From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

The next morning.

The biting spring chill enveloped the constables of the government office in a somber atmosphere.

The oil lamp in the room was not completely extinguished; the wick had formed a burnt stamen about an inch long, swaying incessantly.

Among the group, Old Zhou was bowing his head, wiping his waist knife with a piece of fine linen cloth. Lin Jizhi was sitting cross-legged on a chair by the window, one leg dangling over the edge of the table, humming a brothel tune, his fingers tapping on his knee, looking completely carefree and relaxed.

"Splash!"

Zhu Hong lifted the curtain and entered.

He glanced around the room and nodded slightly to everyone, as if to say hello.

"Young Master Hong!"

you……

"You're here?"

Lin Jizhi abruptly stopped playing the tune, quickly pulled his leg back from the edge of the table, and stared intently at the black knife at Zhu Hong's waist. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes before he shouted, "Come here, come here, let me see your knife!"

"What?"

Zhu Hong smiled faintly upon hearing this, unsheathed the black knife from his waist and handed it over: "Didn't you also get a new knife? Now you've taken a fancy to mine?"

"It's changed, but it's not the same anymore."

Lin Jizhi grabbed the knife and pressed the spring with his thumb.

The black blade was instantly drawn from its sheath, its cold gleam flashing. He ran his fingertips over it and couldn't help but exclaim, "You actually got your hands on it, kid!"

Lin Jizhi, recalling that he had been exhausted and had only managed to exchange his weapon for a superior one, was truly amused and exasperated.

Could it be...?

Did you step in incredibly lucky dog ​​poop?

He picked up the corpse of a demon at the peak of the Flesh Refining Realm to claim the reward!

He simply didn't believe that Zhu Hong could accumulate a hundred merit points alone in such a short time. Even if he possessed several unique skills, he couldn't use them too frequently. In terms of hunting, he shouldn't be able to catch up with the team any faster than Zhu Hong.

This shout drew the attention of the other constables in the small room.

Everyone was thinking:

How a newcomer earns merit points.

Zhu Hong smiled but remained silent. He reached out and gently retrieved the knife, sheathing it at his waist. He then stopped the conversation with a single, understated remark: "It's a long story. I'll tell you another time."

Long story?

Lin Jizhi was captivated by these words, her eyes widening and narrowing. She pressed her face close, ready to pry for more details, when she suddenly heard everyone chanting in unison:

"Boss!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu and Hong stopped their playful banter, quickly turned around, stood up straight, and called out.

Wang Zhenshan nodded slightly, walked straight behind the long table, his expression solemn. "Now that everyone is here, I'll inform you of something today." He skipped the usual roll call, his gaze shifting to Zhou Dao first: "Old Zhou. I'll add an assistant to you for the Liu family case." He then glanced at Lin Jizhi's side:

"Zhu Hong, step forward!"

During this period, you will assist Lao Zhou in handling the case.

Zhu Hong had already anticipated this, so his expression remained unchanged, and he simply bowed and accepted the order:

"At your command!"

Old Zhou seemed surprised, but he only glanced at him briefly before silently nodding: "Okay, no problem."

The onlookers were all astonished.

The case of Liu is the most serious case in Jinyang recently, and its danger is unpredictable. Why was a newcomer, a police officer, appointed to the position?

Lin Jizhi found this absurd and couldn't help but ask, "Boss, you..." He hesitated for a moment, then mustered his courage and asked, "You sent that kid Hong to handle a major case, isn't there some kind of decision inside, sending someone to take the blame?"

"Get the hell out of here!"

Wang Zhenshan's tiger-like eyes widened, and he snapped impatiently, "If you were even half as smart as some people, this head constable position would have been yours long ago!" He waved his hand dismissively, his tone crisp and decisive.

"Everyone disperse, go about your own business."

Lin Jizhi timidly shrank back and quickly retreated.

……

The group headed towards the stable.

Seeing Zhou Dao walking ahead, Lin Ji took off his straw hat and teased Zhu Hong, "Brother Hong, from now on, you'll have to protect your little brother!" He then affectionately put his arm around Zhu Hong's shoulder.

