In the dim stone cave, the humid air settles with the scent of earth and time.

Weak light slants in through the narrow entrance, casting fragmented shadows on the mottled stone walls.

Having been untouched by feet for years, the place appears increasingly desolate.

Yet the four chains on the stone wall are surrounded by faint traces of evil qi.

They snake downwards, intertwining in the void, finally converging in the center of the cave.

At the very center, a pitch-black coffin stands solemnly.

The four chains bind it tightly like giant pythons, suspending it in mid-air.

Even though the lid is tightly sealed, it fails to fully block the evil qi seeping from within.

Qin An's gaze was like lightning, and he said sharply: "Pseudo-God."

This aura was slightly different from the ordinary evil qi of monsters.

Now, Qin An was no longer a novice; after studying extensively in the Confidential Library, he was already able to discern the differences within.

Cheng Hong raised her right hand and wiped the fine sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, a look of confusion appearing between her brows: "Why would there be a Pseudo-God?"

Her intelligence never mentioned this abnormal coffin.

But now a coffin had appeared, far removed from what the intelligence reported.

Qin An said calmly, "Where did you get your intelligence?"

Since an anomaly appeared, the intelligence must be incorrect.

The Pseudo-God was still in the coffin and hadn't fully awakened.

His gaze swept over the coffin, its unique material could conceal evil qi while nourishing the Pseudo-God.

Even so, the evil qi could still leak out, showing that the Pseudo-God within was extraordinarily powerful.

Cheng Hong came to her senses and, after some thought, said: "It's someone I often seek out. He's given me a lot of intelligence and seems to know Lingzhou very well."

"His intelligence has never been wrong before, but now why…"

Her remaining words were interrupted by the sound of footsteps.

"Because this is my plan."

A hoarse voice came from the darkness.

Qin An's eyes, like electricity, swept towards the source of the voice.

At the cave's end, out from the shadows came a wooden wheelchair slowly rolling.

In the wheelchair sat an old man dressed in a blue robe.

The old man had snowy hair and a weak aura, yet the brilliance in his eyes could not be concealed.

Upon seeing the old man, Cheng Hong's eyes widened, and killing intent arose: "You dare to deceive me!"

The old man coughed lightly, the handkerchief covering his nose and mouth soaked in blood, yet the smile on his face grew: "After so many years and so much effort, finally deceiving you here, it's certainly worthwhile."

"Who exactly are you?" Cheng Hong emanated killing intent continuously, holding double daggers, ready to advance.

Qin An stretched out his hand, pressing on Cheng Hong's shoulder, saying: "He's a dying man."

His words made Cheng Hong pause.

The old man revealed a relieved smile: "Sharp-eyed young friend."

"You seem calm; have you guessed my identity?"

Qin An bluntly revealed his identity: "Former master of the black market."

With these words, the scene fell silent.

Cheng Hong looked at the old man with an expression of horror, immediately understanding everything thanks to Qin An's indication.

"So that's it; only the former master of the black market could possess so much intelligence…"

Intelligence is so vital, how could ordinary people have so much?

Only the former master of the black market could have this possibility.

The black market was crowded, the most complex place in Lingzhou.

Yet, the more complex a place is, the more intelligence it holds.

Gathered from all places, intelligence flows like fish crossing a river.

The former master controlled the entire black market and naturally knew a lot of intelligence.

The old man nodded approvingly: "Young friend forged unparalleled foundations with five Yang Elixirs, truly extraordinary. When attacked by hordes of monsters, I was on the brink of death and unable to intervene, I hope you understand."

Cheng Hong immediately said: "You saw our battle?"

The old man showed a hint of pride: "This black market was built by me alone; no one knows it better than I do."

Qin An brushed his fingertips over the Cold Star Saber, saying: "Let's get to the point; what's in the coffin, and what's your goal."

His words carried a chilling aura.

The old man, enveloped by this aura, felt a chill down his neck and replied helplessly: "Young friend has a heavy killing intent, suitable for the Evil Extermination Bureau's work. In the martial world, it would lead to disaster. Never mind, I'll stop rambling. Inside the coffin is my daughter."

At these words, Cheng Hong was slightly stunned.

"Wasn't your daughter killed by monsters long ago?"

The old man nodded: "Yes, she was indeed killed by monsters long ago, but she is now in the coffin."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Hong's confusion grew.

At this moment, Qin An suddenly spoke.

"She became a Pseudo-God, right?"

Combining the earlier evil qi with the old man's statement that his daughter was dead and placed in the coffin, Qin An came to this conclusion.

The old man showed a hint of sadness: "Young friend was correct; she indeed became a Pseudo-God."

"I forged this Pseudo-God with my longing for my daughter, and she is part of my flesh and blood."

Qin An said coolly: "You show no hostility, nor any killing intent. Whatever you have to say, just spit it out; I'm not very patient."

By this point, all clues had been unraveled.

The old man spent a long time gaining Cheng Hong's trust and eventually used this information to bring her into the cave.

The purpose was right here, this coffin.

The old man's day-and-night longing transformed his daughter into a Pseudo-God.

This is evidently related to the Pseudo-God inside the coffin.

Qin An didn't want to waste more time.

For him, understanding the cause and effect sufficed; now it's time for the main act.

The old man gathered himself, showing a bitter smile, saying: "Young friend is indeed forthright; I wonder if the two of you would consider a transaction with me?"

At this, the old man raised his hand, presenting a palm-sized wooden box.

