Instant Kill.

The 'Instant Kill Technique' is a skill-based martial art. However, to practice it silently and without a trace, one must meet a prerequisite: their cultivation must reach a certain level. Only those martial artists who have reached this level possess enough strength, speed, and physical attributes to execute the Instant Kill Technique.

Zhong Lin's training timeline was well-known to Chi Yan, who even helped find Zhong Lin's mentor. It's hard to believe that he managed to reach this level in just half a month.

**"Swish!"**

Chi Yan skillfully dodged Zhong Lin's deadly strike aimed at his chest at the last moment. Nevertheless, he still suffered a deep cut across his chest, blood flowing profusely.

"Damn it, I will kill you."

What started as a simple game of cat and mouse had turned on its head, with the mouse now poised to strike back.

In an instant, Chi Yan's anger surged. He raised his short blade and charged at Zhong Lin for the third time with ferocious power.

"One, two, three..."

Zhong Lin stood his ground, raising a finger with each count. When he reached three, Chi Yan suddenly felt a tremor run through his body, followed by intense pain in his chest.

Instinctively looking down, he noticed that the fresh blood from his wound had turned a dark, foul color.

"There's... poison."

"Yes, it's the kind that seals the throat upon seeing blood. It was originally intended for Shan Wenlong, but it looks like it's been used on you instead," Zhong Lin said with a smile.

"You... you're breaking the rules of martial ethics."

Chi Yan's face turned ashen as he felt his life force draining rapidly, collapsing to the ground, blood trickling from his orifices.

Zhong Lin sneered, taunting, "What kind of martial ethics can you speak of, you scoundrel who attempted to harm a colleague?"

With a splutter, Chi Yan coughed up a mouthful of poisonous blood, unwillingly drawing his last breath.

Seeing Chi Yan dead, Zhong Lin let out a quiet sigh of relief, filled with lingering fear.

Just a moment longer, and the one who would have died would have been him, not Chi Yan.

Despite seeming calm, the fight was much too dangerous. 

Taking a deep breath, Zhong Lin called out over the wall, "Brother Hai Kuan, there's a thief in my home. I have subdued him. Please notify the officials."

"Alright! I'll go right away."

Before long, a voice responded from outside the wall, followed by the sound of footsteps and a door opening.

Not only did the neighbor on the left light up, but the other nearby families also turned on their lights, clearly awakened by the sounds of the recent struggle.

From the moment Chi Yan was discovered, he had no chance to escape; the only question was whether Zhong Lin would survive.

Sitting on the doorstep, Zhong Lin reflected on the recent battle. Moments later, a flurry of footsteps approached, and the door was pushed open. Five constables rushed in, torches in hand, led by "Old Fang," Fang Shunjin.

Old Fang surveyed the courtyard, noticing Zhong Lin and the black-clad corpse lying on the ground. His face, initially filled with joy, suddenly stiffened—something felt off!

He was on duty today and hurried over upon hearing of Zhong Lin's attack, believing it to be Shan Wenlong.

If Shan Wenlong escaped from him, it would severely tarnish his reputation, especially with the county magistrate and chief constable displeased. So, upon hearing Shan Wenlong had shown up, he rushed over, fearing the same thing might happen again.

Zhong Lin stood up and clasped his hands together, saying, "Captain Fang."

Fang Shunjin nodded, stepping forward to examine Chi Yan's corpse. As he drew closer, a strong odor hit him, especially when he saw the darkened wound on Chi Yan's chest. He remarked, "What a potent poison! Is that the venom of a golden-ringed snake?"

"Captain Fang, you have a keen eye. Indeed, it's golden-ringed snake venom. You know, I've been feeling quite insecure lately," Zhong Lin said with a bitter smile.

Fang Shunjin remained calm, showing no sign of discomfort from Zhong Lin's words. "In the dead of night, masked and wielding a knife, he deserved to die. Take the body away and have Old Fang write a report…"

"Captain Fang, you should take a look at this person's true identity!"

"Huh?"

Fang Shunjin frowned slightly, a look of confusion crossing his face, but he cautiously lifted the black cloth from Chi Yan's face with his long knife.

"Chi Yan?"

The other constables following Fang Shunjin were equally shocked, never expecting the dead man to be Chi Yan.

Fang Shunjin contemplated Zhong Lin, then glanced at the lifeless Chi Yan.

As seasoned officers, they were well aware of Chi Yan's vices. The fact that Chi Yan was masked yet died in Zhong Lin's home made the scene all too obvious.

Fang Shunjin's breath quickened, filled with disgust and anger as he looked at Chi Yan's corpse.

While others might overlook bad habits, the idea of harming a colleague over money was something anyone within the system would never tolerate.

"As a constable, breaking the law is a grave offense. Bring Chi Yan's body back to the station; we'll have the chief constable deal with it first thing tomorrow," Fang Shunjin said, voice laced with anger.

"Yes, sir."

Zhong Lin stepped closer, saying with a bitter tone, "Captain Fang, I didn't expect the masked man to be Chi Yan. I thought it was Shan Wenlong coming to kill me, which is why I used lime powder and poison. If I had known it was Chi Yan, I wouldn't have been so ruthless."

Zhong Lin's explanation was out of necessity; even though Chi Yan was no longer a constable, a constable had their own group, and killing one was not something an outsider could get away with. Sometimes, sympathy for one's kind wouldn't consider the reasons behind the actions.

"It's not your fault. Chi Yan was an eighth-grade Easy Muscle Realm warrior. If you hadn't acted decisively, it might have been you lying there. I didn't expect you to reach this level," Fang Shunjin remarked, looking deeply at Zhong Lin.

"Just luck."

The constables arrived quickly and departed just as swiftly. After sending away the concerned neighbors who had come to offer condolences, Zhong Lin closed the door.

"System."

Host: Zhong Lin

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

Skill Points: ∞

Looking at the fully leveled Instant Kill Technique in the system panel, Zhong Lin felt a sense of gratitude.

This martial art is essentially a method of concealing a sword and striking unexpectedly for a deadly hit.

After reaching a certain level, Zhong Lin had intended to select a martial skill from the martial arts vault in the station. After much consideration, he ultimately chose the Instant Kill Technique. Although other skills like punches and blades were also good, Zhong Lin didn't feel confident enough to learn techniques that could counter the seventh-grade Shan Wenlong.

This martial art was just right—unexpected and deadly.

However, before he could test it against Shan Wenlong, he had to try it on Chi Yan first.

Rushing into the main room, he lifted the mat on the bed, revealing a dark hole.

"Come out, Shi. It's safe now."