"This Dan Wenlong is a Jiangyang pirate, previously active around Yeliang Lake. Later, he killed a young noble from a prestigious family and fled here after being hunted. Just some days ago, Old Fang and his team barely caught his trail and surrounded him, yet he still managed to escape. Zhong Lin, you must be careful. If necessary, stay at the government office because no one knows if he will seek revenge on you."
As Old Liu from the archives room spoke, he took out the dossier on Dan Wenlong, which detailed some of his crimes over the years.
"What's his strength and cultivation level?"
"Martial Arts Seventh Grade Bone Forging Realm cultivation, specializing in the martial arts of 'Red Snake Leg.' This martial skill focuses on leg techniques; when practiced to a profound level, the body becomes like a pine tree, and the legs like a snake. One can move effortlessly and be best at leaping and long-distance running, which is how he managed to escape Old Fang's pursuit," explained Old Liu.
Zhong Lin reached out to take the dossier and examined it carefully. The description depicted Dan Wenlong as ruthless and vengeful, adept at wielding a short blade called 'Fishgut Blade.' Combined with his 'Red Snake Leg' technique, he is considered unbeatable, which is why he could escape the pursuit.
After reading the dossier, Zhong Lin's face turned even darker. Seventh Grade Bone Forging Realm.
By now, Zhong Lin was no longer a naive beginner unfamiliar with the Lower Third Grades of Martial Arts Ninth Grade.
Ninth Grade involves skin refining, bestowing a strength of 300 jin, and making the skin like a leather armor, resistant to arrows.
Eighth Rank involves tendon transformation, granting a strength of 500 jin, with tendons stretching and contracting powerfully, explosively fierce, and the body becoming agile.
Seventh Grade involves bone forging, granting a strength of 1000 jin, making the bones like refined steel, with immense power.
Zhong Lin had been practicing 'Iron Mountain Skill' for only half a month. Even with the assistance of the system and the daily consumption of the Eight Treasures Blood Building Soup, he had only reached the threshold of skin refining.
Confronting a Bone Forging Realm expert with the strength of a thousand jin was utterly futile; the only option was to flee.
"You needn't worry too much. Dan Wenlong is now like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bow. He's probably already left Black Mountain County, and the chance of him retaliating against you is minimal. Not everyone is as unlucky as Zhu Yu."
Old Liu referred to Zhu Yu, who was Zhong Lin's senior, the painter whose family was wiped out by the fugitive.
Zhong Lin forced a smile, "Don't worry, I still care a lot about my life."
He returned the dossier and stepped away from the archives room.
"Brother Zhong, please help a friend in need. I have some urgent family matters and need to borrow two taels of Silver."
Just as he rounded the corner, he ran into Chi Yan, who was sitting idly on a stone bench, who quickly came up to him.
Zhong Lin frowned slightly, "Brother Chi, you still haven't returned the five taels of Silver from last time and the three taels from the time before that?"
"It's just that my pockets are empty," Chi Yan said casually. "Lend me two taels this time, and I'll definitely repay you next time."
"Sorry, I don't have it."
When Zhong Lin first joined the government office, he had thought of getting to know this Chi Yan better, only to later find out that he was just a gambler. As soon as he received his salary, he would squander it all at the casino. When he ran out of money, he would borrow, and at first, people would lend to him, only to realize he never repaid, his character being utterly abysmal. So, no one paid attention to him anymore.
Zhong Lin had loaned him eight taels of Silver in total, but it was like throwing stones into the sea, with no mention of repayment. Now, Chi Yan came to borrow money again, and even with Zhong Lin's good temper, he was unwilling to be polite to him.
Facing Zhong Lin's resolute refusal, Chi Yan's expression turned sour.
"Brother Zhong, don't be so adamant! I said I'd repay you. You sell just one painting for four or five taels of Silver, surely you don't lack this small amount."
Zhong Lin was so infuriated by Chi Yan's shameless words that he laughed and, unwilling to respond further, turned away to leave directly.
Watching Zhong Lin's departing figure, Chi Yan's face twisted with a dangerous chill in his eyes.
"Damn it, a mere painter dares to give me the cold shoulder? Does he seriously think I wouldn't dare touch him?"
...
With the matter of Dan Wenlong, coupled with the irritation from the idiot Chi Yan, Zhong Lin had no mood to stay any longer and went straight home.
"A gentleman doesn't stand beside a collapsing wall. No one knows if Dan Wenlong will retaliate against me, so I must prepare early for any eventuality."
"Living at the county government is certainly one way, but it's inconvenient with Little Stone around. Besides, there's no reason to constantly be on guard against a thief for a thousand days. I can't possibly stay at the county government for a lifetime just because Dan Wenlong hasn't been caught!"
After pondering for a while, Zhong Lin headed to the West Market, entered a blacksmith shop, and soon returned with a package. He also went to a pharmacy to buy some doses of Eight Treasures Blood Building Soup before heading back home.
"Second brother, what are we doing?"
Little Stone watched Zhong Lin dig the floor with a shovel, full of confusion. Though puzzled, he obediently used a bamboo basket to carry the excavated soil, moving it outside like ants moving house.
"Digging a cellar as a precautionary measure. Pile this soil in the corner of the yard. I'll think of a way to move it out after dark," Zhong Lin replied without looking back.
"Oh!"
The cellar couldn't be completed in a short time. After digging for an hour, he stopped, as there were more important tasks to do.
He mixed half of a dose of Eight Treasures Blood Building Soup with boiling water, drinking it whole without splitting into thirds as usual.
As the medicine powder dissolved completely, he drank it in one go, feeling a surge of warmth rising from his stomach, hotter than usual.
Without hesitation, Zhong Lin dashed into the courtyard, practicing his punches and kicks, his breathing agitated, his movements more frantic than ever.
With each breath, Zhong Lin felt the circulation of blood on his skin, tingling and itching. It felt as though his body was covered by a membrane he desperately wanted to tear apart.
Zhong Lin recognized this as the sign of entering a new level. After half a month of cultivating 'Iron Mountain Skill,' he finally saw this culmination of effort.
Suddenly, Zhong Lin sensed a refreshing current flowing throughout his body, leaving an itching sensation on his skin, reminiscent of a cool shower on a hot summer day—cool but not cold, with a slight itchiness as if someone was tickling with a feather.
In less than ten breaths, the refreshing current disappeared. Zhong Lin stopped his movements and stood there, eyes closed, feeling the changes in his body.
"This robust feeling, is this entering a grade?"
Zhong Lin stretched lazily, feeling a significant increase in strength.
Reaching into the corner, he gripped the edge of the millstone and, with a sharp exertion, lifted it effortlessly with one arm.
"Indeed, it seems correct. Ninth Grade Martial Artists possess the strength of 300 jin. This millstone weighs about 200 jin, and I can easily lift it with one arm."
Putting the millstone down, Zhong Lin walked into the kitchen and picked up a kitchen knife, lightly sliding it over his arm.
The blade left only a red mark on his skin. He applied more force until using about a third of his strength to barely break it, feeling as if the blade was cutting through cowhide due to its toughness.