Success

Chen Feng no longer hesitated, rising and quietly following.

He adjusted his breathing, lowering his presence to an extremely low level, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Lin Yan was, after all, a martial artist. No matter how slow he was, he sensed Chen Feng approaching as he got close.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

"You!..."

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Feng had already covered his mouth.

There were no flashy moves, nor any loud noises. Chen Feng, holding his dagger, thrust it forcefully towards Lin Yan's throat.

A cold, silent blade flashed in the dark alley.

Pfft...

The sharp blade pierced his throat.

Lin Yan's eyes widened, a "gurgling" sound coming from his throat as blood continuously poured out.

Lin Yan wanted to call out, but no sound came.

Chen Feng held his mouth tightly, not loosening his grip even with his hand covered in blood. He held on firmly, regardless of Lin Yan's pained struggles.

After a long while, confirming Lin Yan was no longer moving, Chen Feng released his hand.

The body fell to the ground like a log.

Blood spread across the ground.

Chen Feng squatted down and began to search the body.

He found a money bag containing a few taels of silver shards, and a porcelain bottle with a piece of paper attached. The paper had the character "Blood" written on it in brush strokes, and it contained an unknown pill.

After a moment of thought, Chen Feng pocketed them all.

Nothing else was found.

After finishing the search, Chen Feng did not leave immediately. Instead, he used his dagger to add several more wounds to Lin Yan's arms and back, then struck the back of Lin Yan's head heavily.

He staged the corpse to look like it had been brutally beaten to death.

Finally, Chen Feng wiped the blood from his hands and the remaining blood from the dagger.

He walked to the alley entrance, glanced back at Lin Yan's corpse, and only left after thoroughly confirming everything was handled.

Under the cover of night, Chen Feng went to a secluded spot, took out the clothes he had prepared earlier, changed out of his rags, and then disposed of the dagger, money bag, and clothes together.

After Chen Feng finished all this and returned home, his heart was in turmoil for a long time.

[First kill... Experience +2000]

The next day, early morning.

Chen Feng arrived at the martial arts hall early, and as usual, continued to practice his punches to temper his Qi Blood.

Although his movements were fast, each step was solid, and every punch and move stirred the Qi Blood within his body, nourishing his muscles and bones. The Splitting Fist was swift, and occasionally the sound of it whistling through the air could be heard.

As he punched, the Qi followed the fist; as he retracted his fist, the Qi Blood returned to its source.

Each inhale and exhale was perfectly synchronized.

When inhaling, the fist retracted, the chest and abdomen drawing in as if embracing a ball; when exhaling, the fist struck out, the muscles of the entire body tensing suddenly.

His joints made slight cracking sounds and trembled, and sweat trickled down his forehead.

After completing a set of punches, he slowly drew back his stance, feeling the surging Qi Blood within him, and sensed a warm current flowing through his limbs and torso, his muscles and bones feeling relaxed and comfortable.

Then, the majestic Qi Blood overflowed, and centered on Chen Feng, it transformed into an invisible ripple that spread outwards.

Chen Feng lightly clenched his fists, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

He was only one step away from becoming a Martial Artist!

The other disciples' faces showed surprise, completely unprepared for Chen Feng having reached such a level.

He had joined much later than them, yet he was the first to knock on the door of becoming a Martial Artist. The expressions of the crowd were complex, a mixture of envy and jealousy that was hard to define.

"I should go ask Senior Brother Zhao how to break through this Blood Refining Realm. I can't just force my way through with Qi Blood..."

As Chen Feng took a step, he heard a familiar voice coming from the Courtyard Gate--

"Meng Xiong! Meng Xiong!"

"Meng Xiong, what's the hurry?"

Chen Feng responded with a smile. In his heart, Meng Zhaowu was one of his few friends.

"Come work for our merchant association. You can live in the Guest Courtyard of our association at night, and it won't interfere with your regular martial arts practice. You just need to do some odd jobs when you have time."

Chen Feng was stunned, and then a genuine smile spread across his face.

