Children often experience itching, numbness, and soreness all over their body during growth spurts; this is known as "growing pains."
At this moment, Lu Li also felt the same way, with waves of tingling and itching spreading through his bones.
This is an essential step in strengthening bones, and it's only just begun.
Xiao Cha solemnly said:
"You'll get itchier every day, so itchy you won't be able to sleep or eat, and scratching won't help. But you can't stop your spiritual practice, so just bear with it!"
Lu Li nodded. "It's alright, I'm not afraid of suffering. Do whatever comes your way."
Xiao Cha then smiled and playfully punched Lu Li's chest:
"I know you're not a delicate person, I'm just reminding you~"
Just then, Wan Qing was about to say that she had a way to alleviate the situation...
But Lu Li grabbed Xiao Cha's big buttocks and started kneading them, which made the girl act coquettishly, hitting and pinching him.
Listening to their flirtatious banter, Wan Qing felt that the couple was becoming increasingly promiscuous, showing no restraint whatsoever in their interactions.
She was annoyed, so she kept quiet and sullen.
Just as Lu Li was enjoying himself, footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard.
"Xiao Cha, a major case has occurred. Everyone assemble immediately."
The voice belongs to Chen Zhizhong!
Xiao Cha quickly opened the door and saw the chief constable with a stern face, along with many colleagues.
Chen Zhizhong said, "A shocking murder has occurred at Baiyangtan. All police officers are on their way immediately."
"Yes, sir!"
Xiao Cha saluted and quickly stood a step behind Chen Zhizhong.
This positioning made him appear too close to the leader, which displeased some people.
A middle-aged constable with a pointed mouth and monkey-like face glanced into the courtyard and spotted the car.
"Wow~ Captain Luo bought a car? Cadillac, not cheap, 4000 Ocean Dollar."
These words were malicious; they were clearly a veiled question: where did a mere constable get so much money?
But it wasn't over yet. This weasel-faced fellow grinned at Chen Zhizhong again:
"Young people are really capable! This car is even better than yours!"
This was blatant slander, and several other constables echoed it:
"As people working in the public sector, it's best to keep a low profile to avoid being gossiped about behind our backs."
"Captain Luo, if you have any tips for making money, teach us!"
Xiao Cha achieved early success, which many people resented and feared.
Lu Li, standing at the door, heard everything clearly, observing the diverse lives of the people.
This is also one of the reasons why he is too lazy to build his own faction or join any faction.
Human nature is too complicated; power is much more reliable.
At this moment, Xiao Cha didn't even glance at the group of people, but directly cupped her hands to Chen Zhizhong and said solemnly:
"So that my lord may know, I have recently made a breakthrough and have advanced to the [Marrow Cleansing] Realm!"
The moment those words were spoken, the room fell silent, and everyone's expressions froze on their faces.
Xiao Cha felt her blood and energy surge throughout her body, and a faint buzzing sound came from within her, as if something was flowing rapidly.
This is the sound of blood flowing rapidly through the blood vessels. A normal person can hear it if they cover their ears, but Marrow Cleansing Martial Artist can already hear it.
Chen Zhizhong, who had been wearing a gloomy face, immediately burst into laughter. His grin was so wide that he quickly tried to hide it.
"You broke through? Not bad, not bad! Like father, like daughter! You didn't disgrace your father!"
These words came from the heart and also helped explain why Xiao Cha had made such rapid progress.
The head constable, with his pointed snout and monkey-like face, was the first to change his expression, and said with a fawning smile:
"Captain Luo from a family with a strong academic tradition and possesses astonishing talent; I admire him greatly!"
The others also quickly flattered him:
"Old Captain Luo killed a notorious thief who was undergoing marrow cleansing during his Organ Refining; I saw it with my own eyes! His daughter must be extraordinary!"
"Captain Luo has already advanced to the Marrow Cleansing Realm at such a young age; his future achievements are limitless!"
Flattery poured in, but Chen Zhizhong, unwilling to let Xiao Cha become arrogant, quickly shouted:
"Alright, it's time to go, don't be late."
The group of police officers then hurriedly set off.
~~~~~~~~~~~
At Baiyangtan, crows circled and cackled incessantly. Returning to the scene of the crime, Xiao Cha's face flushed slightly.
But when she saw a familiar face, her excitement vanished instantly, and her heart leaped into her throat.
This person should be Fan Shouyi, the deputy envoy of the Divine Heart Society.
The usually refined scholar had a gloomy face, his eyes drooping low, and a suffocatingly cold light emanating from them...
