Meticulous Observation (Seeking Follows, Seeking Monthly Votes)

A few days later.

At the end of West Street, in a small courtyard.

Chu Ming stretched his back, his gaze lingering on the panel.

[Tiger Python Body-Forging Technique (Minor Accomplishment)]

[Progress: 70/100]

"The sixth strand of blood energy has been condensed..."

"With all blood energy activated, my strength is comparable to a martial artist in the Blood Activation Realm who has perfected the body-forging technique with twelve strands of blood energy."

His deep eyes slowly shifted away.

Sunlight shone into the inner room, dust motes drifting in the air; he could even see particles finer than dust.

On the panel.

[Sword Gourd Spiritual Sense]

[Progress (Minor Accomplishment): 77/100]

[Evaluation: Derived from the thorough study of various travelogues, sensory perception has been enhanced. When actively triggered, it consumes mental energy, allowing for internal observation of one's own body or micro-level observation of the surrounding environment.]

"It just consumes quite a bit of mental energy; otherwise, I could have pushed the progress even further."

"The entry-level Sword Gourd Spiritual Sense allows for internal observation, while the minor accomplishment level allows for micro-level observation. I wonder what special effects might follow."

Chu Ming reached out, flicking at the floating dust while focusing his attention on the panel.

[Military Strategy (Entry): Troop Deployment and Formation]

[Progress: 67/100]

Compared to the rapid improvement of his other abilities, the progress of [Military Strategy] was much slower.

"I have already finished most of the military strategy section within Poetry, Politics, and Military Strategy. At this rate, even after finishing the book, I might not necessarily reach the minor accomplishment level..."

"Fire attacks, water flooding, luring the tiger away from the mountain, the empty city stratagem..."

"Square formation, circular formation, wedge formation, snake formation, eight-trigrams formation..."

Chu Ming's eyes flickered. These stratagems and formations were familiar to him from his past life, but military strategy is not just about understanding and comprehension; the true essence lies in how to adapt according to the timing, terrain, and human factors.

"Armchair strategy..." He shook his head slightly. "That is pretty much where I am right now."

"I have plenty of military strategies in my head, but I haven't put a single one into practice."

Just then, Xiao Shan's voice came from outside.

"Young Master, it's time to eat."

"Coming."

Chu Ming rose and left the room; it was noon, and the temperature was somewhat sweltering.

Walking into the main hall, only Xiao Shan was setting out the meal.

"Xiao Shan, how many days has it been since Steward Fang returned?"

"Hmm..." Xiao Shan ladled a bowl of soup and carefully placed it in front of Chu Ming, blinking her eyes. "It seems to have been three days."

"Three days already?"

"Yes, he only came back yesterday morning to change his clothes." Xiao Shan filled a large bowl of white rice for Chu Ming.

"Did he say what it was about?"

The aroma of the food was enticing, but Chu Ming did not start eating as he usually did, because he had a strange feeling in his heart.

He couldn't quite describe the emotion, but it certainly wasn't a good one.

"I don't know. Grandpa Fang never talks about matters at the Catching Yamen." Xiao Shan picked up a pair of spare chopsticks and placed several large pieces of fish into Chu Ming's bowl.

"Alright."

Chu Ming lowered his gaze. "Let's eat."

Willow Town, East Street.

Walking on the street paved with bluestone bricks was much more comfortable than the paths on West Street.

On both sides of the street were many shops, restaurants, and even brothels.

Chu Ming wore a black bamboo hat, walking with quick strides.

The afternoon sun was quite intense, so he had to use Steward Fang's hat to shade himself.

It also served to cover his face and eyes, avoiding a repeat of his last outing to register for the academy exams, where he had run into someone like Huang Lu; that would only waste his time.

His goal for this trip was the Catching Yamen.

Fang Xiao had not returned for many days, so he must have run into trouble. Since he had condensed six strands of blood energy and planned to set off for Baiyuan County in the next two days, he wanted to see if he could help before he left.

After walking for about half a quarter of an hour, two lion statues of modest size came into view, with the words "Catching Yamen" written in dark yellow on the pitch-black doors.

However, what Chu Ming could not understand was that in broad daylight, the gates of the Willow Town Catching Yamen were actually bolted shut.

