CHAPTER 81: CHAPTER 78: YE LENGSHUANG’S PAST

Ye Lengshuang sneered coldly, "Don’t even think about it."

Fox Qiao withdrew her pale hand, placed it on Ye Lengshuang’s shoulder, and tiptoed to whisper in her ear, "Is it true that Ye Lengyu’s body hasn’t been found?"

Ye Lengshuang was stunned, frozen like a wooden chicken.

Fox Qiao continued, "She is your sister, and Fox Mother took pity on the Ye Family’s plight and took her in. If you help me, I’ll rescue your sister. How about it?"

Ye Lengshuang snapped back to reality, lowered her head silently.

Fox Qiao retreated and vanished into the forest, "I’ll give you three days to consider. If you come around, I’ll be waiting here in three days."

Soon, the forest returned to silence.

Ye Lengshuang stood still, her hands clenching and unclenching.

After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Ye Lengshuang lowered her head, picked up the bamboo basket, and left the graveyard.

...

Evil Extermination Bureau.

Qin An’s courtyard had already gathered dozens of Tong Province Guards.

These Tong Province Guards all stood like ancient pines.

The leader was named Qiu Hong, with a short knife hanging from his waist.

They had been waiting here for half an hour.

There were people inside the house, but none had come out.

No one spoke, but upon closer inspection, many showed signs of discontent.

At this moment, a voice came from inside the house.

"Had enough standing?"

"Continue to come tomorrow, and stand for another hour."

The entire scene was silent.

The many Tong Province Guards exchanged glances, gritting their teeth, each seeing a flash of anger in the other’s eyes.

They were all former subordinates of Li Zheng, aware of Li Zheng’s actions, but could not endure being led by someone who had recently joined the Evil Extermination Bureau and became a Silver Province Guard.

The Evil Extermination Bureau is strictly hierarchical, and though they accepted the higher-up’s arrangements, they often harbored grievances during tasks.

Earlier, when called to the courtyard by this young Silver Province Guard, they showed some dissatisfaction, which this Silver Province Guard noticed.

They had been standing here for an hour.

No one paid them any mind, nor did anyone dismiss them.

They dared not defy orders, but the anger in their hearts was like a suppressed volcano.

Qiu Hong, the most esteemed among them, couldn’t hold back and stepped forward, cupping his hands towards the house, "Mr. Qin, a warrior can be killed but not humiliated."

"We have shed blood for Lingzhou, and have fought through dangers among demons and pseudo-gods. Today’s insult is a bit excessive."

"Please show mercy, Mr. Qin."

After he spoke, the other Tong Province Guards nodded slightly.

Though they remained silent, their actions clearly expressed their thoughts.

The tightly closed door creaked open, and a figure in a dark robe, with a black sword and a silver badge at the waist, slowly stepped out.

Qiu Hong watched Qin An step out the door, keeping his head high and showing no sign of submission.

Qin An dragged a chair to the doorway and sat down with commanding presence, slowly saying, "Show your worth."

As his words fell, the crowd looked slightly surprised but said nothing.

Qin An continued, "After being promoted to Silver Province Guard, you are all my subordinates. In the future, tasks will be fraught with danger, and I don’t want to be betrayed from within."

"Show your worth today. If you succeed, stay; if not, leave."

The Evil Extermination Bureau respects strength.

His earlier actions were meant to temper these people, but he hadn’t expected them to confront him directly.

Direct confrontation was fine; they would deal plainly.

He didn’t have time for idle chatter.

Qiu Hong cupped his hands, "Where does Mr. Qin get such ideas? We are all Mr. Qin’s subordinates, and there is no reason to harm Mr. Qin."

Qin An cast a sidelong glance, "Pretentious."

Qiu Hong paused slightly, surprised.

Qin An, holding his black knife, stood and said, "Take one strike from me; if you live, I will resign from my Silver Province Guard position; if you die, then you’ll die. If you don’t want to take it, then you mustn’t harbor double thoughts."

With this, the entire scene fell silent, as if a pin could be heard dropping.

Qiu Hong remained silent as water, saying nothing.

Yet, for some reason, a sense of fear arose.

This young Silver Province Guard seemed not as easy to fool as imagined.

But the talk of resigning from the Silver Province Guard was something no one dared to speak of.

Exorcising demons naturally incurred their resentment.

With the Evil Extermination Bureau as a shield, survival was still possible; but resigning meant certain death by revenge.

To wager such a statement, was the other mad?

After much contemplation, Qiu Hong stepped forward.

"Only one strike?"

He needed to confirm if there was any trickery.

