"Go to bed early."

After Chu Ming finished washing up, he patted Little Shan’s hair, then returned to his room.

He sat at his desk, contemplating the matter of evil entities.

"Martial Artists have a certain deterrent effect on evil entities, but can’t actually harm them, let alone expel them."

"Evil entities don’t absolutely refrain from attacking those who practice martial arts—the stronger the evil, the less they fear Martial Artists, and they can even threaten Primordial Qi Warriors."

"Although I’ve already condensed more than thirty threads of Qi and Blood Power in my body—three times that of an ordinary Martial Artist—but..."

"Without means to deal with evil entities, I’m ultimately at a disadvantage."

"Divine Mystery Bureau... Primordial Qi Warriors..."

Chu Ming furrowed his brows, deep in thought. After a moment, he suddenly unfolded some sheets of paper, dipped his brush in ink, and began to write something.

Just as he was pondering the matter of evil entities, his Sea of Consciousness was deducing a Cultivation Technique, one suitable for someone like Shen Yu, who had little martial aptitude.

Like that set he gave Feng Yuan when leaving Baiyuan County—the technique he was now inferring for Shen Yu focused on low cultivation difficulty and high cultivation speed.

As for condensing Qi Blood, it was set at the level of ordinary Qi and Blood Power only.

Before long, over a dozen pages were filled with diagrams of several hundred movements, accompanied by detailed explanatory notes.

After a short break, he made a clean copy. Once the ink dried, he stowed away the two copies—one for Shen Yu, one for Feng Yuan.

The technique inferred in haste for Feng Yuan before leaving Baiyuan County was somewhat rushed. The one he developed tonight was far better.

Since Jingyan County was right beside Baiyuan County, he planned to visit Feng Yuan when he went to Jingyan, giving him this improved Cultivation Technique.

Having settled the Cultivation Techniques, Chu Ming sat back at his desk. Instead of reading, he half-closed his eyes, turning his senses inward to his Sea of Consciousness.

Within the Sea of Consciousness, the three great Cultivation Technique Lakes were calm. Above the Cultivation Technique Lake, eight of the eleven-colored bridges of Hongqiao were fully condensed, with more than half of the ninth bridge formed, though the condensation speed had slowed.

Inferring a Refining Organ Realm technique was proving harder than expected. Merely expanding the Book collection Lake, the further he went, the more fatigued he felt.

"I still have to find a true Refining Organ Realm technique..."

Chu Ming opened his eyes and continued flipping through books, his brow slightly furrowing.

A Refining Organ Realm technique was a treasure fought over by countless people—not so easy to find.

In the vast Xirong County, there were hundreds or even thousands of Martial Arts Halls, but only three to five first-class ones.

First-class Martial Arts Halls meant their masters were first-class Martial Artists—that is, at the Refining Organ Realm.

Of the three to five, eliminating repeat techniques, Chu Ming had learned only two halls possessed unique Refining Organ Realm techniques.

And these two were precisely the top two Martial Arts Halls in Xirong County—both their Masters at the Middle Stage of Refining Organs.

With Chu Ming’s current strength, he naturally did not fear those at the Middle Stage of Refining Organs. He’d tried sneaking in to seek their techniques before, but the Refining Organ Realm technique was the core inheritance of these two great halls—not something so easily found.

Fortunately, he’d only just begun nurturing three organs and two viscera; for now, the nine bridges of Hongqiao were still enough.

Papers rustled endlessly in the room as Chu Ming worked without pause.

"Refining Organ Realm Cultivation Technique... Evil entities... Divine Mystery Bureau... Primordial Qi Warriors..."

...

Moonlight hung high in the sky, casting the entire County City in a silvery sheen.

Xirong County, Divine Mystery Bureau.

The Divine Mystery Bureau was far from the bustling areas of the County City, situated at the easternmost edge of Xirong County.

The district wasn’t large. Looking up, one could see a towering black high tower—imposing and terrifying.

Ordinary people dared not approach; the presence of guards played a part, but more so, anyone who got close was seized by a bone-chilling sense of dread.

At this moment, a carriage stopped. Two elders stepped out: the Xirong County Magistrate Xiao He, and the newly appointed Chief Historian, Shen Yu.

