The corpse lay on the ground, eyes wide and pupils unfocused, unable to rest in death.
Qin An kicked it aside. A glint flashed in his eyes as he looked at the book in his hand.
Apart from a few taels of silver and a blade, Zhao Jinsheng had carried only this book.
Anything Zhao Jinsheng kept on him could hardly be ordinary.
After a moment's thought, Qin An opened it.
The cover bore four words: Cold Source Cultivation Method. The last two words, "Cultivation Method," reminded Qin An of what Chen Chun had told him.
He opened the book, and passages of text met his eyes.
After reading only a few words, Qin An was drawn in. He studied the book intently by the light of the Oil Lamp.
By the time he finished it, his Scholar proficiency had increased.
But that was not what mattered. What mattered was the book's contents.
Just as Qin An had thought, it was indeed a Mind Method.
According to the Cold Source Cultivation Method, the Qi condensed through its practice would carry a chill.
Cold Qi could slow an opponent or freeze their flesh.
The book described it as a Mind Method for the Qi Concealment Realm.
Excitement shone in Qin An's eyes.
A pillow had arrived just as he grew sleepy. Zhao Jinsheng really was a good man.
A Mind Method was exactly what he lacked.
Chen Chun had said that both methods and Arts were exceedingly precious.
If someone discovered him practicing another person's Mind Method without permission, he would likely face retaliation.
At best, his Cultivation Method would be crippled. At worst, he would lose his life.
But did Qin An have a choice?
He did not.
He had no backing in this chaotic age, and now an opportunity as vast as the heavens had appeared before him. It was as though someone had lifted food right to his mouth.
Not eating it would be an insult.
Qin An immediately sat cross-legged and began circulating the Qi within him along the route laid out in the Cold Source Cultivation Method.
The Cold Source Mind Method said that cultivation could not be accomplished in a day.
The most important part of practicing the Cold Source Cultivation Method was producing Cold Qi.
Once mastered, the Cold Qi could coat a weapon and ravage an enemy from within.
After the time it took an incense stick to burn, Qin An opened his eyes, a trace of helplessness on his face.
"Could it be that I have no talent for cultivation?"
The Cold Source Mind Method explained that anyone who could add even a wisp to their Qi in the time it took an incense stick to burn was capable of cultivation.
If they gained nothing at all, they lacked the talent.
Qin An was certain his Qi had not increased. It had not even stirred.
He had gained that wisp of Qi only after beginning to practice the Arts. Now he had spent all this time cultivating with nothing to show for it. He knew he lacked the talent.
Without talent, he had a mountain of treasure before him but no way inside.
Qin An felt helpless, but he soon concealed it.
After a little thought, he fetched a brazier and burned the Cold Source Cultivation Method.
He had memorized its contents. Keeping the Mind Method would only invite trouble.
Staying safe came first.
As for his lack of talent, Qin An did not think it mattered.
His reliance was not on the Mind Method. It would merely be icing on the cake.
What mattered most was his Golden Finger.
"First, I'll raise the Scholar Profession to level three and get the talent."
Having made up his mind, Qin An's gaze fell on the corpse.
Then he dragged it to the rear courtyard like a dead pig.
The house was not new. In fact, it was close to falling apart. Every household had built a rear courtyard.
Calling it a courtyard was generous. It was just a tiny space for piling up odds and ends.
Qin An took a shovel and soon dug a pit. He threw Zhao Jinsheng's body in and buried it.
Zhao Jinsheng's status was no small matter, and even the Yamen had to show his River Blade Sect some respect.
Qin An had killed Zhao Jinsheng today. He wanted no trouble, so he needed to erase the traces.
After the burial, Qin An cleaned the blood from the room, hung the Bell back in place, and went to sleep in his clothes.
He still had to go to the bookstore and read tomorrow. He needed to rest.
As for the fact that he had killed a man...
In a chaotic age, how could anyone avoid death?
They might never find this place. Even if they did, he would deal with it then.
The next day.
After eating, Qin An returned to the bookstore.
The owner of Qingfeng Bookstore did not find it strange.
Plenty of people came to the bookstore. Some even belonged to powerful groups, thinking they might stumble upon a hidden treasure.
Little did they know how precious Cultivation Methods were. Such things were not so easily found.
The owner paid him no attention, which suited Qin An just fine.
He found a spot for himself, picked up a book, and began reading.
His profession let him read extremely fast. On top of that, reading the Cold Source Cultivation Method last night had given his proficiency a small boost.
He did not even have to wait until afternoon for his proficiency to reach its limit.
[Scholar lv.1 (100/100): Your reading speed increased slightly.] [Advancement condition: Read three ordinary books.]
Once it reached its limit, a new condition appeared. Fulfilling it would let him level up.
The requirement for advancing from level one to level two seemed reasonable enough to Qin An.
It was still early, so Qin An picked up another book and kept reading.
Only when afternoon came did he put it down.
[Scholar lv.2 (0/200): Your reading speed increased slightly.]
Level two. After finishing three books, Qin An had advanced.
It had taken two days to reach level two from level one. Reaching level three would take four days.
He had read enough today. Though Qin An wanted to gain the Scholar Talent as soon as possible, now was not the time.
He left the bookstore and headed home.
Outside the house.
Captain Zheng arrived at Qin An's home with several constables.
"Is this where the butcher named Qin An lives?"
A constable stepped forward and bowed with clasped fists. "Sir, we've confirmed that Qin An lives here. We don't know why he isn't home today."
Captain Zheng frowned. "He isn't dead?"
The constable nodded. "Someone reportedly saw him on the street recently. He is indeed alive."
Captain Zheng tapped a finger against his sword hilt, puzzled.
He had been ordered to come and give Qin An's family some silver, only to learn that Qin An was not dead.
The Pig Demon had a lover. Given how vicious Demons were, Qin An had been tainted with the Pig Demon's Qi and should have become a target for revenge.
Why was he still alive?
Captain Zheng could not work it out, but he waited there with his men.
Clerk Wang had personally assigned the task. As captain of the constables in Ding County, Zheng could not take it lightly.
More than that, he wanted to see what was going on with Qin An.
Before long, a figure entered the street.
When Captain Zheng saw that it was Qin An, he walked up to him. "Qin An, have you encountered anything strange lately?"
Qin An had spotted Captain Zheng from afar. He shook his head. "Nothing strange. What brings you here, Captain Zheng?"
After weighing it carefully, he had decided to come over.
With the situation unclear and constables at his door, he had to deal with them somehow.
Captain Zheng raised an eyebrow. "Nothing in particular. Demons have been rampant lately, and I've been ordered to search the area. Open your door and let me take a look inside."
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