The Black Book: Seven Deadly Sins

He then remembered the little guy's ability to probe emotions. Zhu Haomiao helplessly grinned and laid bare his desire to learn deep secret techniques.

Upon hearing this, the little girl pondered for a moment and hesitantly said.

"The Emperor Secret Technique cannot be divulged; that would be a great sin, punishable by death. But I can ask my mother concubine. She hails from a prestigious sect, and perhaps she has some high-level secret books to teach you."

Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao casually nodded, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the grease off her face.

"Thanks, but there's no need to force it."

"I'm not forcing it!"

Finally having something to help with, Zhao Nuo hurriedly left, vanishing outside the door in the blink of an eye.

On the other side, Zhu Haomiao stuffed the happily paw-licking Diao Chan into a pouch and got up to leave the Royal Martial Academy, heading straight for the Anti-theft Bureau government office.

He had previously taken sick leave to enter a deep sleep, and now that he's back, he naturally had to cancel his leave.

Leisurely strolling through the market, Zhu Haomiao appreciated the ancient and bustling streets while examining the changes in the Book of Black.

[Anger] +327

[Anger]: LV.3 → LV.4

[Strength] +3

[Qi] +2

[Greed Coin] +33

This was the gift left by the assassin last night; one has to admit, the nutritional value of a Fifth-rank is high!

It's a pity I couldn't capture them alive. Otherwise, nurturing them could yield more benefits…

Thinking about this, Zhu Haomiao sighed and shook his head, suddenly changing his thoughts.

No, one must not be insatiable in life!

I just returned and they came sliding in, how can I demand more from them?

In life, the most important thing is to understand gratitude!

Thanks to the Duke Ning's gift!

With hands clasped together, the young man silently gave thanks, and suddenly felt a stirring in his heart.

[Book of Black]: Dao Heart +1

Zhu Haomiao: "..."

Very good, I am indeed a great person who knows how to repay kindness!

With a sense of emotion, Zhu Haomiao arrived at the General Office, and found Yin Tianze along the way.

"Nephew! You're finally back!"

The moment he saw the young man, Yin Tianze's eyes lit up, and he warmly embraced him with a bear hug.

Giving Li Lin's back a hearty pat, Yin Tianze slightly distanced himself, examining the refined young man before him, and let out a comforting sigh.

"It seems that this retreat of yours has been quite fruitful!"

Although not having an actual duel, unable to confirm the specific growth of the young man, Yin Tianze could still detect a hint from the subtle change in his temperament.

Previously, Li Lin was sharp and dazzling, like a treasure sword drawn from its sheath, with an imposing and aggressive demeanor.

But now, the overflowing sharpness was restrained and gathered inward, resembling a soft, beautiful jade, somewhat returning to the basics.

The next second, Yin Tianze chuckled and shook his head, grinning self-deprecatingly.

A fifteen-year-old kid, returning to the basics?

How could that be possible?

On the other side, Zhu Haomiao shyly and modestly nodded.

"Thanks to Uncle's blessing, I've made a little progress."

He now is just one step away from the Gold Energy Level, which corresponds to the Fourth-rank in this Illusion Realm's grading system!

In just four short months, from a useless person with no strength to even bind a chicken, to a Fourth Rank Master.

This is the value of the Outer Heaven Demon!

And such an exaggerated speed would probably severely impact the worldview of the natives, so Zhu Haomiao just vaguely responded to Yin Tianze's inquiry.

Seeing the young man hesitate, Yin Tianze thought his retreat results were not satisfactory, and patted his shoulder, gently encouraging him.

"Don't be discouraged, haste makes waste. At your age, having Sixth Rank strength is already a rare talent, many direct heirs in prestigious sects can't compare to you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao found it hard to hold back, pursed his lips in difficulty.

"Well… Uncle, actually I've still made significant progress this time…"

"Oh? You've reached High Rank Sixth?"

Upon hearing this, Yin Tianze's eyes gleamed as he vigorously clapped Zhu Haomiao's arm.

"Good job, kid, you've really got it!"

"Not High Rank Sixth."

"Ah?"

Seeing Yin Tianze's puzzled expression, Zhu Haomiao sighed helplessly.

"Fifth Rank."

The gentle two words were like thunder exploding by Yin Tianze's ears, he stared blankly at the young man, took a while to react, and reached out his hand, doubtful.

"Let's shake hands."

With their wrists clasped together, Yin Tianze slowly applied force, his fingers like sharp eagle claws trying to subdue Li Lin.

But Zhu Haomiao simply defended resourcefully, four arms producing countless afterimages in the narrow space, creating a clear swooshing sound of air being sliced.

Even while giving his all, he couldn't suppress the young man, Yin Tianze, breaking through his defenses, delivered an unrestrained palm strike.

Bang!

Zhu Haomiao raised his hand to counter, two palms meeting without any flourish, like muffled thunder exploding in the room.

An unstoppable mighty force overwhelmed Yin Tianze's resistance, causing him to stagger three steps back, watching the unmovable young man, he slowly widened his eyes.

"Fifth Rank peak?!"

Listening to Yin Tianze's blurted-out astonished roar, Zhu Haomiao just timidly smiled without speaking.

On the other side, Yin Tianze, having breached his defenses, fell into deep silence. After a long time, he calmed down, looking at the young man with a complex expression.

"I knew you would surpass me sooner or later, but I never imagined it would come so… suddenly!"

Heaving a long sigh, Yin Tianze shook his head, quickly composed his emotions, and perked up.

"Originally, I thought I could still protect you for a while, but now it seems, I can no longer hold that qualification, from here on, the path is yours to walk."

Pattering the young man's shoulder, Yin Tianze looked him in the eye, as if admiring a piece of crafted artwork, his pupils filled with myriad emotions.

Relief, joy, shock, emotion, nostalgia…

A few moments later, Yin Tianze collected his exposed emotions, took a deep breath, and solemnly spoke in a dignified manner.

"Lechang Square Inspector of the Anti-theft Bureau, Li Lin, listen to the order!"

"Subordinate present!"

"You have contributed to eliminating harm, are honest and love the people, the citizens under your governance live happily, with exceptional achievements, and you are now promoted to Xuanyi County Captain…"

As he spoke, Yin Tianze took out a prepared document, handed it to Zhu Haomiao, and muttered.

"Shao Jie has been waiting for a long time, go and proceed with the handover with him."

"Yes, thank you, Uncle."

"No need to thank me, this is what you deserve."

Pattering the young man's shoulder, Yin Tianze quietly advised.

"Also, Shao Jie's few old subordinates will retire with him. If you have your own crew, report them to me, I'll handle the procedure."

After giving detailed advice, Yin Tianze waved his hand, letting the young man go.

Watching that tall and handsome back, Yin Tianze let out a slow and long sigh, inexplicably feeling a trace of melancholy powerlessness.

"The waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves before…"

On the other side, Zhu Haomiao found his previous direct superior, Shao Jie, and began a long handover process.

Even with the other party's full cooperation, Zhu Haomiao took several days to get a basic grasp of nine alley markets including Lechang Square, sorting out the thousands of miscellaneous tasks.