Files

Behind the bookshelf was a locked wooden box. Xiong San opened the box and took out a thick bundle of files.

"Turn it on and see for yourself."

Qin Ming took the file.

This dossier actually recorded all sorts of bizarre events in the history of Qingyang County. Some of these events made Qin Ming's scalp tingle and his back go cold, giving him a chilling feeling.

In August of the 27th year of the Yongnian calendar, Tashan Town in Qingyang County vanished without a trace overnight, leaving only a large crater in its place.

In the third month of the 28th year of the Yongnian calendar, in Luo Village, Qingyang County, all children under the age of five died tragically overnight, with only pinprick-sized wounds on the back of their heads, their brains drained.

In July of the 30th year of the Yongnian calendar, in an unnamed mountain village at the foot of a mountain eighty li east of Qingyang County, heavy snow fell for three consecutive days, freezing all living things in the village to death. Following the investigation, all the officials who investigated mysteriously disappeared.

In the ninth month of the 35th year of the Yongnian calendar, the Pingyang Restaurant in Qingyang County caught fire. The main building of the restaurant remained intact, but more than 300 people inside were burned to ashes, and their remains were never found.

In the seventh month of the 40th year of the Yongnian calendar, all 130 members of the Wang family in Qingyang County hanged themselves in their home.

"In the eighth month of the 40th year of the Yongnian calendar, a headless corpse was found walking around outside Qingyang County. A subsequent autopsy confirmed that the body belonged to someone who had died several years earlier."

In the ninth month of the 40th year of the Yongnian calendar, three people in Qingyang County inexplicably burst into flames, their bodies engulfed in white flames, and eventually turned into charred remains.

Qin Ming became increasingly alarmed as he read on; the thick stack of documents was filled with records of bizarre events.

He had initially thought that the Ghost Fog he encountered in the forest was just a coincidence, but now it seems that it was not at all. In fact, he was quite lucky, at least he didn't encounter any powerful Ghost Entity.

Just then, Qin Ming's gaze narrowed slightly.

In the 44th year of the Yongnian calendar, a gray Ghost Fog invaded Gaochao Village, turning all four hundred villagers into Dry Corpse.

Qin Ming couldn't help but think of the Ghost Fog he had encountered. The Wraith in the Ghost Fog liked to possess people and devour their Qi and Blood, which was very similar to what was recorded!

"You've all seen that, haven't you? The real dangers in this world aren't just bandits and thugs, but also those Ghost Monsters that devour people without spitting out their bones."

Xiong San said calmly.

"You can fight against bandits and thugs, but when you encounter Ghost Monsters, no matter how strong you are, it's all in vain."

"I hope my Martial Uncle can enlighten me."

Qin Ming clasped his hands in a fist salute. Xiong San had brought him here alone, both to test his strength and to let him look at the case files. There must be a reason for this.

"You're quite clever. Well then, I'll be frank. I hope you can join the Demon-Hunting Team and strive to become Demon-Hunting Team captain in the future."

Then Xiong San explained the reason.

It turned out to be the county magistrate, who wanted to diminish Xiong San's power and take control of the Demon-Hunting Team.

The members of the Demon-Hunting Team are all Martial Artists with considerable strength and the means to fight demons. In addition, each of them has a complicated background. The strength and influence of this team far exceed that of ordinary yamen runners. He wanted to send Qin Ming in to become his inside man.

"Martial Uncle, from what you're saying, it seems your relationship with the magistrate of Qingyang County is just so-so?"

"It's more than just ordinary!"

Xiong San sneered, "He can't wait for me to die!"

Xiong San seemed to have thought of something, and his face darkened.

"I got to where I am today through sheer hard work! That corrupt official took a bribe and thought he could take my job? No way!"

Xiong San looked at Qin Ming, his gaze softening slightly. "Qin Ming, we're from the same school, we're on the same side. I'll do my best to help you with this assessment. Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything."

"My junior apprentice does indeed have a few questions."

Qin Ming clasped his hands in a fist salute, "Martial Uncle, I would like to know, besides the Sha Weapon, what other methods are there to eliminate Ghost Monsters?"

"I do know a little about that."

Xiong San pondered for a moment and said, "The Sha Weapon are the most effective way to kill Ghost Monsters so far. Most of these Ghost Monsters do not have a physical form, so ordinary swords and knives are useless against them. The Sha Weapon carry Sha Qi, which can cause great damage to them."

In addition, some martial arts also have a restraining effect. As far as I know, these martial arts techniques are generally related to thunder and fire, Qi and Blood and qi, or Sha Qi. Only these kinds of forces can completely obliterate Ghost Monsters.

Oh, and there are firearms too. The gunpowder is mixed with cinnabar and black dog blood, which can kill some ordinary Ghost Monsters, depending on the power. However, the imperial court strictly controls firearms, and as far as I know, only that corrupt official in the entire Qingyang County has one."

Qin Ming's heart skipped a beat.

He had never seen firearms in this world before, but they sounded similar to the hunting rifles he had in his previous life.

"Martial Uncle, what did you mean by saying that Qi and Blood can kill Ghost Monsters?"

Martial Artists cultivate their Qi and Blood, Ghost Monsters devour the Qi and Blood of Martial Artists. But just now, Xiong San actually said that Qi and Blood can kill Ghost Monsters. For a moment, Qin Ming thought he had misheard.

