Chapter 5

Half an hour later, the intense pain finally subsided.

"Phew..."

Qin Shaoyou opened his mouth and exhaled a long-held breath.

No matter how much pain he endured, he clenched his teeth and remained silent, fearing that opening his mouth would release the refined blood qi, causing his cultivation to fail.

After resting for a moment, Qin Shaoyou, feeling better, jumped off the bed and began to examine the changes in his body.

His strength had significantly increased, but the most significant change was in his body's defense.

The tendons and muscles, refined with blood qi, had become as hard as iron, and the bones were filled with flowing blood qi, filling the gaps.

It was as if he was wearing a layer of invisible, impenetrable armor, better protecting his body and internal organs.

Now, Qin Shaoyou's tendons and muscles were like a bell, and his muscles like iron armor.

This was the so-called Golden Bell Cover and Iron Shirt, a symbol of a martial artist entering the Eighth Rank Tendon and Bone Realm.

If Qin Shaoyou were to encounter the ghost from the painting again, even without the bronze mirror, he would not be scratched by the ghost's claws and would be able to kill it more quickly and efficiently.

"It wasn't in vain."

Qin Shaoyou was very satisfied with the changes in his body, but he had no way to test his "Silver Tongue" talent, so he was unsure of its specific effects.

Looking out the window, the night was deep, but he did not lie down to rest. Instead, he picked up his saber and the Cloud-Piercing Arrow and left the house.

He had only taken a few steps in the courtyard when Qin Daoren poked his head out of the main house, looking at him and asking in confusion, "It's so late, why aren't you sleeping? Where are you going?"

"I'm going back to the Demon Suppression Bureau to gather my subordinates and investigate the ghost from the painting."

Qin Shaoyou answered truthfully.

Since there was a ghost controlling the ghost from the painting, as long as this ghost was not eliminated, Qin Shaoyou would feel uneasy, fearing that he might be ambushed or retaliated against at any moment.

Only by quickly uncovering and eliminating this ghost could Qin Shaoyou feel at ease.

Qin Daoren frowned and said, "The ghost from the painting has already been killed by you, why investigate further? Are you suspecting there are other ghosts from the painting? But the Night Watchmen already know about this. When they return to the Demon Suppression Bureau, they will report to the Chief Night Watchman and begin the investigation. Why do you need to join in?"

"More people mean more strength."

Qin Shaoyou's answer was somewhat vague. He did not tell Qin Daoren that he was afraid his colleagues would not take the matter seriously, so he wanted to investigate it himself.

Qin Daoren did not know this and assumed Qin Shaoyou was acting out of youthful enthusiasm, wanting to quickly investigate and eliminate the ghost's accomplices to prevent more people from being harmed. He felt reassured and did not ask further, only reminding him to be careful and not to act rashly.

"I will be careful!"

Qin Shaoyou answered seriously, feeling that his father's advice was truly golden.

Leaving the courtyard, Qin Shaoyou gripped his saber and ran toward the Demon Suppression Bureau.

On the way, he encountered several groups of Night Watchmen and night patrol soldiers who questioned him. With the Demon Suppression Bureau's flag officer's badge, he passed without any hindrance.

One group of night patrol soldiers, seeing him rushing in the dark, offered him a lantern, which he politely declined.

In the pitch-black night, a lantern could illuminate the path but would also make him more conspicuous.

It was safer to travel in the dark.

After Qin Shaoyou left, Qin Li, who had already gone to sleep, suddenly sat up, suspiciously guessing:

"Is Little Seven really going to the Demon Suppression Bureau to investigate the case? Or is he using it as an excuse to go to places like Cat Alley? He read erotic books today and encountered a female ghost, so it's possible he can't hold back his urges..."

Qin Daoren chuckled, wanting to criticize his wife for overthinking, but he swallowed his words.

It was better not to speak at this moment, as it could easily backfire on him.

However, after a moment of silence, Qin Daoren could not resist and cautiously said, "Madam, the floor is cold. Can I go back to bed?"

In response, he received a cold snort.

Qin Daoren had to continue lying on the floor.

On the other side, Qin Shaoyou arrived at the Demon Suppression Bureau without any issues.

Zhu Xiuzai, Ma Heshang, and others were transferred from the countryside and did not own property in the city. Since their families had not yet moved, they did not rent houses and were temporarily staying in the large dormitory provided by the Demon Suppression Bureau.

They all lived in the same room, which made it convenient for Qin Shaoyou to find them without having to search individually.

Pushing open the door, a strong smell of stinky feet hit Qin Shaoyou, almost making him faint.

The loud snoring, one after another, also gave him a headache.

However, even in such a noisy environment, someone noticed his arrival, sat up abruptly, and cast a wary glance toward the door.

It was Zhu Xiuzai and Ma Heshang.

Qin Shaoyou was not surprised by Ma Heshang's alertness. During the day, he had seen that the ex-monk indeed had some skills and had already reached the peak of the Tendon and Bone Realm.

But Zhu Xiuzai's reaction was somewhat unexpected.

