Starting with the titmouse, seventy-two transformations

Chapter 39 Parting, Planning (Please read on, vote with monthly tickets)

A large crowd gathered in front of the Demon Suppression Bureau's office.

The shockwaves from the previous "Demon-Subduing and Saint-Manifesting General" had not yet subsided, attracting a large crowd of people.

A clerk set up a small stall in front of the yamen (government office) to recruit new employees.

"Our Demon Suppression Division, although established only a few years ago, enjoys the deep trust of His Majesty and benefits that surpass all other divisions."

Even beast hunters without official rank could be exempted from all taxes and corvée labor by virtue of their badges, which served the same purpose as 'military registration'.

A middle-aged clerk, around thirty years old, leaned on the square table with both hands, speaking with great enthusiasm and spittle flying:
"Furthermore, one can accumulate merit points to exchange for martial arts techniques, elixirs, weapons and armor, and even hire experts to teach them..."

Becoming a beast hunter exempts one from all taxes and corvée labor, which is equivalent to being registered as a 'martial artist' in advance?
Liu Sheng licked his lips, showing some interest, and asked:
How to become a beast hunter?

"It's simple. Just complete one of the Demon Suppression Division's assessment tasks, which usually involves hunting down a different species."

The middle-aged clerk chuckled and spread out his brush and ink:

"So, how about joining our Demon Suppression Division? I'll register you..."

Liu Sheng blinked, deciding to learn more about the other forces before making a decision:
"Thank you, senior. I will think about it some more."

"Reconsider? That's a waste of time!"

The middle-aged clerk immediately turned hostile and waved his hand impatiently:
"Get out of the way, get out of the way, don't block my work."

Convex!
This guy was born in the Year of the Dog!

Liu Sheng left dejectedly, glancing at the Demon Suppression Bureau's office, a question arising in his mind...

That golden-toothed white elephant was so huge, like a small mountain, that it should have been visible within Shanyang County.

How could they have disappeared in such a short time?

Either leave, or shrink...

"Rumors circulate that demons can refine their transverse bones, transforming into human form and speaking human language..."

He blinked, his gaze seemingly trying to pierce through the layers of buildings and peer into the deepest part of the Demon Suppression Bureau…

That white elephant demon might have transformed into human form and is hiding inside!
After leaving the Demon Suppression Division, Liu Sheng wandered around the city for half a day.

I spent a few taels of silver to get a general understanding of all the major and minor powers in the city.

All things considered, joining the Demon Suppression Division is the most cost-effective option among all choices.

For others, joining the Demon Suppression Bureau means facing all kinds of monsters, which is extremely dangerous. If they are not careful, they will die.

But Liu Sheng possesses a three-headed monster-level incarnation…

He is the real danger to spirits and other monsters.

Joining the Demon Suppression Division allows you to practice martial arts while slacking off. If you manage to gather crucial intelligence, you can even find an opportunity to inform your master!

Most importantly, the Demon Suppression Bureau's warehouse must contain many ancient artifacts, representing the foundation of the Great Yu Dynasty over hundreds of years...

For Liu Sheng, this was a huge amount of spiritual energy points!
However, there's no need to rush, let's wait and see.

We'll discuss everything after the summer tax is paid.

Back in the village, before he could even settle in, Zhao Lei came to his door to say goodbye.

"Brother Sheng, are you... really not coming to Funing County with us?"

Zhao Lei looked thinner after a few days.

His face showed trepidation, but his eyes held hope.

He genuinely hoped that Liu Sheng's family could come with him to the neighboring Funing County.

Since Wu Song killed the official and left, most of the villagers of Baishui Village have scattered.

As the saying goes, when dragonflies fly low, heavy rain is coming.

Although the villagers were not well-informed, they knew that killing an official was a major disaster and instinctively sensed that something was wrong.

So some went to live with relatives, some found ways to enter the city, and some simply abandoned their property and fled to other places, becoming refugees.

Even Zhao Lei managed to secure a job as an archer in the patrol office of the neighboring Funing County through his brother-in-law's connections.

After all, he was a skilled archer.

