Breakthrough to the Second Layer of Body Tempering, Peak Gathering Origin Realm

Demonic essence blood continuously merged into Cui Lang's muscles, bones, and skin. His body trembled slightly, as though he were enduring immense pain.

An hour later, Cui Lang's body suddenly shook, and a flash of reddish bronze flickered across his skin.

The reddish bronze quickly faded. Cui Lang did not rise, continuing to refine the essence blood.

This was the essence blood of six demons, far more than he had ever absorbed at once before.

Another two hours passed. The little jar stopped pouring out essence blood, and Cui Lang slowly finished his cultivation and opened his eyes.

"Six demons' worth of essence blood, and I only managed to cultivate the first layer. I couldn't even complete the second. This technique's consumption is truly enormous."

"Just a little more. I've already cultivated for so long, and who knows when I'll return to the yamen. I might as well continue."

Although the demonic essence blood had been exhausted, he still had his own qi and blood, as well as true essence.

Cui Lang closed his eyes and continued circulating the technique.

He poured all of his qi and blood into his muscles, bones, and skin. Once it was nearly depleted, he continued by merging his true essence into them.

Cui Lang could feel the muscles throughout his body tearing apart, but he gritted his teeth and endured it.

"The second layer is complete too!" Cui Lang let out a long breath. "Tempering the muscles, bones, and skin hurts far too much. Even if someone had resources to spare, they might not be willing to cultivate this technique."

Fortunately, he had absorbed demon spirits before, replenishing his soul. That was why he could keep his mind clear even amid such pain. Otherwise, the technique would have gone wrong long ago, and he would have suffered qi deviation.

He clenched his fist, and the muscles across his body bulged. He felt as though his body were filled with explosive power.

He extended a finger and jabbed at a floor tile, punching a hole straight through it.

Drawing his saber, he slashed his arm several times. He used eighty percent of his strength, yet only left behind a white mark.

"By that measure, even a peak Gathering Origin Realm cultivator wielding a weapon may not be able to truly injure me. My true essence may still be insufficient, but I already possess combat strength comparable to the peak of the Gathering Origin Realm—perhaps even stronger than an ordinary peak Gathering Origin Realm cultivator."

"Zheng Fengyun was right. This technique is truly excellent."

If he faced Constable Li now, Cui Lang believed that he would certainly be the one to win.

When he walked out of the room, he discovered that it was nearly dark. Cui Ling was cooking in the kitchen.

"Brother, you finally came out. Hurry and wash your hands for dinner."

She thought her elder brother might have been too tired and fallen asleep. He could not possibly have been cultivating the whole time, could he?

"Little sister, I need to go out tonight. Magistrate Zheng assigned me some work. I won't be coming back tonight."

Cui Ling frowned. "Brother, why have you been going out every night lately? What kind of errand can't be handled during the day?"

"When I went out to buy vegetables today, I heard people saying that Constable Li died while slaying demons yesterday?"

Demons were somewhat more restrained during the day, but became far more unbridled at night. It was too dangerous for her brother to keep going out after dark.

"Don't worry. Your brother isn't weak anymore either."

He was now the strongest among the constables, and could even be ranked among the best in the entire county.

Still, he did not dare let his guard down. Constable Li had always presented himself as being at the middle stage of the Gathering Origin Realm, yet he had actually been at its peak. The other officials had not fought in a long time either, and they might well be concealing their strength.

"I promise you, in a few more days, I won't go out at night anymore."

In a few more days, regardless of whether the prefectural yamen sent people or not, Cui Lang believed he would have earned more of Zheng Fengyun's trust and learned exactly who else in the county was colluding with demons.

After dinner, Cui Lang mounted his horse and swaggered back to the county yamen's constables' quarters.

He had someone properly feed the horse, which had gone hungry all day. Only when the city gates were about to close did he ride out of the city.

Zheng Residence.

Zheng Fengyun sat in his study, flipping through a fist-art martial skill. He had personally found it in Constable Li's home last night.

"Was this meant to lay a martial foundation for his son? What a pity—his son had no fortune to enjoy it."

Suddenly, he raised his head and looked toward the window. "Since you're here, come in. What are you doing outside?"

The window was pushed open, and a black-clad, masked figure climbed in through it.

"Zheng Fengyun, you trust Cui Lang that much? You even sent him to placate those demons? Yesterday, he went with Old Li. Old Li died, but he lived. You don't suspect him in the slightest?"

Zheng Fengyun asked in return, "Suspect what? Suspect that a martial artist in the Essence Refining Realm killed a peak Gathering Origin Realm martial artist? Let alone someone from a humble family like him—even among the gifted youths of martial families, do you think anyone could accomplish that?"

"If he doesn't go placate those demons, will you go, or will I? Someone went to the prefectural yamen to file a complaint, saying demons had caused trouble in their home and killed the master of the house, yet the county closed the case as an accidental fire. You don't know about this?"

"On top of the deaths of those six demons and Old Li, the prefectural yamen will certainly send someone to investigate. Have you considered what happens if someone from the prefectural yamen has already arrived?"

If someone from the prefectural yamen had already come, then going to find those demons would very likely be walking straight into a net.

Sending Cui Lang was safest. If he truly drew the prefectural yamen's attention, then Cui Lang would be the one accused of colluding with demons and killing Old Li. At most, they would be guilty of negligence.

If Cui Lang accused them of colluding with demons, he would need evidence. Otherwise, he would be falsely accusing his superiors.

The masked man's heart skipped a beat. If people from the prefectural yamen had truly come, it would indeed be inconvenient for them to show themselves.

"But have you considered what you'll do if Cui Lang harbors other intentions?"

Zheng Fengyun smiled faintly. "That is why I had the steward keep an eye on him. Any movement he makes, I will know."

The steward had been personally taught martial arts by him, especially movement techniques. Even if Cui Lang rode a horse, the steward could easily keep up and would never lose him.

If Cui Lang obediently communicated with the demons and properly handled the task he had been given, Zheng Fengyun would have him replace Old Li. But if Cui Lang intended to kill demons for merit and escape his control, Zheng Fengyun would personally act and wipe him out!

The masked man nodded. "So you had already made arrangements. I worried for nothing."

"Yesterday, when you went to Old Li's home, didn't you find anything worth taking out and dividing?"

Constable Li had received plenty of silver and Blood Pills over the past few years. He might have consumed the Blood Pills himself, but he definitely could not have spent all that silver. These would have to be spent on his behalf.

Although he had received a larger share than Constable Li before, he also spent more.

Zheng Fengyun opened a box, took out several banknotes, and tossed them over. "This is your share. Also, find out whether Old Li's wife and child knew about Old Li's dealings with us."

The masked man caught the banknotes in one hand. "What is there to investigate? They have already contacted a broker and are preparing to sell the property and leave. I'll arrange for someone to help them settle it as quickly as possible, then personally send the mother and son on their way."

Only the dead could keep secrets forever!

"Tomorrow morning, tell me what Cui Lang did. Don't make me come ask again."