First Mission, Bronze Blade Catcher

The next day, Zhou Qiming went to the Weapon Forging Workshop to work as usual. After becoming a second-class blacksmith, he enjoyed an independent forging room and could leave his exclusive mark on weapons.

After several days of cultivation, the drop of King's Blood was completely refined under the force of Hua Jin. The effect was no less than that of the Dragon Demon Blood for Tendon Transformation, and he no longer had to worry about the movements of the Hantian Army.

Zhou Qiming's progress in Tendon Transformation greatly increased, moving towards the strength of Tiger Tendons, and the bottle of Young Dragon Blood he snatched from the Jinsha Gang was finally used up.

Precious resources like Tendon Transformation Pills and Dragon Blood were priceless and unavailable in the market. Even Sha Heihu received a few bottles as a reward from the Hantian Army.

"I need to go claim a Blade Catcher mission. The yamen's treasury won't be short of Dragon Blood."

Zhou Qiming asked Steward Mo for half a day off to meet County Lieutenant Li Shou at the inner city yamen.

The guards in the inner and outer cities were extremely strict. Without an inner city residence permit, one could not stay overnight. Zhou Qiming, with the invitation prepared by Zhang Song, passed through without any obstruction and arrived at the County Lieutenant's office.

Li Shou was the second-in-command under the County Governor, in charge of the daily defense affairs of the Luoshan County Town City Guard Department and the Luoshan Army.

In Li Shou's courtyard, Zhou Qiming, wearing the Blade Catcher mask and a black robe, met County Lieutenant Li.

Blade Catchers engaged in dangerous work, earning rewards for shedding blood, and operated in the shadows, fearing retaliation. Li Shou did not investigate Zhou Qiming's identity, as long as he performed his duties effectively.

"Greetings, Lord Li."

"Zhang Zhuodao spoke highly of you. I've provisionally classified you as a Bronze Blade Catcher. Complete your first mission and we'll see your strength."

Li Shou gave a perfunctory smile and had a guard hand Zhou Qiming a waist token and a registration roster.

Zhou Qiming quickly thanked him and registered under the alias Zhou Tailai, so as not to bring trouble to the Weapon Forging Workshop during the mission.

"This is your first mission. The target is the Jade Thief Tian Liang. He has recently defiled several noble ladies in the inner city and has moved to the outer city. Even the City Guard Department and the police station cannot apprehend him. He's yours."

Li Shou took a sip of tea and detailed the mission, expressing great anticipation for Zhou Tailai's strength.

Zhou Qiming glanced at the portrait, memorized Tian Liang's appearance, and confirmed his combat record and strength. He was suspected to be at the Great Accomplishment of Tendon Transformation level and had recently drifted into Luoshan County from elsewhere. He was within his capabilities, so he readily accepted the mission.

"Can I exchange the thousand taels of silver reward for other compensation?" Zhou Qiming asked tentatively, holding the scroll and the file.

Tian Liang's romantic entanglements were significant. How could the reward for his capture by several inner city families only be 1000 taels? It must have been significantly skimmed by Li Shou. Zhou Qiming naturally sought to gain benefits.

"Yes, what do you want?" Li Shou frowned. The other party was negotiating terms on their first collaboration, which displeased him.

However, all the other skilled Blade Catchers were out on missions, and Zhang Song dared not confront Tian Liang. He could only place his hope on Zhou Tailai.

"Dragon Blood, or a Tiger Tendon Pill."

"Alright, we still have Dragon Blood in stock. I can spare you a jar afterwards." Li Shou agreed very readily.

But he was inwardly uneasy. The other party needed so many Tiger Tendon Pills, was he still at the bottleneck of Bone Forging and hadn't even started Tendon Transformation?

However, since the other party dared to accept the mission, he must have confidence in his strength. This Dragon Blood was perhaps being acquired for a friend or a junior.

Zhou Qiming accepted the mission and left the inner city.

