Chapter 52 - 51: Transaction

Chapter 52: Chapter 51: Transaction

Early the next morning, outside Cyan Peak County.

Five figures rode out of the deep mountains on Dragon-Scale Horses. Red-bellied Eagles circled in the sky above, prompting the group to look up as they rode.

When the group arrived at the city gates, the Qin Family guards, who had been waiting there since early morning, immediately stepped forward and said respectfully, "My lords, our young master has prepared a residence for you. Please, go ahead and rest while enjoying a meal."

Li Wanqing, Zhao Zhenshan, and Chen Sheying exchanged glances before giving slight nods. "Lead the way."

After rushing for thousands of miles, plunging straight into battle, sustaining injuries all over, and then traveling through the mountains overnight... Even Qi and Blood Martial Artists could barely handle the toll.

"Having Flying War Beasts certainly makes things fast. We spent the night trekking hundreds of miles through the mountains, while he has likely rested for a whole night already," Zhao Zhenshan sighed emotionally.

"That Flying War Beast possessed immense strength, easily lifting a Snake Demon weighing thousands of pounds. Carrying one or two people in flight would be effortless. The fact that I made it back alive this time is entirely thanks to its lifesaving intervention." Lin Jianqing, whose face still bore a slight ashen hue, spoke in a hoarse voice. Had a Black Thorn Eagle not carried him out of the battlefield in time, forcing himself to fight in his condition would have meant certain death.

"It wasn’t just you. If those War Beasts hadn’t charged out, our entire group—except for Captain Li—would likely have perished in there. We owe them a massive debt this time," Chen Sheying, a lean man sharing a mount with Lin Jianqing, added. "The Qin Family’s losses weren’t small either; their three hundred-plus War Beasts were almost completely wiped out."

The Spiritual Snake Sect also raised a large batch of Spiritual Snakes within their Sect. Chen Sheying knew better than anyone the steep price of breeding them. Losing three hundred elite War Beasts would severely pain even the Spiritual Snake Sect. It might take decades to recover from such a blow, let alone for a small family like the Qin Family. It might very well have been their entire fortune.

This was exactly why he had refrained from trying to snatch the treasure for himself. A lifesaving grace should be repaid a hundredfold; repaying kindness with enmity was something Chen Sheying simply could not do.

Chattering among themselves, the group followed the Qin Family guards to a residence. There, they washed up, rested, and ate. It wasn’t until noon that Qin Yu finally came to visit. 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

When they saw Qin Yu, they couldn’t help but be shocked. Qin Yu hadn’t come alone; he was being pushed in a wheelchair, his entire body wrapped in bandages.

"I am truly sorry for having to meet you all like this," Qin Yu said, struggling to raise his arms to form a cupped-fist salute.

He wasn’t exaggerating. If the Insect Nest hadn’t treated his injuries, this really would be the only way he could move around right now. However, to put on a convincing act, one had to go all the way. Since he had no intention of exposing his secrets, he naturally had to maintain a flawless disguise.

Li Wanqing glanced at the small patches of Qin Yu’s exposed skin and the split webbing of his hands, lost in thought. No wonder Qin Yu could unleash strength far beyond his Bone Forging Realm cultivation. It had to be some sort of Secret Technique with massive side effects!

Any Noble Family or Sect with some foundation possessed these kinds of desperate Secret Techniques. For example, the Demon Suppression Bureau commonly used the Blood Burst Pill. Still, being able to elevate his strength to that level was utterly terrifying, though the backlash was clearly just as severe.

Compared to Qin Yu, their own minor injuries were nothing. This realization instantly dispelled the Resentment Qi that had been brewing among them after waiting all morning. Although Qin Yu had returned early, he had likely spent the entire time healing.

No wonder he had left in such a hurry back then. They had initially thought he was wary of them, but now it seemed his injuries had simply been too critical to hold out any longer.

However, if Li Wanqing had used her Divine Sense to penetrate Qin Yu’s body for a closer look, she would have noticed a flaw: beneath Qin Yu’s seemingly gruesome external wounds, there was absolutely no internal damage. Yet, probing someone else’s body with Divine Sense was a highly provocative act. Unless absolutely necessary, Li Wanqing would never do such a thing.

"You are too polite, Little Brother Qin. If it weren’t for your intervention, we might have all perished in there," Li Wanqing said, her eyes flashing briefly as she took a Jade Bottle from her robes and handed it to him. "This is our Demon Suppression Bureau’s Secret Medicine, the ’White Bone Regeneration Pill.’ Taking it will accelerate your recovery."

