All around the station, voices were noisy, among them no shortage of cultivators.

When the patrol guard's bronze badge transmitted a vibration, Qin An narrowed his eyes.

This bronze badge serves as both a means of communication and a way to sense the location of fellow guards.

Though the Evil Extermination Bureau encourages competition among the patrol guards and permits multiple guards to undertake the same task, it strictly prohibits malicious rivalry.

If unfamiliar patrol guards cause a disaster over a task, it would go against the original intent.

At this moment, the patrol guard's bronze badge vibrated, proving the presence of a patrol guard around Qin An.

The badge's vibration intensified as Qin An discreetly controlled the black knife at his waist, quietly approaching the crowd ahead.

Among the Jianghu guests resting at the station, his black knife was the least conspicuous weapon.

Some bore the Nine-Ring Ghost Head Saber, others had silver-threaded whips coiled at their waists, and even some carried gilded phoenix-winged daggers, sparkling in the dawn light.

Upon noticing Qin An approaching, some displayed a hint of vigilance.

The Jianghu people licking blood off their blades knew well that a minor slip could lead to life or death.

Therefore, their tension and wariness were understandable.

The closer Qin An got to the crowd, the more he could feel the vibration of the patrol guard's bronze badge.

When he stopped, his gaze met that of a woman in yellow clothing within the crowd.

The woman in yellow appeared unremarkable, but Qin An knew not to judge by appearances.

All patrol guards wore human skin masks, and the more ordinary the face, the easier it was for covert actions.

As their glances exchanged for a moment, a tacit understanding was established.

Then the woman in yellow gracefully stood up and moved to a corner table.

Qin An rubbed his chin, pondered for a moment, then walked over to sit opposite the woman.

The woman in yellow smiled, "May I ask your surname?"

Qin An replied indifferently, "Shouldn't you introduce yourself before asking others' names?"

The woman was slightly taken aback, then smiled brightly, "Huang Man."

Qin An nodded, "Qin An."

The woman's brow slightly raised, her tone carried a hint of surprise, "Are you Qin An?"

Qin An gently tapped the tabletop, "Do you know me?"

Huang Man put away her surprise, "The Fire Crow Race is offering a bounty for your head. I heard you killed the sixth elder's direct descendant, indeed daring."

Faced with Huang Man's praise, Qin An shook his head gently.

"Patrol guards, all are seen by demons and Pseudo-Gods as enemies, your words are somewhat insincere."

Huang Man covered her mouth with a laugh, "That's true, my head is also being offered at many demon places."

At this point, Huang Man's tone shifted.

"On to business, how about we form an alliance?"

Patrol guards have competition, naturally they can also form alliances.

Especially since the task in the Casting Valley isn't ordinary, Qin An knows that Huang Man isn't the only patrol guard here.

If so, forming an alliance indeed could be mutually beneficial.

Qin An pondered for a while, "Alright, do you have any clues?"

It was his first time taking on a patrol guard task, many aspects were unfamiliar.

Huang Man nodded, lowered her voice, "Once in the city, seek Casting Valley shops, if you can display casting skill, you may be seated among honored guests at the banquet."

She straightforwardly pointed out the issue at hand, fitting the patrol guards' clean and efficient style.

Qin An's eyes flashed with interest, "Intriguing."

Huang Man was curious, "What's intriguing?"

She also had much curiosity about Qin An.

Upon joining the patrol guards, she had completed task trials but never like Qin An, who had a terrifying demon focused on him after his trial.

This proved Qin An's prowess.

It was precisely because of this that Huang Man agreed to form an alliance with Qin An.

Qin An raised his eyes, "Given the wide invitation to cultivators everywhere, willing to provide materials for casting, why create back doors for casters?"

Huang Man played with her teacup, "Casting Valley doesn't mention it, nor do they need to, it's their own affair indeed."

Qin An looked at the tea cooling on the table, "What are you planning?"

Regardless of whether they explained the reason, the operation in Casting Valley already showed issues.

