Immortality begins with exchanging talent attributes.

The main hall was still the same one in the courtyard temporarily requisitioned by the Black-Clad Guards.

Zhou Yan sat in the chair, feeling drowsy.

There were guards in black uniforms outside the door, and even when he went to the outhouse, someone would follow him.

He didn't feel wronged. He could understand why Lu Qingshuang, the commander of the Black-Clad Guard, wouldn't let him leave.

Although he didn't want to get involved in these messy things, he himself didn't believe it was none of his business.

"I'm so frustrated I could cry! I didn't want this to happen either!"

Zhou Yan looked up and sighed.

Time passed slowly, perhaps because there was nothing to do. After resting enough, Zhou Yan began to slowly practice his boxing.

Although he still had injuries, the guards in black who brought him food had specially changed his dressings, so he wasn't in as much pain now.

Be careful, it's not a big deal if you use a body tempering technique.

Perhaps it was the series of battles and escapes that stimulated his potential. After he finished a set of punches, he could clearly see that his blood and qi had increased slightly.

This made him happy, but also somewhat melancholy.

I'm getting closer and closer to the peak of the first stage, but I still haven't figured out the techniques for the second stage.

It wasn't that he was in a hurry, but that the world was too dangerous.

How long has he been in this world?

All in all, it took less than ten days.

He faced three life-or-death crises.

  

Moreover, raising your hand reveals the panel.

[Talent Attributes: Copper Skin and Iron Bones (Green), Ever-Changing Aura (Green)]

Age: 16

Lifespan: 8 years and 1 month

[Martial Arts: Body Tempering Technique (Perfected) Collarbone Grappling Hand (Beginner)]

Eight years! He only has eight years left to live.

Eight years? It's just a blink of an eye.

If one wants to prolong life, the only option is to practice martial arts, and one must never stop.

Zhou Yan lowered his hand, touched the money pouch on his chest, and fell into thought.

In the money bag of the Chen-surnamed guard, there was a gold leaf and three taels of silver.

Adding to his original one tael, the total was fourteen taels.

I have enough to pay off my debts, but I don't know if that will be enough to learn martial arts at a martial arts school in the city.

He plans to ask about it when he gets back.

As for making money by hunting...

Thinking of everything that had happened in the mountains, he couldn't help but shake his head.

He would never go up the mountain again until his strength reached the third level.

After all, if he were to encounter that beast-like creature again, he had no confidence that he could escape with his life.

"Hiss~ Hiss~"

The neighing of horses came from outside the door, followed by a large number of footsteps approaching.

Zhou Yan was taken aback.

It's not even noon yet, how come you're back so quickly? Did you catch someone? That's incredibly efficient!

But when Lu Qingshuang and the others pushed open the door and entered, Zhou Yan realized that he might have guessed wrong.

Her cold and beautiful face was expressionless, and the hem of her dark official robe was stained with a little mud. Her whole demeanor still exuded a cold and aloof feeling that kept strangers at bay.

Following her in was the black-clad guard named Shen Heng, whose face was dark and who didn't even glance at Zhou Yan.

Judging from this, they probably didn't find anything at all, right?

Zhou Yan hurriedly stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and said:

"grown ups."

Lu Qingshuang waved to him and sat down in the seat of honor, with Shen Heng standing next to her.

Strange? Why hasn't that commander of the Black-Clad Guards returned?

Although he had doubts, he dared not ask any further questions.

Seeing the other person wave their hand, Zhou Yan withdrew both hands, lowered his head, and stood quietly in place.

Looking at the well-behaved young man in front of her, Lu Qingshuang's eyes flashed with a subtle scrutiny.

She felt this kid was a bit suspicious after the last prison incident.

Afterwards, she even had someone check the other party's information.

A native of Qingzhou County, he started working at the county jail three months ago.

Being just sixteen years old means that the other person doesn't have much experience, and everything is traceable.

After seeing the result, she had actually put aside her doubts, after all, the other party was just a teenager.

The identification of Han Ya may just be a "coincidence".

But just a few days later, the other party "coincidentally" encountered Chen Lie, who was investigating the Wusheng Sect.

The two consecutive "coincidences" made Lu Qingshuang begin to doubt the boy in front of her again.

However, based on their investigation overnight, everything the other party said actually matched up.

They did indeed find the bodies of the hunters and traces of the spirit beast, as well as Chen Lie's corpse, which the hunters had hidden.

They even followed the clues and found a hideout of the Wusheng Cult.

Unfortunately, by the time they arrived, the place was deserted, with only some fresh footprints remaining, indicating that the other party had also just left.

This further confirms that what the boy said was true.

……

Silence, endless silence.

