He transformed from a fierce tiger pillar into a martial saint.

Wei Yixiao visited Zhang Yuping's home and brought gifts.

They asked Zhang Yuping to examine the bodies of the four bandits, and then conducted a survey around the dry well. After that, they took Zhang Yuping to the Misty Rain Pavilion.

With two women from the Misty Rain Pavilion accompanying him, Zhang Yuping had no appetite for drinking.

After drinking two glasses of wine, Zhang Yuping said he was going to take the two women back to rest.

Zhang Yuping maintained a dignified appearance, but of course, he also had to be mindful of his status and couldn't appear to be in a great hurry.

He said to Wei Yixiao, "Master Wei, based on my current assessment, the footprints of the four bandits indicate that the person in question was about seven and a half feet tall and weighed approximately 150 pounds. You should go back to that dry well and search for any other lost clothing fragments or other clues."

"If this can be corroborated with the clothing fragments you obtained, it would be even more certain."

Wei Yixiao smiled and nodded: "Thank you very much, Coroner Zhang."

Then, Wei Yixiao waved his hand, and a carriage quickly arrived in front of them.

Wei Yixiao said to the two alluring women, "You two must work well with Coroner Zhang. If Coroner Zhang has any complaints, I will hold you responsible!"

The two alluring women said in soft, sweet voices, "Master Wei, please rest assured. We will do our utmost to handle everything."

Soon, the coachman helped Zhang Yuping into the carriage tent, followed by two alluring women.

Before the coachman could drive away, a burst of cheerful laughter came from inside the carriage tent.

One of Wei Yixiao's trusted men suddenly looked to the side.

Chu Yang deliberately walked with a swaying gait, stumbling into a nearby tavern.

"Shopkeeper, bring me two catties of wine!"

Chu Yang said.

Before the shopkeeper could come forward, Chu Yang picked up a porcelain bowl, poured a bowlful from a wine jar used for tasting wine, and drank it down in one gulp, spilling the wine onto his chest.

The shopkeeper smiled and said, "Sir, I can tell you're a connoisseur of fine wine."

"This jar of wine you're tasting is our best-tasting and most reasonably priced wine!"

As he spoke, the shopkeeper filled a two-pound porcelain pot for Chu Yang.

Chu Yang asked, "How many coins?"

The innkeeper smiled broadly: "Sir, I'm always generous to someone as discerning and fond of wine as you. Just give me 1,500 coins. Hmm, that's only one and a half taels of silver."

Two catties of wine will cost one and a half taels of silver!

They could have just robbed it, but they insisted on giving us two jin of liquor!

I had a great meal at Yanyu Tower today and didn't even have to pay. Now, I have to pay a high price because of this technical avoidance?

At that moment, Wei Yixiao and his two trusted confidants happened to pass by the tavern.

After they passed by, Chu Yang's heart skipped a beat: "Shopkeeper, what were those people doing? Why did they look so fierce?"

The shopkeeper's expression hardened: "The one in the lead is none other than Wei Yixiao, the leader of one of the three major branches of the Flying Eagle Gang! The other two are his right-hand men."

"Let me tell you, don't offend them easily. They have close ties with the government; if they kill a few ordinary people, the government won't even bother to investigate."

Seeing the shopkeeper looking at him with a scrutinizing and suspicious gaze, Chu Yang's face showed a look of awe and envy: "If only I could become a member of the Flying Eagle Gang, that would be wonderful."

The shopkeeper said, "Young man, you have a very long-term vision."

"The situation is becoming increasingly chaotic, and we don't know when Zhouping County will descend into chaos. Joining an organization would certainly be beneficial for self-protection."

"But there are more organizations than just gangs to join. Why not join a church with a promising future? For example... the Scent Cult!"

When he said the last sentence, the shopkeeper lowered his voice and kept his eyes fixed on Chu Yang.

The Scent-Scenting Cult?!

Chu Yang had certainly heard of it.

The neighboring county of Gaoqing is now in chaos, partly due to the influence of the Wenxiang Sect. Many impoverished people there have been recruited into their sect.

It now appears that Wenxiangjiao (a sect of cults) has already been established in Zhouping County.

Chu Yang then revealed a hint of surprise and worry.

"I've heard that the Wenxiang Sect is charitable and provides food to displaced people. They even teach martial arts techniques to those with a talent for it... However, our Zhouping County is cracking down on Wenxiang Sect members. What if..."

A look of anxiety appeared on the shopkeeper's face.

"I'm not a follower of the Scent-Reading Cult. I just have a distant relative in Gaoqing County who told me about the Scent-Reading Cult. I have the same concerns as you and don't know what to do."

"However, the surrounding situation is becoming increasingly chaotic, and I really need to find a way to save my life..."

Chu Yang nodded: "This matter does indeed require careful consideration. I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, Chu Yang picked up the pot of wine and left the tavern.

The wine I bought at a high price today was definitely worth it.

He learned that the Flying Eagle Gang was investigating the cause of the bandit's death, and that the Fragrance Cult had already set up a presence in Zhouping County.

"I never imagined that the bandits I killed were the very bandits the Flying Eagle Gang was targeting!"

"Now that they're investigating the bandits' deaths, they're definitely after their money... Five hundred and fifty taels of silver, it's all mine now!"

"From a distance just now, Wei Yixiao's aura was as deep as an abyss, his strength seemingly dissolved into nothingness and concentrated within his internal organs, somewhat similar to that of our senior brother and the others. He's probably at least at the late stage of the Dark Force realm!"

Chu Yang also felt a sense of urgency.

If the Flying Eagle Gang finds out that I'm the one who killed bandits, it's definitely not something that can be resolved by just handing over some silver...

Soon, Chu Yang arrived home.

"Xiaoyang, you're back! How did the assessment go today?"

Mrs. Lin looked delighted.

Chu Yang nodded and said, "I have passed the test and become a formal disciple of Tiger Roar Martial Arts School."

Although she already knew that Chu Yang had reached the Ming Jin level and that there would be no surprises in the assessment, Lin was still overjoyed and wept with happiness upon hearing Chu Yang's affirmative answer.

"That's great! That's great! I don't think those gossipy villagers dare to say my son isn't cut out for martial arts and that it's a waste of money! They don't even have the right to say they've wasted their money!"

"Your father can rest in peace now..."

Chu Yang listened quietly to his mother's rambling before finally speaking.

"By the way, Mother, do you remember an elder named Lin Jinhua from Grandma's side of the family?"

Upon hearing this, Lin's eyes lit up: "Of course I remember. She was also from Shitouwa Village, and she married a man from this village. Unfortunately, she fell into the Dragon King's Whirlpool and died while fishing not long ago. She suffered the same fate as our family!"

"Xiaoyang, why are you asking about her?"

Chu Yang then brought up the matter of Guo Molin.

Mrs. Lin nodded: "Her son was quite sensible when he was little, and I haven't seen him in a long time. I never expected he'd be in the same martial arts school as you!"

Lin paused for a moment: "Xiaoyang, if you're able, please lend a hand. If you don't have time, don't make things difficult for yourself..."

Chu Yang responded in kind.