Pressure

"Thank you, my lord!" Lin Qing cupped his hands, silently committing the favor to memory.

"Two months left. Do you think you can reach mastery?" Shen Lian asked with a smile. Her every expression and gesture was full of feminine charm.

"I'll do everything I can," Lin Qing said.

"Mm. No need to push yourself so hard that you ruin your body." Shen Lian nodded, then changed tack. For the past three months, Lin Qing had slept less than six hours a day and never let up in the slightest. Even she admired him for it.

"I know my limits," Lin Qing replied. His gaze swept over Shen Lian's arms, where the red blotches had faded. "My lord, the blotches on your skin have cleared up. In a little while, you'll need acupuncture alongside the treatment. That's the only way to cure it completely."

Shen Lian yawned. "Mm, you do know a thing or two. We'll talk about it in a few days."

Lin Qing nodded. "One more thing. I haven't heard of any trouble from the Yinyuan Sect Fiend lately. Was Yin Muhua captured?"

Two months had passed without another murder in the city, and the tense atmosphere had begun to ease.

"No. But two months ago, Chief Commissioner Cheng went after her personally. He crippled one of Yin Muhua's arms and severely injured her internal organs. Unfortunately, that fiend was skilled at lightness techniques and escaped in the end. She's probably hiding somewhere, recovering." Shen Lian spoke softly.

"I see." Lin Qing felt a twinge of regret. If that witch had truly been killed, he would have felt much more at ease.

"What? Worried you'll get caught up in it? You needn't be so nervous. That witch is looking for a Wooden Idol said to contain a supreme fist manual called the Tathagata Fist Manual. The story's been going around the Shu Region for years. Every year, rumors place the manual in several different locations. I'm sick of hearing about it," Shen Lian said casually.

"So the Tathagata Fist Manual is a fake?" Lin Qing asked, keeping his expression neutral.

"The Tathagata Fist Manual is real. Whether it's in the city is another matter. If the report is confirmed, the Prefectural City—and even the entire Shu Region—will be thrown into an uproar," Shen Lian said thoughtfully.

"Understood." Lin Qing nodded, silently resolving to take this secret to his grave. No one else could ever know.

The next morning.

Lin Qing went about his usual routine, eating and tempering his bones, busy as ever.

Han Juetong sat in a chair, basking in the sun. Every so often, he glanced at Lin Qing.

Something's off. That kid's gotten sturdier again.

Could he have reached proficiency already?

A powerful sense of crisis suddenly gripped Han Juetong. Proficiency in four months? What kind of monster was he?

No. I need to see Jiang Baihe. He took my money. He can't just sit around doing nothing.

A short while later.

In a small courtyard at the Night Patrol Office, Jiang Baihe was playing with a parrot. Beside him, Han Juetong recounted everything that had happened.

Jiang Baihe frowned. "You're saying Lin Qing has reached proficiency?"

"My lord, his physique has grown noticeably stronger. Even if he hasn't reached proficiency yet, he can't be far off," Han Juetong said.

"Mm. Proficiency in four months would make him a fine talent. But I've been giving you personal instruction for half a year, and you've had plenty of tonics to bolster your blood and vitality. Reaching proficiency should be no trouble for you. What are you panicking about?" Jiang Baihe raised an eyebrow.

"My lord, I'm worried he'll reach minor mastery. That wretched woman Shen Lian is involved with Lin Qing. With her backing him, he might just manage it." Han Juetong's face darkened.

Jiang Baihe frowned. "Shen Lian? I can't control that woman. You're a young master of the Han Family. Why are you so fixated on becoming a corpse collector?"

"Lord Jiang, Shanyin County is too small. I intend to make my mark in the Prefectural City, and the Night Patrol Office is the surest path there. Please keep your promise," Han Juetong said solemnly.

"Rest assured. Since I took your money, I'll do everything I can. Leave this to me." Jiang Baihe turned and went out.