"We're brothers, we've been through thick and thin together."

From now on, if you point east, I will never dare to point west.

Once this case is closed, we'll throw a celebratory banquet to properly show our respect to you.

"Lin Jizhi!"

Zhou Dao turned around abruptly and said in a deep voice, "Go back to your own seat."

"I know~"

Lin Jizhi's smile vanished, and she pursed her lips.

Zhou Dao then turned around and looked at Zhu Hong. "Zhu Hong, you will stay close to me. Don't worry about what you're thinking."

Zhu Hong nodded slightly: "Okay."

As they were talking.

The group had arrived at the stable, and they all took their mounts and followed Zhou Dao out of the government office.

"Let's go to West Street first."

Zhou Dao didn't say much, only picking out the important points along the way: "Go to the three streets and six alleys around the Liu family, and visit every household that has business dealings with the Liu family, or has old grudges or new feuds with them."

"yes!"

The crowd responded in unison and urged their horses to follow.

The Liu family runs a business of trading in and around Jinyang City, dealing in medicinal herbs and body-tempering ores. They are usually quite cautious in their actions and have never been known to have any enmity with any major power.

But the more this is the case, the more likely it is to happen.

The massacre of that family that night only added to the mystery and strangeness.

The group arrived at the entrance of West Street. Zhou Dao immediately reined in his horse and said, "Split into two teams and investigate separately! Gu Shu, you lead one team to question people to the west. Meet at the street entrance at noon."

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the constable Gu Shu, who was wearing a small armor and waist tag, responded and immediately led a group of men westward.

Zhu Hong followed closely beside Zhou Dao.

"Alright, let's head east."

Zhou Dao went first and turned straight into a narrow alley.

They hadn't gone far when they stopped at a shop with a sign that read "Hui Dan Fang" (Return to Elixir Workshop). Before the Liu family, the two factions had frequent dealings.

Zhou Dao reined in his horse: "Dismount, all of you!"

Upon seeing this, everyone dismounted, leaving only two constables standing by with their swords drawn.

"Where is the shop owner?"

Zhou Dao entered the shop and, without waiting for the waiter to offer him a seat or exchange pleasantries, went straight to the point.

Before the servant could react to the commotion, Lin Jizhi roared, "Are you deaf?!" He drew his sword half an inch from its sheath, pressed it against the counter, and said coldly:

"The authorities are investigating! Go and summon the person in charge immediately!"

The servant, startled by the flashing blade, instinctively shrank back. Then, glancing around, he saw that the men were indeed dressed in dark blue official robes. His momentary daze vanished instantly, and he hurriedly replied, "Oh, oh, good, good, I'll go and fetch the master right now." Before he finished speaking, he scrambled around the counter and ran towards the backyard.

Not long after.

A middle-aged shopkeeper in a blue robe hurried over.

Upon seeing that it was Zhou Dao and his guests, he quickly cupped his hands in greeting, not daring to be negligent: "Lord Zhou, our alchemy workshop has failed to greet you properly. May I ask what brings you here today?" After saying this, he waved behind him, ordering his attendants to serve tea to the guests.

"No."

Zhou Dao raised his hand to stop his formality, without any pleasantries: "I have a question for you, were you present when Liu Wenyuan was murdered?"

Liu Shi.

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper Zhao Qinghe seemed to have already anticipated that the government had come for this matter.

But he only smiled helplessly: "Lord Zhou, how dare my small force get involved in this mess? Besides," he shook his head:

"I haven't seen Young Master Liu for the past few days."

Zhou Dao stared intently at Zhao Qinghe and slowly said, "I won't ask about the murderer, nor about grudges." He paused for a moment, then leaned forward.

"Only ask the day Liu Wenyuan died."

You either saw him or you didn't!

Zhao Qinghe remained silent for a long while, then shook his head and said, "Lord Zhou, I will not hide anything from you."

"I have never seen anything like it before."

Zhou Dao asked softly, "Is that so?"

"Really."

"Very well," Zhou Dao's cold gaze sharpened, and he suddenly stood up and gave the order:

"Let's go!"

……