Although he did not hold much hope, Lu Xuan still wanted to learn more.
"Martial Artists below the Bone Refining Realm?"
Liang Cheng furrowed his brows, raised his hand to stroke his chin, lost in deep thought.
After all, Martial Artists below the Bone Refining Realm were quite numerous; it was only natural to find it somewhat difficult to recall them all.
"Hmm?"
Slam!
Suddenly, a sound of a hand smacking the table rang out.
Liang Cheng's face showed a strange expression, as if he had thought of something, and he raised his head to look at Lu Xuan.
"Xuan, if we are talking about Martial Artists below the Bone Refining Realm, then there's only one person who fits the description."
"If I am not mistaken, that person should be a Martial Artist who practices a body technique."
"Oh? Speak quickly!"
Liang Cheng's words made Lu Xuan's eyes light up; he hadn't expected that there truly existed a Martial Artist practicing a body technique.
"But this person is somewhat peculiar, not only mad but also..."
After hesitating for a moment, Liang Cheng proceeded to disclose all the information about this peculiar person.
For a long time!
Only then did Lu Xuan understand the situation regarding the peculiar person Liang Cheng was talking about.
This peculiar man was surnamed Zhang, and three years ago, he was wanted by the county office for attacking a young noble on the street.
As for why he suddenly attacked, there was a reason behind it.
The man named Zhang, at the peak of the Refined Flesh Realm, also had a daughter at home.
He was originally a martial master in a martial arts school in the county, responsible for teaching those who came to learn martial arts.
One day, he suddenly disappeared for half a month, not even going to the martial arts school.
When the man named Zhang returned to the county,
he discovered his daughter had hanged herself, dying tragically at home, leaving a final letter hidden in a secret place only he knew.
His daughter had been humiliated, and the perpetrator walked free while the county office ignored it.
The one who humiliated his daughter was the wealthy young man he attacked, though he did not succeed, as the young man was heavily guarded.
Having failed, he was immediately wanted by the county magistrate, dead or alive!
Not a single chance was given to him, and they even dispatched Chief Constable Chen Shi from the county office to apprehend him.
Lu Xuan mumbled softly: "Escaped from the hands of a Martial Artist with Bone Refining Realm Perfection?"
The man named Zhang supposedly mastered a body technique, which allowed him to escape from Chief Constable Chen Shi with his Refined Flesh Realm strength.
As to whether Chief Constable Chen Shi spared him intentionally or he escaped through genuine skill, Lu Xuan couldn't determine.
Nonetheless, since there is news of a body technique, Lu Xuan wasn't going to miss it, choosing to try his luck.
Since Liang Cheng finished speaking about the man, Liang Cheng's face showed some embarrassment.
Because any clear-eyed person could see how wronged that man was.
Not only did the county not address it, but they also falsely accused him and put out a warrant for him.
However, in the face of such matters, Liang Cheng, a mere Chief Constable, had no authority to decide.
The case was handled by the county magistrate at the time, as Lord County Magistrate had not yet taken office then.
So the county's affairs, big or small, were temporarily managed by the county magistrate.
Coincidentally, the wealthy young man had significant ties with the county magistrate, making it unfortunate for that man.
"Where is he now?"
"Not far outside the city, there is an abandoned temple where he should be hiding."
Liang Cheng accidentally discovered the man's existence but chose not to interfere, acting as though he knew nothing.
What did he care about the sordid deeds of the county magistrate's people? With that time, he might as well visit Qixiang Building to enjoy some company.
......
A dozen or so miles outside the city, surrounded by desolation, there existed only a dilapidated temple and some ruined, collapsed mud houses.
Creaaaak!
The serene and tranquil atmosphere was broken by the sound of feet on dried wood.
Two figures walked slowly to the front of the broken temple, then entered without hesitation.
The temple before them barely qualified as a ruin.
The walls around had all collapsed; only a few planks remained above, gently swaying in the breeze, seemingly on the verge of falling.
"Where's the person?"
"Last time, I clearly saw that guy here, so why is he gone?"
Without needing to go inside, just from the wind-leaking walls, one could see the inside clearly.
The temple's interior was cluttered with debris, animal fur, dried bones, charred wood...
All sorts of debris were present, but no sign of any person inside.
The two figures at the temple entrance were Lu Xuan and Liang Cheng, who had come from the county.
Standing with hands behind his back, Lu Xuan surveyed the surroundings with focused eyes, noticing no one was around.
"Xuan, could that guy have run off, I..."
Before Liang Cheng could finish speaking, a shadow from afar ran towards them rapidly, like a phantom.
Only upon nearing did Lu Xuan make out the appearance of the newcomer.
The newcomer resembled a wild man, looking somewhat thin, dressed in incomplete and dirty cloth.
The dirty cloth bore earthen brown dirt, forming blocks of dried matter.
He held a wooden stick fashioned from a tree branch, with several mice hanging from it, still twitching.
Yet, upon seeing Lu Xuan and the others, the man appeared dazed.
Then, he walked into the broken temple on his own, putting down his catch on the ground.
He went to a corner, took out a rusty kitchen knife, seemingly intending to butcher his catch on the spot.
However, before he could act, two figures stood before him.
"Mr. Zhang, I have something to discuss with you,"
A voice, calm and placid, broke the silence; it was Lu Xuan speaking.
The man glanced at the two briefly before lowering his head again, intent on his task.
"Hey, you guy, didn't you hear Xuan speaking to you?"
Seeing the other ignore them, Liang Cheng felt displeased.
"Hmph, damn government dogs, get lost at once!"
"Or I will slaughter you!"
The seemingly dull man, upon hearing Liang Cheng's words, immediately lifted his head.
His eyes, surrounded by dirt and grime, were bloodshot and terrifyingly fierce.
"You!"
Hearing the man curse him as a government dog infuriated Liang Cheng, who was about to retort when Lu Xuan interrupted.
"Mr. Zhang, I am here to ask for a favor. I heard you once practiced a body technique."
"I am very interested in body techniques; I wonder if you could..."
Just as Lu Xuan was about to speak further, indicating his willingness to pay handsomely,
Swish!
A massive whoosh sounded as the man swung the kitchen knife in his hand swiftly towards Lu Xuan.
However, in the next moment, the man, whose face was filled with ferocity, was taken aback, shocked as he looked at Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan had raised his right hand, lightly pinching the blade with two fingers.
The kitchen knife, carrying a terrifying momentum, encountered some powerful force, the blade instantly shattered, breaking into pieces that fell to the ground.