While speaking, Zhang Yuanqing glanced at the high-footed glass cup held by the president. The 1990 Lafite, a gift he had given to Cao Qing, was now being deliberately presented—clearly a signal. "He is indeed a member of the Business Association and one of my more trusted subordinates. However, he is unaware of your identity," the president smiled lightly. "Also, your landlord's wife is a field agent placed by Tianfa in the Chinatown area. Her primary role is to monitor the atmosphere and trends in Chinatown—she is not part of Tianfa's core team, but merely receives a salary. She is a Lei-style mage, and Tianfa naturally has a strong affinity for Wind and Thunder mages, which is why they've chosen her as an agent." Although she receives Tianfa's salary, she remains trustworthy—Zhang Yuanqing had picked up the president's subtle hint. "Alright, today's conversation concludes here. You need to quickly become a Golden Hunter, and then wait for the Hunter's Association to reach out to you." Saying this, he finished off the glass of red wine in one go. Seeing the scene, Zhang Yuanqing quickly said, "Wait a moment. There's a series of recent murders in the Chinatown area—the killer is the Night-Wanderer. I suspect it's a high-ranking Night-Wanderer." He immediately shared the details of the case and his hypothesis with the president, then asked, "President, what are your thoughts on this?" The president remained silent. Zhang Yuanqing grew serious, thinking to himself that there must be deeper implications—perhaps even a conflict between the two major factions. "Do you think I, living in the second district, would care about a murder case in a small Chinatown?" the president finally spoke. ... Zhang Yuanqing gave a slight chuckle: "Oh." I've been overthinking this. The president raised his hand and snapped his fingers with a crisp sound: "Off we go!" He vanished instantly—no delay, no special effects—disappearing in a matter of seconds. Zhang Yuanqing turned to check the clock on the nightstand. It read 2:30 a.m. As a Night-Wanderer, he had long since lost his sleep. He simply turned on the desk lamp and sat down at his desk to think. "Ah, the main sponsor has assigned a task—no more leisurely days ahead. Penetrating deep into the Free Alliance's internal structure feels more deadly than even a S-tier raid." He sighed, expressing his sentiment. Though he was making these remarks, he now found himself inextricably linked with the president. Should he ever aspire to become the Sun Sovereign, the Free Alliance would inevitably become his adversary. Thus, this wasn't merely working for the president—it was working for himself. "Tap-tap…" He tapped his fingers on the desk, carefully weighing his thoughts. "The operations of a double agent are inherently fraught with risk. Certain matters must be anticipated and pre-arranged in advance, with contingency plans laid out to build resilience. Otherwise, under sudden pressure, his hidden identity might be exposed, leading to an immediate collapse—spinning into a full-blown crisis." "First, the Free Alliance is aligned with evil—by nature, it should be close to evil professions. I can launch my career as a mage, but then the identity of Zhang Qingyang would become problematic. My publicly recognized role is that of a scout, and once that is established, it would no longer be feasible to change it. If the Hunter's Guild pays attention to me, they will inevitably investigate my background. The identity of the celestial master as a mage can be forged with the help of Fu Qingyang; but what about Zhang Qingyang's current identity? The challenge lies primarily in the Chinatown area, not within the mainland. Should the Hunter's Guild discover his residence and come knocking, the landlord's family will naturally be the first to be interrogated. There will then be three possible outcomes: either the investigators are killed by the landlord's family, or the landlord's family is killed by the investigators, or both parties remain peaceful, and the investigators eventually learn from Cao Qianxiu that Zhang Qingyang is indeed a scout. Facing this situation, Zhang Yuanqing has two options." One simply ignores the situation, acting as if nothing is amiss—how can I be a scout when I claim to be one? This could merely be a convenient excuse to appease Cao Qianxiu. Once revealed as a Lingjing Traveler, it would be difficult to claim otherwise. The downside is that Zhang Qingyang becomes bound to Tongtian Master, thereby narrowing his operational scope. Moreover, he risks dragging the landlord’s family along—since the Hunter’s Guild is under the Free Covenant, which is itself an evil faction. Given that all members of the family are lawful and orderly, it becomes hard to resist the allure of reputation points for investigators. Zhang Yuanqing continued to delve deeper along this line of thinking: "Zhang Qingyang, as a second-tier scout, is too junior to interact with top-level figures. Therefore, I need to revise his character profile and elevate his status. Although I claim to be a second-tier scout, I can't reveal my true rank to a stranger from a foreign land—falsely presenting myself as a second-tier scout is entirely reasonable. With the right opportunity, I can showcase my genuine capabilities and shift Cao Qianxiu's perception of me. Right