If I, a death row inmate, am not to become a demon, am I to become a member of the Imperial Guard?

Zhou Yang sat cross-legged in the center of the secret room, surrounded by "Spirit-Locking Talismans" he had bought on the black market. These talismans cost a full three thousand taels of silver, and the old Taoist priest who sold them assured him that unless a grandmaster personally intervened, not even a fly could get in.

"Hopefully it works." Zhou Yang muttered, glancing at the heavy iron gate at the entrance. Qin Shuang was guarding outside; these were the terms they had agreed upon—five hundred taels for each act of protection, no cheating.

He closed his eyes and let his mind sink into his sea of ​​consciousness.

Current lifespan reserve: 1724 years.

[Estimated lifespan consumption for breaking through to the late stage of the True Essence Realm: 300 years.]

[Confirm?]

"confirm."

The next instant, a burning sensation rose from his dantian. This feeling was not unfamiliar; it was like swallowing a mouthful of scalding hot coals, his internal organs instantly becoming a furnace. Zhou Yang gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead. This time, the system's reaction was more intense than ever before; its true energy, like a wild horse, rampaged through his meridians, searching for an outlet.

He endured the excruciating pain and guided the violent power according to the Qi circulation route of the "Tiangang Technique". Sweat instantly soaked his clothes, which were then evaporated by the high temperature, and white mist rose around him.

The blood flow in my body suddenly accelerated. Thump, thump, thump. My heartbeat was heavy and powerful, each beat like the sound of a war drum.

The backyard of the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) Hundred-Household Office.

Qin Shuang sat on a stone bench, toying with a jade pendant in her hand. She looked up at the sky. The once clear night sky had been covered by dark clouds, which pressed down heavily overhead, completely obscuring the stars and moon.

"Is it going to rain again?" She frowned. It was fine just a moment ago; the weather changed too quickly.

The air was somewhat hot and dry, making one's hair stand on end.

The old locust tree in the neighboring yard moved swiftly without wind, its leaves rustling as if afraid of something. Several night crows, startled, flapped their wings and flew away from the branches, emitting hoarse cries.

Qin Shuang instinctively pressed her hand against the embroidered spring knife at her waist. She sensed a faint but palpable pressure emanating from the room where Zhou Yang was in seclusion.

"This guy..." she muttered to herself. Late stage True Yuan Realm? He's only been in the capital for a few days?

This speed is simply unheard of.

Meanwhile, deep within the palace.

Under the eaves of a side hall, the old eunuch in red robes who had appeared in Zhou Yang's perception stood with his hands behind his back. He narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze piercing through the layers of palace walls, landing in the direction of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"This aura..." the old eunuch snorted, "I'd like to see what kind of quality you are."

Just as he was about to release his divine sense to investigate, a sudden change occurred.

boom--!

A muffled thunderclap boomed above the Imperial Guards, but not a single drop of rain fell. Immediately afterward, a powerful shockwave emanated from Zhou Yang's room and suddenly spread outward. The shockwave, carrying dust and gravel, crashed against the invisible barrier.

The moment the old eunuch's divine sense touched the wave of energy, he felt a tremendous force rebounding towards him.

His expression changed slightly, and he took three steps back without making a sound, leaving a shallow footprint on the bluestone slab with each step.

"Huh?" The old eunuch exclaimed in surprise and withdrew his divine sense. He looked down at his palm, his knuckles feeling slightly numb.

"He actually managed to repel the divine sense of a miscellaneous cultivator... There's something strange about this kid." The apprehension in his eyes deepened. "Even a breakthrough to the late True Essence Realm exhibits such anomalies. If he's allowed to grow stronger..."

The old eunuch pondered for a moment, but ultimately decided not to investigate further. He flicked his sleeve, turned, and disappeared into the darkness. Some trump cards come at a price; he didn't want to completely sever ties with that mysterious little flag officer yet.

Inside a sealed room.

Zhou Yang suddenly opened his eyes. The heat within his body had subsided, and his true energy flowed like a surging river, endlessly regenerating, with every inch of his muscles containing explosive power.

He raised his hand and gently clenched his fist.

Click.

The air made a crisp sound.

[Ding! Breakthrough successful.]

[Current Realm: Late Stage of True Essence Realm.]

[Special host constitution detected; lifespan extended by ten years.]

Current lifespan reserve: 1434 years.

"You even made a profit?" Zhou Yang was taken aback, then smiled. This deal was worthwhile.

He stood up and stretched his limbs. His bones crackled and popped like popping beans. He could feel that his physical strength had increased to a new level; ordinary swords and blades probably couldn't even scratch his skin.

Half-step Vajra.

Zhou Yang took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the secret room.

Outside the door, Qin Shuang was staring blankly at the sky. Hearing the noise, she turned her head and looked at Zhou Yang.

"A breakthrough?"

"Hmm." Zhou Yang nodded, stretched, and said, "Late stage of True Essence Realm."