In an instant, the strange feeling in his heart evolved into a bad premonition.

He looked left and right; the passing pedestrians all walked on the other side of the street, keeping their distance from the Catching Yamen, leaving only him standing before the gate.

Chu Ming initially wanted to ask a passerby, but after a second thought, he decided to try knocking on the door first.

He had just reached out his hand, not yet touching the slightly rusted door knocker, when a familiar shout rang out from behind him: "Brother Chu?"

Chu Ming turned to look, a tall figure blocking the sun as two thick arms wrapped around him from left and right.

"Brother Wuchun... could you please let go first."

"Letting go, letting go." Hou Wuchun said, yet his arms tightened even more, "How about it, what do you think of my strength?"

"..." Chu Ming frowned slightly, two strands of blood energy surging within his body.

Hm?

Hou Wuchun was startled, his arms recoiling abruptly, a look of shock appearing on his face.

"Brother Chu, for someone of your slight build, you actually have such great strength."

"I'm almost at the point of condensing a strand of blood energy, and I was just shaken off by you like that?"

"Oh right, Brother Chu was able to give me the Tiger Python Force, so you must have been practicing it too." Recalling the time he was sent flying, Hou Wuchun sheepishly put away his shock, circled around Chu Ming, and feigned deep thought: "With Brother Chu's force, you must not be far from condensing your first complete strand of blood energy, right?"

"Mm, that's right." Chu Ming pushed away the chattering Hou Wuchun who was leaning against him and pointed behind him, "Brother Wuchun, why is the Catching Yamen closed? Are your father and Constable Fang inside?"

Upon hearing this, Hou Wuchun's eyes darted around, and he mysteriously pulled Chu Ming into a secluded corner outside the Catching Yamen.

"Brother Chu, you don't know yet, do you?"

Chu Ming shook his head. What was he supposed to know?

Hou Wuchun looked toward the street to confirm no one was nearby before lowering his voice: "Eight murder cases have occurred in Wheat Valley Alley, and the Criminal Defense Division of Baiyuan County has even sent people over. My father and Constable Fang have both been punished—three months' salary docked."

"Furthermore, my mother said the people sent by the Criminal Defense Division are no good; they want to make my father and Constable Fang the scapegoats."

A cold glint flashed in the depths of Chu Ming's eyes, "Have they already been arrested?"

"Not yet. The Criminal Defense Division has to rely on evidence to make arrests. They've only been here a few days, so they don't dare move against my father and Constable Fang just yet."

"But we definitely can't let it drag on like this, or they'll be framed sooner or later."

"So, my father and Constable Fang are staking out Wheat Valley Alley day and night, hoping to catch the culprit red-handed. They only come home at dusk to eat."

"Brother Chu, you know what kind of place Wheat Valley Alley is, right? Many people die there every year. It's also known as Bone-Burial Alley—'burial' as in to inter, 'bone' as in the bones of the dead."

Wheat Valley Alley?

Chu Ming's heart stirred. It was good that they hadn't been arrested yet.

Catching the murderer, finding evidence, huh...

He looked at the [Sword Gourd Spiritual Sense] on his panel, and an idea formed in his mind.

"Brother Chu, you have to keep this a secret. My father and Constable Fang are hiding in Wheat Valley Alley; the murderer must not find out, or my father and mother will definitely give me a double-teaming beating..."

"Fine."

Chu Ming moved his feet, not wanting to waste any more time.

"Brother Chu, where are you going?"

"Home."

"Want to listen to some music? I can get us in through the back door, there's a private incense chamber..."

Chu Ming did not go home. After shaking off Hou Wuchun, he arrived near Bone-Burial Alley.

He did not enter the alley directly but sat down at a small tea stall not far from the entrance.

"What would the guest like to have?"

"Tea will do."

"New tea or old tea?"

"..."

Chu Ming glanced at the stall owner: a grey cloth robe, a slightly hunched back, a yellowing white cloth draped over each shoulder, and a dark, weathered face. His hands trembled slightly as he held a tray.

"New tea," he replied flatly.

"New tea is bitter; old tea tastes better and is cheaper," the stall owner added.

"New tea." Chu Ming turned his gaze, "I'm thirsty, please be quick."

"Alright, please wait a moment, guest." The stall owner turned and left.