Start with everyday skills and grind your way to immortality.

Chapter 30 Meeting

The slums in the west of the city have a complex, maze-like terrain.

The third alleyway is a dead end.

At the end, there was only a thick earthen wall, behind which was a network of passageways connecting to the neighboring streets, making it the perfect place to retreat.

Chen Qian was standing right next to the wall on this side.

He had already planned three escape routes and laid a layer of lard on the wall to prevent the other party from suddenly climbing over it.

As the saying goes, a dangerous wall is not to be leaned against, but a sturdy wall can be borrowed temporarily.

The rules may not be followed today; it's not too late to follow them tomorrow.

Once the business is finished, the gentleman can return another day.

[Auditory recognition experience points +1]

Listening to the steady footsteps coming from the alley.

Chen Qian took a deep breath, adjusted his breathing, and made his voice sound low and hoarse.

The footsteps stopped three steps outside the wall.

"Big brother, this is it." Zhao Rong's voice was a little nervous.

Then came a suffocating silence.

Zhao Feng remained silent.

Chen Qian could sense a tangible force trying to penetrate the wall and pinpoint his location.

That was a warrior's intuition.

"cough."

Chen Qian coughed lightly, breaking the unsettling silence.

"Officer Zhao's blood is so hot that even through this wall, my face is burning."

Outside the wall, Zhao Feng raised an eyebrow.

Before he could even introduce himself, the other party had already revealed his identity.

This means that the other party was already "watching" him the moment he entered the street.

Zhao Feng cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, his voice booming and resonant, carrying a metallic quality:

"Since you've come, sir, why not show yourself? I've prepared a small gift and would like to ask for your guidance in person."

"There's no need for a face-to-face meeting."

Chen Qian's voice was flat, carrying a hint of aloofness that kept people at arm's length:

"I am easily frightened."

"Chief Constable Zhao is both an official and a martial arts master."

"If we were on the other side down there, and Officer Zhao suddenly decided to test my mettle, I wouldn't be able to withstand the strain."

This is the truth, a show of weakness, and a strategic retreat.

Directly stating "I'm afraid of you" actually makes one appear more open and honest.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Feng softened the sharpness in his eyes and smiled:

"Sir, you jest. I have heard of your legendary skill in striking the startled horse."

"I have come today solely to request something; I have no ill intentions whatsoever."

"No malicious intent whatsoever?"

Inside the wall, Chen Qian let out a soft, ambiguous chuckle, then sighed, his voice carrying a hint of desolation and a desire to leave:

"Officer Zhao's words are only good for fooling a three-year-old child. Although I am a leisurely person, I still understand the principles of seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune."

"I have come here today not only to fulfill our previous agreement, but also to bid farewell to you both."

"Farewell?"

Outside the wall, Zhao Rong couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Sir, what do you mean by this? Has Linjiang County failed to provide adequate hospitality? Our big business hasn't even started yet..."

"No."

Chen Qian interrupted him, his tone becoming enigmatic:

"But Linjiang County is too dirty."

"I had intended to rest here for a few days, but the pervasive aura of bloodlust in this city makes me extremely uncomfortable."

"In this dignified county town, a place where humanity gathers, demons and evil spirits roam freely in broad daylight, treating human life as worthless."

"A wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall."

Chen Qian tapped lightly on the rough brick surface with his fingers through the wall, making a soft, rhythmic sound.

"Officer Zhao, if your yamen can't catch that 'rat' again, I prefer peace and quiet and will take my leave."

Outside the wall, Zhao Feng was startled.

If someone else had said this, he might have scoffed at it.

But if someone can produce such a treasure...

Even he felt that the city was dangerous, so the issue needed to be carefully considered.

Moreover, the word "mouse" stung Zhao Feng.

As a head constable, he was told that there were rats in his territory.

"Did you notice it too, sir?"

Zhao Feng took a deep breath, his tone tinged with anxiety.

"Indeed, there are still some remaining criminals. The yamen has been conducting a city-wide search these past few days, and many patrol officers have been dispatched."

"We even used Black Raven, but it was as if it had vanished into thin air, leaving no trace whatsoever."

"Does the master also understand magic and divination?"

Chen Qian stood behind the wall, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"I know a little, I know a little."

Chen Qian's voice was calm, yet it exuded a strong sense of confidence.

"For example, I know right now that a mischievous child will pass by the alley entrance, carrying a candied hawthorn in his hand."

After he finished speaking, the alley fell silent.

Zhao Feng and Zhao Rong exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of suspicion in each other's eyes.

There was no one at the alley entrance; where did these mischievous children come from?

However, just three breaths later...

Sure enough, light footsteps came from the alley entrance, and a boy of about six or seven years old, wearing patched clothes, passed by.

The boy was startled when he saw Zhao Feng and his companion. He stopped in his tracks and looked at them timidly.

Zhao Feng's pupils contracted slightly.

Inside the wall, Chen Qian's voice continued, unhurriedly: "The old man selling candied hawthorns has a black mole on his left cheek."

Zhao Feng was surprised and suspicious.

"Did the old man have any marks on his face?"

The boy thought for a moment and nodded: "Yes, there's a big black mole on the left side of my face."

After saying that, he ran away.

Zhao Rong gasped in shock; there had been countless vendors selling candied hawthorns along the way.

Unexpected prophet?

Zhao Rong, standing to the side, gaped wide-eyed, his eyes practically bulging out of their sockets.

"This...this must be the true transmission of the Taoist 'Zi Wei Dou Shu' or 'Plum Blossom Divination'!"

Zhao Feng was shocked. Could this person really be a master of divination and magic?

We absolutely cannot let this kind of person go!

We can't let him just leave like that. If this person has such methods, then what will happen in the future...?

"Sir, your calculations are divine! I, Zhao, am truly impressed!"

Zhao Feng suddenly bowed deeply to the earthen wall, his tone almost pleading:

"Since you can predict the child's direction, you can certainly predict the location of the evil spirit!"

"Please, sir, for the sake of the people of this city, guide me! Where... is that beast hiding?"

Inside the wall, Chen Qian remained silent.

After a long while, a soft sigh was heard:

"I have no relation to you two, so this kind of deal that shortens one's lifespan is really difficult for me to do."

To lure someone in at the first sign of trouble, one must feign indifference.

Zhao Feng was a smart man and instantly understood the implied meaning.

Not related by blood or marriage? That means there's no connection between them.

Shortening one's lifespan? That means the price isn't right!

"teacher!"

Without saying a word, Zhao Feng took out a silver note that he had prepared in advance from his pocket, and then took off the jade pendant that represented the identity of the direct descendant of the Zhao family from his waist.

"These fifty taels of silver notes, plus this Zhao family token, are not part of a transaction!"

Zhao Feng held the object high above his head with both hands, his posture extremely respectful even through the wall:

"This is the incense money that Zhao, on behalf of all the people of the city, is offering to you, sir! We only ask that you... point us in a direction!"

"Clatter".

The cloth bag containing silver notes and a jade pendant was cleverly thrown into the wall by Zhao Feng.

Chen Qian picked up the cloth bag and glanced at the denominations.

Fifty taels.

In addition, there was the favor from the Zhao family.

"That's enough."

Chen Qian put away the silver notes, his voice carrying a hint of sorrowful helplessness:

"Since Officer Zhao is so sincere, I will make an exception this time."

He resumed his aloof demeanor, his voice turning cold and menacing:

"Officer Zhao, do you know what attracts demons most in this world?"

Zhao Feng was taken aback, then said, "I understand that demons crave flesh and blood, but so what?"

Chen Qian said calmly: