Lu Sheng learned from former chief catcher Zhang Xun for three days before thoroughly memorizing Cracking Heart Palm.

He then went to the second master introduced by Zhao Bo.

The second master surnamed Du, named Zhen, was the top expert in the previous prefect's yamen. His consummate Nine Nine Eighty-One Swallow Chasing Blade was as fast as lightning.

Unfortunately... later his arm tendons were mysteriously severed by someone, crippling him. He also had no children or grandchildren because he never married, being introverted and taciturn.

Lu Sheng studied under him for four days.

In his eyes, the Nine Nine Eighty-One Swallow Chasing Blade was actually slightly inferior to Black Tiger Saber Technique, but learning another martial art skill was good nonetheless.

Afterwards, he pleaded with Zhao Bo to take him to visit all the other famous masters in Jiu Lian Cheng, especially the seniors of the older generation.

With his father Lu Quan An's approval, he used money to smooth the way. He learned another skill called Eight Treasures Steps and Twin Maple Leaf Blade from two people.

They were both somewhat weaker than Black Tiger Saber Technique.

He understood that after all, Zhao Bo the Black Tiger Saber was a top expert in Jiu Lian Cheng. It wasn't easy for others to reach his level.

For a whole two months, Lu Sheng persevered hard in practicing all kinds of martial arts.

At the same time, he constantly nourished his body by taking large doses of yin-nourishing and blood-enriching medicine.

The increased medicinal costs after he started martial arts spent over a thousand taels a month. This was an astronomical figure for an average family.

Fortunately he had his father Lu Quan An's approval. Otherwise, even the son of a rich house wouldn't be able to spend money so wantonly like him.

In the blink of an eye, summer passed and September autumn arrived.

Lu Sheng had come to this world and it was almost three months now.

"Young Master has really been working hard these days."

Zhao Bo stroked his beard as he watched Lu Sheng in the field bitterly practicing Swallow Chasing Blade.

Lu Sheng didn't use the modifier for this saber technique. He hadn't used the modifier at all recently, only relying on himself to slowly figure it out.

He wanted to test the difference between martial arts from bitter self-cultivation versus modified martial arts.

It just so happened that Swallow Chasing Blade wasn't difficult to begin with, the moves simple, perfect for him to slowly practice.

Swish swish swish!

Several crisp crackling sounds in succession. The straw posts around Lu Sheng were shaved apart by his saber in a few moves.

Holding an over one meter long short saber single-handedly, Lu Sheng slowly flipped it over behind his back, equivalent to ending his practice.

"Starting martial arts so late, how can I catch up to others without hard work?"

Lu Sheng smiled faintly.

"I have to thank Zhao Bo these days."

Zhao Bo waved his hand. "I know Young Master plans to collect martial arts manuals to strengthen the family. But people in Jiu Lian Cheng who can provide martial arts are limited. What are your plans next?"

Lu Sheng pondered as he let Xiao Qiao run over to wipe his sweat with a damp towel.

"Since in Jiu Lian Cheng..."

"Bad news! Bad news!!" Suddenly a panic-stricken servant ran over to the field, face pale as he shouted loudly.

"What's going on with all the yelling?!"

A manor guard walked over to rebuke him. Pulling the yelling servant aside to question him closely.

After inquiring clearly, that guard's expression also changed somewhat as he hastily rushed to Lu Sheng and Zhao Bo.

"Young master, second miss started fighting with someone and now she's missing!" The guard anxiously exclaimed loudly.

"What?!" Lu Sheng was surprised.

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He knew Lu Qing Qing would run into trouble returning, but didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

"Where is she? Who was she fighting with?" Zhao Bo quickly asked grimly.

"At Flower Willow Lane. With some passing merchant convoy guards!"

"Does old master know?"

"Unclear. That servant only just received the news. It was second miss's personal maid who rushed over to report it. His first reaction was to rush over to inform Young Master."

The guard quickly added.

These people were all war orphans adopted and raised by Lu Quan An since little, with high loyalty to the Lu family.

"Well done. Don't urgently report this to Father yet. I'll go take a look first."

Lu Sheng said heavily.

"Why would second miss fight with merchant convoy guards during her investigation of the Xu case?" Zhao Bo asked doubtfully.

"We'll know once we take a look."

Lu Sheng's expression was tranquil.

He swiftly gathered some family guards. Bringing ten of them, they directly headed for Flower Willow Lane.

Flower Willow Lane was Jiu Lian Cheng's famous red light district area. He didn't know how Lu Qing Qing's investigation led her there.

They rushed over without stopping.

By the time Lu Sheng arrived, the street was still in chaos. The managers of the two shops near the Lu residence were bringing people to appease the affected nearby street peddlers.

"Pay them back whatever's owed. Apologize wherever needed. Don't let others look down on our Lu family."

Lu Sheng directed.

"Yes!"

The ten men dispatched from the Lu family promptly acknowledged.

People spread out to handle things.

Lu Sheng and Zhao Bo then went to the street sidewalk where traces of the fight remained.

