CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54: TREASURE TOAD

The Lin Family’s ancestral home?

Zhou Mo calmed his mind, showing a look of confusion: "I only know that the ancestral home is in a secluded alley in Lingzhou, but I’ve never heard of any unusual events."

Before the Lin family prospered, they were just a small household in Lingzhou. After an incidental rise, they have climbed steadily and are now considered a major family in Lingzhou.

However, Zhou Mo only had a slight understanding of matters related to the ancestral home.

Earlier, he had discussed Qin An with his young wife, and now his wife was bringing up the Lin Family’s ancestral home.

Could it be that there is something in the Lin Family’s ancestral home that could help him regain his dignity?

Lin Yue gently caressed Zhou Mo’s face with her delicate hand: "In the ancestral home, there is a demon locked up, also known as the Treasure Toad."

Zhou Mo was initially stunned upon hearing this, then quickly reacted by standing up abruptly: "Does anyone else know?"

Lin Yue gently shook her head, indicating that only the trusted direct lineage members of the Lin Family knew about it.

"The Treasure Toad excels at remotely absorbing treasures. The Lin Family’s rise to its current status is all because of the Treasure Toad."

"But husband, you also know of the dangers of the Treasure Toad. Now that the Lin Family’s fortune has peaked, it’s likely to backfire."

Zhou Mo fell into deep thought, sitting back on the soft bed, frowning deeply.

The Treasure Toad can bring a person many treasures, but each time it does, it strengthens the toad’s demonic power.

If the power is stored to perfection, the Treasure Toad will definitely counterattack, first consuming the person who acquired the treasures.

This is a double-edged sword that can bring someone great success or lead to their instant demise.

The only solution is to kill the Treasure Toad.

If what Lin Yue said is true, and the Treasure Toad has been dormant for a long time, it must be very terrifying by now.

"Do you know the consequences of not reporting a demon?" Zhou Mo swept a cold glance at Lin Yue.

Lin Yue nodded slightly: "After you took the position of the Jinzhou Colonel, the Lin Family has been supportive in many ways, with what was provided all coming from the Treasure Toad, including Mr. Li..."

Lin Yue didn’t say the rest, but the meaning was clear.

Zhou Mo’s expression gradually softened: "The younger generation of the Lin Family coveted the benefits from the Treasure Toad, repeatedly selling them outside. Today the Lin Family discovered this and requested the Evil Extermination Bureau to destroy this demon."

After saying this, a trace of joy appeared on Lin Yue’s face, and she lightly waved to the doorway.

Two family servants led in a disheveled person from outside the room.

This person was covered in scars, blind, deaf, and even his tongue was gone.

Lin Yue grinned: "During the capture, the junior member hid in the Lin Family’s ancestral home and was heavily injured by the Treasure Toad’s attack."

The two complemented each other’s statements, and upon hearing this, the family servants looked skyward, as if they had heard nothing.

Zhou Mo stood up and said: "I will go immediately to the Evil Extermination Bureau to find Mr. Li and have Qin An take this task."

Lin Yue asked: "Husband, can you ensure that Qin An receives it?"

Zhou Mo nodded: "Mr. Li once risked his life to save a Jinzhou Colonel. With his help, Cheng Sufeng, merely a Yinzhou Colonel, cannot protect Qin An."

After deliberating for a while, Zhou Mo promptly left the house.

...

Evil Extermination Bureau.

There have been no tasks in recent days, so Qin An has stayed indoors, diligently practicing the dancer’s proficiency.

The Butcher and the Scholar are both at level four, but only the Dancer, Blacksmith, and Doctor remain at level three.

The Blacksmith requires a specific setting, and although the Doctor can be trained in the room, he wants to improve the Dancer to level four first.

The Dancer is related to the body technique. Although it is not an attack technique, since Qin An is surrounded by numerous demons, improving the dancer’s proficiency can enhance his survival skills.

