Silver-Rank Blade Catcher, the County Lieutenant's Overactive Imagination

It had only been a short time since Zhou Tailai left, just two or three hours, and he had already killed a Martial Artist at the Great Accomplishment of Tendon Transformation stage like Tian Liang!

If it were the Gold-Rank Blade Catchers under Li Shou, the best among them would probably perform no better than this.

Furthermore, upon closer inspection, Zhou Tailai appeared extremely young, looking to be only in his early twenties. Coupled with such prodigious strength, could he be a Human Ranking Expert even more terrifying than Bai Hao!

"Hiss, this person Zhang Song introduced is no simple fellow. We were all wrong. He's not at the Tendon Transformation Early Stage at all; he's likely a hidden Viscera Cleansing realm cultivator."

The more Li Shou thought about it, the more alarmed he became, gasping in disbelief. He had struck gold this time. With an expert like Zhou Tailai under his command, the public security performance in Luoshan County would undergo a complete transformation.

"Very good. Your rewards are all prepared in the treasury. Take this roster and go collect them. Also, from now on, you are promoted to Silver-Rank Blade Catcher, with an annual salary of three hundred taels. You only need to accept one mission per year."

Li Shou wrote a letter, stamped it with a red seal, and handed it to Zhou Qiming. The more he looked, the more satisfied he became, his face beaming with a smile.

He had also considered directly promoting Zhou Tailai to Gold-Rank Blade Catcher, but that would violate regulations. One could only be promoted one rank at a time, or it would provoke resistance from other Blade Catchers.

However, Zhou Qiming was already very satisfied with this. As long as the pills and martial arts resources were still distributed as usual, that was enough.

As for the three hundred taels a year, it wasn't even enough to fill the gaps between his teeth. Zhou Qiming didn't take the money to heart. This portion of the funds was largely covered by the County Lieutenant from his personal treasury, serving only as a symbolic gesture to appease people.

Soon, Zhou Qiming went to the storeroom and collected his rewards.

One thousand taels in silver notes, a jar of fresh Dragon Blood, and a bottle of Tiger Tendon Pills.

With this Dragon Blood and Tendon Transformation Pills, his progress in Tendon Transformation would accelerate. He would first aim to transform towards the Tiger Tendon level, and then to Dragon Tendons, or even Dragon Tendons.

Returning home, he organized all his spoils from the day. His net worth now reached over eight thousand taels in silver notes, plus enough Tendon Transformation resources to barely get by. He was on the verge of having ten thousand taels.

And this didn't even include the rewards from the Ren Family or Chasing Wind Tower. He had struck it rich in one go.

Just as Zhou Qiming was about to meditate and practice the Evergreen Skill, Zhang Song arrived to offer his congratulations.

"Congratulations, Brother Zhou. You captured the villain on your first outing. Your strength makes me ashamed."

Zhang Song brought fine wine, and he and Zhou Qiming drank a few cups, eating the snacks they had packed along the way.

When he first heard the mission assigned by the County Lieutenant, he had been somewhat worried for Zhou Qiming. After all, the latter was a friend of his disciple, Cheng Yan. If something had gone wrong and he had died, it would have been difficult to explain to the Cheng Family.

Tian Liang's methods and strength were not to be underestimated. Zhang Song himself was not confident he could handle it, so he had not taken the mission.

But now Zhou Qiming had handled it with ease. This friend of the Cheng Family seemed extraordinary. Could he be a Human Ranking Expert comparable to Bai Hao!

Just a day ago, the other man was a Bronze Blade Catcher, a rank below him. Now, they were partners on equal footing.

Moreover, everyone knew that Zhou Qiming had already gained the appreciation and investment of Li Shou. He would surely advance further sooner or later, perhaps even obtaining an official position.

"Brother Zhang is too kind. Without your recommendation, I would still be doing odd jobs like chopping wood and forging iron," Zhou Qiming said humbly, cupping his fists.

"Good. If we are on missions together in the future, I hope Brother Zhou will look out for me," Zhang Song said, drinking heartily, wanting to forge a connection.

"This is only right. We are colleagues, and it is what I should do." Zhou Qiming nodded in agreement.

"You need to be careful of Bai Hao. There are people from his Bai Family around the County Lieutenant."

After drinking, Zhang Song left with a smile, reminding Zhou Qiming of a few things as he departed.

