CHAPTER 72: CHAPTER 72: EXPERT SECRET TECHNIQUE: PLAYING THE QIN FOR THE OX

Lin Chen was surprised and curiously asked, "How did you know?"

"You’re not the only one who can analyze." Lee Zhen said smugly, "Back in the day, I was also a top analyst, or else how would I be a team leader."

Lin Chen naturally didn’t believe it and asked, "Tell me the truth."

"The truth is, I investigated you. Before I came to Black Mountain City, you didn’t have the background to know such a master..." Lee Zhen really showed off his analytical ability this time: "She looks even younger than you, which is quite strange."

After speaking, Lee Zhen explained, "Don’t take it the wrong way. It’s just a routine background check, part of the job. We investigate people like Ning Zimo to prevent foreign spies or people who might harm the guild."

Lin Chen nodded, indicating he understood.

"Now you can tell me, right?"

Lin Chen looked around to make sure there was no one else before solemnly saying to Lee Zhen, "You must not tell this to anyone, as I’m unsure of the consequences of angering her."

After that, Lin Chen explained everything that happened.

Lee Zhen was extremely shocked after listening.

An immortal, surviving through a thousand years of history, living until now.

"If she truly is one of the heroes, she should be revered by all, but you’re right, her focus might no longer be on such glory." Lee Zhen thought deeply for a long time, and then seriously told Lin Chen, "Rest assured, I will not speak of this matter. I swear on my position as chairman."

"It’s already impressive that she stepped out." Lin Chen said.

Lee Zhen nodded too, sighed, but thankfully said, "It’s good you remember everyone’s names, otherwise you might not have made it out."

"Probably not." Lin Chen said, "Even though she’s been in darkness for so many years, she was once a hero who protected civilians. She knows our intentions and shouldn’t harm us."

"True." Lee Zhen nodded, then curiously asked, "What’s the false story?"

"Uh..." Lin Chen, while eating, didn’t even lift his head and said, "She’s the distant cousin of my fourth aunt’s family."

"..."

Lee Zhen rolled his eyes and got up to leave.

Lin Chen asked, "Chairman Lee, aren’t you eating?"

"I can eat over there too."

"Where to?"

"To meet that expert and ask if he’s free tomorrow."

"Male or female?"

"Male, why do you want to know so much?"

"Just being concerned, unlike you who investigates guild members’ backgrounds..."

"..." Lee Zhen was speechless.

Although he said he didn’t mind, he still remembered it in his heart...

At the door, about to open it, he heard Lin Chen hastily say, "Chairman Lee, remember to pay the bill."

Lee Zhen finally burst into thunderous anger, breaking down as he said, "I’m a dignified chairman; I wouldn’t run away..."

"Thank you."

Lin Chen interrupted his spell and continued eating, leaving only the sound of the door slamming shut.

....

Outside the door, Lee Zhen walked into the city, immersed in thought.

If Lin Chen wasn’t lying and Qin Shaoshao truly has the Ten Thousand Spirits Body, her future will be terrifying.

A Celestial Spirit Body on a large battlefield is undoubtedly a war’s killing machine.

Although the Ten Thousand Spirits Body was later classified as a type of Beast Taming Talent, changing names and identities could not change its status as a revolutionary product of the Era of Spiritual Energy Revival.

"I hope she can always restrain herself." Lee Zhen recalled a terrifying incident, where a Celestial Spirit Body was once engulfed by darkness and later forced everyone in a city into perpetual dreams.

This process lasted a whole year until a Spirit Beastmaster noticed something was wrong, reported it to the Cangling Ancient Country, and the matter was resolved through negotiation.

It was after this event that the Celestial Spirit Body became known as a "nightmare" to the world.

Thinking like this, Lee Zhen walked familiarly past the streets of Black Mountain City, a city larger in scale than Jiuxing City, because more Beastmasters contracted with cattle than those with foxes.

After all, cattle are easier to raise.

Finally, Lee Zhen stopped in front of the Tai Niu Institute and asked someone to send in a message.

Not long after, he saw the so-called cattle-rearing expert.

The expert was about the same age as Lee Zhen, and they were both very happy to meet, being old friends who hadn’t seen each other for a while.

His name was Xu Youzhen, and as the vice chairman of the Monster Hunter Guild in Jiuxing City, Lee Zhen often had to sell Spirit Beasts.

Once he found some good calves and brought them over for identification, Xu Youzhen was the one who received him.

Later, they clicked and became familiar.

"We haven’t seen each other for a year, let’s have a drink today."

"Of course." Lee Zhen nodded.

They drank and chatted happily, also talking about the recent Secret Realm event.

"I heard your people found the final base." Xu Youzhen poured him a glass of wine.

Hearing this, Lee Zhen perked up, talked a lot, and finally said, "Speaking of this newcomer, I have something I’d like your help with..."

"Ah, is he a Plowhorn Beast?" Xu Youzhen became interested and said, "A Plowhorn Beast in the information sector? If true, this could be an undeveloped direction."

Xu Youzhen appeared to genuinely like cattle; when hearing about professional matters, his eyes lit up.

"Don’t think too much; it’s just that this newcomer has a good brain, not much to do with the cattle." said Lee Zhen.

"That’s a shame." Xu Youzhen sighed and asked, "Do you want me to take a look at his cow?"

"Yes," said Lee Zhen.

"Since you’ve asked, of course, it’s not a problem." Xu Youzhen agreed, "If its physique is decent, I can use my special skill: Playing to the Cattle."

"Let me tell you, I recently brought in a new pupil, also a Plowhorn Beast with excellent lineage, and after my Playing to the Cattle assistance, it’s transformed into a Spirit Beast comparable to a Combat Pet."

"He’ll be here tomorrow too; I’ll let you take a look."

It was clear Xu Youzhen was very satisfied with this disciple. Lee Zhen didn’t want to spoil the mood, so they chatted a bit, then Lee said, "By the way, how much do you usually charge for your special skill?"

"What are friends for if not to help?" Xu Youzhen frowned.

"No, you must charge." Lee Zhen said, "But not to me, to him."

Lee Zhen knew Lin Chen’s personality well; to keep him around, you had to pique his curiosity...

Otherwise, he’d likely not even bother coming to the guild, having been too satiated.

"I understand, you want to humble him a bit?" Xu Youzhen immediately caught on and said, "Okay, then I’ll charge five thousand."

"Too little, ten thousand."

"Ten thousand?" Xu Youzhen said in surprise, "That’s a bit expensive."

How can this be swindling a guild member?

It exceeds the average price of a Plowhorn Beast.

"I’m not actually making him pay; you’ll give the money to me, and I’ll keep it for him." said Lee Zhen.

"My Playing to the Cattle is really worth five thousand..."

"Would you really take my money?"

"Haha, just kidding." Xu Youzhen laughed and said, "Don’t worry, I’ll handle it for you perfectly tomorrow. I’m quite experienced in humbling people."

Late into the night, Lee Zhen finally left, Xu Youzhen saw him off, and upon turning back, saw a young girl looking at him and said, "Teacher, who was that? You seemed very happy chatting."

"An old friend." Xu Youzhen took a couple of steps and then said to the girl:

"Xiao Yue, cancel your outdoor training tomorrow and bring your Plowhorn Beast over; there’s an arrangement."

"Okay, teacher."