Martial Dao: I Can Enhance My Talents

Zhou Mo crouched down, ignoring the putrid stench, and carefully examined the bones.

Most of the marks on the skeleton had been ravaged by wild beasts, making it difficult to identify the shape and origin of the initial fatal wound.

His brow furrowed. The situation was even more difficult than he had anticipated.

With the body damaged to this extent, it was nearly impossible to find any information that pointed directly to the killer.

"Zhou Li, what do you think?"

Zhou Mo looked at the young disciple beside him, who had a sharp face and intelligent eyes.

Sharing the surname Zhou, this disciple was naturally related to him, which was why he kept him by his side.

Zhou Li mulled it over for a moment before speaking.

"Elder Zhou, Zhao Qianjun left the Sect without accepting a mission. I suspect he was familiar with his killer and left the Sect to meet them, only to be ambushed and killed."

He paused before continuing his analysis.

"This disciple believes we might find clues by starting with Zhao Qianjun’s personal relationships and investigating those he was familiar with."

"Especially those who were in contact with him recently or who left the Sect at the same time."

Zhou Mo nodded slightly. Zhou Li’s analysis perfectly matched his own thoughts.

"That makes sense. We’ll focus the investigation on those who were close to Zhao Qianjun."

Over the next few days, disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall secretly investigated the people Zhao Qianjun knew well.

However, on the surface, Fang Han and Zhao Qianjun belonged to different branches, and since Fang Han had only joined recently, the two had almost no interaction.

The focus of the investigation naturally fell upon disciples from Zhao Qianjun’s cohort or his own branch, not extending to Fang Han, who was far away in a Sub-Branch.

Several days later, the investigation still had not made any breakthroughs.

The Sect had many affairs to attend to; it couldn’t invest a large amount of manpower and resources indefinitely for the disappearance of a single ordinary disciple.

After Zhou Mo submitted a report stating, "Leads have gone cold, recommend temporary suspension," the upper echelons of the Law Enforcement Hall finally decided to terminate the investigation and simply keep the case on file.

’The investigation’s been terminated...’

Fang Han overheard the news of the investigation’s termination from the conversation of passing disciples while he was practicing the Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship in a secluded spot.

The sharp whistle of his Cyan Blade Sword slicing through the air paused for a fraction of a second before resuming its fluid motion.

His face remained perfectly calm, as if he had just heard a piece of news that had nothing to do with him. But deep inside, the last thread of tension finally slackened completely.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, dappling his calm, focused face and glinting off the faint cyan gleam of the sword’s edge.

...

「At the beginning of the month, in the Inheritance Hall.」

Fang Han entered the main hall as usual, finding an inconspicuous seat near the front.

Compared to when he had first entered this place months ago, there seemed to be a subtle change.

Many disciples, both intentionally and unintentionally, glanced his way as he entered. Even the top ten disciples cast their eyes upon him.

Not long after, Elder Chen and several Stewards arrived and began the lesson.

While Elder Chen was teaching, Fang Han could vaguely sense it.

As Elder Chen’s gaze swept across the hall, it would pause for a moment in his direction. It was brief, but it was definitely there; it couldn’t be his imagination.

When Steward Liu Chong began his lecture on Swordsmanship, this feeling became even more pronounced.

After demonstrating a set of exquisite Sword Techniques, Steward Liu’s gaze fell directly on Fang Han.

"Fang Han, since you have already reached the threshold of Wind Momentum, why don’t you come forward and demonstrate the Swordsmanship you are currently practicing? It will be a good opportunity for your fellow disciples to observe and learn."

Instantly, all eyes in the hall focused on him.

Fang Han’s heart stirred. He rose and cupped his hands. "Yes, Steward Liu."

He walked to the open space in the center of the hall, held his breath, and focused his mind. His Cyan Blade Sword suddenly left its scabbard as he began to perform the Xunfeng Swordsmanship at the Perfection realm.

The blade flashed, like a gale sweeping through the sky. Its path was cunning and unpredictable. Amidst the continuous Sword Momentum, an invisible "Wind Momentum" spread out, doubling the power of his Sword Techniques and drawing gasps of surprise from the hall.

Liu Chong watched closely. When Fang Han sheathed his sword and stood still, he stroked his beard and nodded, a look of approval flashing in his eyes.

"Not bad. You have indeed reached the threshold of Wind Momentum. You must have started practicing a Middle Grade Sword Technique by now. Perform it for me, and I will offer some guidance."

Fang Han would not miss such an opportunity, of course. He quickly performed the Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship he had just learned.

"Among Middle Grade Sword Techniques, the Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship is considered the most difficult. To think you’ve already reached the Entry Level so quickly. Judging by your current level of comprehension, you should be in the process of grasping ’Convergence’..."

After watching Fang Han’s demonstration of the Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship, Liu Chong immediately began to explain it to him.

Fang Han listened intently and felt a sudden enlightenment. Areas that had been vague before became crystal clear. He quickly bowed and said,

"Thank you for your guidance, Steward. This disciple has learned much."

Liu Chong nodded slightly and said no more, but this public guidance and affirmation silently demonstrated Fang Han’s current status among the disciples of the Sub-Branch.

After class, Fang Han followed the crowd out of the Inheritance Hall.

The sunlight was pleasant and warm. He gripped the sword in his hand, clearly feeling the intangible yet real change in his own status.

However, he felt no great sense of pride in his heart. ’My current strength is nowhere near a level where I can afford to be complacent.’

Even though Elder Chen Xuan had issued a warning, True Inheritor Chu Feng would probably not let the matter rest.

And then there was the hidden threat of the Lin Family. As long as they remained, he could not rest easy.

To overcome these two challenges, he would need sufficient strength.

