Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Murder

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    "Now, it''s time to leave Lin County!"

    After breaking through to the Blood Refining Realm, Gu Qingfeng''s senses had become much sharper, and he felt a strong sense of discomfort throughout Lin County. The blood mist that hovered above was filled with eeriness and ominousness.

    In his eyes, Lin County was a place of death.

    To stay here.

    It was undoubtedly a dead end.

    However.

    Before leaving Lin County, Gu Qingfeng consolidated his cultivation realm and consumed all three remaining Blood Refining Pills.

    With his breakthrough in cultivation, the restrictions on consuming Blood Refining Pills had lessened.

    Three Blood Refining Pills.

    It took Gu Qingfeng just one day to fully absorb them.

    However.

    The Blood Refining Pills, being elixirs for martial artists in the Blood Refining Realm, did not disappoint; as he absorbed the three pills, he felt his vitality robustly increase, which he believed would no doubt aid in breaking through to the mid-level of the Blood Refining Realm if he had a large number of such pills.

    Cultivation for martial artists.

    One relies on Martial Arts, and the other relies on elixirs and other resources.

    The former goes without saying. Practices like Mountain Shattering Fist and Iron Body Skills involve specific methods for martial artists to refine their bodies and achieve higher levels.

    Without the corresponding martial arts, one would have to figure it out bit by bit. Then.

    There were the elixirs.

    Even without corresponding Martial Arts to refine the body, having plenty of elixirs would suffice.

    With enough elixirs, breakthroughs could be achieved effortlessly.

    The day after his breakthrough to the Blood Refining Realm.

    Gu Qingfeng finally decided to leave Lin County.

    Promptly.

    He took Gu Yang with him and headed towards the city gate.

    Before long.

    They reached where the city gate was located.

    At the gate, constables and yamen runners were already stationed, which made Gu Qingfeng frown. However, he didn''t stop his steps.

    At the same time.

    The constable stationed there spotted him.

    "By the magistrate''s order, no one is allowed to leave Lin County!"

    The leading middle-aged constable said coldly.

    Beside Gu Yang stood frozen, staring at the scene of bloodied corpses in front of him, his little

    face blank, unsure whether it was from fear or something else.

    When Gu Qingfeng approached him, the smell of blood hit him full in the face, bringing Gu

    Yang back to his senses.

    "Dad..."

    "Right now, with the blood mist permeating and the city gates deliberately sealed, they intend for us to die here. The world is such that if you don''t kill, others will kill you. In chaotic times, being merciful will only harm oneself.

    Today, dad is giving you your first lesson. If you don''t strike, that''s the end of it; but once you do, you must eliminate the roots to prevent future troubles."

    Gu Qingfeng spoke solemnly, the murderous aura from having killed still clinging to him, somehow growing even stronger.

    Gu Yang was startled for a moment, then looked again at the corpses on the ground and nodded forcefully, "Son understands!"

    "That''s best."

    Gu Qingfeng observed Gu Yang''s reaction, pleased to see that the sight of the dead didn''t

    overly frighten him.

    What he worried most about

    was Gu Yang being afraid of killing and naturally merciful, which would be fine in peaceful

    times.

    But in the current chaos, such traits could only harm him.

    With over twenty years in this world, Gu Qingfeng had witnessed much slaughter. Though he had never actually killed anyone before, he had long come to understand the world of turmoil. Now, actually doing the killing, his heart was undisturbed, even somewhat excited,

    inexplicably.

    Yes.

    Excited.

    Gu Qingfeng felt no aversion to this change in himself. He glanced at the corpses of the constables on the ground. The commotion had been considerable, and it wouldn''t be long

    before the government officials arrived.

    Thinking this, he did not plan to delay any further, taking Gu Yang''s hand and heading towards the city outskirts enveloped in the blood mist.

    As Gu Qingfeng and his son left, other hidden citizens slowly started to emerge.

    "Who was that ruthless person? He even dared to kill the government''s men!"

    "That man looked familiar, wasn''t he an instructor at the Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall?" "He''s asking for death, not just for killing but for daring to leave the city?"

    Many citizens were shocked by the scene they had just witnessed, as Gu Qingfeng had resided

    in Lin County for many years, and some recognized him.

    Hearing the words ''Golden Bull Martial Arts Hall,'' some people looked relieved.

    Then, as they looked at the mutilated corpses and severed limbs on the ground, fear was

    evident in their eyes. But as they looked out toward the blood mist outside the city gates, their eyes flickered, uncertain of what they were thinking.@@@@