6 Frozen Ice Talisman

Li Tianchou had an icy expression and a sword-like figure. His actions and movements were sweeping, vigorously efficient. As he landed on the ground, he cast a glance around the room without seeing Qin Long's presence. Li Tianchou frowned in that instant and asked, "Where is your Master Qin?" His voice had a chilling tone. It was like the cold aura of the blade causing the people who heard it to shiver.

A young man in his twenties stepped forward and cupped his hands before replying, "Master Li, my master had just been summoned by the county magistrate for questioning."

That young man also had the surname Qin. Qin Yang was his name. He was Qin Long's deputy and also a cultivator from the Qin family.

Qin Yang was also of the same generation as Qin Feng. His talent in cultivation was pretty good even though he hailed from a side branch of the Qin family. In Qin Feng's generation, Qin Yang could be considered one of the most outstanding cultivators. 

Unfortunately, his luck was poor as now his age was advanced, which meant that he would miss out on the opportunity to participate in the family sect selection for the chance to be the chosen candidate. 

The Qin family could only select two outstanding candidates from their family to enter the Beastmaster Sect once every twenty years. If they sent too many candidates, not only would this be bad for the family's development, it would also create a huge burden on the family. Hence, even though Qin Yang's talent in cultivation was decent, he could only cultivate at the family home and render his services to the Qin family.

Li Tianchou heard Qin Yang's words and in that instant, his expression darkened. However, Qin Long could not be blamed. He felt that the county magistrate was being a little meddlesome and was holding up their time.

Despite that, he did not react and only asked in a low voice, "What actually happened, who was the one who discovered the trail of that evil cultivator?"

"Sir, it was my younger cousin," Qin Yang said as he dragged Qin Feng before him, "This is my clan brother Qin Feng. He's also the son of my Master, Qin Long." He deliberately mentioned the identity of Qin Feng to avoid any trouble.

Li Tianchou nodded slightly then turned to look at Qin Feng to ask, "How exactly did you discover that evil cultivator? Tell me the details."

Qin Feng felt his heart chilled by several degrees as Master Li's gaze fell on him. He felt like this person's gaze was as sharp as a blade, it actually made him feel a faint sense of prickling pain on his skin. He could not help but gasp in shock. He could not believe that this swordsman from Jun City was so impressive.

Even so, he did not dare to delay and rushed to regale all the events that he saw that morning once more. After Li Tianchou heard all Qin Feng had to say, he frowned deeply, "Zhao Jinglei, what is he doing here?"

Although his face appeared as cold as before, inwardly, he was cursing relentlessly. Those good-for-nothing youngsters from the Zhao family should have gone elsewhere if they had a death wish. Why did they choose to come to Kun City when he was sent here himself to solve a case?

It was hard to say if the ladies of Jun City's Hundred Flower Pavilion had lost the ability to attract the Young Master Zhao. That should not be true because according to rumors when the ladies from the western barbarians arrived, the young master spent a fortune extravagantly and declared that he would sleep with all the foreign ladies. That was only a couple of days ago, was it possible that he was spent and out of gas?

He thought about the rumors on the streets about those rich heirs, it was said that a couple of the young masters were impotent from a young age and constantly required to take elixirs and pills to cultivate a solid foundation essence.

Furthermore, they secretly sent people to buy them some tiger wolf medication 1from the Baicao Pavillion to prove that they were still mighty and powerful, yet they did not know that their embarrassing news was revealed by those ladies.

He could only guess that if the family elders learned that their younger generation had 'hollowed out2' so early, they would get a heart attack. Li Tianchou collected his thoughts and once he remembered Zhao Jinglei, his heart became extremely troubled.

If the other descendants originating from a side branch of the Zhao family died it would not matter. They were only a couple of ordinary clan members without any special abilities. However, Zhao Jinglei was the direct descendant of the true branch of the family. If he died here, it would be extremely problematic for Li Tianchou. 

The Qin family might be fine as they ultimately resided in Kun City and did not have much interaction with the Zhao family. Things, on the other hand, were different for Li Tianchou. He needed to continue living in Jun City and he still wanted to obtain even more cultivation resources in preparation to condense a Gold Core.

If the Zhao family made his life difficult as a result of Zhao Jinglei's death, he would be in big trouble. As a factionless cultivator from Tieling County Town, being able to find an endless and decent source of cultivation resources was no easy task. If he was suppressed, he might even lose the business of the Jun County government and become a true vagrant factionless cultivator.

However, Li Tianchou was baffled by some parts of the story, "That evil cultivator...even though he was vicious and heartless, he knew for a fact that Zhao Jinglei was the descendant of the Zhao family of Tieling. Why did he still dare to act against him, has he gone mad?"

Qin Feng pondered before responding, "Perhaps it is because he heard the Young Master Zhao announce the news that his family patriarch has gone into retreat before he made his decision."

