Surviving in the chaos of battle, I'm grinding for proficiency.

Wang Wenzhi said in a deep voice:

"To this day, there is still no news of He Chen. His lover said that He Chen never came back after leaving."

He didn't even attend such an important meeting.

I reckon he's dead!

Even though everyone had anticipated this outcome, Wang Wenzhi's bluntness still made everyone's hearts sink.

This is no ordinary cat or dog.

But he was one of only twenty Transformation Realm experts in the entire Anning County!

Since the founding of Tianyi Martial Arts School, He Chen has been at the top of Anning County for thirty years!

This is the kind of person who just disappeared without a trace.

The magistrate shook his head:

"That fool, I warned him long ago not to let hatred blind him."

"Hate is an emotion that most easily makes people lose their rationality and make foolish decisions."

"Even if he really wanted to kill Li Chuan, he could wait a few months and join forces with the Rebirth Cult. That would be the only way to ensure success."

Wang Wenzhi smiled wryly:

"That's what they say, but his apprentice, whom he had trained for over a decade, was beaten to death. It's not an easy thing to hold back."

He truly understands what I'm going through.

He had invested a lot of resources in Qin Feng, and his sudden death drove him somewhat mad.

For He Chen, Zhang Chengfeng was far better than Qin Feng in terms of both future prospects and relationships.

"He Chen's death cannot be changed. What we need to figure out now is, who killed He Chen?" Ji Yun asked.

Wang Wenzhi hesitated and said:

"In terms of motive, Li Chuan is the most likely."

However, judging from the strength he has shown, it is far from enough.

Although he killed Zhang Chengfeng, Zhang Chengfeng had only just entered the Transformation Realm and was somewhat underestimating his opponent.

"With our combined strength, killing him in that state would be even easier."

Ji Yun suddenly asked:

"Could it be related to that 'mysterious person' from before?"

Wang Wenzhi shook his head firmly:

"Impossible. I analyzed that person's strength before; he's just a relatively strong internal force practitioner."

In just a few months, is it really possible for someone to grow from internal strength to such a powerful level of internal strength?

Even a little thought reveals that it's absolutely impossible!

Ji Yun angrily said:

"Are you saying I'm brainless?"

Wang Wenzhi sneered:

"I didn't say that."

"Knock knock," the magistrate tapped the table. "That's probably the work of the other three major families."

He paused:

"Be careful these days, and don't leave the city."

"I will have the Rebirth Sect expedite things; the situation is already getting out of control."

The magistrate thought for a moment and added:

"As for Li Chuan, he is a promising talent. There is no need to push him to the opposite side; we can try to win him over."

"By contributing some resources, we can risk his life to protect us."

"No matter how you look at it, it's a worthwhile deal."

……

Songfeng Martial Arts School, inner courtyard.

Li Chuan stopped practicing martial arts and summoned the Hunyuan Jade Scroll.

[Skill: Lightning Shadow Kick (Mastery)]

[Proficiency: 912/3000]

【Skill: Jade Skin Technique (Mastery)】

[Proficiency: 516/3000]

"After more than ten days of hard work, the results have been very fruitful, with my proficiency increasing by more than 500."

"Unfortunately, there aren't many Qi-Nourishing Pills left."

Li Chuan gave a wry smile:

"The saying 'the poor study literature, the rich study martial arts' is truly true; practicing martial arts is indeed a money pit."

The expenses for writing and painting are nothing more than books, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, and at most, the cost of hiring tutors.

The upper limit is what it is.

But learning martial arts is a bottomless pit.

No matter how much money you have, there will always be better options waiting for you.

Empty your purse of all your money.

Of course, this is actually good news.

This means your strength has also risen to a higher level.

"Perhaps this is the trouble of happiness."

"We've run out of the ointment needed for Thunder Shadow Leg and Jade Skin Technique; we need to go out and get some more."

After changing his soaked clothes, Li Chuan walked out of Songfeng Martial Arts School.

On his way through the south of the city, Li Chuan suddenly felt like going back to take a look.

He hasn't been back to his ancestral home in a long time since his family moved to the inner city.

But when he arrived at his old home, he found that it had changed completely.

Dozens of shops have been demolished.

Construction is underway on this large vacant lot.

Li Chuan narrowed his eyes, knowing that this terrifying act was the work of the county magistrate.

But why... would the magistrate value these ordinary shops so much?

"Li Huajin, the magistrate requests your presence here." A minor official approached Li Chuan and bowed respectfully.

Li Chuan looked up and saw the county magistrate sitting by the window of Dongfeng Tower, raising his cup to him.

To meet or not to meet?

Li Chuan hesitated.

However, after a couple of breaths, he decided to meet with him anyway.

Meeting him wouldn't cost me anything, and I could even see what kind of trouble the magistrate was up to.

Following the clerk's directions, Li Chuan slowly walked up to the Dongfeng Tower.

The magistrate was very generous, booking a private room at the largest restaurant in the outer city.

Upon seeing Li Chuan, he smiled and stood up to greet him.

"Li Huajin, please have a seat."

Previously, he called Li Chuan Li Zhenchuan. Although he was amiable when they met, he still had the demeanor of a superior in his heart.

But now, respect is evident everywhere.

Respect is not fear, but simply a sign of valuing something.

After Li Chuan sat down, the magistrate pointed to the various delicacies on the table:

"Try it, Dongfenglou's cooking is pretty good."

Li Chuan declined with a faint smile.

"I've already eaten at the martial arts school. Thank you for your kindness, Magistrate."

Just kidding, how could he dare to eat food from a stranger!

The magistrate nodded indifferently, indicating his understanding.

After some casual conversation, the magistrate raised his wine cup and gently swirled it:

"Li Huajin is a promising young man. He's only nineteen or twenty years old now, and his future is truly limitless."

"Everyone in Anning County thought Zhang Chengfeng was the strongest of the younger generation, but you killed him so easily."

"Incredible."

The magistrate wore a faint smile:

"I wonder if Li Huajin would be interested in working for me at the magistrate's office?"

"The monthly salary is two hundred taels of silver, and ten Qi-Nourishing Pills are also provided each month."

"No one in the entire Anning County can offer a higher price than me."

The magistrate appeared very confident when he said those words.

In fact, it is true.

This price is outrageous.

It costs 2,400 taels of silver and 120 Qi-Nourishing Pills every year.

This expense is enough to bankrupt a family like the Jiang family.

"Moreover, Li Huajin must have already noticed the many disturbances in the county."

"Let's not mince words. Sooner or later, the three major families and the Wang family will clash with each other, and the distribution of interests will inevitably be reshaped."

"Given the current situation, I guess Li Huajin can also clearly see who is superior and who is inferior."

"In ancient times, there was the merit of following the dragon, which means that if you stand on the right side, even if you are a dog, you can be given the title of 'royal dog'."

The magistrate downed the fine wine in his cup in one gulp and exclaimed in praise:

"Excellent wine!"

Suddenly, an autumn wind rose outside the window and howled as it blew in.

The magistrate laughed loudly:

"Dongfeng Tower, the east wind has truly arrived."

"Li Huajin, riding the east wind, can rise rapidly to great heights."

"But be careful not to ride the wrong 'west wind'."