Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 173: Chapter 115: The Hook is Too Straight! Blood Refining Perfect!

County Office.

Liu Yuanhu sat firmly on the tiger-skin chair, his expression grim, staring intently at Zhang Guangqun below.

”Are you saying that Zhao Honglie has been very active recently, that he seems to know about the Red Cloud Guard matter, and is trying to intercept my appointment document in advance?”

Zhang Guangqun nodded vigorously, his scalp tingling.

”That’s right, this guy is absolutely insane!”

If he goes through with intercepting the appointment document, such a thing would draw the attention of the Red Cloud Prefecture. Even if Zhao Honglie had godlike abilities, he’d be finished!

He couldn’t imagine how Zhao Honglie could be so brazenly audacious!

Liu Yuanhu let out a heavy scoff:

”This man is cunning; he knows that once the Red Cloud Guard arrives, the Black Sand Gang will face only one outcome—complete annihilation. Intercepting the document now is likely an attempt to deal with us preemptively. That side must just be putting on appearances, it’s impossible for him to dare follow through even if given a hundred chances.”

”In that case, I’ll give him a good game to play!”

A gleam flashed in his eyes as a strategy started to take shape in his mind; he spoke slowly.

Upon hearing Liu Yuanhu’s plan, the trusted aides couldn’t help but admire him profoundly, repeatedly exclaiming:

”You’re brilliant, Magistrate!”

Liu Yuanhu immediately smiled. After discussing matters further, he suddenly looked at Zhang Guangqun and asked:

”Still no trace of that butcher?”

Zhang Guangqun’s face immediately showed an embarrassed expression. He’d been thoroughly outmaneuvered but couldn’t find even the slightest clue. His frustration burned inside as he bowed his head low, saying:

”I have failed in my duties...”

Liu Yuanhu waved his hand dismissively, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

”This butcher is so elusive. If we go by logic, his characteristics should be easy to identify. For him to remain undetected for so long suggests he’s likely quite skilled in the art of disguise!”

”He might even be hiding among the hired blades!”

Zhang Guangqun’s expression changed dramatically.

”Should I immediately gather all the hired blades and investigate them individually?”

Liu Yuanhu shook his head.

”Not ideal. That would only tip him off and make him burrow deeper into hiding.”

”Since he chose to become a hired blade, he must be a lone martial artist lacking resources. Previously, he consistently took missions targeting entry-level Blood Refining Realm individuals. The one time he killed Poison Bee Guest, a Blood Refining Realm Small Success expert, was only because of—Golden Body Skill!”

Thoughtfulness rose in Liu Yuanhu’s eyes.

”In that case, let’s use enticing rewards to lure him out. Quietly issue several missions with rewards such as Blood Strengthening Pills, Gale Thirteen Blades, Stabbing Foot, and the like.”

These are resources that money can’t buy or are exceedingly rare to obtain. He didn’t believe the butcher wouldn’t take the bait!

A vicious glint appeared in Zhang Guangqun’s eyes.

”Magistrate, your strategy is extraordinary!”

The crowd repeatedly praised him, and one by one hurried off to make arrangements.

...

Hired Blades’ Courtyard.

Gu Sheng was quietly flipping through the mission booklet, disguised as an average-looking, medium-built middle-aged man—utterly unremarkable in a crowd.

Suddenly.

His gaze froze.

Several missions leapt into view.

”Kill Wang Hexing. Reward: 300 silver taels and one Blood Strengthening Pill. This man is born with immense strength, a Blood Refining Realm Small Success expert. He appeared in Qing Niu Town three days ago, then fled into the depths of Cang Mountain after killing two hired blades...”

”Kill Yue Qin. Reward: 200 silver taels and Gale Thirteen Blades. This man is skilled in spear techniques, a Blood Refining Realm Small Success expert. He appeared near Canghe River four days ago, slaughtering scores of innocent civilians without reason...”

”Kill Zhao Dong. Reward: 250 silver taels and Stabbing Foot. This man excels in movement techniques, a Blood Refining Realm Small Success expert. Three days ago, he slaughtered dozens of soldiers in White Stone Town and vanished. Skilled in tracking...”

...

Mission after mission appeared.

Under normal circumstances, Gu Sheng would usually be tempted, especially by the reward of the Blood Strengthening Pill for killing Wang Hexing, which should make his eyes light up. But now, he felt the overwhelming stench of conspiracy.

Gu Sheng smirked coldly in his heart:

”Hired blades have already cleansed most of the ruthless bandits in Canghe County. Why would several Blood Refining Realm Small Success-level villains all suddenly appear now? If there’s no trick here, I don’t believe it!”

”And those rewards—may as well toss the bait directly into my mouth. It’s precisely what I lack showing up exactly when I need it!”

”Since when has the world been so conveniently aligned!”

Heightened vigilance stirred within him. Ever since he eliminated Han Lu, Gu Sheng knew Zhang Guangqun had been secretly hunting for him, and this was likely Zhang Guangqun’s attempt to lure him out. If he really accepted the mission, odds were a grand trap awaited him!

Even if no traps were involved, Gu Sheng had no intention of gambling on such a possibility.

He remained calm, pretending none of the missions suited him, and slowly left the courtyard.

As he exited, Zhang Guangqun approached directly. Gu Sheng remained composed, greeting him with a smile, ”Good day, Master Zhang,” before turning and leaving. Zhang Guangqun nodded slightly.

Still preoccupied, Zhang Guangqun worried that although several missions had been posted for days, none had been accepted by the butcher.

”Could it be the butcher isn’t in Canghe County anymore?”

Zhang Guangqun’s face darkened, entirely unaware that the butcher he sought stood right before him.

Gu Sheng sprinted down the road back to his residence.

Slightly lamenting the missed reward of the Blood Strengthening Pill, but he immediately dismissed the thought. Even without the pill, reaching Perfect Realm within the next half-month was entirely achievable, and he saw no need to risk such danger.

”If needed, I’ll just use Strengthening Blood Powder!”

Although the effectiveness of Strengthening Blood Powder had diminished considerably, requiring three to four doses to equal the potency of a single original dose, Gu Sheng could afford the expense with his current wealth.

From now on...