All-class Gu Immortal

Chapter 130 Hunting Mission (4000-word chapter)

Zhou Qing reached out to touch it, and the Azure Fire Toad suddenly jumped up, but he caught it in mid-air.

The tiny green fire toad radiates astonishing heat.

Zhou Qing felt her palms getting hotter and hotter.

So he put the Jade Fire Toad into the leather bag Gu, and then picked up the leather prescription to examine it.

After understanding the brewing method of Fire Toad Wine, Zhou Qing's gaze sharpened.

This fire toad wine actually has two brewing methods.

Fire Toad Wine can aid in the cultivation of poison techniques and strengthen the physical body. The strength of the medicine depends primarily on the toad skin shed by the Azure Fire Toad, and secondarily on the Fire Cloud Mushroom.

It seems that since Chu Teng could not withstand the fire poison contained in the Jade Fire Toad's skin, he resorted to the second method, using the Jade Fire Toad's bodily fluids to brew wine.

"The fire toad wine brewed using the first method will have much stronger medicinal effects!"

Zhou Qing was overjoyed; this was truly an unexpected delight.

This fire toad wine can serve as both food for wine worms and as an auxiliary medicine for cultivating poisonous arts, truly killing two birds with one stone.

Zhou Qing carefully put away the prescription and stuffed it into the leather bag Gu. Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he released the golden-backed centipede again.

"I'll give this golden-backed centipede to you two gentlemen. If you need anything else, just let me know. I can usually find other poisonous insects."

Upon hearing this, Chu Teng and Manager Xu exchanged a glance and nodded simultaneously.

Chu Teng spoke up, saying, "Brother Zhou, to be honest, we have been preparing for many years to forge the Demon-Slaying Blade according to ancient methods, all in preparation for forging a divine weapon."

"A divine weapon?" Zhou Qing exclaimed in astonishment. "These two gentlemen actually possess such exquisite forging skills! They can forge a divine weapon?!"

Chu Teng sighed: "Brother Zhou, you flatter me. The efforts of the two of us for most of our lives have only yielded hope, not to mention that we have already failed once."

The five poisonous creatures, crucial for forging the divine weapon, are no longer available. Now, with the entire golden-backed centipede gifted by Brother Zhou, only the final poisonous spider species is missing before the furnace can be opened to forge the weapon.

"Leave the search for the poisonous spider to me," Zhou Qing readily agreed.

With the existence of the Wooden King's Cauldron, finding the Poison Spider would be a piece of cake, and would be effortless.

Anyway, he was going to Huanglong Mountain to find the Apricot Blossom Spirit Wood, and he could find poisonous creatures along the way to feed his Gu worms.

"In that case, thank you very much, Brother Zhou!" Chu Teng said with a happy expression.

"Third Brother, aren't there a few demon-slaying swords left in the storeroom? Why not give one to Brother Zhou?" Manager Xu suggested from the side.

"Look at my memory, I almost forgot about this."

Chu Teng slapped his forehead.

"I can't possibly accept this," Zhou Qing declined.

"We became friends through a fight. Since Brother Zhou calls us 'brother,' we can't let you call us that for nothing."

These demon-slaying swords are just practice pieces we made. They're not particularly valuable, but they'd be a decent gift as a token of our greetings.

Chu Teng said with a smile.

"Fifth brother, go to the storeroom and fetch the demon-slaying sword we forged last year."

"Alright! I'll be right back." Manager Xu left the room to fetch the Demon-Slaying Blade.

Chu Teng took the wine gourd from his waist, picked up a teacup from the table, and filled it.

"I'm in a rare good mood today, so please drink this cup to the brim, Brother Zhou."

"Alright!" Zhou Qing raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

The alcohol goes down your throat like a flame that ignites from your mouth and tongue all the way to your stomach.

Zhou Qing quickly circulated his inner energy to resist the discomfort.

The wine worm in his dantian didn't care at all, and swallowed the fire toad wine in large gulps.

