At the start of the game, you have one equipment slot; the effects of unequipping the equipment rema

"class....."

Seeing that Mu Yang was about to leave the city to kill the demon, Old Ye seemed to want to say something, but before he could speak, Old Fang grabbed him and shook his head at him.

Do not question or contradict your boss's decisions, especially in front of so many people.

If there's anything you don't understand or think is wrong, it's best to discuss it privately.

This is Lao Fang's way of surviving in the government office.

Mu Yang noticed their subtle actions.

Old Fang and Old Ye are both seasoned veterans in the police station. Their strength is not outstanding, and their professional skills are average, but they have the advantage of being long-lived and very experienced.

Especially when dealing with miscellaneous matters.

"Old Fang, go to Clerk Liu about applying to leave the city, and while you're at it, apply for three good horses," Mu Yang said.

Previously, he was just a minor constable, and he didn't have a mount for traveling; he relied entirely on his own two legs.

But things are different now. He has been promoted to one of the five leaders of Qingxi County, so it's no problem for him to request a few horses for travel.

"Old Ye, why don't you take Lin Xiaoqi and the other two to familiarize themselves with the patrol duties?"

"Li Chuang, go to the police station's kitchen and get some dry rations. Meet us at the south gate of the city in a quarter of an hour."

Mu Yang gave the instructions.

He didn't plan to take everyone out of the city with him; firstly, it was unnecessary, and secondly, traveling with a large group would be troublesome.

Li Chuang was brought along to help find the way and resolve his inner conflict, while Lao Fang was brought along purely to run errands and handle miscellaneous tasks.

"Yes, foreman!" *6

..................

After Lao Fang and the others left, Mu Yang did not rush to leave the house. Instead, he placed the four martial arts manuals he had just received on the wooden table.

Mid-grade martial arts: "Dislocating Tendons and Bones Hand", "Iron Shirt", "Hundred Shadow Flying Needles".

Superior Martial Arts: "Dragon Subduing Tiger Saber Technique".

His current realm is the Bone and Tendon Realm, the second stage of Bone and Tendon Refining.

There are three equipment slots in total.

One of them was equipped with the corpse of a fox demon, while the other two equipment slots contained dried pork, which had long since been converted into permanent equipment.

In other words, he currently has two empty equipment slots.

After thinking for a moment, Mu Yang put the "Dragon Subduing Tiger Saber Technique" and the "Hundred Shadows Flying Needle" into his pocket and kept them close to his body.

Since the second stage is the foundation of martial arts, it is natural to build it as solidly as possible.

Although the "Dragon Subduing Tiger Saber Technique" is a top-grade martial art, equipping it can directly break through to the third-tier Blood Marrow Realm. However, he has already completed the second tendon tempering and is only one step away from the second bone forging.

Instead of rushing to break through, it's better to complete the second stage of bone forging in the Tendon and Bone Realm first.

Moreover, with his current strength, he is not afraid of third-tier demons at all.

Moreover, the second bone forging might even bring more power.

With this in mind, Mu Yang reached out and picked up the two mid-grade martial arts techniques, "Dislocating Tendons and Bones" and "Iron Shirt," and silently recited them in his mind.

"Equipment: 'Dislocating Tendons and Bones Hand' and 'Iron Shirt'!"

[Ding! "Dislocating Tendons and Bones Technique" and "Iron Shirt Technique" are now equipped!]

In an instant, two intensely hot sensations, similar in size but originating from completely different places, exploded within the body simultaneously.

A technique originating from "Dislocating Bones and Tendons" originates from the meridians of the arms, travels throughout the body, and countless techniques for dislocating bones, seizing, and severing tendons are etched into the mind.

Another force originates from "Iron Shirt," emerging from the muscles on the surface of the skin, like forging armor, constantly tempering the body surface and making it increasingly tough.

Mu Yang felt that with his current body's defensive capabilities, let alone his original standard constable's knife, even the claws of a first-tier demon like Gray Nine probably wouldn't be able to break through his defenses.

"Crack!!"

With the addition of two mid-grade martial arts manuals, the resulting surge of vital energy began to continuously erode Mu Yang's already incredibly hardened bones, producing a series of dull, crisp sounds.