now, we're still relatively unfamiliar, so this approach offers great flexibility. Zhang Qingyang and the Heavenly Master are fixed identities, but these alone aren't sufficient. I also need a role that allows me to engage with the Heaven's Judgment, the Sea God's Church, and the spiritual realm families. This doesn't have to happen immediately—I'll first aim to become a Golden Hunter. After all, for a spirit-magic practitioner, altering one's aura and appearance is quite straightforward. Should the need arise later, I can create additional identities as required." It's time to get down to business! The reward list is scrolling downward, and a new assignment appears in view: #Eliminate the Killer Behind the Serial Murders in the Manx Chinese Quarter# Task Description: The killer is a suspected Nocturnal Spirit, level 2, cautious and cunning, skilled in stealth. Task Objectives: Eliminate the killer – reward: 500,000 federal coins, 30 points. Provide leads on the killer – reward: 100,000 federal coins, 5 points. "Wait, the task details are completely off," Zhang Yuanqing remarks, checking the release date. "This isn't a mission designed to send hunters to their deaths, is it? A task issued by the Anti-Black-and-White Alliance?" It was posted two days ago, and the Nocturnal Spirit's true status had only just been confirmed by Zhang Yuanqing last night. That now makes sense—the Anti-Black-and-White Alliance had indeed made an initial misjudgment. Zhang Yuanqing immediately accepts the assignment. If the killer is a Nocturnal Spirit at the Saint level, then the reward simply won't be worth it. To Zhang Yuanqing, as long as it wasn't a day-god, any star official or night-god was the same—just one person, one assignment. He still needed 40 points to advance to Silver rank, and this task offered exactly 30 points—perfectly suited. With just this task completed, and then a couple more minor ones, he’d be able to achieve his promotion. If the Anti-Black-and-White Alliance canceled or raised the task level, he’d no longer receive it. Tasks rewarding 30 points weren’t common, and with so many bounty hunters in Xin Yue County, it often took several days to secure one. "Let’s first advance to Golden Hunter status—let’s just take it as a favor to the Anti-Black-and-White Alliance." … The following morning, at eight thirty. Zhang Yuanqing got up, brushed his teeth, and sat at the dining table in the living room, eating soy milk, oil cakes, and meat buns bought by Anne. "Anne, if I’m not mistaken, your Divine Beauty Association also has a presence in Xin Yue County, don’t you think?" Zhang Yuanqing said while chewing on his oil cake. Annie nodded. New Covenant County was a major city of the Free Federation, a world-class metropolis, naturally hosting a branch of the Goddess Association. Zhang Yuanqing tore off a steamed bao and dipped it into the salty soy milk, speaking casually, "I might eventually use your connections to reach out to the senior leadership of the Order of the County's Governance Organization." Annie was taken aback. "Master, didn't you say you'd remain low-key until the end of the year? Making sudden contact with the senior leadership of the Governance Organization would certainly draw scrutiny." "Exactly—possibly!" Zhang Yuanqing stirred the bao and soy milk together. "Also, starting today, please don't call me Master." "Then what should I call you?" "Call me Husband!" Annie beamed with delight and surprise. Zhang Yuanqing then shifted tone. "Just kidding—call me Mr. Zhang!" The golden-haired beauty sighed. "Alright, Mr. Zhang." After breakfast, Zhang Yuanqing was pondering the ongoing series of murders when he suddenly received a text message from Cao Qianxiu: "Come by to my place." Zhang Yuanqing glanced at his watch—it was nine in the morning—and sent a message: "Didn't you say you were going out to sea by ferry this morning?" Cao Qianxiu replied, "We're coming now." Zhang Yuanqing left the living room and knocked on the security door of the unit next door, No. 401. After two taps, the deep red security door opened, and Cao Qianxiu, dressed in a nightgown, stood gracefully, yawned, and turned with her skirt swaying as she walked toward the living room. Zhang Yuanqing entered the room and closed the door behind him. "I've just started my period today, so I didn't go out—I'm only making up an excuse to my parents," she said, sitting on the sofa, holding a rubber band between her teeth, and gathering her long hair behind her head. "First of all, congratulations—you've passed the evaluation. Your analysis last night provided crucial insights that helped the senior leadership realize the urgency in time. That's a significant contribution. The organization has now officially incorporated you as a member of the Anti-Black-and-White Alliance, Group 6. I'll "You're taking me, are you sure?" Zhang Yuanqing smiled at just the right moment. "It's okay." He had come for a short stay to the Xin Yue County, not a permanent resident there, so he didn't need to offer overly enthusiastic or surprising feedback—otherwise, it might raise suspicion. Cao Qianxi carefully studied him for a moment, then nodded slightly. "I'll fetch the forms. Our team leader mentioned we should keep observing, and so far, they've never actually given them to you." She returned to her room, retrieved the