As for the Butcher and the Scholar, Qin An feels there is no need for deliberate practice.

Being in the Evil Extermination Bureau, slaying demons and learning cultivation techniques can naturally increase his proficiency over time.

Smoke appeared, writhing like a snake.

[Dancer lv.3（150/400）: Your dances have become more graceful]

With the hard practice of these days, the dancer’s proficiency has increased significantly.

Qin An observed the smoke for a moment, ready to continue.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door.

Qin An collected his thoughts.

A moment later, the voice of a state official from the Internal Affairs Department was heard.

"Mr. Qin, there is a task for you."

Qin An got up and opened the door to find the state official holding a wooden tray, bowing with arms raised high.

On the tray was a letter, sealed with wax to ensure complete protection.

After taking the letter, Qin An watched the state official depart before closing the door and opening the envelope.

The letter described in detail the Lin Family Treasure Toad matter, asking Qin An to personally subdue the demon.

After reading it, Qin An rubbed his chin: "The Lin family... Zhou Mo."

Ever since he had a falling out with Zhou Mo, Qin An had gathered information about Zhou Mo from Nie Hu.

He also knew that Zhou Mo was the son-in-law of the Lin Family.

Now, with a sudden demon issue in the Lin Family that seems related to him, Zhou Mo likely has a hand in this.

"Interesting."

Qin An patted the black knife and stepped outside: "Let’s see what tricks you have up your sleeve."

...

The Lin Family’s ancestral home.

Mr. Lin, dressed in silk, with a bulging belly, was followed by the gold and silver bedecked Lin Yue.

Beside Lin Yue stood Zhou Mo.

At this moment, Zhou Mo had removed his black robes and was in casual clothes, staring ahead with somber eyes.

In front was a deep well, covered with a large green stone.

From the cracks, strands of evil qi were seeping out, giving off a chilling feel.

This demon is extremely fierce.

Zhou Mo only sensed for a moment and detected the ominous presence of the demon within the well.

The reason he came today was first, to witness Qin An’s death with his own eyes.

The second was to gain credit.

If Qin An fought the Treasure Toad to its end and died, the Treasure Toad would undoubtedly be in bad shape too.

Then he could play the role of a fisherman, profiting from the situation.

If the Treasure Toad was not a match for Qin An, he could take action and share Qin An’s credit.

For Zhou Mo, this was a two birds with one stone strategy.

Mr. Lin’s face was gentle, yet his eyes held a shrewd cunning: "Good son-in-law, hasn’t the Jinzhou Colonel arrived yet?"

Zhou Mo turned and said: "Don’t worry, father-in-law. Qin An has a high spirit but won’t dare go against the Evil Extermination Bureau. He will definitely come."

Mr. Lin nodded slightly.

He was very satisfied with this son-in-law; through the name of the Jinzhou Colonel, the Lin Family had ascended to great heights.

Once they dealt with the Treasure Toad today and helped eliminate Qin An, the Lin Family’s influence would grow stronger.

He planned to ingratiate himself with his son-in-law’s superior, Li Zheng, after today, perhaps enabling further advancements.

As the two were talking, footsteps sounded outside the door.

Qin An, clad in black, with a black knife at his waist, walked into the Lin Family’s ancestral home.

After seeing Zhou Mo present, a cold smile tugged at the corner of Qin An’s mouth.

Zhou Mo, feigning sincerity, said: "Mr. Qin, this concerns the safety of my father-in-law’s family; I can assist you in the demon extermination."

Qin An glanced at the deep well, bypassed Zhou Mo, leaving a single sentence: "Useless, meddlesome."

Zhou Mo’s eyes widened, fists clenched tightly, eyes dark as water.

He did not lash out but stared coldly at Qin An, with a heart burning with the desire for Qin An’s death.

Qin An approached the deep well, drew out the black knife, and lifted the green stone slab.

A massive wave of evil qi surged from the well, forming a thin layer of ice around it.