Fang Ye was not from this world.
He was once a university student on Blue Star. While working a part-time job as an on-campus delivery person, he found a package that wasn't properly sealed.
Inside the package was a crimson lotus figurine, as red as fresh blood.
As he was delivering the package, he accidentally pricked his finger on a lotus petal...
The next moment, a light like a red veil filled his vision!
When he regained consciousness, he had already arrived in this Martial Dao world named 'Great Qian Dynasty'.
And that 'red lotus figurine' had become his Golden Finger.
Karma Fire Crimson Lotus!
This was the name Fang Ye gave to this lotus.
Its function was simple: the Karma Fire Crimson Lotus absorbed Karma and released a red aura, assisting Epiphanies and increasing cultivation.
The source of Karma was straightforward: doing bad deeds, such as killing!
Thinking about it, this was entirely an Evil Path Golden Finger!
However, the Karma absorbed by the Karma Fire Crimson Lotus didn't necessarily have to come from Fang Ye's own killing. He could also obtain Karma from people he 'killed' by killing them.
So, to maximize progress, one either became a great Devil Head who killed indiscriminately, or specifically targeted and killed those great Devil Heads who killed indiscriminately.
When Fang Ye first Transmigrated, he struggled for a long time between 'becoming a great Devil Head who kills indiscriminately' and 'beoming an official who hunts down Devil Heads'.
Ultimately, he chose to 'be an official Devil Head who kills indiscriminately'.
—The Embroidered Uniform Guard!
Imperial authority granted, execute first, report later!
Although I kill indiscriminately, although I might 'accidentally injure' others, although I might cause the deaths of many common people...
Everything I do is for the Great Qian Dynasty!
Fang Ye's reason for killing the Poison Shuttle Guest was simple: he was a red name—a faint red glow emanated from him, which was the Karma Fire Crimson Lotus's perception of the Karma on his body.
He had killed at least a dozen people!
Perhaps even dozens!
Why would a mere inn waiter possess such Karma?
He must be a disguised bandit!
Considering the Baihu leading the Embroidered Uniform Guards' search and encirclement, yet being completely unable to detect the target's whereabouts.
That ability to hide, like a drop of water merging into a cup, clearly relied on a local identity as a disguise!
Nine times out of ten, it was this waiter!
Of course, it didn't matter if he killed the wrong person.
After all...
"Everything I do is for the Great Qian Dynasty!" Fang Ye sighed deeply.
"Lord Baihu, when I discovered that the other party possessed Martial Dao cultivation, I became suspicious. After all, Martial Artists have always been revered by our Great Qian Dynasty. There's no reason for a normal Martial Artist to hide his identity and condescend to be a waiter. He must be a disguised bandit!"
"So I judged that he was the Poison Shuttle Guest!"
"I originally intended to leave quietly, inform Your Lordship, and then act. Who knew that the Poison Shuttle Guest's body trembled... How similar that movement was to when he used hidden weapons!"
"I was worried that he had discovered that I had discovered his hidden identity, and I feared that he would strike first and injure my colleagues, so I drew my blade and cut him down..."
"I didn't expect that he wouldn't be able to block my strike and died instantly."
"Your subordinate disobeyed Your Lordship's order to capture him alive. Please punish me, Your Lordship!"
Fang Ye looked sincere and full of shame.
The expressions of the several Embroidered Uniform Guards nearby were strange.
Is that so?
It seems quite reasonable.
But I still remember you saying earlier, 'Depending on the situation, those who should be killed can still be killed'!
The young Baihu, Lin Chengze, heard Fang Ye's words and quickly waved his hand, blushing as he said, "It's fine, it's fine. I only said to try to capture him alive, but of course, personal safety comes first..."
"It's just a pity I heard that this Poison Shuttle Guest knew about many black markets, and all the stolen goods were fenced through those black market channels. If we could have captured him alive, perhaps we could have wiped out many bandits in one go..."
"Hmm, Fang Ye, right? You did very well, observing keenly and pulling out this Poison Shuttle Guest from the crowd. You've also performed a meritorious service for our Embroidered Uniform Guard office. This official will certainly record a merit for you!"
As he spoke, he even patted Fang Ye's shoulder warmly.
Fang Ye immediately returned a touched expression, which made Lin Baihu even more satisfied.
Meanwhile, the Embroidered Uniform Guards nearby thought, "Hehe, our Lord Baihu was so easily fooled!"
But did Lord Baihu really not intend to extort money from the black markets?
