I'm already invincible, and you're telling me I just logged in?

"A notorious bandit?"

Xu Yan listened without asking any further questions or volunteering.

He now understands the situation.

My abilities are insufficient to get involved in matters at this level.

As for achievements, that's something to talk about once you've built up your strength.

He withdrew his gaze, looked away without lingering, and turned to leave the government office.

After walking along the street for a while, he first went to the pharmacy on the street corner and bought a box of ointment to reduce swelling and bruising, as Chen Xuan had told him.

Then he followed Zhou Tong and began patrolling along the main street of Qingshi Town.

Arriving at a pawnshop, Xu Yan stepped inside.

Now that he has some spare money and receives a monthly stipend from the government, he plans to redeem the jade pendant left by his mother.

However, as soon as Xu Yan stepped across the threshold, his gaze froze.

Not far from the counter, a young woman was examining a piece of white jade pendant. The outline of the character "叶" (leaf) on the jade was all too familiar to her.

Xu Yan did not step forward, but instead withdrew his gaze, walked straight to the counter, and handed over the contract.

The shopkeeper looked up at him, his gaze lingering on the lingering bruise on his face, clearly not recognizing Xu Yan immediately.

Only after seeing the contract clearly did the shopkeeper understand the purpose of their visit.

"Sir," he said politely, but without much respect, "your jade pendant has already been taken by a customer."

"How about this, I'm willing to compensate you with an additional fifty taels, what do you think?"

Xu Yan didn't reply, but simply pushed the contract on the table: "This is a pawned contract. You sold it without my consent?"

The shopkeeper's face stiffened for a moment, then his eyes flickered.

He turned his head slightly and gave the man sitting in the corner of the shop a pleading look.

Seeing this, the man stood up, walked up to Xu Yan, and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Qin Feng".

"Young man, my cousin really likes this jade pendant. Would you be willing to part with it?"

Before Xu Yan could answer, Zhou Tong leaned over and whispered a reminder: "Young Brother Xu, this is an official from the Bureau of Arrest."

"If something is absolutely essential to keep, then don't argue about it."

People who can serve in the Bureau of Arrest at such a young age must either have a powerful family background or be very capable.

Neither of them can be offended.

Hearing this, Xu Yan remained unmoved.

He had already guessed the other person's identity from his clothing, but the person in front of him was not one of the two police inspectors he had seen at the yamen before.

At this moment, the woman who had been standing quietly in front of the counter spoke.

She wore a blue dress, was about sixteen years old, and had a scholarly air about her.

"Young master, is this jade pendant very important to you?"

Xu Yan met her gaze. "These are the keepsakes my mother left me."

Upon hearing this, a hint of reluctance flashed in the woman's eyes, but she still gently placed the jade pendant back on the counter and pushed it toward him.

Seeing this, Qin Feng's brows twitched slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Three hundred taels."

Xu Yan was about to reply when the woman shook her head first: "Cousin, never mind."

Qin Feng didn't say anything more in the end. He just took a deep look at Xu Yan and then left the pawnshop with her.

Xu Yan paid the ransom and hung the jade pendant back up.

When Zhou Tong learned that these were his mother's belongings, he did not try to persuade her any further.

He only said that he hoped not to offend the officer in charge of arrest, otherwise his path to promotion would be difficult.

The two patrolled the street, but Xu Yan was somewhat distracted.

The man named Qin Feng had all four attributes on his stats panel quite balanced; he was the second one he had seen after Dongfang Canghai.

In other words, the opponent has most likely also practiced multiple martial arts at the same time.

"It seems we can't cut back any further."

After redeeming the jade pendant, Xu Yan had about sixty taels of silver left.

He had previously inquired at a pharmacy and learned that this world also sold pills and tonics to aid cultivation, but the prices were not low.

After the patrol came to an end, on his way back to the yamen, Xu Yan made a special detour to visit the pharmacy again.

During his night patrol, he glanced down at his palm.

Body Tempering Pill

[Consuming this increases character experience gain efficiency by 100% (Effective: 1 day)]

The effect was far inferior to the top-grade Mind-Clearing Pill given by the Golden Finger.

Xu Yan sighed softly, her gaze filled with complex emotions.

No wonder people say that scholars are poor while warriors are rich.

In the pharmacy, even the most common Body Tempering Pill costs ten taels of silver per pill.

He finally understood why Zhou Tong and his group could collect the fees with a clear conscience.

Without these extra sources of income, the monthly salary from the government office alone would not be enough.

I can't even afford one Body Tempering Pill every month.

Upon arriving at the night market, Xu Yan maintained her principles and avoided paying any fees.

Most of the street vendors are people who support their families by tending their stalls, earning their money through hard work. He was unwilling to take any more money from them.

Besides, if I want to become stronger, I can rely on my cheat ability; I don't need to burden others.

Not far away, Xu Yan encountered Bao Ting again.

He continued to weave through the crowd, hawking his wares with his large wooden tray. Upon seeing Xu Yan, he approached him familiarly: "Sir, fresh out of the pan, would you like to try a piece?"

Xu Yan took two coins, paid with copper coins, and casually asked, "How's the investigation going?"

Bao Ting glanced at the copper coin, but didn't immediately put it away. He just smiled and shook his head: "Lord Xu, this is twenty years ago, how could it be so fast?"

"It will take at least a month, please be patient."

Xu Yan didn't ask any further questions, put away the pastries, and continued her patrol.

Bao Ting put the copper coins into his pocket, cleared his throat, and then carried the wooden tray along the street, calling out his wares.

After their night patrol, Xu Yan and Zhou Tong returned to the yamen to report for duty.

When it was time to leave, Chen Xuan kept him behind and took him into the room where he usually organized the files.

He pointed to a booklet next to the oil lamp and said, "Take a look at this."

"It was found on Wang Hu by the coroner. According to the rules, this thing belongs to you."

"Of course, you can also choose to hand it over to the government, and I will record it as a merit."

Xu Yan picked it up and glanced at it.

A low-grade Xuan-level martial arts manual.

Moreover, it's a dagger-based martial art.

Now that I already have martial arts skills, unless I encounter defensive martial arts, there is no need to waste my energy on a weapon-based martial art.

Xu Yan put down the booklet and said decisively, "Lord Chen, I choose to hand it over."

Chen Xuan nodded.

Through the coroner's autopsy report, he learned that Xu Yanxiu practiced boxing, and that his skill level was probably quite high.

This dagger martial art was indeed of little use to him.

It's good to stay in the government office; if someone makes a contribution in the future, it can be used as a reward.

"Then go back and rest for now. I'll record your achievements."

Chen Xuan patted Xu Yan on the shoulder, his eyes filled with appreciation: "Work hard. Once you've accumulated enough merit, I'll recommend you to the officials of the Superintendent of Police. It won't be any worse than working in the Xu family."

Xu Yan bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you for your promotion, sir. I will take my leave now."

After saying that, he turned and left.

A night breeze blew in his face as he walked back to his courtyard along the long street.

As Xu Yan pushed open the courtyard gate, he subconsciously glanced at the corner of the courtyard.

Su Miaoyun did not appear tonight.

But in the center of the courtyard, a figure was standing quietly.

It is the Eastern Sea.

He was unusually not drunk. When Xu Yan returned, Dongfang Canghai looked up, his expression serious like never before.

"Your boxing skills!"

There's a problem.