The oil lamp dimly lit the title of the book.
This is a cultivation technique, similar to the Wind-breaking Saber Skill.
Chen Chun rubbed his little mustache with his index finger: "The Heart Method belongs to the Evil Extermination Bureau. Giving it to you might harm you. This book is commonplace in Lingzhou. Consider it a gesture of goodwill, and I will greatly reward you afterward."
Qin An weighed the book in his hands: "Cultivation techniques are as precious as treasures; how can they be found everywhere?"
Though cultivation techniques are a part of martial arts, they are crucial during combat and can reverse the situation.
Now that Chen Chun says it's commonplace, Qin An senses some hidden trickery.
Chen Chun shook his head: "The Mountain-Picking Fist has its restrictions, you'll know when you read it. The force that originally created the Mountain-Picking Fist also declined due to these restrictions, and now it's virtually extinct. But if you practice casually, you'll gain some improvement."
Qin An pondered for a moment but did not open it to take a look.
Chen Chun said no more and turned to leave the room.
This journey is dangerous, but as an undercover agent, he has no choice but to do this.
After Chen Chun's figure disappeared into the distance, Qin An closed the door and opened the Mountain-Picking Fist.
By the light of the oil lamp and the advantage of his scholar's occupation, it only took Qin An the time of one incense stick to memorize the entire Mountain-Picking Fist.
After reading it, Qin An had only one thought.
Nonsense.
The so-called limitation of the Mountain-Picking Fist requires enduring through it.
By continuously honing one's qi and blood, it eventually transforms into power hidden in the fists.
The stronger the power, the more unparalleled the Mountain-Picking Fist becomes.
But it also takes longer time.
Thirty years of arduous training in Mountain-Picking Fist grants a force of a thousand pounds, with few enemies in the same realm.
Thirty years of training in other cultivation techniques can directly break into the next realm, in turn easily defeating those practicing the Mountain-Picking Fist.
Practicing the Mountain-Picking Fist is just about enduring the hardship.
"Forget it for now."
Following his usual habit, Qin An noted down the Mountain-Picking Fist and then placed it in the brazier.
Not until the Mountain-Picking Fist burnt to ashes did he lie on the bed, pondering the next profession to unlock.
...
The Yamen.
Mr. Wang cautiously served a cup of hot tea beside an old man.
The old man had a head full of white hair, a face full of wrinkles, and wore a black eyepatch over his left eye.
When Mr. Wang served the hot tea, the old man snorted coldly, almost causing Mr. Wang to spill the tea.
"Mr. Liou, give me some time, I will definitely find your sect's disciple," Mr. Wang said, bowing his head.
Mr. Liou looked down at Mr. Wang: "It's of no consequence if someone dies in the martial world. The main issue is that he carried our sect's Heart Method. You should know the importance of a Heart Method."
Mr. Wang nodded quickly: "Rest assured, rest assured, Mr. Zheng, start now by investigating the disappearance of River Saber Sect disciple."
Mr. Zheng hesitated: "But what about the pig demon?"
Mr. Wang slammed down the teacup and said angrily: "Don't you understand? Don't you know which is more important? River Saber Sect is our people; handle the River Saber Sect's matters first."
Mr. Zheng lowered his head and said: "I obey, sir."
Mr. Wang turned to Mr. Liou, fawning: "Don't worry, sect leader, I will certainly give you an answer, and we'll also recover the lost Heart Method."
Mr. Liou laughed coldly, flicked his sleeve, and got up: "In that case, this sect leader will leave first. Remember, this sect leader wants it resolved quickly, or I'll speak to your County Magistrate."
The sound of the door slamming echoed as Mr. Liou strode away.
Mr. Wang spat: "You dog relying on the power of others, if it weren't for your daughter marrying into Lingzhou's power, would you dare to be so arrogant in front of me?"
Mr. Zheng caught Mr. Wang's expression in his eyes and dared not speak a word.
Mr. Liou's audacity is entirely due to his daughter marrying into Lingzhou's power.
Though just a concubine, she is someone beyond reach for Ding County.
Knowing Mr. Wang's previous anger was just for Mr. Liou to see, and now that Mr. Liou was gone, he quietly asked.
"Sir, what about the pig demon matter?"
Mr. Wang snapped back, clenched his fists tightly: "That group of hawks in Feiyun Gorge promised to help but never got involved, waiting for my tribute. But quite a few people died recently; if more die, it might be hard to wrap up."
Mr. Zheng hesitated: "Should we go to war with the pig demon? With over five hundred yamen men, we won't lose."
Mr. Wang slapped Mr. Zheng across the face: "Don't say that again."
Mr. Zheng only felt dizzy and quickly clasped his fists in silence.
He deeply understood Mr. Wang's toughness and dared not speak again.
Mr. Wang sneered: "The over five hundred people are Ding County's assets, how can they be lost? The County Magistrate relies on these assets to amass more wealth. If they're gone, and the magistrate blames, can you bear the consequences? Besides, you've also taken benefits, are you willing to stop taking them?"
"Don't forget, last night when you were with that widow, it was thanks to the cover of the brothers under you. Now you want to send them to their deaths?"
Mr. Zheng sweated coldly down his back: "I certainly don't want to."
Remembering the pleasures with the widow last night, Mr. Zheng felt an inexplicable sense of comfort despite the cold sweat down his back.
Mr. Wang took a deep breath, his eyes gradually turning gloomy: "The pig demons also know there are eagle demons around; they just want a response."
"Tell them they can eat freely in Golden Chicken Village, and that butcher Qin An, he carries the scent of pig demon Blood Crystal."
"Inform them of Qin An's location, then turn a blind eye as they enter the city."
Mr. Zheng, hearing this, flattered: "Sir, that's brilliant."
Mr. Wang snorted coldly and said no more.
Mr. Zheng couldn't help but recall the scene when he saw Qin An last night, shaking his head regretfully.
One more commoner would die.
Death is good.
Death allows him to gain more.
Too bad that widow threw herself down the well last night, otherwise, he would have continued enjoying tonight.
...
The next day.
Qin An opened his eyes and returned to normal from a cross-legged position.
He woke up early today and tried practicing the Cold Source Heart Skill when he had nothing to do.
Now he's already perfected in Qi Concealment, but wants to see if he can break through the shackles.
Last night, Chen Chun left too quickly, and Qin An didn't even have time to ask about the next realm.
Regrettably, Qin An operated the Cold Source Heart Skill several times but still gained nothing.
"This Heart Method is only for Qi Storage Realm. If I want to break through, I need a higher-level one."
Qin An quickly understood the reason.
But the difficulty also arose.
Qi Storage Realm Heart Methods were obtained by chance, and higher-level ones are even harder to obtain.
Heart Methods and Cultivation Techniques are precious treasures, and acquiring them is as difficult as ascending to heaven.
Having gained nothing, Qin An decided not to sit indoors.
Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.
Sitting in solitude produces no results; he intended to go out and see if he could find inspiration for a new profession.
...
Outside the street, the noise was rising.
People were busy with their livelihoods, shouting everywhere.
Qin An wandered through the streets, occasionally stopping at a stall, only to shake his head and leave shortly after.
After the time of one incense stick, a commotion ahead attracted Qin An's attention.
"This is an old blacksmith shop; how can this little silver be enough to take over?"