Otherwise, why wouldn't he care that Fang Ye didn't follow his orders?
"Of course he wouldn't care," Fang Ye thought to himself. "How much money can a black market that fences goods for a mere Ninth Rank Martial Artist extort? Lin Chengze is the son of a noble!"
Lin Chengze wore a Flying Fish Robe, with jade on his waist and gold trim on his collar. Through the Flying Fish Robe, traces of a gold-threaded inner armor could be faintly seen, and the blade at his waist was crafted by a master.
He exuded an air of nobility from head to toe.
Perhaps the cheapest thing on him was the uniform he had to wear as an Embroidered Uniform Guard—the Flying Fish Robe!
Those ordinary Embroidered Uniform Guards still had a limited perspective. Although they knew he was the son of a noble and very wealthy, they subconsciously projected the behavior of other Baihus onto Lin Chengze.
Someone like him becoming an Embroidered Uniform Guard Baihu clearly valued military achievements more.
No, nobles have many channels to gain achievements. His reason for joining the Embroidered Uniform Guard should carry more of a youthful 'serving the country' sentiment.
So Fang Ye quickly expressed that he didn't understand Lord Baihu's profound intentions, that he had ruined Lord Baihu's important matter, and caused the people of Great Qian Dynasty to suffer. He promised that next time, he would not hesitate to risk his life to obey Lord Baihu's command and spare the opponent's life.
Lin Chengze repeatedly stated that it was not necessary to go to such lengths.
Fang Ye then praised the Baihu for serving the country and the people, truly a model of nobility. He said that if all the nobles of the Great Qian Dynasty were like Lord Baihu, there would be no worries about peace and prosperity, and the Great Qian Dynasty's empire would last for ten thousand years.
Lin Baihu's face flushed, and he humbly demurred, stating that Fang Ye's mind was sharp, his actions decisive, and he had performed great service for the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He should maintain his style in the future, continue to strive, and contribute to the country.
When Fang Ye heard 'maintain your style,' he immediately smiled.
Lord Baihu, I'm taking your words seriously!
...
The Poison Shuttle Guest was dead.
The operation was over.
The Embroidered Uniform Guards disbanded.
Fang Ye also returned to his small room and immersed his mind in his spiritual world.
In the spiritual world.
A blood-red lotus, like fresh blood, slowly bloomed.
Fang Ye's conscious body sat cross-legged on the lotus!
When he projected his spirit onto it, the little figure provided feedback: Ninth Rank Skin Grinding Realm, seventh Skin Tempering!
Three small light clusters also appeared on the little figure.
These were the Cultivation Techniques Fang Ye practiced, manifested in the Red Lotus spiritual world.
They were: Blood Body Skill (Major Achievement), Embroidered Spring Blade (Minor Achievement), and Nether Shuttle (Not yet entered the Dao).
In this world, Martial Dao flourished, and this place was the Divine Capital of the Great Qian Dynasty. Knowledge of the Martial Dao was widespread, and various Cultivation Techniques were very easy to obtain.
'Blood Body Skill' and 'Embroidered Spring Blade' were Cultivation Techniques given to Fang Ye for free when he joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Blood Body Skill was a cultivation method, and Embroidered Spring Blade was a combat blade technique.
'Nether Shuttle' was the spoils of this operation. Before Fang Ye sent it to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's armory, he quickly glanced at it, imprinting it in his mind.
Besides these, the Red Lotus spiritual world also had a faint red Qi, appearing and disappearing, circulating with the Karma Fire Crimson Lotus's breathing.
"Come on, let's begin." Fang Ye took a deep breath.
He fixed his gaze on the light cluster representing 'Blood Body Skill'.
Buzz buzz!
A faint red blood-Qi aura washed into the light cluster.
In an instant, Fang Ye, sitting cross-legged on the Karma Fire Crimson Lotus, slightly closed his eyes, and his thoughts became incredibly clear.
Memories of the Blood Body Skill's cultivation method and movements surged into his mind.
Countless inspirations sprang from his heart, intertwining with his own practice, blossoming into endless profundities...
Blood Body Skill (Major Achievement) → Blood Body Skill (Perfection)!
At the same time, the skin on his body also became a few points tougher under a mysterious force.
His skin underwent visible changes.
His originally healthy wheat color subtly acquired a jade-like luster, which brightened several times before slowly fading, returning to normal.
【Ninth Rank Skin Grinding Realm (Seventh) → Ninth Rank Skin Grinding Realm (Eighth)】
Realm advanced!
...