The next day, Yan Ming King arrived on time.
With a tacit understanding, they exchanged the items they each needed. They also made some casual conversation, and the entire process went very smoothly.
Wang Linchi had actually been constantly worried that something unexpected might disrupt the exchange.
After all, he was dealing with the protagonist. Encountering twists and turns was common, and Wang Linchi had even braced himself for potential dangers.
However, the outcome was smooth sailing, which made Wang Linchi somewhat doubt his earlier anxieties.
But in any case, it was good news.
"If you manage to successfully perfect the fourth generation next time, let me know. I'll definitely offer you a good price." This time, Yan Ming King didn't suggest joining his Ming King battle team or make any empty promises; he had discerned Wang Linchi's attitude towards him.
"Certainly, certainly," Wang Linchi replied with a broad smile.
If he was lucky, there might not even be a fourth generation. After all, Wang Linchi had developed Soul Kind Boiling to serve as his own stepping stone. Now that he had this stepping stone, he naturally no longer needed to continue its development.
Just as Yan Ming King was about to say something, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "Have you offended anyone lately?" he asked.
"Not that I know of. I seldom interact with people." Wang Linchi was also somewhat puzzled. A few individuals crossed his mind: one was Liu Shen from the Liu Family, but he was guarding the Secret Realm and could not leave without an order.
The next was the Bronze Seal Catcher who had been investigating the Blood Dragon Envoy. Perhaps this Catcher had either failed to find the Blood Dragon Envoy or was dissatisfied with what he found, leading him to target Wang Linchi.
The final possibility was the Baylong Religion itself, or someone in the academy or Government Office coveting his third-level subsidy.
"In that case, they must be looking for me." Yan Ming King gave a cold laugh before dashing out of Wang Linchi's house in an instant.
A few minutes later, the sounds of a fierce fight erupted.
"Yan Ming King, don't think that just because you got lucky and managed to establish the Ming King battle team in the city, you can look down on me, a Bronze Seal Catcher!"
"Today, I'll make you understand that even among those at the Mountain Copper Level, there are distinctions!"
A resonant voice, filled with anger and surprise, berated Yan Ming King.
Wang Linchi instantly recognized the voice as that of the Bronze Seal Catcher who had investigated the Blood Dragon Envoy. He was unsure if the man was targeting him or Yan Ming King.
From his words, it was clear he and Yan Ming King knew each other.
Presumably, Yan Ming King had dealings with this Bronze Seal Catcher when establishing his Ming King battle team in Qinghe City.
After three to five minutes, Wang Linchi heard voices again.
"Wait, you can't kill me! My master is the Silver Seal Catcher! If you kill me, there will be no place for you in Qinghe City. You will surely die without a complete corpse!!!"
To the very end, the man still resorted to threats. Wang Linchi couldn't fathom what this Bronze Seal Catcher was thinking. At such a moment, he should have been earnestly begging for mercy, yet he was still issuing threats and even invoking his backer.
"Hmph! After I kill you, I'll deal with your master as well. Don't think I'm unaware of the little schemes you two have been up to lately." After Yan Ming King shouted this, a scream pierced the air.
Then, there was silence.
Wang Linchi knew the other party had struck a fatal blow; the Bronze Seal Catcher was likely dead now.
The good news is that the Blood Dragon Envoy matter probably won't cause me any more trouble.
The bad news is I might get implicated...
Who knew what this Silver Seal Catcher was thinking? If, in the grand scheme of things, he couldn't effectively strike at Yan Ming King, he might target Wang Linchi instead, intending to make an example of him. If that happened, Wang Linchi would suffer a tremendous loss.
A Silver Seal Catcher was in charge of apprehending thieves, suppressing bandits, and other such matters in a city; their power was immense.
To deal with Wang Linchi, a simple word would suffice, and he would find himself imprisoned on trumped-up charges.
Moreover, if the Catcher put his mind to it, he could even fabricate evidence, making the case ironclad.
He couldn't touch Yan Ming King, but surely he could deal with an ordinary weakling like Wang Linchi?
No, I must go to the academy and hide for a while.
Wang Linchi thought of the best solution: to hide. He couldn't afford to provoke them, but he could afford to hide from them.
Once inside the academy, with the Dean present, even if the Silver Seal Catcher wanted to vent his anger, he wouldn't target Wang Linchi.
Using him to threaten Yan Ming King was highly unlikely. If anyone were to be used as leverage, it would be Yan Ming King's confidante, not him.
So, by entering the academy, the Dean's presence—an Elite Gold Level Awakener—would ensure the Silver Seal Catcher wouldn't dare act recklessly. The Silver Seal Catcher, merely at the Secret Silver Level, wouldn't dare to talk tough or act against an Awakener who was stronger and held a higher position.
In the Dajing Court, promotion required not only sufficient merits, connections, and background but also adequate personal strength. This strength was a strict criterion. Every official position demanded a corresponding level of strength.
Unless one could, like Yan Ming King, challenge and defeat those at higher levels as easily as eating and drinking, only then could they receive an exceptional promotion. This was because the ultimate display of strength was combat prowess.
A few minutes later, Yan Ming King had apparently dealt with the aftermath and left directly.
Wang Linchi peeked out and saw several constables carrying away the Bronze Seal Catcher, whose name he didn't even know.
Yan Ming King had killed him with a single sword strike to the throat. The more arrogant his shouts had been in life, the quicker and cleaner his death.
If you don't have the strength, don't try to act tough.
Fortunately, one hidden danger has been eliminated. That's good news.
Overall, it was more advantageous than disadvantageous. Although there was a risk the Silver Seal Catcher might try to make an example of him, that Catcher was still operating within the rules and would therefore likely not make any rash moves against Wang Linchi.
Moreover, having offended the protagonist, the Silver Seal Catcher's days were numbered.
At most, in a month, he would be dead.
If he had offended a protagonist of the 'patient sect,' the Catcher might have lasted for ten or so chapters. But having offended a 'Gary Stu' type protagonist, surviving even three chapters would mean Yan Ming King hadn't been fast enough in finishing him off.
According to the usual tropes, this Silver Seal Catcher would likely soon use his power to get some Dark Evil Forces in Qinghe City to kidnap Yan Ming King's confidante. Coincidentally, this force had recent friction with the Ming King battle team, and both sides were eager to annihilate the other.
Then Yan Ming King, aided by his influential supporters, would not only subdue or eliminate this Dark Evil Force but also successfully depose the Silver Seal Catcher.
Wang Linchi could easily imagine this entire plotline.
Of course, just because he could imagine this scenario didn't mean he could execute it. Without the buffs of a Protagonist's Aura, an Intelligence Reduction Aura, and a Taunting Aura, if he were to try such a thing, the Silver Seal Catcher would likely detect his intentions right at the start. He'd be thrown into jail the next day, and by the third day, he would either die from a sudden illness or be 'convinced' to commit suicide out of remorse for his 'crimes'.
Right, I should pack up quickly and go hide in the academy for a month. It's the perfect opportunity to evolve and complete my Inspirational Field of View Soul Kind. By the time I'm finished, the whole affair should have blown over.
If the matter wasn't resolved by the time he emerged, he could simply continue to lie low. Besides, he still had his Shallow Meditation Soul Kind to perfect.