From the fusion of Tongbei Quan to the Longevity Martial Saint

Pan Tie is one of the saltworks' most valuable assets.

If this person is not caught today, the Fang family will most likely pin the blame on Fang Qing and Yang Zhi for "damaging the ironwork."

Fang Qing knew that because of Fang Lingsu's relationship, the Fang family probably wouldn't do anything to him.

However, in order to make an example of him and deter others, Uncle Yang is very likely to be punished.

Therefore, Fang Qing must catch the person who committed this heinous act today.

"All of you, roll up your sleeves."

"Then raise your hands to eye level."

Yang Zhi had more than ten torches lit and surrounded the dozen or so people.

The open space in front of Fang Qing's residence was immediately illuminated.

Everyone followed Fang Qing's instructions and rolled up their sleeves behind their elbows.

At the same time, these people stretched their hands forward, at eye level.

Fang Qing started by looking at the salt producers one by one, beginning with the first one.

He had his own reasons for making these people do this.

The person who committed the poison did so to make the iron disc grow fuzz.

They would inevitably put a large amount of mercury into the iron pan.

These large quantities of mercury were then used by unsuspecting salt farmers to boil seawater. When the seawater crystallized, they had to reach into the iron pan to scrape the salt together to form salt mounds.

Everyone will inhale some mercury, and their skin will also come into contact with mercury.

The most typical symptom of mercury poisoning is extensive reddening of the skin upon contact.

If too much mercury is inhaled, it will directly damage the central nervous system because mercury is a heavy metal.

Therefore, when a person straightens their arm, their hand will tremble unconsciously because of damage to the central nervous system.

The person who committed the poisoning, knowing the dangers of mercury, would certainly have taken great care to avoid contact with it.

Next, Fang Qing only needs to find the person among the dozen or so people whose hands are not shaking and whose skin is not damaged.

Fang Qing then examined the skin of each salt farmer's outstretched hand and whether their hands were trembling.

When Fang Qing examined the fifth person, he noticed that unlike the others, this person's skin was very clean and without any damage.

And his hands are very steady, not shaking at all.

Fang Qing immediately opened his eyes wide and looked up at the salt merchant.

The salt merchant didn't know how he had been exposed, after all, he had done it very discreetly.

When he saw Fang Qing looking at him, he was startled and a look of panic appeared on his face.

Before the other party could react, Fang Qing pressed down with his large hand.

His hand was pressed right on the other person's chin.

With a forceful pull, he dislocated the jaw of the poisoner, preventing him from biting open the poison sac hidden in his teeth or biting his tongue to commit suicide.

Just as Fang Qing was about to make a move.

Suddenly he heard the sound of wind breaking behind him.

Fang Qing's pupils contracted sharply.

Before he could react, he felt a burning sensation in his ear.

Immediately afterwards, a bloody hole appeared on the forehead of the salt farmer who had been gripping his neck.

The fletching of a crossbow bolt was completely embedded, leaving less than a centimeter sticking out.

Fang Qing had never felt so close to death before.

He felt his blood boiling and his muscles tense.

Fang Qing turned her head to look behind her.

A figure with hands tucked into his sleeve appeared in the shadows, making no attempt to hide. He exchanged a glance with Fang Qing from a distance.

Then he turned and disappeared into the shadows.

Fang Qing showed no intention of pursuing him.

The other person's figure was familiar; he had seen him with his hands tucked in his pockets just yesterday.

It was the old man called Elder Zhu who was behind Fang Jingyuan.

The old man's cultivation was only slightly lower than Fang Lingsu's; he was at least a master of the True Essence Realm.

The crossbow bolt, casually tossed out by the other party, grazed Fang Qing's ear and successfully killed the salt farmer who had committed the poisoning.

The successful silencing also served as a warning to Fang Qing.

Or rather, it's a blatant and blatant humiliation!

He was certain that Fang Qing wouldn't dare to chase after him once he showed himself.

Just as he expected, Fang Qing didn't even have the thought of chasing after him.

Facing a master of the True Essence Realm, he, a mere Body Tempering Martial Artist, didn't even have the right to make a move!

Fang Qing clenched his fist, then slowly relaxed it.

"The gap between the Body Tempering Realm and the True Essence Realm is like an insurmountable chasm! My cultivation level is just too low..."

Immediately afterward, Fang Qing's gaze turned cold, and she made up her mind...

……

Fang Qing instructed Yang Zhi to report the situation at the saltworks.

In the eyes of the Fang family, salt merchants in the Great Qian Dynasty, the salt farmers who were silenced were just names.

The Fang family probably wouldn't care.

But now, all the iron plates in the several cooking rooms are damaged.

This is the real big deal.

Fang Qing was also quite emotional at this moment. If it were on Earth, human life would be the most precious thing.

But in the martial arts world of the Qin Dynasty,

A human life is worth less than a few aluminum pots.

An hour later, one of Fang Lingsu's guards, Guard Lin, arrived with his men, looking travel-worn.

He examined the salt farmer's body carefully.

Then Fang Qing described how the salt producers colluded with outsiders to mix mercury into the iron pans, corroding them and creating the illusion that a monster was about to be born from them.

They were trying to incite unrest throughout the saltworks in this way.

Lin, the guard, looked at Fang Qing with considerable surprise.

One can imagine the scene; if he, a fifth-level Body Tempering expert, had been there, he would probably have been terrified.

How could Fang Qing, a mere novice at the second level of Body Tempering, be able to see through the opponent's scheme?!

This is truly an extraordinary person.

He gave Fang Qing a few instructions, saying that the iron plate would be delivered by horse-drawn carriage tomorrow.

Lin, the guard, simply picked up the salt farmer's corpse with one hand and led his men away in a flurry of activity.

After finishing all the tasks, it was already the hour of Yin (3-5 AM).

The saltworks were ready for work again, and the tides began to be drawn in.

Yang Zhi hadn't slept all night either, but with dark circles under his eyes, he led a few men to the reservoir to supervise the work.

Fortunately, after completing some key steps, Yang Zhi had time to rest.

Fang Qing was no longer sleepy. He packed his things, got up, and headed towards the Mountain and River Boxing Academy.

"It's because my cultivation level is too low that I can be easily manipulated by Fang Jingyuan."

"This time they wanted to sabotage Pan Tie and spread rumors, causing the saltworks under my supervision to be shut down immediately."

"If the saltworks shut down, Fang Qing's position as the head of the saltworks and the head of the stove will probably be over."

"Who knows what kind of trouble might arise then."

"I must improve my cultivation as quickly as possible, reaching at least the fifth level of Body Tempering, before I can truly establish myself in the Mountain and River Fist Academy!"

"Only then can you avoid being easily manipulated by others."

Fang Qing breathed a slight sigh of relief, then picked up her coat and headed outside.

……

When they arrived at the Shanhe Boxing Academy, the grounds were completely empty.

Fang Qing took out a Qi-replenishing pill and chewed it vigorously.

[Mid-grade Qi-replenishing Pill, increases stamina by +50, absorption complete...]

[Current remaining stamina: 360...]

Fang Qing began practicing the Undying Golden Body Tempering Technique directly in Zone D.

[A crucible of martial arts, fusing all the laws of the world...]

[After rehearsing the Undying Golden Body Refining Technique once, the current fusion progress is 21%...]

……

[After rehearsing the Undying Golden Body Refining Technique once, the current fusion progress is 23%...]

……