Start with everyday skills and grind your way to immortality.

Chapter 121 Sky Patrol Guard

"Cough cough cough————"

Chen Qian greedily gasped for air, trying to fill his shriveled lungs with oxygen.

However, the air had barely entered his throat.

A dry, rubbing sound came from inside his chest, like two rough sheets of paper scraping against each other.

The violent coughing made him panic; each cough made his internal organs tremble, as if he would shatter like a fragile paper lantern at any moment.

He lowered his head and pressed his hand to his abdomen in fear.

The outside is flesh and blood, but inside you can already feel a bizarre sensation.

"Paper----"

Chen Qian felt a chill run through him.

Although he was conscious and the Golden Silkworm Gu had protected his heart meridian, the internal structure of his body had undergone irreversible changes.

Except for the still-beating heart, which was made of bright red flesh and blood, the lungs, stomach, liver, intestines—all of them—were turned into grayish-white joss paper in the curse.

He is now a paper effigy containing a human heart.

"Hey kid, don't underestimate the Li family's paper-making magic!"

At his chest, the tattered paper figure flickered with a faint red light for the last time, and Li Chengyun's voice became ethereal and weak, as if it might dissipate with the wind at any moment.

"This is the best I can do."

"The rest of the journey is up to you."

"Master!" Chen Qian's voice was hoarse.

"Don't speak, listen to me."

Li Chengyun interrupted him, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity and expectation.

"I hid the first three volumes of 'The Art of Paper Making' under the roots of the old locust tree in your yard. You can find them by digging three feet away."

"You also bear the mark of the Li family bloodline. Although you are an imposter, you can still be considered a member of the Li family. It is not considered a leak if you are mentioned."

At this point, the paper figure paused, a complex sigh escaping its lips: "I hope you won't blame me for my previous scheming. In this world, sometimes—we are powerless to change our circumstances."

"If you survive in the future, if there really comes a day when you play chess—"

"When our family is in dire straits, even just saying a word in our defense, or—helping the Li family of Heishan."

"I can die without regrets."

As soon as he finished speaking, the blood-stained paper figure suddenly burst into flames without any fire.

There was no scorching heat, only a few desolate embers.

In a moment, the paper figure turned into a wisp of green smoke and dissipated in Chen Qian's chest, leaving only a faint trace of paper ash.

Chen Qian looked solemnly at the ash on his chest.

He slowly straightened his frail body.

"Master! Your disciple is eternally grateful."

That "Master" was spoken with genuine affection.

Li Chengyun has indeed been a great help; at least today's deadly situation was reversed thanks to him.

Whether this old ghost is betting on both sides or using him as a pawn, it doesn't matter.

A wise person judges by actions, not intentions; if we judge by intentions, no one in the world is perfect.

Chen Qian acknowledged the life-saving grace and the kindness of imparting knowledge to others.

Chen Qian took a deep breath, and with a thought, summoned the panel he hadn't looked at in a long time.

Upon seeing this, his heart sank to the bottom.

Name: Chen Qian

Lifespan: 18/18

"Eighteen years old————"

Chen Qian stared at the glaring number, his fingers trembling slightly.

Today is late October, while this body's birthday is in January.

In other words, even without external damage, this paper-like internal organ can only last for less than two more months!

Two months later, the paper crumbled and the internal organs collapsed; even a miracle couldn't save it.

"Two months —"

Chen Qian gave a bitter smile.

Having just escaped one tiger's den, they fell into another.

God really can't stand to see him have a single day of peace.

Just then, the deep, thunderous sound of horses' hooves came from afar.

The earth was trembling.

Chen Qian turned his head with difficulty and looked out through the cracks in the collapsed altar.

From the direction of the city gate, a torrent of steel, carrying torches and resembling a long dragon, was advancing majestically into the desolate Linjiang County.

Black armor stood tall, and banners fluttered in the wind.

The Great Qian Heavenly Patrol Guard!

A thousand elite cavalrymen finally arrived, belatedly, after everything had settled down.