"140."

He channeled a wisp of Inner Qi into his Identity Jade Token, and the number "140" appeared on its surface.

Fang Han unconsciously rubbed the warm, smooth surface of the jade with his fingertips, calculating silently in his mind.

’I had 10 Contribution Points left after exchanging for the Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship, got 100 for completing Chu Feng’s task, and received the monthly stipend of thirty at the beginning of the month. That comes to exactly 140 Contribution Points.’

’I’ve run out of Peiyuan Pills. I need to go exchange for a bottle.’

After a moment of contemplation, Fang Han turned and walked toward the Pill Hall, located on the mountainside.

Unlike the solemnity of the Library Pavilion or the bustle of the Task Hall, the area around the Pill Hall was filled with a faint medicinal aroma—a mixture of hundreds of fragrant herbs that calmed the mind.

The hall itself was constructed mainly from dark, fire-resistant stone, with numerous dried herbs hanging from the flying eaves, swaying gently in the wind.

Stepping into the main hall of the Pill Hall, he found a spacious interior lined with counters. All sorts of elixirs were displayed by category, some in jade bottles and others in special wooden boxes, each with a brief description.

A constant stream of disciples came to exchange for elixirs, but most remained quiet, creating only a low hum of conversation and the soft sounds of disciples counting and retrieving items.

Fang Han walked straight to an exchange counter and presented his Jade Token.

"Excuse me, I’d like to exchange for a bottle of Peiyuan Pills."

Behind the counter was a young disciple with an ordinary face but a shrewd glint in his eyes.

He took the Jade Token, habitually glanced at the number, and his gaze hardened almost imperceptibly.

He then quickly looked up at Fang Han, the corner of his mouth curling into a faint arc so fast one might think it was an illusion.

"One moment."

The young disciple, Jiang He, spoke in a flat tone and turned toward the medicine cabinets in the back.

He didn’t grab the medicine from a conspicuous spot, but instead retrieved a white porcelain bottle from an obscure corner and handed it over.

"Hmm...?"

Fang Han took it and uncorked the stopper. A familiar medicinal scent wafted out, but upon closer inspection, the fragrance was somewhat diffuse, not as concentrated and rich as usual.

He poured one out into his palm. The elixir’s color was dull, and its surface was even slightly uneven, completely different from the smooth, lustrous pills he was used to.

He poured out several more, and without exception, all of them were of inferior quality.

It was normal for some defective products to appear during elixir refinement; he had even encountered one before.

But for an entire bottle of ten to be of such poor quality could not be explained away by two words: "bad luck."

Fang Han looked up at the disciple behind the counter, his voice steady but tinged with a cold edge.

"Senior Brother, there seems to be a problem with this bottle of Peiyuan Pills."

Hearing this, Jiang He put on a perfectly timed expression of surprise, which then morphed into one of nonchalance.

"Oh? Peiyuan Pills are not easy to refine. It’s quite normal for an occasional deviation in heat control to result in poor quality. You can only blame your bad luck, Junior Brother."

His speech was even, but his eyes held a subtle hint of provocation.

Fang Han understood perfectly. This was no coincidence.

The only person in the Sect who could target him and had the power to make a disciple in the Pill Hall do such a dirty deed was that True Inheritor, Chu Feng.

"In that case, I don’t want this bottle of elixirs. Please take it back, Senior Brother."

Fang Han handed the bottle back, his voice growing even more indifferent.

But Jiang He shook his head, an "I’d love to help, but I can’t" expression on his face.

"According to Pill Hall rules, once an elixir is dispensed, it cannot be returned or exchanged. You should just take it, Junior Brother. After all, you’ve already spent the Contribution Points."

His gaze swept over Fang Han’s tightly pressed lips, and a flash of smugness appeared in the depths of his eyes.

’Connecting with a True Inheritor Senior Brother will bring plenty of benefits in the future. This little risk is worth taking.’

As for Fang Han reporting him to the Law Enforcement Hall, he wasn’t worried.

’Defective products are allowed to be sold; this bottle just has a few more than usual. A report would be useless.’

"..."

Fang Han said no more. He gave Jiang He a deep look, tucked the bottle of defective Peiyuan Pills into his robes, and turned to leave.

His steps seemed steady, but his fingers, hidden in his sleeves, were clenched tightly, a clear sign of the fire burning in his chest.

Behind him, Jiang He watched Fang Han’s retreating back, no longer hiding the smug smirk of a successful schemer. He quickly composed himself, his expression returning to normal.

Outside the Pill Hall, the afternoon sun was a bit glaring.

Fang Han felt a knot of anger in his chest, and his pace involuntarily quickened.

It wasn’t until he returned to the Sub-Branch and pushed open the door to Room C-7 that the suppressed rage began to stir in the silence.

He took out the bottle of elixirs and dumped them all onto the table.

All ten elixirs were inferior. Although still usable, their effects would be greatly diminished.

Normally, ten elixirs were enough for a month’s consumption, but this time, he would probably have to spend more on elixirs.

The loss wasn’t significant, but it was disgusting enough.

"I’ll remember this!"

Fang Han was silent for a moment. He picked up the elixirs one by one and put them back in the bottle, his gaze shifting from initial anger to a quiet, icy calm.

’It wouldn’t be difficult to counter this disgusting tactic. I just need to find someone to buy them for me.’

’But I’ll have to swallow this loss for now.’

Right now, he certainly didn’t have the power to strike back at a True Inheritor, so he could only record this debt and wait until he was strong enough to settle it.

He picked up his Cyan Blade Sword, pushed open the door, and walked out toward the familiar patch of woods.

The sun stretched his shadow long and thin. With each step, the only sound was the soft rustle of his sword scabbard against his robes.