"Qing Qing has a fiery temper to begin with. Provoked a few times by local ruffians in a place like this, getting violent is normal." Lu Sheng carefully examined the bloodstains on the ground.

Not a lot of blood, so he wasn't worried it could be Qing Qing's. Dealing with two convoy guards would be no problem for her skill level.

On the grayish white stone bricks was a puddle of dark red bloodstains rather eye-catching under the sunlight.

Lu Sheng squatted down and lightly dipped his fingers in the blood before bringing it to his nose for a sniff. His brow instantly furrowed.

"What's wrong? Find something?" Zhao Bo walked over and also sampled the bloodstain with his fingers for a sniff.

"Smells like normal blood. Nothing abnormal."

"I'm not doubting that..." Lu Sheng shook his head.

"What puzzles me is the large amount of blood loss. Qing Qing has bad temper, but her strikes are measured.

Heavy-handed attacks like this aren't her usual reckless style."

Just then, the dispatched guards who left to handle things returned.

"Young Master, there's news. Someone saw second miss chasing two people out of the city with sword in hand! Word says those two being chased were actually wanted murderers on the authorities' list, not some merchant convoy guards!"

"I see."

Lu Sheng nodded.

"Let's go. Head to the city gates and take a look. The nearest gates were the west gates. That's likely where they went out."

The group including Zhao Bo hurried toward the west city gates.

After around fifteen minutes, everyone arrived at the west gates. The guarding officer came over and greeted one of the family guards, clearly acquainted.

"Second Miss Lu chased them toward Hei Feng Ridge direction!"

The officer provided crucial news.

Just as Lu Sheng was about to lead the men to search, before even walking out several steps, he saw Lu Qing Qing riding a horse while dragging two bundled people, rushing over from outside the city gates.

Seeing Lu Sheng, Lu Qing Qing immediately revealed joy.

"Big brother, why did you urgently rush over here? They were just some petty thieves, don't tell me you don't believe in my abilities?"

She had changed into a white female warrior outfit, one hand holding a slender sword with silver scabbard. A silver trimmed sash wrapped around her slender waist. Her hair was tied up high, looking grand and heroic.

Lu Sheng stood outside the city gates, waiting for Lu Qing Qing to ride up before her and dismounting nimbly. Only then did he exhale in relief.

"Don't be so reckless next time."

Although he wasn't the original Lu Sheng, Lu Qing Qing's biological mother had genuinely cared for him this past period. He wasn't heartless. Naturally he could discern true and false sentiments. Because of her mother, he also paid some mind to Lu Qing Qing.

"Don't worry, these Jiu Lian City petty thieves aren't even worth this young lady's time!"

Lu Qing Qing said dismissively.

Lu Sheng looked at the two bound murderers on the ground. Both men's faces were somewhat pale, seemingly from extreme blood loss, currently unconscious without knowing if they were alive or dead.

What puzzled him was their mouth corners faintly curved up, as if...smiling?

Lu Sheng made a mental note.

Seeing Lu Qing Qing was fine, he couldn't say anything more. Perhaps he was making a mountain out of a molehill.

After exhorting her some more, he returned to the manor with Zhao Bo and the others.

Days passed back into the previous rhythm.

He rose every morning to practice saber techniques for three hours. After lunch he would practice steps techniques and Cracking Heart Palm.

At night he would return to his room to cultivate Jade Crane Skill.

As for Dark Destruction Skill, he shelved it for now.

Through repetition, Zhao Bo saw his state and advised concentrating on one skill first, but Lu Sheng had his own plans.

After leaving all the martial arts as options in the modifier, he also began raising Jade Crane Skill's level once more.

Around midnight...

Lu Sheng was lying on his bed with eyes slowly opening.

He sat straight up, looking at the paper window outside where faint moonlight shone in, leaving a clear white reflection on the room floor.

He could vaguely hear the dozing guards' snores outside.

The wind was strong, causing the trees in the yard to rustle noisily.

Lu Sheng slowly assumed seated lotus position on the bed.

"Around the right time."

He listened closely to his surroundings for any potential disturbances. Sensing none,

"After nourishing for so long, my body's essence, qi, and spirit have peaked. It's also time to raise Jade Crane Skill."

These days, Lu Qing Qing had been acting arrogantly in search of justice everywhere, whether catching murderers or beating up thieves and lechers, causing no small commotion.

But a vague sense of unease lingered in Lu Sheng's heart watching this, especially after learning from Master Zhang Xun recently that even when he was chief catcher he had encountered some bizarre cases. Though left unresolved later, those few cases left a deep impression on him.

Reigning in his thoughts, Lu Sheng recited inwardly,

"Navy blue."

A faint blue interface instantly appeared before him.

Long acquainted with it, he pressed the modify key before gathering his concentration onto Jade Crane Skill's option.

"Raise one level!"

Its status immediately jumped from First Layer to Second Layer effortlessly.

Inside his body, an abrupt feeling of hollowness surged, identical to indulging excessively in desires over a very short time.

His vision also went somewhat dizzy, that previous feeling of heat surging up again.