Seeing Zhou Qing drink the wine, his face flushed red, but he recovered in an instant, Chu Teng couldn't help but marvel at his profound internal strength. He immediately poured another cup of Fire Toad Wine.

"please."

"Brother Chu, please." Zhou Qing raised his wine glass and drank with Chu Teng.

After a few drinks, the craving for alcohol became even stronger.

[Refining: Wine Worm]

[Progress: Complete Mutant Form (12/800)]

Looking at the words that appeared in his line of sight, Zhou Qing couldn't help but marvel at the powerful effects of the Fire Toad Wine.

One cup of Fire Toad Wine is as effective as a pound of Drunken Immortal Wine made from sixteen taels of silver.

"Please." Seeing that Zhou Qing really liked the wine, Chu Teng kept pouring it for him. In no time, the whole gourd of Fire Toad Wine was gone.

At this moment, Manager Xu brought back a long, narrow wooden box and returned to the room.

"Brother Zhou, this is the highest quality demon-slaying sword we have ever forged."

Chu Teng presented the wooden box.

"Thank you, Brother Chu." Zhou Qing took the wooden box and took out the sheathed longsword. Just by holding it, he could feel the extraordinary nature of this sword.

bass!
The long sword was drawn, its azure blade gleaming with an eerie, cold light.

"A fine blade!" Zhou Qing nodded and sheathed the sword.

"A fine sword is a hero's gift; this sword is rightfully yours, Brother Zhou."

Chu Teng and Manager Xu smiled.

After exchanging pleasantries with the two men, Zhou Qing left the Qibing Shop.

As he walked out of Anhuafang, the smile on his face gradually faded.

"This must be what they call spending a fortune to buy a horse's bones," Zhou Qing said, his newly acquired demon-slaying sword slung across his waist.

This demon-slaying sword is several times better than the previous one, and is worth at least a thousand taels of silver.

Chu Teng gave him this knife not only to further ease tensions and befriend him, but also because he certainly hoped that Chu Teng would send him more Five Poisons exotic species.

Since Chu Teng has shown such sincerity, Zhou Qing doesn't mind helping him out.

As Zhou Qing returned to his residence in the west of the city, he saw an official standing at the gate waiting for him.

"Your subordinate greets Lord Zhou. Lord Yao requests your presence."

When the officers saw Zhou Qing arrive, they quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"I'll go right away." Zhou Qing nodded, returned to the house to change into his official clothes, and then went to the Demon Suppression Division branch in the inner city to report for duty.

He went straight to the main hall on the third floor and stood at the door.

"Your subordinate Zhou Qing greets Lord Yao."

"Come in." Yao Xuewei's slightly tired voice came from inside.

Zhou Qing entered the main hall and saw Yao Xuewei put down the official documents and rub her temples.

"You seem to have a lot of free time lately."

Seeing Zhou Qing walk into the main hall looking energetic, Yao Xuewei said irritably.

Zhou Qing smiled and said, "The capable are always busy, and they are naturally not as leisurely as I am."

"You were the one who did the Black Wind Mountain incident, weren't you? To be able to seize the Hundred Poison Yin Peach from Mu Yuan's hands, it seems you have secrets I don't know about."

Yao Xuewei changed the subject abruptly, raising her striking eyebrows.

"As expected, nothing can be hidden from the master. I took advantage of the weakened defenses and Mu Yuan's absence to manage to obtain the Hundred Poison Peach."

Zhou Qing knew there was no need to hide anything from Yao Xuewei, so he told her the truth.

Yao Xuewei said in a deep voice, "Do you know that recently, the Witch God Sect has launched a frenzied retaliation against the Demon Suppression Division, and we have lost a lot of manpower."

Over at Huanglong Mountain, the Golden Knife Stronghold, in order to cooperate with the Witch God Cult's operations, has begun to plunder living people with impunity.

"Golden Knife Stronghold is so blatant?" Zhou Qing remained silent about the Witch God Cult, only mentioning Golden Knife Stronghold.

