Longevity Pill

"Crimson Blood Sand," Chu Ning said slowly.

Shen Yan's smile finally froze.

The air seemed to fall silent instantly.

After a moment, Shen Yan sighed softly, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. "It seems Constable Chu is convinced I am involved in this matter."

Chu Ning watched him quietly, neither confirming nor denying.

Shen Yan gently put down the teacup, a strange light flashing in his eyes, and whispered, "Constable Chu, do you still remember the Azure-Eyed Snow Fox?"

Chu Ning frowned slightly. "What does it have to do with anything?"

"The Azure-Eyed Snow Fox is a rare spirit beast from the extreme cold regions. Its eyes contain a special spiritual energy known as 'Pupil Essence'," Shen Yan explained slowly.

"This spiritual energy has a special use..."

He paused, the corners of his mouth curving upwards slightly. "It's used to refine the 'Longevity Pill'."

Chu Ning's heart trembled slightly.

Longevity Pill?

"Legend has it that if this pill is refined with a unique secret method, it can greatly extend the user's lifespan, even breaking through the limits of their natural lifespan."

Shen Yan sighed. "The world seeks longevity, as it always has. However, very few can truly step into the realm of 'longevity'. But if an opportunity arises, how could they let it go easily?"

"So, you're saying..." Chu Ning's gaze turned cold.

Shen Yan looked directly at him and slowly uttered, "The Wang family's ancestor is nearing the end of his lifespan."

Chu Ning's heart sank.

"The Wang family's ancestor?"

"The Wang family, as one of the most powerful families in Qingyang County, has deep roots. Their ancestor is already in his twilight years. If his lifespan is about to end, he will undoubtedly spare no expense to extend his life."

"So, they've set their sights on the Azure-Eyed Snow Fox," Chu Ning said in a deep voice.

Shen Yan smiled. "Not only that, but they also need a large amount of Crimson Blood Sand, because the refinement of the Longevity Pill requires the vital energy of living people as a catalyst."

Chu Ning's pupils contracted.

Crimson Blood Sand, Blood Pills, Life Harvesting and Mutilation, the grain merchant massacre...

All the clues seemed to point in the same direction.

The Wang family!

Chu Ning was silent for a moment, then sneered, "Boss Shen's real business is probably refining Blood Qi Pills for the Wang family, isn't it?"

Shen Yan rubbed the gilded sachet at his waist, his fingertips trembling slightly, but his voice was deliberately relaxed. "Does Constable Chu know that some businesses, while seemingly highly profitable, are actually deadly trades?"

Chu Ning rested the blade of his saber on the table, the cold light reflecting the fleeting fear in Shen Yan's eyes. "Since Boss Shen knows it's deadly, why are you still getting involved with the Wang family?"

Shen Yan sneered, pulling out a yellowed contract from a hidden compartment. The corner of the contract was branded with the Wang family's private mark. "Three years ago, my son was abducted by the Wang family. This indenture is their leverage to force me to cooperate."

Chu Ning's gaze was sharp as he slowly stood up. "I've taken note of what you said today. As for the Wang family..."

He turned and walked towards the exit, his voice indifferent. "One day, I will personally investigate this thoroughly."

Shen Yan watched his retreating back, shook his head slightly, his gaze dim and unreadable.

Returning to the county office, Li Jing'an stood quietly in the center of the training grounds, holding a thin dossier in his hand, seemingly deep in thought.

Chu Ning strode forward and recounted the information he had gathered from Shen Yan, word for word.

"Longevity Pill?" Li Jing'an raised an eyebrow slightly, a spark of inquiry flashing in his eyes.

"Does such a medicinal formula truly exist in the world?"

Chu Ning nodded, his expression solemn. "Shen Yan's words may not be entirely credible, but the Wang family's ancestor is nearing the end of his lifespan and is likely to go to any lengths."

Li Jing'an slowly stroked his chin, as if contemplating something. After a moment, he suddenly chuckled. "If this matter is true, then the Wang family will certainly not give up on the Azure-Eyed Snow Fox easily."

Chu Ning's gaze was deep. "The Wang family has already begun offering a public reward for organizing the hunt of the Azure-Eyed Snow Fox."

Li Jing'an nodded gently, then his eyes turned cold. "In that case, you will participate in the Wang family's bounty."

Chu Ning was slightly taken aback, then understood.

Li Jing'an wanted him to delve into it, and there must be another purpose.

"The Wang family might not let me join," Chu Ning said in a deep voice.

