Immortality begins with exchanging talent attributes.

When Zhou Yan, carrying his medicine basket, returned to the west gate of Qingzhou City, it was already noon.

Yes, he forgot to return the medicine basket to Mo Qingyan. He didn't know if he was used to carrying it, or if he had been concentrating on studying the Chongshan Step the whole way.

Even if the medicine basket was tilted or tipped over, he would subconsciously straighten it and not pay any attention to it.

Only when the city gate came into view did he snap out of his focused state and realize that the medicine basket was still on him.

Rubbed his eyebrows.

"Never mind, I'll return it next time I see it."

Zhou Yan looked up and glanced around, then subconsciously looked at the location of the red-labeled refugees.

But the refugee with the red tag was no longer in the same spot.

His brows furrowed slightly.

He searched the neighborhood again.

"Hmm, that's strange, they're gone?"

I was surprised. When I saw that refugee that morning, he was clearly unable to walk. Where could he have gone?

The surrounding refugees seemed to recognize him.

When Mo Qingyan administered acupuncture, it caused quite a commotion.

When Zhou Yan's gaze swept over them, the refugees lowered their heads and moved back.

I originally wanted to ask someone nearby.

Seeing this, he put aside his doubts for the time being.

"Give me some instructions later and let the Black-Clad Guards investigate."

It was none of his business anyway. As long as it didn't affect him or the people around him, Zhou Yan didn't want to get involved in anything.

Suppressing his frustration, Zhou Yan strode into the city.

It was still early, so he planned to put his things at home first and then go to the mansion where the Xuanyiwei (Black-Clad Guards) worked.

But what he didn't know was that he had only been in the city for a short time.

A man in a t-shirt at the street corner quickly turned around and disappeared into the alley behind.

……

In a small tavern in Qingzhou City.

The tavern had a small storefront, and inside there was only one table where five or six burly men were drinking.

"Brother Dao, that kid is back. He's carrying a basket on his back. Looks like he went up the mountain to gather herbs."

A henchman ran in, sweating profusely, and spoke to Scarface, who was drinking.

Scarface paused, holding his wine glass, and asked in confusion:

"Herbal gathering? This kid knows about that?" He shook his head and looked at the henchman.

  

"Go over there and keep an eye on him. I need to know his every move!"

"Yes, Brother Dao."

The little rascal hurriedly ran out.

"Brother Dao, is it really necessary to be so cautious about eliminating a mere kid who hasn't even reached the first level of training?"

"One of Scarface's henchmen said in a low voice."

"What do you know? No matter what, they are government officials. Besides, the Black-Clad Guards are still in the city. We can't leave any evidence behind."

Scarface had deep eyes. He tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass.

……

After putting the medicine basket back home and hiding it, Zhou Yan didn't linger and soon went out again.

As he walked toward the temporary compound of the Black-Clad Guards, he was still pondering what to say later.

After all, he'd run into that damn thing again.

He initially thought it might be a plague that would affect him and Zhu Asan's family, so he wanted to take precautions in advance.

As it turned out, who would have thought it was another tactic of the Wusheng Sect?

They actually want to use people to make pills? What a bunch of lunatics! No wonder the Black-Clad Guards call these people "demons"—they really are monstrous.

As soon as he turned from the alley onto the main street, Zhou Yan's second-stage cultivation level perception made him keenly aware that someone was following him.

Pretending to look at the goods at the roadside vendors, he glanced back out of the corner of his eye, thought for a moment, then turned and entered another alley.

The lackey hesitated for a moment, but quickly followed. As soon as they entered the alley, the lackey was stunned.

"Hmm, where are they?"

He took two more steps forward, but suddenly a voice came from behind him.

"Who are you? What are you doing following me?"

He turned his head sharply and saw the target he was monitoring, the young prison guard named Zhou Yan.

I don't even know when they got behind him.

"you……"

The little lackey's face turned pale with fright. He swallowed hard before saying:

"I...I was just passing by, who...who was following you?"

Having said that, he actually tried to bypass Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan formed a claw with his right hand and grabbed the other person's shoulder. With a slight force from his fingers, he launched the collarbone grappling technique that he had practiced for a long time.

next moment.

“Wuwu!”

Just as the scream was about to be released, Zhou Yan instantly dislocated the other person's jaw with his left hand, turning the scream into a whimper.

With another forceful push of his right hand, the little lackey was so pained that he knelt down.

"explain!"

Zhou Yan's tone was icy, as if he were about to snap the other person's neck at any moment.

"Ooh, ooh, ah."

With a flick of his left hand, he stroked the other person's chin, and with a "snap," the chin was restored to its original position.

The little lackey, his voice trembling with tears, said haltingly:

"Yes... Brother Dao sent me to keep an eye on you."

"Brother Dao? Scarface from the Blackwater Gang?"

The little lackey nodded hurriedly.

He was truly terrified; he felt that the other person was really going to kill him.

