Chapter 10

Dragging Xu Lao San outward, outside the Lin Manor, the Lin Family Head and others who had fallen into the pond had already been hauled up by the constables.

Shen Qing casually threw the Xu Lao San in his hand to the scholar.

Then he summoned a constable from his side.

"Are you a local? Do you know where Niu Jiao Shan is?"

The constable, seeing Xu Lao San's miserable state, felt his legs go weak and collapsed onto the ground, unable to speak.

Shen Qing glanced at him, grabbed the constable's arm, lifted him up, and set him beside a wooden post, patting the dust off his clothes.

"What are you afraid of? It's not you who committed the crime."

The constable froze for a moment, then said, "Right, it's not me who committed the crime—what do I have to fear?"

"Reporting, Sir, Niu Jiao Shan lies directly south of Ping'an Town, about ten or so li away, easy to recognize—it looks like a pair of ox horns."

Shen Qing nodded and patted the constable on the shoulder.

The constable's eyes instantly reddened, "Aren't the Embroidered Uniform Guard supposed to kill without blinking?"

"But looking at him now, this battalion commander is not only handsome, he's also a good person."

Shen Qing turned his gaze to the scholar beside him.

"Has Black Dog sent word yet?"

"There are two suspects in total: Xu Lao San and Lu Heizhang."

"Since Xu Lao San's strength is unknown, Shen Qing personally apprehends him; Lu Heizhang is at the ninth level of the Tempered Body Realm, while Black Dog Old Li leads six Embroidered Uniform Guard and a dozen or so constables to surround and suppress him."

Hearing Xu Lao San's miserable cries, the scholar, even though he was an Embroidered Uniform Guard, sucked in a breath of cold air.

"Reporting to the boss, Black Dog's message: Lu Heizhang offered no resistance and has already been captured."

Shen Qing waved his hand: "Set off the fireworks, assemble, and let them release Lu Heizhang."

The scholar's eyes narrowed; he directly drew a crossbow bolt from his waist and shot a red firework into the sky.

Only then did he look toward Shen Qing.

"Sir, what are we to do upon assembling?"

"Exterminate Niu Jiao Shan and chop off the heads of Xu Lao San and his accomplices."

"Everyone says the Embroidered Uniform Guard lives with their heads tucked in their waistbands."

"That's indeed true; the Embroidered Uniform Guard inevitably incurs grudges when they kill, and it's not uncommon for enemies to come seeking revenge."

"However, avoiding these is not without a method."

"Then we simply find the enemy first and pin his head to our own waistband."

Shen Qing snorted and walked toward a corner.

Suddenly, a sound rang in his ears.

【A new day has arrived; congratulations, you have gained one opportunity to upgrade a trait.】

Shen Qing glanced at the moon, obscured by dark clouds in the sky, and wondered if it was already past midnight.

【Current cultivation: Acquired Realm, second level.】

【Current technique: Overbearing Meridian-Passing Manual.】

【Current martial arts: Wind-Kneading Blade Technique (complete), Carefree Step (complete).】

【Current traits】

【Mental Penetration (red), Innate Blade Immortal (red), Drunkard (green), Fan Wielder (green), Exceptional Physique (green).】

【Current trait upgrade opportunities: 4】

After four days, he had accumulated four trait upgrade opportunities again, allowing him to upgrade a green trait to red.

Shen Qing could also upgrade once per day if he wished.

He enjoyed the thrill of watching a trait grow from weak to strong, but...

Shen Qing preferred another feeling.

That is.

All in!

Come on! Exceptional Physique! Give me an all-in!

Consuming four trait upgrade opportunities.

Exceptional Physique (green) upgrades to Bronze Skin, Iron Bones (blue), then to Innate Divine Strength (purple), then to Dragon Sinews, Tiger Bones (gold), and finally to Indestructible Divine Body (red).

Indestructible Divine Body (red): bodily strength reaches its ultimate limit, and control over the muscles peaks.

Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes, casually picked up a stone beside him, held it in his palm, exerted a slight force—without even using internal energy—and the stone crumbled into powder.

Indestructible Divine Body?

Quite excellent; as a transmigrated ambitious youth, he naturally ought to develop morality, intellect, physique, aesthetics, and labor in an all‑round way.

