Risks Exist, a Case of Annihilation

Wen Taiquan's expression turned slightly awkward upon hearing his words.

"This, basically, to a certain extent, shouldn't be wrong."

Li Qing's brow twitched at this. "In other words, it can still go wrong?"

Wen Taiquan nodded, his expression somewhat helpless as he spoke.

"There will be errors."

"Because anomalies are diverse."

"Some are so powerful that ordinary intelligence personnel struggle to analyze them."

"When the experts in the Demon Extermination Hall analyze based on this information, problems can arise, causing high-level missions to be ranked as low-level."

"How many deaths and injuries occur each year?" Li Qing quickly asked a sensitive question.

Wen Taiquan looked at Li Qing helplessly. "At least ten percent."

Li Qing's heart skipped a beat. Ten percent a year meant the entire roster would be replaced within a decade; the danger involved was truly staggering.

Seeming to notice Li Qing's concern, Wen Taiquan hurriedly added.

"It's mainly because some people take on missions frantically for the sake of cultivation resources, which is why the losses are so high."

"Most cautious cultivators are very careful when accepting missions."

"As long as you are cautious enough, the probability of casualties is not that high."

Li Qing shook his head slightly to himself upon hearing this.

Let's wait and see. If it's too dangerous here, I'll be ready to slip away at any time.

"In any case, the probability of something going wrong with a Grade C mission is still very low."

"There are only about a hundred Demon Extermination Captains in total, so it's not as dangerous as you think."

Wen Taiquan explained, seemingly trying to downplay the risks.

He continued, "Anomalies are mainly divided into several categories. The first is the offensive type."

"For example, those with great strength, speed, or physical prowess. The best way to deal with this kind of anomaly is long-range attacks, using spells to kill them."

"The second is the bizarre type. These anomalies possess some strange abilities."

"For instance, once they inflict damage on an enemy, the enemy's wound will rapidly rot, eventually causing their entire body to collapse and die."

"There are also those that can spread eerie mist, creating an environment where one cannot distinguish north from south, and this mist also has a corrosive effect, eventually eroding the target to death."

"Then there is the mental category."

"These anomalies are even more dangerous; they can affect the target's mind."

"After some targets are affected, they might even completely forget their own past and fall into the anomaly's mental illusion."

"Others may go mad or insane during the mental attack, eventually leading to death."

"Anomalies are all evolved from the countless essence and energy above our heads."

"Anomalies are mainly divided into these three types."

"Most of them are created because something filled with obsession happened in the city, attracting the essence and energy above our heads and giving birth to an anomaly."

"Killing an anomaly earns you merit: Grade A is ten points, Grade B is five points, and Grade C is one point."

"All spoils obtained during the mission belong to you."

"Besides these natural anomalies, there are also mutated cultivators."

"These cultivators usually lack reason and will frantically slaughter every living thing they see."

"They are at least twice as strong as they were when they were normal."

"Compared to anomalies, these mutated cultivators are the most dangerous."

"Although they are insane, that only refers to the general level."

"Their combat instincts do not disappear; on the contrary, they become even sharper and more ferocious due to their madness."

"Therefore, if you encounter a mutated cultivator in the future, you must be even more careful."

Listening to Wen Taiquan's introduction, Li Qing's gaze swept over the row of white jade tablets at the very bottom, numbering about thirty.

He looked closely; next to each jade tablet was a small slip of paper with some content written on it.

"Peaceful Village Grave Robbing Incident,..."

"Oil Cruller Seller Old Man Incident,..."

"Human Head Candle Incident,..."

At a glance, none of these were easy matters to resolve.

His brow twitched, and he quickly locked onto one mission.

"Crying sounds in the ruins of the Water Transport Councilor Mansion's Li Estate (no casualties): Crying sounds have been heard in the ruins in the middle of the night, disturbing the surrounding residents..."

Looking at the mission brief, a smile appeared on Li Qing's face.

"Let's go with this one."

Wen Taiquan looked at the mission he had chosen and frowned slightly. "This mission concerns the Water Transport Counselor who died a month ago."

"His entire family was burned to death in a fire."

"Word is that thieves broke in, and they were ruthless—not a single person escaped."

"Ever since then, crying sounds have been heard every night."

"Some people have accepted the mission to investigate, but none of them could figure out what was actually going on."

"This mission doesn't carry much risk, but it is quite troublesome."

Li Qing nodded. "I've never dealt with an Anomaly before; a mission with no danger is just right."

Wen Taiquan opened his mouth to speak. "Brother, you really are cautious."

Li Qing smiled. "You only have one life. It's best to test the waters first."

"Fine, let's go register!"

With that, he took the jade tablet and walked over to the registration desk nearby.

Li Qing registered his name and received all the case files.

After reading through them for a while, he had a rough idea of what had happened.

The Water Transport Counselor was an official specifically in charge of the docks outside the city.

Holding the sixth rank, he was second only to the Prefect here in Jade City.

Half a year ago, his entire household was wiped out. The coroner's autopsy report showed that they had been killed before the fire started, all of them run through by sharp blades.

A month after the Secretariat Office of Cao Yun was reduced to ashes, crying sounds began to emerge from the site—it seemed to be the wailing of a woman.

According to the information in the files, the crying was most likely caused by the lingering resentment of the female members of the household after their deaths, which had fused with vital energy to manifest as an Anomaly: Ghost Sound.

This type of ghost emits all sorts of bizarre noises, bringing terror to the living.

If one remains in a state of constant fear, they will eventually attract this ghostly Anomaly and be drained of their vital energy until they die.

Ghost Sound is a spectral monster; ordinary physical attacks are ineffective against it.

One must use spells with extreme elemental properties, such as fire, lightning, or ice arts.

The more he read, the more surprised Li Qing became.

The contents of the files were extremely detailed, offering various logical deductions and even providing methods for resolution.

Li Qing looked at Wen Taiquan in surprise. "Who put these files together? They're incredible."

Wen Taiquan laughed. "You've met him before."

Li Qing suddenly realized. "You mean Elder Huang?"

"Exactly. Elder Huang is the know-it-all of the Demon Extermination Hall."

"He has seen countless cases involving Anomalies. When it comes to understanding them, no one in all of Jade City would dare claim to be first if he says he is second."

Li Qing was astonished. "Is Elder Huang really that impressive? Does he have any hobbies?"

When Wen Taiquan heard this, a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes.

"Brother Qin, you've got your own little schemes."

Li Qing smiled. "With a living encyclopedia like that around, it's only natural to try and build a good relationship."

"Who knows? If I run into trouble later, finding him might just provide me with a way out or a path to survival."

"It's only human nature; I understand!" Wen Taiquan said meaningfully.