"Th-this..."

Duan Xu didn’t know what to say.

Luo Zhang’s body was lying right in front of him.

The facts spoke for themselves.

But Duan Xu couldn’t help but ask, "County Magistrate, who was it that killed this Luo Zhang?"

Zheng Heda chuckled. "It was, of course, the County Yamen’s number one killer, our Chief Constable whose name alone is enough to stop children from crying at night in Qingshui County—Han Yuan!"

"Han Yuan?" Duan Xu mumbled the name, then asked, "Is he an Inner Breath Expert?"

"I don’t believe so. He should be in the Body Tempering Realm," Zheng Heda replied.

"He killed Luo Zhang while only in the Body Tempering Realm?" Duan Xu was utterly astonished.

Even if this Luo Zhang was weaker than a typical Inner Breath Expert, he was still far beyond what a Body Tempering Martial Artist could handle.

For a moment, he found himself wanting to see just what kind of extraordinary person this Han Yuan was.

"Of course."

"He’s in the rear courtyard of the County Yamen right now."

"If you don’t believe me, Lord Duan, you can go and ask him yourself."

Zheng Heda said softly.

"I was just thinking that," Duan Xu nodded.

The three of them left the morgue and headed for the inner courtyard of the County Yamen.

KNOCK KNOCK~

Zhang Hu stepped forward and knocked on the door. "Chief Constable Han, are you in?"

"Come in, Steward Zhang." Han Yuan’s voice came from inside the room.

Only then did Zhang Hu push the door open.

When Duan Xu saw Han Yuan, he was taken aback for a moment.

He hadn’t expected the other man to be so young.

"Chief Constable Han, this is Lord Duan Xu, he’s from the Observatory."

Zheng Heda introduced them.

’The Observatory?’

Han Yuan looked at the middle-aged man before him, a flicker of wariness in his eyes.

This man gave him an extremely dangerous feeling, especially his gaze, which felt like a knife scraping against his skin.

’He’s definitely an Inner Breath Expert.’

Moreover, he had vaguely heard of the Observatory’s reputation.

It was said to be the most mysterious organization in the Great Ling Dynasty.

"Greetings, Lord Duan."

Han Yuan sat up from his bed and cupped his fists.

"Chief Constable Han... how did you manage to kill Luo Zhang?"

Duan Xu asked directly.

"Luo Zhang?"

Han Yuan froze.

"I came here from Cangshui County specifically to hunt down Luo Zhang."

"I didn’t expect you to have killed him already."

Duan Xu explained.

Han Yuan thought for a moment, then recounted the story of Luo Zhang’s sneak attack from the previous night.

Of course, he made sure to omit any mention of Han Jiudao.

After listening, a sharp glint flashed in Duan Xu’s eyes.

It sounded as though Han Yuan had laid a trap for an unsuspecting foe, ambushing Luo Zhang who had intended a midnight sneak attack, and thus seized the initiative.

But the gap in their strength was undeniable.

For Han Yuan to kill Luo Zhang of the Inner Breath Realm with his Body Tempering Great Perfection cultivation was truly no simple feat.

Han Yuan anticipated Duan Xu’s doubts and said, "The man was indeed formidable. If not for my innate Divine Power, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have been his match."

Duan Xu thought of Luo Zhang’s pulverized head and grew contemplative.

If this Han Yuan truly possessed innate Divine Power, it was indeed possible for him to have killed Luo Zhang.

And given Han Yuan’s youth, he was clearly exceptionally talented.

This way, everything made sense.

Afterward, Duan Xu asked a few more detailed questions, and his doubts were completely dispelled.

Seeing that Han Yuan was injured and not wanting to disturb him further, he soon took his leave.

...

「Two days later.」 Han Yuan had mostly recovered and returned to his own residence to recuperate.

He had just returned when someone came to visit.

"Lord Duan?"

Han Yuan was a little surprised to see Duan Xu standing outside his door.

He hadn’t expected this figure from the Observatory to come looking for him.

