You Were Told to Train Life Skills, Yet You Grinded Them into Divine Professions

Taking a closer look, Qin An saw scholars in Confucian robes packed three-deep around the entrance, as though there were a monkey show inside.

When Qin An moved closer, he saw what was happening.

A young man in a short, earth-yellow outfit with a longsword hanging at his waist was viciously beating a frail scholar.

The frail scholar's face was bruised and swollen, and several teeth had already been knocked from his mouth.

Though the surrounding scholars were watching, none dared step forward to stop him after seeing how ferocious the sword-bearing man was.

The sword-bearing man planted his foot on the scholar's back, spat, and said disdainfully, "You worthless trash, writing poems to insult the River Blade Sect. If I don't smash every tooth in that mouth of yours, then I'm no Zhao."

Qingfeng Bookstore was crowded with scholars.

Though the place carried the scent of books, the scholar on the ground was in a miserable state.

The man surnamed Zhao stepped on the scholar's back and sprayed a mouthful of spit onto the back of his head.

The scholar's face was bruised and swollen. His hands scrabbled wildly, but it was useless.

The watching scholars whispered among themselves.

"Why did he provoke the River Blade Sect?"

"I heard the woman he loved married a disciple of the River Blade Sect. He couldn't stand it, so he wrote a poem hurling insults at them."

"It's over, it's over. Once you provoke the River Blade Sect, there'll be no good days ahead."

"I've already reported it to the Yamen. The constables will be here soon."

Listening to this, Qin An understood what had happened.

There were many factions around Ding County, and the River Blade Sect was one of them.

It was said that even the Yamen treated the River Blade Sect with great respect, though no one knew the specific reason.

Qin An did not stir up trouble. He merely stood to one side and watched.

In the novels he had read in his previous life, when the protagonist encountered something like this, he would surely be filled with righteous anger before drawing his blade in fury.

But Qin An would not do that.

This was reality, not a novel.

If he really drew his blade to help as novels described, he definitely would not survive past three episodes.

Besides, this was Ding County. It was not his place to interfere. Hadn't they said someone had already reported it to the Yamen?

The man surnamed Zhao continued beating him, while the scholar was already taking more breaths out than in.

At that moment, a burst of footsteps sounded from nearby.

Several constables approached from the distance and immediately grabbed the man surnamed Zhao.

The man surnamed Zhao struggled. "What are you doing? Don't meddle in Zhao Jinsheng's business. You should know that even your County Magistrate has to treat my sect master as an honored guest."

The lead constable had a shifty, rat-like face. He hurriedly leaned close to Zhao Jinsheng's ear and said, "Brother Zhao, it won't look good if someone dies in the city. Either way, one of our own will deal with it. You've already beaten him, so let it go."

As he spoke, he winked at the other constables.

One of the other constables stepped forward, helped the scholar up, then slapped him across the face. "You sour, pedantic scholar, writing reckless poems. Take him to the jail for three days."

Seeing this, Zhao Jinsheng knew there were too many people around, and it truly was not convenient to continue.

Besides, he had vented his anger enough just now, so he said nothing further.

The constable draped an arm around Zhao Jinsheng's shoulders and said, "Brother Zhao, come on. Let's take a trip to the Entertainment District and blow off some steam."

Zhao Jinsheng's eyes lit up. He nodded repeatedly. "Good, good, good. You really have good taste, little brother. I'll be merciful and spare that sour scholar this time."

Before long, the constables left together with Zhao Jinsheng.

The scholars present clenched their fists, looking furious but afraid to speak.

After witnessing that scene, they knew the constables and Zhao Jinsheng were birds of a feather.

But they had not earned any scholarly rank. They were merely ordinary commoners and did not dare interfere at all.

Though they were angry, they had nowhere to vent it.

Soon, several scholars took the lead, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

Qin An watched the constables leave. Once the scholars had dispersed, he followed them into the bookstore.

What had happened just now was only an interlude. Qin An had not forgotten why he was here.

As for that scholar, being locked up for a few days was nothing. It was already fortunate that he had kept his life.

Upon entering the bookstore, rows upon rows of bookshelves greeted his eyes.

Though Qingfeng Bookstore in Ding County was merely a branch, the Great Qian Emperor valued martial arts and promoted literature. Though small, the store had everything one could need.

Qin An's attire differed from that of the scholars, but it did not draw much attention.

The bookstore allowed scholars to read for free. However, books taken outside had to be rented or purchased with silver.

Most scholars who came here at this time, like Qin An, were here to freeload.

Qin An walked straight to a bookshelf, picked up a book, and began flipping through it casually.

Though his movements seemed casual, his gaze held a deep seriousness.

The Golden Finger required him to practice with complete concentration before he could gain proficiency.

After Qin An read for a while, a line of text drifted before his eyes.

Scholar +1

Just as expected, the Scholar Profession only takes effect when I read, Qin An thought, gripping the book tightly.

The current situation matched his expectations perfectly. He only needed to read to increase his proficiency.

Having gained something, Qin An continued reading attentively.

The scholars around him were just as focused as Qin An.

Time steadily passed, and no one in the bookstore disturbed Qin An.

In the middle of it, Qin An went to a shop outside for lunch and dinner, then returned to the bookstore to continue reading.

Only after the sky was stained with the evening glow did Qin An finally stop.

Scholar lv.1 (50/100): Your reading speed has slightly increased

From morning until evening, he had gained fifty proficiency points.

At this pace, he would likely not reach the completion of level one until tomorrow.

Qin An was in no hurry.

The Butcher Profession had been stuck at level three for so long back then, and Qin An had endured it all the same. Now it was only one day, which did not seem long to him at all.

"The bookstore is closing. I'll come back tomorrow."

Qin An made up his mind.

He could spend money to rent or buy books and continue reading after returning home.

But Qin An felt that would be inappropriate.

First, he needed a balance between work and rest. In such a turbulent environment, he had to keep his mind alert.

Second, if a butcher brought books home and someone with ill intentions saw it, trouble might arise.

Steadiness was the foundation of survival.

After returning the book to its shelf, Qin An left the bookstore and headed home.

The sky glowed with evening clouds, while cooking smoke curled up all around.

As Qin An neared the street where he lived, the evening glow faded and darkness silently descended.

Scattered moonlight spilled over the street, serving as the only source of light.

Qin An walked through the alley, one hand resting at his waist.

Past this alley was where Qin An lived.

He had gained a great deal today. For the sake of proficiency, he had not even opened his shop.

Fortunately, he had earned quite a bit during his time as a butcher. Going without opening the shop for a few days would not starve him.

Qin An knew what mattered most. He planned to first train the Scholar Profession to level three before considering reopening his shop.

Footsteps sounded ahead, interrupting Qin An's thoughts.

Qin An looked toward the source of the sound and saw a drunken man carrying wine, staggering in this direction.

Under the moonlight, Qin An clearly saw the man's face and frowned.

Zhao Jinsheng had just emerged from Ding County's Entertainment District, still holding wine he had pilfered from there. He drank as he walked.

"Heh, you shriveled-up scholar. You dared write poems insulting the River Blade Sect. With that tender skin and soft flesh, you'll suffer in jail now. How pitiful."