I relied on leveling up to achieve a comeback.

Xu Hao smiled, exchanged a few pleasantries with his senior brother Liu Yong, and was then led by Tang Dengshan to meet the other fellow disciples of the martial arts school.

Second Senior Brother Zhao Heshan was also a third-level martial artist, working in the government office as a fairly high-ranking leader.

After all, a level three martial artist is considered upper class anywhere in Qinghe County.

Only a fourth-level warrior can reliably suppress it.

"If you ever need anything in the future, Junior Brother Xu, feel free to come to the yamen to find me!" Zhao Heshan was very easy to talk to, although his words carried a hint of official jargon.

But inside the martial arts school, he behaved extremely amiably.

Next, the third senior brother Wang Kun, the fourth senior brother Sun Buliu, and the fifth senior brother Li Minghuang.

These are all warriors who have broken through to the third level.

However, unlike their senior brothers, they came from several prominent families and gangs in Qinghe County.

When Tang Dengshan introduced these people, his words were not very enthusiastic, and the people's attitude towards Xu Hao was also lukewarm.

Xu Hao remained unchanged by the other party's attitude, and bowed to each of them with clasped hands, thus acknowledging their greeting.

Finally, Tang Dengshan introduced his sixth senior brother, Liu Guangyao.

As usual, Xu Hao looked up, and the moment he saw Liu Guangyao, his pupils contracted.

Because Liu Guangyao in front of us is a completely red name (indicating a negative public opinion).

"This is Senior Brother Liu Guangyao. He travels around doing business all year round and is well-informed. If you need any information, you can contact him!" Tang Dengshan introduced to Xu Hao.

"Senior Brother Liu!" Xu Hao quickly composed himself and bowed respectfully.

But in my heart, I became wary.

A red name means someone who has done evil, or who is hostile or has murderous intent towards them.

This was their first meeting, so there was no hostility or murderous intent on their part.

Then there's only one possibility: the person in front of you might be like the Eternal Life Cult, doing some shady business, and being the kind of person who kills without hesitation!

"Hmm!" Liu Guangyao nodded lightly.

Like other disciples of powerful families and gangs, his expression was indifferent, neither warm nor cold.

"That's just how Sixth Senior Brother is, don't take it to heart!" Tang Dengshan comforted him, then introduced the others.

First came the second-stage martial artist, followed by the first-stage martial artist.

In an orderly manner.

We all know each other, whether it's a nodding acquaintance or something else, but in any case, we've gotten to know each other.

"Alright, we should go in and congratulate our master!" said Liu Yong, the eldest disciple who was in charge.

The bustling courtyard immediately fell silent.

Everyone lined up and, in order, entered the backyard of the martial arts school led by their senior brother, Liu Yong.

"Master, we've come to wish you a Happy New Year!"

A loud voice resounded.

"Haha, good, everyone, please sit down!" The owner, Chen Changhe, was very happy and invited everyone to sit down.

A banquet has already been set up in the backyard.

Everyone took their seats in batches.

The atmosphere was lively, with people clinking glasses and exchanging toasts.

The banquet lasted until late at night before the host forcibly ended it and sent everyone home.

Xu Hao returned to his house in the eastern suburbs with a small amount of food, handed it to Xu Liushi, and then went back to his room.

Xu Hao stayed at home for a few days, accompanied Xu Liushi to the temple fair, and only returned to the martial arts school after the sixth day of the lunar new year.

Upon returning to the martial arts school, Xu Hao began his training, while also instructing Tang Dengshan to keep an eye out for organizations where he could take up a position.

Finally, through the connections of his second senior brother Zhao Heshan, he found a position as a constable in the yamen.

This is a sinecure.

Normally, they don't need to be on duty; they only need to act when needed, whether it's to hunt down wanted criminals or to hunt down illegal forces and gangs.

Of course, this amount of money wasn't much, only twenty taels a month.

Compared to the generous salary from the Cui family's fishpond, it was very little.

