The next day, at the crack of dawn.

Su Yu woke up right on time. He felt a warm fire slowly circulating in his abdomen—the lingering medicinal power from yesterday’s Ginseng and Goji Chicken Soup.

He rolled out of bed, washed up quickly, and then hurried to the Martial Arts Arena under a blanket of morning frost.

"Black Prison God-Lock!"

He let out a low shout and assumed the stance for the Black Stone Body Forging Skill.

His muscles tensed, and his skin took on the cold, hard luster of pig iron. As he moved through his forms, the wisps of medicinal power were forcibly crushed and woven into his bone marrow like silken threads.

In less than an hour, the searing heat in his body was completely wrung out. Su Yu’s footing shifted, and his figure suddenly became nimble, like a Spiritual Ape in the mountain forests.

"White Ape Asks the Way!"

"Swaying Forest Step!"

His figure dodged and weaved across the Martial Arts Arena, the blurs of his fists faintly stirring the air with a rushing sound.

[White Ape Fist Skill Level +10]

[White Ape Fist Skill Level +10]

...

Only when the last trace of medicinal power in his meridians was fully absorbed did Su Yu cease his movements. He stood still and exhaled a stream of turbid air, which formed a straight plume of white mist in the cold.

He then summoned his status panel, his gaze sweeping over the rows of pulsing numbers.

[Martial Arts]: White Ape Fist (First Layer) (Skilled 1320/7000) 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

[Martial Arts]: Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber (First Layer) (Skilled 2200/5000)

[Martial Arts]: Black Stone Body Forging Skill (First Layer) (Entry-level 500/5000)

’It really is poverty for scholars, riches for warriors...’ Su Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead, a sharp glint in his eyes.

’Eating more good food provides a visible boost. Not only did I manage two more repetitions of White Ape Fist than usual, but my progress in the Black Stone Body Forging Skill is also obvious!’

’If I were still like before, without pills and only eating plain meat every day, I wonder how many times slower my breakthroughs would have been.’

Su Yu stretched his body, his bones letting out a series of crisp CRACKS. He recalled the words his master was fond of saying: "On the path of Martial Arts, talent, comprehension, temperament, and resources are all indispensable!"

’He had a point, but I wouldn’t be able to afford such lavish expenses for long, even with several thousand silver taels. It seems I still need to keep earning more resources!’

...

「Law Enforcement Team, Government Hall.」

Su Yu had changed into a set of black training clothes today, which made him look sharp and upright. Just as he stepped into the courtyard, he spotted several familiar figures.

Senior Sister Lin Wanzhu was walking over slowly with the siblings, Lin Dong and Lin Jing. Following behind them were two other young men.

"Su Yu!"

Lin Jing’s beautiful eyes lit up when she saw him. With a sway of her fiery hips, she swept toward him like a fragrant breeze, stopping right in front of him.

She leaned in close, so close that Su Yu could smell the unique, sweet scent of a young woman on her. "It’s only been a few days, and you’ve already caused such a stir. Tsk, tsk. Killing two Aberrations... This young lady is thoroughly impressed with you now."

The two men behind Lin Wanzhu also hurried to offer a salute.

"Captain Su, I am Xu Yan, a member of the Commander’s unit."

"I am Xu Ming. I’ve long heard of your great name, sir. I witnessed your Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber on the Martial Examination stage that day, and I still find its divine grace astonishing. It is something I aspire to."

A smile touched Lin Wanzhu’s lips as she made the introductions. "Xu Yan and Xu Ming are from Xu Feng’s family, so by rights, they’re your juniors. Su Yu, if it’s convenient, please guide them a little now that they’re on the team."

Su Yu nodded slightly. Since they were juniors from Senior Brother Xu’s family, he naturally considered them one of his own.

Seeing Lin Jing about to get closer for a private chat, Lin Wanzhu subtly moved between them and said decisively, "Alright, you two, stop pestering him. Su Yu, come with me to see Commander Li. We have important business."

...

Pushing open the door to Li Jingxuan’s room, Su Yu saw that besides Commander Li, two other people were seated inside.

Su Yu took one look.

In the left seat of honor sat a short man with a slightly hunched back. In this Martial Arts World, those with strong innate talent were rarely short, which made him an oddity.

In the right seat of honor was a gorgeous woman in her early twenties. Unlike Lin Jing’s fresh-faced fieriness, this woman exuded a ripe, seductive aura with every move she made.

She wore a dark red, open-front short shirt with a shockingly low neckline. Half-hidden and half-revealed, her full, snow-white pair was practically bursting out. In terms of assets, she was only a half-step behind Senior Sister Lin.

On her lower body, she wore extremely tight black leather pants that outlined a breathtakingly curvaceous figure.

"Commander Lin, Su Yu, come and have a seat!"

Li Jingxuan looked up from his documents and pointed to the short man. "Su Yu, let me introduce you. This is Sun Dahuhu, Second Acupoint Cultivation, captain of the second team."

Sun Dahuhu gave a sly chuckle, his smile and features looking somewhat sleazy. "Captain Su’s name has been ringing like thunder in my ears lately. A pleasure to meet you."

"You’re too kind, Captain Sun. It’s all just praise from my colleagues," Su Yu replied politely.

"This is Cai Yun, also at the Second Acupoint level, in charge of the fourth team."

Cai Yun’s beautiful eyes darted around. After seeing Su Yu, she covered her lips with her hand and let out a charming laugh. "My, my, Commander Li truly wasn’t lying. This Brother Su is so handsome, it makes a girl’s heart itch. Little brother Su Yu, if you don’t mind, you can just call me Sister Cai from now on."