Qin Shuang's expression was complicated. She stood up and dusted herself off: "That was quite a commotion."

"Of course," Zhou Yang grinned. "That's real skill."

He looked Qin Shuang up and down, as if looking for something.

"What?" Qin Shuang asked warily.

"Nothing much." Zhou Yang rubbed his hands together, a familiar smile spreading across his face. "I just felt that it was time to settle the protection fee."

Qin Shuang's lips twitched.

She stared at the man in front of her, who had just broken through to a higher level and was already eager to talk about money, and was momentarily speechless. He seemed to have never changed since she met him.

"How much?" she sighed.

"We agreed on five hundred taels before." Zhou Yang held up five fingers. "But considering how big a commotion my breakthrough caused this time, almost causing your courtyard to collapse, I'll give you a discount. It's still five hundred taels."

Qin Shuang rolled her eyes. Is this what you call a discount?

She took a money pouch from her waist and tossed it over casually.

"then."

Zhou Yang caught it steadily and weighed it in his hand. It was heavy, and the sound of it made him feel happy.

"That's great." He tucked the money pouch into his pocket. "Working with the centurion is so comfortable."

Qin Shuang ignored his banter and focused her gaze on him. At the late stage of the True Essence Realm, coupled with his strange methods, this former lowly officer now possessed the qualifications to stand on the stage of this world.

"What are your plans for the future?" she asked.

Zhou Yang stopped smiling and turned his gaze to the majestic palace in the distance.

"Plans?" He sneered. "Since some people can't stand me, then I'll let them know that those who can't stand me will eventually have to obediently hand over their money."

He turned and walked into his room, his back view appearing exceptionally relaxed.

"Get some sleep first, I still have to go to the black market to collect debts tomorrow."

Qin Shuang watched his retreating figure and shook her head.

The next morning.

Zhou Yang stood with his hands behind his back in front of a pharmacy in the western part of the capital.

He was dressed in a brand-new Jinyiwei uniform, with the short knife hanging at his waist, and looked very spirited.

"Sir, the medicinal herbs you requested..." The shopkeeper, all smiles, pulled out an exquisite wooden box from under the counter. "They're all here."

Zhou Yang took the wooden box, opened it, and took a look. Inside lay several herbs emitting a faint medicinal fragrance, which were the auxiliary materials he needed to repair the fragments of the Dragon Spine.

"Good quality." Zhou Yang closed the lid. "How much?"

"Thank you, eight hundred taels." The shopkeeper said with a smile.

Zhou Yang didn't haggle and readily took out a silver note to pay the bill. The bag Qin Shuang gave him last night contained fifty taels of gold ingots, equivalent to five hundred taels of silver. With his own savings, he could afford to pay this amount.

[Ding! Repair materials for the Dragon Spine Fragment have been collected. Would you like to begin repair?]

The system notification sounded at the appropriate time.

Zhou Yang looked at the crowds coming and going on the street with a cold gaze.

"No rush, let's take care of the important business first."

He turned and walked towards a teahouse at the end of the street. That was where the southern merchant was to meet him.

A private room in a teahouse.

As Zhou Yang pushed open the door, a fragrant aroma of tea wafted towards him.

A middle-aged man sat across the table; it was the same man he had seen at the restaurant the night before. Upon seeing Zhou Yang, he quickly stood up and bowed.

"My lord, you've arrived."

Zhou Yang sat in the main seat with an air of superiority, crossing his legs.

"Tell me, what kind of business?"

The middle-aged man poured a cup of tea and pushed it in front of Zhou Yang.

"My lord, I have a shipment of goods and would like to ask for your help to enter the palace."

Zhou Yang picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

"Go to the palace?" He scoffed. "That's not a good deal. The one in the palace isn't someone you can easily talk to."

"That's why I've come to you, sir," the middle-aged man lowered his voice. "As long as you're willing to help, the price is negotiable."

Zhou Yang put down his teacup and tapped his finger on the table.

"You know my rules."

"I know, I know." The middle-aged man nodded repeatedly, took out a silver note from his pocket, and respectfully handed it over. "This is a deposit. There will be a greater reward after the matter is completed."

Zhou Yang glanced at the amount on the silver note: five thousand taels.

He accepted it without batting an eye, revealing his signature money-grubbing smile.

"Since you're so sincere, I'll accept this deal."

The middle-aged man breathed a sigh of relief and a smile appeared on his face.

Zhou Yang chuckled inwardly at his expression. The fish had taken the bait.

There's no such thing as a free lunch. This businessman, and the forces behind him, are simply trying to use their connections with the Embroidered Uniform Guard to plant spies in the palace.

Unfortunately, they came to the wrong person.

Zhou Yang touched the ebony token in his pocket. "Since you want to play, I'll play along. However, this admission ticket will accrue interest."

"Oh, right," Zhou Yang said, as if remembering something, "I heard that you southerners have a kind of 'spiritual incense,' which can make people clear-headed after burning it?"

