"I also want to become such a cool big shot in the future..." Xu Qi'an admired in his heart and saluted, saying:

"Last night, Taoist Master Jin Lian from the Di Sect came to me. He didn't hurt me or take back the Earthly Book, but instead invited me to join the Heaven and Earth Society."

"Heaven and Earth Society..." Wei Yuan turned around and walked into the tea room.

"The founder of the Heaven and Earth Society is the Di Sect's Jin Lian Taoist Master, and his followers from the Di Sect are also involved." Xu Qi'an knew that the information he provided was very valuable when he saw Wei Yuan's serious listening attitude.

"The core members of the Heaven and Earth Society are nine people, and they are also the holders of the fragments of the 'Earthly Book', using the fragment numbers as their code names, not revealing their real names." Xu Qi'an roughly recounted last night's conversation:

"Currently, I only know that Number One is in the capital city, with considerable power behind him; Number Two is in Yunzhou, keen on suppressing bandits, suspected to be working for the court."

Wei Yuan, with frosty white temples, pondered for a long time and asked, "They don't know each other's identities... Did Jin Lian say anything else to you?"

Xu Qi'an truthfully replied, "He said that the Di Sect had a problem, and he wanted to clean up the sect, so he established the Heaven and Earth Society."

At this point, he saw the big eunuch across from him, with deep-set eyes suddenly shining, staring at him with a mellow voice full of solemnity:

"Tell me more."

"The Di Sect's Taoist Master went mad, affecting almost all of the Di Sect's followers, and only a few people remained sober and escaped from the sect. This is because they had the protection of the Earthly Book." Xu Qi'an completely sold out Jin Lian Taoist Master:

"So he formed the Heaven and Earth Society, giving the fragments of the Earthly Book to the Tian's proud sons scattered throughout the world, supporting them to seek help in the future when cleaning up the sect."

The Taoist Master went mad, could it be that Zi Lian became sinister and weird... Wei Yuan's elegant and handsome face showed no expression, and he asked with an examining tone, "Why do you think Jin Lian told you all this?"

Xu Qi'an was about to say he didn't know, but facing Wei Yuan's deep gaze, he heard the scrutiny in his tone and swallowed his words.

With Wei Yuan's cunning and deep calculation, he was definitely not seeking answers from me... He is testing my ability.

Uh... if I had blurted out the three words "I don't know" just now, would I have become an employee who is not smart enough and has average intelligence in this big eunuch's mind?

Xu Qi'an's brain suddenly became active, and he smiled with a relaxed expression on his face:

"The abnormalities in the Di Sect are well known to all members of the Heaven and Earth Society. Jin Lian Taoist Master told me the truth to show his sincerity to me."

Wei Yuan nodded imperceptibly, "The Di Sect's whereabouts are hidden, and the Nightwatchers still don't know the inside story of the Taoist Master's madness."

... Xu Qi'an widened his eyes, "Are you saying, Lord Wei, that Jin Lian Taoist Master wants to secretly ally with you through me?"

Only then did Wei Yuan nod in satisfaction, not answering directly, and said gently, "From now on, you will be the Nightwatcher's spy in the Heaven and Earth Society, responsible for investigating the true identities of other members. When necessary, the yamen will give you some help."Xu Qi'an clasped his fists and replied, "Yes."

If I had been slower just now, Wei Gong would have taken back the fragment of the Earthly Book and replaced me with a clever and capable subordinate to infiltrate the Heavenly Dao Society as a low-level member.

The probing of a high-ranking figure is like a gentle breeze, one careless mistake could lead to errors and leaks...

Wei Yuan said, "You have already reached the Qi Refining stage, it's time to try practicing some unique skills. Go to the Scripture Pavilion and choose one."

"Do you prefer a sword or a knife?"

"A knife!" Xu Qi'an answered.

When he was still a constable, he carried a simple knife with him, although he rarely had the opportunity to use it. He had a stronger affinity for knives than swords.

Wei Yuan reminded him, "When choosing a unique skill, remember to select a simple and pure knife technique. Don't go for anything too complicated or flashy."

A few simple words were worth more than a thousand pieces of gold. Xu Qi'an was overjoyed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Wei Gong."

Being backed by a large organization was just the beginning. If he could gain Wei Yuan's appreciation and recognition, his career and martial arts would benefit greatly.

