Encountering Chen Chun

When Qin An fought the demons, he had heard Hu Rong and Hu Sanniang mention the Tiger Clan's Secret Treasure several times.

This crisis had been engineered to open it.

He was curious what this so-called treasure actually was.

Nie Hu pondered for a moment. "I once read about it in the Evil Extermination Division's records. The Tiger Clan's ancestors left it behind, and it contains everything from Cultivation Methods to Blood Crystals."

"It's a vast treasure trove, enough to revive an entire faction."

"The Evil Extermination Division slaughtered most of the Tiger Clan a while ago. I'd guess they want to use the treasure to get back on their feet."

Cultivation Methods? Blood Crystals?

A ripple stirred in Qin An's heart.

If I could get inside, wouldn't I strike it rich?

He might have plenty of Blood Crystals now, but once he started making deductions, they would likely prove scarce.

Yet no sooner had the thought appeared than Qin An cast it aside.

A secret treasure was too important. He had no leads, so how could he possibly get inside?

Qin An sheathed his blade and said no more.

He would return, exchange his Merits for Cultivation Methods, then use a large supply of Blood Crystals to make deductions. That was far better than chasing the distant Tiger Clan's Secret Treasure.

Half an hour later, the Prefecture Clerk from the Evil Extermination Division had recovered considerably.

After Nie Hu and Ma Rou settled the villagers, they headed back to the Evil Extermination Division with Qin An.

At the Evil Extermination Division, people came and went, their footsteps hurried.

Once inside, Nie Hu and Ma Rou went their separate ways to write up their accounts of the incident and compile them into a report.

Qin An had only accompanied them, so he had no account to write.

His Merits could not be tallied until tomorrow. Qin An was in no hurry and returned to his room to rest.

He poured himself a cup of tea and took a sip. His profession progress appeared before his eyes.

[Butcher Profession lv.4 (230/600): The livestock you butcher tastes slightly better]

[Scholar Profession lv.4 (50/600): Your reading speed increases slightly]

[Dancer Profession lv.3 (0/400): Your dancing becomes more graceful]

[Blacksmith Profession lv.3 (0/400): The quality of the items you forge improves]

[Physician lv.3 (0/400): Your treatment of patients becomes slightly more effective]

These were all the professions Qin An currently had.

Both Butcher and Scholar were at level four.

The higher a profession's level, the more practiced his technique became. Improving them was not too slow.

The Scholar Profession had gained 50 points because Qin An had read a Body Infusion Realm Cultivation Method.

His other professions were all at level three.

With nothing else to do today, Qin An considered his options, then decided to leave the Evil Extermination Division and find a blacksmith shop where he could reforge the Black Blade.

Once reforged, the Black Blade would respond to his will and perform even better.

With that thought, Qin An rose and headed for the door.

People streamed along the street, an unbroken flow of townsfolk.

From time to time, a carriage passed, drawing muttered curses from the people nearby.

After asking around, Qin An arrived at a blacksmith shop.

A little silver, together with the sight of Qin An's dark uniform, was enough. Without another word, the owner let him into the forging room.

The forging went smoothly. Before long, Qin An held the reforged Black Blade in his hand.

A dark sheen gleamed along the blade. With a casual swing, Qin An sent a sharp whistle through the air.

The reforged Black Blade responded to his will, and Qin An was well pleased.

The bronze badge at his waist had not trembled, and there was nothing he needed to do at the Evil Extermination Division.

After a moment's thought, Qin An decided to stay and practice his blacksmithing.

The blacksmith shop in Ling Prefecture was large. One more person hammering away would not disrupt its business.

Qin An stepped out for a meal midway through. He did not leave the shop until the evening glow spread across the sky.

[Blacksmith Profession lv.3 (80/400): The quality of the items you forge improves]

His blacksmithing proficiency had risen a little. Qin An ate dinner at a street stall, paid, then headed back to the Evil Extermination Division.

As always, he refused to spend his energy practicing at night. He kept himself well rested at all times.

After all, Azure Cloud Valley and Tree Lord wanted his head. Now Fox Mother did too, and the demons had even put a bounty on him.

Qin An had no intention of losing his head over a moment's carelessness.

Few people remained along the street.

Smoke curled from the rooftops, and the townsfolk's conversations drifted over now and then.

"Without demons and False Gods, this would be a prosperous place."

Qin An paused briefly, then continued on.

Just then, a figure appeared ahead, walking in one direction like a man who had lost his soul.

Qin An frowned and stopped.

The figure did not seem to see him and was about to pass him by.

After a moment's thought, Qin An caught the man by the shoulder.

Chen Chun stopped instinctively. When he turned and saw Qin An, a flicker of life returned to his wooden expression.

"What happened to you?" Qin An asked with a frown.

Chen Chun wore a constable's Black Constable Uniform, not the dark uniform of the Evil Extermination Division.

Chen Chun had come to Ling Prefecture with him, and Tang Lingwei had said his Merits were enough to join the Evil Extermination Division.

So why was he working as a constable at the Yamen now?

Chen Chun pulled his mouth into a strained smile. "So it's Lord Qin..."

Qin An's gaze sharpened. "Tell me what happened."

Chen Chun lowered his eyes to the ground. "Lord Qin, if there's nothing else, I'll head home."

"I'll give you one more chance," Qin An said evenly. "If you won't tell me, you can go."

Chen Chun shuddered. His shoulders shook uncontrollably, and when he raised his head, tears streaked his face.

"Qin An, it's been eating me alive."

"I endured years as an Undercover Agent. At last, my dream was within reach, but reality slapped me in the face."

"Zhou Mo gave some of his own Merits to the Lin Family and took my place. When I went to demand an explanation, they beat me instead."

"He demoted me to the Yamen and barred me from ever entering the Evil Extermination Division again."

Chen Chun trembled as he spoke.

Not from fear, but from anger.

His heart had long since turned to ashes. But now that he had someone to talk to, he poured out all the bitterness inside him.

Chen Chun wiped away his tears. "Demons ate my whole family when I was a child. I vowed to slay demons and eradicate evil."

"I endured the hardship of being an Undercover Agent. If he had truly beaten me on Merits, I wouldn't have complained."

"But why do it this way? Why?"

Qin An was silent for a long while.

Chen Chun took several deep breaths and let out the weight in his chest. "I feel a little better after telling you. I have things to do, so I'll be going."

He knew Zhou Mo held no lowly position among the Bronze Captains.

He had told Qin An only to vent his resentment. He wanted nothing else.

Chen Chun had taken two steps when Qin An suddenly spoke.

"Come to the Evil Extermination Division."

Chen Chun froze. "What?"

"Come on," Qin An said.

Chen Chun shook his head hurriedly. "Qin An, don't act rashly. Zhou Mo has powerful connections. You can't afford to offend him."

He regretted speaking up.

The two of them had escaped Ding County with their lives.

Now that Qin An had joined the Evil Extermination Division, Chen Chun did not want to ruin his future.

Qin An strode ahead. "If you're a man, follow me. If you haven't got the guts, go home. I'm not afraid, so what are you afraid of?"

Chen Chun watched Qin An's back. After a moment's hesitation, he gritted his teeth and followed.