But with so many colleagues present, it was unlikely the words would not be kept.

Even if the Silver Province Guard had Jade Bone Realm cultivation, it wouldn’t be enough to kill him with one strike.

All they needed was to withstand one strike, and the other party would resign, allowing them to naturally choose a better superior.

Qin An stepped forward slowly, his fingers brushing over the black saber: "Are you worthy of taking the second strike?"

True Qi surged like a dragon, turbulent and powerful.

Since entering the Jade Bone Realm, Qin An had never taken action, but today he could fulfill his wish.

One of the three unique powers of Ice Flame was condensed, doubling the saber technique’s power.

The power of ice and fire covered the saber, causing it to tremble like a sieve.

Just one glance, and its terrifying nature could be understood.

Qiu Hong was slightly startled.

Though the weather was cool today, a chill of cold sweat spread across his back.

He couldn’t take it.

Taking it would mean death.

This thought emerged in Qiu Hong’s mind.

As a Coppersmith County’s Guard, he was battle-hardened and trusted his instincts.

Qiu Hong swallowed, bowing his always proud head abruptly: "I admit defeat, please spare me, Sir."

Many Coppersmith Guards looked at Qiu Hong, puzzled by his meaning.

Then, they turned to the black saber in Qin An’s hand, immediately falling silent.

They felt the terror emanating from the black saber and understood why Qiu Hong surrendered so quickly.

Take it?

With what would they take it?

Seeing Qiu Hong lower his head, Qin An spoke slowly, "Kneel."

Qiu Hong was taken aback, then obediently knelt to the ground again, speaking: "I realize my mistake."

Qin An said nothing, pointing the black saber at another Coppersmith Guard: "Will you take it?"

The Coppersmith Guard quickly waved his hand: "I dare not."

"You dare not, then what should you do?" Qin An said indifferently.

The Coppersmith Guard glanced at Qiu Hong, then knelt on one knee and said humbly: "I realize my mistake."

Qin An nodded, continuing to point his saber at each Coppersmith Guard.

The power of ice and fire on the black saber was suppressed, like a volcano ready to erupt.

Each time he pointed at a Coppersmith Guard, they would kneel on one knee and humbly admit their mistake.

No one dared to take the saber.

Not until the last Coppersmith Guard was kneeling did Qin An sheath his saber.

"Kneel for half an hour, any objections?"

Qiu Hong wiped the sweat from his forehead: "I accept."

All the Coppersmith Guards spoke in unison: "We accept."

The Evil Extermination Bureau already respects strength above all. Qin An didn’t need to speak; his black saber spoke for him.

Being able to follow a strong person made them convinced and willingly submit.

Qin An stepped slowly out of the courtyard: "Kneel less, and you’ll roll out."

Until Qin An’s figure disappeared from sight, the Coppersmith Guards, led by Qiu Hong, remained kneeling.

They kept their heads low, not daring to move at all.

...

After leaving the courtyard, Qin An headed straight to the house where Cheng Sufeng was.

Last night, he already had plans in mind.

There was still a month until the Tiger Race secret opens, which gave him just the right opportunity to get all his remaining professions to level five.

Now, only blacksmith, healer, and dancer professions remained, and if he grasped the time well, he could achieve his goal.

Practicing healer in the morning, blacksmith in the afternoon, and dancer practice until rest time at night before going to bed.

As for the healer profession, it requires patients as an aid.

Cheng Sufeng was also a healer and could conveniently assist a bit.

At this moment, Cheng Sufeng was holding a medical book, studying it carefully.

He had achieved great success in the Jade Bone Realm, needing just a push to reach perfection.

But his learned Heart Method was too esoteric, now he had to painstakingly supplement with medical skills.

Footsteps sounded, Cheng Sufeng instinctively looked up, seeing Qin An with a silver badge hanging at his waist, stepping into the courtyard.

The silver badge was very bright, making Cheng Sufeng feel it dazzling, and recalling that Qin An had joined the Evil Extermination Bureau not long ago but was already at the same level as him, his mouth twitched.

"Mr. Qin, what brings you here today?" Cheng Sufeng stood up and said.

Yesterday he addressed him as Qin An, today as Mr. Qin.

Yesterday he called him Mr. Cheng, today as Cheng Sufeng.

He suddenly felt that things in the world indeed change too quickly.

Qin An came closer and said: "To discuss medical skills."

Upon this topic, Cheng Sufeng instead became animated.

He knew of Qin An’s healer talent and was naturally willing to discuss with Qin An.

Both were straightforward men, and soon, discussion filled the courtyard.