After the words fell, there was a few moments of silence.
"Let's consider it four."
A calm voice emerged from inside, and Fang Xiao only felt his mind buzz.
Four!
Not twelve!
This means that it isn't the entire improved Tiger and Python Body Refining Technique.
However, the young master has already condensed four Qi and Blood Powers, a martial artist of Minor Success in the Blood Circulation Realm!
This answer still shook his heart.
The dry noon wind blew into the yard, and the leaves on the ground floated.
Fang Xiao looked at the tightly closed room door and slowly calmed down after a brief shock.
"In just over twenty days, the young master condensed four Qi Blood, such talent is truly astonishing, a tree standing out in the forest..."
"It's a bad thing, but also a good thing, at least he won't be choked by the Chu Family anymore."
"However..." His eyes focused, turned around and walked into the yard, "A martial artist of Minor Success in the Blood Circulation Realm is still not enough to fight against the Chu Family, the young master is about to enter Baiyuan Academy to study, this matter will definitely not be able to be hidden for long, must think of a way..."
...
Chu Ming sat upright at the table, his gaze falling on "Poetry, Politics, and Military".
"Finally quiet."
He picked up the brush and ink, and pulled out some slightly yellowed sheets of paper.
"Let's first write down the optimized Tiger and Python Body Refining Technique, Housekeeper Fang used to be a martial artist of Blood Circulation Realm Great Success condensing ten Qi Blood Powers, now in old age, his Qi Blood has weakened, his power has receded to Minor Success, and he can utilize only about six or seven Qi Blood."
"But if he cultivates the new Body Refining Technique, there's a big chance to re-consolidate Qi Blood and slow down the weakening speed of Qi Blood."
Thinking so, he already started writing.
This old housekeeper has treated him well, even going to the Arresting Office at his age to buy medicinal soup for him, such kindness cannot be forgotten.
It took half a day's effort, the whole new Body Refining Technique was all written on the paper.
"Let's continue reading."
Chu Ming waited for the ink to dry, put the paper away, and continued reading "Poetry, Politics, and Military".
"At my current speed, it would take about fifteen days to finish reading 'Poetry, Politics, and Military,' the fourth Qi Blood will be fully condensed tomorrow, and then condense the fifth..."
As he reads more books, the lake belonging to the Tiger and Python Body Refining Technique in his mind connected more streams, and gathered more water.
There's no need to deliberately practice, the progress of the Body Refining Technique is also increasing.
Of course, he doesn't just rely on reading to increase the progress of the Body Refining Technique, he combines reading with martial arts practice, when tired of reading "Poetry, Politics, and Military," he practices martial arts, when his body is tired, he continues to read.
Keeping such a rhythm, after a few days, Chu Ming successfully condensed the complete fifth Qi Blood.
According to the thickness and richness of Qi Blood, his current strength can rival the martial artist of ten Qi Blood Power, Blood Circulation Realm Great Success!
Moreover, the progress of [Sword Gourd Spirit] has also increased significantly with its use during this period.
On the panel.
[Sword Gourd Spirit]
[Progress (Minor Success) 11/100]
[Evaluation: Comprehended from reading various travelogues, sensing ability improved, actively triggered, consuming spiritual power, able to view internally or minutely observe the surrounding environment]
...
Morning, Arresting Office.
"Brother Fang, big trouble, Baiyuan County Criminal Defense Bureau is coming to personally investigate the Burial Alley murder case, you and I will surely be punished for not handling it well!" Hou Ping paced the government office with a tense face.
Fang Xiao looked still relatively calm, sighed, and said: "Brother Hou, this matter is my fault, if I hadn't insisted on investigating this, the Criminal Defense Bureau wouldn't have focused here."
"Alas..." Hou Ping paused and shook his head: "What Brother Fang said, I too wanted to seize this opportunity for merit, otherwise why would I report this, who could have thought, the Burial Alley murder case not only remains unsolved but continues to occur, truly lifting a rock only to smash one's own foot!"
The government office fell into silence.
The few junior constables guarding the door pursed their lips, their eyes full of dissatisfaction.
The two captains' greed for merit involved them and their group of small fry suffered together.
