The dim candlelight flickered in the room, casting mottled shadows.

Yang Mingzi knelt with both knees on the ground, his body trembling uncontrollably, and his voice carried an unmistakable sorrow.

Qin An frowned slightly, "Stand up and speak."

He didn't know why Yang Mingzi would do such a thing, but there must be some hidden reason.

This Pseudo-God should not have been kneeling in front of him since his blessings benefited the region.

Yang Mingzi trembled as he stood up, the hem of his robe clutched tightly in his hands, an expression of resentment flashed in his eyes, "That Pseudo-God, Fox Bitter, if it were only at the Great Success of the Outer Elixir Realm, the Mountain Patrol General would have already come to exterminate him. But there's another Mountain Patrol General backing him, and that's why no one dares to take on this mission."

"Another Mountain Patrol General?" Qin An's eyes flashed with a sharp light, "Explain in detail."

Yang Mingzi nodded, "On that day, Fox Bitter came with a Mountain Patrol General to find me. He said he wanted me to let Fox Bitter devour me, claiming he would protect the peace of the Deserted Village, and said it was for an important plan that required me to sacrifice my life."

Qin An found the matter increasingly convoluted as he listened, but he remained silent, waiting for Yang Mingzi to continue.

Yang Mingzi's clenched fist slowly relaxed, "If it could ensure the peace of the Deserted Village, it wouldn't matter if I let Fox Bitter devour me. But I know Fox Bitter's nature; he resents the temple and the villagers of the Deserted Village. He would never spare the village. If I died and the Mountain Patrol General left, the entire Deserted Village would become a dead domain."

"Do you know what the plan is?" Qin An asked.

Yang Mingzi shook his head, "Even I don't know, but no Mountain Patrol General dared to take this mission except you, sir. When I saw you, I was surprised because I had already prepared to fight to the death."

Qin An fell silent, his fingers gently tapping the scabbard at his waist.

Everything had been said, Yang Mingzi stood beside Qin An, looking down at the ground, awaiting Qin An's decision.

If Qin An gave up, he would have no choice but to fight to the death.

He thought that after hearing the explanation, Qin An would surely turn away, since although he was a benevolent god, he was not human.

Qin An and that Mountain Patrol General were colleagues; he wouldn't offend his colleague for his sake.

Time slowly passed.

For Yang Mingzi, time seemed to slow many times over at this moment, making it torturous.

Then, Qin An stopped tapping the scabbard. He said calmly, "I'll take this mission. Find me a place to stay."

Yang Mingzi jerked his head up, a look of disbelief emanating from his eyes, "Sir, you're really willing to help me?"

"Since the Evil Extermination Bureau hasn't withdrawn the mission, they tacitly approve of its completion," Qin An said calmly, "You are virtuous and meritorious, and do not deserve to die."

As he said, if the mission were truly unnecessary, the Evil Extermination Bureau would have retracted it long ago.

If someone could take it, it meant Qin An was permitted to complete the mission.

Though Qin An was not a righteous man, the benevolent Pseudo-God before him did not deserve to die.

If he could save him, he would step in to save him.

Yang Mingzi was overjoyed beyond expectation and quickly led Qin An into a side room.

Qin An did not procrastinate either. After entering the room, he told Yang Mingzi not to disturb him, then took the time to practice his dancer proficiency.

...

The day passed fleetingly.

It wasn't until nightfall that Qin An stopped.

His dancer proficiency had increased somewhat, advancing another step toward the eleventh level.

At this time, a sound of footsteps echoed in the courtyard.

Seeing that it was late, Qin An did not continue practicing his dancer proficiency. He opened the door and walked into the courtyard.

At this moment, in the middle of the courtyard, Yang Mingzi was setting up an iron pot, stoking the fire brightly.

Inside the iron pot were many herbs, and as they simmered, a medicinal aroma spread through the air.

Qin An glanced over, "This is medicine to treat colds."

He was an eleventh-level physician and could immediately tell what Yang Mingzi was making.

Yang Mingzi, startled, turned his head and, seeing Qin An, breathed a sigh of relief, explaining, "The villagers of the Deserted Village are very damp, and catch colds easily at this time, so I often boil medicinal soup to dispel wind and cold for them."

