CHAPTER 62: CHAPTER 55: INVESTIGATION

The street outside the Ghost Market was empty.

Three people stood under the street lamps, casting three blurry shadows on the ground.

Ni San and his companions suppressed their smiles.

Ni San said, "Stop trying to scare us with the Vitality Stage, our boss Tian Wenhua has crippled opponents at the Vitality Stage more than once. I’ll give you a choice: either explain the source of the cow bone, or make up the difference. You sold a four-thousand-dollar item for fifty-eight thousand, just compensate me eighteen thousand and we’re good. I’m always fair in my dealings."

"The difference you mentioned is indeed fair. I’ve already transferred the money to my uncle. Come, follow me to find my uncle, he can give you eighteen thousand or even twenty-eight thousand. If my uncle isn’t enough for you, my third uncle is at the Martial Guard Bureau, you can meet him too," Zhou Leng said.

Ni San cast a sidelong glance at Zhou Leng and said, "Kid, you’re quite the pretender, huh? You think you can use your uncles as shields on Bad Exploration Company’s turf? Cut the crap, give me eighteen thousand, and scram. If not, you’re going down!"

Zhou Leng frowned, hesitated for a moment, and said, "The Sea Siren outside is glaring at us. We’re all human; why harm each other over petty profits?"

"Why should I care?" Ni San laughed.

"I understand now," Zhou Leng said.

Ni San’s companion laughed and said, "There’s no need to bluff. We saw clearly just now; you’re only about twenty or so, barely at the Blood Transporting Period if anything. I’m only at the Great Success of the Qi Nourishing Period, but Brother Ni San has been transporting blood for years..."

Zhou Leng sighed helplessly and said, "Alright, I’ll transfer the money to you."

The two people smiled.

Suddenly, Zhou Leng glanced behind them, his face lighting up with surprise, and said, "Uncle, you’re here."

They quickly turned their heads, and Zhou Leng threw an old sheet with full True Qi, which fell over their heads like a net.

Ni San’s vision was blocked, and he hurriedly struggled to open the sheet.

Zhou Leng leaned down and slid forward, unleashing the Piercing the Sky and Breaking the Clouds, a move he hadn’t fully used in the Sixteenth Strong Battle.

His long leg was like a spear shaft, his right foot like a spearhead, the Qi and Blood Power surged forward, jabbing at Ni San’s calf.

Crack!

Zhou Leng’s kick landed with a crisp sound to Ni San’s leg.

"Ah..."

Ni San fell back, and Zhou Leng swept horizontally to knock down Ni San’s companion.

He pushed off the ground with both hands to stand, pouncing at Ni San’s companion like a tiger, his right palm gathering Qi and Blood Power.

Purple patterns spread across his right palm, slashing out, whistling through the air.

Heaven Island Falling into the Sea.

Directly hitting Ni San’s companion’s nose and mouth.

The nasal bone collapsed; blood splattered, teeth shattered, and the back of the head hit the ground.

The companion was merely at the Qi Nourishing Period, fainting at just one hit.

"You dare lay a hand on people from Bad Exploration Company..." Ni San screamed, his leg bone broken, unable to stand, knowing he had lost the advantage, hurriedly reaching for his phone.

Zhou Leng stepped forward with Eight Trigrams Step, delivering a low kick to Ni San’s temple.

With rich experience in brawling, Ni San abandoned the phone, pushing his arms to the left, his elbow flipping out to block the kick, protecting his temple.

Bang!

Ni San was kicked diagonally, stirring up dust on the ground.

"Friends, we can talk this out..."

Zhou Leng once again used Eight Trigrams Step, charging towards Ni San.

Ni San again used his arms to shield his head, but in Zhou Leng’s eyes, Ni San was already a Demon Wolf, aiming at the broken leg to kick again.

Crack...

The leg bone twisted outward, piercing through the skin.

"Ah..."

With his vision going black, Zhou Leng seized the opportunity, stomping down hard, his shoe sole pressing on Ni San’s arm, stepping on his face.

Stepping on Clouds from the Flying Cloud Leg Technique.

In the moment Ni San opened his eyes, it was as if he saw an elephant stomping towards him, and then it was black again.

The second kick, the third kick...

The right foot, infused with Qi and Blood Power, stepped on Ni San’s face five times.

Ni San’s face was covered in blood, his nose crooked, his mouth split, passing out completely.

Zhou Leng gave both of them a few more kicks before quickly leaving, but the image of the plastic bag in Ni San’s hand lingered in his mind.

