Chapter 9

"Brother-in-law, who is this benefactor? I need to thank his ancestors for eight generations!"

Qin Shaoyou said the words of gratitude, but inside he was gnashing his teeth with hatred.

A single word of favor from the benefactor had forced him to stop slacking off and face the demons and dangers. How could he not hate it?

Although Xue Qingshan found his words a bit strange, he didn't think much of it and shook his head, saying, "I don't know the benefactor's name. Left Thousand-Household didn't mention it, and I didn't dare to ask."

Qin Shaoyou gave him a disdainful look.

You didn't dare to ask, did you? Look at your cowardly face. Why don't you dare to fight Left Thousand-Household?

Xue Qingshan noticed Qin Shaoyou's gaze and couldn't help but frown, "What's that look for?"

"Nothing." Qin Shaoyou quickly retracted his disdain.

Brother-in-law can't beat Left Thousand-Household, but dealing with him is no problem.

He quickly changed the subject, "Brother-in-law, I don't know this benefactor. Why would he favor me? What did he see in me?"

Is it because I'm handsome? Or because I'm quick with my tongue? It can't be because I can eat a lot, right?

"Probably because of that case before."

Xue Qingshan seemed to know something.

Qin Shaoyou hurriedly asked, "Which case?"

"The one that left our father seriously injured and forced him to retire from the Demon Suppression Bureau, the one that kept you bedridden for three months."

Xue Qingshan sighed.

"That case cost the Luocheng Demon Suppression Bureau over a hundred Night Watchmen. The impact was significant. You and the others who survived naturally caught the attention of the higher-ups."

Qin Shaoyou敏锐地抓住了一个重点。

"Are the other survivors also favored by the benefactor?"

"Yes."

Xue Qingshan nodded.

"Before you came, I already informed them. They were all very excited and expressed their determination to achieve results to repay the benefactor's favor. Some even volunteered for dangerous missions on the spot, eager to show their worth to the benefactor."

Qin Shaoyou recalled that on his way over, he had indeed seen several agitated colleagues.

Their elated expressions were as if they had won a big lottery.

He had been puzzled at the time, wondering what good news had them so excited.

It turned out it was because they were favored by the benefactor.

Qin Shaoyou suddenly thought of something and hurriedly asked, "Was my father also favored by the benefactor?"

Xue Qingshan shook his head. "Left Thousand-Household didn't mention your father's name. I guess he wasn't favored, since he has already retired from the Demon Suppression Bureau."

That's a relief... Qin Shaoyou secretly sighed in relief.

Unlike his colleagues, who were thrilled and believed they had a bright future because of the benefactor's favor, Qin Shaoyou was cautious and felt that things were not that simple.

So many Night Watchmen survived death every year. Why did the benefactor favor them?

As the old saying goes, when someone offers help without reason, it's either a trick or a trap.

"This is not the benefactor's favor, but a death sentence!" Qin Shaoyou thought to himself.

Originally, he hadn't given much thought to the previous case.

After all, in this world, filled with strange and dangerous things, a full-scale defeat due to incorrect intelligence was not uncommon.

But now, this sudden "favor" from the benefactor made him suspicious.

The previous case was probably not as simple as it seemed.

Thinking about this, Qin Shaoyou lowered his voice and asked, "Brother-in-law, what exactly happened in that case?"

Xue Qingshan was taken aback. "You're asking me? You were the one who was actually involved. Don't forget, I was transferred afterward. The records I saw were based on your accounts."

Qin Shaoyou frowned. His memory of the case was that they went to surround and kill a group of demons, but the intelligence was wrong. The demons' strength and numbers far exceeded expectations, leading to heavy casualties and almost a total defeat.

But now, it seemed that the case might have hidden some unspeakable secrets.

However, they, the survivors, were too low in rank to know the inside story.

Qin Shaoyou even guessed that the previous Luocheng Demon Suppression Bureau's Hundred-Household was also kept in the dark, otherwise, he wouldn't have died in that case.

But because they didn't know the inside story, the so-called benefactor didn't directly eliminate them. Instead, he hinted at "favor."

As a result, their superiors would naturally assign them more tasks to train them.

In the current situation, where demons run rampant and dangers lurk everywhere, more tasks mean more risks, and it's easy to die in the line of duty.

The mortality rate in the Demon Suppression Bureau has always been high.

If they died on a mission, no one would suspect the benefactor.

Even the deceased and their families wouldn't blame him, only feeling inadequate and unlucky, and ashamed of not living up to the benefactor's favor.

This "killing by proxy" is truly ruthless!

Even if they were lucky enough to survive dangerous missions and achieve results, the benefactor wouldn't mind.

Most people would be grateful to him, feeling that their achievements and promotions were due to his favor and cultivation.

They might even actively seek his patronage to secure a better future.

Just look at those excited colleagues outside, eager to cling to the benefactor's leg and call him father.

Truly, they are being sold and still helping to count the money.

"This benefactor is definitely a cunning old fox!" Qin Shaoyou concluded in his heart.

He made a firm resolve: "One day, I will find out who this benefactor is and what his intentions are. If he really wants to harm me, I will eliminate him and nip the danger in the bud!"

For now, it's better to stay in the Demon Suppression Bureau and focus on improving his strength.

Qin Shaoyou thought about this and asked, "Brother-in-law, can I not go to Mianyuan County? Can I stay in Luocheng and take on other tasks?"

Compared to the counties below, staying in Luocheng was undoubtedly safer.

And the Demon Suppression Bureau was in the city, making it easier to call for reinforcements.

Xue Qingshan saw his concern and explained, "The current top priority for the Luocheng Demon Suppression Bureau is to hunt down and eliminate the Black Lotus Sect. If you stay in Luocheng, you'll have to deal with the Black Lotus Sect, which is even more dangerous.

In comparison, investigating the missing children case is safer.

Don't worry. Similar cases of missing children have happened before. They are either the work of con artists or demons like the Black Shadow. Either way, they are easier to handle than the Black Lotus Sect.

Moreover, in Mianyuan County, there is the retired Attendant Zhang. He has children, and although they haven't gone missing, he is undoubtedly very worried.

If you can solve this case quickly, Attendant Zhang might speak well of you. Although he has retired, he has many students and old friends. A few good words from him are better than solving several major cases."

Xue Qingshan's tone was filled with emotion, as if he had experienced something similar.

"Alright, then."

Qin Shaoyou considered it and felt that dealing with con artists or demons like the Black Shadow was indeed easier than facing the Black Lotus Sect.

It seems Brother-in-law still cares for him.

And Xue Qingshan's care didn't stop there.

He continued, "This is your first official mission as a team leader. I'll write you a letter of authorization to get two mystical items from the Spirit Item Room, just in case."

"Really?!"

Qin Shaoyou's eyes lit up.

He had seen the power of mystical items, and they were indeed amazing.

With mystical items, the danger of this mission would undoubtedly decrease.

He just wondered if these mystical items were edible and how they tasted. What benefits would they bring if eaten?

Qin Shaoyou swallowed.

Xue Qingshan saw this and couldn't help but shiver.

He suddenly felt that he had made a not-so-good decision...