"Quickly! Seal off the entire city! Not a single fly is allowed to escape!"

"Search for survivors! Clean up the bodies!"

A general clad in golden armor rode a tall horse and shouted orders in a stern voice.

However, when this battle-hardened army actually stepped into the streets and saw the scene before them, all the shouts came to an abrupt halt.

Dead silence.

Only the restless snorting of the warhorses could be heard.

The streets were covered with thick blood plasma, and thousands of civilian corpses lay scattered in pools of blood, each with their throats slit and their faces bearing an eerie serenity.

The resentment in the air was so intense that it formed a faint blood mist that lingered over the city for a long time.

This is no human city! This is clearly a hellish realm!

Even among the Sky Patrol Guards who were used to seeing life and death, many of them turned pale at this moment, and some even turned their heads away to vomit.

"General—"

A lieutenant rode up to the golden-armored general, his voice trembling: "This—this is too tragic. The entire city is dead, and resentment fills the sky. If this isn't dealt with quickly, I'm afraid within three days, Linjiang County will be completely transformed into a ghost town, breeding countless vengeful spirits and evil demons. At that time, the surrounding area for hundreds of miles will be ravaged by death!"

The golden-armored general's face was ashen, and the veins on his hands gripping the reins bulged: "These remnants of the previous dynasty! They are truly depraved!"

He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "This level of resentment cannot be suppressed by us alone."

"Immediately send a letter to the capital! Report to the Imperial Observatory! Request that they send a high-ranking monk or a Celestial Master to this place to set up an altar, perform rituals, deliver the souls of the dead, and purify this land!"

"Furthermore, keep the news under wraps! No one is allowed to discuss it without authorization; violators will be executed!"

"yes!"

The army quickly dispersed and began to take control of the situation.

Soon, a patrol team found the altar in the backyard of the county government office.

"General! There's a survivor here!"

The soldiers' shouts attracted the golden-armored general.

They found Chen Qian, who was "unconscious," on the bronze pillar.

Chen Qian had already concealed all his aura and allowed the soldiers to roughly lift him up.

His current half-dead, paper-like body doesn't even need to be faked; he actually looks no different from a dead person.

"Take him away! Put him in solitary confinement! Keep him under strict guard!"

The golden-armored general gave Chen Qian a cold glance and waved his hand to give the order.

One hour later.

Outside Linjiang City, a temporary garrison camp set up by the Sky Patrol Guard.

In a makeshift cage made of large logs, Chen Qian was thrown onto a pile of hay.

Those detained here are surviving military men rescued from the city, or rather, suspects.

Chen Qian leaned against the wooden railing, slightly opened his eyes, and looked around.

The cage was very large, but he was the only person inside.

Besides him, several other blood-covered figures were huddled in the corners of the other cells.

"Splash—"

Just then, several soldiers dragged over a burly man with disheveled hair and covered in wounds.

They opened the cell door and threw him in like a dead dog.

"Behave yourself! Wait for the adults to ask you questions!"

The soldier grumbled and locked the door before leaving.

The burly man lay on the ground, breathing heavily, and it took him a long time to finally manage to turn over and lean against the fence.

By the light of the campfire, Chen Qian could see his face clearly.

Although his face was covered in blood and he looked disheveled, Chen Qian would never mistake his distinctive beard and attire.

Zhao Yuanshan.

This powerful expert from Linjiang County, who had reached the Double Lamp Realm, was now a prisoner.

He seemed to sense the gaze and slowly turned his head.

When he saw the scholar in the blue robe quietly watching him from the corner, he was suddenly jolted, and his eyes flashed with an extremely complex light.

There was surprise, doubt, and a hint of relief.

Eyes facing each other.

Chen Qian slowly sat up straight.

His face was completely expressionless, as calm as if he had just bumped into an old neighbor on the street.

Chen Qian raised his slightly stiff hand and waved it gently at Zhao Yuanshan, his voice hoarse but clear: "Lord Zhao."

"What a coincidence, you're still alive?"

"Come sit here!"