Starting as The Young Master of A Pharmacy, He Trained Swordsmanship in Seclusion For Twenty Years - Chapter 25

Though he held little hope, Lu Xuan still wanted to inquire.

“Martial artists below the Bone-Forging Realm?”

Liang Cheng frowned, stroking his chin in deep thought.

After all, the number of martial artists below the Bone-Forging Realm was considerable, so it was only natural that recalling them would be difficult.

“Hmm?”

Thud!

Suddenly, the sound of a hand slamming against a table rang out.

Liang Cheng’s expression turned peculiar, as if he had just remembered something, and he looked up at Lu Xuan.

“Brother Xuan, if we’re talking about martial artists below the Bone-Forging Realm, then there’s only one person who fits.”

“If I’m not mistaken, that person must be the one who practices movement techniques.”

“Oh? Speak quickly!”

Liang Cheng’s words made Lu Xuan’s eyes light up. He hadn’t expected there to actually be a martial artist who cultivated movement techniques.

“It’s just that this person is… unusual. Not only is he insane, but he also…”

After hesitating for a moment, Liang Cheng proceeded to share everything he knew about this man.

A long while later…

Lu Xuan finally understood the full story of the man Liang Cheng had described.

The man in question was surnamed Zhang. Three years ago, he had been wanted by the county authorities for assaulting a young nobleman in the streets.

As for why he had attacked so suddenly—there was a reason.

Zhang, a master of the Muscle-Tempering Realm, had a daughter.

Originally, he had been a martial arts instructor at a local training hall, responsible for teaching those who came to cultivate martial arts.

But one day, he suddenly vanished for half a month, not even showing up at the training hall.

When Zhang finally returned to the county town…

He found his daughter hanged in their home, having taken her own life. She had left behind a suicide note, hidden in a spot only he knew.

His daughter had been violated, and the perpetrator—the very nobleman he had attacked—remained free, with the county authorities turning a blind eye.

Zhang had tried to take revenge, but the nobleman was heavily guarded, and his attempt failed.

After his failure, the county magistrate immediately issued a warrant for his arrest—dead or alive.

No mercy was shown. The county’s chief constable, Chen Shi, was even dispatched to capture him.

Lu Xuan murmured softly, “Escaping from a martial artist at the peak of the Bone-Forging Realm…”

It was suspected that Zhang knew a movement technique, which allowed him—despite being only at the Muscle-Tempering Realm—to escape from Chief Constable Chen Shi.

Whether Chen Shi had intentionally let him go or if Zhang had genuinely escaped on his own, Lu Xuan couldn’t say.

But now that he had a lead on movement techniques, he wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip away. He would try his luck.

After Liang Cheng finished recounting the man’s story, his expression turned awkward.

Anyone could see the injustice Zhang had suffered.

Not only had the county authorities ignored his plight, but they had also turned against him, branding him a criminal.

Yet, in matters like these, Liang Cheng—a mere constable—had no say.

The case had been handled by the deputy magistrate. At the time, the county magistrate had not yet taken office, so all county affairs had temporarily fallen under the deputy magistrate’s jurisdiction.

And as it happened, the nobleman in question had close ties to the deputy magistrate. Zhang had simply been unlucky.

“Where is this man now?”

“Not far outside the city. There’s an abandoned temple—he’s likely hiding there.”

Liang Cheng had stumbled upon Zhang by chance but had chosen to turn a blind eye.

The deputy magistrate’s dirty dealings were none of his concern. He’d rather spend his time at the Fragrant Pavilion, enjoying the company of its fair maidens.

……

About ten miles outside the city, the area was desolate, with only a crumbling temple and a few collapsed earthen houses in sight.

Crack!

The tranquil silence was broken by the sound of dry wood snapping underfoot.

Two figures slowly approached the ruined temple and stepped inside without hesitation.

In truth, the structure could hardly be called a temple anymore.

Its walls had completely collapsed, and only a few wooden planks remained on the roof, swaying gently in the breeze as if they might fall at any moment.

“Where is he?”

“Last time I was here, I definitely saw him. How is he gone now?”

They didn’t even need to enter—the temple’s dilapidated state allowed them to see everything inside at a glance.

The floor was strewn with debris: animal pelts, dried bones, charred firewood…

All manner of clutter, but no sign of any person.

The two figures outside the temple were none other than Lu Xuan and Liang Cheng, who had just arrived from the county town.

Lu Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings, but he found no trace of anyone.

“Brother Xuan, maybe he ran away. I—”

Before Liang Cheng could finish, a figure suddenly darted toward them from the distance like a ghost.

Only when it drew near did Lu Xuan get a clear look at the man.

He resembled a wild savage—thin, dressed in tattered, filthy clothing caked with dried mud.

In his hand was a wooden staff, from which hung a few still-twitching rats.

But when the man spotted Lu Xuan and Liang Cheng, he froze momentarily before ignoring them and walking into the temple.

He set his prey on the ground and moved to a corner, retrieving a rusted cleaver as if preparing to butcher his catch.

Just as he was about to begin, the two figures approached him.

“Senior Zhang, I have a matter I’d like to discuss.”

Lu Xuan’s voice was calm.

The man glanced up at them but then lowered his head again, intent on continuing his task.

“Hey, you—didn’t you hear my brother speaking to you?”

Liang Cheng, irritated by the man’s disregard, couldn’t hold back.

“Hmph! Damned lackeys of the court! Get lost!”

“Or I’ll slaughter you where you stand!”

The seemingly dull man suddenly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes—ringed with grime—glaring at them with a terrifying ferocity.

“You—!”

Liang Cheng bristled at being called a lackey, but before he could retort, Lu Xuan cut in.

“Senior Zhang, I came here with a request. I’ve heard you once practiced movement techniques.”

“I’m deeply interested in such skills. I wonder if you’d be willing to…”

Just as Lu Xuan was about to offer a generous price—

Whoosh!

A sharp gust of wind erupted as the man suddenly swung his cleaver at Lu Xuan.

But in the next instant, the ferocious man froze in shock.

Lu Xuan had raised his right hand, effortlessly catching the blade between two fingers.

With a crisp snap, the cleaver shattered into fragments, scattering across the ground.