The Oil Lamp burned dimly, illuminating the title of the book.
It was a Cultivation Method, much like the Wind-Splitting Blade Technique.
Chen Chun brushed a finger over his thin mustache. "The Mind Method belongs to the Evil Extermination Division. Giving it to you would only bring you harm. This book, though, can be found everywhere in Ling Prefecture. Consider it a token of good faith. I'll reward you handsomely afterward."
Qin An weighed the book in his hand. "Cultivation Methods are treasured like priceless jewels. Why would this one be everywhere?"
Cultivation Methods were only one branch of the Arts, but in battle, they were crucial. They could turn the tide.
Now Chen Chun claimed this manual was everywhere. Qin An sensed something fishy.
Chen Chun shook his head. "The Mountain-Lifting Fist has a restriction. Read it and you'll see. The faction that created it declined because of that very restriction. These days, it exists in name only. Still, practice it a little and you're bound to improve."
Qin An pondered for a moment but did not open the book.
Chen Chun said no more and turned to leave.
The journey was dangerous, but as an Undercover Agent, he had to make it.
Only after Chen Chun's figure vanished in the distance did Qin An close the door and open the Mountain-Lifting Fist manual.
By the Oil Lamp's light, and with the aid of the Scholar Profession, Qin An memorized the entire manual in the time it took an incense stick to burn.
When he finished, Qin An had only one thought.
What a load of nonsense.
The Mountain-Lifting Fist's so-called restriction was that its power had to be built up over time.
One had to use Qi to temper the blood and vitality throughout the body, over and over, until that strength could be stored in both fists.
The greater the strength, the more peerless the Mountain-Lifting Fist became.
But the time required grew with it.
Thirty years of bitter practice with the Mountain-Lifting Fist would grant a thousand jin of strength, leaving few rivals in the same realm.
Thirty years spent practicing another Cultivation Method would carry someone straight into the next realm, where they could turn around and thrash a Mountain-Lifting Fist practitioner.
Practicing the Mountain-Lifting Fist meant swallowing hardship when there was no need to.
"Forget it for now."
Following his usual practice, Qin An put the manual into the brazier after memorizing it.
Only when the Mountain-Lifting Fist manual had burned to ashes did he lie down on the bed and consider which profession to unlock next.
At the Yamen.
Clerk Wang carefully brought over a cup of hot tea and set it beside an elderly man.
The old man had white hair, a face full of wrinkles, and a black patch over his left eye.
When Clerk Wang set down the tea, the old man gave a cold snort that nearly made him spill it.
"Sect Leader Liu, give me some time. I'll find your sect's disciple," Clerk Wang said with his head bowed.
Sect Leader Liu looked down at Clerk Wang. "A death in the martial world is nothing unusual. The problem is that he was carrying our sect's Mind Method. You should know how important that is."
Clerk Wang nodded at once. "Of course, of course. Captain Zheng, from this moment on, investigate the disappearance of the River Blade Sect disciple first."
Captain Zheng hesitated. "But what about the Pig Demons?"
Clerk Wang smashed his teacup to the floor. "Did you not hear me? Can't you tell which matter is more important? The River Blade Sect is one of our own. Handle its business first."
Captain Zheng lowered his head. "As you command, sir."
Clerk Wang turned to Sect Leader Liu with a fawning smile. "Rest assured, Sect Leader. I'll give you an explanation, and I'll recover the lost Mind Method."
Sect Leader Liu sneered and rose, flicking his sleeve. "In that case, I'll be going. Remember, I want results quickly. Otherwise, I'll have a word with your County Magistrate."
The door slammed, and Sect Leader Liu strode away.
Clerk Wang spat. "A cur borrowing a tiger's might. If your daughter hadn't married into a powerful faction in Ling Prefecture, would you dare swagger in front of me?"
Captain Zheng saw the look on Clerk Wang's face and did not dare say a word.
Sect Leader Liu could act so arrogantly only because his daughter had married into a powerful faction in Ling Prefecture.
Though she was merely a concubine, she was still someone beyond the reach of anyone in Ding County.
He knew Clerk Wang's anger just now had been for Sect Leader Liu's benefit. Now that the man was gone, Captain Zheng asked quietly,
"Sir, how should we handle the Pig Demons?"
Clerk Wang came back to himself and clenched his fists. "Those eagle whelps at Flying Cloud Gorge said they'd help, but they still haven't acted. They're waiting for me to offer tribute. Yet quite a few people died not long ago. If more die, this may be hard to cover up."
Captain Zheng hesitated. "Should we fight the Pig Demons? The Yamen has over five hundred men. We wouldn't lose."
Clerk Wang slapped Captain Zheng across the face. "Don't say that again."
Dizzy from the blow, Captain Zheng hurriedly cupped his fists and fell silent.
He knew how formidable Clerk Wang was and did not dare argue.
Clerk Wang sneered. "Those five hundred men are the foundation of Ding County. How could we afford to lose them? The County Magistrate is counting on them to squeeze out more benefits. If they're gone and he blames us, can you bear the consequences? Besides, you've had your share of those benefits. Are you willing to give them up?"
"Don't forget, when you had your fun with that widow last night, the men under you covered for you. Now you want to send them to their deaths?"
Cold sweat poured down Captain Zheng's back. "Of course I don't, sir."
Remembering the widow from last night, Captain Zheng felt a strange pleasure even as cold sweat streamed down his back.
Clerk Wang took a deep breath, his gaze darkening. "The Pig Demons know the Eagle Demons are circling them. All they want is an answer."
"Tell them they can eat their fill in Golden Rooster Village. And there's that butcher named Qin An. He carries the scent of a Pig Demon Blood Crystal."
"Tell them where Qin An is. Then look the other way and let them into the city."
Captain Zheng gave him a fawning smile. "Brilliant, sir."
Clerk Wang snorted and said no more.
Captain Zheng recalled seeing Qin An the night before and shook his head regretfully.
Another commoner was going to die.
Good. Let him die.
The more who died, the more Captain Zheng could pocket.
It was a shame the widow had thrown herself into a well last night. Otherwise, he would have enjoyed her again tonight.
The next day.
Qin An opened his eyes and unfolded his legs from their cross-legged position.
He had risen early, and with nothing else to do, he tried practicing the Cold Source Cultivation Method.
He had already reached the peak of the Qi Concealment Realm, but he wanted to see whether he could break through that barrier.
Chen Chun had left too quickly the night before. Qin An had not even had the chance to ask about the next realm.
Unfortunately, after circulating the Cold Source Cultivation Method several times, Qin An still gained nothing.
"This Mind Method only covers the Qi Concealment Realm. If I want to break through, I need one for a higher realm."
Qin An soon understood why.
But that left him with a problem.
He had obtained even the Qi Concealment Realm Mind Method by chance. As for a higher-level Mind Method, he had no idea where to begin.
Mind Methods and Cultivation Methods were precious. Obtaining one was as hard as climbing to the heavens.
With nothing to show for his efforts, Qin An had no intention of sitting in his room.
Reading ten thousand books was no substitute for traveling ten thousand miles.
Sitting there would get him nowhere. He decided to go out and see if he could find inspiration for a new profession.
Outside, the streets rang with clamor.
People called out on every side as they worked to make a living.
Qin An wandered the streets, stopping now and then at a stall before shaking his head and moving on.
After the time it took an incense stick to burn, a commotion not far ahead caught Qin An's attention.
"This Blacksmith Shop has been here for years. How could that little silver buy it?"
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