It looks like a wanted poster photo!
Xiao Cha clicked her tongue in amazement. How angry must someone be to get this angry...?
Fan Shouyi considered himself a calm and collected person.
While not quite "unfazed even if Mount Tai collapses before one's eyes," one can at least remain calm and composed in the face of change.
But at this moment, he was absolutely furious!
Preparations for promoting Ice Soul Powder began last year.
The first distributor was his subordinate, Wang Siqi.
A perfectly good young man, with connections to high-ranking officials in Izumo... and then he died suddenly;
Then it was Wang Family's turn. The old man was quite sensible and did alright. But then the entire clan died suddenly.
Left with no other choice, they considered bringing the Tooth Brokerage under their wing.
But before the combination of kindness and severity could even begin, everyone from the leader to the manager was wiped out here.
If you find someone who dies, are you asking for Divine Punishment?!
"Call..."
Fan Shouyi took several deep breaths to calm himself down.
Since things have come to this, all we can do is accept the blame for our poor performance and see what remedies are possible.
But the next second, his hard-won composure was disrupted by a burst of shrill laughter.
~~~~~~~~
"Hahaha, all the opium growers, opium den owners, and Tooth Brokerage —everyone with a name is dead!"
The voice was sweet and clear, sending shivers down one's spine; it belonged to the beautiful nun, Xia Weiyin.
Beside her stood an elderly man with white hair and a youthful face, none other than Nan Jinping, the president of the Jinmen National Martial Arts Association.
"Good riddance!" Nan Jinping's old face beamed with joy.
"With these people dead, the Devils emperor's plan to promote [Ice Soul Powder] will have to wait a long time."
Promoting new types of drugs isn't something just anyone can do; you need channels, especially those that reach lower-level markets.
Those with that kind of ability are all here; if the family wants to claim the body, they'll have to dig it up with a shovel.
The old man and the young man were beaming with joy. Xia Weiyin winked and flashed in front of Fan Shouyi.
At that moment, Xiao Cha was staring in this direction and was immediately startled:
"This woman's speed is twice that of Ye Zhichao! She must have considerable Spirit Refinement stage!"
People vary in strength; even within the same realm, their combat power can differ drastically.
Xia Weiyin, being among the very best, smiled and said:
"Lord Fan, you're really having a run of bad luck. Everyone you catch dies. Won't your [Supervisor] blame you for being incompetent? Shouldn't the People of Izumo get rid of this jinx?"
Every word the nun spoke was like a sharp knife, piercing deeply into Fan Shouyi's heart.
Fan Shouyi's face was gloomy, and the Peach Wood Sword at his waist trembled slightly.
Xia Weiyin smiled, but her eyes were extremely serious, her body tense, and she was on high alert.
But Fan Shouyi glanced at Nan Jinping nearby and raised his hand to calm the raging flying sword.
Although the old man was old and frail, he was still Martial Arts, and still possessed a breath of Innate True Qi, so he should not be underestimated.
"Abbess Huixian, you'd better watch your words."
Fan Shouyi said indifferently:
"The Governor are about to sign a Treaty of Treaty of Amity with Izumo, at which time Izumo's experts will be able to come and go as they please. Your [Killing for Benevolence Society] will likely face annihilation."
Xia Weiyin sneered, "That's none of Lord Fan's concern. If that beast from Izumo dares to come, there will be Righteous Warrior to ensure he never leaves!"
The two confronted each other sharply, staring at each other coldly.
Xiao Cha pricked up her ears and listened intently to their conversation.
Just then, a convoy drove by.
Before the car had come to a complete stop, an official dressed in a blue robe jumped out.
Wearing a fourth-rank official hat adorned with lapis lazuli, he roared angrily at a corpse in a wheelchair:
"What are you police station doing! 300 people have died! Such a shocking murder case in the suburbs, you should all be imprisoned and held accountable!"
A deafening roar erupted, hurling insults at the police officers present.
Xiao Cha recognized the man as "Prefect Zhang". The Tongpan was in charge of the public security, procuratorate and judiciary of a province, and was the superior of the police station.
Chen Zhizhong whispered, "The deceased in the wheelchair was Prefect Zhang's nephew."
Xiao Cha immediately understood: it must be because the magistrate's family owned a lot of land, which was planted with opium.
His nephew came to negotiate, but was beaten to death by Lu Li.
"Serves you right."
Xiao Cha inwardly scoffed, completely unaware that Xia Weijun was watching her with great interest.