"Martial Artists cultivate their Qi and Blood. As their strength increases, their Qi and Blood become stronger and stronger. When their Qi and Blood become strong enough, even Ghost Monster and monsters cannot withstand it. Have you heard of the Blood Qi Furnace? When you truly reach that level, the Ghost Fog and Wraith you encountered last time can all be refined in an instant with just the Blood Qi Furnace."

Xiong San told Qin Ming many secrets that outsiders rarely knew, including many recorded ghosts and Ghost Monsters, as well as methods to deal with them.

The imperial court classified Ghost Monsters into seven levels: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple.

The Ghost Fog Wraith that Qin Ming encountered last time could only be considered the lowest level, Crimson Grade.

Some incomprehensible and insurmountable Ghost Monsters are collectively referred to as eerie phenomena and are not included in these seven levels.

This strange phenomenon is impossible to resist or eliminate; even a master of Xiantian strength would be helpless against it.

"Qin Ming, by joining the Demon-Hunting Team, you will be eligible to choose an internal Internal Cultivation Manual; perhaps you will find the one you desire," Xiong San said.

Qin Ming wanted a martial art with fire or lightning attributes to enhance the power of his "Fire Sand Palm," thus increasing his self-defense against Ghost Monsters. However, Xiong San told him that external martial arts were useless and that a true Internal Cultivation Manual was needed to completely annihilate the Ghost Monsters.

"The internal energy I cultivate is called the Black Sha Skill. It can form a fiend body and stop killing with killing. The only problem is that it is too bloodthirsty and needs to kill people constantly to nurture and strengthen the Sha Qi. I have already killed all the prisoners in the death row and Water Prison."

If you want to follow the fire and lightning attribute path to slay Ghost Monsters, you must cultivate fire and lightning attribute Internal Cultivation Manual. In this way, all your martial arts external skills will be imbued with fire and lightning energy, making them effective against Ghost Monsters. Cultivating only one type of external skill is useless.

Qin Ming's "Eight Trigrams Stake Skill" is only the most basic introductory stance technique. The truly powerful Internal Cultivation Manual all possess the power to slay Ghost Monster and demons.

However, such techniques are extremely rare and only available to government officials. Moreover, Internal Cultivation Manual with fire and lightning attributes are extremely difficult to master. Only by cultivating them to a certain level can one deal with Ghost Monsters. They are far less effective than Xiong San's "Black Sha Skill".

"Internal Cultivation Manual capable of slaying Ghost Monsters isn't easy to obtain. This time, you not only need to pass the test but also earn merit. I'll vouch for you and fight for you. Qin Ming, don't let your Martial Uncle down."

Xiong San patted Qin Ming on the shoulder, "Meet here at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow. The assessment will be held in Qingshan Town. Go back and prepare."

"Qingshan Town?"

Qin Ming was surprised.

"Yes, the area is completely shrouded in Ghost Fog. Your assessment task this time is to investigate the Ghost Fog in Qingshan Town and see if there are any living people inside. If you can rescue the living people and deal with the Ghost Monster along the way, you'll basically have your fire-attribute Internal Cultivation Manual in hand."

Qin Ming nodded.

"I almost forgot, you also contributed to the annihilation of the Clearwind Stronghold bandits. If you perform well this time, you should have no problem mastering the fire-based cultivation technique."

The two discussed some more details before parting ways.

Qin Ming was about to head to the County Yamen, Wang Shun's wife, Chen, came running over from the side courtyard.

"Wait a minute, buddy!"

After arriving in Qingyang County, Qin Ming settled Wang Shun's family in the County Yamen. Chen worked as a kitchen helper and took care of the injured Wang Shun.

"Brother Qin, I heard that the Embroiderer was injured, so I specially brewed a pot of chicken soup. Please take it back to help her recover."

Chen handed the water jug to Qin Ming, saying, "I've just arrived and I'm too busy to leave, otherwise I could have gone to check on the Embroiderer."

"Don't worry, sister-in-law, my Martial Uncle has already assigned someone to take care of her. The Embroiderer is safe and sound."

Qin Ming took the kettle and thanked him.

That night, Yan Yue-Ren received a message.

"What! That young lady's husband is actually a member of the Eight Trigrams Sect, Xiong San's nephew?"

Yan Yue-Ren was taken aback upon hearing the news.

"All my men were killed by Xiong San? That damned madman!"

Yan Yue-Ren was so angry that he cursed loudly.

Xiong San was notorious for his cruelty; no one who was imprisoned in the Water Prison ever came out alive.

Rumors circulated in the city that Xiong San practiced demonic arts and killed people every day.

"Incense Master, what do we do now? I heard that young lady was drugged and passed out, and that Qin Ming will definitely seek revenge on you."

"Revenge? With him?"

Yan Yue-Ren scoffed, "My sister is the county magistrate's most favored concubine. If he dares to kill me, even that madman Xiong San can't protect him! Besides, I've already broken through to the Late Flesh-Refining Realm! As far as I know, that kid hasn't been practicing martial arts for very long. He's a complete newbie. I could crush him with a single finger!"

"Yes, yes, compared to the Incense Master, that kid is nothing but a fart."

His subordinates immediately began to flatter him.

"Alright, you can go now. Incense Master get some rest. I have to report to the County Yamen first thing tomorrow morning. Once I join the Demon-Hunting Team, I'll be a permanent member of the government!"

Yan Yue-Ren loudly and led the two beautiful women he had snatched to the bed.