County-Wide Alert (Seeking Follow-ups)

Martial Arts Arena.

Whether they were disciples of the Outer Courtyard or the Inner Courtyard, everyone was gathered on the sandy grounds, including the Inner Courtyard disciples who practiced Dark Force and were usually stationed outside.

Amidst many familiar and unfamiliar faces, Zhou Yun walked into the crowd and stood on the side belonging to the Inner Courtyard disciples.

"I have summoned all the disciples of this martial hall today for one reason only."

Master Liang stood in the center of the arena, his expression grave. "I believe you have all noticed that since last night, the officials have increased guard patrols throughout Black Stone County. They have also summoned us to provide manpower and resources, and our Black Stone Martial Hall is at the forefront of this effort..."

"As for the reason, it is because the Snake-Person Race, which dwells in the Black Profound Mountain Range, has been acting with great audacity in Black Stone County these past few days."

Master Liang said in a deep voice, "Since ancient times, the situation between the human race and the Demon-Human Race has been like fire and water. If we wish to continue living in Black Stone County, we must deal with this matter regarding the Snake-Person Race..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the many martial hall disciples began to murmur in discussion.

Most knew very little about the Snake-Person Race, and the vast majority of Outer Courtyard disciples were only here to seek a chance to break through to the Bright Force realm; they had never intended to get involved in any conflict between humans and demons.

"Of course, the government's requirements for our martial hall are not high."

Master Liang immediately added, "As long as you belong to our hall and participate in missions to suppress the Snake-Person Race or related patrols... for any mission involving the suppression of Snake-People, those who have not yet broken through to the martial master level will receive five hundred wen per mission, Bright Force martial masters will receive one tael of silver, and the pay for Dark Force martial masters will be negotiated based on the difficulty of the mission..."

"A Bright Force martial master gets one tael of silver for a single mission?"

Zhou Yun was immediately interested, not to mention that as a Dark Force martial master, he could even negotiate his pay based on the difficulty.

Other disciples from poor backgrounds were also tempted; after all, not everyone had a prominent family background or had secured a good position on the Job Posting Board.

Beyond the majority of Outer Courtyard disciples, even many Inner Courtyard disciples were moved.

"Furthermore, if you accumulate a certain number of missions in the campaign against the Snake-Person Race, you can exchange your contributions for treasures from the government."

Master Liang continued, "This includes, but is not limited to, precious armor, medicinal herbs, pills, and rare nutritional supplements."

When this news broke, both the Inner and Outer Courtyard disciples were in an uproar.

The ability to exchange for resources from the government was huge, as some of these rare items were difficult to purchase even with money.

"The upcoming missions will be posted on the Job Posting Board. You may accept them according to your needs. I, Liang Wanshan, will personally provide additional rewards to disciples who perform exceptionally well."

Master Liang told the crowd.

There are so many rewards? This is somewhat abnormal...

Zhou Yun keenly sensed that something was wrong.

If this were merely a small-scale scouting mission for the Snake-Person Race, the government could simply dispatch its own martial masters to handle it without wasting such vast amounts of silver and resources.

Only when a situation reached a point where the government could no longer control it would they make such a grand display of asking for help from various martial halls.

Of course, it was possible that Black Stone County had simply hoarded a lot of wealth but failed to maintain enough martial masters... though that possibility was extremely slim.

"What is it? Is Junior Brother Zhou also interested in this suppression of the Snake-People?"

Chen Jingping said, "This matter is of great importance. If it were just patrolling within the city, the danger wouldn't be very high..."

"Senior Brother, do not worry. I naturally intend to do only what is within my capabilities."

Zhou Yun spoke up. He certainly would not leave the city to suppress those Snake-People; he had only heard Bai Qingzhi say yesterday that their race numbered in the hundreds of thousands.

Although they could not migrate on a large scale in such a short time, and moving too many at once would inevitably expose their tracks, sending a few thousand or even ten thousand Snake-People would not be a problem.

If he were to accidentally run into a hundred first-tier Snake-People at the Bright Force level, even with all his hidden cards, he would be no different from an ordinary martial master.

"It is good that you are aware, Junior Brother. The Chen Family's forces stationed in Black Stone County should have received the news as well. I must head back now."

After leaving these words, Chen Jingping left the Martial Arts Arena.

This matter is of great importance; I must plan ahead.

Zhou Yun made up his mind. After Master Liang finished explaining the relevant details, he rose and returned to his residence.

The first thing he did upon returning to his courtyard was to check on Bai Qingzhi.

The thick hemp rope was tied exceptionally tight; even with the unique traits of the Snake-Person Race, she could not escape.

At this moment, the beautiful snake-woman was lying on the ground, seemingly having given up all resistance and was instead... sleeping?

"Wake up, wake up..."

Zhou Yun helplessly pushed Bai Qingzhi's arm, and she suddenly jolted awake.

"What? What is it?"

Bai Qingzhi opened her eyes in a daze, twisting her head to look left and right.

Realizing she was still tied up, she immediately recalled what had happened recently.

She stared at Zhou Yun and said, word for word, "Don't tell me your conscience finally kicked in and you're going to let me go?"

"No, I have come to ask you a few questions."

Zhou Yun said sternly.

"Ask questions? I won't answer."

Bai Qingzhi lifted her chin slightly, displaying the pride of a Saintess of the Snake-Person Race.

If she hadn't been absolutely starving yesterday, she wouldn't have answered a single question from this human martial artist.

Now that she was full, no matter how he tried to tempt her, she wouldn't open her mouth again!

"Not eating the beef anymore?"

Zhou Yun asked tentatively.

"Not eating it!"

Bai Qingzhi refused firmly.

"Very well, it seems I'll have to use some special methods."

Zhou Yun rubbed his chin. Looking at this demoness's self-healing ability, he felt that ordinary torture—which he hadn't learned anyway—would be useless, and it might even interfere with the blood pact he intended to sign with her later.

Therefore, he had no choice but to bring out that ancestral ultimate technique...

"Torture? Bring it on!"

Bai Qingzhi gritted her teeth. Her Snake-Person Race possessed an exaggerated self-healing ability.

As long as she didn't suffer any fatal wounds, even severed limbs could be healed.

When she was first captured by those human martial artists, she had sustained quite a few injuries, but by now, they had all healed completely.

"Good, I hope you don't regret this..."

Zhou Yun gave a cold smile and retrieved a feather duster from the corner of the room.

Feeling that the duster didn't have enough feathers, he specifically went to grab two more, even keeping one in reserve.

"You, what are you doing..."

Bai Qingzhi was stunned, and then she watched as Zhou Yun slowly approached.

Half an hour later.

"Are you going to talk or not?"

Zhou Yun gripped Bai Qingzhi's slender, bare feet, a feather duster still tickling them incessantly.

"I'll talk! I beg you! I'll talk!!"

Bai Qingzhi was struggling to catch her breath, tears streaming down her cheeks.

She had endured many cruel tortures, but this was the first time she had faced such a punishment... it even made her cry.

One had to know, Snake-People generally never shed tears in their entire lives.

But today, Bai Qingzhi had broken that rule.

"Good, tell me, what weaknesses does the Snake-Person Race have?"

Zhou Yun wore an extremely serious expression, his presence full of pressure.

"This... afraid of being tickled?"

Bai Qingzhi said subconsciously, but seeing Zhou Yun lift the feather duster again, she quickly corrected herself: "They hate the smell of realgar, and also... their seven inches..."

Zhou Yun nodded, feeling very satisfied as he recorded all these weaknesses.