"Ding!"
A crisp sound of metal striking metal rang out, as Chen Ping'an's fingernails failed to pierce Chen Yuan's skin, but instead felt as if they had hit stone.
"The cultivation technique you practice isn't a body refinement technique!"
"What's your relationship with those No-Life Sect demons who fled into Ping'an County!"
Both posed their questions at the same time.
Chen Yuan only knew the name of the No-Life Sect; as for the rest, it was all confidential information beyond his reach.
Escaping into Ping'an County... Heh heh..." A look of disdain flashed across Chen Ping'an's face.
"Hm?"
Dead men don't need to know too much. Since I've joined the sect, I've never killed any of the imperial hounds. I'll start with you!"
The moment Chen Ping'an stepped forward, an explosive noise filled the room, and his figure seemed to blur, as he unleashed a Black Tiger Heart Pluck aiming for Chen Yuan's chest.
Chen Yuan swung his sword in a downward chop, forcing Chen Ping'an to sidestep, and then with a flying kick, Chen Yuan used his sword to block in front of him, staggering back several steps.
"You've reached the Blood Refining Realm at such a young age!" Chen Yuan's face darkened.
The strength Chen Ping'an displayed was immense, and no Skin Refining martial artist could have such power unless he was also practicing a top-level Martial Arts Foundation Establishment technique.
"What's so great about Blood Refining? With the sect's secret techniques to refine essence blood, the path of martial arts becomes a smooth journey. How about it, do you want to join the Holy Sect?
You can too..." Chen Ping'an chuckled with a hint of madness, appearing somewhat unhinged.
Evil Demon outsiders, it's nothing but the use of Blood Pills. If you were really that powerful, you wouldn't be hiding like a mongrel on the run!"
Chen Yuan assumed a stance with his long sword, his feet suddenly stamping forward, and from beneath his clothing, his arms shone with a golden light, the sword gleaming as it thunderously slashed towards Chen Ping'an.
Although Chen Yuan was only at the Skin Refining Level, his own strength was not inferior to that of a Blood Refining martial artist.
The two of them engaged again, turning the entire room into their battlefield, with blood and flesh flying about. The more Chen Yuan fought, the stronger he felt.
The golden glow on his body began to permeate his entire being, as if even his blood and qi were surging.
"This is... Buddhist cultivation technique. Who exactly are you!" Chen Ping'an roared with a terrified expression.
"Bang!"
Chen Yuan's punch landed expressionlessly on Chen Ping'an's chest, instantly collapsing it, with the sound of breaking sinews and bones. Like a sandbag, Chen Ping'an was thrown onto the floor.
Chen Yuan, not letting up on the attack, leaped up with the momentum and drove his sword straight through Chen Ping'an's chest, pinning him to a wooden pillar.
"You dare to kill me? You know... I am..." Chen Ping'an gritted his teeth, his eyes glaring at Chen Yuan.
"I don't care who you are. As long as you have what I need, you must die!" Chen Yuan's fist flashed with golden light.
"Boom!"
Flesh burst and Chen Yuan's fist pierced through Chen Ping'an's neck, leaving a huge hole.
Chen Yuan opened his Heavenly Eye, and could clearly see a green qi flow being drawn towards his forehead, just like being guided by something.
Cool and refreshing, like a whiff of cool air on a summer day.
Soon, Chen Yuan received a piece of information that tightened his expression.
Because the information that came through was Ping'an County, the Huang Family, Marrow Cleansing Spirit Pearl!
The difficulty in obtaining this opportunity far surpassed the first time at Cien Temple by countless folds. At Cien Temple, Chen Yuan could buy all of the Diamond Sutra with silver.
But this would not be possible with the Huang Family.
Although he had not heard of the Marrow Cleansing Spirit Pearl, if the Qi Fortune Altar guided him to it, then it would definitely be an opportunity that was not inferior to the Vajra Glaze Body.
Marrow Cleansing, Marrow Cleansing!