It could only be said that those who had made a name for themselves at the grassroots level were not simple.

"Sir, why are you here?"

Seeing the visitor was Qin Shaoyou, Zhu Xiuzai and Ma Heshang were both surprised.

They could not understand why Qin Shaoyou would come to them in the middle of the night. Was he planning to sleep with them?

The two exchanged glances, both hesitating.

Qin Shaoyou stood at the door for a moment, then, holding his breath against the foot odor, entered the room and ordered, "Wake everyone up."

"Is there a mission?"

Zhu Xiuzai and Ma Heshang suddenly understood and quickly woke the sleeping warriors.

The warriors, still groggy, grumbled until they saw Qin Shaoyou standing in the room with his saber, and they quickly shut up.

Soon, everyone was awake, and the room fell silent, though the smell remained.

Qin Shaoyou then asked Zhu Xiuzai, "Where did you buy the erotic book that was confiscated today?"

Zhu Xiuzai was initially stunned but quickly realized something and answered seriously, "From the Elegant Talk Hall in the west of the city... Sir, is there a problem with the book?"

Qin Shaoyou nodded, "At midnight tonight, a female ghost crawled out of that book."

"Female ghost?!"

Everyone's spirits were immediately lifted, and the drowsiness from being suddenly awakened dissipated.

The warrior who had previously suggested taking Qin Shaoyou to Cat Alley opened his mouth wide and exclaimed, "A woman really crawled out of the book?"

Zhu Xiuzai, on the other hand, looked disappointed and muttered, "That female ghost should have come for me."

Qin Shaoyou frowned, unable to understand why someone would look forward to being visited by a ghost. Did he really want to be a ghost rider?

The other warriors also could not contain their curiosity and asked in a flurry:

"Sir, what did the female ghost look like?"

"What did the female ghost do to you?"

"Where is she now?"

Qin Shaoyou casually replied, "The female ghost looked exactly like the female innkeeper in the erotic book. She was discovered as soon as she crawled out of the book, then started to undress, saying she admired my talent and wanted to form a good relationship with me..."

"Oh oh oh!"

Everyone became excited.

This was just like the erotic stories told in the teahouses. They never thought the stories would come true!

Someone eagerly urged, "What happened next? What did you do next? Sir, don't keep us in suspense, tell us! We're willing to pay to hear it."

Even Ma Heshang, after reciting a Buddhist chant, perked up his ears.

Qin Shaoyou did not charge them but directly revealed the outcome: "I killed the female ghost!"

"Oh, why did you kill her? What a waste!"

Zhu Xiuzai regretfully slapped his thigh, and the warriors had similar reactions.

Only Ma Heshang, after reciting a Buddhist chant, praised, "No wonder, Sir. You truly see beauty as a wolf, and your self-control is admirable."

Qin Shaoyou looked at Ma Heshang with satisfaction, then glared at Zhu Xiuzai and said irritably, "She was a ghost!"

"So what if she's a ghost?"

"Aren't you afraid she'll take your essence and harm your life?"

Zhu Xiuzai was unconcerned, "I waste my essence every day and am fine... Besides, there are so many of us here. How could she harm us? She would only learn what it means to be overwhelmed!"

The warriors laughed heartily.

Qin Shaoyou looked at Zhu Xiuzai deeply and sneered, "You have dark circles under your eyes and are already kidney-deficient, and you're still boasting?"

After explaining the situation, Qin Shaoyou did not waste any more time and ordered, "Quickly put on your clothes and equipment, and follow me to the Elegant Talk Hall in the west of the city. Zhu Xiuzai, lead the way."

"No problem!" Zhu Xiuzai nodded in agreement.

Everyone also responded affirmatively and quickly dressed.

Their enthusiasm surprised Qin Shaoyou, but he soon understood.

These guys were probably excited about the female ghost.

It was like, "As long as you have the courage,贞子 can take a vacation."

Qin Shaoyou barely held back from commenting and ordered, "Find me a new saber, one that hasn't been used."

"Sir, don't you already have a saber?" Zhu Xiuzai looked at the saber in his hand, confused.

Qin Shaoyou drew the saber and pointed to the blade, "This saber was corroded by evil qi when I killed the ghost from the painting, and it has some notches. Its strength is no longer sufficient. If I continue to use it, there's a risk of the blade chipping or breaking. It's safer to use a new saber."

Zhu Xiuzai, under the light of the oil lamp, carefully examined the blade and finally saw a few small notches.

Is this enough to affect the blade's strength and cause it to chip or break? Isn't this a bit too cautious?

Looking at Qin Shaoyou's serious face, Zhu Xiuzai did not dare to question.

By the time everyone was dressed, Ma Heshang had found a new saber.

Qin Shaoyou carefully inspected it, confirmed it was in good condition, and replaced his old one.

Following Zhu Xiuzai's lead, the group left the Demon Suppression Bureau and headed to the west of the city under the moonlight.

However, when they arrived in the west of the city, they were surprised to find that, despite it being the middle of the night, the area was bustling with people.