The middle-aged man's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly.

"My lord is well-informed. This item certainly exists."

"Then let's get a couple to try," Zhou Yang said casually. "Don't tell me we don't have any; this stuff is a hot commodity on the black market."

The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Since you wish it, I will get on it right away."

As Zhou Yang watched his departing figure, the smile on his lips gradually faded.

Spiritual Incense?

Those are hallucinogenic drugs used to control people.

These people are really impatient.

However, he happened to need a few obedient "suicide squad members" to scout ahead. Since they've come to him, he might as well be impolite.

He stood up and opened the window.

The streets downstairs remained bustling, with vendors' cries rising and falling. Sunlight streamed onto the bluestone pavement, shimmering with golden light.

The dramas in the capital are getting more and more lively.

This time, Zhou Yang doesn't intend to just be a spectator.

He wanted to stand on the stage and pull out all the rats hiding in the ground, one by one.

As for money?

That was just a side effect.

Zhou Yang straightened his clothes and strode out of the teahouse.

By the time they returned to the centurion's quarters, it was nearly dusk.

As soon as Zhou Yang entered the gate, he saw a familiar figure standing in the courtyard.

Qin Shuang.

Standing beside her was a tall, handsome man dressed in a flying fish robe; he was none other than Chen De, the commander of the Security Division.

Upon seeing Zhou Yang return, Chen De immediately turned his gaze towards him, his eyes filled with provocation.

"Hey, isn't this Lord Zhou?" Chen De said with a forced smile. "I heard you made a fortune last night. How about buying the brothers a drink?"

Zhou Yang glanced at him and walked straight up to Qin Shuang.

"Lord Centurion, reimburse me."

He took out the receipt for the medicinal herbs from his pocket and handed it over.

Qin Shuang took the receipt and glanced at it.

"this……"

"For official business," Zhou Yang said without changing his expression. "For investigating a case."

Qin Shuang almost burst out laughing at his serious-looking nonsense. What investigation? It was clearly just something he used for cultivation. But she didn't call him out on it; she simply nodded.

"Take it."

She took a token out of her sleeve and handed it to Zhou Yang.

"This is a pass from the Northern Garrison Command. Since you're going to investigate, then go ahead and investigate."

Zhou Yang took the token, its surface smooth and warm to the touch.

"Thank you, sir."

He turned to look at Chen De, a half-smile on his face.

"If Lord Chen has nothing else, you should go back and rest. The security of the capital still depends on you."

Chen De's face darkened, and he was about to lash out when Qin Shuang gave him a cold glance.

"Commander Chen, is there anything else?"

Chen De gritted his teeth, glared fiercely at Zhou Yang, and stormed off.

Zhou Yang watched his retreating figure and shook his head.

That's all the character this person has.

"Ignore him," Qin Shuang said. "Things haven't been peaceful in the palace these past few days. The Empress is seriously ill, and all sorts of forces are watching. Be careful."

Zhou Yang nodded.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

He paused, lowered his voice, and said, "Lord Centurion, this time, we might be about to make a fortune."

Qin Shuang was taken aback.

"How so?"

Zhou Yang smiled, his gaze deep.

"The richest people make money off the dead."

Late at night.

Zhou Yang sat in the room, toying with the ebony token in his hand.

The system's voice rang in my mind.

[A key item has been detected. Should we consume lifespan to investigate its origin?]

"Deduction".

[Lifespan consumed: 10 years.]

[Deduction: This token is a symbol of the "Dark River" organization. The holder can mobilize Dark River's agents in the capital.]

underground river?

Zhou Yang's eyes narrowed slightly. He recognized the name from an ancient book about the secrets of the martial arts world. It was the legendary largest assassin organization, capable of killing even the emperor for a fee.

Unexpectedly, that southern merchant turned out to be from the Dark River.

This is a bit interesting.

He carefully put the token away, his eyes gleaming.

Now that we know the details, we need to carefully plan how to put on this show.

He stood up and walked to the window.

Dark clouds gathered again in the night sky.

A heavy rain is coming.

A bright light suddenly flashed outside the window, followed by rumbling thunder.

The torrential rain poured down, instantly enveloping the entire capital city in a curtain of rain.

Zhou Yang closed the window, keeping the wind and rain out.

The candlelight inside the room flickered.

He pulled the wooden box containing the medicinal herbs from under the bed and took out the fragment of the dragon spine.

"System, begin repair."

[Repair confirmed? Requires 200 years of lifespan.]

"confirm."

With a thought, Zhou Yang felt his lifespan draining away, while the dusty fragment began to emit a faint glow. The rust on it slowly faded, revealing its jet-black body.

He stared at the fragment.

This is the key to a higher realm, and also the foundation upon which he stands in this chaotic world.

Money must be earned.

Even if it means death, one must become stronger.

No matter how heavy the rain is in the capital, it won't get on Zhou Yang's head.

Because he had a knife in his hand and money in his pocket.

This is enough.