Turbulent Times

A few days of leisure passed in the blink of an eye.

Baiyun County, Shili Township.

Lin Zikai and Black Dog, along with about ten Imperial Guards, were leaning against the trees in the woods, some slouched, some sprawled. All of them bore traces of blood and were panting heavily.

Lin Zikai cursed, "Damn it, what the hell was that?"

"What kind of place is Baiyun County? Why is it so unstable? A few days ago it was the White Dragon Cult, and now we've run into a group of lunatics who are addicted to killing."

"Little Li, have the carrier pigeons been sent out yet?"

A Colonel wiped the blood from his face. "My lord, the pigeons have all been sent."

"My lord, what was that thing? Was it an evil cultivator?"

Lin Zikai shook his head. "I don't know either. Baiyun County has never had anything like this before."

As he spoke, he turned to look at Black Dog.

"Black Dog, do you know?"

Black Dog grunted. "I just smelled a scent of blood on them."

"It should be an evil cultivator. Even if they don't drink human blood, it's closely related to it."

Lin Zikai was taken aback. "You can smell it? Are you a bloodhound?"

Black Dog didn't answer, and Lin Zikai cursed angrily.

"Cultivating with human blood? How could a blood cultivator like that be in Baiyun County? Has the feng shui gone wrong?"

Then he muttered softly, "Maybe I should apply to be transferred elsewhere?"

Black Dog shook his head.

"It's not a blood cultivator; the smell isn't that strong, but it's definitely related to blood."

Suddenly, Black Dog's nose twitched slightly, and a faint foul odor permeated the air again. He said in a low voice, "Quiet, the stench is back. They're surrounding us."

All the Imperial Guards straightened up, drew the hand crossbows from their waists, and aimed them at the woods.

Within a few breaths, rustling sounds came from the woods ahead, and the bushes could still be seen moving.

Lin Zikai glanced at Black Dog. "Your nose is really sharp. I'll have to bring you along on missions from now on."

"But let's focus on surviving today first."

As he spoke, his eyes gradually turned cold, and he stared intently at the bushes ahead.

The moment figures emerged from the woods, Lin Zikai shouted, "Fire!"

More than a dozen crossbow bolts shot out simultaneously, and the first few people in the front were shot dead.

But in the next moment, seven or eight martial artists with red eyes darted out from the woods again.

"Damn it, how can there be so many people? Are they rats? They breed like a litter!"

"Kill them!"

A few more days of leisure passed, spent drinking wine every day.

During this time, there were also visitors.

One group was two lieutenants sent from Luoshui City to supplement the General's Office, as Shen Qing had killed most of the Imperial Guards in Baiyun County.

The other was Xu Quan from Wan'an Town, who came to deliver the mission rewards for the Xu Family's Three Brothers, Lan Yu, and others.

It was a total of four hundred taels of silver, which, to be honest, was enough for an ordinary commander to earn in several years.

If one were less skilled or unlucky, they might not earn a thousand taels of silver in over a decade.

However, this was merely a number to Shen Qing.

Shen Qing waved his hand, letting Black Dog and the others divide it.

Of course, he also gave Black Dog, the Scholar, and Old Li a special treat, giving them an extra hundred taels of silver.

The reason was simple.

When Shen Qing first transmigrated, he had ordered people to tie up the commander's nephew, Sun Jin, and only these three had acted.

For those who were loyal, favoritism was only right.

The Scholar knocked on the door from outside.

"Boss, boss, a new roast duck restaurant just opened in Dongyun Alley in the southern part of the city. I heard it's from the Capital City."

"I remember you're from the Capital City. I bought one, would you like to try it?"

Shen Qing raised an eyebrow. Roast duck?

Capital City roast duck? He did indeed love roast duck.

I wonder if the roast duck in this world is authentic. I really need to try it.

He cleared his throat lightly.

"Bring it in."

"You got it."

The scholar walked in with a smile, a pouch in his left hand showing faint oil stains, and a brown ceramic pot in his other.

It looked like it was the local carved flower wine from Baiyun County.

"Here, my lord, please try it."

As he spoke, he placed the items on the table and opened them. A rich aroma wafted over, filling the air. Regardless of the taste, it smelled authentic.

The scholar also poured a bowl of wine for Shen Qing.

Shen Qing tore off a duck leg and took a bite. The skin was crispy, the meat tender, and it was incredibly delicious.

It was just a little regrettable. It would have been great if there were some spring pancakes, shredded cucumber, and scallion segments.

Wait a minute.

It seems this world doesn't have this way of eating. Wouldn't opening a roast duck shop make a fortune?

What should I name it?

Shen's Roast Duck?

Just as Shen Qing was savoring the roast duck and lost in thought, a line of text suddenly flashed before his eyes.

[Your subordinate has killed a fifth-level Body Tempering Realm martial artist, successfully plundered the trait: Poor Gambler (White)]

Poor Gambler: Addicted to gambling, but lacks skill. Gains a slight luck bonus in casinos.

Shen Qing raised an eyebrow. Yo, eating roast duck triggered a surprise.

However, Shen Qing didn't pay too much attention and continued to gnaw on another duck leg.

It was normal for Imperial Guards to kill people.

But not long after.

[Your subordinate has killed a seventh-level Body Tempering Realm martial artist, successfully plundered the trait: Tailor's Apprentice (White)]

Tailor's Apprentice: Has been learning tailoring for some time and can be considered an apprentice. Finger dexterity increases by 10%.

A gleam flashed in Shen Qing's eyes.

In the past few days, the Sishui Gang, the Huang Family, thirty Imperial Guards, and over twenty White Dragon Cult bandits from the Xu Family's Three Brothers, totaling over a hundred people.

He had only plundered seven or eight traits.

But in just a short while, two traits had been plundered.

The system didn't have such a high drop rate.

Rather than believing the system had a change of heart, Shen Qing was more inclined to believe his subordinates were in a major battle.

Shen Qing put down the roast duck. "Did anyone from the office go on a mission today?"

The scholar nodded. "Yes, my lord. Colonel Lin and Black Dog went to Shili Township. I heard that many livestock have gone missing in Chaoyang County, and people have also disappeared. Recently, people have also started to go missing in Shili Township."

"The yamen suspects something is wrong, so Colonel Lin and the others went to investigate."

"My lord, is there a problem with this mission?"

"Have they sent back any carrier pigeons?"

The scholar shook his head. "No. They left for Shili Township last night and haven't sent back any carrier pigeons yet."

Shen Qing cursed under his breath. Damn it, can't even eat in peace.

Shen Qing got up, washed his hands, and took down the Qing He hanging on the wall.

"Summon the men, it's time to work."