When Jiao Yue emerged from the shadows with lowered eyes, Qin An's eyes slightly narrowed, a sharp gleam flashing at the bottom of them.

"It looks like Mr. Zhou is about to activate that plan." Qin An's tone was calm yet carried a composure that seemed to see through everything.

Zhou Yuanfeng twirled a white jade wine cup lightly between his fingers, the amber wine swirling inside it: "The timing is just right, the commotion of the Hunter Conference has just subsided, making it the perfect moment to uproot the Jiao Long Hall and give these demons a bloody lesson."

Qin An mused, "When will this action begin?"

Zhou Yuanfeng shook his head and laughed lightly: "You misunderstand."

"Oh?" Qin An's slender fingers lightly tapped the scabbard at his waist, producing a crisp sound: "It seems Mr. Zhou has another task for me to perform."

He had originally thought they were going to discuss the plan to annihilate Jiao Long Hall, but now it seemed the matter was far more complex.

Zhou Yuanfeng filled the empty cup again and drank it up in one go: "Jiao Yue needs to return to the Jiao Long Hall, and we need to give him a seamless reason — this reason must be created by you."

Qin An frowned slightly: "Mr. Zhou, please explain clearly."

Zhou Yuanfeng said meaningfully: "The Jiao Long Hall's whereabouts are elusive, even Jiao Yue can't pinpoint its exact location, we need to have the demons of Jiao Long Hall discover him proactively, as for how they will discover him."

His gaze suddenly became sharp as a blade: "It will rely on you, the enemy."

"You have a deadly feud with the Jiao Long Hall, they would love nothing more than to tear you to pieces. Now that the uproar from the Hunter Conference is subsiding, eliminating you is definitely their primary task, if at this moment you chase Jiao Yue, it will give them a perfect opportunity."

"As for the experiences during Jiao Yue's disappearance, we have already prepared an account for him."

Hearing this, Qin An already understood everything in his heart: "If that's the case, this mission does carry some risk."

In plain words, this is a meticulously designed act — to let Jiao Yue pretend to have escaped from Evil Extermination Bureau.

The key is how to let the demons of Jiao Long Hall discover this escapee.

If Qin An pursues personally, Jiao Long Hall might likely send people to intercept and kill.

Then Qin An only needs to feign defeat, and Jiao Yue can smoothly be "rescued," successfully infiltrating the Jiao Long Hall.

But how much danger is involved here, Qin An needs to carefully consider.

After all, this would be a mission he executes alone, if the opponent dispatches powerhouses above the Outer Elixir Realm, even with the foundation of the Supreme True Elixir, he would have little chance of winning.

Zhou Yuanfeng shook his head: "No creatures above the Outer Elixir will appear, the relics of the ancient battlefield are about to erupt, the attention of the beasts from all sides is focused there."

"Erupt?"

Qin An keenly caught this keyword.

Zhou Yuanfeng didn't want to delve into it further.

This is the rule.

According to the iron laws of the Evil Extermination Bureau, as a Prefecture General made of copper, even though Qin An had reached the Outer Elixir Realm, he had no right to question the secrets of the ancient battlefield relics.

Zhou Yuanfeng changed the topic: "The ones sent to intercept you would at most be Dragon Generals from the Outer Elixir Realm, with your foundation of the Supreme True Elixir and your recent advancement into the Outer Elixir, you are more than capable of handling this mission."

Having said that, Zhou Yuanfeng felt a bit sentimental.

He'd been waiting all this time, waiting for Qin An's breakthrough into the Outer Elixir Realm to complete this task.

But he hadn't expected Qin An to break through so quickly.

Qin An pondered briefly and asked: "Then how will achievements from this mission be accounted for?"

At present, what he lacks most are Demon Pills. If the rewards are generous, the risk would be worth taking.

Zhou Yuanfeng answered: "Naturally according to the standard mission allocation, as for additional gains along the way, they depend solely on your abilities, but Jiao Yue must successfully infiltrate Jiao Long Hall, that is the hard requirement."

Qin An thought for a moment, then stood up and said: "When do we set out?"

Zhou Yuanfeng was surprised: "You've agreed just like that?"

