Accepting the Mission, Escorting Song Quan of the Myriad Poisons Sect

After obtaining the Crimson Sun Art, Zhou Qiming couldn't wait to start cultivating upon his return, aiming to achieve mastery and sense Qi as soon as possible.

Although it was an Internal Force technique like the Evergreen Skill, the Crimson Sun Art was a foundational martial art that the Huang Family coveted greatly. Once fire-attributed Internal Force was cultivated, its lethality was far beyond that of life-nurturing techniques like the Evergreen Skill.

Zhou Qiming was just about to perfect the Evergreen Skill and was worried about lacking a new cultivation method to break through his innate talent. Coincidentally, he obtained the more powerful Crimson Sun Art.

"Flying Dragon Blood is still not enough; I must inquire about other purchasing channels."

The monthly supply from the Treasure Pavilion and the County Lieutenant's armory was limited. If Zhou Qiming wanted to acquire more resources for strengthening his body, he had to broaden his avenues.

That evening, just as he completed a Heavenly Cycle of the Evergreen Skill, the swift swordsman Zhang Song arrived to visit a friend. He immediately offered a suggestion regarding Zhou Qiming's predicament.

"Every half month, Yellow Wind Valley holds a Ghost Market trade. You should be able to find what you need there, Brother Zhou."

Zhang Song drew a map of the Ghost Market's location and handed it to Zhou Qiming with a smile.

He also hadn't expected Zhou Qiming's cultivation speed to reach such a level that even his quota from the armory wasn't enough, requiring him to seek items at the Ghost Market.

"Thank you," Zhou Qiming cupped his hands and put away the map.

With the information about the Ghost Market, he had many more options for the future. Furthermore, with his weapon forging skill having undergone a second breakthrough, he could now craft thousand-forged sharp weapons. If he had exceptional materials, he could even forge true treasure weapons!

"Let's see what sells well at the Ghost Market. I don't have enough money right now."

Zhou Qiming planned to visit the Ghost Market and utilize the weapon forging techniques he had learned. Relying solely on killing and arson to make money was still too unstable and carried considerable risk.

"Oh, right. I came to find you today because Lord Li has something for you. This Blade Catcher Mission seems most suitable for you," Zhang Song conveyed the message and handed him a calling card.

"Alright, I was planning to go to the inner city anyway."

Zhou Qiming tidied himself up, locked the courtyard gate, and headed to the inner city to find Li Shou.

With the stamped and sealed card from the County Lieutenant, his passage was smooth, and no guards dared to question or stop him.

"Greetings, Lord Li." As Zhou Qiming entered the courtyard, he saw Li Shou pacing back and forth with a worried expression.

"You're here. This Blade Catcher Mission, I'm afraid, only you can handle it. Outer Sect Disciples from the Myriad Poisons Sect hid in Ox Head Town a few days ago to practice their Poisonous Arts, poisoning the entire village, young and old. They are truly lawless."

Li Shou gritted his teeth, his anger burning.

Ox Head Town was not far from the center of Luoshan County, falling under his jurisdiction. Yet, such a heinous murder had occurred.

Zhou Qiming pondered for a moment, and intelligence from the Chasing Wind Tower surfaced in his mind. The Myriad Poisons Sect was a sect in Tianhe Prefecture, comparable to the Vajra Gate.

Fortunately, the offender was only an Outer Sect Disciple. The Myriad Poisons Sect likely wouldn't dare to flip the table and openly retaliate against the imperial court for the sake of one disciple.

Although there were risks involved, it also meant immense rewards.

"Alright, I accept this mission. Am I to go to Ox Head Town to capture him for execution?"

Zhou Qiming directly accepted the mission. He was in a period of great expense and desperately needed money. With his current strength, he could basically walk sideways in Luoshan County.

Cannot find the book title, you can try searching for the author, maybe they just changed the name!

"I did not misjudge you, but Song Quan has already been suppressed by the experts of the Inner City Families and thrown into the Heavenly Prison. It is hateful that the Myriad Poisons Sect, through some unknown means, is maneuvering to have this scoundrel handed over to the higher authorities in Tianhe Prefecture for trial. This is beyond my control."

