Chapter 89 - 88: Return Without Success, Heading to the County Government Office

"It really is a case of ever-changing fortunes." The Mutant Beast in the form of a jackal that used to occupy the cold pool had vanished without a trace. Through his telescope, Jiang Shu could clearly see a pitch-black, leopard-shaped Mutant Beast treating the surroundings of the cold pool as its territory, patrolling at a leisurely pace. From time to time, some Mutant Beasts would carry wild animals in their mouths and place them at the edge a few miles away, evidently as offerings. There were also those that did not submit, growling provocatively. But their fate was quickly apparent. With a blur of shadows and the whistling of the wind, in the next instant, the black leopard had charged half a mile away. Just in a few breaths. It pinned the restless Mutant Beast with one paw and, with sharp claws and teeth, snapped its neck. A roar resounded, echoing through the mountains and forests. Many of the ambitious Mutant Beasts gradually began to retreat, staying beyond five miles from the cold pool. "The body is about twice the size of an ordinary leopard, and it can burst to a speed twice as fast as that of Mutant Beasts in the same realm. Even if it’s not third-order, it’s comparable to one." "I’m afraid that even if I had tempered all my bones, I wouldn’t match this black leopard in terms of speed or strength." "This just shows how extraordinarily powerful Qiu Yushan was at the time. He was even able to slay a more powerful giant python with his blade." "No wonder he could hold the position of a County Honorable. The current County Honorable Nie is also likely to possess such strength. The Yao Family’s mountain is not so easily moved." "The gap between the Refining Internal Realm and the Bone Forging Realm is even bigger than I had imagined." He discreetly withdrew. Upon seeing the black leopard, Jiang Shu knew that the python bones were temporarily out of his reach. "One must be content." "To have been able to snatch a portion of fresh python meat at the time was a great stroke of luck for me, and I have reaped benefits from it to this day. If it were not for the residual might of the giant python deterring a group of Mutant Beasts from daring to approach, what chance would I, a mere Stone Skin Realm Martial Artist, have had to compete for python meat in front of a group of second-order Mutant Beasts?" "The python bones... let them be." "But this cold pool, occupied by so many Mutant Beasts before and after, must be a treasure trove." "When my strength is sufficient, I can come explore it." "As of now, even if there was a fight between snipe and clam, I couldn’t be the fisherman who benefitted from their dispute." He quietly leaped down from the tree and returned to the cave. His tense state of mind gradually calmed. After making sure all the traps and mechanisms around were well-set, he returned to the Jiangnan Academy and put down the alloy saber. Then he had a good night’s sleep. "The mountains indeed hold an abundance of resources; Mutant Beasts are the best resource for Martial Artists! Their flesh can enhance one’s vitality. Their hides can fetch a high price. And their organs and eyes are even more valuable for medicinal purposes, though I don’t know the recipes. But likewise, the vast mountains are fraught with danger." Jiang Shu had to ensure that the cooldown period of his panel’s traversal ability was not in effect. Thus, during his time in the mountains, aside from necessary rest, he mostly made do within the cave. Every night, he slept lightly, waking up immediately at the slightest noise. This was also why Qi Yuan had wanted to bring him along when he entered the mountains. Two people in the mountains could support each other, always allowing one person to rest a little more. 「After a good seven or eight hours.」 Jiang Shu woke up feeling refreshed. He ate his fill in the Academy’s cafeteria, returned to the dorm, changed back into the clothes he wore when he left Pingling County, and wrapped several animal hides into a bundle. Once he was sure everything was correct, 「He chose to traverse.」 In the early morning mountain air, there was still a trace of mist. In the grass, dewdrops formed, reflecting a small expanse of sky. Not far away, birds chirped melodiously. This sound, combined with the wind sighing through the forest, the rustling of myriad leaves, and the crisp, delightful gurgle of a flowing stream, was exceptionally clear and pleasant. Jiang Shu had effortlessly killed a Mutant Beast on his way down the mountain. He hurried toward Pingling County from Sanling Town. This time, he had spent nearly half a month in the mountains. It was time to head back. 「The outer city.」 The main gate was tightly shut. On the city wall, several robust Government Officials were idly chatting. "Tsk, this investigation has been going on for almost a month now, and we still don’t know who the murderer is. The young master of the Yao Family really had it rough. If I were him, I’d have made sure to be accompanied by a Skin Grinding Realm Martial Artist every day for protection. How could anything have happened then?" "Enough talk. We’ve searched the commoners’ houses who knows how many times and haven’t found a single foreign Martial Artist. As for the Martial Artists from the inner city, each one’s whereabouts are clearly accounted for. My guess is the killer got away right after the deed; finding him now is a lost cause." "That young master from the Zhou Family’s tavern was also caught up in this. I’m guessing the killer was targeting the Yao Family’s young master. He was just nearby, so the killer dealt with him as well. His death is no great loss, but the food at the Zhou Family’s tavern isn’t as good anymore. It’s all rather unappetizing." "What can you do about it? Eat less, then eat less; we’re doing less work too. Now we don’t even have to check people entering the city. That saves us trouble! Those commoners below are just fools; we’ve already told them it’ll be at least a few days before the city gates open, yet they come over every day to check." "These displaced people... Hmph. They can’t make a living in the towns, so they think they can make it in the outer city?" ... By the time Jiang Shu arrived, a crowd of displaced people from the towns, along with some local residents, were gathered outside the city wall. Some wanted to enter to stay there. Others wanted to go inside to find someone. Desperation colored every gaunt face. But clearly, those on the lower rungs of society could never sway the decisions of the upper echelons. Even if they were to stand there till the next day, the outcome would remain the same. Jiang Shu’s face was expressionless as he passed by. He vividly remembered how hard it was the first time he entered Pingling County. It wasn’t an easy journey. "Without power or influence, one is nothing but an ant in any place. Fortunately, this time, I have my fists." Outside the city wall, Jiang Shu halted his stride and called out loudly, "Pingling County city, official disciple of the Hungry Tiger Martial Academy, Martial Artist Jiang Shu, returning from a hunting expedition in the mountains, requests entry to the city!" "The gate remained firmly shut; it must be the Yao Family’s doing, leveraging the authority of the County Honorable to seal the city. And this was well within my expectations. That’s why killing Yao Wenbai and Zhou Yang was so troublesome. I had to wait for them to be together, for a time when the place they were in would not be disturbed for a while." "A Martial Artist? Jiang Shu, have you heard of him?" "Seems familiar, let’s go report this! Go report!" Jiang Shu’s voice boomed, echoing thrice. The Government Officials on the wall, upon hearing the words "Martial Artist," didn’t dare to dawdle and quickly went to check with the chief clerk. 「After a short while.」 Chief Clerk Zhao ascended the watchtower, his gaze fixed on Jiang Shu as he carefully recalled the details. In charge of all the county’s documentation, he naturally remembered all information regarding the local Martial Artists with crystal clarity. In an instant, Jiang Shu’s figure matched the image in his memory. Formerly an apprentice of the Hungry Tiger Martial Academy. Became an official disciple in June this year. Secured residency. Currently supposed to be at the Skin Grinding Realm or Stone Skin Realm. Indeed, during the recent investigation of the Martial Artists’ movements within the county, there had been talk that Jiang Shu had gone into the mountains to hunt. Assuredly accurate. Chief Clerk Zhao called out, "Open the gates." Then, looking at Jiang Shu, he declared loudly, "Jiang Shu, quickly enter the city and accompany this official to the county courthouse!"