A bright gleam appeared in Qin An's eyes: "My feud with Jiao Long Hall is as deep as the ocean, the sooner I can eradicate this menace, the sooner I can rest easy in Xunyang Prefecture, such minor risks are nothing to fear."

Zhou Yuanfeng sighed deeply: "I truly have not misjudged you. In that case, set out today, proceed along this route, when you sense the approach of Evil Qi, Jiao Yue will remind you, then you can perform this act."

As his words fell, Zhou Yuanfeng took out a map from his arms and pushed it in front of Qin An.

Qin An opened it and his brow furrowed: "Why are they all close to water sources?"

Zhou Yuanfeng nodded and explained: "The attribute of dragons favoring water is innate, natural where water sources are located. This is also planned by Jiao Yue, you can rest assured, Jiao Yue and the demons of Jiao Long Hall share the same origin, can prioritize sensing the demons approaching, and can alert you in advance, ensuring the plan is foolproof."

Jiao Yue quickly stepped in front of Qin An, bowed and held his fists: "Greetings Mr. Qin!"

His words carried a deeply concealed fear.

He had fallen into his current predicament, entirely thanks to Qin An.

But he dared not harbor any resentment, not even daring to think about it.

During his time as a prisoner in the cells of the Evil Extermination Bureau, his experiences had long worn away his edges.

Now all he wished was to perform meritorious services to atone for his crimes, help the Evil Extermination Bureau eliminate Jiao Long Hall, and live to see another day.

Qin An nodded, waved and said: "Let's go."

When it comes to missions, he is always resolute and decisive, let alone when he can seize the opportunity to gain some achievements, exchange them for what he needs, as backup.

Zhou Yuanfeng said no more, allowing Qin An to leave.

Watching Qin An's figure disappear into the darkness, he finally raised his wine cup and drank.

At this moment, a familiar sound of footsteps came from far to near.

"You, this Mountain Patrol General, not slashing demons and exorcising devils in the wilderness, running to me every so often, aren't you too idle." Zhou Yuanfeng put down the wine cup, said without turning back.

As the words fell, Zhao Wuhuan shook his folding fan, walked to where Qin An was previously seated, picked up the wine cup, and took a sip.

"He's reached the Outer Elixir Realm, and what's more, his foundation was built through the Supreme True Elixir, Senior Brother, my judgment was correct, wasn't it?"

"Your judgment is good." Zhou Yuanfeng said coldly: "But you insisted on having him join the Mountain Patrol General, if he were to perish midway, I will definitely break your legs."

Zhao Wuhuan spread his hands helplessly: "Since Senior Brother acknowledged my decision, why such anger? Anger harms the body."

Zhou Yuanfeng let out a cold snort, saying nothing more.

Zhao Wuhuan folded up his fan, his expression turning solemn.

This look caught Zhou Yuanfeng's attention, causing him to frown.

"Speak your mind." Zhou Yuanfeng said succinctly.

Zhao Wuhuan replied seriously, "As far as I know, Jin Fengyu has been in contact with Qin An and even holds him in high regard. Senior Brother, it was I who brought Qin An to this Xunyang Prefecture; how can we let others reap the benefits?"

Zhou Yuanfeng pondered slightly, his frown deepening as he warned, "He's the Mountain Patrol Golden General, on the same level as our teacher. Do not act recklessly."

"With a mere breath, you'd be left without a grave."

Zhao Wuhuan chuckled, "Indeed, the esteemed Mountain Patrol Golden General is not to be trifled with, but our teacher is also a Mountain Patrol Golden General."

Zhou Yuanfeng picked up on the implication, "You mean... to have Qin An join our teacher?"

Zhao Wuhuan opened his fan again, gently swaying it, "Given Qin An's current foundation, joining our teacher is indeed qualified. With our teacher's support, Jin Fengyu wouldn't dare say anything."

Zhou Yuanfeng shook his head at these words, "It's very difficult; our teacher has stopped accepting disciples. Convincing him to take Qin An would be exceedingly challenging."

"Besides, even if Qin An approaches Jin Fengyu, it's no big deal. His goal is to become a Mountain Patrol General."

Zhao Wuhuan placed his fan on the table, "No, the issue is significant. The problem is that he intends to recommend Qin An to enter the ancient battlefield relics."

At this, Zhou Yuanfeng stood up abruptly, the oppressive aura of the Outer Elixir Realm pouring down like a mountain, causing Zhao Wuhuan to gasp for breath.