At those words, Li Tianchou could no longer restrain himself and he cursed out loud in a low voice, "That idiot, how could he simply announce to the world that his own family patriarch has gone into Closed Door Meditation, that is basically courting death! Was he not afraid that the evil cultivator would find more powerful men well versed in the Mystic Way to ambush his family elders? They could take advantage of the Zhao family patriarch being in Closed Door Meditation to act and annihilate the Zhao family.

"Master Qin doesn't know when he'll be back, leave a person here to wait for him. The rest of you, come with me," Li Tianchou was a little impatient in his anxious state. He stretched his hand out to point at Qin Feng and ordered, "You, lead the way."

"Me?" Qin Feng was stunned, he could not believe that Li Tianchou would actually let him lead the way.

"Why not? Are you unwilling to go?" Li Tianchou saw that Qin Feng was frozen to the spot and had not moved an inch, so he frowned abruptly. His gaze had a sharp look of fierceness. However, he remembered that this was Qin Long's son and not a subordinate of the county office so he lowered his tone, "Out of everyone here, you are the only one who has seen that evil cultivator. Of course we'll need you to come along for the plan to succeed. It will prevent us from letting him get away if we encounter him."

That was one of his worries since so many cultivators had arrived in Kun City today from abroad. Even though it was night time, there were still people wandering and searching high and low for clues that would lead them to the evil cultivator.

If the evil cultivator mixed into that crowd of factionless cultivators, a couple of casual words from him might confuse and trick them. 

Qin Feng cupped his hands together and said, "Master, I am only a little nobody who has just achieved spiritual awakening. I dare not participate in these things. It's better if we wait a moment for my father to return so that my father will be able to accompany you." 

Even though he was a little frightened by Li Tianchou's gaze, he did not agree right away. It was exactly as he said, he had only just stepped through the threshold of cultivation and did not have any self-preservation ability. If a battle broke out, he would be doomed because it would be like shooting fish in a barrel. Would that not be unfortunate?

Li Tianchou nodded slightly, "You're a cautious one, but there's no need to worry. Since I've let you come with us, I'll be sure to keep you safe." As he said that, he swung his robe and two beams of flashing brilliance from between his sleeves appeared and landed in front of Qin Feng.

Qin Feng stretched out his hand and the two beams of light landed on his hand. He discovered then that they were two Spirit Talismans. These were different compared to the talismans he saw in that black-robed Taoist priest's hands. Li Tianchou's talismans were not drawn on yellow paper but originated from an unnamed beast's fur that had been manufactured into a talisman. As he held it in his hand, it felt sturdy and reliable. It was far better than that flimsy piece of yellow paper at making a person feel safe.

He sized them up with his eyes with a couple of glances and discovered that one of the talismans had a heavy aura while the other had gave off a sense of fierce coldness. As his fingers brushed across the pattern marked on the talisman, he felt a sharp pain like he was pricked by a needle and withdrew his hand in fright.

"Out of these two spirit talismans, one of them is the Frozen Ice Sword talisman that I made personally. Once cast, you can cut with the force of a hundred Frozen Ice Swords. Hence, even an ordinary Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator would not be able to withstand this attack.

As for the other spirit talisman, it is the Warrior Protective talisman that I exchanged from a talisman maker in Jun City. It's enough to protect your life."

Li Tianchou softly grunted, "You're fortunate little one. If it weren't for the fact that I am rushing to save that son of the Zhao family, where else would you get the chance to be gifted these talismans?"

Master Li had made some calculations in his head, if he managed to save Zhao Jinglei, the Zhao family would certainly give him ten times the reward. Those were two measly spirit talismans that hardly meant anything to him.

Qin Feng swallowed his spit and forced down the jubilant expression in his heart. It was no wonder that he was elated. He was just a boy from a small family in the countryside after all. Even his family patriarch might not have the chance to own these talismans at the Foundation Establishment Stage, yet he had suddenly come to own some extremely valuable items. It was only natural for him to feel a little excited and emotional.

Qin Feng kept both the talismans close to his chest and replied, "Thank you sir for these talismans. Since the Master is willing to protect me, I graciously offer my thanks!"

To show his gratitude, Qin Feng even bowed deeply to show his respect. Li Tianchou was a shrewd man, how could he miss the hidden meaning of those words. That boy had next to no courage. Despite receiving two talismans, he was still scared of death. His words carried the meaning that he would place the responsibility of his safety completely on Li Tianchou.

However, Li Tianchou could not be bothered to argue with the boy. It was more important to find Zhao Jinglei as soon as possible.

"Cut the nonsense, hurry up and move. If anything happens, I will take action," Li Tianchou said and with a wave of his hand, led the men of the patrol office ahead. He ordered a bailiff to wait for Qin Long to return and brief him. Furthermore, with Qin Long's cultivation level, he would be able to catch up with their team very swiftly.