CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 32: LINGZHOU’S COMPLEXITY

As the two approached, Qin An instinctively tightened his grip on the black knife at his waist.

The tall man noticed and laughed, "Qin An, you are indeed cautious. I mean no harm. My name is Gao Quan, and this is Yao Feng. From now on, we’re all brothers working under Mr. Tang."

The short man, Yao Feng, cupped his fists and said, "Let’s take care of each other in the future."

The way they spoke had a touch of the martial world, rather than officialdom.

Qin An frowned and slightly relaxed his right hand, "Thank you."

Gao Quan chuckled, "This time, Qin An, you resolved the demon threat in Ding County. If there are things you don’t understand in the future, feel free to ask us."

Yao Feng added, "Even though you have the status of the Evil Extermination Bureau, you must be cautious when you return."

Qin An raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

He sensed there was more to Yao Feng’s words.

Yao Feng said slowly, "Every year, many people die in the Evil Extermination Bureau, and many join. As long as you work hard, you can gain something."

"But often, these lives are lost not while hunting demons."

"Let’s not talk about Liou Ruohu for now. He depends on influences in Lingzhou and stays still out of guilt and fear."

"But the monkey demon is somewhat troublesome."

Qin An rubbed his chin, patiently waiting for Yao Feng to continue.

Tang Lingwei had mentioned this before, and Qin An knew the journey to Lingzhou would not be simple.

Now, with Yao Feng’s words, Qin An grasped the key point.

The Evil Extermination Bureau’s work is like licking blood from the blade’s edge.

Humans slay demons, and demons kill humans as well.

With more blood on their hands, under demon retaliation, members of the Evil Extermination Bureau may lose their lives through negligence.

This indeed matched what Yao Feng said.

Once the forces behind Sect Leader Liou got the news, they might wish to disassociate immediately, as they are the human power in Lingzhou and dare not act recklessly.

But demons are different.

Yao Feng implied that the force behind the monkey demon is not simple.

Gao Quan, seeing Yao Feng feigning mystery, tapped him discontentedly, "Get to the point."

Yao Feng rubbed the back of his head, glaring at Gao Quan fiercely, and said, "The force behind the monkey demon is a particularly formidable demon clan in Lingzhou, named Cangyun Valley. Just be careful."

Qin An nodded slightly.

There was no need to know more than necessary, only that the opponent was formidable enough.

Now that Qin An had joined this circle, he understood the meaning of the word "danger."

Joining the Evil Extermination Bureau was to acquire more cultivation techniques and blood crystals to eliminate danger.

As they chatted, they were getting closer to Lingzhou.

During this time, they encountered several people escorting Mr. Zhang, joining their ranks.

Mr. Zhang’s face was already ashen, knowing his days were numbered, and he looked at Qin An with hatred.

Qin An was indifferent to this.

Now, he only wanted to quickly obtain new cultivation techniques to enhance his strength and ensure danger would not find him.

...

It took half a month’s time to travel from Ding County to Lingzhou.

It was Ding County’s remoteness that had allowed Mr. Zhang to survive for so long.

In the distance, the imposing outline of the city came into Qin An’s view.

Compared to Ding County, Lingzhou was far more prosperous.

At the gates, several soldiers were stationed, and upon seeing the token at Tang Lingwei’s waist, they immediately allowed entry.

As they entered the city, the bustling sounds began.

On both sides of the street, pedestrians were in constant flow.

The air was filled with a sense of prosperity, yet it was ordinary.

Qin An followed the group to a particular place within Lingzhou City.

From time to time, the citizens cast glances over, looking at Qin An and the others with awe and curiosity.

An incense stick’s time later, Qin An looked at the magnificent building in front of him, his eyes slightly narrowing.

Amid red-tiled and jade-roofed structures, a killing intent permeated the air.

Above hung a signboard with the words "Evil Extermination Bureau" written on it.

The script was dragon-like and phoenix-like, giving an overwhelming sense of ominous energy just from a glance.

Upon entering the gates, there was a vast courtyard, bustling with members of the Evil Extermination Bureau dressed in dark robes.

Tang Lingwei glanced at Gao Quan, "Take Qin An to get two sets of clothing and register him. I will take Mr. Zhang to make my report."

With that, Tang Lingwei led the people away.

Chen Chun also followed.

He was getting a regular appointment, but it was not certain he would be under Tang Lingwei’s command. Everything depended on the Evil Extermination Bureau’s arrangement.

Gao Quan said helplessly, "That’s just how Mr. Tang is, Qin An. Come with me to get your clothes, and I’ll explain the Evil Extermination Bureau matters to you."

Qin An nodded and followed Gao Quan towards a building.

As they walked, Gao Quan explained.

"Within the Evil Extermination Bureau, there are two departments: the Internal Affairs Department and the Foreign Affairs Department. As you’ve seen, most people in the courtyard are from the Internal Affairs, handling intelligence and secret matters."

"We belong to the Foreign Affairs Department, handling all the arduous work of demon-slaying."

Qin An asked, "Chen Chun mentioned that joining the Evil Extermination Bureau requires fighting hard, and once in, you have to fight harder. How did those in the Internal Affairs department get in?"

Gao Quan feigned a cough, "Fighting hard... is what we who entered the Evil Extermination Bureau from the martial world and government offices do, while the Internal Affairs... are mostly people with connections living leisurely."

Gao Quan continued to explain.

"Lingzhou doesn’t only have the Evil Extermination Bureau, but also families, sects, and factions, intertwined."

"Every year, people from all sides join in, entering the Internal Affairs department to live, and as for the reasons..."

"First, it’s to stabilize various powers, letting them cling to the Evil Extermination Bureau’s strength."

"Second, it’s blackmail."

Qin An frowned, "Blackmail, how do they blackmail?"

He understood the first reason, but not the second.

Gao Quan slowly said, "Demons entrenched and Pseudo-Gods wreaking havoc, if the powers in Lingzhou feel rebellious, how will the Lingzhou Evil Extermination Bureau handle it?"

Qin An rubbed his chin, "So, arrange power members to join, serving as hostages?"

Gao Quan nodded, "Exactly. Only in this way can the situation be stabilized."

Holding power members as hostages is indeed a good way to restrain forces.

Moreover, if they need people, would these forces dare refuse when the Evil Extermination Bureau seeks them?

Qin An continued to ask, "What are Pseudo-Gods?"

By this time, Gao Quan and Qin An had arrived at a tall building.

Gao Quan paused, "Let’s first go in and get two sets of clothes to change into; afterward I’ll tell you about the Pseudo-Gods."

Qin An nodded and entered.

Following Gao Quan’s lead, he received two sets of clothes.

One set for backup, one set to wear.

Before long, Qin An, clad in dark robes with the black knife at his waist, walked outside.

Gao Quan’s eyes lit up, "Nice, Qin An, your physique fits perfectly, like it was tailor-made, unlike me, hanging like on a bamboo pole."

Qin An also held two books, one was the Flame Heart Skill, and the other the Demon Suppression Saber Skill.

Though he had already learned these two, he still put them away as a matter of principle.

Just as Gao Quan was about to speak further, a hand suddenly reached over, hooking Gao Quan’s shoulder.

Before Gao Quan could react, a slightly flippant voice rang out.

"What kind of oddballs did Tang Lingwei take in with the special privilege of Tongzhou Commander?"