This is a sign of secondary bone forging.

Having learned from his previous two experiences of tendon-strengthening exercises, Mu Yang showed no surprise this time. He simply closed his eyes and silently sensed the changes within his body.

The shimmering silver light that originally shimmered on the surface gradually darkened and became closer to the color of metal, like a finely polished iron blank.

However, after a short while, his blood and qi calmed down, and the silver light dissipated.

Second bone forging complete!

Mu Yang opened his eyes, his fists clenched tightly. The sound from his knuckles was no longer a crisp crack, but a dull rumble like the clash of metal.

"Three thousand jin! The second round of bone forging has increased my strength by a full three thousand jin!"

Mu Yang was overjoyed.

This increase in power is almost comparable to the change from the late stage of the Blood Marrow Realm to the perfect stage of the Blood Marrow Realm.

His current strength with one arm has reached 8500 jin, and he is only 1500 jin away from the 10,000 jin strength required for the perfect third-stage Blood Marrow Realm.

"I really don't know what kind of genius someone would be to be able to complete the second round of bone and tendon tempering on their own."

Recalling the total amount of Qi and Blood required for the second bone forging, Mu Yang was secretly amazed.

If it weren't for the unique effects of the equipment slots, he really wouldn't have known how to accumulate such a vast amount of health and vitality.

How much money would that cost, and how many medicinal herbs would be needed to replenish qi and blood!

However, if the second round of tendon and bone strengthening is already so terrifying, what about the third round?

Having undergone three rounds of tendon tempering and three rounds of bone forging, even without the aid of a demonic corpse, one could easily surpass the strength of a perfect Blood Marrow Realm cultivator.

However, the second bone forging already consumed all the qi and blood generated by two mid-grade martial arts techniques. If it were done three times, the required qi and blood would be even more terrifying.

With the current number of equipment slots he has, he probably won't be able to keep up.

It would probably require high-grade martial arts techniques, or even the corpse of a higher-level demon.

"Strength like ox tendons and bones like tiger bones, and steel like iron bones—what lies beyond that...?"

Mu Yang murmured to himself.

A moment later, he slung the broadsword at his waist and pushed open the door to go out.

........................

South Gate of the City.

Old Fang, who had completed his application to leave the city long ago, was now waiting at the gate with Li Chuang, leading three tall horses.

In addition to their horses, the two men each carried a bulging bundle containing provisions and water for the journey.

Upon seeing Mu Yang approach, the two immediately came to greet him.

"Sir, the application to leave the city is ready. These three are the best post horses in the yamen, with great speed and stamina." Old Fang handed over the reins. "Li Chuang's provisions and water are also prepared. I checked, and it's enough for our round trip."

Old Fang was very efficient; he had all the necessary paperwork for leaving the city and all the necessary supplies for the round trip.

"Foreman!"

Li Chuang also shouted, his voice loud and trembling slightly.

For two whole months, he thought about this day day and night.

"Um."

Mu Yang took the reins, mounted his horse, and said, "Let's go."

The three men spurred their horses and galloped along the official road toward Lijia Village.

Horse hooves pounded across the dusty road, and the trees on either side rushed past.

There were few pedestrians on the road. Occasionally, you could see a few people carrying bags, but they were all in a hurry, their faces full of vigilance and unease.

None of the three spoke; they simply kept their heads down and continued on their way.

With the help of the post horse, the three of them saw the outline of Li Family Village before noon.

Like most villages around Qingxi County, Lijia Village is mainly engaged in farming, and the village consists mostly of mud-brick houses covered with thatch.

Occasionally, you can see a few old men carrying hoes working in the fields.

Strangely, not a single child was seen playing by the roadside.

Upon seeing Mu Yang and his two companions approaching on horseback, the farmers merely glanced up before lowering their heads and silently continuing their work, as if they hadn't noticed them at all.

Despite the bright sunshine, the village was filled with an air of decline.

Only after the three men tightened the reins and slowed their approach did one of the farmers rub his eyes in disbelief and ask in a surprised tone, "Chuang'er?"