If a transmigrator had weaknesses, would he still be called a transmigrator?

He gathered his thoughts, lifted his head, and saw Black Dog and the others stride into the Lin family gate.

They stood straight, all gazing at Shen Qing, waiting for his orders.

Shen Qing rose, grabbed the chain in one hand, and dragged Xu Lao San toward the outer gate.

Suddenly, a plump middle‑aged man came running toward Shen Qing.

"Sir Shen, Sir Shen, please wait."

Shen Qing tilted his head and looked at him.

This plump middle‑aged man is the head of the Lin family—the one Xu Lao San beat into the pond—who has now awakened.

"Thank you so much this time, Sir Shen; if it weren't for you, my daughter would have been done for."

Saying this, he produced three hundred‑tael silver notes from his bosom.

"My Lin family isn't some big clan, these three hundred taels..."

Upon saying this, all eyes gave a "xu" sound and looked uniformly toward the Lin family head, whether Embroidered Uniform Guard or yamen runners.

Noticing the gazes of the people around, the Lin family head's voice grew softer and softer.

Shen Qing couldn't hold back either: "Are you bribing the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Bribing the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Or doing it openly—is this really something a person could think of?

However, the Lin family head, as a merchant, is quick-witted; I saw him pat his own head, then kick Xu Lao San.

"Really, Sir Shen, you see my cultivation is still too weak; I was injured by this Xu Lao San, and I misspoke."

"These three hundred taels fell from him when this Xu Lao San barged in just now; they're likely stolen goods."

Shen Qing snorted: "Scholar, confiscate the contraband."

At this moment, Xu Lao San on the ground couldn't hold back; after being abused, he was about to splash dirty water and then speak in his defense.

Indeed, the scholar—quick-eyed and fast-footed—stepped directly onto Xu Lao San's mouth with one foot.

Shen Qing waved his hand: "Let's go! Exterminate Niu Jiao Shan!"

Yes!

All the Embroidered Uniform Guard shouted loudly and followed out the gate.

The yamen runners and the Lin family members all walked out the door to see Shen Qing off.

Only after Shen Qing and his party disappeared at the end of the street did the constable chief look toward the Lin family head.

"Old Lin, I'm not saying this to blame you, but what the hell are you thinking? Handing over a banknote to the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Just that speech of yours earlier is enough to land all of us in jail."

The Lin family head also felt some regret: "Don't say it; I really was injured by Xu Lao San—he kicked me, my head hit a stone, and then I soaked in the pond for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, leaving even you muddled-headed."

Lin Yunyun stepped forward then: "Constable uncle, what position did that official just hold?"

The Lin family and the constable's family are old family friends, relations are good, and the constable also regards Lin Yunyun as his own daughter.

The constable fondly rubbed Lin Yunyun's head.

"You're talking about Sir Shen? He's an extraordinarily fierce person; I also chatted a few words with him just now when the Embroidered Uniform Guard and I were capturing Lu Heizhang, and I tell you, you'd better not gossip recklessly."

Upon hearing there was gossip to be had, everyone in the courtyard, whether injured or disabled, pricked up their ears.

"This Sir Shen is the battalion commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in Bai Yun County."

"Just five days ago, Sir Shen in a single day destroyed the Sishui Gang and the Huang family, also smashed the original Bai Yun County battalion commander, and additionally ferreted out a stronghold of the White Dragon Sect."

At this moment, the constable finally looked at the Lin family head with a look of lingering fear.

"So you just handed over a banknote to such a fierce person—I nearly pissed myself, you know?"

The Lin family head wiped the cold sweat from his forehead; he too has seen the world, he's heard of the Huang family and the Sishui Gang—any one of them is stronger than his Lin family, let alone the battalion commander and the White Dragon Sect, which he dare not even imagine.

"I never expected Sir Shen to be this ruthless."

Lin Yunyun recalled the scene of Shen Qing descending from the heavens to save her just then, and she spoke with a smile.

"I think Sir Shen is pretty good; those he wiped out certainly deserved it! Sir Shen's actions must be right!"

At that moment, a weak voice came from nearby—it was the yaman runner whom Shen Qing had asked for directions.

"I also think Sir Shen is pretty good."