The decaying old man’s claw strike was exceptionally insidious and terrifying.

As it approached, it even produced a sharp, piercing shriek like a wailing Ghost, meant to throw the enemy’s Heart Spirit into disarray for a one-hit kill.

The skin on his claw-like hand glinted with a crimson, bloody light.

The decaying old man had clearly pushed his Inner Breath to its absolute limit.

Han Yuan barely managed to react, slashing his blade toward the crimson Blood Claw.

CLANG!

The blade and claw collided fiercely, kicking up a gust of Gang Feng.

The Cold Blade was knocked into a rapid tremor, and the vibration even made the muscles in Han Yuan’s right arm quiver.

SWISH!

The decaying old man grinned, his left index finger glowing with red light as he jabbed it like lightning at Han Yuan’s right wrist.

Even with his Copper Skin and Iron Bones, Han Yuan felt his arm go numb for an instant. He couldn’t even hold the Cold Blade, and it clattered to the ground.

"Brat, did you think you could wear me down just by putting poison on your blade?"

"Too naive!"

"My Inner Breath forced the poison out of my body long ago!"

The decaying old man let out a strange cry and, with his right hand, executed a Black Tiger Heart Stealing, clawing at Han Yuan’s heart.

His entire arm was wreathed in crimson currents of air, its speed suddenly accelerating as if a streak of bloody light was flashing past.

Han Yuan had indeed coated his blade with poison. He had been wondering why it hadn’t taken effect, and only now did he understand.

’So his poison was useless against this man.’

And this time, Han Yuan couldn’t dodge.

PFFT!!!

This time, a large chunk of flesh was torn away, even from his copper-like skin.

Han Yuan roared in fury, headbutting the decaying old man’s Skull with all his might.

The decaying old man was knocked bloody and dazed, stunned for a moment as if struck by lightning.

Han Yuan also felt a bit dizzy from the immense recoil.

The next second, he struck first. His right arm swung in a semicircle, surging with tremendous Power as he aimed a vicious blow at the decaying old man’s head.

His punch was so ferocious that the air shrieked as it was blasted aside.

"Double Blood Ghost Claw!"

The decaying old man snapped back to his senses, his twin claws raking violently at Han Yuan’s neck.

BANG!!!

SQUELCH!!

Deep, bloody gashes were instantly gouged into Han Yuan’s neck.

But his fist was dodged, only managing to smash into the man’s shoulder!

The entire shoulder blade seemed to shatter, sending shards of bone flying.

"So what if you forced out the poison?"

"I can still beat you to death!"

With a savage grin, Han Yuan kicked his left leg viciously at the decaying old man’s abdomen.

BANG!

The kick missed.

The decaying old man leaped into the air, his two claws flailing wildly as he clawed madly at Han Yuan.

BANG BANG BANG~~~

The two of them became locked in a close-quarters deathmatch.

The decaying old man was protected by his Inner Breath, giving him terrifying speed, strength, and explosive power. His Claw Skill was even more sinister and vicious.

Han Yuan had his Copper Skin and Iron Bones, making his muscles and bones incredibly tough; even the decaying old man could only barely break through his defenses.

He relied mainly on his brutish Qi Power, unleashing heavy punches and kicks that landed relentlessly on the decaying old man.

Neither side would give an inch.

The decaying old man brandished his Blood Claws, continuously shredding the flesh from Han Yuan’s body. Some wounds were so deep they exposed the bone, dripping with blood.

Han Yuan’s eyes were crazed. The pain seemed to turn into fuel, making his qi and blood surge even more vigorously.

He was truly like a Furious-Eyed Arhat, wildly swinging heavy fists, hammering the decaying old man with complete disregard for himself.

The battle turned savage and bloody.

BANG BANG BANG~~~

After taking more than ten of Han Yuan’s thunderous punches in a row, the decaying old man finally couldn’t take it anymore.

His internal organs had been shifted, his muscles and bones were fractured, and he was in excruciating pain.

The decaying old man was a veteran of the Martial World.

The older a veteran, the smaller their courage.