Criminal Defense Bureau's personnel not only thoroughly investigate the case but punish two captains, and these few junior constables can also expect to be implicated.
"Brother Hou, I'll go take another look at Burial Alley."
Fang Xiao thought for a moment, got up with his knife, deciding to go investigate for clues again.
"There's no other way."
The two captains took a few junior constables and rushed all the way into the deep alley they'd entered at least thirty times this month.
However, after half a day's investigation, they still found nothing.
Just as they were about to leave, silhouettes swayed at the alley entrance, three people wearing black Flying Fish Suits came in, each carrying a long knife at the waist, looking stern.
"Baiyuan County Criminal Defense Bureau handling the case, if irrelevant, leave quickly." one person said expressionlessly while stepping forward, drawing out the long knife by half, with an icy tone.
Fang Xiao and Hou Ping's hearts suddenly tightened, hurriedly cupping their hands into bows.
"Captain of Liuu Town, Hou Ping."
"Captain of Liuu Town, Fang Xiao."
"So you are those two useless ones." The one who spoke earlier heard them report their names, slightly raised his chin, with a contemptuous expression.
"One old, one weak, no wonder you couldn't solve the case for so long!"
The old one referred to Fang Xiao.
The weak one referred to Hou Ping.
Because the case had long stalled, Hou Ping, the first figure at Liuu Town's Arresting Office, hadn't slept well these days, compounded by his family's worries...he looked very haggard, even his steps seemed unsteady.
Hou Ping lowered his head, his hands joined in front, and said softly: "Lord Zhaang, I..."
The notice from Baiyuan County included these three's information, the person's surname is Zhaang, single character Yi.
But before he finished, he was impatiently interrupted, "Failing to solve the case yet attempting to quibble, that's a graver sin!"
"..." Hou Ping's face turned pale, he remained silent.
Fang Xiao looked at the three, especially pausing on the leader for a moment, then reluctantly spoke: "Captain Shao."
After saying the words, the opposite person's gaze moved, focusing on Fang Xiao, looking him over several times, his expression flashed with doubt.
After a long while, he squeezed out a strange smile: "It really is Instructor Fang, I heard below that Liuu Town has a new captain called Fang Xiao, I thought it was the same name."
"But how could the famous Instructor Fang from the Criminal Defense Bureau fall to being a captain in this little Liuu Town?"
Shao Pengshu squinted, lightly brushing his Flying Fish Suit with his left hand.
"Oh, remembered, Instructor Fang was for a woman, and a...young master?"
Fang Xiao secretly clenched his fists, inhaled deeply, then suppressed the anger in his heart: "Captain Shao, the Wheat Alley murder case is riddled with mysteries, Captain Hou has been investigating for more than twenty days, diligently, if Captain Shao could look upon past..."
"Instructor Fang!"
Before he could finish, Shao Pengshu abruptly stepped forward, coldly staring at Fang Xiao: "I do business, it's not the place of a small town captain to teach, you thought you were still the Criminal Defense Bureau's instructor?"
After the words fell, Zhang Yii stepped forward, with disdain: "Liuu Town's Arresting Office failed to handle the case properly, Hou Ping, Fang Xiao, three-month salary deduction, the rest of the constables, one-month salary deduction."
Another, Tan Hong followed: "Criminal Defense Bureau commands us to thoroughly investigate this, if private collusion in the Wheat Alley murder case is found, hmm..."
Hmm?
Hou Ping suddenly lifted his head: "What do you mean, my Lords?"
He had long expected the three-month salary deduction, but the Criminal Defense Bureau's three people clearly had a deeper implication.
"What do we mean?" Shao Pengshu drew his long knife, his gaze scanned Hou Ping and Fang Xiao with hostility, "Come, tell the two little captains, what do we mean."
Zhang Yii pointed to the deep Wheat Alley, "In less than a month, at the same place, eight murder cases, dare you say you did not receive benefits?"
Tan Hong cleared his throat, continuing: "If pocketing illicit gains, confess now, and there's a chance for meritorious service despite the crime."
"The Lords, we are innocent!" Several constables listened, immediately scared, kneeling and pleading for mercy.