I came here today to invite Liu Sheng to come along, so that we can look out for each other.

During a previous hunt, Liu Sheng demonstrated his exceptional marksmanship, relying on his "sparrow eyes," leaving Zhao Lei in awe.

"Brother Stone, after the summer tax is paid, we will move to Shanyang County and settle down officially."

Liu Sheng politely declined and revealed his own plans.

Moreover, Zhao Lei's archer assignment involved several favors and connections.

It's inappropriate for their family to get involved so rashly.

"Oh, well..." Zhao Lei sighed in disappointment, then perked up:

Take good care of yourselves!

The two had been through thick and thin together, so they were naturally very reluctant to part.

But that's life.

Zhao Lei gave him a treasured bearskin and an old ginseng root, which were considered his most prized possessions.

Liu Sheng reciprocated with fifty taels of silver, forty taels of silver notes, and ten taels of loose silver, enough for his family to establish themselves in their new place.

It's not that they're unwilling to give more, but for ordinary families, fifty taels is already a huge sum, and any more...

That would bring about a fatal disaster.

Zhao Lei declined a few times, but couldn't persuade Liu Sheng otherwise. Besides, he was far from home and had to think about his wife and children, so he finally accepted the gift.

The next morning, Liu Sheng and his family went to the village entrance to see him off.

The two families had gone through thick and thin together and shared a deep bond. When they parted, they covered their faces and wept, reluctant to part.

In the end, Zhao Lei's family still rode away in their donkey cart, creaking and groaning.

Only after they turned into tiny black dots did the puppy's innocent voice drift on the wind:
"father--"

"..."

Liu Sheng's eye twitched, his face immediately darkened, and then he realized what was happening.

This single word, "Father," establishes the relationship and implies entrusting the child to someone else.

If Zhao Lei were to encounter any misfortune in the future, I would have to protect his wife and children.

Given Stone's intelligence, he probably wouldn't have thought of this, so it is...

Sister-in-law Zhao.

That woman, with her sharp tongue but kind heart and a mole on the corner of her mouth, actually possessed a certain inner beauty.

No wonder he could have Brother Stone completely under his thumb.

After Zhao Lei's family left, the village became even quieter.

Only about ten households remained in the village, and their relationship with the Liu family was so-so; they had little contact with them.

That night, Yu Niang, panting, hugged Liu Sheng and whispered:

"...How about I go find my dad and see if our family can... move to Qiaoxi Village?"

"I have plans."

Liu Sheng pinched a handful of freshly peeled chicken head meat, mounted his horse, and continued galloping.

After paying the summer tax, he moved his whole family to settle in the county town.

The courtyard I rented in Caiyuan Lane last time is still available for more than two months, so I can stay there temporarily.

With his cultivation level approaching the pinnacle of Qi and Blood, he could easily make a living and support his family wherever he went.

The key is to make it easy for him to harvest spiritual points!
He had a clear understanding that in this dangerous world, the "Seventy-two Transformations" were the foundation of his existence.

He owes his current success entirely to this Dao Fruit.

To make the Dao Fruit effective...

First, one must continuously improve one's martial arts realm and refine more transformative bodies.

The second method involves using Spiritual Essence Points, which consume a large amount of Spiritual Essence Points to deduce and upgrade one's incarnation.

In martial arts, there is the first volume of the "Black Tiger Zen Scripture," which can be cultivated all the way to the fourth realm of true form. Just practice diligently.

Only the spiritual essence points are lacking.

His three incarnations have now all been upgraded to the "spirit level".

Each subsequent simulation, regardless of success or failure, consumes hundreds of spiritual points.

With just over a thousand points of spiritual energy, it simply won't last more than a few times.

Therefore, the ability to access a "large amount" of spiritual energy points is his primary consideration when choosing which faction to join.

After careful consideration, he already had the answer in his heart.

Once they paid the summer tax, they moved their entire family to the city.

But what about Master...? I wonder how he is doing?
The imperial court mobilized 300,000 troops to lay a tight net, and also dispatched eight great demon-subduing generals to lead troops to search the mountains and seas!
Such a display...

Can Master handle this?

(End of this chapter)