However, among the temporary posts in Qinghe County, it was considered quite good, mainly because it allowed Xu Hao to focus on his cultivation.

Moreover, twenty taels a month could also be used by Xu Hao to contribute a few Bone Strengthening Pills and Martial Arts School Medicine Powder.

Why not?

Time slipped away quietly like that.

A month later.

The Catfish Gang's stronghold.

There are many more strangers here.

The person sitting in the leader's seat of the Catfish Gang was not the original leader of the Catfish Gang, but a middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man's gaze swept over the leader of the Catfish Gang, and he asked directly, "How did my cousin die?"

"Sir, we were ambushed by the Fire Dragon Gang!" the Catfish Gang leader hurriedly replied.

At least in his view, it was undoubtedly the Fire Dragon Gang.

Because only the Fire Dragon Gang had a grudge against them, and also had the strength to kill Qian Butong.

other people?

The eastern suburbs are not even part of Qinghe County; they are more like slums and would never attract the attention of the powerful forces in Qinghe County.

They only need to pay a certain amount of money to enjoy everything here.

"Fire Dragon Gang, how dare the mere Fire Dragon Gang interfere with my sect's plans!" The middle-aged man, Qian Buyong, snorted, turned to the others in the hall, and ordered, "Tonight, He Gunlong will lead the team to wipe out the Fire Dragon Gang and bring this place under my sect's control, awaiting the opportune moment!"

"Yes!" The others quickly bowed their heads.

He Gunlong of the Catfish Gang also bowed and accepted the order.

Go!

Qian Buyong, who was in the lead, raised his head, his eyes flashing with a scarlet killing intent.

If Xu Hao were here, he would see that the names above these people's heads were extremely prominent.

Unfortunately, Xu Hao wasn't there; he was simply practicing at the martial arts gym as usual.

Tiger Fist +3

[Body Tempering +3]

Time slips away quietly.

On this day, Xu Hao was cultivating in a methodical manner.

A constable from the yamen quickly walked in.

Upon seeing Xu Hao, who was cultivating in the central courtyard, he hurriedly said, "Senior Brother Xu, Lord Zhao has important business with you!"

"Senior Brother Zhao?" Xu Hao stopped, wiped the sweat from his brow, and quickly replied, "I know, I'll be right there!"

"Yes!" The constable quickly left.

"Has another serious incident occurred?" Xu Hao frowned.

Recently, a number of heinous incidents have occurred in Qinghe County, and there are also some notorious figures on the wanted list.

This kept them extremely busy, leaving them with very little time for cultivation.

This annoyed Xu Hao.

Xu Hao wiped away his sweat, changed his clothes, and then, after adopting the attire of a constable from the yamen, he grabbed a standard-issue longsword and headed to the yamen.

Fortunately, he had practiced sword-drawing techniques, so now that he had obtained the official's long sword, he wouldn't be without a chance to use it.

Xu Hao knew the way well and quickly arrived at the training ground where Zhao Heshan was.

"Report! Constable Xu Hao is here!" Xu Hao immediately reported.

"Okay, back to the team!" Zhao Heshan pointed to the team next to him.

Xu Hao immediately went inside and looked at Huang Guangming, a familiar face in the group.

This man had accompanied him to the Cui family's fishpond.

Xu Hao had assumed Huang Guangming was dead, but Huang Guangming was not only alive, but also had a sinecure as a constable, just like him.

Xu Hao tugged at Huang Guangliang's sleeve and asked in a low voice, "What happened?"

Huang Guangming quickly responded in a low voice, "In the eastern suburbs, the Catfish Gang and the Fire Dragon Gang are entangled. A few days ago, the Fire Dragon Gang leader died, along with his entire family of sixteen. Their methods bear the hallmarks of the Longevity Cult. The county magistrate has ordered us to investigate thoroughly!"

"What?" Xu Hao was stunned.

He was a veteran of the Battle of Cui Family Fish Pond.

Unexpectedly, the Changsheng Sect has already extended its reach to Qinghe County...