According to the county lieutenant's informants and intelligence, the Jade Thief was extremely brazen, having appeared in the outer city in the last two days, but no one dared to act against him.

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It was mid-afternoon, a time when people were tired and warriors' defenses were at their weakest. After all, who would carry out an assassination in broad daylight? Zhou Qiming, however, chose to take the unconventional route, deliberately exploiting this psychological blind spot.

Qingping Inn was bustling with activity.

A waiter brought food and hot water to a room and then left, sighing enviously, "This guest brings back a different woman every night. How enjoyable!"

In the corner, Zhou Qiming watched the figure emerge. He was thin, with a pale, beardless face, exactly like the portrait.

Having identified his target, he was about to unleash his attack.

Suddenly, he saw a young man in white leap down from the wall. His movement technique was superb, and his Body tempering realm was not low.

This young man in white, fanning himself with a feather fan, walked into the room with Tian Liang, laughing and talking, and closed the door.

"Forget it, I'll spare his dog life for now."

Zhou Qiming shook his head. With a stranger of unknown strength intruding, he didn't want to alert the target. Dealing with Tian Liang alone required his full attention.

"That young master is quite formidable. I hope he doesn't notice me. I'll go get something to eat first." He retreated stealthily, intending to order food in the lobby. Tian Liang wouldn't escape for now.

Inside the room, the two were sweating profusely. Finally, the young master grew tired of the woman on the bed and stopped. Only then did they begin their lewd conversation.

"Young Master Hao has ascended the Human Ranking. He is truly a dragon among men, vigorous and extraordinary." Tian Liang praised with a smile.

Bai Hao, now as serene as Buddha, coldly instructed:

"Remember, you absolutely cannot fail this time. And after you succeed, you are not allowed to touch this woman yourself. Wait until I've had my fill."

"Understood, understood. Who doesn't know that Ren Xue is Young Master Hao's forbidden plaything? It's laughable that her father and daughter are like toads wanting to eat swan meat, trying to climb up to you, Young Master." Tian Liang chuckled sinisterly, holding Ren Xue's portrait.

Tian Liang licked his lips, never expecting that the outwardly suave Fourth Young Master was even more wicked and shameless than him in private. Ren Xue was devoted to Bai Hao, but she was unaware of his ulterior motives.

Bai Hao simply wanted to claim her virginity and then use it to control Hero's Tower. It was a case of wanting it all.

"If anyone's to blame, it's Ren Xue for not knowing her place. I'm already betrothed to a noble daughter from a prominent family in the Prefecture City. How could I possibly marry her as my main wife? However, Ren Xue's beauty is quite good. Of course, I have to have some fun with her."

Bai Hao dressed himself neatly, a cold smile on his face. The inner-city woman he had captured nearby was already terrified and beside herself. Bai Hao ended her life with a palm strike.

At least on the surface, he was one of the Four Young Masters of Luoshan City. The secret of using the Jade Thief behind the scenes could not be revealed.

"Don't make a big fuss. She's the Section Chief of the Outer City Guard Department, after all. County Lieutenant Li has also dispatched Blade Catchers to deal with you. Get this done quickly."

Bai Hao reiterated his instructions a few more times before pushing the door open and leaving.

"Young Master Hao, rest assured, this subordinate will arrange that woman properly." Tian Liang cupped his hands. The City Guard Department of the outer city was nothing to him; he wouldn't fail.

After the room quieted down, Zhou Qiming emerged from the corner, his heart trembling slightly.

He had been worried that Tian Liang would run off, so he had doubled back to ambush him. He hadn't expected to overhear such a secret.

Tian Liang wasn't a fugitive who had drifted into the county town. Clearly, the beastly Bai Hao had invited a wolf into his house, specifically to deal with that woman, Ren Xue.

However, none of this concerned Zhou Qiming. He was simply here to complete the Blade Catcher's mission. He wasn't going to provoke the Bai Family's trouble for some woman.

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