"You Pseudo-God, it seems, does things quite meticulously." Qin An stepped up to the large pot and simply named several herbs, "Add these herbs to it, and the effect will be better."

Yang Mingzi was slightly surprised, "I didn't expect, sir, that you also knew the way of medicine?"

"Just a little," Qin An replied, finding a stool to sit on, "Aside from guarding the feng shui of this region, you handle these trifles for the villagers too?"

"As a guardian, I must protect these people thoroughly," Yang Mingzi stirred the potion in the pot, "I intend to carry on my teacher's legacy, as long as I live, I will protect the Deserted Village. If I die, well, we'll talk about dying when that day comes."

Qin An was taken aback.

He suddenly saw a glimmer of humanity in Yang Mingzi.

This human quality, in some ways, exceeded that of Ding County, which was akin to a cesspool.

The two began to chat idly.

Yang Mingzi, being the Pseudo-God of this temple, had never ventured beyond the Deserted Village and thus had little worldly experience.

Most of what he spoke of were petty trivialities from the Deserted Village.

Yet Qin An found enjoyment in them, sensing a touch of humanity in these minor matters.

As they chatted, time passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was midnight.

Then, a faint sound of footsteps interrupted them.

Qin An and Yang Mingzi halted their conversation, turning their gazes toward the temple's main gate.

The temple's main door shattered with a resounding crash.

A black aura-emitting Buddha statue trod on the debris and entered.

Yang Mingzi's previously relaxed expression turned grave upon seeing Fox Bitter.

Qin An squinted, taking in the sight, the corners of his mouth subtly lifting.

Fox Bitter strode in, his voice arrogant and loud, "Yang Mingzi! Hand over the Pseudo-Pill at once! Otherwise, this Buddha will make you suffer!"

Halfway through his words, Fox Bitter's steps faltered slightly upon seeing Qin An seated in the chair, observing him with interest.

Fox Bitter, captured by those eyes, sensed the faint killing intent within them, feeling as if countless needles pricked his body, causing a mild illusionary pain.

"Evil...Evil Extermination Bureau's Mountain Patrol General?"

At these words, Fox Bitter retreated a few steps, a hint of fear crossing his eyes.

But then, he seemed to recall something, gritted his teeth, and stood still.

Qin An said indifferently, "After seeing me, you still dare to stand in place? Is the backer behind you giving you such peace of mind?"

Fo Ku trembled slightly, "Sir, I have already cooperated with the Evil Extermination Bureau. I came to collect what is rightfully mine. Please, considering we are both members of the Evil Extermination Bureau, grant me some leniency."

Before his words fell, everything went blurry in front of his eyes, and his neck was gripped by a hand like iron pincers.

Five-Colored True Essence surged in like a tide, instantly sealing all the meridians in his body.

Blood Burning Eight Forged Sealing Demon Hand!

"Bang!"

"You dare call yourself a member of the Evil Extermination Bureau?" Qin An sneered, throwing Fo Ku to the ground like a rag doll.

Fo Ku, with all his meridians bound by True Essence, couldn't move at all and shouted, "You dare harm me? If you touch me, you offend those behind me! The Mountain Patrol Copper General stands behind me; you can't afford to offend him!"

Qin An sneered, "If I rid the world of you today, I would indeed like to see who is it standing behind you."

Since the task is placed in the Evil Extermination Bureau, it's acceptable to take it.

The Mountain Patrol General completes tasks only for results, not the process. Qin An, at this moment, is only for the result.

The Straight Blade suddenly flashed out from its sheath, the cold light reflecting off the moonlight above, illuminating the entire courtyard.

Looking at the Straight Blade expanding in his vision, a hint of despair flashed in Fo Ku's eyes as he screamed, "Master, save me!"

No sooner had he said this than the sound of the wind echoed in the courtyard.

Qin An heard a stern shout beside his ear.

"Spare him!"

The cold star halted abruptly three inches from Fo Ku's neck.

Qin An turned back, scanning the person behind him with interest.

Standing there was a young man.