Although he didn't know what connection Tian Liang had with Bai Hao, Zhang Song knew that the Bai Family was secretly investigating Zhou Tailai's whereabouts, seemingly with ill intentions. Thus, Zhang Song had come to deliver the news immediately.

"Bai Hao and the Bai Family, huh? I just want to cultivate in peace and earn some bounty money. It's best if they don't make a foolish decision and provoke me."

Zhou Qiming looked up at the moon in the sky, crushing the wine cup in his hand.

He had only recently arrived in the county town and was in a crucial period for developing and improving his strength. Yet, he had already provoked enemies like the Hantian Army and the Bai Family. Did he really have to resort to killing to stop them?

Zhou Qiming calmed his emotions and circulated the Heavenly Cycle of the Evergreen Skill. If he could break through his internal energy limit as soon as possible, no one in Luoshan County would be able to threaten him.

Streams of Qi, accompanied by faint starlight, were exhaled and inhaled by the young man, like tangible power. It was clear that the Qi Sensation of the Evergreen Skill had significantly increased, and it was not far from minor completion.

This feeling of having feedback and rewards from practicing was too exhilarating. Zhou Qiming was immersed in the cultivation of his internal energy.

Meanwhile, in the Bai Family mansion, Bai Hao was furious, kicking over several exquisite flowerbeds in the courtyard.

"Useless, utterly useless! That Tian Liang actually failed, causing me to get nothing from my efforts."

Bai Hao had, of course, received the news of Tian Liang being apprehended by the Blade Catchers immediately. This also meant that Ren Xue, who was within his grasp, had slipped away.

Bai Buyi, stroking his long beard, paced with his hands behind his back, puzzled.

"Strange. Logically, the Gold-Rank Blade Catchers are all out on missions and have no free hands. Who under Li Shou has this capability? Could it be a new Blade Catcher?"

Bai Hao had precisely taken advantage of the Blade Catchers' depleted strength to confidently hand over his plan to Tian Liang. He never expected an accident to occur.

"Hmph, daring to ruin my Bai Family's affairs! Don't let me find out who you are, or I'll chop you up and bury you to fertilize the flowers." Bai Hao's veins bulged, and hatred flashed in his eyes.

Bai Buyi patted his son's shoulder and comforted him.

"Don't be discouraged. You are already a Heavenly Prodigy on the Human Ranking and have gained the attention and investment of influential families in the Prefecture City. You are already worlds apart from others. Why get bogged down by matters of the heart?"

"Father is right. I have long since let go. It's just a pity that I didn't get to taste it." Bai Hao was still unwilling. If he couldn't have it, no one else should!

"Then try to coax her again and make another attempt. Ren Xue is inexperienced and may not have become suspicious of you. Much of the blame can be shifted to the deceased Tian Liang or that Blade Catcher," Bai Buyi advised calmly.

Bai Hao suddenly understood, his mind enlightened. The older the ginger, the spicier it is. Ren Xue was foolish and naive, easily deceived. If he used sweet talk and presented sincere gifts, he might be able to pin all the blame on Tian Liang and clear himself.

Since he had successfully lured Ren Xue to the inn, there was still some affection involved. There was still a chance to "eat" this duck meat!

Would Ren Xue believe a lecher like Tian Liang or him, one of the Four Young Masters of Luoshan County? Only by trying would he know. The possibility of success seemed very high.

Bai Hao's lustful thoughts reignited. He first rushed to the County Lieutenant's mansion to personally gather information.

"Young Master Bai, you're usually busy cultivating and improving your Human Ranking. What brings you here today?" Li Shou welcomed the rare guest. The Bai Family never came calling without a reason.

"Ren Xue is my betrothed. She was almost harmed by a thief. If not for Lord Li's well-organized arrangements, she might have lost her purity. I naturally must thank my benefactor in person. May I ask which Blade Catcher was responsible for this merit?"

Bai Hao got straight to the point, emphasizing the words "thank you" heavily. His expression was so somber that it was impossible to read his thoughts.

Li Shou pondered for a moment before speaking, "It was..."

Seeing the expectant yet resentful glint in Bai Hao's eyes, Li Shou changed his tone and said sternly, "It was a Gold-Rank Blade Catcher who returned early. What? Do I need to explain my official matters clearly to your Bai Family? Is the Bai Family trying to meddle in court affairs?"

"This subordinate would not dare." Bai Hao quickly lowered his head, his expression growing colder than ice. He flicked his sleeve and turned to leave.

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