"Now that the best people from the Demon Suppression Division have been sent out, since you've returned to the county town, I'll give you a task."

Yao Xuewei pondered for a moment.

"You're not going to send me to Huanglong Mountain to investigate the Witch God Cult, are you?" Zhou Qing looked troubled.

His infiltration of Huanglong Mountain to search for the Apricot Blossom Spirit Tree was fundamentally different from his direct investigation of the Witch God Cult.

The former is risky, the latter is courting death. "What if it is?" Yao Xuewei countered.

“Then I request to withdraw from the Demon Suppression Division!” Zhou Qing said without hesitation.

"Do you think the Demon Suppression Division is your home? You think you can come and go as you please?" Yao Xuewei laughed in anger.

"Inspectors are free to leave the Demon Suppression Division; they only need to complete the basic tasks for leaving."

Zhou Qing said seriously.

"What if I were to ask you to carry out this task?" Yao Xuewei asked with a half-smile.

Seeing this, Zhou Qing understood that she was just trying to scare him.

"Serving the Demon Suppression Division is out of the question, but if the Lord wants me to die, then I have no choice but to accompany him to my death!"

"Hmph." Yao Xuewei snorted and took a file from the documents on the table, handing it to Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing took the file.

The above contains basic information about the various leaders and chieftains of Golden Knife Stronghold, including their appearance, names, martial arts skills, and weapons.

"This is..." Zhou Qing asked.

"Recently, the Golden Knife Stronghold sent men down the mountain to kidnap people. You have only one task: kill any Golden Knife Stronghold bandits you encounter, and you'll be paid per head," Yao Xuewei said calmly.

"Although you don't plan to stay in the Demon Suppression Division for long, some people will have opinions about your long absence from reporting to the branch, which will have a bad influence."

"Thank you, sir!" Zhou Qing quickly expressed his gratitude.

“This is a long-term task; you can take your time. Go.” Yao Xuewei waved her hand and looked down at the file.

"Yes!"

Before leaving, Zhou Qing took out a medicine packet from the leather bag Gu.

"This is a calming powder that I prepared myself. Worrying can harm your health, so I hope you will take good care of yourself."

"Okay, leave it there," Yao Xuewei replied without looking up.

"Yes, I'll take my leave." Zhou Qing left the main hall.

"An Shen San (a traditional Chinese medicine for calming the nerves)?"

After Zhou Qing left, Yao Xuewei looked up at the medicine packet on the table, hesitated for a moment, and then put it away.

Back at the house, Zhou Qing carefully reviewed the intelligence on the Golden Knife Stronghold members.

Meng Yongnian, leader of Golden Saber Stronghold, is a martial artist who has reached the peak of the Bone Refining Realm and cultivates both internal and external strength. He is skilled in wielding an eighty-pound nine-ring saber and has mastered three saber techniques.

Wang Batian, the second-in-command of Golden Saber Stronghold, is at the Bone Refinement Realm, skilled in swordsmanship and movement techniques, and possesses extreme speed.

Qin Feiyu, the third leader of Golden Knife Stronghold, has reached the pinnacle of his tendon-strengthening cultivation. He is skilled in using flying needles and poison techniques, and is known for his ruthlessness, viciousness, and deep cunning. He serves as the strategist of Golden Knife Stronghold.

【.】

"No wonder the imperial court couldn't easily wipe out the Golden Knife Stronghold."

Zhou Qing pondered for a moment.

Meng Yongnian is a martial artist who cultivates both internal and external strength, and he has also mastered three different sword techniques.

This person's strength is probably on par with Lin Tianzheng, Yao Xuewei, and Mu Yuan.

Even if they were fighting on Black Wind Mountain's home turf, Zhou Qing probably wouldn't have much of a chance against him.

"Take care of your own business first, then kill the bandits from Golden Knife Stronghold."

After memorizing the key figures of the Golden Knife Stronghold, Zhou Qing carefully stored the intelligence.

