“So Lingbo Micro Step isn't a traditional movement technique, but rather a method of cultivating internal energy through dynamic exercises!”
“As one’s steps cover the sixty-four hexagrams in a cycle, one’s internal breath naturally completes a cycle as well.”
“With each repetition, one’s internal energy gains a bit.”
Xu Shan slowly opened his eyes, processing the cognitive changes brought by the sudden enlightenment.
This laid a solid foundation for the upcoming deductions.
Lingbo Micro Step is based on the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching, moving according to the hexagram positions in a specific order!
This cultivation method is divided into five forms!
Swift as a Flying Duck!
Ethereal as a God!
Socks Gathering Dust!
Motion Without Regularity!
Appearing and Disappearing!
'Ding dong!'
“Deduction in progress…”
【In the first year of cultivating Lingbo Micro Step, with your excellent martial arts foundation, you mastered its basic profoundness.】
【In the fifth year of diligent practice, you gained a glimpse into the first form of the cultivation method, Swift as a Flying Duck. Your movement technique and internal energy were greatly enhanced.】
【In the tenth year of hard work paying off, Swift as a Flying Duck was completely comprehended by you. Having skillfully traversed the sixty-four hexagrams, you entered the second form—Ethereal as a God.】
【Twenty years passed in a flash. With your Ethereal as a God movement technique, you have already fully mastered the first two forms of Lingbo Micro Step.】
'Clang!'
The deduction, completed in an instant, made Xu Shan feel agile all over.
The improvement in his internal energy further advanced his physique and realm!
“Just comprehending the first two forms of Lingbo Micro Step brought me directly to the seventh rank of Houtian?”
“If all five forms were deduced, wouldn’t I become a Xiantian expert?”
“Accumulating cultivation value is the top priority right now.”
“Hmm?”
Just as Xu Shan came back to his senses, he suddenly noticed a faint grass-green glow above Hua Jieyu’s head.
This was no different from the one above Duan Yu’s head earlier, though this one was a deeper color.
“Does she also have a dying wish?”
As he said this, Xu Shan walked in front of her. The moment their bodies touched, the system chimed again.
'Ding dong!'
【Issuing deceased's quest—Hua Jieyu's Dying Wish.】
【Three days later, meet her husband, Liu Yaozhi, at the Hangzhou Jindu Restaurant and inform him of her death, and that the murderer is Jinyiwei Xu Shan!】
Huh?
Seeing this quest, Xu Shan himself was stunned.
To openly meet her husband and tell him: Your wife, I, Xu Shan, killed her?
How arrogant would that be!
One must know that Hua Jieyu possessed Xiantian second-rank strength. How could her husband be much weaker?
【Quest Reward: Twenty-five years of cultivation, and immunity to all poisons.】
Holy crap!
Xu Shan found this reward very hard to resist!
Indeed, the stronger the deceased, the richer the reward.
'Bang!'
'Clang…'
Just then, the door to the interrogation room was kicked open from the outside by Xu Shan’s superior, Qin Changdong.
As a colleague of Xu Shan’s late father, after Xu Shan’s father died in the line of duty, Qin Zongqi had taken great care of Xu Shan, who followed in his father’s footsteps.
But today, he still roared almost hysterically: “Xu Shan, who told you to kill Hua Jieyu?!”
“You’re in trouble, you’re in big trouble, damn it.”
As he spoke, Qin Changdong rushed in and pushed Xu Shan. After confirming Hua Jieyu’s death, his face turned deathly pale.
At the same time, a woman dressed in a crimson python robe, with a Embroidered Spring Blade at her waist and an ivory plaque hanging, walked in with a stern expression.
Accompanying her was Ji Gang, the Head Qianhu of the Hangzhou Zhenfu Division.
This woman, who could make this local big shot so cautious…
Was naturally the Imperial Envoy from the capital, Zhenfu Division Commander Qian Shi — Shangguan Yan'er!
Despite her young age, she not only possessed the strength of a second-rank Grandmaster but also shared the same master as the Empress.
“Uncle Qin, when I interrogated this bitch, she not only winked at me but also bit my ear, damn it.”
“Could I tolerate this?”
“You…”
After Xu Shan finished speaking so self-righteously, the exasperated Qin Changdong almost exploded.
“Qin Zongqi, immediately lock Xu Shan in the dungeon for Baihu. He is not to be released without orders.”
