Blood Pill

Three days of leave passed in the blink of an eye.

On the morning of the fourth day, just as dawn was breaking, Gu Chang'an was already up. He was busy by the stove, steam rising from the pot, the aroma of rice porridge and side dishes filling the room.

Wang Xiaojuan had also woken up early. After washing up, she sat at the table.

"Brother Gu, are you going to the Martial Guard Division today?"

Gu Chang'an placed a plate of scrambled eggs on the table and nodded with a smile:

"Yes, the holiday is over, and I have to go back to patrol."

Wang Xiaojuan bit into a hot steamed bun, her tone tinged with reluctance:

"I thought you'd spar with me for a bit today."

"Maybe later, I'll definitely make time." Gu Chang'an ruffled her hair. "You just practice well at the martial hall today, don't be lazy."

"I won't!" Wang Xiaojuan pouted, but her eyes sparkled as she nodded seriously.

She cherished everything she had now, seemingly without any thought of slacking off.

Her greatest desire now was to become someone like Li Hongye, someone who could help Brother Gu.

After the meal, Gu Chang'an took her to the Sky Wind Martial Hall. After greeting Xie Lanzhi, he hurried to the Martial Guard Division's yamen.

The Martial Guard Division, the morning mist had yet to dissipate.

As Gu Chang'an reached the entrance, he saw Song Zong leaning against the steps, smoking a pipe and yawning lazily.

"Yo, Brother Gu, so early? Didn't you have a few more days of leave? Why not rest a bit longer?"

Gu Chang'an smiled and waved his hand: "I've rested enough. I get restless when I'm idle."

Song Zong tutted: "What a weirdo."

Just then, Liu Wei and Zhou Yue also came out from the back hall. Liu Wei, tugging at his sleeve, asked, "How's Head Constable Li's injury?"

Gu Chang'an smiled slightly: "She's not seriously injured, she'll be fine in a few days. It's just... she seems quite energetic."

Zhou Yue leaned in with a knowing look: "Then why didn't you take the opportunity to spend more time with her?"

Gu Chang'an sighed: "I wanted to, but she kicked me out."

His relationship with Li Hongye now was more than friends, but not yet lovers.

Perhaps it was just a step away.

But the time wasn't right yet.

Afterward, the few of them formed a team and set out to begin their patrol mission for the day.

The weather was clear, the streets were clean, refugees were scarce, and the city was in a state of peace.

They traveled from the east city to the west, their steps steady, their patrol thorough.

As they turned into the west city, they saw a group of Flowing Gold Gang disciples walking past a street corner not far away. They wore matching black clothes and carried their sabers neatly, appearing much more orderly than the Black Sand Gang had before.

Gu Chang'an frowned slightly and said softly, "The Flowing Gold Gang has been much more restrained these past few days."

"Probably got a warning from above," Liu Wei whispered. "The Black Sand Gang's previous lawless behavior already angered the officials of Nanning County. If the Flowing Gold Gang wants to establish themselves long-term, they wouldn't dare not to bow their heads."

Song Zong smacked his lips: "This is unexpected. I thought they would take the opportunity to cause trouble."

Gu Chang'an pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What about the Firewood Gang? They've been too quiet lately."

Liu Wei shook his head: "I'm wondering too. Those Firewood Gang members were quite arrogant before, especially the ones from Blackwood Hall. Now they're completely silent... something's not right."

"It's like they're brewing something," Zhou Yue frowned.

The few exchanged glances, all feeling a sense of inexplicable unease.

If you can't find the book by its title, try searching for the author. Maybe the title was just changed!

Just then, footsteps suddenly echoed from the street corner. Zheng Zhen, dressed in a dark blue tight-fitting outfit, emerged from a small alley. His expression was stern, his eyes like knives, and he swept a cold glance at them.

Gu Chang'an's eyebrows twitched slightly, but his steps remained steady as he walked past calmly.

Beside him, Zhou Yue whispered, "That guy... he's been staring at you for quite a while. Be careful."

"I know," Gu Chang'an replied indifferently, a hint of vigilance appearing in his eyes.

Around noon, the sunlight grew stronger, illuminating the mottled walls of the old quarter in the west city, casting dappled shadows.

Gu Chang'an and his group patrolled along the street to a long-abandoned workshop. His steps paused, his gaze sharpened, and his eyebrows rose slightly as he vaguely sensed an unusual aura in the air.

"What's wrong?" Liu Wei asked in a low voice.

Gu Chang'an didn't answer. He simply raised his hand, signaling everyone to be silent, then slowly leaned sideways against the doorframe, pressing his ear to the wooden door.

A moment later, his expression turned serious. His body flickered, and he glided low to the ground, circling around the side of the door like a snake. He suddenly kicked the door open with a palm strike, his toes pushing off the ground, and his figure shot inside like lightning!

His saber was half-drawn, a cold glint flashing, pointed directly into the room!

"Ah—"

A startled cry suddenly erupted from inside, laced with panic.

"Don't—don't move!"

Gu Chang'an's blade stopped, leaving only a sliver of space, hovering before a man's throat.

It was a middle-aged constable, his face pale, cold sweat streaming down his face. His official robe was askew, revealing faint bloodstains underneath, suggesting he was injured. He was curled up in the corner, his breathing ragged.

Beside him stood a man in plain clothes, carrying a bundle on his back. His eyes were wary and confused, and he pressed himself against the wall, afraid to move.

"Who are you?" Liu Wei arrived shortly after, his eyes chilling, his tone laced with caution.

Seeing this, the middle-aged constable quickly cupped his hands and said in a low voice:

"I am Chen Qi from the West City Ward's Constabulary. This man is an old acquaintance. Today, he was assisting me in secretly investigating the Firewood Gang's illicit smuggling."

Song Zong stepped forward to examine the token at his waist. It was indeed an official seal. Only then did he sheath his blade and nod slightly:

"If you are a colleague, why are you hiding here?"

Chen Qi's expression was grim, and he said in a low voice:

"We just intercepted a shipment of smuggled goods from the Firewood Gang. Before we could report it, we were targeted. This place is remote, so we are just taking temporary shelter. Look at this."

With that, he took the bundle from the man in plain clothes and carefully unfolded it.

Inside the bundle was a blood-red pill. The pill was lustrous, as if condensed from fresh blood. It trembled slightly, as if breathing.

A chilling aura immediately spread, seeming to penetrate the very marrow of their bones.

"Is this... a Blood Pill?" Liu Wei's expression changed drastically.

"That's right," Chen Qi said gravely. "And not just any ordinary Blood Pill. This is an evil pill refined from the vital essence of living people. Only heretical cults would create such a thing."

Gu Chang'an narrowed his eyes, his voice growing colder: "How did you find out?"

"I've been investigating this for a month," Chen Qi sighed. "Initially, I heard that the Firewood Gang had a secret alchemy site in the western suburbs, using the smuggling of herbs as a cover to refine unknown pills in secret. I didn't believe it at first, until today—"

He paused, hatred flashing in his eyes. "I intercepted a shipment and found this Blood Pill. Although this pill can stimulate Qi and blood, awaken potential, and even temporarily boost strength, it damages the soul and shortens one's lifespan. It can be used at most three times before the user goes mad and dies."

"This is a demonic art. It cannot be allowed to exist."

Gu Chang'an's face was like still water: "Do you know the location of the alchemy site?"

Chen Qi was silent for a long time, then finally nodded:

"I've recently gotten a few clues, but... this matter is no small thing. A single misstep could lead to our annihilation."