"This... isn’t really appropriate, is it?" Qin Yu replied, though his hands didn’t hesitate for a second as he immediately accepted the Jade Bottle. Anything produced by the Demon Suppression Bureau was bound to be a top-tier item!

Standing beside them, Zhang Shun chimed in, "The ’White Bone Regeneration Pill’ is a Top Grade Healing Elixir in our Demon Suppression Bureau. It is classified as a Gamma-level Low Grade Elixir. No matter how severe the injuries, as long as the person doesn’t die on the spot, taking a single pill can pull them back from the brink. Although your wounds are heavy, once you take it, you should fully recover in ten days to half a month."

"Thank you for the medicine, Captain Li!" Qin Yu offered a cupped-fist salute.

While he didn’t actually need it right now, one could never have too many good things like this.

Li Wanqing slightly shook her head without speaking. This item might be exceptionally precious to others, but it meant little to her; she could requisition one for every mission.

"My lords, allow me to introduce you. This is the County Magistrate of Cyan Peak County, Magistrate Li. Upon hearing of your safe return, he wished to pay his respects and accompanied me here," Qin Yu said, turning to the plump middle-aged man beside him after their pleasantries concluded.

The normally rather lazy Magistrate Li was completely solemn at this moment, respectfully bowing to the group. Upon learning that three Captains of the Demon Suppression Bureau—along with the legendary personal disciple of the Demon Suppression General—had ventured deep into the mountains, slain the Snake Demon Li Tianyi, and returned triumphantly, how could he dare to show any negligence?

He had wanted to visit immediately. However, Qin Yu had stopped him, explaining that the group had been traveling continuously, slaying demons and eradicating evil, and were quite exhausted and in need of rest. Only then did they agree to come together later.

Furthermore, the relationship between Qin Yu and the five of them left Magistrate Li deeply shocked. Since when had the Qin Family become so close to the Demon Suppression Bureau? Their words were filled with gratitude, making it apparent that Qin Yu had contributed significantly to the hunt for Li Tianyi in the deep mountains.

"Mm," the group responded, merely glancing casually at Magistrate Li before paying him no further attention.

Soon after, the group moved into the inner hall of the residence.

Qin Yu stopped beating around the bush. Plucking a ring from his waist, he instantly drew everyone’s attention.

"Everyone, this is the treasure left behind by Old Monster Youlin. I pondered over it all night. Originally, I planned to hand it over to the Commandery City’s Zong Family.

"However, when acquiring this treasure, I would never have succeeded without your combined efforts.

"Therefore, after much consideration, I have decided to bring this treasure out." Qin Yu’s voice was low, sounding as though he was still hesitant and conflicted.

"You’ve made the right choice! The Demon Suppression Bureau never mistreats those who have rendered meritorious service!" A sharp glint flashed across Li Wanqing’s light green, slit-like pupils. As she accepted the Coiled Snake Ring Qin Yu handed over, she understood perfectly that this was his way of dropping a subtle reminder: the Qin Family wasn’t without backing. Aside from the Demon Suppression Bureau, they had other options.

When her Divine Sense probed into the ring’s internal space, a trace of joy appeared in Li Wanqing’s eyes—she saw three Jade Scrolls! With a sweep of her Divine Thought, the three Jade Scrolls materialized in her hands, followed by over a dozen Secret Manuals that she laid out on the table.

Upon picking up one of the Jade Scrolls, delight immediately flooded her eyes. "Beta-level Middle Grade Technique ’Spirit Snake Shadow Poison Scripture’, Beta-level Low Grade ’Ten Thousand Poison Gu Refining Scripture’, Beta-level Low Grade ’Poison Shadow Mysterious Array’?"

Chen Sheying’s breathing turned ragged, an uncontrollable ecstasy surfacing on his face. The Beta-level Middle Grade Technique "Spirit Snake Shadow Poison Scripture" and the Beta-level Low Grade "Ten Thousand Poison Gu Refining Scripture"! These were exactly the Cultivation Techniques their Spiritual Snake Sect needed most urgently!

After carefully inspecting each item and even extracting the Exotic Weapon, the Snake Ruler, Li Wanqing looked at Qin Yu with a solemn expression.

"What do you want?" she asked.