After obtaining the Crimson Sun Art, Zhou Qiming hurried home and began cultivating it, striving to master it and develop Qi Sensation as soon as possible.
Although it was also an internal art like the Evergreen Skill, the Crimson Sun Art was a guardian martial art that even the Huang Family coveted greatly. Once he cultivated fire-aspected Internal Force, its killing power would be more than a tier above that of the Evergreen Skill, which was focused on nourishing the body.
Zhou Qiming was just about to perfect the Evergreen Skill. He had been worrying that he lacked a new cultivation method with which to break through his Root Bone, and now he had happened to obtain the more powerful Crimson Sun Art.
"Flying Dragon Blood still isn't enough. I have to find out about other purchasing channels."
The monthly supplies from the Treasure Pavilion and the County Commandant's treasury were limited. If Zhou Qiming wanted to acquire more Muscle Tendon Changing resources, he had to broaden his options.
That evening, just after withdrawing from one Heavenly Cycle of the Evergreen Skill, Fast Sword Zhang Song came to visit. He immediately offered a suggestion regarding Zhou Qiming's troubles.
"Every half month, a Ghost Market trade takes place in Yellow Wind Valley. It should have what Brother Zhou needs."
Zhang Song drew a map showing the location of the Ghost Market and cheerfully handed it to Zhou Qiming.
He had not expected Zhou Qiming's cultivation speed to have reached such a degree that even his share from the treasury was no longer enough. He actually needed to search the Ghost Market as well.
"Thank you." Zhou Qiming cupped his hands and put the map away.
With news of the Ghost Market, he had many more choices for the future. Moreover, now that his weapon-forging skill had undergone its second Limit Breaking, he could forge Thousand-Forged weapons. If he had exceptional materials, he might even be able to forge a genuine Precious Weapon!
"Let's see what sells well at the Ghost Market. I'm completely out of money now."
Zhou Qiming planned to visit the Ghost Market and make use of the weapon-forging arts he had learned. Relying solely on killing and arson to make money was too unstable, and the risks were considerable.
"Right, I came to find Brother Zhou today because Lord Li has something to discuss with you. This Blade Catcher Mission seems most suited to you." Zhang Song explained the matter and handed him a Visiting Card.
"Good. I was just about to make a trip to the Inner City."
After making his preparations, Zhou Qiming locked the courtyard gate and headed to the Inner City to find Li Shou.
With the County Commandant's stamped document, his passage went smoothly all the way. No guard dared question or stop him.
"Greetings, Lord Li." Zhou Qiming entered the courtyard and saw Li Shou pacing back and forth with a worried look.
"You're here. I'm afraid only you are capable of handling this Blade Catcher Mission. A few days ago, an Outer Sect Disciple of the Myriad Poisons Sect hid in Ox Head Town and practiced Poisonous Arts, poisoning everyone in the village, young and old alike. He truly acted without restraint."
Li Shou ground his teeth, his anger blazing.
Ox Head Town was not far from the center of Luoshan County and lay within the area under his jurisdiction. Yet such a vicious murder had occurred there.
Zhou Qiming pondered for a moment, and intelligence from Chasing Wind Tower surfaced in his mind. The Myriad Poisons Sect was a sect power in Tianhe Prefecture, on the same level as the Vajra Gate.
Fortunately, the culprit was merely an Outer Sect Disciple. The Myriad Poisons Sect should not dare overturn the table and openly retaliate against the imperial court for the sake of one disciple.
Though there were risks involved, it also meant enormous gains.
"Fine, I'll take this mission. Do I need to go to Ox Head Town, capture him, and have him executed?"
Zhou Qiming accepted the mission directly. He was currently spending heavily and short of money, and with his current strength, he could practically walk sideways throughout Luoshan County.
"This official did not misjudge you. However, Song Quan has already been subdued through the combined efforts of Attendants from the Inner City Lineages and thrown into the Heavenly Prison. Damn that Myriad Poisons Sect—they must have used some means to maneuver things. Now he is to be transferred to Tianhe Prefecture for trial, which is beyond this official's control."
Li Shou hurriedly informed him of every detail of the mission, leaving Zhou Qiming to decide whether he wanted to accept it.
