's shady dealings leaked out, the forces in Lingzhou would sever ties with him immediately.
This must not be allowed to spread.
"It's not just about the covert agents."
Mr. Zhang switched to a new tea cup: "The disappearance of the River Saber Sect's disciples was also done by Qin An."
A surge of killing intent rose from Mr. Liou: "Wait for a moment while I retrieve that brat's head."
Upon hearing this, he was furious.
The River Saber Sect dominates a region in Ding County; who dares provoke it?
Unexpectedly, a mere butcher dared to trouble them.
This person must be exterminated.
Mr. Zhang restrained Mr. Liou: "No hurry, this person is quite strong, it's important to act prudently."
Mr. Liou waved his sleeve: "He's merely a beginner in the Body Storage Realm, I can kill him single-handedly."
Mr. Zhang shook his head: "It's not just the River Saber Sect issue, the covert agents matter must also be handled carefully."
With this said, Mr. Liou calmed down.
The situation is indeed as Mr. Zhang says; the covert agents matter involves major forces in Ding County, it must be thoroughly resolved.
The white-haired monkey leisurely took a sip of tea, smacking its lips: "Tea paired with brains, the perfect match. Recently, Ding County has sent fewer brains."
Mr. Zhang turned his head: "If Mr. Hou and I cooperate wholeheartedly, there'll be brains aplenty."
Mr. Hou exposed his sharp fangs: "That's the kind of talk I've been waiting for. Tell me, what should we do?"
Cangyuan Mountain likes eating brains but also loves imitating the demeanor of scholars.
Since Mr. Zhang got close to Feiyun Gorge, the brain offerings have dwindled, but now that Feiyun Gorge is destroyed, Cangyuan Mountain should be able to feast adequately.
Mr. Hou felt willing to put in some effort.
Mr. Zhang took a deep breath and said: "Acting in the county will raise trouble; if a trace is left, it could lead to eternal damnation."
"Cangyuan Mountain's three hundred monkey troops, River Saber Sect's two hundred disciples could ambush Qin An outside the city."
Mr. Hou grinned with his bloody maw: "Yet how could he easily leave the city?"
Mr. Zhang slowly said: "And what if some villages are eaten, and it's attributed to him?"
Mr. Liou was taken aback: "Isn't the cost too high?"
He's starting to understand.
With many deaths, the yamen would have Qin An lead people out to slay demons.
If Qin An refuses to go, Mr. Zhang might have other means, but Mr. Liou doesn't know specifically what.
Mr. Zhang sneered coldly: "What if Cyan Snake Valley carries the blame?"
"This is the game we play: kill the humans and make the demons take the fall, deceiving the Evil Extermination Bureau."
"Since Cyan Snake Valley didn't come today, after exterminating Qin An and the covert agents, we'll also wipe out Cyan Snake Valley."
This statement lit up Mr. Liou and Mr. Hou's eyes.
Ding County is just this small; if one force decreases, they can feed better.
The two remained silent, not speaking but tacitly agreeing.
Mr. Zhang clenched his fists tightly, looking into the distant darkness, coldly laughing in his heart.
"Qin An, this time you won't escape."
...
The next day.
Chen Chun stood on the street in a daze, watching Qin An skillfully butcher pork, feeling numb.
He never expected Qin An to pull him along in broad daylight.
"Qin..."
"What?" Qin An continued butchering without turning his head.
Chen Chun swallowed: "We're very much in danger, right?"
Qin An nodded: "That's right."
Chen Chun probed: "So shouldn't we practice diligently?"
He's feeling quite helpless.
Amidst this perilous situation, you still have the heart to engage in your old trade; isn't that being too dedicated to your responsibilities?
With precision, Qin An chopped: "Balanced work and rest."
Each of his cuts was incredibly meticulous, dividing each piece of pork into extremely small parts, ensuring he used the pig to its utmost.
This wouldn't make the meat sellable, but Qin An didn't intend to sell; he merely wanted to optimize every bit of his skill.
Chen Chun held his forehead with his hand, feeling at a loss for words.
He had no choice either; right now, his only reliance is on Qin An.
Even if Qin An dragged him to wander around, he could only follow.
Qin An continued butchering attentively.
His skill was steadily increasing.
Just then, a light footstep suddenly sounded.