This person looked ordinary, carrying a solid iron rod, angrily glaring at Qin An.

Amused, Qin An asked, "Who are you?"

Hearing this, the young man with the iron rod retorted angrily, "I am Hu Hai, the Mountain Patrol Copper General. This Pseudo-God is related to my task; you are not allowed to kill him!"

Within his words, besides anger, there was a tone that brooked no argument.

Qin An raised an eyebrow slightly, "How about a deal?"

"What kind of deal do you want to discuss?" Hu Hai asked.

Qin An said flatly, "If you take this Pseudo-God away, you complete your mission, and I complete mine. Isn't it a win-win?"

In Xunyang Prefecture, power struggles are intricate; Qin An deeply understood its complexity, so he didn't act at this moment.

Hu Hai laughed out loud, filled with disdain, "With your measly task, you dare propose a deal with me? Get out of the Deserted Village immediately!"

Qin An's brows furrowed slightly, slashing horizontally with his right hand.

The gleaming blade flashed, Fo Ku's head flew high and landed heavily on the ground, turning into a pile of mud.

The Pseudo Pill was dug out by Qin An barehanded and absorbed into his body.

The move was so swift that even Hu Hai didn't react.

Hu Hai looked at the headless corpse, clenched his fists, gritting his teeth, "Audacious! You're so bold!"

"Ungrateful," Qin An said coldly, "I gave you a chance, yet you took an inch and asked for a mile. So now you lose face entirely, what then can you do?"

A formidable aura erupted within Qin An, crushing toward Hu Hai like a mountain.

At this moment, with the essence of the Supreme True Elixir, Qin An unleashed overwhelming killing intent, causing Hu Hai's face to turn pale.

"What are you trying to do?" Hu Hai drew his solid iron rod and stood ready.

Just then, the wind suddenly rustled.

Several figures jumped into the courtyard from outside the wall.

Qin An squinted his eyes and gave careful scrutiny, finding three Mountain Patrol Copper Generals: two men and one woman.

Upon seeing Fo Ku's corpse on the ground, the three were all stunned.

One of the men glared angrily at Qin An, "Mr. Hu spoke up, yet you dared kill Fo Ku, truly disrespecting our Talent Association! Today, having ruined our task, we must teach you a lesson!"

As soon as his words fell, several people joined forces, drawing their weapons and surrounding Qin An.

Qin An surveyed the circle and found that most of these Mountain Patrol Copper Generals were merely at Great Success of the Outer Pill Realm in cultivation.

But the mention of the Talent Association intrigued him.

"What is this Talent Association?" Qin An asked.

Hu Hai recollected himself, frowning, "You insolent newcomer, a fledgling Mountain Patrol Copper General, don't even know the Talent Association?"

"Above us, each of us has fathers serving as Mountain Patrol Silver Generals. You, without any backing, dare destroy our task?"

"Kneel willingly today and kowtow thrice, or be carried out horizontally!"

Upon hearing this, Qin An finally understood what the so-called Talent Association was.

It turns out this group of Mountain Patrol Copper Generals all has backgrounds, with their fathers serving as Mountain Patrol Silver Generals.

This so-called Talent Association might just be a loose organization they formed.

After all, in the intricate power struggles of Xunyang Prefecture, even the Mountain Patrol Golden Generals form factions, so these Mountain Patrol Copper Generals banding together is quite normal.

Suddenly, the woman among them licked her lips, "Fo Ku's matter shouldn't be exposed, after all, it concerns dealing with benevolent Pseudo-Gods. If it gets out, it's not good for our fathers; better to silence him."

As soon as she spoke, a trace of movement appeared on the faces of Hu Hai and the Mountain Patrol Copper Generals.

Qin An caught a glimpse of this expression.

Qin An's brows furrowed slightly, "Even if the task can't be completed, you don't need to take my life…"

Hu Hai gripped the iron rod tightly, "Now you know to beg for mercy? Too late…!"

An intense killing intent radiated from them.

Qin An suddenly realized why the General Governor had to leave Xunyang Prefecture.

Events like today's would never happen in Lingzhou.

Qin An drew out the cold star, "Indeed it's too late. You all go die..."

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