He returned to the back of the house, explained the situation to the old woman, and prepared to leave after dark.

Just to be on the safe side, he had to go back to Black Wind Mountain first and bring Erqing, Huying, and Chiyan with him.

"Then I'll go buy groceries." The old woman knew that Zhou Qing was going out to take care of business again, so she didn't say anything. When she learned that Zhou Qing would leave after dinner, she immediately went to the market to buy groceries.

“Grandma, I’ll go with you,” Zhou Qing said with a smile.

"Okay." The old woman was very happy.

Zhou Qing called the two newly arrived maids to go out together.

The four arrived at the market.

"Good morning, Granny Yin!"

"Grandma Yin, these chives are freshly picked from the field this morning, would you like some?"

"Grandma Yin, the fish are especially fresh today! I specially saved a big one for you."

The old woman seemed to know the vendors at the market well; as soon as she entered the market, people greeted her warmly.

However, when the vendors saw Zhou Qing following behind the old woman, their expressions immediately became much more reserved.

The four of them strolled around, and the two maids each carried two large baskets of vegetables, enough for an ordinary person to eat for several days.

However, knowing that Zhou Qing had a large appetite, the old lady bought extra meat and vegetables.

As Zhou Qing was leaving the market, a man and a woman walking towards him caught his eye.

A young man dressed in a blue Taoist robe stood on the left. He had a ruddy complexion, a full forehead, and a square jaw. Despite his young age, he had the air of a highly accomplished Taoist master.

The girl on the right, dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, is petite and pretty.

It was Lu Yan and Han Qingqing.

"It's them?"

Zhou Qing stepped forward.

"Daoist Yuncheng, Miss Han, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Zhou Qing cupped his hands and smiled, showing that he had a very good impression of Yun Cheng.

The evil-suppressing talisman given by Yun Cheng played a significant role in dealing with the Corpse Worm Gu King.

The fact that someone would give such a precious talisman to a complete stranger speaks volumes about their character.

"You are..." Han Qingqing looked at the handsome young man in police uniform in front of her with curiosity.

"Are you Zhou Qing?" Lu Yan was taken aback.

"Zhou Qing?" Han Qingqing seemed unable to recall him for a moment.

“Miss Han, I am A Qing from Heishan Town,” Zhou Qing explained, but his attention was focused on Lu Yan.

"Ah Qing? You're from Black Mountain Town?" Han Qingqing was surprised. It was really hard to connect the tall and handsome young man in front of her with Zhou Qing, who was dressed in hemp clothes and was short in stature, from Black Mountain Town.

How could such a big change occur in a person after only half a year?

"A scholar should be viewed with new eyes after three days' absence. It seems that a lot has happened to young man Zhou during this time." Lu Yan smiled gently and nodded to the old woman and two maids behind Zhou Qing.

"Speaking of which, we must thank Daoist Yuncheng for the talisman that wards off evil," Zhou Qing said solemnly.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lu Yan said, "My cousin and I have important business to attend to at the county government office. How about we have some drinks and conversation with Brother Zhou after we've finished our business?"

"I also happen to be going out for a while. When I return to the county town, I would like to ask Daoist Yuncheng and Miss Han to grace Jiangyue Tower with their presence for a chat."

Zhou Qing said with a smile.

"Definitely, definitely," Lu Yan said solemnly.

After Zhou Qing and the old woman left, Lu Yan watched their retreating figures and fell into deep thought.

"Cousin, I rarely see you value someone so much," Han Qingqing said with a smile.

“It looks somewhat familiar,” Lu Yan mused.

"what?"

"That old lady following behind Brother Zhou looks familiar, like I've seen her somewhere before?"

Han Qingqing nodded: "That old lady was originally from Caisang Village. Later, she lived with Zhou Qing. We should have met her before."

"That's not what I meant. I meant I saw him in the prefectural city," Lu Yan said, his brows furrowing slightly as if he were trying to recall.

"what?"

Han Qingqing was stunned.

(End of this chapter)