Huang Man smiled, her lips curled slightly, "Naturally will try at the shops, I understand some casting skills, perhaps may become an honored guest."

Qin An was slightly surprised, "That couldn't be discerned."

Huang Man showed pride, "In the early harsh times, before joining the Evil Extermination Bureau, to save weapon money, I learned some basic casting, may not be proficient but maybe sufficient."

She spoke these words openly with pride.

Indeed, she had every reason to be proud.

Being among a group of patrol guards who kill without blinking and also possessing casting skills is certainly a rare talent.

Qin An thought to himself, "Lingzhou truly is a place full of hidden talents."

Before joining the patrol guards, his vision was solely on the Evil Extermination Bureau; after joining, he realized how numerous the talents in patrol guards were.

Like Huang Man, proficient in combat and casting, would be a treasure in any faction.

Seeing Qin An fall silent, Huang Man suddenly leaned close, "Disguise as my husband, if I can enter the honored guest seat, surely there's a way to bring you along."

The identity upon entering Casting Valley differs, naturally the information obtained will vary.

Since Huang Man planned to ally with Qin An, mutual assistance was natural.

The term 'alliance' for patrol guards is inviolable.

Patrol guards are already fraught with danger, those joined in alliance for a task must not commit betrayal.

If known, not only would one face disdain from patrol guards, but possibly be targeted upon encounter.

This is the iron rule, and indeed the rule by which patrol guards survive.

Qin An considered briefly, then nodded, "Go now?"

Huang Man nodded slightly, "In three days, the banquet begins, we prepare ahead to ensure no chaos, as many colleagues are eyeing this task, cannot let them benefit lightly."

For the first time dealing with a patrol guard task, Qin An agreed without excess words.

After a detailed discussion, both took on aliases and set off for Red Tree County.

…

Red Tree County.

The county town was bustling, people coming and going.

The street paved with bluestone shone with a moist luster in the morning mist, while shops on either side of grey tiles and blue bricks gradually removed their boards.

The vendor selling flatbread lifted the steamer lid, white steam mixed with malt fragrance pouring into the street center, startling sparrows pecking at crumbs.

In the teahouse, the server weaved through with a copper kettle, tea poured into coarse ceramic bowls, creating a crisp sound that stirred a dozing woman at the table.

At the end of the bustling street, a blacksmith shop stood among them.

At the top of the blacksmith shop, the word "Casting" was written.

Although it was not explicitly stated, anyone familiar with Casting Valley would know that this shop was under its jurisdiction.

There were many similar shops in Red Tree County.

At the moment, the entrance of the shop was already crowded with people, snaking like a serpent.

When Qin An and Huang Man arrived and saw the long queue, they both frowned.

This was the shop with the shortest line.

Anyone with some knowledge of casting was trying their luck here, harboring various thoughts.

And because of this, every shop was packed with people.

Seeing this unusual scene, Liu Mei furrowed her brows slightly: "There are too many people; it will be very slow."

They initially planned to approach Casting Valley through the blacksmith shop, but it now seemed that it would take a considerable amount of time.

Qin An shook his head and said, "It won't be very slow."

Huang Man asked, puzzled, "Why?"

Qin An pointed towards the blacksmith shop and said, "Look there."

Following Qin An's indication, Huang Man looked over and began to ponder.

At the entrance of the blacksmith shop, there hung a long sword in a black scabbard, with a wooden sign beside it.

On the wooden sign was a line of small characters.

"Only those who understand the secret of this sword may enter the blacksmith shop."

The shop attendant was standing at the entrance.

Occasionally, a practitioner would approach and whisper in the attendant's ear.

Afterward, the attendant shook his head, indicating that it was not allowed, forcing the practitioner to leave with a sigh.

"I see."

Huang Man showed an expression of realization: "This method not only weeds out those who muddy the waters but also reduces time wastage."

Due to this approach, people left one after another.

Anyone who couldn't comprehend it gave up their intention.