Chen Yuan could easily associate it with something beyond refining one's aptitude.
Chen Yuan's aptitude was quite ordinary, and of course, he had thought about things that could enhance aptitude, but those things were all treasures, extremely difficult to obtain.
A mere government official did not have the capability to obtain them.
And the Marrow Cleansing Spirit Pearl in the hands of the Huang Family, although it was not so difficult to obtain, was certainly not something that could be obtained without effort. The Huang Family was very powerful in Ping'an County, second to none.
With countless experts, plus the existence of an arrest officer like Huang Xing, it was indeed very troublesome for Chen Yuan.
However, even if it was troublesome, Chen Yuan had to get the Marrow Cleansing Spirit Pearl because it concerned his future achievements in the Martial Arts!
After a moment of silence, Chen Yuan turned his attention to Chen Ping'an's body, gazing intently, now certain that Chen Ping'an was a Demon Dao thief.
He did not know how long he had hidden here, his strength even reached the Blood Refining Level. Although the Demon Dao cultivation techniques break through very quickly, it was enough to show his extraordinary aptitude.
Perhaps, this also had something to do with Qi Fortune.
Considering Chen Ping'an's age, Chen Yuan estimated he was at most sixteen, or even slightly younger, with a somewhat childish appearance.
"This kid's identity, I'm afraid, is also quite extraordinary..." Chen Yuan squinted his eyes and examined Chen Ping'an's corpse, able to cultivate in peace in Ping'an Town and having the protection of this sinister paper effigy...
Chen Ping'an was definitely not a pawn to be easily sacrificed. Chen Yuan even speculated that Chen Ping'an had been switched out by someone long ago, and the real Chen Ping'an had already died...
Of course, as for what the truth was, Chen Yuan had no interest in knowing. His attention was now all on the Marrow Cleansing Spirit Pearl.
Chen Yuan severed Chen Ping'an's head and his hard fingernails as well, taking them as evidence and wrapping them in cloth.
The County Magistrate once said that whoever discovered traces of the evil Demon Dao would be richly rewarded. Chen Yuan did not expect much else; if he could be awarded a few Tiger Bone Pills, he would be very satisfied.
During the fight, Chen Yuan's practice of the Vajra Glaze Body became stronger. He was just one step away from reaching perfection in Skin Refining, with golden paint covering his whole body.
It may not mean he was invulnerable to swords and spears, but it also greatly increased Chen Yuan's defensive power, equivalent to having an added layer of armor, and his strength would increase significantly as well.
His power advanced a step further!
To have Qi strength at the Skin Refining Level that did not lose to the Blood Refining Level, Chen Yuan looked forward to whether he could have the strength of the Bone Refining Level after he stepped into the Blood Refining Level.
Perhaps because of some paranoia, Chen Yuan always felt that the future of Ping'an County would not continue to be peaceful, and the source would most likely be because of these Demon Dao evildoers.
Among Chen Ping'an's previous words, there was a lot of information contained.
"Escaping into Ping'an County, huh..."
This sentence made Chen Yuan expand his thoughts.
...
...
"Are you saying that you went to investigate Old Chen's house and then discovered the traces of a Demon Dao thief and successfully killed him?"
Zhao Ning, sober after drinking, had asked Chen Yuan several times with great astonishment.
He had just had a drink, and then this had happened?
It was simply too dramatic.
If it weren't for Chen Yuan showing him Chen Ping'an's head and hands as evidence, Zhao Ning would think Chen Yuan was crazy for credit.
"Brother Zhao, I've already said it three times... If you don't believe me, let the arrest officer come and investigate himself..." Chen Yuan said somewhat impatiently.
If it hadn't been for the suspicion that going back alone would arouse, Chen Yuan would have returned to the County Government to claim the reward long ago.
As it was, Chen Yuan dragged Zhao Ning out of Old Liu's house despite his drunken stupor, dousing him with a big basin of cold water.