Do you want the credit?

Zhang Mansion.

In front of the library, under the pavilion.

"Brother Zhang, when do you think the Master will return?"

A boy with a pleasing, round face asked, somewhat bored.

As a high-ranking official once said, "Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles," so the custom of traveling for study developed in the official schools of Qing Kingdom.

They were traveling and studying with Master Cui to broaden their knowledge.

The practice of traveling for study tours is extremely popular in the academy. The round-faced boy had participated a few times before, usually for only one or two months.

However, this time, after following Master Cui out of Yongning Prefecture, they stayed in Baisha County for a full two months.

What kind of knowledge can one gain by staying in a county for so long?

Therefore, these young men from the prefectural school had long been unable to contain themselves.

Zhang Linchun looked at his junior brother from the academy named Guo Yang, a hint of helplessness appearing on his face:

"The Master has his reasons; it's just that we lack the understanding."

Although he had his doubts, he had suggested coming to Baisha County, so he could only pretend to be calm and reassure his fellow disciples.

Zhang Linchun said.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a girl leaning against the pavilion railing, reading a book.

The young girl, Cui Yi, has a special identity; she is the biological granddaughter of Old Master Cui. Perhaps only this legitimate daughter of the Cui family knows where the elusive Old Master Cui has gone.

Zhang Linchun sighed inwardly.

He had informed his father, Zhang Lie, long ago, and made thorough preparations at home to leave a good impression on Grandpa Cui.

For this reason, Zhang Lie almost completely renovated the entire Zhang Mansion.

As a result, that old man Cui never set foot in Baisha County, and there has been no news of him since.

Zhang Linchun casually approached the girl Cui Yi:

"What book is Junior Sister Cui reading?"

Cui Yi raised her head and smiled, "It's just a casual book, but the handwriting is quite interesting. It should be from the same hand as the four characters 'Turtle Years and Crane Longevity'."

Although Zhang Linchun was a martial arts scholar, he was also proud of his refined demeanor, believing that his knowledge and literary talent were innate. He glanced at the scroll in Cui Yi's hand:

"Powerful and vigorous, truly impressive."

He was making his comments, but his mind was already wandering to the elusive Old Master Cui.

Being the owner has its advantages.

For example, out of seven or eight fellow disciples, Cui Yi only told him that the old master Cui actually left Yongning Prefecture for two reasons.

One purpose is to travel and study, and incidentally, to find promising young talents.

Secondly, it was for the Black Witch Cult.

these days.

Zhang Linchun had also been using his father's influence in the Zijintang to investigate the Black Witch Cult, hoping to gain favor with Old Master Cui.

Just as several students from the prefectural school were talking.

The steward of the Zhang family cautiously stepped forward and whispered something in Zhang Linchun's ear.

Zhang Linchun's expression shifted slightly, and he casually made up an excuse, saying that he had something to do.

Not long after.

He then arrived at a small courtyard belonging to the Zhang family.

When Zhang Linchun entered the courtyard, a handsome young man was already standing there.

"Brother Shi, it's been a long time."

Not bad.

The young man who appeared at the Zhang family's residence was none other than Shi Yuanbai, the young leader of the Sha Gang.

Zhang Linchun and Shi Yuanbai studied at the same prefectural school and were from the same hometown, so even though the relationship between the Sha Gang and the Zijin Hall was tense, they had a fairly good personal relationship.

"Linchun."

Shi Yuanbai smiled and looked at Zhang Linchun: "I heard that Junior Sister Cui and Junior Brother Guo have come to Baisha County. I've been too busy before and haven't had a chance to visit them."

Zhang Linchun smiled, but he became wary inside.

Shi Yuanbai has good aptitude, but he is also ambitious.

Knowing he was unlikely to achieve a good ranking in the provincial examination, he simply resigned from his studies and returned home to inherit the family business.

If we were going to cherish old feelings, we should have come long ago.

They've been staying for several months before finally coming to visit; they must be hiding something else.

Zhang Linchun smiled, said nothing, and quietly waited for what was to come.

Shi Yuanbai laughed heartily: "As expected, nothing can be hidden from Lin Chun."

But the next sentence made Zhang Linchun pause in surprise.

"Would you like me to give you a reward?"

"Honors?"

Zhang Linchun never expected that Shi Yuanbai's visit would be to offer him credit.

What merit?

Before Zhang Linchun could even press further, Shi Yuanbai had already given his answer: "Are the lives of three Black Witch Cult traitors enough?"

......

......

Xiahe Village.

Academy.

In a corner of the spacious training ground, Zhong Xuan was holding a long sword, wielding it haphazardly without any rules. The three-pound sword was now as light as a whip in his hands.

"Too light."

Zhong Xuan shook his head.

Since breaking through to the Bone Refinement stage, his strength has increased dramatically, to the point that even a three-pound sword has become light.

"No wonder I've often heard of fierce generals wielding hammers weighing hundreds of pounds; it turns out it's true."

Zhong Xuan pondered.

Tomorrow I will go to the government-run shop in the city to have a new weapon made.

With his current strength and the dragon bones, he must be heavy enough to unleash his full power.

When roaming the martial world, you can't do without a handy weapon.

"Now that the foundation is pretty solid, it's time to try out the middle three moves of the Flying Eagle Nine Strikes."

"Master created the Nine Strikes of the Flying Eagle after observing the Great Demon of the Divine Eagle. The first three moves are the foundation, and they are all basic moves. The middle three moves are the power. Only by mastering the middle three moves can you truly unleash the killing power of the Nine Strikes of the Flying Eagle."

"The three middle styles are Eagle Return, Eagle Crack, and Eagle Soar."

According to what my master said in his notes.

If one can master these three techniques, one's killing power will rank among the top among bone-training martial artists.

There is also a breathing technique mantra to accompany it.

"The divine eagle soars through the nine heavens, its feathers shaking the vast ocean... The true meaning lies in the interplay of strength and gentleness, and the sword's strike startles even ghosts and gods..."

Zhong Xuan practiced this.

Before we knew it, it was already dusk.

That's the good thing about being a dean.

He doesn't have to do everything himself. Although he has to teach three times every seven days, given his status, he doesn't need to prepare any lesson plans, so he can relax and has plenty of time to practice martial arts every day.

If one neglects martial arts skills because of worldly affairs, that would be truly putting the cart before the horse.

Zhong Xuan would never be so foolish.

After finishing school at the academy.

Zhong Xuancai returned to the Zhong family's old residence.

Just as he had eaten some stewed meat and was preparing to continue his cultivation, someone knocked on the courtyard gate.

Push open the door.

Standing at the door was none other than Yan Shuoting, the head constable of the county government's fast-track squad.

Zhong Xuan felt a sense of doubt.

Although the county government was responsible for governing a hundred li (approximately 50 kilometers), in reality, the staff of the county government were mostly in the city, and would only come to the villages within its jurisdiction when there was a major event.

It's almost midnight now, and Yan Shuoting is here.

Yan Shuoting chuckled when he saw Zhong Xuan:

"Brother Zhong, is there some good news?"

"What good news?"

Zhong Xuan raised his eyebrows.

Yan Shuoting: "The second young master of the Zhang family received intelligence and discovered a hideout of the Black Witch Cult in Baisha County. Tomorrow night, Magistrate Zhou will personally lead a team to encircle and annihilate it. There will also be many experts from the city going."

"I'm sure I can make a fortune from this!"

Zhong Xuan pondered.

If it were just about merit, given his cautious nature, he naturally wouldn't go.

But if it's the Black Witch Cult...