Although the queue was extremely long, the departing ones left quickly.

Occasionally, someone who figured out the secret of the sword would be led into the blacksmith shop by the attendant.

Qin An and Huang Man followed the queue, gradually getting closer.

About an incense stick's worth of time later, Huang Man first approached the blacksmith shop and examined the sword closely.

The blacksmith shop attendant said slowly, "You have three breaths' time, the timing starts now."

Three breaths' time was extremely short, and Huang Man couldn't help but frown deeply.

"No wonder the line moves so quickly, they only give three breaths' time, but how can anyone spot an anomaly in that time?"

Although skilled in casting techniques, it was fundamentally impossible for her to discern the sword's secret within three breaths.

Huang Man sighed, turned dejectedly, and said, "With the three breaths' limit, it's impossible to solve it."

The three breaths' time was up, and she gained nothing.

She originally wanted to become a guest of honor at Casting Valley through this and uncover its secrets to complete the patrol officer's task, but now it seemed another method was needed.

Unexpectedly, after Huang Man said this, she received no response.

Turning to see, she found Qin An approaching slowly, leaving her slightly stunned, and she hurriedly grabbed him: "What are you doing?"

Qin An turned back and said, "Looking at the sword."

Huang Man said helplessly, "Even I couldn't figure it out, just forget it."

The patrol officers were traditionally skilled in subduing demons and spirits, not in the art of casting.

Huang Man was an exception.

She believed that if even she couldn't solve the sword's secret, Qin An's attempt would be futile.

If that's the case, why waste time?

However, after Huang Man spoke, Qin An did not answer but instead approached the shop attendant and whispered a few words.

Huang Man felt a headache, sensing Qin An was being overconfident.

Nonetheless, she remained silent, waiting for Qin An to be stopped by the attendant after his nonsensical talk and naturally give up.

Thinking this, Huang Man noticed something unusual.

The shop attendant's expression grew increasingly astonished.

Once Qin An had finished speaking, the attendant's arrogance turned into shock, and he finally bowed respectfully.

"Please, sir, come inside."

Huang Man was stunned, then realized the reason.

—Qin An had passed the Casting Valley's test and gained the qualification to enter.

"But...how is he more skilled at casting than I am?"

A doubt rose in Huang Man's heart. Recalling the previous words to Qin An, particularly advising him not to try, she felt her face twitching.

What a quick face-slap!

Though it was a well-deserved face-slap!

Passing the test allowed closer proximity and made it easier to uncover the affairs of Casting Valley.

Qin An turned back, pointing to Huang Man, and said, "She is my wife, may she accompany me inside?"

The attendant promptly replied, "Of course."

Qin An nodded slightly, signaled to Huang Man, and turned to walk into the blacksmith shop.

Huang Man quickly followed, whispering, "You know casting, why didn't you say so earlier?"

Qin An replied, "I thought you could handle it; who knew you weren't as skilled, seems I overestimated."

Hearing this, Huang Man stamped her foot in anger.

Though she knew Qin An spoke the truth, for some reason, it was somehow infuriating.

Qin An stopped speaking and stepped into the blacksmith shop.

...

The blacksmith shop wasn't large, but it had a complete set of furnace and hammers.

There were only about five people inside, sitting and waiting.

The firelight from the furnace cast their shadows on the wall, resembling prowling beasts.

After noticing Qin An and Huang Man entering, they glanced up briefly, then shifted their gaze elsewhere.

Qin An led Huang Man to a spot to sit and waited patiently.

There would naturally be a course of action to follow next.

After about half an incense stick's time, footsteps resounded from the inner courtyard.

A middle-aged man entered.

The middle-aged man was dressed as a blacksmith, his bronze neck shiny with the sheen of sweat, his fierce eyes slightly squinted under thick brows, but his gaze was as sharp as a quenched iron nail.

Qin An and Huang Man exchanged glances, feeling a chill in their hearts.

This person had an elusive aura of evil qi surrounding him.

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