Frame-Up!

The current situation is indeed extremely thorny.

He has fallen into a position where he cannot prove his own innocence.

You say this is a frame-up? Fine, then explain who would frame you? And why would they frame you?

Just because you have some martial arts talent?

Even Chu Yuan felt his heart sink at this moment.

If he is truly branded as the murderer of Li Chen, then it is all over.

No matter how high a martial arts genius's potential is, if they are cruel, vicious, bully the weak, and disregard the rules, they will be liquidated.

Why would they cultivate you only to cause trouble within the Qin Kingdom?

Friction is inevitable among martial artists, and mutual killing is permitted, but that is only after reaching the Internal Breath Realm!

Before the Internal Breath Realm, one must apply to the relevant department for a death match!

Private slaughter is strictly forbidden!

Furthermore, they are only high school seniors, not even considered official martial artists; attacking an ordinary person is a crime that carries an even heavier penalty!

Fortunately, Qi Da's attitude gave him some peace of mind; at the very least, the principal is on his side.

As the principal of Chenyang No. 1 High School and a Fifth Realm martial artist, his opinion carries significant weight.

"Not many people knew about the grudge between you and Li Chen; it was only yesterday when you made a move against Li Chen that people in the school found out.

The news hadn't even had time to circulate before the culprit chose to strike that very night... In truth, the scope of suspects is very small; it can basically be narrowed down to within the school."

Chu Yuan nodded, acknowledging this perspective.

Moreover, because Li Chen had an Internal Breath Realm bodyguard by his side, the students could basically be ruled out as suspects.

Even most teachers could be excluded, as they lack the ability to kill an Internal Breath Realm expert instantly.

There is still one question he cannot figure out: what exactly is the culprit after?

To vent anger on his behalf?

That is impossible.

"I will begin an investigation; you should also keep an eye out for anything unusual around you." Qi Da stubbed out his cigarette. "You cannot rush these things; I can still hold off the Public Security Bureau and the Li Family for a few days.

Since the real culprit dared to take action at the risk of offending the Li Family, it certainly won't be as simple as just killing someone."

"Understood."

"Are your Martial Arts Pills still sufficient?"

"They are not."

"You certainly don't stand on ceremony..." Qi Da chuckled, then produced several jade bottles from somewhere and placed them on the table.

"Don't let your cultivation slide. Go on."

"Thank you, Principal."

After taking the pills, Chu Yuan did not return to the classroom but went straight home.

Chu Ying was at school, but Han Cui was at home.

She had listened to Chu Yuan and closed the restaurant, preparing to transfer the storefront.

It was just that there were no buyers for the time being.

Seeing Chu Yuan return suddenly, Han Cui was a bit surprised and asked a few questions.

Chu Yuan gave a perfunctory response and locked himself in his bedroom.

Qi Da was right; no matter what happens, cultivation is the most important thing!

His current cultivation is already at Qi Cultivation Level 7; once he reaches Level 9 Perfection, he can attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm!

With no shortage of pills, reaching Level 9 will not take too long.

He cultivated until evening, and only when all the Cultivator Pills on hand were exhausted did Chu Yuan open his eyes.

He picked up his terminal, which had several messages from Yang Yi asking why he wasn't at school today and whether the trade was still going ahead.

Chu Yuan didn't bother with all that and asked directly: "Send me Zhou Zhe's address."

"...Chu Yuan, I heard about Li Chen's death. It wasn't really you, was it?"

"It wasn't."

"I don't think it was either; you wouldn't be that stupid..." Yang Yi paused on the other end, seemingly deliberating for a long time before asking cautiously: "Then why do you want Zhou Zhe's address?"

"Rest assured, I am definitely not going to kill him."

"Oh, oh..." Yang Yi replied with that, then fell silent again, seemingly conflicted.

It wasn't until two or three minutes later that an address was sent to Chu Yuan's terminal.

"That... I begged my dad to find someone to speak up for you, but the Li Family's influence is immense..."

"Many thanks, but that won't be necessary," Chu Yuan replied. He memorized the address, stood up to grab his sword, and vaulted out the window.

"Apologies, I couldn't help you..."

After reading this message, Chu Yuan did not reply. A wisp of spiritual energy enveloped his body, and he stepped out into the night.

The rhythm of his stride was not fast, appearing no different from an ordinary person.

Yet, his body was as light as smoke; often, a single step would carry him over a dozen meters away!

Consequently, his speed was blinding, like a phantom!

This was the movement technique he had converted using the system: Smoke-Drifting Steps!

In truth, cultivators rarely spoke of movement techniques; escape arts were the common standard!

After all, cultivators seldom found themselves in close-quarters combat...

However, Chu Yuan had not even reached the Foundation Establishment Realm. The spiritual energy within him was pitifully scarce, and he could not even fly... even if he were given an escape art, he would be unable to execute it.

Smoke-Drifting Steps was just right; its consumption was low, and its performance was nothing short of impressive!

He had no ulterior motives for wanting Zhou Zhe's address; he simply wanted to stake out the location.

If the enemy was targeting him for a frame-up, then Zhou Zhe was the person who had first come into conflict with him!

But why did the enemy choose to kill Li Chen instead of the easier target, Zhou Zhe?

Was it because of Li Chen's background? Did they feel Zhou Zhe lacked sufficient weight?

Regardless, from Chu Yuan's perspective, if he were the mastermind, seeing that Li Chen's death had caused no ripples, he would certainly take further action.

And Zhou Zhe, having had a conflict with him, was the most suitable target!

Although Zhou Zhe's family was not incredibly wealthy, their circumstances were quite good, so he lived in a high-end residential complex.

At the very least, the security guards at the gate were all martial artists of the Blood-Qi Realm.

Chu Yuan observed the situation for a moment before vaulting over the wall and arriving in front of the building according to the address Yang Yi had provided.

Then... he climbed directly up the exterior wall to the rooftop.

It was late at night, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse, and almost no one was entering or leaving the complex.

Chu Yuan was not certain if the enemy would strike as he had anticipated, but he had no choice but to wait here.

About an hour passed when he suddenly saw a figure walking from the distance at a leisurely pace, pushing open the unit door to enter.

Chu Yuan drew his long sword and pushed open the rooftop door to head down...

Zhou Zhe's home was on the seventeenth floor.

Chu Yuan stood at the corner of the stairwell on the eighteenth floor, calming his heart and breath.

He heard a series of knocks on the door.

Then, an impatient voice came from inside the room, cursing:

"Damn it, who is it! In the middle of the night..."

The sound of the door opening...

The sound of a throat being crushed...

And a few seconds later, a terrified scream from Zhou Zhe: "Ah! Chu Yuan!

You killed... you killed..."