Start with everyday skills and grind your way to immortality.

Thank you.

Chen Qian put the book "Eight Blades of Breaking the Edge" into his pocket, but his gaze seemed to casually sweep across Zhao Feng's brow.

Zhao Feng frowned deeply, a deep-seated resentment lingering between his brows.

Chen Qian understood.

"Brother Zhao, it seems the mice were not easy to catch last night."

Chen Qian spoke calmly, without a trace of sarcasm in his tone, as if it were a casual question between old friends.

Zhao Feng paused, then smiled wryly: "I can't hide it from you, brother. The commotion last night was too great. That thing was extremely ferocious. If it weren't for that precious powder, many of my men would probably have been killed."

"We followed the trail of blood and discovered that it fled in the direction of... the eastern outskirts of the city."

"It is very likely that it is Niushou Village."

Chen Qian tapped his fingertips lightly on the rough wooden table, the rhythm slow and heavy.

"Brother Zhao, my master cast a divination for you yesterday. The trip to Niushou Village is an extremely ominous sign, indicating a 'five deaths and one life' chance."

He raised his eyelids, his gaze calmly fixed on Zhao Feng: "I wonder what Brother Zhao's plans are next?"

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Zhao Feng stood up, his expression serious, and bowed slightly with his hands clasped in greeting.

Seeing this, Zhao Rong immediately stood up and followed suit.

"The county magistrate's death order, the Zhao family's reputation, and the people of this entire city..."

"We humbly request your father's assistance?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Qian frowned almost imperceptibly, a hint of embarrassment appearing on his face.

He slowly put down his teacup and sighed:

"Brother Zhao, it's not that I'm unwilling. It's just that my master is a free spirit, and he dislikes getting involved in worldly affairs. If he hadn't encountered this calamity and urgently needed money, we wouldn't have had this opportunity. Now I'd like to ask him to come out of seclusion again..."

Chen Qian shook his head, his tone helpless:

"It's probably as difficult as climbing to heaven."

Zhao Feng and Zhao Rong exchanged a glance, their disappointment barely concealed.

They knew that it was difficult to find a truly capable person, and they were only hoping for the best.

Although I had expected to be rejected, the heavy feeling still weighed on my heart.

"but……"

Chen Qian then changed the subject:

"Before my master departed, he said that although this journey was perilous, there was still a glimmer of hope. Although he could not personally intervene, perhaps if he could merely offer some guidance..."

Zhao Feng's eyes lit up, as if he had grasped a lifeline:

"Brother, may we ask our master to leave the mountain and accompany the army?"

"Since you have received the true teachings, even if you only acquire three-tenths of your master's abilities, it will be a tremendous help to us! If you can help us break this deadlock, the Zhao family is willing to offer an even greater reward!"

"this……"

Chen Qian looked hesitant, as if he was weighing the pros and cons.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly, his tone carrying a hint of scholarly aloofness and stubbornness:

"Brother Zhao, although I also wish to rid the people of this scourge, I am but a scholar, utterly powerless. Such scenes of fighting and killing are simply not my forte. Moreover..."

He paused, his gaze turning somewhat melancholy:

"Gold and silver are worldly possessions to me, but they are merely external things. I have only one regret."

"Please speak!" Zhao Feng quickly pressed.

"I came from a poor family. Although I loved reading, I was always short of money and could only read a few books. Even after I became a disciple, my foundation was shallow, and I always felt that I was still a step behind in understanding magic."

Chen Qian looked up, his gaze fixed intently on Zhao Feng:

"I've heard that the Zhao family is a prominent clan in Linjiang, and their collection of books must be vast. If Brother Zhao would allow me to visit the Zhao family's library..."

Zhao Feng's heart tightened. The library was a very important place for the family. It not only contained confidential accounts, but also some rare martial arts manuals.

"Don't worry, Brother Zhao."

Seemingly sensing Zhao Feng's concerns, Chen Qian quickly waved his hand and explained:

"I have no interest in those martial arts manuals or family secrets. I only want to read the miscellaneous writings, travelogues, or Taoist scriptures left by my predecessors to broaden my horizons and verify what I have learned."

"For a scholar, all he seeks is a clear understanding of his own thoughts."

Zhao Feng stared intently into Chen Qian's eyes.

Those eyes were crystal clear, filled only with a thirst for knowledge, without a trace of greed.

A bookworm obsessed with reading?

Zhao Feng weighed the options in his mind.

Miscellaneous books and travelogues are nothing more than idle books used to prop up the corner of a table in the eyes of martial arts families, and are of no value whatsoever.

