Investment

At this moment, in Shiping Alley,

two Green Robe Gang members were examining Zhao San's corpse.

One of them stared thoughtfully at Zhao San's fist and said in a low voice, "It looks like claw marks. There are only a few Martial Arts techniques involving claw arts in Baihe County."

"Look into what Zhao San had been doing lately and whom he had offended. Perhaps we can find the killer."

He respectfully looked at the other Green Robe Gang member.

"Sir Deacon, should we pursue this?"

The other pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Zhao San already had a broken hand. His death is no great loss."

"Just report that someone from the Three Rivers Gang killed him. There's no need to stir up needless trouble."

The disciple said quietly, "Wouldn't that damage the Green Robe Gang's prestige for nothing?"

The deacon shot the disciple a glare.

"Hmm?!"

The disciple instantly fell silent as a cicada in winter and said in a low voice, "I understand, sir."

This Green Robe Gang deacon did not care about such matters at all.

He managed a gambling house, and the thing he cared about most each day was raking in money. He could not be bothered to concern himself with this bullshit.

If Zhao San had not been one of his men, he would not even have come over to take a look.

The deacon shook his head and sighed.

"It's just a pity about Zhao San's saber technique manual. We searched everywhere but couldn't find it. It was most likely taken by the killer."

The disciple said quietly, "The technique Zhao San practiced seemed to be a low-grade saber technique."

The deacon nodded. "Even a low-grade one takes a great deal of time to master. Zhao San wasn't very good at it, which was why he was only a minor leader."

The disciple echoed, "Ordinary people struggle to practice even one Martial Arts technique. After getting it, that killer probably sold it off."

The deacon chuckled.

"That's true. Other than those with extraordinary comprehension, who can practice several Martial Arts techniques at once?"

At this moment, inside the martial arts school,

Fang Chen had just finished practicing a round of Tiger Subduing Fist when changes appeared on the panel.

Tiger Subduing Fist proficiency +1

Martial Arts: Tiger Subduing Fist (Beginner 14/300); Gale Saber Technique (Beginner 0/150)

After seeing Zhang Tao and the others off, Fang Chen had immediately come to the martial arts school to train.

Today, he was the earliest one there.

Just as Fang Chen was about to continue practicing, Zhou Hai walked in.

A smile immediately appeared on Fang Chen's face.

"Junior Brother, thank you for the gifts."

Zhou Hai waved a hand.

"Haha, if you really want to thank me, Senior Brother, then keep teaching me. I feel like I can enter the beginner stage today!"

"Once I do, Senior Brother, you'll have to work even harder. Don't let me catch up to you so easily!"

Fang Chen smiled faintly.

"You're overthinking it. Catching up to me is impossible."

Zhou Hai's competitive spirit was instantly stirred. He returned to his spot, took out the ginseng from his robe, viciously bit off a mouthful, then immediately began practicing his fist technique.

He had not gone to Yihong Courtesan House yesterday, so he was in excellent spirits today!

Successfully abstained from women for one day!

The two did not chat further and each began practicing their fists.

Time always passed quickly when one was focused on training. Before long, it was noon.

Fang Chen practiced Tiger Subduing Fist over and over, quickly gaining another four points of proficiency!

Tiger Subduing Fist (Beginner 18/300)

Naturally, Fang Chen ate at the martial arts school, while Zhou Hai and the others returned home for their meals.

Not long after eating and resting, Fang Chen saw Zhou Hai walk in with a suspicious expression.

Zhou Hai leaned close to Fang Chen and said in a low voice, "Senior Disciple Fang, I heard Zhao San and Zhao Si were both brutally murdered. Do you know what happened?"

Fang Chen pretended to be hearing the news for the first time, looking somewhat shocked and confused.

"They're dead?! How did they suddenly die? Who killed them?"

Zhou Hai looked at Fang Chen and blinked.

"I heard one of our Three Rivers Gang leaders killed them."

"The two sides seemed to have a grudge."

Understanding immediately dawned on Fang Chen's face.

"So that's how it is."

Seeing Fang Chen's exaggerated expression, Zhou Hai could not help saying speechlessly, "Senior Disciple Fang, don't act so exaggeratedly next time. It's very easy for people to spot the flaw."

Fang Chen said with an innocent look, "What are you talking about? Why don't I understand?"

Zhou Hai's face darkened: ...

He could not help doubting himself. Could I have guessed wrong? Wasn't it Senior Disciple Fang? Then why did he ask me about it that day?

Zhou Hai sighed and said,

"Forget it. No matter what, this has boosted the Three Rivers Gang's prestige."

"It benefits the Three Rivers Gang."

Fang Chen nodded.

"Mm, that's good."

Seeing that he could not pry anything out of him, Zhou Hai could only return to his place and continue training.

But he was somewhat absentminded, and the more he thought about it, the more something felt wrong.

"It was definitely Senior Disciple Fang. I almost got fooled."

"I'm hurt. I've treated him so well, yet he still guarded against me."

However, when Zhou Hai returned at noon today, he had someone investigate.

He discovered that yesterday, near the Fang Family home within Three Rivers Gang territory, a matchmaker had happened to die.

After asking around among the neighbors, Zhou Hai immediately grasped the key point.

Relying on his older brother's status, Zhao Si had wanted to forcibly marry Fang Chen's elder sister!

Everything became crystal clear.

"Senior Brother truly is a man of deep loyalty and righteousness. When his family was threatened, he showed no mercy."

"I, Zhou Hai, like making friends with people of such true temperament the most."

"Still, we haven't known each other long. It's normal that Senior Brother didn't tell me."

Having completely sorted things out in his mind, Zhou Hai continued practicing his fists.

Beside him, Fang Chen let out a faint sigh of relief.

"I didn't expect the Green Robe Gang to directly dump the blame on the Three Rivers Gang."

"I don't know whether they failed to investigate or simply could not be bothered."

"Either way, I'm safe for now. I can keep growing steadily in peace."

After killing Zhao San, Fang Chen had naturally worried somewhat about future trouble.

After beating the little one, would the old one come?

But perhaps his luck was good; he had unexpectedly escaped disaster.

Glancing at Zhou Hai beside him, Fang Chen sighed.

"Junior Brother Zhou knows too much. Fortunately, our relationship is good for now."

He stopped dwelling on it and continued practicing his fists.

The afternoon quickly began to slip away.

Tiger Subduing Fist proficiency +1!

Tiger Subduing Fist proficiency +1!

The panel gained another two points of proficiency. Just as Fang Chen was about to continue practicing,

someone suddenly entered the martial arts school, accompanied by an attendant.

Judging by his attire, he appeared to be a merchant.

At this moment,

the merchant asked the attendant beside him, "What promising prospects have recently appeared in Tiger Subduing Martial Arts School?"

By promising prospects, the merchant meant disciples who had not yet entered the First Realm of the martial path.

They especially had to be newly joined disciples, so he could invest ahead of the crowd.

The attendant said respectfully, "This servant had someone inquire into it. Three new disciples have recently joined Tiger Subduing Martial Arts School."

The merchant asked curiously, "Which three?"

The attendant patiently explained.

"The most promising is the young master of the Three Rivers Gang, but he does not need our support."

"Besides him, there is one disciple with above-average bones and one with below-average bones."

"The less talented one is called Fang Chen, while the more talented one is called Yang Hua."

"At present, it will be rather difficult for Fang Chen to enter the First Realm of the martial path. Yang Hua, on the other hand, will have a much easier time and stands a much better chance."

"My lord, will you support both of them, or only one?"