Turn Life Skills into Divine Vocations — Chapter 13

He knew full well how formidable Clerk Wang was and did not dare say more.

Clerk Wang sneered. "These five hundred-odd people are Ding County's foundation. How can we afford to lose them? The County Magistrate is counting on this little foundation to squeeze out more benefits. If they're lost and the magistrate lays the blame on you, can you bear the punishment? Besides, you've taken your share of the benefits too. Can you really bear to stop taking them?"

"Don't forget, when you had your fun with that widow last night, you relied on your brothers under your command to cover for you. And now you want to send them to their deaths?"

Cold sweat streamed down Captain Zheng's back. "Of course I can't bear that, sir."

Thinking of how it had felt to play with that widow last night, Captain Zheng felt an inexplicable comfort, even with cold sweat pouring down his back.

Clerk Wang drew a deep breath, his gaze gradually turning gloomy. "The Pig Demons know Eagle Demons are watching them like hawks. They only want an answer."

"Tell them Golden Rooster Village is theirs to eat as they please. 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 turn a blind eye and let them into the city."

Captain Zheng said fawningly, "My lord is wise."

Clerk Wang snorted and said no more.

Captain Zheng could not help recalling the scene when he had seen Qin An last night. He shook his head regretfully.

Another commoner was going to die.

Good. Let him die.

Once he was dead, Captain Zheng could rake in even more.

What a pity that widow had thrown herself into a well last night. Otherwise, he would certainly have continued enjoying her tonight.

The next day.

Qin An opened his eyes and relaxed out of his cross-legged posture.

He had risen early today. 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 Qin An wanted to see whether he could break through the shackles.

Chen Chun had left too quickly last night, and Qin An had not even had time to ask about the next realm.

Regrettably, Qin An circulated the Cold Source Cultivation Method several times and still gained nothing.

"This cultivation method is only for the Qi Concealment Realm. If I want to break through, I'll need one of a higher level."

Qin An soon understood the reason.

But another difficulty arose.

He had only obtained the Qi Concealment Realm cultivation method by chance. As for higher-level methods, he had no clue at all.

Cultivation methods and martial arts manuals were both precious things. Obtaining them was as hard as climbing to heaven.

Since he had gained nothing, Qin An did not intend to keep sitting in his room.

Reading ten thousand volumes could not compare to traveling ten thousand miles.

Sitting there like dead wood would yield nothing. He planned to go out and see whether he could find inspiration for a new profession.

The streets were filled with clamor.

Commoners bustled about making a living, shouting their wares everywhere.

Qin An wandered the streets, occasionally stopping at a stall before shaking his head and leaving moments later.

After the time it took to burn an incense stick, a burst of commotion sounded not far ahead, drawing Qin An's attention.

"This Blacksmith Shop has been around for years. How could you possibly take it over for this little silver?"

The voice was loud, and quite a few people had gathered to watch.

Hearing it, Qin An walked over to the edge of the crowd.

Outside the Blacksmith Shop, a bare-chested blacksmith stood red-faced.

The silk-clad middle-aged man said disdainfully, "It may be an old shop, but what use is it besides being a blacksmith shop? I'd still have to spend money fixing it up. It's already good enough that someone is willing to buy it."

The blacksmith argued, "The ironware inside can fetch quite a bit of money, and even the forge can be dismantled and sold. You're taking advantage of the fact that I'm quitting to cheat me."

The middle-aged man impatiently flicked his sleeve. "Forget it if you won't sell. It's not like I'm dying to buy it."

With that, the middle-aged man turned and left.

Seeing this, the blacksmith did not stop him. He simply sat down at the entrance, smoking his pipe and muttering as he puffed, "It may be work that sells muscle, but I'm no fool. Don't even think about taking advantage of me."

With no more excitement to watch, the commoners prepared to leave.

Qin An stopped one of them and asked, "What are they arguing about?"

The commoner had been about to lose his temper, but for some reason, he sensed a chill emanating from Qin An and could not help shrinking his neck.

"Blacksmith Sun is moving to the neighboring county and wants to sell his shop, but someone tried to force down the price. He's sulking over it."

Qin An looked thoughtfully at the blacksmith sitting at the entrance.

The commoner tightened his collar, muttered that it was cold, then quietly slipped away while Qin An was not paying attention.

Qin An rubbed his chin.

After hearing what the commoner said and then hearing Blacksmith Sun mention "selling muscle," an idea arose in his mind.

Muscle—wasn't that strength?

Qin An had the Mountain-Lifting Fist, but it came with restrictions, and that restriction was strength.

The Mountain-Lifting Fist stated that if someone born with divine strength practiced it, they could advance a thousand miles in a day.

If he could raise Blacksmith to level three and gain a talent related to strength, would he not be able to practice the Mountain-Lifting Fist?

Put another way, even if it was not a strength talent, judging by the blacksmith's body full of knotted muscle, the benefits he gained certainly would not be small.

While Qin An was thinking, Blacksmith Sun noticed him as well. Qin An's gaze made the hair all over his body stand on end.

"Is there ash on my face?" Blacksmith Sun rubbed his right cheek, but his hand came away clean.

Qin An stepped closer and asked, "How much for the Blacksmith Shop?"

Blacksmith Sun looked puzzled and held up three fingers to indicate a number.

Seeing this, Qin An knew the price was not expensive. He nodded. "I'll buy it."

Blacksmith Sun froze. "You'll buy it?"

He had already given up on the idea of selling the shop.

Though that profiteer had spoken crudely and slashed the price mercilessly, what he said did make sense.

The shop was full of things meant for blacksmithing. If someone else bought it, they would have to dismantle and clear everything out, which would cost no small sum.

But if they intended to use it for blacksmithing, without even the strength for it, what kind of damn blacksmith could they be?

Now that Qin An said he would take over the shop, Blacksmith Sun did not care what he wanted it for. He only felt that he could finally get it off his hands.

Qin An said, "But I have one condition."

Blacksmith Sun came back to himself and asked cautiously, "What condition?"

As long as it was not too outrageous or a condition meant to slash the price viciously, he could agree to it.

Qin An pointed at the Blacksmith Shop. "I want you to teach me blacksmithing. You don't have to teach anything profound—just the basics."

As soon as he said this, Blacksmith Sun grew even more confused.

Not only did Qin An want to take over the shop, he also wanted to learn blacksmithing?

This young man did not look like someone who did manual labor.

There were three great hardships in the world: poling a boat, forging iron, and grinding tofu. That was no joke.

Qin An nodded. "Will you do it?"

Unlocking a profession required at least getting started. Now that he had a master craftsman to teach him, Qin An could unlock the profession faster.

There was no need to explain why he wanted to learn blacksmithing.

This was a business deal. If Blacksmith Sun was willing, they would do it; if not, then forget it.

Blacksmith Sun pondered for a moment. "Fine, but I can only teach you for three days at most before I leave."

Qin An said, "Then let's sign and seal the agreement."

Blacksmith Sun did not waste words. He led Qin An to the place where they could sign and seal the contract, completing all the procedures.

By the time they finished, it was already noon.

Qin An ate a simple meal, then pulled Blacksmith Sun along and began learning the process of forging.

It was Blacksmith Sun's first time seeing such an impatient young man. Knowing that the sooner he finished teaching, the sooner he could leave, he began explaining everything in detail.

Within the forge, flames surged upward, and the heat was overwhelming.

Blacksmith Sun spoke as Qin An worked.