Shallow energy emitted from the box.

As this energy diffused, Cheng Hong immediately sensed it.

Cheng Hong's eyes widened: "This is a Geocrystalline."

The elder nodded and said, "Yes, these are the two Earth vein crystals I've stored."

"I use them to exchange for my daughter's life, hoping you two young friends will take my daughter back to the Evil Extermination Bureau."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Hong's gaze slightly narrowed, and the doubt in her eyes surfaced once again.

"Why make this trade?"

The Evil Extermination Bureau is extremely ruthless towards monsters and Pseudo-Gods.

Yet now, the elder actually wants them to take the Pseudo-God back to the Bureau.

She was unsure of the elder's intentions.

The elder slowly said, "Pseudo-Gods also possess good and evil; they're not like monsters, who only know how to cruelly kill the innocent."

"While alive, my daughter was extremely kind, and coupled with my longing, even as a Pseudo-God, she is absolutely not one of those vicious Pseudo-Gods."

"I fear she'll be polluted by the secular world, changing her nature and harming the innocent."

"Only the Evil Extermination Bureau can guide my daughter onto the right path."

He doesn't have much lifespan left.

Death is on his heels, ready to consume him if he slows even a little.

All his concerns revolve around his daughter.

Now, only the Evil Extermination Bureau can ensure her safety.

"Educate a Pseudo-God?"

Cheng Hong's brow furrowed tighter.

The Bureau has never done such a thing.

Before she could speak, Qin An voiced his opinion.

"This deal can be made."

At this, Cheng Hong was somewhat surprised to look at Qin An.

Qin An continued, "But we can't guarantee what the Bureau will do to your daughter; we only handle sending her back to the Bureau, is that acceptable?"

Cheng Hong revealed an understanding expression, finally grasping Qin An's meaning.

It is a transaction.

The elder's request was to take his daughter back to the Bureau; they could do that, but they couldn't affect what the Bureau would do afterward.

After all, they are merely patrol officers, without the authority to handle such matters.

The elder nodded, "No problem, just bring her back."

Then, the elder tossed the wooden box towards Qin An.

Qin An instinctively caught it, discovering a delicate lock on the box's surface.

The elder said, "The lock contains a terrifying energy. If you bring my daughter back to the Bureau, the energy will dissipate; if you can't, the energy will explode, destroying the Earth vein crystals with it."

As the elder said, he had no personal ties with Qin An; everything is purely transactional.

Preparations must be made accordingly.

He knew the patrol officers well.

If something can be obtained by force, there would be no unnecessary chatter.

Qin An nodded, then put away the box, focusing his gaze on the coffin bound by chains, "Hand it over to me."

This trip was all for the Earth vein crystals.

The deal was certainly worthwhile.

The crystals are related to forging a perfect Pulse Condensation Realm, something Qin An values highly.

Seeing Qin An put away the box, the elder pointed towards the coffin hanging in mid-air.

With this action, the coffin suddenly shook fiercely.

Next, the chains on the walls fell as if sentient, tightly wrapping around the coffin.

In just a few breaths, the coffin's surface was covered in chains.

The coffin fell to the ground with a dull thud.

The elder approached in his wheelchair, touched the coffin surface regretfully, and said, "I must go ahead as your father."

The Pseudo-God's aura inside the coffin suddenly turned tumultuous, as if responding to the elder.

The elder shook his head faintly, "Under the attack of the Monster Hall, I was already like a flickering flame, persisting only through longing. If you can emerge as a kind Pseudo-God, avenge your father."

Monster Hall again?

Qin An squinted slightly.

He thought the Monster Hall was overly active in Lingzhou.

On closer thought, it seemed the black market's plans were also connected to the Monster Hall.

But currently, there were no clues, and these matters were not his concern.

Once these items were brought back, the Bureau's patrol captains would handle it appropriately.

At this point, the chaotic aura around the coffin gradually weakened, eventually calming down.

The elder lightly patted the coffin, causing it to slide with a long trail, coming to Qin An's side.

"Young friends, I've settled mundane matters. I hope your paths ahead are smooth and flourishing."

As he spoke, the elder's aura steadily declined.

With the final word, the candle-lit elder closed his eyes, peacefully becoming a lifeless body.

After some thought, Cheng Hong stepped forward, carefully examining to confirm the elder's death, and nodded to Qin An, indicating there was no anomaly.

Qin An held the Cold Star Saber with his right hand, placed his left on the coffin, and effortlessly shouldered the coffin, "Let's go, exit."

The most crucial item was now obtained, just in time to return to the Bureau; Qin An could easily make the journey.

The two spoke no more and soon left the underground arena.

Moonlight poured like silver gray.

Qin An looked up at the moon peeking through the treetops, thinking both about exchanging for his needs upon return and leaving the black market with Cheng Hong swiftly.

...

Inside the Evil Extermination Bureau, it was brightly lit.

At that moment, many patrol captains were pacing in the courtyard.

At the sound, everyone instinctively looked up and saw a man and woman appear in the courtyard.

The man was incredibly handsome, and the woman exuded a sultry air.

The badges on their waists represented their identities—patrol silver captains.

The many patrol captains eyed them with a hint of admiration, not daring to interrupt.

Even with the man carrying a chain-bound coffin, nobody approached to inquire.

Qin An glanced at Cheng Hong and said calmly, "I'll first seek Yang Quanfeng. We'll distribute what's inside when the box is opened."

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