You're not as unrecognizable as you think you are.

Zhong Lin had roughly clarified the understanding of the Nine Ranks.

In simple terms, the Ninth Rank signifies a toughened body, with increased strength, comparable to a soldier in armor or a fully armed soldier. Ordinary people cannot get close at all.

"System."

Host: Zhong Lin

Skills: Archery (Max Level), Flying Locust Stone (Max Level), Realistic Painting (Max Level), Calligraphy (Max Level), Culinary Skills (Max Level), Iron Mountain Strength Technique (Max Level) 

Skill Points: ∞ 

Looking at the system panel, which showed no significant changes, Zhong Lin couldn't help but curl his lips. He had thought that upon entering a new rank, the system panel would automatically update, perhaps adding a rank column, but unfortunately, he was mistaken.

"I can't neglect the 'Iron Mountain Strength Technique'. Tomorrow, when I return to the office, I can look for some weapon techniques to study and increase my combat power."

Previously, he hadn't learned any weapon skills primarily due to a lack of pressure, and Zhong Lin had concentrated all his energy on the "Iron Mountain Strength Technique." While he still had to focus on that, he needed to carve out some time to learn a few techniques and weapon skills.

Though his fists and feet were formidable, they still couldn't compare to the lethality of blades and swords.

At this point, it was completely dark outside. Taking advantage of the moonlight, Zhong Lin carefully used a bamboo basket to transport the soil he had dug out, dumping it all into a discarded dry well over a hundred meters away.

Fortunately, he hadn't dug too much. Zhong Lin hadn't intended to finish everything in one go. After several trips, he finally disposed of all the dirt from the yard. It was around midnight when he finally went to bed.

Time passed slowly, and Zhong Lin anxiously endured three days.

On this day, at midnight, with the time being the hour of the tiger, most of Heishan County had fallen silent, with only a few special places still lit. The only sounds were those of the watchmen calling out.

A figure in black swiftly darted around the corner, weaving through the streets while evading the watchmen's gazes, quickly disappearing into an alleyway.

"This is it, Zhong Lin. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for not being low-key, for not understanding that wealth should not be flaunted. If you die, it's your own fault."

Wrapped in black with only a pair of eyes visible, the figure scanned Zhong Lin's residence with a sinister expression. If anyone from the office were here, they would recognize this person as Chi Yan.

Sometimes, a person in black isn't as unrecognizable as in the movies; in reality, a familiar person can often be identified just by their body shape and eyes.

Chi Yan quickly approached the wall, leaping over the two-meter-high wall effortlessly, landing silently like a piece of willow fluff.

Once on the other side, Chi Yan glanced around. The yard was small, with a kitchen and study on either side. Only the main hall facing the gate faintly echoed with the sound of breathing.

His breath quickened, his eyes filled with fiery determination, especially thinking of the hundred taels of silver that Zhong Lin might have stored, causing his heart to race.

He had specifically investigated Zhong Lin, particularly his income from painting. A single painting earned at least three taels of silver, and the prices at the Nuǎnxiāng House were absurdly high. He had personally witnessed a lady from the Nuǎnxiāng House give twenty taels as a bonus for a painting. If he had been diligent over the past half month, his earnings could easily have reached a hundred taels of silver.

A hundred taels would allow Chi Yan to live quite comfortably for a long time.

With his mind made up, he didn't hesitate. Chi Yan quietly approached the main hall.

**"Thud!"**

As Chi Yan stepped forward, his foot suddenly sank into the ground, causing half of his leg to drop in.

Though he quickly adjusted his posture and pushed off the ground with his right hand, leaping up and landing steadily, it still made a noise.

"Who's there?"

Zhong Lin, abruptly awakened, opened his eyes wide, and with a quick movement, darted out of the main hall.

In the yard, Zhong Lin and the figure in black locked eyes, both momentarily stunned.

"Chi Yan?"

Zhong Lin's voice carried a hint of confusion. Despite the figure being cloaked in black, Zhong Lin easily recognized him from his familiar body shape and eyes.

A guarded look crossed Zhong Lin's face. It was the middle of the night; Chi Yan was in black, masked, and had jumped over the wall with a weapon in hand…

"Chi Yan, what do you want?"

Chi Yan was momentarily taken aback when Zhong Lin identified him, but then he lunged forward, a short knife aimed at Zhong Lin's neck.

Zhong Lin's back bristled with sweat; it was too fast! Was this the ability of an Eight-Ranker?

Eight-Ranker: possesses 300 kg of strength, with strong elasticity in muscles, fierce explosive power, and agility.

This wasn't just agility; it was comparable to a leopard. In an instant, Chi Yan appeared right in front of Zhong Lin, the short blade slicing through the air, intent on ending Zhong Lin's life.

In a split second, Zhong Lin ducked and rolled away, narrowly evading the deadly blow.

"Damn!" 

Zhong Lin cursed inwardly, never expecting Chi Yan to be so crazed, willing to commit murder for wealth.

"Chi Yan, you are also part of the government. Such a heinous act is punishable by death. Besides, we're colleagues. Aren't you afraid of the chief officer's punishment?" Zhong Lin shouted angrily.

"Hmph! If I kill you, who would know it was me? I can easily frame it on Shan Wenlong."

Chi Yan stepped hard on the ground, instantly increasing his speed, like a cheetah, and his short blade rushed toward Zhong Lin's face.

At that moment, Zhong Lin had retreated to the window of the study. Grabbing a cloth bag from the window sill, he quickly pulled out an object and threw it at Chi Yan.

Swish! 

Chi Yan recognized clearly that what flew toward him was an iron thorn, its four sharp points glinting dangerously at his right eye.

"What?"

Chi Yan's face changed. He altered the trajectory of the descending short blade to block his face.

**Clang!** 

With a clear sound, the iron thorn collided with the short blade, sending sparks flying.

Zhong Lin felt a surge of inspiration and pulled out another iron thorn from the cloth bag to hurl.

**Clang!** **Clang!** **Clang! **

Zhong Lin's max-level Flying Locust Stone skill allowed him to throw iron thorns at incredible angles, yet they were easily blocked by Chi Yan.

"Zhong Lin, I didn't expect you to have such hidden weapon skills, but too bad I'm an Eight-Rank Easier. With your little tricks… how shameless."

Chi Yan was furious.

Zhong Lin threw out another object, and Chi Yan adeptly blocked it, but instead of the familiar clashing sound, it was sliced in half by the short blade, releasing a cloud of white powder: lime powder.

"What an opportunity."

Zhong Lin didn't continue to retreat. Instead, he lunged at Chi Yan, revealing a dagger that had appeared in his hand, shining coldly in the moonlight.

Seeing the glint, Chi Yan's heart raced, shocked: "Instant Kill Technique!"

He was familiar with this move; it was the technique displayed in the martial arts hall of the government, known as "Instant Kill Technique" or "Hidden Green Snake," which emphasized concealing a sword and striking suddenly.

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