forms, and placed them on the coffee table, pushing them toward Zhang Yuanqing. "I have one question to confirm..." Zhang Yuanqing glanced at the forms. "Do you still remember my spiritual realm ID?" Cao Qianxi tilted her head, thinking. "The Master of Heaven and Earth?" "Exactly. Have you told any of your colleagues at the Bai Hei White Alliance about my spiritual realm ID?" Zhang Yuanqing asked again. If the ID "Master of Heaven and Earth" had already been leaked, he would need to revise his plans—re-register under a new hunter identity and retire the title of "Master of Heaven and Earth." Cao Qianxiu shook her head, speaking seriously, "Until you officially join the organization, I will not disclose your ID or your real name. This is a principle issue." Indeed, Master Lei is both fair and principled. Zhang Yuanqing breathed a quiet sigh of relief and said, "I thought you'd say: Of course, because I want everyone to know that you're under my protection." Cao Qianxiu furrowed her brows, "I'm not that dull, and this isn't my usual style." "I know—I was just making a joke." "You're not even close to your father's level when it comes to telling jokes." "..." Honestly, this girl has such low emotional intelligence—she'll never find a boyfriend! Zhang Yuanqing shook his head, then reached into his pocket, pulled out a pocket watch, and opened it with a crisp snap, holding it gently in front of Cao Qianxiu. Cao Qianxiu instinctively glanced at the watch, but before she could react, her expression suddenly grew hollow. Zhang Yuanqing spoke softly and gently, "Zhang Qingyang's spiritual realm ID is the Free Sword Immortal. Zhang Qingyang's spiritual realm ID is the Free Sword Immortal..." He repeated it three times in succession, then tucked away his watch and gave a crisp snap of his fingers. "If I'm not mistaken, the case files from last night didn't contain any direct clues that could pinpoint the killer. How did the Anti-Black-and-White Alliance identify the culprit so quickly? That doesn't make sense. Cao Qianxi shook her head, "I don't know. The organization hasn't mentioned it—just follow orders." Zhang Yuanqing nodded, feeling a surge of confidence. Regardless of how the Anti-Black-and-White Alliance found the killer, having someone guide him was a real advantage. He'd been worried about tracking down the suspect all along. Tonight, he'd be joining them in the pursuit—so it seemed, he'd actually be getting the better end of the deal. At that moment, Cao Qianxi continued, "Also, let me share some details about the compensation. Regular members earn 20,000 federal credits per month, which isn't much compared to Tianfa—but..." Before she could finish, Xiao Yao the Sword Immortal interrupted with a firm voice: "I am willing to serve the organization with unwavering dedication, to risk my life in boiling water or blazing flames, to face mountains of knives and fires of flames without hesitation. I will live as part of the ... At 9 p.m., Jianshu Street. A sweet shop, at a round table by the floor-to-ceiling window, Zhang Yuanqing and Cao Qianxiu sat facing each other, both wearing the same hoodie. Zhang calmly held a spoon, stirring the sweet drink, occasionally sipping from it or scooping a spoonful of dessert from the table. Cao, on the other hand, was intensely focused on the scene outside, as if everyone there were an enemy. Jianshu Street was the street they were responsible for, and the task assigned by the Anti-Black-and-White Alliance was to seal it off, preventing enemies from fleeing through it—without needing to engage directly in combat. For this operation, the Anti-Black-and-White Alliance dispatched seven teams, totaling sixty spiritual travelers. The overall coordination and leadership were entrusted to a senior steward, a Level 6 Wind mage. "Relax," Zhang Yuanqing said. "If luck is on our side, we won't even be involved." "Then drink more," Cao Qianxiu replied, unmoved, her eyes fixed steadily on the window outside. Besides her slightly lower emotional intelligence, this girl is reliable, fair-minded, and has strong potential—she's a real talent. With a bit more observation, she might one day be brought into the faction. According to the anti-Black-and-White Alliance's strategy, the core of their encircling formation lies on Curry Street, two blocks away. If the killer resides there, then why haven't they taken action yet? Zhang Yuanqing pondered this. With his keen intuition, he believed the battle on Curry Street couldn't have gone unnoticed. Yet the battle hadn't even begun—this suggested that the alliance's strategy was more of a trap, designed to lure the killer into the net. Did the anti-Black-and-White Alliance already know who the killer's intended target was? That was now particularly interesting. Cao Qianxi observed for a while, then pressed the earpiece and spoke softly, "All units under Group Six, take note—everything is normal on the Nut Street side. Everything is normal. Please report from Teams 1 and 2." A sweet, gentle voice came through the earpiece: "Oh, really? If everything is normal, then why say 'take note'? I was quite startled." By the way, why hasn't your new colleague beside you said anything? Let me introduce them to everyone. Hearing this, Cao Qianxi shifted her gaze to Zhang Yuanqing and said, "Allow me to introduce myself."