Zhou Leng returned to search their bodies.

Four Blood Replenishing Pills, three Great Nourishing Pills, three Marching Pills, cigarettes, a lighter, a phone, keys, a wallet, and other miscellaneous items.

Zhou Leng pocketed the pills, took the lighter and phone.

Looking at the two people, Zhou Leng hesitated for a moment, then used Qi and Blood to link up, raising his hand and slapping each one’s dantian area three times.

The two were jolted awake by the slaps, only to faint from the pain again.

Zhou Leng collected the old sheet, grabbed Ni San’s clothes.

He walked a few hundred meters away, opened a manhole cover.

Placed the phone inside the clothes, threw it underground, and stomped it to pieces.

He lit the clothes with the lighter and tossed them into the sewer.

Afterwards, he took a detour through an area without surveillance cameras, took off his mask, and headed straight to Xiaoru Village, choosing not to return home.

Sitting under the Frost Giant Tree, Zhou Leng’s heartbeat gradually settled.

He had heard many stories of fighting and killing, but this was the first time he was personally involved in more than just student scuffles.

The scene of the two people unconscious flashed in Zhou Leng’s mind as he looked at his own hands.

Although there was some worry, there was also an indescribable feeling growing within him.

Injuring someone and killing someone are completely different concepts.

Given his current War Merits and realm, there was a way to deal with injuring people, but killing someone would mean prison time, a minimum of ten years, or even being sent directly to the front lines.

Huang came over panting and panting.

Zhou Leng hugged Huang in his arms, petting his fur, and said: "Tomorrow I’ll buy you some meat."

"Woof woof..." Huang wriggled excitedly in Zhou Leng’s arms.

Zhou Leng’s gaze fell on the four Blood Replenishing Pills.

One pill is worth ten thousand; it is one of the most important pills during the Blood Transporting Period.

Zhou Leng swallowed one and sat in meditation to cultivate his power.

In the morning, in the villa next to Bad Exploration Company, at Tian Wenhua’s house.

Tian Wenbao finished washing up, carrying a faint smell of alcohol, as he descended to the living room on the first floor.

"Brother, I’m going to the company early today, won’t be eating at your place... hmm?"

Tian Wenbao stopped at the bottom of the stairs, looking towards the living room.

Tian Wenhua sat on the sofa with a dark face.

Standing in front of him was a middle-aged man with a bushy beard.

Tian Wenbao recognized him as Nie the Bearded, one of Tian Wenhua’s trusted men, at the Body Refining Stage, very powerful.

Nie the Bearded turned and greeted Brother Leopard, then slightly bent at the waist, saying, "Ni San has just been rescued. He mentioned that the person who attacked knew the Overlapping Waves Palm and Eight Trigrams Step, and their Inner Power was probably the Mystic Tide Technique. Very young, and fought so relentlessly, they are likely from a Martial Arts Hall or the Martial Arts Academy."

Tian Wenhua snorted coldly and said, "Ni San is usually unreliable, but I had just rewarded him with ten Blood Replenishing Pills, and he’s in trouble the same night. Do you think it might have been someone from over there making a move?"

"Ni San’s issue shouldn’t be known by Xue Tongming’s side yet; the news wouldn’t spread that fast. Do you think it might be a Martial Guard Bureau young expert passing by, giving a casual punishment? With the fifty-year protection period approaching, the other side wants a big clean-up and doesn’t get along with our superiors." Nie the Bearded gestured upwards.

Tian Wenhua shook his head and said, "I understand Wang Boxiong’s style. His men wouldn’t act so rashly. Besides, we’re just small fry, not worth the Martial Guard Bureau’s warning."

Nie the Bearded looked at Tian Wenhua and cautiously said, "This matter has already spread, and some people are watching as if it’s a joke."

Tian Wenhua was silent for a moment and said, "Search with all our might, first check the surveillance, if that doesn’t work, involve a forensic expert to see if there are any fingerprints or other traces."

"Yes!"

"Additionally, keep exploring the secret treasure sought by the Innates; it’s been urged by those above."

"Yes."

"Zhao Family’s Third Young Master will come to Rucheng soon, so don’t be so clumsy in your actions, and keep a close watch on the family."

"Yes."

"I’m not sure what Huang Meng Sect is planning, but the next few months in Rucheng will likely be chaotic. If you meet experts, avoid confrontation. Safety comes first; it’s time to pull our heads into the turtle shells. I’ll chop anyone who causes trouble."

"Yes."

"Go."

"Goodbye, Brother Hu, goodbye, Brother Leopard."