The young man, dressed in interwoven blue and red, was engrossed in reading a ledger by candlelight.
Creak!
The room's door was pushed open, and a figure in similar attire strode in.
"Big Brother Hwu, still looking at the clues for the leather shop massacre? In my opinion, we might as well close the case. Such incidents have occurred in many cities recently; there's no need to cling to it."
A puzzled voice echoed in the room.
"We still have to look for clues."
The young man lifted his head and responded in a low voice.
Then, he bowed his head again, continuing to examine the ledger taken from the leather shop.
"Sigh!"
The constable standing at the door let out a sigh, full of confusion.
For such a case, according to past experience, finding a few scapegoats was usually enough; there was no need to pursue it further, as it was only the deaths of a few commoners after all.
And Big Brother Hwu's temperament was never to meddle in such troublesome matters.
No matter how many thoughts crossed his mind, he couldn't voice them at this time and could only close the door and leave the room.
Meanwhile, Hwu Miao's gaze was shaded and uncertain as he looked at the ledger, the page of which recorded the transactions of the leather shop from two days ago.
It was also the day Liang Hui sold fur.
"Who could have done it? There was not the slightest loss of property, so it wasn't robbery."
"Both bodies are still there; it probably wasn't the work of a Demon Cultivator coveting fresh flesh and blood."
"Then what's left is vendetta or perhaps Tao You knew something he shouldn't have."
Hwu Miao murmured softly.
Simultaneously, he slowly took out several strands of bluish animal hair from his bosom and examined them under the candlelight.
Then he picked up a writing brush and drew some circles in the ledger.
"Let's give it a try— if it's any of these people, that'd be a big win."
...
Two days passed in a flash.
These days, aside from practicing his boxing, Liang Hui was "entering dreams."
With the assistance of medicinal herbs, he made rapid progress every day, and his skin refinement advanced even quicker than planned.
At dusk, Liang Hui sat cross-legged on his bed.
He was conscious of his skin's toughness, like ox hide, his profound inner strength, and Qi-Blood within his body.
Even without probing the information revealed by the Flowing Light Bell, he knew he was only half a step away from reaching the Sinew Refining Stage.
He transported the Qi-Blood in his body towards the surface of his skin.
The moment the Qi-Blood touched his skin, its toughness began to increase dramatically, followed by the flesh and Inner Qi.
Sensing the transformation within, Liang Hui didn't make many movements.
As time ticked away, it took about the time of an incense stick to burn for this inside-out change to come to a halt.
His strength and skin's defense had both increased significantly, as had his inner strength.
Liang Hui extended his now fair palm, controlling the Inner Qi flowing toward it.
A pale blue radiance circulated in his palm.
Such a scene, if witnessed by an ordinary Martial Path cultivator, would be unbelievable.
Releasing Inner Qi outside the body was a technique Martial Artists would master or learn only in the later stages of Sinew Refining or during the Bone Refining Stage.
But Liang Hui, through "entering dreams" and Tian Qing's breakthrough moment, had already mastered it and was very fluent.
The hand glowing with blue radiance suddenly stretched forward, cutting across the night like a streak of blue lightning.
Looking at his hand, it remained in place, but the blue radiance had dimmed significantly.
After dispersing the Inner Qi adhering to his palm, Liang Hui withdrew his consciousness into his mind.
The Flowing Light Bell hung silently, emitting an undying glow, with its light interweaving to form dense scripts.
Artifact Name: Flowing Light Bell
Artifact Master: Liang Hui (**)
Divine Skills: Dream Entering
Supernatural Occupation: Martial Artist (Sinew Refining 0.03%)
```
Martial Arts: "Green Wolf Fist Manual"
Skills: Green Wolf Fist, Bear Rock Fist
'Indeed, I've broken through to the Bone Refining Stage.'
Liang Hui muttered.
A smile was also evident in his eyes, as the enhancement of his own strength was always a matter for happiness.
A moment later, he calmed the surging emotions in his heart and began planning for the future.
First of all, he still needed to diligently cultivate. The Bone Refining Stage wouldn't hinder him too long, after all, he had the 'personal' guidance of a practitioner at the higher Realm.
But he was somewhat lacking in combat techniques. He needed other means to face his enemies, as each one of them would not be simple in the days to come.
It would be embarrassing to end up defeated by those top disciples from prestigious sects in a fair fight at the same realm.
Archery or other mid- to long-range combat techniques, as well as a set of leg techniques, would be convenient for escaping.
Of course, he also needed to prepare a weapon, as a Martial Artist's body in the early stages could not compare with metal.
As for where to find these Martial Arts Classics, he would have to ask around tomorrow.
Time to sleep now!
The next day, in the early morning.
Bright and early, Liang Hui left his residence and strolled around the city.
He walked down street after street, saw quite a few shops, and even some martial arts schools, but did not find what he was looking for.
The sun was high in the sky.
Liang Hui prepared to return home for lunch and then come out again in the afternoon to look, and along the way, find a blacksmith to make a weapon.
As he reached the street where his residence was located, he suddenly stopped, his brows furrowing beneath his mask.
He saw two constables standing in front of his house, with two or three others continuously entering and exiting his home.
'The murder has been exposed.'
This was the first thought that flashed through Liang Hui's mind, but, looking at the chatting constables outside his house, they did not look like they were there to catch a murderer who had annihilated a family. They seemed more like they were there to...
Make some under-the-table money!
And escaping now would be too conspicuous.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Crisp footsteps echoed through the streets.
Drawing the attention of the constables, he quickened his pace to his residence's entrance, his gaze fixed coldly on them.
"Gentlemen, for barging into my home without permission, shouldn't you give me an explanation?"
A fierce and intimidating presence arose around Liang Hui. His fair hand clenched the short blade at his waist, seemingly ready to strike at any moment.
"You... what are you doing? We are the authorities, do not make a mistake,"
Under such a presence, the two constables turned pale, being merely ordinary people who had learned some martial arts.
Facing a powerful and crazed Martial Artist or Taoist, they were like roadside weeds, easily reaped.
"Explain?"
Liang Hui enunciated each word.
The fierce presence did not recede even slightly. Facing the authorities with pleading and weakness, they would only press down harder and more cruelly.
Only with reckless madness and ferocity would they retreat and be wary, for the lives of officials were precious indeed.
"Explain? Our explanation: we suspect you are related to the annihilation at the leather store and have come to search. Any problems with that?"
In a clear voice, a young man with an ordinary face stepped forward, coming close to Liang Hui.
"Ha, a family annihilation? What did your search turn up?" Liang Hui advanced slowly, his muscles tense as if ready to act.
Kill them, then flee. The authorities wouldn't be able to catch up.
Even if the few Diviners attempted to divine the situation, they would be grasping at straws under the protection of the Flowing Light Bell.
At that moment, the young man's fists clenched tightly, his gaze locked onto Liang Hui's slowly approaching figure, his face losing the calmness he had upon arrival.
This was a madman. His earlier performance wasn't an act; he was truly ready to fight.
The young man immediately folded his hands in salute, an apologetic tone in his voice as he quickly spoke:
"Sir, our search confirmed you are innocent. We are truly sorry for the disturbance."
"Interesting!"
Liang Hui chuckled lightly but also stopped advancing.
```