Chapter 1 The Beginning

The office door plaque read: Safe Deposit Box Services Department.

The manager was a pot-bellied, blond middle-aged man with a slightly receding hairline. High-calorie food coupled with a lack of exercise had severely distorted his figure.

"Open a safe deposit box?" The middle-aged manager quickly stood up and led Zhang Yuanqing to the guest sofa beside him.

The receptionist poured two glasses of warm water and then retreated.

Zhang Yuanqing took a sip of warm water, his eyes scanning the middle-aged man's chest. The name tag read Carl Parker. He smiled and said, "Manager Parker, I'm here to open a safe deposit box. Box number..."

Parker nodded. "Please show me your identification."

Customers can inspect and use their safe deposit boxes at any time, but they need to carry identification each time they open the box and sign a record after opening it.

"You've already seen my ID." Zhang Yuanqing stared into Manager Parker's eyes.

The latter was momentarily dazed, then stood up enthusiastically and said, "Please come with me."

Zhang Yuanqing followed him out of the office and deep into the bank's interior. They took an elevator to the underground level and passed through a passage leading to the vault. Parker and a bank employee took out the keys and opened the security door, which was 30 centimeters thick.

Finally, they opened an iron gate, and arrived at the individual safe deposit box hall.

The safe deposit boxes here were like the walls of a temple columbarium, row upon row.

Manager Parker led Zhang Yuanqing to Zone 00, stopping in front of box number 42. "Please help yourself," he said.

Then, he retreated.

Zhang Yuanqing entered the password, then faced the pinhole camera next to the keypad. After a few seconds, he heard a tone indicating successful iris recognition.

Box number 42 unlocked.

He immediately opened the safe deposit box. Inside lay a square wooden box.

"Click!"

Zhang Yuanqing opened the wooden box and saw a fan-shaped bronze piece. Its complete form should have been a bronze disk, divided into four pieces.

The fan-shaped bronze piece was engraved with tadpole-like runes. Just one glance made Zhang Yuanqing feel dizzy, his consciousness sinking into a deep vortex, difficult to escape.

He quickly closed his eyes and didn't continue watching. At the same time, he grasped the bronze piece in his hand, trying to read the item information.

A few seconds later, Zhang Yuanqing opened his eyes, stunned.

No item information…

"Strange, the Pope's relic must be a Lingjing item (Mystic Realm item), why is there no item information?"

No item information was a bit of a headache, because he couldn't define the thing. Like the Demon Lord's treasure map fragment, the item information directly provided information such as "a total of six pieces" and "the Yuhua Xianmen (Immortal Ascension Sect) treasure trove."

The direction of the treasure hunt became simple and clear.

"It can make my eyes dizzy, so it's definitely not ordinary. But no item information… There's only one explanation: this thing isn't a Lingjing item, it's been passed down from ancient cultivators."

Zhang Yuanqing suddenly remembered a rumor that the Vatican possessed a complete inheritance from ancient cultivators. In the dark Middle Ages, the Vatican knights charged on the front lines against werewolves, witches, and vampires.

So it was reasonable for the Vatican to possess items passed down from ancient cultivators.

"I just don't know if the Pope's relic is this copper disk itself, or if the copper disk is just a key, and the real Pope's relic can be obtained after collecting all the pieces."

This fan-shaped bronze piece was obviously incomplete.

Zhang Yuanqing took out the fan-shaped bronze piece and put the wooden box back in the safe deposit box, then turned and left the hall.

Leaving the bank building, Zhang Yuanqing changed his appearance several times, changed his clothes, and disguised himself as a handsome blond man. He didn't return to the red brick building, but took a taxi to Queens, a county with a relatively chaotic security situation and a large immigrant population.

On the way, he pondered to himself:

"Now it depends on the reaction of Heavenly Punishment and the Hunter Guild. If it's the Hunter Guild looking for me, then the organization that planned the serial murders is the Free Federation, and I can take the opportunity to infiltrate the enemy."

"Conversely, if it's Heavenly Punishment, then I don't need to pay attention to it, and can focus on dealing with the Pope's relic."

An hour later, Zhang Yuanqing arrived in Queens. The urban construction here was obviously inferior to Manhattan. Whether it was the streets or the residences, they exuded the aura of age, and the height wasn't enough.

