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"Shall we talk in private?"

Looking at the young master from a prominent family in front of him, who was slightly hunched over and whose face was full of awe, Chen Qian couldn't help but feel a sense of absurdity.

One moment he was stern and stern, the next he was respectful as if he were addressing a teacher or elder.

The change of expression was so swift, and the shift in demeanor so fluid.

"He has mastered the art of assessing situations and knowing when to yield and when to stand firm."

His gaze lowered slightly, and the scales in his heart swayed silently.

Even if the effect of that single finger striking the horse was impressive enough, given the person's status, was he truly unsophisticated?

As for having such reverence for himself, a "beggar" covered in mud?

[Experience in reading between the lines +1]

The sensory feedback was clear, with extreme urgency, awe of the unknown power, and ecstatic joy as if grasping at the last straw.

There was no lying, nor was there any malice.

"It seems he was driven to desperation, and that finger strike really shocked him."

Only after confirming that the other party had no ill intentions and planned to lure him into the alley to kill him did Chen Qian nod slightly.

He concealed the thoughts in his eyes, resumed his calm and indifferent demeanor, and turned to walk towards a secluded corner deep in the alley.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Rong was overjoyed and quickly waved for the two peeking attendants to get lost, then hurried after them.

"Sir, your methods are terrifying. I was just being reckless and ignorant, and I apologize for any offense I may have caused!"

As soon as he stood still, Zhao Rong began to apologize profusely.

As he spoke, he quickly pulled a brocade pouch from his bosom and presented it with both hands, saying, "Thirty taels of common goods are nothing to mention. Consider them merely to calm your nerves and soothe your throat. I have no other intentions!"

Thirty taels!

Chen Qian's eyelid twitched almost imperceptibly.

This money is enough for my brother to work for a year and a half without eating or drinking, enough for Xiaoyu to buy a lifetime of fancy clothes, enough to fill up that broken jar at home and eat rice every day!

But of course, this emotion cannot be shown.

But he even frowned, seemingly quite impatient with this vulgar act of handing over money.

"No need," he said calmly, pushing the brocade pouch back. "I didn't come for that."

Zhao Rong's heart skipped a beat, and he cursed himself for once again judging people by their wealth.

He reacted quickly, his face plastered with even more sincere apology: "Please forgive me, sir! I misunderstood again. Such a treasure cannot be measured by gold or silver. It's just that I'm extremely anxious."

His tone shifted, tinged with worry, "My brother will soon be venturing into a place of malevolent spirits, and ordinary exorcising incense may not be enough. Could you perhaps provide a tiny bit so I can take it back and test it? If it truly has miraculous effects, my Zhao family of Linjiang will surely reward you handsomely!"

Chen Qian looked at him silently for a moment before slowly asking, "How does that Yin Sha place compare to the 'thing' in Black Mountain at night?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Rong's expression changed, and he waved his hands repeatedly, his tone tinged with fear: "Sir, you flatter me! The place my brother went to was merely some long-standing filth and wandering spirits; how could it be compared to the true demons of the Black Mountain at night!"

His breathing quickened, and his gaze toward Chen Qian was filled with even more horror.

The "extremely yin and ominous place" that this expert casually mentioned was actually the Black Mountain, where no living beings would appear after nightfall!

Ordinary people might just think it's a dangerous place, but as a member of the Zhao family, he vaguely knows some of the inside story. In the Black Mountain at night, some things really do come out.

If even a whisper of this news were to leak out, not only Linjiang County, but also any surrounding forces that are interested in this matter would be thrown into turmoil.

[Experience in reading between the lines +1]

Chen Qian took in the fear on his face and gained a clearer understanding of the value of the powder and the level of the "dangerous place" that the Zhao family sought.

"If that's the case..."

He stopped refusing and took the brocade pouch. The heavy weight of thirty taels gave him a sense of security.

His face remained calm and expressionless as he casually placed the cloth bag containing ashes into his bosom.

"This is the only copy; it is sufficient for verification."

Chen Qian's tone remained calm. "If there is a capable person, we can talk again later. At that time, what I seek may not be material possessions."

As he spoke, he carefully scraped off a pinch of ash, about the size of a grain of rice, from the cloth bag in his bosom and poured it onto the silk handkerchief that Zhao Rong hurriedly handed over.

Chen Qian also had some thoughts on the matter.

Although he knew that the powder must have the effect of exorcising evil spirits, he had not verified the exact dosage required to be effective or how to use it.

If the Zhao family had a knowledgeable and capable person, they would naturally be able to see the secret.

If not, that's fine too.

Anyway, with his current disheveled appearance, covered in mud and dirt, and his deliberately low, messy hair, he had already obscured seven or eight parts of his original features.

As long as one is careful afterward and avoids being followed, no one will be able to connect the "wise gentleman" of today with the sickly scholar of the past.

Even if this deal is only done once, the thirty taels of silver that he received is a windfall, enough to solve the family's immediate crisis. No matter how you look at it, it's a win-win situation.

Zhao Rong was overjoyed. With trembling hands, she carefully folded the silk handkerchief and hid it close to her body.

