Identity of the Black-Robed Man

Could there be something wrong with the medicine?

Seeing Li Qingliang's reaction, Zhou Muyun began to suspect something.

"Master, peddlers are selling this medicine all over the city. Is there something wrong with it?"

Li Qingliang shook his head. A trace of gravity appeared on his face as he said in a low voice:

"There is no major problem with the medicine itself, but the key lies in its ingredients. It was refined with blood as the catalyst.

"If it is the blood of vicious beasts, there is no great harm. But what is frightening is if it was made with..."

Li Qingliang paused before continuing, "It would be best not to take this medicine. Do not covet a bargain."

"I understand, Master. Thank you for clearing up my doubts. I will take my leave, then."

"Go."

Zhou Muyun put away the Foundation-Stabilizing Pill and left the rear courtyard.

Li Qingliang looked again at the Bloodforging Powder in his hand, a chill rising within him.

If he had not understood a little about medicinal principles, he truly might not have noticed the strangeness of this medicine.

Then he thought of the information he had received in recent days.

The Blood Demon Sect, the World-Saving Sect, the destruction of the Outer City gangs, and the County Magistrate's seclusion—along with this Bloodforging Powder.

Every single matter carried an air of the bizarre.

"Yunlin County is about to see the heavens change!"

Li Qingliang let out a long sigh and muttered.

After a long while, a sharp gleam flashed through his eyes, and he walked out of the rear courtyard.

After Zhou Muyun returned home, he asked his mother and younger sister as usual whether anything unusual had happened.

The two told Zhou Muyun that more and more people were placing their faith in the World-Saving Sect.

The Outer City residents had always been poor, and the World-Saving Sect was willing to give them money, so Zhou Muyun felt it was only natural.

But the more it was like this, the stranger he found the sect.

In troubled times, they acted as good people just for that little bit of faith?

Martial artists could not absorb incense offerings or the power of faith.

Thus, he once again warned the two to avoid contact with those from the World-Saving Sect who spread the faith.

As for the neighbors in their alley who believed in the World-Saving Sect, they should also have as little contact with them as possible.

The two nodded repeatedly, saying they understood.

Only then did Zhou Muyun feel at ease and head into the courtyard. He planned to test the effects of the Body-Tempering Liquid right away.

He removed his shirt, exposing his well-defined upper body and clearly sculpted muscles to the courtyard air.

Months of bitter training, coupled with the enhancement of the Seven-Colored Glazed Body—

had brought Zhou Muyun's height to 1.87 meters, and his shoulders had broadened considerably as well.

He picked up the prepared bottle of Body-Tempering Liquid from the ground, pulled out the stopper, and evenly applied the liquid across his upper body.

"Just as Little Four said."

A scorching, stabbing pain swiftly struck him, as though countless blades were carving through his flesh. Beads of sweat the size of beans instantly covered Zhou Muyun's forehead.

"The medicine was bought with money. I cannot waste even a bit of it!"

He clenched his teeth without making a sound, quickly sat cross-legged on the ground, and began circulating his body-tempering method.

Under the stimulation of the medicinal liquid, the blood within Zhou Muyun surged like galloping steeds, and the circulation speed of his method greatly increased.

The flesh and blood all over his body—especially his skin—began to reveal faint hints of bronze. Though the color was slight, it still filled Zhou Muyun with delight.

"This money was truly well spent. Spending money to grow stronger really does feel good."

The medicinal liquid was gradually absorbed and consumed by him, while the proficiency of the Seven-Colored Glazed Body rose bit by bit.

[Seven-Colored Glazed Body: Copper Skin (52/600)]

[Seven-Colored Glazed Body: Copper Skin (54/600)]

Soon, half an hour had passed. Zhou Muyun opened his eyes and stopped circulating his method.

"The medicinal liquid is gone so quickly. Body-tempering techniques truly are both difficult and expensive."

He could not help sighing inwardly, yet he still picked up another bottle of Body-Tempering Liquid and applied it to his body once more.

Money could be earned again if it was gone. Increasing his strength was what mattered.

Afterward, Zhou Muyun shut his eyes again and sank into arduous cultivation.

In Yunlin County's Outer City, the former headquarters of the Savage Ox Gang had now become the World-Saving Sect's main base.

The original residence had been renovated to resemble a temple. In the main hall stood a massive statue of the World-Saving Venerable.

It had the appearance of a handsome man, bare-chested and wearing long trousers, with one foot upon a fierce tiger and a python clutched in its hand. Auspicious clouds floated behind it, and Buddhist light shone everywhere.

Its expression was filled with compassion, as if tears were sliding down its face. Just as its name implied, it saved the world from suffering and delivered all living beings across the sea of misery.

Many people dressed in white cloth robes knelt devoutly in the main hall, praying toward the statue and muttering words under their breaths.

"Save the world from suffering, supreme merit..."