Zhang Yuanqing had a reason for coming to Queens. He was guarding against the mastermind behind the scenes being the Free Federation.

If the Free Federation had orchestrated the serial murder case, then after he submitted the "Zong Cheng (Guild mission) request", the Hunter Guild would definitely pay attention to him and look for him.

In a metropolis like New York, the best way to find a person is to use high-tech means to locate them, such as through Hunter positioning.

Returning to the red brick building at this time would be equivalent to exposing his location. Although he could also prevent tracking and positioning by turning off his phone, he would then have no way to contact the Hunter Guild.

"If the Free Federation values the Pope's relic, then they will definitely contact me today. Well, they need some time to find out that 'Jia Feizhang' took the safe deposit box items, so wait a little longer..."

He wandered aimlessly around Queens.

Queens is the most populous borough in New York City's five boroughs. Its security is as bad as the Bronx, which is full of blacks.

Places with poor security have one thing in common: social idlers and prostitutes gather.

Zhang Yuanqing had only been wandering for a moment when he saw a blonde woman wearing a tight dress and carrying a bag, dressed coquettishly, approach him.

"Sir, although it's still a long time before dark, I can't wait to indulge with you." The blonde woman showed off her figure and said:

"For just two hundred dollars, you can have me. If you add two hundred federal dollars, you can have me at night too."

Two hundred federal dollars? In New York City, where prices are high, it's considered cheap and affordable, and she doesn't look bad. The men who have had you must be numerous, but sorry, I don't have the habit of squeezing the subway... Zhang Yuanqing politely declined:

"Madam, the price I can accept is one hundred federal dollars. Hmm, for the whole night."

The blonde woman sized him up and smiled charmingly: "Since you're so handsome, one hundred federal dollars will do."

Sorry, I don't have the habit of squeezing cheap subways... Zhang Yuanqing walked away with his head down.

Two more hours passed. He ate black fried chicken on the streets of Queens, watched street dance, and watched spirited young men play skateboard and basketball.

He felt that the security here wasn't as bad as rumored. Of course, it might be because it wasn't dark yet.

"Queens and the Bronx are havens for evil professions. Should I sense emotions to find evil professions? Well, indiscriminately sensing everyone's emotions is too much of a burden for me. There's no need to seek abuse..."

Thinking to himself, Zhang Yuanqing took out his spare cell phone, turned it on, and opened Hunter. Before he could check the background, he saw two unread emails in his inbox.

One was a notification that the task had been completed, and the other was from the Hunter official.

"Dear Hunter 'Tong Tian Jiao Zhu (Leader of the Heavens)', your outstanding performance has attracted our attention. For excellent Hunters, we have professional training programs and preferential treatment in terms of commissions and bonuses. Please report to the New York City Hunter Guild branch before 6:00 PM today."

Tsk tsk, it really was the Free Federation that planned the serial murders… Zhang Yuanqing narrowed his eyes as he finished reading the information and immediately made a judgment.

"This message is clearly trying to lure me to the Guild branch. They probably chose this as a last resort after failing to locate me. According to the president's deduction, the Hunter Guild should be tolerant of me, but if I refuse to hand over the Pope's relic, it's hard to guarantee that the Hunter Guild won't kill and seize the treasure. I have to guard against it."

"Yin Shi (Corpse puppet) are the best cannon fodder, but no matter how the Yin Shi's aura is disguised, it can't escape the eyes of high-level Xingzhe (Mystic Realm professionals). For safety's sake, let the Yachi Mirror's doppelganger go."

Just as Zhang Yuanqing made up his mind, his normal cell phone rang.

The caller was Cao Qianxiu.

Her? Why would she be looking for me... Zhang Yuanqing answered the phone and said indifferently, "Rare, this is the first time you've called me during class."

Cao Qianxiu on the other end of the phone went straight to the point: "The organization's higher-ups want to see you. There's something very urgent and important."

"What is it?" Zhang Yuanqing was stunned for a moment, thinking that even if something was urgent, it wouldn't be his turn. In terms of level, he was just a Saint. The Anti-Black and White Alliance didn't lack high-end combat power.

In terms of relationship, he was just a Swordsman who had just joined the organization. In the final analysis, he was still an outsider.