That afternoon.

Lin Qing arrived at the training ground. He was practicing intently when he saw Jiang Baihe walking straight toward him.

"Lin Qing, come with me," Jiang Baihe said with a genial smile.

"Yes, my lord." Lin Qing's expression remained calm. He had expected this.

Once he reached proficiency, the change in his physique would be obvious to anyone. There was no hiding it.

Han Juetong had stared at him all morning, then gone out for a while. Clearly, he had gone to find Jiang Baihe.

Sure enough, Jiang Baihe led him to an open space nearby, still wearing that kindly smile. "Lin Qing, from the look of you, I'd say you've reached proficiency?"

"Nothing escapes your eyes, my lord," Lin Qing said evenly.

"Excellent. I'm delighted to have such a talent in the Night Patrol Office." Jiang Baihe stroked his beard, his smile widening.

At the sight of that smile, Lin Qing only sneered inwardly. If he hadn't known what kind of man Jiang Baihe was, he might have been fooled.

"But there's something I need to tell you. People say I'm greedy and lecherous, and I won't deny it. Han Juetong paid me a great deal of silver to secure the corpse collector position. If you can pay me just as much, I'll look the other way. If you can't, I hope you'll withdraw this year. There'll be another chance next year, and I'll guarantee you a place then." Jiang Baihe's smile faded.

"My lord, I come from a poor family and have no money to spare. I won't take part in the assessment in two months, but I don't want to give up practicing martial arts. Please allow me to continue," Lin Qing said. He had prepared his answer: agree for now, then take part when the time came.

"Good. You know which way the wind blows. Then it's settled. Don't blame me. That's how the world works. Money can make even ghosts do your bidding. Blame yourself for not being born into a better family." Jiang Baihe smiled again.

Lin Qing said nothing, but he quietly added this to his tally against Jiang Baihe.

Jiang Baihe said no more and turned to leave.

That night.

Lin Qing returned to the courtyard and told Shen Lian what had happened.

"Hmph. I knew that old bastard would pressure you. He does it every year. Who knows how much silver he's swallowed?" Shen Lian cursed.

"I heard Chief Commissioner Cheng is upright and incorruptible. Doesn't he do anything about it?" Lin Qing asked.

"Chief Commissioner Cheng can't. The situation in the Soul-Calming Office is more complicated than you think. Do you know why Han Juetong wants to take your place?" Shen Lian changed the subject, plainly unwilling to discuss it further.

"Please enlighten me, my lord." Lin Qing bowed.

"Next year, the Soul-Calming Office in the Prefectural City plans to move against the Yinyuan Sect. They're desperately short of people, so they've greatly increased the number of places available through the second assessment. Han Juetong wants to build a career in the Prefectural City. This is his best chance," Shen Lian said.

Lin Qing's heart stirred. "I see."

"You'll learn more when the time comes. Focus on your training for now. If you reach minor mastery within two months, Jiang Baihe won't be able to do anything to you," Shen Lian added.

Several days later, heavy snow fell, and bitter cold gripped the land.

At the training ground.

Lin Qing and the others were practicing when Yang Feng arrived, his face grave. "A number of refugees froze to death outside the city in yesterday's snow. I need thirty people. Come with me at once to deal with the bodies."

Lin Qing stepped forward immediately. Yang Feng nodded slightly, a flicker of approval in his eyes.

There was nothing to gain from moving corpses, yet Lin Qing volunteered every time. Yang Feng had noticed his attitude and remembered it.

He's a hard worker.

Yang Feng then selected thirty people and led them straight to the cremation yard.

Some fifty frozen bodies lay in the yard, their clothes ragged and their faces blue.

Lin Qing quickly made a circuit of the yard and picked out the body of a man whose eyes bulged like brass bells. His arms were muscular, and he had clearly practiced martial arts.

Lin Qing reached out and seized the man's arm. The instant he did, information appeared before his eyes.