Ji Gang, ostensibly punishing Xu Shan, was actually secretly protecting him.
“Yes!”
As he spoke, Qin Changdong ordered his men to escort Xu Shan out.
Meanwhile, Shangguan Yan'er had already walked up to Hua Jieyu.
“Five Venoms Sect Guardian, ‘Beauty’ Hua Jieyu?”
“It really is her!”
The Five Venoms Sect, entrenched within the Ten Thousand Mountains, was one of the three major demonic sects wanted by the Great Ming.
Its disciples committed countless heinous acts, too numerous to record!
The most hated were the two guardian couples—White Hair and Beauty.
The husband, ‘White Hair,’ Liu Yaozhi; the wife, ‘Beauty,’ Hua Jieyu.
The two practiced a ‘dual cultivation’ demonic art, specifically targeting disciples of various major sects and aristocratic families.
Skilled in poisoning, disguise, and enchantment, they had been wanted by the martial world and the imperial court for so many years, yet they always managed to escape.
Who would have thought that they would be caught in Hangzhou, and even killed here by a Jinyiwei Captain.
“Shangguan Qian Shi, the capture of this demoness was entirely due to Captain Xu Shan’s meticulous investigation and pursuit.”
Ji Gang, seizing the opportunity, quickly spoke favorably of Xu Shan.
“Xu Shan?”
“Yes, he’s the Captain who just killed the demoness.”
“Oh? Does he have a grudge against Hua Jieyu?” Shangguan Yan'er, not quite understanding but feeling impressed, instinctively asked.
Hearing this, Ji Gang, with an awkward smile, recalled Xu Shan’s previous catchphrase and replied: “He is irreconcilable with evil!”
Before Shangguan Yan'er could recover from her surprise, Qin Changdong, eager to save his ‘son,’ quickly added: “Shangguan Qian Shi, this child Xu Shan has a difficult life.”
“His father was originally a Jinyi Zongqi, and after he died in the line of duty, he left behind an orphan and a widow.”
“Under Ji Qianhu’s care, Xu Shan, who followed in his father’s footsteps, served as a Captain in the Sixth Office of the Hangzhou Zhenfu Division.”
“He was quite normal before, but three months ago, his betrothed fiancée, Jinlian, preferred to be a concubine to Master Ximen rather than fulfill their engagement.”
“Greatly stimulated, he jumped into a river to commit suicide. After being rescued, he was like a changed person.”
“Every day, he dedicates himself to solving cases, forgetting to eat and sleep. In these three months alone, he has solved more than ten old cold cases.”
“But each time, he was locked in the dungeon for being too ruthless.”
“His merits and demerits canceled each other out, and he even had his salary docked.”
“But this stubborn brat just wouldn’t learn, and now he’s caused a huge disaster.”
“I beg Shangguan Qian Shi, please give this rascal a chance to atone for his actions, considering he tracked down the demoness.”
Ji Gang and Qin Changdong, in a coordinated effort, tried their best to excuse Xu Shan.
But no sooner had they finished speaking than Liu Feng, the Trial Baihu who came with Shangguan Yan'er from the capital, sneered: “Heh heh!”
“The dignified Hangzhou Zhenfu Division relies on a madman to solve cases?”
“Wouldn’t that make us a laughingstock if word got out?”
“What? Is there no one left in the Hangzhou Zhenfu Division?”
“You…”
“Report!”
Before Ji Gang could retort, a piercing sound came from far to near.
“What is it?”
“Ji Qianhu, we just received news that Hangzhou General Ma Xing and his concubine have died at home.”
“Who? Hangzhou General?” Hearing this news, Shangguan Yan'er’s delicate brows furrowed as she suddenly turned her head and questioned.
She came to Hangzhou this time, first, to supervise the investigation of the murder of the Dali Prince, and second, to investigate the Hangzhou Military Supplies Department’s case of reselling military equipment and provisions.
And the person who anonymously reported this matter was Hangzhou General Ma Xing.
Her people just arrived, and the informant is dead?
Is this meant to be a show of force?
“Let’s go to the scene!”
“Yes.”
Shangguan Yan'er, who was about to leave, suddenly stopped as if remembering something and said: “Bring that Captain Xu, who is good at solving cases, along too!”
“Qian Shi Xu will give him a chance to atone for his actions.”
“Your subordinate, on behalf of Xu Shan, thanks Shangguan Qian Shi…”