Meng Zhaowu, seeing how Lin Yan had intimidated Chen Feng yesterday, had come up with this plan, intending to use the influence of the Fuxing Merchant Association to protect Chen Feng.

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Meng, but..."

Just as Chen Feng was about to politely refuse, a martial arts school instructor stepped into the courtyard, found Chen Feng, and said, "The Guanzhu wants to see you."

Chen Feng patted Meng Zhaowu's shoulder and said, "Thank you, but I have my own plan. I will definitely remember your kindness."

With that, he followed the instructor towards the depths of the martial arts school.

The Dragon Walk Martial Arts School was vast. The front area was dedicated to disciples practicing martial arts, with flat grounds paved with bluestone. The rear area served as resting quarters for the instructors and formal disciples.

The Guanzhu sometimes resided within the school, but more often, he lived in his mansion in the Inner City.

Chen Feng stood outside the main hall and gently knocked on the wooden door.

"Enter."

A steady voice came from within. It was Zhou Bingzhong, the Guanzhu of the Dragon Walk Martial Arts School.

Chen Feng pushed the door open and bowed, saying, "Master."

The main hall was not large. Facing the entrance was an Ebony Grand Tutor Chair. On the side table, a cup of tea emitted wisps of steam, and a bronze beast-eared incense burner released a faint scent of Chen Shui Incense.

Zhou Bingzhong, clad in a grey cloth martial robe, had eyes like an eagle and an imposing presence that needed no anger. Seated beside him was his Second Senior Brother, Yao Xingzhi, his figure upright but not sharp.

"Greetings, Senior Brother."

Yao Xingzhi nodded, his attitude indifferent.

Zhou Bingzhong gestured towards a wooden stool in front of the table. "Sit."

Chen Feng sat as instructed, his back straight and his expression calm.

"Do you know why I summoned you here?"

Chen Feng shook his head. "This disciple does not know."

"I heard you had a conflict with Lin Yan yesterday?"

"That is correct."

"Do you know our martial arts school's rules? Disciples must coexist harmoniously and not harm fellow disciples."

Zhou Bingzhong gazed at Chen Feng quietly, his expression unchanged. Yao Xingzhi, on the other hand, stared intently into Chen Feng's eyes, as if trying to discern something.

Chen Feng's face was expressionless, but inwardly, he was already trying to guess Zhou Bingzhong's intentions, perhaps having already learned of Lin Yan's death.

"This disciple understands, which is why I allowed Lin Yan to insult me yesterday and did not engage in a fight."

Zhou Bingzhong continued, "What is the grievance between you and Lin Yan? Can you tell me about it?"

Chen Feng pondered, then nodded.

"My family was originally on good terms with the Lin Family. I am even betrothed to Lin Yan's sister, Lin Jingshu. Later, the Lin siblings coincidentally met Li Shuxian of the Li Family..."

At this point, a trace of resentment flashed in Chen Feng's eyes.

"Li Shuxian..."

Yao Xingzhi frowned and asked, "That talent from the Li Family? Li Shuxian, who is hailed as the reincarnation of the Literary Star?"

"Precisely."

Chen Feng lowered his eyelids and continued, "Li Shuxian took a fancy to Lin Jingshu, and the Lin Family intended to match them..."

Even if Chen Feng hadn't said it, Zhou Bingzhong and Yao Xingzhi knew what would happen next.

Li Shuxian had consecutively taken first place in the County Examination, Prefectural Examination, and Palace Examination, becoming a Xiucai. He was at the peak of his popularity, at the height of his power.

Coupled with the Li Family's background, suitors were practically breaking down their door. For the Lin Family, it was impossible to let such a golden son-in-law slip away.

"But you said that Lin Jingshu... you..." Yao Xingzhi stopped mid-sentence. Seeing Chen Feng's dejected appearance, he swallowed his words.

"Yes. I became Lin Jingshu's stain. The Li Family would not allow Li Shuxian to marry a woman who was already betrothed. And the Lin Family could not give up this opportunity for advancement..."

Chen Feng's words were filled with bitterness.

"I was too foolish back then, thinking Lin Jingshu was forced. In the end... my family was destroyed."