Both wore tense expressions, burdened by preoccupations.

"Old Xiao..." Shen Yu looked up at the Black Tower, a cold wind suddenly seeming to brush his back. "That lot from the Divine Mystery Bureau..."

Before he could finish, Xiao He shook his head, signaling him to stop talking.

The Divine Mystery Bureau’s position in the Great Qin Dynasty was somewhat aloof from the world. Unless evil entities appeared, they didn’t have to obey any officials.

Shen Yu hesitated, then asked, "Old Xiao, as County Magistrate, if you beg them, surely they’ll show a little courtesy?"

The two appeared here so late at night—all for Chu Ming’s sake.

Shen Yu was truly concerned about Chu Ming; after much persuasion and persistence, he finally convinced County Magistrate Xiao He to try coming here.

Xiao He sighed inwardly.

Courtesy?

The Primordial Qi Warriors of the Divine Mystery Bureau cultivated here all year round. Even as County Magistrate, he’d barely ever seen them—what courtesy could he hope for?

But for Chu Ming’s sake, he still thought it best to give it a try.

Xiao He instructed the guards to wait by the carriage. He and Shen Yu walked side by side, approaching the Divine Mystery Bureau.

With each step forward, Shen Yu felt as if something struck his heart; the closer he got, the heavier the blows became.

By the time they stopped at the pitch-black, wide-open gates of the Divine Mystery Bureau, Shen Yu’s back was soaked with sweat.

Xiao He had been here twice before—he handled it better than Shen Yu.

Yet, just as he was about to step inside, a voice rang simultaneously in their ears: "County Magistrate, please leave."

Huh?

Shen Yu was startled and hastily looked around, but saw not a single figure.

No one in sight—yet a voice spoke in their ears?!

Though he knew this was the Great Qin Dynasty’s place for exorcist Primordial Qi Warriors to cultivate, the sinister and eerie surroundings caused every hair on Shen Yu’s body to stand on end.

Xiao He was also deeply shocked. He took several deep breaths, then managed to calm his aged features and bowed toward the Black Tower. "Divine Mystery Envoy... I am Xiao He, County Magistrate of Xirong County. I have a request..."

The Great Qin Dynasty granted the title Divine Mystery Envoy to the Divine Mystery Bureau’s Primordial Qi Warriors—without any official rank.

No reply—only dead silence.

Seeing this, Shen Yu’s eyes shifted. He bowed his head as well and said, "There are evil entities appearing—please, Divine Mystery Envoy, take action."

Still no response. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

It seemed the Primordial Qi Warriors of the Divine Mystery Bureau saw through Shen Yu’s lie—there were no evil entities in Xirong County.

As he gazed at the Black Tower, Shen Yu’s fear faded, replaced by growing anxiety in his heart.

If the Divine Mystery Bureau’s Primordial Qi Warriors wouldn’t even see them, how could they possibly protect Chu Ming when he entered the mine?

Do they really have to wait until the evil returns to the mine?

By then it’ll be too late!

Chu Ming will most likely already...

"Divine Mystery Envoy... you all have such great powers, but why haven’t you wiped out the evil entities in the Jingyan County mine? Instead, you leave such a disaster behind—I think you people just..."

Shen Yu’s anxiety and anger boiled over and, on impulse, he tried goading them.

But...

"You all... mm... mm..."

Xiao He’s face changed dramatically and he quickly clamped a hand over his old friend’s mouth.

"Don’t say it!"

"Why... can’t... I say it..." Shen Yu was still intent on provoking them.

Suddenly, a piercingly cold night wind blew past, whipping at their clothes.

Neighhh—

The two strong horses at the front of the carriage seemed startled, giving out frightened low whinnies.

Even the accompanying guards tensed instantly, drawing their gleaming weapons.

Xiao He hurriedly bowed to the Black Tower. "Forgive us for disturbing you, we’ll leave immediately."

He grabbed Shen Yu, ready to leave at once.

But just then—

"I require a Primordial Qi Object."

Again, a sudden voice sounded in their ears.

This time, Shen Yu was not afraid—instead, he glared, anger flaring: "Won’t even show your face but still want something from us?"

"A Primordial Qi Object—yet you don’t even say what it is clearly!"

"..."

...