Whenever the white-clothed believers finished praying, they would rise and approach disciples dressed in white robes, extending their hands.

The white-robed disciples would place several dozen copper coins and two red pills into their hands, saying warmly:

"These are Body-Strengthening Pills, bestowed by the World-Saving Venerable to improve your frail bodies.

"Take one each day, and you will naturally become as vigorous as dragons and lively as tigers, untouched by a hundred ailments.

"Save the world from suffering, supreme merit. Give thanks to the Venerable."

"Save the world from suffering, supreme merit. Give thanks to the Venerable."

Every white-clothed disciple who received money and pills wore a joyful expression as they happily headed outside.

Even as they left, they did not forget to turn back and kowtow once more, thanking the World-Saving Venerable.

The entire World-Saving Sect presented a scene of peace and serenity, one that made people yearn for it.

Yet beneath this scene, underground beneath the main hall, in a place unknown to anyone, a vast space had been excavated.

It was dark and damp within. At its center lay a pool of water, dark red in color, with bits of white bone occasionally bobbing to the surface.

A burly man sat beside the pool with his eyes tightly shut. Strands of dark red aura continuously drifted from the water and entered his nostrils.

The man wore an expression of enjoyment, while the aura radiating from his body slowly grew stronger.

"Han Shan, you certainly know how to enjoy yourself. Your Blood Demon Sect uses blood to cultivate. You do have a few tricks up your sleeve."

A slightly hoarse, teasing voice rang out.

Han Shan opened his eyes and looked toward the black-robed man who had appeared across the pool. Grinning broadly, he said:

"What? If you are interested, you can join us. I can make the call and teach you cultivation methods for the Blood Exchange Realm and below. How about it?"

"Heh, there is no need for that. I came to ask how far your operation has progressed."

The black-robed man rejected Han Shan's invitation, leaped over the pool, and arrived at Han Shan's side.

"The medicine has already been distributed over the past few days, and the response has been excellent. At most, within half a year, we can welcome the harvest."

Han Shan stood up and stared at the black-robed man as he spoke slowly.

The moment the words "the harvest" left his mouth, the black-robed man's breathing noticeably quickened.

But he swiftly suppressed it and said blandly, "Good. My painstaking efforts to help you were not in vain. Do not forget my twenty percent of the harvest!"

"Rest assured. My Blood Demon Sect keeps its word. Your share will naturally not be missing."

Han Shan changed the subject, narrowing his eyes. "Has there been any recent movement from the County Magistrate's Office? And what is their attitude toward the World-Saving Sect?"

Regarding the Savage Ox Gang leader, his subsequent investigation had yielded nothing. Although nothing happened afterward, the matter had always hung over his heart, never to be forgotten.

But he could not directly tell the black-robed man that. Would that not make them seem utterly incompetent?

"Zhang Ming is in seclusion, and with the dragons leaderless, everyone is guarding their own little patch of land. What movement could there be?

"And you people hand out money to that pack of pigs and dogs every day. The Outer City can now pay its taxes, tax revenue has risen quite a bit, and the authorities are delighted!"

The black-robed man gave a scornful laugh and spoke unhurriedly.

"Perhaps Zhang Hu died before he could tell anyone."

Combining the black-robed man's words with the County Magistrate's Office's lack of action in recent days, Han Shan reached a conclusion.

"Good. If there is any movement, remember to notify me immediately."

"Hmph. Since when did it become your turn to order me around?"

The black-robed man snorted coldly. A flying dagger shot out from beneath his robe, aimed directly at Han Shan.

Han Shan was greatly startled. He had never expected the other party to attack so suddenly, and hurriedly twisted aside to dodge.

Clang.

The sound of metal striking stone rang out. The flying dagger grazed Han Shan's right arm and sank into the stone wall beside him, though it still left behind a bloody gash.

"What do you mean by this?" A flicker of anger appeared on Han Shan's face, but he did not attack at once.

The fleeting aura revealed when the black-robed man attacked told him that the other party was at least at the late Blood Exchange Realm.

It was not that he lacked confidence in taking him down. It was simply that if an accident occurred and ruined the sect's grand plan, that would be troublesome.

"We are merely partners. I am not your subordinate, so watch your tone.

"Besides, you would not want this place surrounded by constables from the County Magistrate's Office and the Great Xia Guard first thing tomorrow morning, would you?"

"Fine! I will watch it next time."

Han Shan forcibly swallowed his anger and ground out the words through clenched teeth.

The black-robed man nodded in satisfaction and left.

Watching the black-robed man's departing back, Han Shan's gaze turned icy as he began guessing at his identity.

"Are you a military adviser to the prefect, the commander of the Great Xia Guard, or the market magistrate of one of the four markets?"

He had already made up his mind. Once the matter was accomplished, he would immediately get rid of this man. After all, he had just attacked and offended him.

To cooperate with a demonic sect, one had to be prepared to be devoured.