Starting with Proficiency Panel
Chapter 62: Demon Extermination Bureau (Happy Chinese New Year!!)

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Demon Extermination Bureau (Happy Chinese New Year!!)

"Ding, you successfully blocked the attack of the black-haired demoness and cut off her hair. Your Basic Swordsmanship Skill Level +1"

Ignoring the disturbance from neighbors due to the sound of the sword ringing out, Lu Ren pressed against the well with one foot and swiftly propelled himself away.

Long hair continued to fly out from the well, forming thick tendrils that danced wildly in mid-air, like tentacles.

Lu Ren did not advance but kept a safe distance, quietly observing the changes happening ahead.

The area around the well almost became a space made of hair.

Dense and overwhelming, anyone with trypophobia taking a glance might need a lifetime to overcome the distress.

Thinking about the water he drank and the showers he took these days, a sudden shadow cast over Lu Ren’s heart.

"Hey there, friend, what’s happening?"

A knock came from the door outside, somewhat mixed with anger.

Indeed, it’s the middle of the night with all the noise, people need to work tomorrow!

Lu Ren did not turn around, stepping back a few paces and using his longsword to open the door.

A man dressed in a brocade robe, filled with rage, was about to rush in but was stopped by the sight of a cold longsword close to his face, halting his anger and forcing a stiff smile.

This guy was a wealthy merchant living next door.

"Ah, brother, didn’t know in this sleepless long night you’d have the interest in sword dancing... Ah! What’s this?"

Chen Jinghu’s eyes finally saw the events transpiring at the well. Seeing the masses of hair intertwined like serpents made his hair stand on end.

He exclaimed in horror, "It’s... it’s a demon!! It’s a demon!! We need to quickly notify the Demon Extermination Bureau!"

The hair abruptly paused, then the long black spikes of hair rushed forward fiercely, as if soaring through the sky.

Lu Ren did not doubt that these hair spikes could easily pierce through stone slabs.

Longquan and Yan Form in hand, the two longswords swung rapidly at Lu Ren’s hands without making any unnecessary moves.

Dual swords shadow-like, under the moonlight, the swords seemed like a crescent moon, the sharp ripping sound of slicing through the air rang out in succession, the black hair spikes rushing towards him and Chen Jinghu were directly cut apart.

Lu Ren slightly hunched, letting the swords hang, calmly said, "Landlord Chen, I think you now need to request support from the Demon Extermination Bureau instead of shouting hoarsely here."

The stunned Landlord Chen snapped back to reality, scrambling out the door, shouting desperately.

"Not good! There’s a demon, there’s a demon!!"

Listening to the commotion behind, Lu Ren shook his head slightly, no longer paying heed. The severed black hair apparently received a huge stimulus, spewing forth from the well like a fountain, countless strands ascending to the sky, almost covering the entire courtyard.

Seems like there’s no way to stay.

Just as he was about to leave, Lu Ren was startled to realize standing next to him was a tall figure dressed in black, whose presence he hadn’t noticed.

This encounter was far more horrifying for Lu Ren than the demon in the well, he swung his sword without hesitation.

The tall shadow, arms folded and exuding an air of pretentiousness, also paused at Lu Ren’s aggressive response.

Seeing the two swords, sharp as if they could cut through iron like mud, swing towards his vital parts, the shadow finally made a sound.

"Wait, wait!!"

While speaking, he twisted his waist, lifted his foot, stepped back, narrowly avoiding the attack by a hair’s breadth, even so, the sword already tore his clothes, leaving two slits.

Lu Ren, seeing the figure was human, paused his advancing attack and asked in a deep voice, "Who are you?"

The tall man looked down at the two slits in his robe, replied angrily, "I am Cao Jingde, Cyan-Robed Envoy of the Demon Extermination Bureau, having received notice of demonic activity here, I rushed over."

This was a bit embarrassing.

Lu Ren awkwardly said, "So you are from the Demon Extermination Bureau, my apologies for the oversight."

Cao Jingde glanced at the swords in Lu Ren’s hands, praised, "Good weapon, and you have remarkable swordsmanship."

Then he turned to look at the hair around the well, spoke in a deep voice, "Leave the rest to me."

Lu Ren was delighted by this, stepped back a few paces, carefully observing Cao Jingde’s actions. Although unable to practice Qi and Blood Martial Path, it didn’t prevent him from observing and learning.

Cao Jingde took a step forward, his body suddenly emitted a burning aura, a vaguely visible heat that was clearly felt by Lu Ren standing five steps away.

The black-haired demoness seemed to encounter a nemesis as Cao Jingde emitted his Qi and Blood, causing the intertwined hair to start giving off a burnt smell.

Cao Jingde dashed forward, the Qi and Blood power on his body elevated a level, his fist faintly turned red, and then descended like a lightning strike.

Rumble!

A thunderous sound like rumbling thunder rang out.

"Thunder Rhinoceros!"

Following this, the ravenous mass of hair seemed to self-ignite, as if doused in fuel, bursting into flames, the blaze furiously surged towards the well.

The well emitted a shrill scream, after which there was no more movement.

An amazing invocation of Qi and Blood power.

Panting slightly, Cao Jingde’s expression relaxed a bit, turned to look at the contemplative Lu Ren, spoke, "You seem quite interested?"

Lu Ren nodded slightly, "The application of Qi and Blood is indeed unique."

Cao Jingde laughed twice, "As per routine, I must inform you, this demoness was likely flushed from the Dark River, the well itself poses no problem."

He then pulled out a piece of talisman paper filled with runes from his arms, threw it into the well, waiting a while to confirm no further movement, and only then relaxed, "It’s indeed clean now, seems like she entered recently."

He then approached Lu Ren, but seeing Lu Ren still holding the dual swords stopped.

"You look very cautious?"

"I think anyone who experiences these things would naturally be vigilant."

"Alright, outsider, everything here is settled, later a clerk will come to question you, just tell him what you know."

Lu Ren nodded slightly, "Thank you!"

Cao Jingde nodded in return, about to leave, but stopped at the doorway.

"You seem unfamiliar with Qi and Blood Transport?"

Lu Ren calmly replied, "I haven’t practiced Qi and Blood Techniques."

Cao Jingde’s gaze sharpened quickly, "You have quite the skill."

"Not practicing Qi and Blood Transport doesn’t mean one can’t train physically."

"You come from another Mortal World?"

"Yes."

"The three Mortal World regions near Li Xiaoguo are Changzhi, Cyan and White, and there have been no contacts for nearly twenty years. Considering the dangers of the Underworld, anyone who comes here must be of great Martial Path, I thought they might have been exterminated by demons.

Which Mortal World are you from?"

This was clearly a targeted inquiry!

Lu Ren’s eyes slightly glimmered, realizing the black-haired demoness appearing in the well was merely a trigger, having alerted the Chentai City government to him the moment he entered.

Too self-assured, thinking this production-level ancient era has major loopholes in census.

(Thanks to the Emperor of the North Pole, Brother Jun for disrupting dreams, and Old man for the unintended reward.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and all the best!)