Han Yuan’s crazed and vicious aura truly terrified him.

He had no desire to continue a life-or-death struggle with a reckless hothead.

The decaying old man found an opportunity, striking Han Yuan’s waist and abdomen with his claw.

The claw strike contained a concussive force that knocked Han Yuan back several steps.

Seizing this chance, the decaying old man turned to flee.

This was the exact opportunity Han Yuan had been waiting for. He launched himself into the air, quick as a bolt of lightning, and thrust his right leg out straight.

Seven Stars Piercing Kill Kick!

The kick landed squarely on the decaying old man’s spine.

The sound of cracking bone echoed.

The decaying old man let out a bloodcurdling scream. His spine shattered by the kick, he collapsed to the ground.

"Die!!!"

Han Yuan roared, his muscles bulging in an instant like a tightly drawn bow, gathering a terrifyingly immense force before he brought his fist crashing down!

SMASH!

The decaying old man’s head had already been severely damaged from the repeated impacts.

This time, Han Yuan’s vicious punch made his entire head explode like a watermelon.

"HUFF... HUFF... HUFF..."

Han Yuan lay on the ground, without even the strength to get up.

His body was covered in lacerations.

A dark, blackish color was faintly visible around these wounds.

This was caused by the decaying old man’s insidious Inner Breath.

If he didn’t find a way to deal with it and allowed this insidious Inner Breath to seep into his flesh, Han Yuan feared he would be done for.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Han Yuan gritted his teeth and forced himself up from the ground. He snatched up the Cold Blade and staggered back to his room. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

He lit an oil lamp and heated the blade.

Clenching his jaw, he used the Cold Blade to cut away the blackened flesh.

The pain of cutting his own flesh nearly made Han Yuan pass out.

His gums bled from how hard he was clenching his jaw, fighting to stay conscious.

It took him a good ten minutes.

The blackened flesh was finally dealt with. Though some of the insidious poison remained in his body, his life should be safe for now.

After resting for a while to recover some strength, he went to the decaying old man’s corpse and began to search it.

He found two Martial Arts Secret Manuals.

"Blood Essence Scripture"

"Ghost Claw Hand"

These were the Inner Breath Technique and Claw Technique the decaying old man cultivated.

Han Yuan glanced at the Blood Essence Scripture and finally understood why that guy had to consume Essence Blood.

It turned out that the Cultivation of this Cultivation Technique required the consumption of human Essence Blood. Animal blood wouldn’t do; only human blood worked.

It was a completely and utterly Evil Skill.

Its only benefit was that it made breaking through from the Body Tempering Realm to the Inner Breath Realm very easy.

But Han Yuan didn’t need it at all.

He had the Skill Proficiency Panel. As long as he grinded hard enough, he would definitely be able to break through.

Besides, this Cultivation Technique wasn’t even that powerful, and it would make him act like a vampire. Naturally, he wanted no part of it.

As for the Ghost Claw Hand, it was a Second-Class Technique, but it didn’t suit Han Yuan’s style.

The Ghost Claw Hand focused on being insidious, vicious, and ruthless, specializing in attacks on vital points.

Han Yuan preferred wide, sweeping movements, using his power to crush his opponents.

But even if it wasn’t suitable for him, he still put it away.

’This is a Second-Class Technique, after all. It should fetch a good price.’

After finishing all this, he left his residence and called a neighbor to go get someone from the County Yamen.

In truth, the sounds of his fight had not been quiet, and some neighbors had already been woken up.

But no one dared to check on the situation; they just hid in their homes, trembling.

Hearing Han Yuan’s call, they hurriedly ran to the County Yamen.

「Soon.」

Yang Sen, who was on night duty, came running over with a group of men.

When he saw Han Yuan covered in wounds, his face turned pale with shock. "Chief Constable Han, who injured you this badly?"

"An old bastard."

"I killed him. Drag the body back to the County Yamen for me."

"And get me a Physician."

Han Yuan said, his face pale and weak.

"Yes, sir!"

Yang Sen hastily clasped his fist in salute.