CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 60: DUAL-CLASS LEVEL 4

Night falls, moonless.

Inside the brothel.

People come and go, light gauze sways.

Li Zheng embraces a woman wearing light gauze, opens his mouth, and drinks the liquor she hands him, reaching into her clothes to knead her soft flesh.

Beside him sits a Jinzhou officer, currently wearing casual attire, like Li Zheng, also embracing a brothel woman and joking around.

After three rounds of drinks, five flavors of dishes.

A knock on the door sounds outside, the Jinzhou officer releases the woman, walks to the door, and talks briefly with the visitor, then turns to give Li Zheng a look.

Li Zheng understands and pats the woman’s rounded derrière: "Wait outside. Unless I call you in, you’re not allowed to enter."

The woman in light gauze rolls her eyes at Li Zheng and walks out, twisting her waist like a water snake.

Before leaving, she conveniently shuts the door.

Li Zheng raises his hand to tidy his somewhat disheveled clothes, then downs the fine wine in his cup: "Speak."

The Jinzhou officer bows immediately: "Sir, recently, Qin An has been frequenting the blacksmith and Cheng Sufeng’s place. What he’s specifically doing is unknown."

Since the last debacle at the hands of Qin An and Cheng Sufeng, Li Zheng has assigned him a task, making him watch Qin An’s actions at all times.

Yet recently, Qin An’s behavior has puzzled him.

Either at the blacksmith shop or at Cheng Sufeng’s residence, almost forming a triangle.

He doesn’t know what Mr. Li really wants, but having found nothing, he fears punishment from Mr. Li.

Li Zheng spins his glass, speaks nonchalantly: "Continue the surveillance. Report any anomalies meticulously."

The Jinzhou officer nods hastily, respectfully agreeing.

Li Zheng glances at the Jinzhou officer: "Do you know why I want you to monitor Qin An?"

The Jinzhou officer shakes his head, indicating no knowledge.

Li Zheng sets down his glass: "The incident that day damaged my reputation, and I must rectify it. Otherwise, how can I establish myself at the Evil Extermination Bureau?"

"You are my trusted aide, and you have connections among the underworld figures in Lingzhou. This matter can only be entrusted to you."

The shame of that day, Li Zheng remembers it clearly.

Even recently when walking through the Evil Extermination Bureau, he feels his colleagues’ gazes are mocking.

Though suspecting psychological influence, he’s quite dissatisfied.

Monitoring Qin An, finding his weaknesses, then exploiting those weaknesses to ensure Qin An can’t rise again.

That’s Li Zheng’s plan.

But, for some reason, Qin An’s life is highly predictable.

Blacksmith shop, Cheng Sufeng’s place, then home.

Hardly any weaknesses to be found.

The Jinzhou officer shows a trace of hesitation.

Li Zheng notices and signals: "Just speak your mind."

The Jinzhou officer speaks slowly: "That muddy-legged fellow came from a small town, in Lingzhou he has no connections besides Cheng Sufeng, you could say he’s quite clean. How can we find a weakness?"

"And even if a weakness is found..."

The latter words, the Jinzhou officer didn’t directly voice, but the implication is clear.

Li Zheng snorts coldly.

The Jinzhou officer instantly sweats heavily, realizing his mistake.

"You won’t be coming to the brothel anymore tonight." Li Zheng says calmly.

The Jinzhou officer quickly nods, hurriedly exits the room.

Shortly after, the woman in light gauze re-enters the room, once again leaning against Li Zheng’s chest, drawing circles on his chest with her pale fingers.

Li Zheng says slowly: "The Hundred Beasts Sect is doomed."

The woman in light gauze giggles: "It’s no big deal, merely one of the Fox Mother’s paths, gone is gone."

Li Zheng continues: "The information you want is only this much. I have no more."

The woman in light gauze sits upright: "Today let’s not discuss business. I’ll undress Mr. Li, making you feel heavenly."

Li Zheng grasps her wrist, stating: "This is the last time. From now on, I have no further connection with the Fox Mother."

The woman in gauze gasps in pain.

After Li Zheng releases his grip, a fox tail emerges from her rear, brushing over her injured wrist.

"You were raised by the Fox Mother from a young age, of hundreds of children, only you thrive the most."

"Now achieving this position, you consider betraying the Fox Mother. If the Evil Extermination Bureau learns of your plans, what would your fate be?"

The woman speaks deliberately, her tone shifts from seductive to chilling.

Li Zheng’s eyes widen, fists clenched tightly: "The Fox Mother said this is the last time. Why not keep your word?"

The woman bursts into melodic laughter: "We are demons, what demons keep promises? How many resources did the Fox Mother expend nurturing you, how many siblings died? She can’t let you escape."

"What’s more, do you aspire to the position of a Jinzhou officer?"

Li Zheng falls into silence.

As the Fox Girl stated, his identity is unique, raised by the Fox Mother from young, acting as her spy in the Evil Extermination Bureau.

Of hundreds of children, only he survived, the others, including many Fox Girls, perished to alleviate the Bureau’s doubts.

The Fox Mother won’t allow his departure.

Moreover, the position of a Jinzhou officer...

If he achieves that rank, wielding power, he’s even less likely to be exposed.

"What does the Fox Mother want me to do?" Li Zheng asks slowly.

The woman once again leans against Li Zheng’s chest: "The Hundred Beasts Sect is expendable, it can be used as a lure to eliminate many from the Evil Extermination Bureau, then you reverse the situation and save the day, achieving two ends. Additionally, Qin An ruined the Fox Mother’s plan, he must die."

Li Zheng doesn’t respond, but has tacitly agreed.

The woman shows a charming smile, leans down and unfastens Li Zheng’s belt.

The sound of heavy breathing fills the air.

...

A tranquil courtyard, rarely visited, only Qin An and Cheng Sufeng sit on chairs.

Cheng Sufeng sets down his medical book, eyes gleaming with excitement: "Your talent in medicine rivals mine. Have you truly not considered studying medicine with me?"

Recently, every afternoon, Qin An comes to the courtyard to meet him, discuss medical matters, and practice his medical skills with him as the patient.

The more he interacts with Qin An, the more Cheng Sufeng marvels at his medical talent.

But Qin An is like a rock in a latrine, insisting that medicine is just a hobby.

Today, Cheng Sufeng again can’t resist persuading him.

Qin An rises, heads towards the door: "It’s late, I take my leave."

Cheng Sufeng watches Qin An’s back with a helpless smile.

He has grown accustomed to Qin An’s indifference.

Until Qin An reaches the corner, Cheng Sufeng calls out.

"Three days hence, is the time to besiege the Hundred Beasts Sect. Don’t forget."

From the corner, comes a leisurely voice.

"Understood."

The courtyard returns to silence.

Cheng Sufeng picks up a medical book, resumes reading by the oil lamp.

...

Qin An returns to his room, shuts the door behind him.

Recently, tasks have been few, the Evil Extermination Bureau secretly plans regarding the Hundred Beasts Sect, granting Qin An ample free time.

During this time, he’s frequented two locations, tirelessly honing his medical and blacksmith skills.

Today, both skills have reached mastery.

Before him, smoke curls like a twisting serpent.