Black Market.

Little Shi carefully crawled out of the hole, still looking terrified.

Zhong Lin reached out and lifted him under the armpits, pulling Little Shi out and patting the dirt off his clothes.

"It's okay now. The thief is dead."

The purpose of digging a hole in the bedroom was to provide Little Shi a hiding place in case a thief came in—one for safety and another to prevent someone from taking him hostage to threaten Zhong Lin.

After all, he was the younger brother of this body.

"Second Brother, I want to learn martial arts too and fight bad guys with you."

Little Shi looked up at Zhong Lin, his face filled with determination.

Zhong Lin smiled and patted his head. "Alright, Second Brother will teach you martial arts."

"Hmm."

...

The next morning, after dropping Little Shi off at Master Liu's place, Zhong Lin turned and headed to the county office.

Compared to yesterday, the atmosphere in the office was indeed different today. Although his "colleagues" greeted him warmly, there was a hint of estrangement in their eyes.

Zhong Lin sighed inwardly and didn't say much as he walked toward the "office" led by the chief of police.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Come in."

As he entered, the chief of police, Xue Zheng, was seated in a grand chair, holding a book in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. Zhong Lin's arrival didn't prompt him to put down the book.

"Greetings, Chief of Police."

Xue Zheng glanced at Zhong Lin. "I know about last night's incident. You did nothing wrong. Breaking and entering and harming a colleague is a capital offense. It's only natural for him to die at your hands. Though you are not a constable, you are still part of the office."

"Zhong Lin understands. Thank you, Chief of Police." Zhong Lin cupped his hands in thanks.

"How long have you been practicing martial arts?"

Zhong Lin's heart stirred; he knew Xue Zheng had heard about his recent breakthrough.

"Replying to the Chief, it has been twenty-one days."

Zhong Lin had no intention of hiding it. In fact, he planned to report it the day after he broke through, but Xue Zheng had been out of the office, which caused the delay.

Zhong Lin intended to shape himself into a martial arts genius; only then could he gain more weight in the eyes of the chief and the county official.

He hadn't forgotten that there was a seventh-rank martial artist who might be lurking in the shadows. Although he didn't know if this master would truly target him, it was wise to be cautious!

As far as Zhong Lin knew, the only one who could protect him was Chief Xue.

Xue Zheng squinted slightly, scrutinizing Zhong Lin. "To break through in twenty-one days shows you indeed have good talent for martial arts."

"You flatter me, Chief."

"Alright, you may leave!"

Hey! This script doesn't feel right!

Wasn't he supposed to praise me and offer some advice next?

Despite his confusion, Zhong Lin responded and slowly exited the room.

Xue Zheng slowly set down his book and chuckled, "A good seed for martial arts, but a bit too clever for his own good."

After leaving the chief's "office," Zhong Lin turned toward the "strong class" room where Old Zhou was.

The entire county office was divided into three classes and six rooms. The six rooms corresponded to the clerks, managing everything from land, household registrations, finances, the imperial examination, to the judiciary—essentially all the civil affairs of the county.

The three classes corresponded to the departments of the constables, which were the Quick Class, Strong Class, and Dark Class. The Quick Class was responsible for investigating and capturing criminals, the Strong Class managed the warehouses and prisoners, and the Dark Class handled court and executions.

Each class had its duties, working together, all under the supervision of Chief Xue Zheng.

Old Zhou used to be in the Quick Class, but as he aged, he moved to the Strong Class, overseeing the warehouses and prisoners in jail.

"Don't blame them; after all, they have worked with Chi Yan for many years, and some even watched him grow up. Moreover, Chi Yan's father also retired from the county office."

Old Zhou poured a cup of tea for Zhong Lin, explaining the situation.

Zhong Lin nodded. After all, the county magistrate could be promoted or fall from grace at any time, but constables and clerks could pass their positions from father to son, weaving a vast net in the county.

Chi Yan was just one knot in this net.

When Zhong Lin cut one knot, how could the entire net not tremble?

Zhong Lin nodded. "I understand, but I'm also trying to protect myself. It's either him or me."

"Everyone knows this truth, but sometimes personal feelings and reason are contradictory. I've seen enough of such matters in the office. Forget it, I won't say more. I know what you wanted to ask me, but that place is a mixed bag of fish and dragons. Are you sure you want to go?"

"Stop teasing me; just tell me! In a few days, when I have free time, I'll take you to the Nuǎnxiāng House."

"You really understand me! There's a hollow in the mountain ten miles west of Heishan County. It can be accessed at the beginning of the month at the time of the pig, for a period of seven days. But I must remind you to be cautious."

When Old Zhou said this, his expression was extremely serious, clearly not recommending Zhong Lin go.

"Thanks."

Zhong Lin finished the tea in his cup and turned to leave the room.

It was already the twenty-seventh day of the month, with three days left. There was no rush.

Zhong Lin also visited the martial arts pavilion to pick two secret manuals.

He didn't have to worry about the main cultivation technique, as the "Iron Mountain Skill" could be cultivated all the way to the Bone Forging realm. In the martial arts pavilion, Zhong Lin selected one manual for movement techniques and one for knife techniques, totaling two manuals.

The movement technique was called "Willow Catkins," symbolizing willow catkins swaying in the wind.

The knife technique was called "Wind Breaking Knife Technique," which balanced power and speed. It was said that when practiced to perfection, the knife would move like lightning, and before the enemy could react, their head would already be severed.

For others, these two manuals would take years of practice, but for Zhong Lin, as long as he initially learned them, he could level up directly to the maximum.

Although he would still need to train to fully adapt, he would progress much faster than the average person.

Three days passed quickly. Apart from the morning attendance, he spent all his time at home practicing martial arts or experimenting with some dishes.

The first day of the tenth month.

At night, at the time of the dog.

Zhong Lin, dressed in gray clothes with a black scarf over his face and a quiver of arrows at his waist, also carried a bulging leather pouch. He swiftly traversed the mountains and forests. After about half an hour, he arrived at the location Old Zhou pointed out.

From a distance, the hollow was surrounded by dense forest, with faint flickers of light visible.

This was a "black market," a place specifically for selling illicit goods, and also a mixed bag of fish and dragons.

Without lingering, Zhong Lin quickly entered.