Li Jing'an chuckled. "Since the Wang family has publicly issued a bounty for the hunt, any Ranked Martial Artist can participate, so you can participate as well."

"Since you are already a Black Snake Guard, they will not easily make a move against you," Li Jing'an said calmly.

Chu Ning pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "I understand."

Several days later.

Night fell, and the Black Wind Forest was shrouded in a heavy twilight.

A cold wind howled, kicking up dry leaves from the ground, rustling loudly. Startled crows on the branches let out sharp cries as they flapped their wings, their calls desolate and chilling.

A sizable team gathered in the woods, their torchlight flickering and illuminating expressions of greed and vigilance.

The withered branches, frosted like swords, caused the exhaled mist to freeze into ice shards before it could dissipate. The scraping sound of boots on the frozen ground was as grating as a knife on metal.

The Wang Family's hunting party had assembled here today.

Chu Ning, dressed in black, kept his head slightly bowed, blending into the crowd.

The hunting party was divided into two groups. The vanguard consisted of core Wang Family members, all clad in sturdy attire and armed with sharp blades, clearly individuals of considerable martial skill.

The rear was comprised of hired martial artists from the Jianghu. Whether they were motivated by the bounty or had ulterior motives, they all shared fervent gazes filled with avarice.

A moment later, a middle-aged man in a green robe slowly walked to the front of the formation.

His face was stern, his brows sharp as knives, and his gaze as piercing as an eagle's. His aura was steady and powerful.

"Everyone."

He stood with his hands behind his back, his voice deep yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"The Wang Family Patriarch has personally decreed that this hunt must capture the Azure-Eyed Snow Fox alive. There must be no mistakes!"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked up, murmuring amongst themselves.

This man was Wang Li, one of the core members of the Wang Family and a martial artist of considerable skill, a Ranked Martial Artist.

"Capture it alive?"

"A live one is harder to catch than a dead one. The Wang Family certainly knows how to utilize people."

"Hmph, as long as the bounty is enough, it's just a beast. What's there to fear?"

Wang Li's gaze swept over the crowd, seeing that their reactions were all within his grasp. He then slowly continued, "Whoever captures the Azure-Eyed Snow Fox will receive a bounty of a thousand taels of gold, plus a Profound Tier Martial Art!"

As this statement fell, the crowd immediately became restless.

This bounty was enough to make these Jianghu experts risk their lives.

A thousand taels of gold could make an ordinary martial artist rich overnight.

A Profound Tier Martial Art was an elusive and invaluable secret technique.

Chu Ning stood amidst the crowd, a faint, cold smile playing on his lips.

The Wang Family's willingness to offer such a hefty reward was enough to prove that the Azure-Eyed Snow Fox's value far exceeded imagination.

If the Pupil Essence of the Azure-Eyed Snow Fox can truly be used to refine a Longevity Pill...

Chu Ning narrowed his eyes, a cold snort echoing in his heart.

The Wang Family, in their pursuit of longevity, did not hesitate to set up killings, annihilate the grain merchant Zhao family, and even secretly collude with the Blood Refining Hall. All signs indicated they had resorted to any means necessary.

This hunt today would by no means be simple.

He slightly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the Wang Family members.

Each of them radiated a killing intent, clearly well-prepared.

Chu Ning's thoughts stirred, and he tightened his grip on his saber hilt.

The team began to advance.

The atmosphere in the woods grew increasingly oppressive.

The surroundings were terrifyingly silent, save for the rustling of the hunters' footsteps on fallen leaves echoing through the air.

The wind blew through the treetops, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible scent of blood.

Ethereal blue fireflies suddenly appeared in the woods. Wherever they passed, ice shards grew wildly. A martial artist, not careful enough to avoid them, had his right arm instantly covered in frost, his muscles stiffening like stone.

"Ah—!"

A sudden scream erupted from ahead!

Everyone stopped abruptly.

"What's going on?"

"Someone's in trouble up ahead!"

Torches were thrust forward, revealing a mangled corpse lying in the woods.

Blood soaked the withered leaves, a dark red liquid spreading across the ground, a shocking sight.

The corpse's chest had been brutally torn open, exposing bare white bone. The flesh was a bloody mess, a most tragic death!

Wang Li's expression darkened slightly as his sharp gaze swept the surroundings.

"Everyone, be on high alert! Spread out and search!"

Everyone drew their weapons, their nerves taut.

The sound of the wind in the woods seemed even more sinister and terrifying.

Chu Ning's gaze shifted, and he slowly walked forward, subtly tightening his grip on his saber hilt.

The hunt... had already begun