Zhou Yan lowered his eyes and looked at the lackey in front of him, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Scar!

It really was him?

Was the assassin who came to kill him in the early morning also sent by Scarface?

Damn!

Zhou Yan wanted to break the neck of the person in front of him right now, and then find Scarface and break his neck as well.

But hearing the faint sounds of conversation coming from outside the alley behind him, he knew it wasn't the right time yet.

It's midday now, and there are people everywhere. If someone commits murder at this time, they can't clear their name of suspicion.

After a moment's thought, he said in an icy voice:

"Go back and tell your brother Dao not to do things secretly. I'll visit him whenever I have time."

After saying that, he released his right hand.

"roll!"

The henchman scrambled to his feet and ran away in a panic.

Zhou Yan clenched his fists, unable to control the murderous intent in his eyes.

"Damn it, it's happening again. Why is everyone targeting me? All I want to do is practice martial arts in peace and quiet, is that so hard?"

Suppressing the urge to storm Scarface's lair, Zhou Yan took a deep breath.

Weren't you looking for me? I'll go see you tonight and see what you're up to.

……

In front of the gate of the compound temporarily requisitioned by the Black-Clad Guards.

"My lord, I have urgent business with Commander Lu. This is my credentials. Please inform him."

As he spoke, Zhou Yan took out the jade pendant that Lu Qingshuang had given him and handed it to her.

The guard in black robes looked at the jade pendant, then glanced at Zhou Yan from head to toe, and said:

"You wait here."

"Thank you, sir."

Zhou Yan cupped his hands in greeting.

A moment later, Lu Qingshuang didn't come out, but Shen Heng, dressed in casual clothes, strode out, seemingly about to leave anyway.

He held the jade pendant in his hand, and when he saw Zhou Yan, there seemed to be a hint of surprise in his eyes, but it disappeared in an instant.

He said impatiently:

"What are you doing here again? Didn't you say you'd come to me if I needed anything?"

Although the other person concealed it well, the observant Zhou Yan still noticed the hint of surprise on their face when they left.

Are you surprised to see me? How strange!

Suppressing his thoughts, Zhou Yan clasped his hands in a fist and said:

"Greetings, Lord Shen. I have important matters to report to Lord Lu. Please lead the way, Lord Shen."

"Heh, important business? What important business could you possibly have? Just tell me directly."

Shen Heng sneered.

"Lord Shen, this matter is extremely urgent. If it is delayed, I'm afraid you won't be able to bear the responsibility."

Zhou Yan's repeated concessions only resulted in the other party's sarcastic remarks, and even with his good temper, he couldn't help but lose his temper.

Although he knew he couldn't beat his opponent, it wouldn't be so easy for the opponent to kill him either.

Moreover, Shen Heng would most likely not dare to make a move before Lu Qingshuang gave the order.

"How dare you! You lowly jailer, how dare you speak to me like that? Do you really think I wouldn't dare to execute you?"

Shen Heng placed his hand on the knife at his waist, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes, as if he were about to draw his sword and kill the arrogant young man opposite him on the spot.

"Why is it so noisy? Do you even know where you are, huh?"

A deep voice came from the inner courtyard.

Shen Zhongheng walked out slowly. Although his movements were slow, an aura of pressure from a high-ranking martial artist pressed down on him first.

Shen Heng grunted, took a step back, and hurriedly clasped his hands in salute along with the two guards in black robes.

"Greetings, Commander Shen."

"This humble servant greets Commander Shen."

Zhou Yan felt an immense pressure accompanying the blue light before him, like a raging flood, pushing him back several steps.

Although it was partly due to him concealing his cultivation level, he felt that even if he unleashed all his strength at the second level, he wouldn't be able to withstand it at all.

Barely managing to steady himself, Zhou Yan clasped his hands in a fist salute and said:

"This humble servant greets Commander Shen."

Shen Zhongheng frowned slightly and looked at him, saying:

Who are you?

Sure enough, high-ranking officials don't remember people; they had just met him a few days ago, but now they've forgotten him.

"I came here before..."

After a brief explanation, Shen Zhongheng seemed to remember that there was such a person as him, and casually asked a question.

"So, this time you've come back again, sent by the Black-Clad Guards to deliver a message?"

"This... I have important matters to report to Commander Lu."

Zhou Yan deliberately emphasized the words "Lu Baihu".

There was no other meaning to it; it was intentional. He was originally an outsider of Lu Qingshuang, and when he came last time, he keenly noticed that although Commander Shen in front of him held a high official position, his status was clearly lower than that of Lu Qingshuang.

Shen Zhongheng looked at him calmly and said nothing more.

But Zhou Yan, who was looking down, could clearly feel a burning heat coming down from in front of him, making it hard for him to breathe.

Just then.

"Come in with me."

A cool, clear voice rang out, dispelling the heatwave.

Suddenly, a tall, aloof figure appeared at the entrance and spoke.

It was Lu Qingshuang.

……