Led by Poison Young Master Xiao Yingxue, several Inner City Lineages had sent out Organ Refining Attendants. They successfully captured Song Quan and locked him in the Inner City Heavenly Prison.
Someone as utterly deranged as Song Quan, who had poisoned people indiscriminately, was also an enormous hidden danger to the Inner City Lineages of Luoshan County. They could not simply leave him unchecked.
"Tomorrow, escort Song Quan to Beacon Fire Pavilion, fifty li outside the city. An Official from the prefectural city will come to receive him there, and the mission will be considered complete. I'll arrange a team of capable men to assist you." Li Shou added this explanation.
"Good. What dangers might there be along the way?" Zhou Qiming pressed.
"You only need to beware of his master. That man is an Outer Sect Elder of the Myriad Poisons Sect. He may risk everything for his treasured disciple and come to intercept you."
"Understood. Please rest assured, Lord Li. Nothing will go wrong." Zhou Qiming was confident as he accepted the mission.
His Blade Technique had undergone three stages of Limit Breaking, and he had grasped Blade Momentum. After his weapon-forging arts broke through their limit, he had awakened the God Forging Hammer, hammering and refining all the Internal Force and Blood Qi in his body to the utmost degree. His strength had undergone a complete transformation.
If he faced Jade Thief Hand Tian Liang again, he could crush the so-called Great Accomplishment of Tendon Transformation with a single finger.
His Blade Technique, leg techniques, and Iron Cloth Skill had all undergone Limit Breaking. He had pushed Bone Forging and Muscle Tendon Changing to the extreme. It could be said that before Martial Artists of the same level, he had not a single weakness.
If he broke through the Evergreen Skill as well, he would truly ascend to the heavens in a single step.
Zhou Qiming had hidden his strength too deeply. What he displayed on the surface was merely the tip of the iceberg. A mere Outer Sect Elder would only become nourishment for his martial path—a gift-bringing boy, nothing more!
"I'll leave this matter to you. Don't disappoint my trust. Go to the Heavenly Prison tomorrow and retrieve the prisoner." Li Shou handed Zhou Qiming the edict and Waist Token, his eyes filled with confidence in him.
Zhou Qiming glanced at the Blade Catcher Mission dossier. If he completed it smoothly, he would receive 1,500 taels of silver, a jar of Flying Dragon Blood, and a bottle of Tendon Transformation Pills.
Moreover, if the Outer Sect Elder appeared to intercept him, the mission reward would be doubled. Only sufficient benefits could make a Blade Catcher risk his life.
Zhou Qiming put away the dossier and Waist Token, then turned and left.
The next day, he asked Steward Mo Bing for two days of leave and went to the Inner City Heavenly Prison to retrieve the prisoner.
The County Commandant also arranged two Inner City teams of Officials, along with three Bronze Blade Catchers under him, to provide support for Zhou Qiming.
"Greetings, Lord Zhou." The group bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with admiration for the strong.
Who would have thought that Zhou Tailai, despite his young age, already possessed the strength of Great Accomplishment of Tendon Transformation? Before long, he would surely become a Human Ranking Expert and make his name resound throughout the prefecture and county.
"Let's go. Follow me to escort Song Quan." Zhou Qiming nodded and committed everyone's appearance and names to memory.
The strongest were the three Bronze Blade Catchers, all of whom possessed the strength of the Early Stage of Tendon Transformation. Unfortunately, they were already rather old and had reached the stage of Blood Qi Decline, leaving them with no hope of breaking through the bottleneck.
They passed through the damp tunnels of the Great Prison. Ferocious, despairing criminals were locked behind the railings on both sides.
Zhou Qiming soon found Song Quan on the lowest level. He handed his Waist Token to jailer Wang Hu for inspection, and the latter hurriedly brought the shackled Song Quan out of his cell and delivered him into Zhou Qiming's hands.
"Blade Catcher Zhou, I'll trouble you with the rest." Wang Hu cupped his hands and smiled obsequiously. He had spent the past few days trembling with fear, worried that people from the Myriad Poisons Sect would force their way into the Heavenly Prison.
Now that this hot potato had landed in the hands of a Blade Catcher, whatever happened would no longer have anything to do with him. Wang Hu let out a long breath of relief. At last, he could sleep soundly.
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