Even though he was a Mountain Patrol Copper General, he felt the terrifying pressure in front of this senior brother.

"What did you say?" Zhou Yuanfeng's voice was cold like a knife, "How dare he scheme like this?"

"After becoming a Mountain Patrol General, there are already many tasks leading to the ancient battlefield relics," Zhao Wuhuan explained, "Yet, Jin Fengyu wants to recommend Qin An, which you must clearly understand the reason. He wants to utilize Qin An's extraordinary talent to establish himself in the ancient battlefield relics."

Zhou Yuanfeng suppressed the True Qi within him, lapsing into silence.

Zhao Wuhuan continued, "You are well aware of the situation in Xunyang Prefecture. The General Mansion has amassed enough achievements and is grooming the next successor, who'll be selected from the Mountain Patrol Golden Generals."

"You understand Jin Fengyu's intentions better than I do."

Zhou Yuanfeng sneered, "If it's truly as you say, then he intends to compete for the position of the General Mansion."

Zhao Wuhuan nodded, "In terms of qualifications, our teacher surpasses him; in strength, our teacher also surpasses him. But because of our teacher's peculiar personality, his prestige is lacking. If Jin Fengyu leverages Qin An's prowess in the ancient battlefield relics, he would overshadow our teacher."

Zhou Yuanfeng did not reply, drumming his fingers on the table as he pondered deeply.

Xunyang Prefecture is an immense vortex of power; even as a Mountain Patrol General, one is only less affected.

The General Mansion holds the pinnacle position within Xunyang Prefecture.

Both Zhou Yuanfeng and Zhao Wuhuan naturally hope for their teacher to assume the role.

It's not about good or bad, just different stances.

"Qin An is merely at the Outer Elixir Realm now. Even if he becomes a Mountain Patrol Copper General, his impact on the ancient battlefield relics would be negligible."

Zhou Yuanfeng mused inwardly, "Yet, Zhao Wuhuan and Jin Fengyu are enamored not with Qin An's current strength, but his frightening potential."

"As a disciple of our teacher, I cannot allow Jin Fengyu to benefit."

With this thought, Zhou Yuanfeng looked up and said solemnly, "I will write to the teacher immediately. Whether it succeeds depends on the teacher's thoughts."

Zhao Wuhuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Among the many disciples the teacher has taken, Zhou Yuanfeng remains the favorite.

Even though many disciples have surpassed Zhou Yuanfeng in strength, his influence in front of the teacher remains at the forefront.

With Zhou Yuanfeng's involvement, it undoubtedly improves the prospects greatly.

Zhao Wuhuan stood and cupped his hands, "In that case, I shall take my leave."

As a Mountain Patrol General, he returned this time solely to address the matter.

Now that it's clarified and his objectives met, he naturally proceeds with his duties as a Mountain Patrol General.

Zhou Yuanfeng watched Zhao Wuhuan fade into the darkness, pondered briefly, then took up brush and ink, leaning on the stone table to write.

...

Dust swirled along the official road as horses galloped past.

Meanwhile, away from the main road and in the wilderness, Qin An and Jiao Yue moved along a meandering stream.

The clear stream reflected the verdant banks, a scene that should have been delightful, now overshadowed by the impending danger.

Jiao Yue followed nervously, not daring to speak or even breathe too loudly.

He knew all too well what kind of person Qin An was.

The memory of being taught a lesson by Qin An's iron fist still struck fear into him.

Qin An, on the other hand, remained at ease, taking rare delight in the momentary peace.

While admiring the scenery, he found himself relaxed and happy.

After walking for a while, Qin An halted his steps slightly.

"Do you really know nothing about the ancient battlefield relics?"

Jiao Yue shivered, shaking his head, "My lord sees clearly, I am but a mere Pulse Condensation Realm Jiao Long, unqualified even to hear the phrase 'ancient battlefield relics'."

Qin An nodded and did not press further.

His curiosity about the ancient battlefield relics surpassed even that of the Mountain Patrol Generals.

Lack of information didn't matter; once he became a Mountain Patrol General, everything would become clear.

They continued along the river for another ten miles or so.

At that moment, Jiao Yue's expression suddenly changed.

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