When she laughed, her body trembled like a flower in the wind, and the turbulent visual impact of her chest was enough to make one’s head spin.

"You exaggerate, Captain Cai. We’ll look out for each other in the future," Su Yu said, his expression calm.

Seeing Su Yu so calm, Cai Yun wasn’t annoyed. Instead, it made her want to tease him even more. "Captain Su, after we’re done with official business, how about this sister treats you to a couple of drinks at Star-Picking Tower?"

"Ahem!" Lin Wanzhu snorted coldly, interrupting them. "Cai Yun, this is the meeting hall. If you want to flirt, do it outside. Commander Li, has Peng Ye not arrived yet?"

The corner of Cai Yun’s eye twitched, a hint of surprise flashing through her. This Grand Commander Lin, who was usually as cold as ice and never interfered in others’ trivial affairs, why was she so angry today?

At that thought, an idea flashed through her mind.

’Could it be that Grand Commander Lin has feelings for Su Yu?’

’She’s a Flesh Refining Realm expert and the second-in-command of the Lin Family. A mere Skin Tempering Realm Martial Artist shouldn’t even register in her eyes.’

’Could it be that she’s optimistic he can break through to the Flesh Refining Realm?’

Thinking this, her gaze toward Su Yu grew even more curious. However, with Commander Lin present, she suppressed her thoughts and obediently sat back down.

"Commander Li, Commander Lin."

This was the captain of the first team, Peng Ye.

With his arrival, the captains of the five elite teams under the Golden Scale Law Enforcement Team were all present.

Li Jingxuan slowly rose and walked over to a map.

"Everyone’s here. Let’s get down to business."

"The Law Enforcement Team has been established for a while now, but the Aberrations and bandits outside the city are still causing widespread panic. We haven’t been able to produce any decent results. The end of the year is approaching, and Commander Pang Da has given a direct order: we must show results before the new year!"

His gaze then fell on Su Yu, his voice filled with admiration. "Originally, every team was struggling with this headache, but unexpectedly, Su Yu achieved a great merit a few days ago. Not only did he kill two Aberrations, but he also discovered the Black Stone that can be used to lure them!"

As soon as he said this, the expressions of Peng Ye, Sun Dahuhu, and Cai Yun all changed. Their gazes toward Su Yu were filled with shock!

Su Yu killed Aberrations?

For the past month, everyone in the Law Enforcement Team, from the Commanders and captains down to the regular members, had undertaken many missions outside the city, but not a single person had ever been able to find a trace of an Aberration, let alone kill one!

And yet he had actually done it!

"Sir, what’s this about the Black Stone that lures Aberrations?" Peng Ye was the first to speak, unable to resist asking for details.

Li Jingxuan took out a piece of Black Stone from his hand and explained, "This is the Black Stone. You can obtain it from an Aberration’s body after killing it. And they, in turn, are drawn to it like moths to a flame. As long as you place the Black Stone in water, it will emit an aura that attracts them!"

"And this, too, was discovered by Su Yu!"

After hearing this, their minds were once again flooded with astonished thoughts. Just how did this Su Yu manage to discover such a secret?

With this Black Stone, wouldn’t they be able to lure out Aberrations and then kill them?

Thinking of this, they once again realized just how great a contribution Su Yu had made!

"For this, Commander Pang has specially approved a heavy reward!"

Li Jingxuan announced loudly, "First, for killing two Aberrations, lifting the siege on Wang Family Village, and bringing prestige to our Law Enforcement Team, Su Yu is awarded two thousand merit points!"

"Second, for turning in the Black Stone and ascertaining its enemy-luring properties, an act of great significance, he is awarded another three thousand merit points!

"Five thousand merit points?!" Cai Yun cried out, her red lips agape.

One had to understand that the Law Enforcement Team’s merit points were a very good thing. She had joined as a captain when the team was first established over a month ago, and she still hadn’t earned a single extra merit point.

The only one hundred points she had were from her fixed Monthly Allowance as a captain.

Sun Dahuhu was so envious he was wringing his hands. He sighed, "Congratulations, Captain Su. Those merit points are fantastic. Right now, within the Law Enforcement Team, one merit point is worth at least one tael of silver, and they’re priceless on the market."

When Su Yu heard this, his expression remained calm, but inwardly he was overjoyed.

’Are these merit points really that valuable?’

’Doesn’t that mean I’ve earned at least five thousand silver taels from this one venture?’

’I’m rich!’

’The Law Enforcement Team really is a great place that everyone is fighting to get into.’

Li Jingxuan added with a smile, "Exchanging merit points for money would be a bit of a waste. The Merit Pavilion has plenty of good things—Secret Manuals, medicinal pills... these are all priceless treasures you can’t find on the outside. Trading merit points for cash would be a total extravagance! Su Yu, you should go take a look at the Merit Pavilion yourself in a bit."

"Alright, next is the specific Aberration-hunting plan."

Li Jingxuan pointed to a spot on the bank of the Black Water River on the map. "This place is called Black Water Beach. It’s a deathtrap where Aberrations appear most frequently. Commander Lin, you will take this Black Stone and go lure the enemy first. If you succeed, the Black Stones you recover will be awarded merit points based on their quality!"

He handed over a stone that was deep black and faintly emanated an ominous aura. Su Yu recognized it at a glance as one of the pieces he had turned in.

’It seems the three Black Stones I submitted have been distributed among the various law enforcement squads.’

’But since they gave me so many merit points, I haven’t lost out.’

"As for the other teams, once Commander Lin successfully kills an Aberration and recovers its Black Stone, you will come and receive your own stones. You must sweep your jurisdictions clean of Aberrations before the end of the year!"

"Yes, sir!" Everyone cupped their fists and accepted the order.