Lu Qingshuang sat at the head of the table, her clear black and white eyes fixed on him, as if she were pondering something.

Shen Heng, standing to the side, remained silent with a dark expression throughout.

The atmosphere in the lobby became particularly oppressive due to the silence between the two.

At first, when Lu Qingshuang's gaze fell on him, Zhou Yan didn't feel anything.

But as time went by, and the other person's gaze continued to scrutinize him, Zhou Yan began to feel a little uncomfortable.

He shifted his body slightly, just as he was about to ask when he could leave.

"Zhou Yan?"

Lu Qingshuang finally spoke.

The atmosphere in the lobby relaxed, and Zhou Yan let out a soft breath.

"I am here."

Zhou Yan clasped his hands and bowed again.

"You've done a good job delivering the message. The Black-Clad Guards are fair in their rewards and punishments; those who have rendered meritorious service should be rewarded. What do you want?"

Lu Qingshuang said calmly.

Oh? There's a surprise!

Zhou Yan's heart skipped a beat, but he said respectfully:

"These are things that a lowly person should do; a lowly person dares not take credit for them."

This is based on the experience he accumulated from being a corporate slave for over a decade in his previous life.

When the boss asks you what you want, he has often already decided what he will give you.

If you don't want to give it, you can't ask for it anyway; just say a few polite words.

Lu Qingshuang raised her eyebrows slightly, as if Zhou Yan's answer had taken her by surprise.

Zhou Yan noticed the subtle reaction of the aloof woman at the head of the table out of the corner of his eye, and his heart skipped a beat.

No way, you guessed wrong?

Although I didn't initially intend to receive a reward.

But the thought that the "reward" might slip away after he got it still made Zhou Yan feel heartbroken and breathless.

He's lacking everything right now!

"Since you don't want a reward... then I'll give you two choices."

Damn it, the reward is really gone, and my heart aches even more.

Suppressing his frustration, Zhou Yan showed no outward signs of distress, appearing to be listening quietly.

Lu Qing Shuang continued:

"First, you will continue to be your jailer, and I will speak with the magistrate to ask him to raise your monthly salary, but..." She paused.

"But you are never allowed to leave Qingzhou City for the rest of your life, otherwise I will consider you a heretic of the Wusheng Sect, and I will put your name on the Xuanyi Guard's wanted poster!"

Hearing the first half of the sentence, Zhou Yan's heartache eased slightly, but when the other party said the second half, he was stunned!

Me? The Wusheng Sect? What does that have to do with anything?

Unable to leave Qingzhou City? A wanted poster from the Black-Clad Guards? What's the point of me practicing martial arts then? Might as well just wait to die!

I knew the Black-Clad Guards were domineering, but this is going a bit too far.

After a moment of silence, Zhou Yan mustered his courage and slightly raised his head to ask:

"May I ask, sir, what law have I broken?"

Lu Qingshuang leaned back, her voice devoid of any warmth as she slowly said:

"You haven't broken the law; you've even done something good. That's why I didn't have you arrested and interrogated immediately. Do you understand?"

Zhou Yan's breath hitched.

He knew the other person was doubting him, but he had no evidence to prove he was innocent, just as the other person had no evidence to prove he was innocent.

Gritting his teeth, Zhou Yan spoke again:

"What is the second path?"

Lu Qingshuang looked at him and said in a serious tone:

"The second option is for you to work for me."

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan suddenly looked up and met a pair of narrow eyes that carried a chilling aura.

"Join the Black-Clad Guard? My lord, you want me to join the Black-Clad Guard?"

Lu Qing Shuang twitched her lips and shook her head slightly, saying:

"You're not qualified to join the Black-Clad Guard. If you agree, I'll put you on the periphery first, without giving you a formal identity."

I will consider granting you a promotion only after you have completed the tasks I have assigned you.

Zhou Yan was truly stunned. Was this a choice? Couldn't you just make the arrangements directly?

I thought you were different from other officials, but you're just like them.

After a moment's thought, he hesitated and said:

"I have chosen the second path, but my strength is too weak, and I fear I will not be able to complete the task assigned to me by you, sir. I do not know..."

"explain."

"Yes, I wonder if you could grant me a copy of the Second Rank Martial Arts Manual, so that my strength can be increased and I can better serve you."

Zhou Yan stared intently at the woman at the head of the table.

"Practicing martial arts a second time?"

A rare look of surprise appeared on Lu Qingshuang's usually indifferent face.

"Come forward."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan took two steps forward, not understanding why.

The next moment, Lu Qingshuang suddenly struck, slapping Zhou Yan in the lower abdomen.

A warm current flowed into Zhou Yan's body.

What is this?

……