"I'm not sure, but it should be related to last night's incident. I've already taken leave at home. Come back, and I'll take you to see the Alliance Master and the Elders," Cao Qianxiu said.

When Zhang Yuanqing heard that it was related to last night's incident, he suppressed his original thought of declining and said, "Okay, wait for me at home."

He immediately took out the Yachi Mirror, created a doppelganger in a secluded place, and parted ways with the doppelganger, each acting separately.

………

One o'clock in the afternoon.

In the wealthy townhouse district of Chinatown, Cao Qianxiu led Zhang Yuanqing to a villa and rang the doorbell with a video intercom.

"Guild Master, I'm Cao, a member of Group Six. The one beside me is Xiao Yao Jian Xian (Carefree Swordsman) from the Second District, and also a new member of Group Six," Cao Qianxiu introduced seriously.

After saying that, the wrought iron gate "clicked" open.

Cao Qianxiu looked back at Zhang Yuanqing and said, "Let's go in."

The two passed through the garden and were led by a maid to a Western-style living room. Zhang Yuanqing looked at the two people sitting on the sofa.

One was a middle-aged strong man with thick eyebrows and big eyes and a domineering aura, and the other was a handsome middle-aged man with a scholarly air.

The one with thick eyebrows and big eyes should be the Alliance Master, and the other one is Elder Tao? Zhang Yuanqing silently analyzed the identities of the two. On the way, he heard Cao Qianxiu say that the Anti-Black and White Alliance had one Alliance Master and two Elders.

The Alliance Master was a Thunder Mage, and the other two Elders were a Wind Mage and a Siren.

The temperament of the three major professions was easy to distinguish.

"Judge Cao, you can go to the side hall for tea first," Deng Jingguo said without waiting for the two to speak.

Cao Qianxiu obediently went to the side hall.

Deng Jingguo sized up Zhang Yuanqing while gesturing for him to take a seat, and said in a deep voice, "What level of Swordsman are you?"

"Fifth level peak!" Zhang Yuanqing replied.

Deng Jingguo and Tao Siming exchanged glances. This answer made them somewhat surprised and delighted.

Tao Siming smiled and said, "We would like to ask you for a favor."

Help? I definitely won't take a job that sends me to my death... Zhang Yuanqing asked, "Please speak."

Tao Siming said solemnly, "You are a Scout, best at tracking and investigating cases. We would like to ask you to find someone. He is a bounty hunter, and his Lingjing ID is Tong Tian Jiao Zhu (Leader of the Heavens)."

Hunter Guild branch.

"Anyway, I'm just a doppelganger. It doesn't matter if I die. Just think of it as testing the waters for the main body."

"If the people from the Free Federation directly stab me, then the president's plan won't work. I have to change my identity and infiltrate the enemy..."

In the Hunter Guild's conference room, Zhang Yuanqing held a teacup in both hands, thinking aimlessly.

Soon, he heard footsteps.

Then, the door of the conference room was pushed open, and a woman wearing a workplace uniform walked in.

She had a rare head of short gray hair, was about thirty years old, had a full chest, a slender waist, and round hips, exuding the sweetness of a ripe peach.

Her facial features were as delicate as carvings, and her beauty was flawless. Her light gray eyes were hazy and charming, and hidden a variety of amorous feelings.

Zhang Yuanqing only took one look and felt a splitting headache, his mouth was dry, and the lust in his heart rose like a raging fire. He couldn't wait to press this woman under his body and whip her to his heart's content, and let her see the sturdy Night Wanderer's attack speed of three A's per second.

Zhang Yuanqing immediately restrained his emotions, tried to calm his lust, and tried to drive out the evil fire. But as a peak sixth-level Illusionist, he was now a little difficult to control.

This is a Ruler!

He had considered the possibility of the Free Federation killing and seizing treasures, and even prepared to sacrifice the identity of Tong Tian Jiao Zhu (Leader of the Heavens) and open another account.

But he didn't expect the other party to be so despicable and shameless, sending a Ruler-level Eros profession.

Yes, letting the Eros profession take action is the most stable and effective choice. It can both control the target and avoid a large-scale fight!

Today, he might end up losing both the person and the goods. His mind was full of playing Mario! Coming up with a beauty trick right away, the Free Federation is a bit unvirtuous... Zhang Yuanqing bared his teeth secretly.