The yellow candlelight flickered as Qin An adjusted the flame, making it brighter.
He fell into deep thought.
With the crisis unresolved, Qin An was faced with two choices.
One was to upgrade his old profession, the other was to start a new profession.
Smoke appeared before his eyes, forming words.
[Butcher lv.3 (80/400): The livestock you slaughtered is slightly tastier]
[Scholar lv.3 (40/400): Your reading speed is slightly increased]
[Blacksmith lv.3 (0/400): The quality of items you forge is improved]
Due to the recent spree of slaying monsters, the Butcher profession had gained 80 proficiency points.
The Scholar profession gained proficiency from recently studying cultivation techniques.
As for the Blacksmith profession, there had been no change, still at level 3, 0 points.
These three professions were all that Qin An had.
Qin An then picked up the Azure Bird Leap he got from Mr. Zheng, deciding to start a new profession.
The old professions required more proficiency points, with even the closest, the Butcher, needing 320 points.
Meanwhile, a new profession requires only 300 points from level one to three, 20 points less than the Butcher.
Compared to the two, starting a new profession and obtaining a new talent was more cost-effective.
Moreover, with the Azure Bird Leap, Qin An could maximize his strength by starting a profession that matched body technique.
There was not only the pressure from the government office but also the three major monster factions, not to mention Chen Chun, an undercover agent from the Evil Extermination Bureau, lurking on his side.
What Qin An needed to do was to start the new profession as quickly as possible.
After figuring it out, Qin An, as usual, hung up the bell and went to sleep.
The next day, he would go out to find a way to start the new profession.
…
At the government office.
Mr. Wang tightly clenched his wine cup, his face as dark as water.
The constable knelt with his head down, trembling like a sieve, not daring to meet his gaze.
"A living person disappeared, and there are signs of a battle on the wild grasslands, yet you tell me there are no clues?"
Mr. Wang smashed the wine cup onto the constable's face: "And the Butcher actually went home?"
The constable's forehead was bleeding profusely from the hit, but he dared not show it, forcing a flattering smile: "Sir, several constables are searching the wild grasslands, and we've found some clues. We'll find him in a few days at most."
Mr. Wang took a few deep breaths: "Investigate, and also assign people to strictly monitor the Butcher's residence."
The constable hurriedly nodded, not daring to hesitate for a moment.
Mr. Wang picked up the wine cup again, wanting to take a sip, but the usual fine wine tasted bland.
The events of the night were truly peculiar.
With the status he had attained, Mr. Wang knew Mr. Zheng and the Eagle Monster had met with misfortune.
Yet, the Butcher was still alive.
Mr. Wang knew well that the murderer was very likely the Butcher.
But he didn't dare to act rashly.
The longer you live, the more you fear death.
Everything must be handled cautiously.
As the constable was about to leave, he quietly asked, "Sir, should we report this to the County Magistrate?"
Mr. Wang snapped back and coldly laughed: "If you dare to report, your head will roll by the end of the day."
He could never tell the County Magistrate about this.
His status was not only earned by himself but also due to the support from the County Magistrate.
This matter must be kept secret, otherwise, he risked losing his head.
The constable noticed Mr. Wang's cold tone and didn't dare speak further, hurriedly turning to leave the room.
But before he had taken a few steps, a stout leg kicked him in the chest.
The constable spat blood, rolling on the ground a few times, barely breathing.
Mr. Wang stood up abruptly, exuding a chilling aura of killing intent: "Who dares act recklessly in the government office!"
He had nowhere to vent his anger, ready to unleash it on the newcomer.
But upon seeing who it was, all his fury disappeared, leaving a flattering smile on his face.
"Oh, it's Second Master."
The newcomer wore pale yellow silk, his muscles bulging, and a bamboo hat on his head.
Underneath the hat, an eagle's head exuded a primitive aura.
Especially the empty socket where the left eye should have been, adding a touch of fierceness.
Feiyun Gorge's Second Master Eagle, who controlled all of Feiyun Gorge.
Mr. Wang knew well the identity of this individual, aware he was an extremely ruthless monster.
Years ago, Feiyun Gorge had eight Perfect Hidden Qi Realm Eagle Monsters.
But during an internal conflict, Second Master Eagle took half the Eagle Monsters and fought a chaotic battle with First Master Eagle.
Eventually, Second Master replaced First Master.
The price was that Feiyun Gorge was left with only three Perfect Hidden Qi Realm Eagle Monsters.
At this moment, the aura emanating from Second Master Eagle was so chilling even Mr. Wang felt his whole body shiver.
"He broke through!"
Mr. Wang had only one thought.
The other party was no longer in the Hidden Qi Realm but had reached the Body Storage Realm.
Second Master Eagle said coldly: "The constables you sent to search the wild grasslands were useless; I ate them on the way here. No objections, right?"
Mr. Wang quickly forced a smile: "No objections, none at all. For them to be eaten by Second Master is their good fortune."
Second Master Eagle smacked Mr. Wang on the head: "If you weren't somewhat useful, I would have eaten you today."
Mr. Wang was slammed to the ground but dared not resist at all, scrambling to get up hurriedly.
Before he could speak, Second Master Eagle continued: "That Butcher took away the Evil Extermination Bureau's undercover agent."
Mr. Wang froze on the spot, as if carved from wood.
In truth, he had long known about the undercover agent, but he had never spoken of it to others.
The three major monster factions had surrounded Ding County, even with wings, no one could escape.
But now they told him the undercover agent was taken away by the Butcher surnamed Qin?
At this thought, cold sweat dripped down Mr. Wang's forehead.
"Second Master, save me!"
Mr. Wang hugged Second Master Eagle's furry leg, crying out.
If the news got out, not just him, but even the County Magistrate couldn't survive.
Second Master Eagle kicked Mr. Wang away, then stepped onto his chest: "Today, Second Master is here to take the Butcher's life, but there's a condition."
Mr. Wang nodded hurriedly: "Second Master, please speak."
The monster forces surrounding Ding County, no matter how audacious, didn't dare act recklessly in the county town.
It wasn't the county town's power they feared, but the Evil Extermination Bureau.
If things got out of hand and reached the Evil Extermination Bureau in Lingzhou, the three major monster factions might be uprooted.
But an act like Second Master Eagle's, killing a Butcher, Mr. Wang could cover it up.
Killing a Butcher with a Body Storage Realm was a minor task, and the undercover agent would die, yet they would remain safe.
He would agree to not just one condition, but a hundred.
Second Master Eagle spoke slowly: "Old Eight is dead, Feiyun Gorge's power has decreased, placing it at the bottom of the three monsters. From now on, the government office must supply more to Feiyun Gorge."
Mr. Wang immediately understood, nodding rapidly.
After all, it was merely some people's lives at stake; when the time came, scapegoat some monsters as the culprits.
Seeing Mr. Wang agree, Second Master Eagle walked out on his furry legs: "Old Third, let's go."
On the outer wall of the government office, another Eagle Monster, two zhang tall, responded and quietly followed.
Before leaving, Second Master Eagle grabbed the previous constable, eating while walking out the courtyard.
Mr. Wang wiped the sweat from his forehead, sighing in relief.
"Qin An, let's see how you die."