268  Assassination Investigation

    Jia Hao sat down as he pondered over the new idea. The Earth Traversal Technique was primarily used to escape underground.

    However, Jia Hao decided to use it in a different way.

    '' Tunneling through the earth takes a significant amount of energy. However, What if I use it above the earth instead of below?''

    The Faded Moon Steps is a top Xuan Grade technique that Jia Hao already mastered to the peak. Using knowledge of the Faded Moon Steps, Jia Hao used the Earth Traversal at the same time.

    *SWISH!*

    Suddenly, Jia Hao blinked from his position as he appeared a few feet away. " Haha! This...This is good!"

    *BANG!*

    " Ouch!"

    As Jia Hao tried again, he tried to traverse a greater distance. However, suddenly he slammed against tree. Rubbing his nose, Jia Hao looked at his dantian. As he expected, the use of internal energy was less than before.

    The new concept of his movement technique is not tunneling inside the earth, but high speed sliding on top of the surface. It''s similar to teleportation, but more cost effective.

    And since it consumes less energy, Jia Hao can easily use it in fights. '' However, It''s so fast that I can''t even adjust my direction. It''s fast, but too linear. A seasoned martial artist could see through my pattern instantly.'' While Jia Hao''s agility increased, the effective quality of Faded Moon Step''s unpredictability decreased.

    '' It will take some time to merge both of them. But I guess I could do it in given time.'' Jia Hao pondered inwardly.

    Since his internal energy is now completely depleted, he did some exercise with his physical body.

    When the sun rose, they resumed their journey.

    " Damn! It''s been a while since I slept so peacefully."

    " Indeed, After eating such delicious food, I slept soundly."

    As they resumed their journey, Jia Hao looked around with curiosity. @@@@

    " Brother Ye, We passed through another forest. But there aren''t many demonic beasts here?"

    " Monsters and demonic beasts aren''t allowed to appear outside of their places." Ye Kong explained.

    " The otherworldly monsters seemed to stay in the places which were covered with the gray fog in old days. One can also find spatial cracks in such places."

    " As for demonic beasts, I heard there is a secret pact between human realm and demonic beasts to not engage in frontal battles." Ye Kong spoke in a calm voice.

    " Though, It''s not rare for some demonic beasts to always try to trouble the Great Yan Kingdom. And that''s what Divine Martial Hall handles."

    '' Tsk, And here I thought I will kill a few and fill the blood vigor meter of Pot of Miracles.'' Jia Hao sighed.

    " But speaking of which, isn''t Qingyang County the place that was also affected by the grey fog?" Luo Qiang suddenly raised a question.

    " Greetings. I didn''t expect you to arrive here straight."

    Ma Jing, the County Lord of Qingyang County greeted Ye Kong there.

    " We don''t have time for pleasantries. The more time we waste, the lesser the clues will be." Ye Kong snorted lightly.

    " Where is the body of Leader Jiu?"

    " It''s preserved in the underground cellar. The coroner is also there."

    In ancient times, there weren''t cold freezers to preserve the dead body. However, since it''s a world filled with mystical wonders, they found a way.

    Jia Hao walked into an underground cellar. The temperature was surprisingly cold. It was made by using Violet Yin Rock, which emits coldness upon the dark.

    So creating an underground cellar with Violet Yin Rock would create an amazing cold chamber that can even keep corpses fresh for long hours.

    " For bigger cities, there are three such cellars allotted. But for counties, one shall suffice." Ye Kong explained.

    " Lord Jiu''s body was inflicted with five stabs. Each of them hit vital spots, reducing him dead."

    As Ye Kong talked with coroner, Jia Hao simply walked to the corpse and looked at it with his Sage''s Divine Eyes.

    [ Corpse of Jiu Liang. Caused by stabbing and Black Crystal Spider Venom]

    " What''s a Black Crystal Spider?"

    The coroner was surprised when he heard Jia Hao''s sudden question. " Black Crystal Spider? It''s a rare spider which found in deep dark wood. It''s a demonic beast whose venom can even kill an Innate Realm martial artist."

    " I see..."

    Jia Hao nodded as he turned around and looked at the County Lord.

    " Ye-Yes?"

    Ma Jing felt a sense of apprehension when Jia Hao looked at him. " Nothing, Lord Ma. It looks like you have been quite relaxed lately. Everything must be going smooth, huh?"

    " Uh...I... I guess?" Ma Jing''s face stiffened. " Qingyang County is generally a peaceful place. So, I believe I am not tensed at all."

    " However, these recent things, I am really getting a headache." Ma Jing sighed. " I can''t even keep the gates of the town closed forever. So, I ask all of you to catch the culprit."

    " Scaled Dragon Division has never failed. We will find him."

    Jia Hao merely gave an audible chuckle as he walked out. " Come with me, Brother Ye. We still have to look at the crime scene."

    However, the recent future point of Ma Jing kept flashing in Jia Hao''s mind.

    Recent Future Point: After two days, Ma Jing will allow an illegal weapon transaction inside Blood Axe Gang''s hideout, earning a hefty amount of commission.