Gou Zai Wudao Shicheng Dao

Three days later, in the inner courtyard of Sanyang Hall.

The autumn wind swept up withered leaves, swirling them on the bluestone ground.

The atmosphere in the training ground was unusually heavy.

Several figures dressed in black robes and with steel swords at their waists appeared in the training ground.

The leader was a lean, tall man with a stern face.

This man had sharp, eagle-like eyes that scanned the disciples present.

The disciples who came into his line of sight all unconsciously shrank back.

"This man is Lu Xiao, the head constable of the county government. I heard that he has already entered the inner cultivation realm and can be considered a top expert among the constables of Black Mountain County."

Some people in the crowd whispered among themselves, their tone tinged with awe.

"Why is he at Sanyang Hall? Has something happened?"

Fang Xia stood calmly in the crowd, but inwardly she was on guard: "Lu Xiao's sudden visit is no coincidence. Could it be... related to the Liu family tragedy?"

Lu Xiao's gaze swept across the entire room like lightning, finally landing on Ning Tianyang. He clasped his hands in a respectful greeting: "Master Ning, I apologize for disturbing you."

The county government is investigating the massacre of the entire Liu family and has come to your esteemed residence to verify the whereabouts of one person.

Ning Tianyang sat in the main seat, his expression calm, and nodded slightly: "Officer Lu, you are too kind. Please speak frankly."

"As long as it's something my Sanyang Hall disciples can cooperate with, I will definitely not shirk my responsibility."

Lu Xiao stopped being polite and suddenly turned his gaze to Fang Xia: "Fang Xia, according to the clues 'provided' by the Black Tiger Gang, you once had a feud with Huang Laizi of the Black Tiger Gang."

The tragically killed Liu Sanshou was none other than Huang Laizi's confidant!

Where were you on the night of the incident? Are there any witnesses?

"hiss......."

The entire room fell into a deathly silence; you could hear a pin drop.

All eyes turned to Fang Xia.

Shock, doubt, or sympathy...

Fang Xia's heart skipped a beat. "They're coming for me!"

Immediately, a chill ran through him: "The Black Tiger Gang, they really are a persistent ghost!"

They actually used the Liu family tragedy to smear me.

They're trying to use the county government to get rid of me!

But he remained calm on the surface.

Slowly stepping out of the crowd, Fang Xia bowed to Lu Xiao, her face filled with astonishment and grievance.

"Your Honor, please see the truth! I've been wronged!"

The student and the leper did have a quarrel over some trivial matters, but that happened a month ago!

As for Liu Sanshou, the student had only heard of him by name and had never met him!

"How could someone of such pure and kind nature do something so heinous and deserving of divine retribution?"

His tone was urgent, as if he had been utterly slandered, "Three nights ago, I was cultivating at Jingyun Residence and didn't step out of Sanyang Hall once. How could I possibly have slaughtered the entire Liu family?"

Fang Xia spoke sincerely, and the grievance in her eyes evoked sympathy from many of the disciples present.

People started discussing it, feeling that he didn't seem like the murderer.

Lu Xiao's expression remained cold and unmoved. He coldly said, "Words are meaningless. You say you cultivated at Jingyun Residence, but who can testify to that?"

Just then, Ning Tianyang slowly stood up, his voice steady and powerful: "Officer Lu, three nights ago, Fang Xia was indeed cultivating at Jingyun Residence and did not leave Sanyang Hall."

The curator hereby testifies to this!

His words were simple, yet they carried immense power.

This is not only proof of Fang Xia's identity, but also a defense of Sanyangtang's reputation!

After he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.

The sharpness in Lu Xiao's eyes instantly subsided, and his expression softened considerably.

Ning Tianyang is at the Qi Gathering and Meridian Opening Realm, and holds a prestigious position in Heishan County. His words are always considered law.

Since he was willing to testify for Fang Xia, this matter must be true.

Lu Xiao quickly cupped his hands to Ning Tianyang, his tone becoming respectful and his attitude changing: "So that's how it is! Since Master Ning has testified in person, it can't be faked!"