The Bureau of Nightwatchers was a part of the Great Feng Dynasty, responsible for activities such as reconnaissance, arrest, interrogation, and even collecting military intelligence and subverting enemy generals.

The Bureau of Astrology was established by the first Director, located in the highest building in the capital city, the Star Observation Tower, and was the stronghold of the sorcerers.

"Rank" refers to the level of ability, with a smaller number indicating a higher level and stronger ability. For example, a first rank is higher than a second rank, and a second rank is higher than a third rank.

With Wei Yuan's letter in hand, Xu Qi'an arrived at the Scripture Pavilion, accompanied by Li Yuchun.

Li Yuchun glanced at the clerk leading the way and said meaningfully, "When did you start holding onto Wei Gong's big, thick leg?"

"Wei Gong summoned me." Xu Qi'an put on an innocent expression.

Li Yuchun nodded slightly without displeasure or further inquiry.

Wei Gong personally evaluated Xu Qi'an's aptitude, and it was normal for him to want to cultivate him. Li Yuchun had long been aware of this and did not harbor any resentment or jealousy towards his subordinates trying to please higher-ups.

First of all, it was inevitable that Xu Qi'an's aptitude would be cultivated and that he would receive Wei Yuan's attention. Secondly, Xu Qi'an was a subordinate under his command.

With this incense of gratitude, he hoped that Xu Qi'an would rise higher and higher.

The clerk led them to a bookshelf and said, "There are four hundred and seven knife manuals here."

After Xu Qi'an and Li Yuchun nodded, the clerk left.

Li Yuchun looked at Xu Qi'an and asked before he could, "Do you want to know which knife technique is the strongest?"

Xu Qi'an grinned.

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Li Yuchun considered and said, "There are two types of unique skills, one is a skill, and the other is a path. Forget about the latter. For the former, there is no distinction between strong and weak, only between people."

The two of them slowly began to select knife manuals, and Xu Qi'an remembered Wei Yuan's warning not to choose flashy or complicated techniques.

After an hour, Li Yuchun became impatient. "Can't find a satisfactory one?"

...Boss, I forgot to tell you, I have a fear of making choices! Xu Qi'an nodded with a wry smile.

Li Yuchun thought for a moment. "Wait for me."He called for the clerk and asked, "Have there been any new supreme martial arts added to the collection recently? I'm referring to sword manuals."

The clerk pondered for a moment and replied, "Yes, the Astronomical Observatory sent over a few supreme martial arts a few days ago, in exchange for several thousand taels of silver."

Several thousand taels of silver... Li Yuchun was taken aback, but then a smile appeared on his face. "Xu Ningyan, you're lucky."

He explained, "Supreme martial arts worth several thousand taels of silver are of better quality than those already here. I suspect there might even be a remnant of a certain sword technique."

"A technique?" Xu Qi'an's eyes lit up.

"Supreme martial arts with a technique usually are created by high-level martial artists and contain their martial arts insights for life. If you want to become a high-level martial artist, you can't touch such martial arts, because that's someone else's technique. But you can learn from a remnant." Li Yuchun ordered the clerk, "Go get it."

In no time, the clerk brought over several supreme martial arts, one of which was a fragmentary sword technique.

"Tian Di Yi Dao Zhan" (One Sword to Cut Heaven and Earth).

Whoever named this was either delusional or paranoid... Xu Qi'an made a judgment in his mind and opened the thin booklet, reading the preface:

There's nothing in the world that can't be cut by a sword. If there is, my suggestion is to run away.

... Xu Qi'an resisted the urge to throw away the supreme martial arts manual, patiently turning to the second page.

After carefully reading the outline, he changed his view of this supreme martial art.

He guessed right. The author was indeed a paranoid. He believed that anything in the world could be cut by a sword, including heaven and earth.

And so could the enemy.

Any unnecessary moves and fighting were an insult to martial arts.

I only use one sword. It's either you die or I die. Of course, being paranoid doesn't mean losing one's mind. The outline mentioned that if you encounter a powerful opponent you can't defeat, the advice is to run away.

Xu Qi'an silently finished reading the outline and mentally wrote a new preface for this supreme martial art: Focus and reach the pinnacle!

He closed the booklet, his eyes shining. "I want it."