If it's really just to see these things, then why not let him in?

Moreover, compared to what's in Niushou Village, this price is negligible.

"good!"

Zhao Feng slammed his hand on the table and replied heartily:

"Mr. Chen, your noble character is truly admirable! If you would be so kind as to lend me a hand, the doors of the Zhao family library will be open to you at any time! Even if you wish to stay there for three days and three nights, I would have no objection!"

"Is it a deal?" A hint of joy flashed in Chen Qian's eyes.

"It's a deal!"

Chen Qian then stood up, straightened his robes, and looked reluctant.

"In that case, I will gladly accompany you on this journey."

"However, let me make this clear from the start: I'm only responsible for assessing the feng shui and determining good or bad fortune. If I encounter any danger, Brother Zhao, you must protect me."

"Of course!" Zhao Feng was overjoyed.

"Let's return to the manor now and examine it!"

The Zhao residence is located in the most prosperous area in the east of the city.

The vermilion gate stood majestically, flanked by two imposing stone lions, and guarded by four armed men.

"Mr. Chen, please!"

Zhao Rong led the way, his attitude almost excessively respectful.

After passing through winding corridors and around artificial hills and streams, the two arrived at a secluded courtyard.

"This is Tingyu Pavilion, which is usually reserved for distinguished guests. Please make do with resting here for a while."

Zhao Rong pushed open the door. The room was elegantly furnished, with sandalwood tables and chairs emitting a faint fragrance, and several pieces of porcelain that looked expensive were displayed on the antique shelf.

Chen Qian glanced at it briefly before looking away.

"Thank you for your trouble, Second Young Master Zhao."

He walked to the desk, his tone indifferent:

"But I wonder about those books..."

"Don't worry, sir! It's coming right away!"

Zhao Rong clapped his hands and called out towards the door:

"Move everything in!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of servants filed in.

Everyone was carrying a thick stack of books, some even using bamboo baskets to carry them.

"Tales of Linjiang", "Travels in Nanshan", "Ancient Yuezhou Chronicles", "Fragments of the Daoist Canon"...

All sorts of books instantly filled the entire desk, and there wasn't even enough room on the floor.

"This is only a portion of the miscellaneous books on the first floor of the library."

Zhao Rong wiped the sweat from his forehead and said with a forced smile:

"My elder brother said that since you enjoy watching, sir, you can watch as much as you want at once. If you finish watching these, there will be a second layer, a third layer..."

Chen Qian looked at the mountain of books in front of him, a barely perceptible fervor flashing in his eyes.

This is not a book.

This is clearly a massive amount of experience points!

Thank you.

Chen Qian casually picked up a copy of "Tales of Linjiang" and opened it to the first page.

[Literacy and Character Interpretation Experience Points +1]

A familiar feeling welled up in my heart.

"Then I won't disturb your enjoyment any longer, sir."

Seeing that Chen Qian was engrossed in his book, Zhao Rong tactfully led his servants out and closed the door behind them.

Inside the room, only the rustling sound of turning pages could be heard.

Chen Qian did not eat slowly and deliberately like an ordinary scholar.

He flipped through the book extremely quickly, almost reading ten lines at a glance.

Extensive knowledge and strong memory are activated.

The words, pictures, and even annotations on the pages of the book flowed into his mind like a stream, and were quickly categorized, organized, and stored.

"The Demon Suppression Division has thirty-six branch offices, and Linjiang was once one of them."

"There was once a sound of crying at midnight from the ancient well in the west of the city. A brave person went to investigate and found a woman's corpse in red at the bottom of the well. Her face was lifelike, and inside her belly... there was something wriggling."

……

at the same time.

The front hall of the Zhao residence.

Zhao Feng was sitting in a grand chair.

"Big brother, everything is arranged."

Zhao Rong walked in and whispered:

"That idiot can't walk away once he sees a book, he doesn't even bother to eat."

"Um."

Zhao Feng nodded slightly.

Zhao Rong hesitated for a moment, then asked:

"Brother, are we really going to take him to Niushou Village?"

Zhao Feng's eyes were deep and mysterious:

"If he's truly capable, he'll be a help to us. If he's just a pretty face..."

"It would also be good to test whether the person behind him really exists, and whether they would come to his rescue."

"It's just a matter of having more mouths to feed. This deal is entirely beneficial."

"I'm determined to get that thing!"

Then, looking at Zhao Rong, who had been standing at the lower end, he asked in a deep voice:

"What's the situation with those other companies?"