I apologize for my intrusion and for disturbing your esteemed establishment. I hope Master Ning will forgive me.

Fang Xia was instantly cleared of suspicion with just one sentence from Ning Tianyang.

To make amends for his earlier offense, Lu Xiao lowered his voice and revealed, "Master Ning, to be honest, this fiend is extremely vicious and cruel."

Besides the Liu family, members of the Black Tiger Gang and several guards from the Cao family also suffered terrible attacks in the past few days!

The county magistrate has ordered a strict news blackout to prevent panic throughout the city…

He paused, seemingly unintentionally remarking, "Tsk, this thug is like a mad dog, seemingly searching for something..."

"What are you looking for?" Fang Xia's heart tightened suddenly.

Lu Xiao gave a few more instructions and then left Sanyang Hall with his yamen runners.

On the training ground, the disciples were discussing amongst themselves, their expressions filled with fear.

Fang Xia, however, felt a cold sweat break out on her back, her heart pounding wildly.

He does not mean that.

"The killer is frantically searching for something?" The thought exploded in his mind like a thunderbolt. "Could it be... the bronze token and the mysterious animal hide?"

These two treasures were obtained from Ying San and Ma Wu when he killed Huang Laizi and the other two.

"The killer is frantically searching for something... and unable to find it, is he taking his anger out on those connected to it, slaughtering them?"

Fang Xia felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head.

"Huang Laizi is the leader of the Black Tiger Gang, and Ying San, Ma Wu, and Liu Sanshou are all his confidants or henchmen..."

In a flash, the clues in my mind instantly connected into a clear chain!

"The murderer's slaughter of the Liu family, pursuit of the Black Tiger Gang members, and even the involvement of the Cao family's guards... were no accidental acts of revenge!"

Liu Sanshou was Huang Laizi's henchman. The murderer must have killed him for something!

It's highly likely that this item was originally in Liu Sanshou's possession, then passed through the hands of Ying San and Ma Wu, and finally... ended up in my hands!

Unable to find the evidence, the murderer turned his anger on everyone involved, launching a bloody purge!

"So that's how it is..." A storm raged in Fang Xia's heart, and a huge fear gripped him.

"What that thug is looking for is probably the bronze token and the mysterious animal skin in my possession!"

This...this isn't an opportunity, it's a death sentence!

Forcibly suppressing the turmoil in her heart, Fang Xia remained calm.

But deep in his eyes, there was a gloomy atmosphere.

"That ruthless killer will definitely try to kill me once he finds out I have the items!"

Fang Xia took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

"The more dangerous the situation, the more you need to stay calm and 'play it safe'!"

The secrets of the bronze token and the mysterious animal hide must never be revealed again!

Thoughts raced through Fang Xia's mind, and she became extremely cautious.

Even knowing the treasure was dangerous, he never considered giving up.

"The 'Tiger and Leopard Bone Refining Technique' and the 'Qi Sensing Technique'... how precious these two secret techniques are! Moreover..."

He had a vague intuition that "these two treasures are not as simple as they seem."

"The opportunity contained within the bronze token and the mysterious animal hide must hold a deeper secret! Perhaps..."

This is the key to breaking through the shackles of my innate constitution! The key to reaching a higher realm of martial arts!

Moreover, "the path of martial arts is never smooth! Some opportunities, even if they are meant for you, will not fall into your hands if you do not fight for them."

"Now that this bronze token and the mysterious beast hide have fallen into my hands, it is a stroke of luck bestowed by heaven, and I cannot afford to back down!"

Fang Xia's belief grew stronger.

"They only want to enjoy the benefits of the secret technique, but are unwilling to bear the dangers that come with it?"

"To abandon an opportunity for self-preservation at the first sign of danger? Ha..." Fang Xia sneered inwardly, "Then how can you talk about breaking through the shackles of your innate abilities? How can you talk about climbing to the pinnacle of martial arts?"

I'm determined to seize this opportunity!