"Your injuries healed rather quickly, didn’t they?"

Duan Xu said with a slight smile.

"They’re alright."

"Please, come in, Lord Duan."

Han Yuan invited him inside.

The two sat down at the stone table in the courtyard.

"Han Yuan, I’m returning to Cangshui County today."

"I’ll be taking Luo Zhang’s body with me as well."

Duan Xu said softly.

"Then I wish you a safe journey, my lord."

Han Yuan replied politely.

"Before I leave, do you know why I made a special trip to see you?"

Duan Xu asked with a smile.

"To be honest... I was also a bit surprised that you would come to visit, Lord Duan."

Han Yuan said honestly.

Duan Xu’s expression turned serious as he asked, "Han Yuan... do you know how big this world is?"

Han Yuan’s expression shifted. "It is, of course, boundless. Just within our Great Ling Dynasty, there are the Nineteen Provinces. Each province holds dozens of commanderies, and each commandery has hundreds of county towns, with villages and hamlets as numerous as the stars."

"That’s right."

"This Qingshui County is too small. Have you ever thought about leaving?"

Duan Xu said with a nod.

Han Yuan’s expression grew solemn. "Of course I have. A true man is born between heaven and earth; he must live a grand and glorious life. How could I remain in this remote county town forever?"

Duan Xu laughed heartily. "It seems I didn’t pick the wrong person!"

"You want to leave Qingshui County, so I’ll give you a way out."

Han Yuan said in a low voice, "Please enlighten me, my lord."

"I’m from the Observatory."

"Do you know about the three great tribes within the Observatory?"

Duan Xu asked again.

"I do not." Han Yuan shook his head.

"The Observatory is divided into three tribes: the Demon Extermination Tribe, the Feiying Tribe, and the Celestial Phenomena Tribe."

"Our Demon Extermination Tribe is primarily responsible for hunting down the most vicious and wicked criminals on the Black List, as well as the ferocious Evil Spirits that occasionally appear."

"You know about Evil Spirits, right?"

Duan Xu added.

"Yes, I’ve encountered them twice before," Han Yuan nodded.

"Good."

"These Evil Spirits are strange entities that appear when resentment, death energy, and Yin Qi become too concentrated."

"They didn’t appear often before, but in recent years, their appearances have become more and more frequent..."

Duan Xu seemed to realize he had gotten sidetracked and returned to the main topic. "I’ve said so much... really, I just want to give you an opportunity."

"I can recommend you to join the Demon Extermination Tribe of the Observatory."

"Are you willing to give it a try?"

For the past two days in Qingshui County, he had actually been investigating Han Yuan.

That’s right—Duan Xu had indeed taken a liking to Han Yuan’s talent, believing it would be a shame for someone so young to be wasted in this small county town.

The more he investigated, the more he felt that this young man possessed terrifying potential.

Han Yuan didn’t agree immediately. Instead, he asked, "If I join the Demon Extermination Tribe of the Observatory... what can I gain?"

"Everything... whether it’s money, beautiful women, or power."

Duan Xu replied. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"I don’t need any of that."

"I only want to become stronger."

Han Yuan said with a serious expression.

Duan Xu laughed. "Then you have even more reason to join the Observatory."

"We have numerous Divine Skills, Divine Weapons, and Spiritual Elixirs—all treasures that can’t be found in the Martial World."

"I want an Inner Breath Technique," Han Yuan said directly.

That was what he currently lacked the most.

"That’s very simple."

"As long as you pass the assessment, you can obtain a First-Class Technique for free."

"At that time, you can choose whichever one you want."

Duan Xu said.

"It’s that good?!" Han Yuan was a bit skeptical.

A First-Class Inner Breath Technique circulating on the market would probably cost over ten thousand taels of silver.

And the Observatory just gives them away for free?

"Of course."

"However, the Demon Extermination Tribe has an extremely high mortality rate. Very few members die a peaceful death. You should think it over carefully yourself."

Duan Xu reminded him.