The next day.
The sunlight was just right, shining through the window, and the birds were the first to break the clamor.
After getting up, Qin An stayed focused and continued practicing his dance proficiency.
Yesterday he had already unlocked the dancer profession, but Ding County wasn't safe, so to ensure sufficient energy, Qin An didn't stay up late.
Judging from Mr. Wang's facial expression after seeing him, the next few days should be calm.
Outside the door, footsteps could be heard, and Chen Chun had already gotten up.
After several days of recuperation, Chen Chun's injuries had recovered about seventy to eighty percent, but he dared not disturb Qin An.
It wasn't until the streets gradually became noisy that Chen Chun saw Qin An open the door and walk out.
"Let's eat first." Qin An, with a dagger hanging from his waist, said briefly.
By late morning, his dance proficiency had increased by twenty points, not far from level two.
Before the troops move, supplies must be prepared first; Qin An planned to eat before anything else.
Chen Chun was also a bit hungry and followed Qin An out the door together.
After eating, Qin An returned to the house, closing the door to continue practicing his dance proficiency.
Though Chen Chun didn't know what Qin An was doing, he remembered Qin An's words about not disturbing him and refrained from entering abruptly.
His injuries were still short of a full recovery, so Chen Chun sat cross-legged in the main room, operating the Flame Heart Skill.
...
Time passed, the external clamor gradually submerged, and darkness began to spread.
When night fell, Chen Chun, who was sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes and glanced at the door.
A slight noise came from the door, as a sallow young girl leaned against the door frame, timidly looking at Chen Chun.
Chen Chun paused slightly, recognizing the girl; she was the dancer Qin An had encountered not long ago.
Because of Qin An, the girl escaped Mr. Wang's clutches and even helped her companions get a large sum of money.
Chen Chun frowned and said, "Why are you here?"
He couldn't comprehend why the girl came here.
Given the unstable situation, her sudden arrival must mean something unusual.
Everything required caution.
The girl shrank her head slightly, avoiding eye contact with Chen Chun, and looked down at her toes: "Where is the gentleman? I have something to say."
Chen Chun furrowed his brows deeper, realizing that the girl was here for Qin An. After a moment's thought, he prepared to inform Qin An.
Unexpectedly, the door suddenly opened, and Qin An came out, looking calmly at the girl.
"Come in and speak."
The sky was turning dark, and the girl had come alone; Qin An didn't know the reason.
But from the girl's demeanor, it seemed serious.
The girl was still shrinking but cautiously walked into the room, afraid to meet Qin An's eyes.
Qin An said slowly, "I'm not a man-eating tiger; raise your head."
Startled, the girl quickly raised her head, her limbs trembling uncontrollably.
She had personally seen Mr. Wang flee.
The usually arrogant Mr. Wang ran at the sight of this gentleman, proving that he was even more terrifying.
Though just a commoner, the girl clearly understood that she couldn't offend this gentleman.
Seeing the girl's fearful appearance, Qin An tapped his fingers on the table and said, "Speak."
Fear had accumulated over a long period, especially in Ding County, and couldn't be solved in a day.
Since it couldn't be solved, it was better to discuss some serious matters.
The girl twisted her hands together and murmured, "I saw Mr. Wang leaving the city last night, knowing there's friction between you and Mr. Wang. I thought it over and decided to come and tell you."
She thought about it for a long time and finally decided to come to inform Qin An about her sightings from last night.
Not for any other reason but hoping Qin An would stand up for them.
Qin An frowned and asked, "Which direction did he go?"
Leaving the city at this time meant something clear.
He didn't think Mr. Wang was running away.
Mr. Wang had been operating here for years, and if he fled now, that would be laughable.
The girl quietly replied, "To the north."
Chen Chun stood up: "Not good."
He had just spoken when he felt Qin An's gaze sweep over, calming his mood and sitting back down.
Qin An said, "Understood. Now that it's late, you should head back."
The girl softly acknowledged, gave Qin An another glance, as if wanting to remember him, and then left.
After the girl left, Qin An looked toward Chen Chun and said, "She's just a normal citizen; don't somehow involve her."
Chen Chun smiled awkwardly.
He understood Qin An's meaning; the girl was here because of Qin An, and he had been too hasty, almost blurting it out.
If the girl heard something, it wouldn't be good for her.
Qin An asked, "What's to the north?"
Chen Chun quickly replied, "To the north there's a faction called the River Saber Sect, which has traditionally been connected with the authorities. I suspect Mr. Wang went to the River Saber Sect for reinforcements."
Qin An rubbed his chin: "River Saber Sect, interesting."
The first Heart Method he received came from River Saber Sect's Cold Source Heart Skill, allowing him to step into the cultivator threshold.
At that time, Zhao Jinsheng harbored greed, but was unexpectedly killed by Qin An, now buried underground.
"How long does it take to get from the authorities to River Saber Sect?" Qin An tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
Chen Chun instinctively replied, "If he set out last night, the night road is challenging; it would take a day. He should be on the way back tonight."
Just as he finished speaking, Chen Chun realized something was off and looked sharply at Qin An.
"Are you planning…"
Qin An stroked the dagger, got up, and said, "Let's depart; today is suitable for killing."
The authorities were full of hidden dangers, and Mr. Wang was a major problem, hard to deal with within the city.
Since he left the city, today was Qin An's chance to act.
Should he die outside, it was unrelated to him, merely bad luck.
Chen Chun hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and followed Qin An out the door.
...
Deep night, no moon.
Qingquan River and the authorities were less than ten miles apart.
Mr. Wang was dressed in black, hurrying toward the county town in the moonlight.
He had arrived at River Saber Sect in the morning, explaining Qin An's matters to them in detail.
He had always treated River Saber Sect with the utmost respect. Recently, with some disciples going missing, although unresolved, he'd been contributing enough.
Half of the money he'd recently collected went into the hands of the River Saber Sect, temporarily appeasing Mr. Liou.
He had nowhere to turn and went to River Saber Sect alone seeking help.
For this journey, he put all his family assets on the line, just seeking assistance.
Regarding the missing disciples, he repeatedly assured that they would be found.
Upon hearing this, Mr. Liou—perhaps swayed by the money—told him to return to the authorities, promising soon to confront Qin An.
Feeling reassured, Mr. Wang eased his heart slightly and hurriedly returned home by night road.
Up ahead, Qingquan River's outline faintly appeared, with the sound of flowing river water echoing.
Crossing this river, he wouldn't be far from Ding County.
Nearby was a wooden bridge, and Mr. Wang prepared to step onto it for a swift crossing.
"Qin An, your death is impending in a few days."
As he walked, Mr. Wang thought to himself.
Mr. Liou was a master at the Body Storage Realm for a long time, unlike Eagle Master, killing Qin An was as easy as flipping his hand.
He felt his good days were approaching.
Just then, a splash suddenly rose from the river, revealing a glint of cold light.