He then asked earnestly, "Sir, if the verification is correct, how should I find you? Could you please tell me your address or surname? I will certainly prepare all the proper etiquette and make a special trip to visit you and seek your guidance."

"No need," Chen Qian interrupted directly, his voice revealing a distant coldness.

He then said, "I'm used to a leisurely life and don't like to be disturbed. You don't need to know who I am or where I live."

He slightly raised his eyes, his gaze calm yet carrying an invisible pressure: "Knowing too much is not necessarily a blessing. Young Master Zhao is a sensible man and should know his limits."

Zhao Rong felt a chill run down his spine after being swept over by that gaze, and nodded repeatedly, "Understood! Understood! I won't say another word!"

He only thought of Chen Qian as the kind of ruthless person who could come and go in the Black Mountain, and he dared not provoke him.

"Sir, if this works, the Zhao family will likely have to shamelessly beg for your help again in the future. Could you perhaps provide a convenient method? That way, I'll know where to go from here."

After a moment's thought, Chen Qian gave a discreet way to contact them: "Three days from now, around noon, send someone to place a pot of Biluochun tea on the innermost table of the 'Old Locust Tea Stall' in the west of the city. If I see it, I will contact your people."

"Okay! It's a deal!"

Zhao Rong memorized it carefully and dared not be negligent in the slightest.

Chen Qian nodded slightly and turned to leave.

However, the moment he took his first step, his foot suddenly stopped.

He didn't turn around, but simply turned his back to Zhao Rong, tilted his head slightly, and twitched his left ear.

[Auditory recognition experience points +1]

Against this noisy backdrop, a very short, sharp sound, like the distinctive rustling of a blade being drawn from its sheath, and a sudden, heavy step taken as someone held their breath, were clearly separated from him by his taut senses, like a drop of water falling into oil.

If he hadn't kept a watchful eye on his back and pushed his beginner-level [Hearing Recognition] to its limit, it would have been extremely difficult for him to detect this hidden hostility in such chaotic streets with just that level of skill.

Chen Qian's lips curled into a cold smile, his voice calm yet booming like thunder in Zhao Rong's ears:

"Young Master Zhao."

"Tell that guy at the alley to your left to put away his knife."

"Take your steps more steadily."

"The murderous aura is too strong; it annoys me."

Before Zhao Rong could react, Chen Qian activated his footwork technique, his steps suddenly becoming erratic and unpredictable, using the shadows of the alley walls and debris for cover.

With a few quick movements, he completely blended into the complex streetscape and disappeared.

Zhao Rong stood there, stunned.

Left side? Sheathing the sword?

He suddenly turned around and looked at the alley entrance, which was about three or four zhang away.

The attendant he had ordered to guard the alley entrance was now nervously peeking around, his steel knife, which he was holding, had indeed been slightly drawn and was about to move quietly in this direction, seemingly worried that his young master might be at a disadvantage.

"this!"

Zhao Rong felt a chill rise from his tailbone and instantly spread across his entire back.

This place is a good three or four zhang away from the alley entrance!

Moreover, the situation was tense just now, and the surrounding area was a bustling city with an extremely noisy environment.

Standing here, I couldn't even see the attendant's face clearly, let alone hear any noise.

But that gentleman, with his back to the alley entrance, could clearly hear even the slightest scraping sound of his attendant drawing his sword from its sheath, even from such a distance.

Even the way he drew his sword was perfect!

But that gentleman had his back to that side the whole time!

His father was already one of the top experts in Linjiang City, with such keen hearing that he could distinguish the splashing of water droplets in a quiet room.

But if placed on this noisy long street, separated by a wall of three or four zhang, how could one so clearly capture a deliberately suppressed intention to draw a sword?

Zhao Rong couldn't even imagine what level of martial arts cultivation that would require.

"Perceptive and insightful."

This cannot be simply summarized by the phrase "extraordinary hearing".

Zhao Rong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and the last thought in his mind of sending someone to secretly follow him completely vanished.

He originally thought this person might have some tricks up his sleeve, but with the help of his family's power, none of that mattered.

Now it seems that this is clearly a highly skilled master with profound cultivation and supernatural abilities, even surpassing his father!

Could it be some old monster who uses Yin-Yang secret techniques to maintain his youthful appearance?

Luckily, they didn't resort to violence, otherwise, with my hundred-odd pounds of flesh, I probably wouldn't even be enough for someone to crush with a single finger!

"Young master, are you alright?" The attendant, seeing Chen Qian leave, sheathed his sword and ran over. "That beggar didn't do anything to you, did he? Should I take some men to arrest him...?"

Snapped!

A resounding slap landed directly on the attendant's face.

"Grab your mother's head!"

Zhao Rong roared furiously, "Who told you to draw your sword? Who told you to move around like that? You almost killed me, do you know that?!"

The attendant covered his face, looking aggrieved and bewildered.

Zhao Rong had no time to pay attention to him. He pressed the packet of powder on his chest tightly, staring in the direction where Chen Qian had disappeared. The awe in his eyes was etched into his very bones.

"This is Linjiang County."

"When did such an unfathomable and ruthless person emerge?"