The Trap

In Ling Prefecture, only one organization had a post called Bronze Captain.

The Evil Extermination Division!

County Magistrate Zhang felt the terrifying killing intent radiating from the woman, and a frostlike chill seized his whole body.

They had been exposed!

A Bronze Captain had come from Ling Prefecture. What had happened in Ding County must have been exposed.

At that moment, County Magistrate Zhang's heart turned to ashes.

Tang Lingwei walked to a chair and sat down, her voice cold as a blade. "Cripple his cultivation and take him into custody. Hand him over to the Ling Prefecture yamen in a few days."

The short man nodded and jabbed several points across County Magistrate Zhang's chest and abdomen with his right hand.

County Magistrate Zhang spat out a mouthful of blood. His face went pale as paper, and his whole body shook like a sieve.

His Body Infusion Realm aura vanished. He had become an ordinary man.

Agony tore through him. County Magistrate Zhang howled, his eyes rolled back, and he passed out.

Tang Lingwei sneered. "He can't bear even this much pain, and he's a county magistrate?"

The short man's mouth twitched. Having your cultivation crippled isn't ordinary pain.

The events in Ding County were deeply suspicious, and the Ling Prefecture Evil Extermination Division had known about them for some time.

But Ling Prefecture's situation had been unstable, leaving them no one to spare.

As soon as things settled somewhat, they dispatched this group.

Footsteps sounded. A dozen or so figures entered the hall and stood bowing before Tang Lingwei.

Tang Lingwei said slowly, "It's time to close the net. Once the constables inform Qin An tomorrow, arrest every one of them. Kill anyone who resists."

The tall man at their head cupped his fists. "As you command."

The short man asked quietly, "You're letting Qin An go alone?"

Disguised as a woman, he had overheard plenty. He knew a vast conspiracy awaited Qin An.

Tang Lingwei glanced at him. "Protect him from the shadows. If he proves his worth, there'll be a way to smooth over Chen Chun's unauthorized teaching of a cultivation method."

The Evil Extermination Division's intelligence network was extensive. Besides, Tang Lingwei had met Qin An once and sensed that the qi around him felt familiar.

Rules were rules.

The Evil Extermination Division had maintained its position in Great Qian by upholding them.

Whatever his reasons, Chen Chun had taught a cultivation method without authorization, violating the division's regulations.

Though there were mitigating circumstances, if they opened the door to exceptions every time, others would follow suit.

If that continued, what would become of the division's rules?

The short man asked, "What do you intend to do, ma'am?"

Tang Lingwei said flatly, "Do I need to explain myself to you?"

Sweat drenched the short man's brow. He knew he had asked too much.

Those newly admitted to the Evil Extermination Division held a single title: Prefecture Clerk.

No one rose to Bronze Captain without surviving life-and-death struggles and earning immense merit.

In the Evil Extermination Division, everything was earned by risking one's life. Tang Lingwei was a woman, but she had earned her rank as Bronze Captain by doing so countless times.

No one dared underestimate her.

Everyone set to work, making preparations according to Tang Lingwei's orders.

The next day.

After eating, Qin An looked at the mist before him. Almost there.

Scholar Lv. 3 (360/400): Your reading speed has increased slightly.

Over the past few days, Qin An had devoted himself entirely to practicing the Scholar Profession.

Each morning, he took Chen Chun to the bookshop.

They did not return home to rest until nightfall.

His Scholar Profession had advanced substantially. He needed only another forty points to reach level four.

Qin An estimated that finishing his reading today would bring him to the peak of level three.

Once he fulfilled the promotion requirements, he could reach level four.

Over those three days, Qin An had also slowly channeled his blood and vitality into three breaths of yang energy, which he stored within himself.

At a thought, he could unleash the Demon-Subduing Three Suns Blade's killing move.

"Let's go." Qin An prepared to head out as usual.

Chen Chun had been waiting for some time.

He had not neglected his daily blade practice. Though he had made no progress, he remained diligent every day.

At Qin An's call, Chen Chun followed him out of the room.

But before they had gone more than a few steps, Qin An stopped.

Chen Chun paused. Following Qin An's gaze, he saw several constables looking their way with shifty eyes.

They're here.

Chen Chun's thoughts raced, and his breath caught.

The danger had always been there. Even as he and Qin An went about their daily lives, they both knew County Magistrate Zhang would not let them go.

The constables' arrival meant the danger was about to surface.

One constable swallowed and stepped forward. "Qin An, the county magistrate wants you to help with something."

"Lately, the Monkey Demon from Cangyuan Mountain has been on a rampage. It's slaughtered two villages already."

"The Monkey Demon says you must go to the Willow Grove south of town, or the slaughter won't stop."

"The county magistrate says you should..."

As he spoke, the constable tried to keep his tone tactful.

But before he could finish, Qin An cut him off.

"Fine."

The constable froze like a wooden statue. "W-what did you say?"

Qin An glanced at him. "Do you need me to repeat myself?"

The constable recovered and hurriedly said, "No, no. In that case, we'll be going."

He had prepared a whole speech, never expecting Qin An to agree outright.

Standing before Qin An now, the constable felt pressure bearing down on him.

He could not leave fast enough.

Chen Chun watched the constables slink away and frowned. "Old Qin, you just agreed?"

This had been planned for a long time. Anyone could see that.

Qin An nodded. "It's simpler this way."

Chen Chun's eyes widened. "What do you mean, simpler?"

Qin An did not answer. He rested a hand on the sharp knife at his waist. "Once we're there, keep yourself safe. If things turn dangerous, I won't be able to look after you."

Qin An had to go.

The county magistrate had made his move. If Qin An refused, one scheme after another would surely follow.

And Qin An saw plenty to gain by going.

Demons had entrenched themselves in Ding County. With them gathered together this time, he had a chance to sweep them all up in one go.

He needed blood crystals.

As his profession advanced, blood crystals would be indispensable for cultivating various methods.

He could sweep up the demons, gain blood crystals, and perhaps even obtain a cultivation method.

Qin An had no reason to refuse.

Watching Qin An walk ahead, Chen Chun understood that he was right. They had little choice.

He tightened his grip on the long blade at his waist and followed Qin An toward Ding County's southern gate.

Before long, the two disappeared down the street.

The Willow Grove was lush with leaves, its scenery pleasant.

Young Master Hou waved his folding fan.

A monkey carried over a steaming bowl and offered it to him.

Young Master Hou took the bowl in his left hand and drained it in one gulp. "Fresh human brains. Now that hit the spot."

Not long ago, the Monkey Demon had slaughtered two villages and devoured everyone in them.

The brains in the bowl had come from those villagers.

Sect Leader Liu watched, a cold smile curling his lips.

Around them, several hundred people and demons had gathered, waiting for Qin An to set foot among them.

It was a trap, one laid to ensure Qin An's death.

Now all they had to do was wait.

A breeze stirred nearby. Two figures approached from afar, wavering in and out of sight.