Probing for an Opening

Chapter 6: Inquiring About Connections

"This portrait... it can be like this? The deceased are the thugs who followed Zhao Wu? Even Zhao Wu's death is included!"

As soon as he arrived at the County Yamen's notice board, Lin Mo found himself drawn to it amidst the bustling street discussions about a group of thugs meeting a gruesome end.

Hearing of Zhao Wu's death sent a jolt through him. A closer look revealed even more peculiarities.

Zhao Wu had clearly been strangled in the reeds, yet his death was lumped in with these thugs. As for whether it would implicate him...

Looking at the description—"eight feet tall, fierce eyes, hair like a knife's edge"—and the accompanying portrait, it wasn't just dissimilar; it was completely unrelated.

Although his Destiny was already [Healthy and Strong], a change in physique still required long-term nutritional support. However, a sudden transformation in body shape with a change in Destiny would be too drastic.

Currently, Lin Mo could only say he wasn't particularly thin, managing to be somewhat muscular when he took his clothes off.

"This portrait is a million miles from me; for now, it shouldn't lead back to me through Zhao Wu's death. But why does this feel like a silencing?"

Lin Mo let out a long sigh, his mind racing.

While there was no immediate risk of exposure, he should make plans early. Killing Zhao Wu this time had ultimately disrupted the grain store's plans.

If any expert found a clue, his current meager martial arts skills would hardly be enough to cope.

Since he practiced the two stances of standing post yesterday, his progress had been quite rapid. He estimated that with the use of two more Qi and Blood Pills, he would be able to sense Qi and Blood within the week.

"I heard that martial arts schools only teach basic punches and kicks to newly promoted disciples. Moreover, within them, there are several factions. If I don't understand these, I might easily pick the wrong side and offend the wrong people."

"Whether it's Zhao Wu's affair or matters after promotion, not only is personal strength needed, but also a sufficiently strong backer..."

Lin Mo felt he was overthinking, but considering backup plans was never wrong.

He watched Huang Shanqing, who was adeptly handling the questions of numerous citizens at the notice board, and an idea sparked in his mind: perhaps he could ask him about connections.

Among the martial arts school, the only person he knew well was Senior Brother Xu. However, apart from morning practice, he was reportedly affiliated with a certain trading company and was often unavailable for business matters.

"Yo, isn't this Master Huang? Give me some face and have a meal?"

Lin Mo didn't know many people. To find someone with connections who would also be convenient to ask, he couldn't approach the old-timers.

The newly appointed constable, Huang Shanqing, was undoubtedly a good choice.

Lin Mo ordered a spread of food: braised pork knuckle, boiled chicken—all dishes rich in profit.

He put an arm around Huang Shanqing, and after some polite resistance, they sat down.

"Brother, you this..."

"My surname is Lin."

"Brother Lin, this is..."

Huang Shanqing looked at the table full of dishes and swallowed hard. Although he had taken on the role of constable, it was a job only insiders could truly profit from.

For a greenhorn like him, there was only the meager salary.

His father had retired, and the salary was enough to eat, but far from enough to eat well...

"Don't be polite with me, Brother Huang, please eat first."

Lin Mo waved his hand, displaying the generosity of a host.

Despite his words, Huang Shanqing didn't dare to start eating immediately. He understood the saying that one who eats another's food is beholden to them.

"Brother Lin, shall we speak frankly?"

"This humble one is a recent apprentice at the martial arts school and is unfamiliar with the ways of the world. I hope Brother Huang can offer some guidance."

"Just this small matter? Brother Lin, rest assured, I'll explain it to you slowly..."

Huang Shanqing didn't hesitate. He picked up a piece of pork knuckle with his chopsticks and began eating with gusto, all the while looking up and saying, "Brother, let me tell you, there are many intricacies within the Changhe Martial Arts School. It's truly complex..."

"The best Martial Master is none other than Old Master Yang. If you are fortunate enough to become his disciple, you'll be treated like his own son..."

After listening for a while, Lin Mo had a general understanding of the internal structure of the martial arts school, managed by three families, led by the three Martial Masters Li, Wang, and Yang.

Ordinary people who joined the martial arts school, if they had the talent for sensing Qi and Blood, mostly joined the Li or Wang families. As for Old Master Yang...

From Huang Shanqing's account, Old Master Yang, whom he had met once before as Old Master Yang Yun, had a humble background but only took a few disciples, about three to five.

Quantity doesn't always mean quality. The fewer disciples, the more opportunities Lin Mo would have to be valued.

He slowly took a sip of wine, pondering in his heart.

Although the Li and Wang families were easy to join, it was difficult to receive true teachings. As for Old Master Yang's side, he didn't even need to think about it; the requirements would undoubtedly be extremely strict.

"Brother Lin, have you decided which family you want to join?"

"How could I possibly decide that? I haven't even sensed Qi and Blood yet. If I'm lucky enough to become a disciple, whoever is willing to take me would be wonderful..." Lin Mo replied with a smile, speaking vaguely.

"I see a righteous look on your face, Brother. You'll surely be a top-notch hero in the future! Like the chivalrous person who wiped out those thugs today..."

They noticed me?!

As soon as he heard this, Lin Mo's hair stood on end. He glanced at Huang Shanqing, noticing a flush on his face.

It seemed a few drinks had made him drowsy.

Lin Mo let out a long breath, lowered his eyes, and continued to toast, probing indirectly.

"I wonder what kind of person this hero is? Brother Huang seems to think highly of him?"

"You don't know?" Huang Shanqing's eyes suddenly widened, then he murmured to himself, "That's right, the notice was just posted, you wouldn't know the details..."

He lowered his voice and whispered in Lin Mo's ear, "This brave man, he alone wiped out Zhao Wu and his entire group of thugs... dozens of wild dogs, truly satisfying!"

"Wiped them out?"

Zhao Wu was indeed his doing, but now he was being confused with that group of hooligans?

Lin Mo frowned, and as he was pondering, he heard Huang Shanqing confirm again, "Not a single thug was left. Besides Zhao Wu, all were dispatched with a single sword stroke!"

"And Zhao Wu?" Lin Mo asked back.

"His death was very strange, as if he had been soaked in the river overnight, with ligature marks on his neck..."

"That death is too bizarre!" Lin Mo interrupted before he could finish, advising, "Let's drink and eat, this topic isn't suitable for a meal!"

After listening for a while and probing for information, he found the whole affair increasingly strange. How could it be that just after he killed Zhao Wu, the body was recovered and someone else was taking the blame?

This was clearly a case of someone trying to silence witnesses...

As expected, the next target would be to find the killer of Zhao Wu.

"I hope no flaws were left behind. But to think the Zhao Family Grain Store could raise Water Ghosts to this extent? This is putting the surrounding fishermen to death..."

Lin Mo sighed. Although he wanted to resolve this matter, his abilities were insufficient, and he could only protect himself.

His only skill was to sense Blood Essence as soon as possible, break through the bottleneck, and become a Martial Artist, joining a Martial Arts School to strengthen himself.