I Can Merge Techniques

’For a single Magical Treasure, Lingkong Jade dared to storm the Demon Suppression Bureau of a provincial capital all by herself?’

’Just what kind of lunatic was this Divine Sacrifice Envoy of the Moon Worship Sect!’

’No wonder she dared to suppress Yue Mankong with an Array, even though she was clearly no match for him...’

’That woman is truly insane!’

Chu Fan was secretly dumbfounded, resolving to classify the Ten Thousand Souls Banner as his ultimate, forbidden Bottom Card.

’Until he had the absolute power to protect himself, he would never use it if he could avoid it.’

He solemnly put away the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, gave Leng Qingqiu another bow, and then took his leave.

Chu Fan stepped through the heavy Profound Iron Gate of the Qing Province Demon Suppression Bureau.

Sunlight spilled down, coating the magnificent edifice—a symbol of order and power—in a soft halo of light.

It slightly dispersed the Evil Qi and chilling aura that perennially lingered within its walls.

He took a deep breath of the air, filled with the sights and sounds of the bustling city, and was just about to step into the throng on the long street to temporarily cast the schemes and bloodshed of the Demon Suppression Bureau from his mind.

But three people approached from the front, blocking his path.

The one in the lead, clad in Bright Silver Rune Armor, had a tall, straight posture and a scholarly face. A gentle smile played on his lips; if not for his military garb, he would have looked more like a well-read scholar.

Behind him followed two Demon Suppression Guards with solemn expressions and sharp, powerful auras. Their steps were in unison, subtly marking him as their leader.

"Chu Fan."

A smile as warm as a spring breeze bloomed on the Demon Suppression Captain’s face.

The admiration in his eyes was unconcealed, and his voice was as clear as a spring breeze rippling across a lake. "I heard that you, Mu Bai, and the others completed your mission to Perfection. It’s truly rare to possess such courage and decisiveness at your age. The younger generation is truly something to be reckoned with."

On his right, a young man with a defiant look in his eyes spoke up at the right moment. "This is Demon Suppression Captain, Lord Pei Yufeng."

’It’s him?’ Chu Fan’s heart skipped a beat, but his face remained impassive. He bowed as etiquette required. "Greetings, Lord Pei."

Pei Yufeng...

The name flashed like a bolt of lightning through Chu Fan’s mind.

He was one of the candidates that Leng Qingqiu and Li Mubai had secretly shortlisted as the potential "rat"!

Leng Qingqiu and her group had long been aware that the Qing Province Demon Suppression Bureau had been infiltrated by the Moon Worship Sect, which had planted a pawn within their ranks.

But because the Moon Worship Sect had laid low for years, not making any major moves in Qing Province, they hadn’t yet taken action to ferret out the insider.

Once it was confirmed that the prominent local Zhang Family was colluding with the Moon Worship Sect, the plan to clean house and catch the mole was officially put on the agenda.

The recent operation to eradicate the Blood Shadow Sect was, on the surface, a mission to eliminate bandits. In truth, it was a trap set to exploit the "rat’s" known Trait of passing on intelligence, designed to lure out a big fish from the Moon Worship Sect.

A big fish did indeed appear—that incredibly powerful, masked, mysterious woman.

But the plan went awry—Xiao Ziye’s old ailment flared up, she got lost in the Burial Demon Marsh, and she arrived late to the party.

In the end, although the big fish was grievously wounded, it managed to escape using a bizarre Escape Technique.

Although Chu Fan was a low-ranking Demon Suppression Guard, he was privy to the inside details because of his involvement in the classified operation.

On the list of suspected moles compiled by the Demon Suppression Envoy and Li Mubai, Pei Yufeng’s name was featured prominently!

As for whether he was truly the "rat," that was for Li Mubai and his team to investigate. Chu Fan had no intention of getting any more involved than he already was.

...

"Ah, no need for such formalities."

Pei Yufeng reached out as if to help him up, his tone growing even more amicable. "With your talent and strength, your solid foundation, and your fierce decisiveness, it won’t be difficult for you to be promoted to Captain in due time."

"You might even set the record for the youngest Demon Suppression Captain in the Bureau’s history."

He was lavish with his praise, as if genuinely delighted that the Demon Suppression Bureau had acquired such a talent.

"Lord Pei, you flatter me."

Chu Fan replied humbly, his gaze as calm as still water, neither pleased by the praise nor intimidated by the other man’s status.

Just then, the defiant young man who had introduced Pei Yufeng looked Chu Fan up and down with a scrutinizing and unconvinced air before speaking. "They say that a few days ago on the training grounds, you defeated Wang Meng of the Acupoint Realm in three moves?"

His tone carried a barely perceptible hint of provocation.

Chu Fan turned his head, calmly regarding the young Demon Suppression Guard, and said lightly, "Wang was just mindful of our collegial friendship. He didn’t want me to make a fool of myself in public, so he deliberately let me win."

He didn’t want to stir up trouble, so he gave the other man an easy way out.

"Is that so?"

Hearing this, the young man sneered, his contempt unconcealed. "I just got back from training at headquarters in the Imperial Capital, and I’ve heard nothing but them singing your praises, calling you some once-in-a-century genius..."

"I was actually thinking of testing your skills when I returned. Turns out you’re just an imposter who doesn’t live up to his name. You have to rely on others letting you win?"

"Tinghua, that’s enough!"

Pei Yufeng’s expression darkened. He rebuked the young man, his eyes showing his disapproval.

The last trace of a smile slowly vanished from Chu Fan’s face, replaced by an icy calm.

He spoke quietly, but his voice carried clearly to everyone’s ears. "Whether or not I live up to my name, what damn business is it of yours?"

He paused, his gaze like a dagger stabbing straight at the youth named Tang Tinghua. "Who the hell do you think you are, trying to act tough in front of me?"

This had always been his temperament.

If others showed him an inch of respect, he would show them a mile.

But if others provoked him, he would surely return the favor!

"Excellent! Excellent!"

Instead of getting angry, Tang Tinghua laughed. He clapped his hands, his voice full of theatricality. "Boss Pei, you saw that, didn’t you?"

"This bastard is riding high now, so full of himself his tail’s reaching for the sky! He has absolutely no respect for you or us veterans!"

He was attempting to drag Pei Yufeng into the argument, escalating the level of conflict.

"Shut up!"

Pei Yufeng’s face turned grim. He shot Tang Tinghua a glare, then turned to face Chu Fan.

He sighed softly, stepped forward to pat Chu Fan’s shoulder, and said in a placating tone, "Chu Fan, don’t take it to heart."

"This is my subordinate, Tang Tinghua. He’s very straightforward and just got back from the Imperial Capital, so he’s a little arrogant. He’s just eager for a fight, that’s all. He means no harm."

"Eager for a fight?" Chu Fan felt the pressure on his shoulder, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke coolly. "What a coincidence. So am I."