Li Shou quickly informed him of the mission details, leaving no stone unturned, so that Zhou Qiming could judge for himself whether to accept it.

Under the leadership of Poison Young Master Xiao Yingxue, several Inner City Families dispatched their Viscera Refining experts and successfully apprehended Song Quan, locking him up in the Inner City Heavenly Prison.

For the Inner City Families of Luoshan County, someone as insane as Song Quan, who poisoned indiscriminately, posed a significant threat that could not be ignored.

"Tomorrow, you will escort Song Quan to Beacon Fire Pavilion, fifty miles outside the city, where the officials from the Prefecture City will receive him. The mission will be considered complete then. I will arrange a team of skilled individuals to assist you," Li Shou added.

"Alright, what are the risks along the way?" Zhou Qiming pressed.

"You only need to be wary of his Master. That person is an Outer Sect Elder of the Myriad Poisons Sect, and he might take a desperate risk for his beloved disciple and try to intercept the prisoner."

"Understood. Please rest assured, Lord Li, there will be no mistakes in this matter." Zhou Qiming, full of confidence, accepted the mission.

His Saber Technique had now broken through to the third level of transcendence, and he had mastered Saber Intent. After his Weapon Forging technique broke through, he awakened the God Forging Hammer, which had tempered all his Internal Force and Qi and Blood to the extreme, resulting in a transformative change in his strength.

Dealing with that Jade Thief Hand Tian Liang now, he could crush a so-called Great Accomplishment of Tendon Transformation with just one finger.

His Saber Technique, Leg Technique, and Iron Cloth Skill had all broken through comprehensively. He had reached the pinnacle in both Bone Forging and Tendon Transformation, meaning he had no flaws against martial artists of the same level.

If he were to break through the Evergreen Skill as well, it would be like ascending to heaven in a single step.

Zhou Qiming's hidden strength was too profound. What he displayed on the surface was merely the tip of the iceberg. A mere Outer Sect Elder would only serve as sustenance on his martial path, a mere treasure-delivering boy!

"This matter is entrusted to you. Do not let me down. Go to the Heavenly Prison tomorrow to retrieve the prisoner." Li Shou handed the imperial decree and waist token to Zhou Qiming, his eyes filled with trust.

Zhou Qiming glanced at the mission file for the Blade Catcher task. If completed successfully, he would receive 1500 taels of silver, a jar of Flying Dragon Blood, and a bottle of Tendon Transformation Pill.

Moreover, if the Outer Sect Elder appeared to intercept them, the mission reward would double. Only with sufficient benefits could the Blade Catchers be motivated to risk their lives.

Zhou Qiming put away the file and waist token and turned to leave.

The next day, he requested a two-day leave of absence from Steward Mo Bing and went to the Inner City Heavenly Prison to pick up the prisoner.

The County Lieutenant had also arranged for two teams of Inner City Constables and three Bronze Blade Catchers to support and cooperate with Zhou Qiming.

"Greetings, Lord Zhou." Everyone bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with admiration for the strong.

Looking at Zhou Qiming, who was not old, he already possessed the strength of Great Accomplishment of Tendon Transformation. In no time, he would surely become a Human Ranking Expert, renowned throughout the prefecture and county!

"Let's go. Accompany me to escort Song Quan." Zhou Qiming nodded, memorizing the appearances and names of everyone.

The strongest among them were the three Bronze Blade Catchers. They all possessed the strength of Tendon Transformation Early Stage, but they were all older and had reached the stage of Qi and Blood Decline, with no hope of breaking through.

Passing through the damp tunnels of the Great Prison, fierce and desperate criminals were confined behind the bars on both sides.

Zhou Qiming soon found Song Quan on the lowest level. He showed his waist token to the Prison Guard Wang Hu, who quickly brought out the shackled Song Quan from his cell and handed him over.

"Zhou Zhuodao, the rest is up to you." Wang Hu cupped his hands and smiled obsequiously. He had been on edge these past few days, fearing that the Myriad Poisons Sect would storm the Heavenly Prison.

Now that this hot potato had been handed over to the Blade Catcher, any trouble that arose would be unrelated to him. Wang Hu breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to sleep soundly.