The figure who had just bolted past Zhou Huan kept looking back at him as he ran, emitting a chilling, sinister laugh.

“Stop right there! Get out of the way up front, I’m throwing steel!” Upon hearing this, Zhou Huan immediately shifted his body to the side, watching helplessly as a gleaming blade shot past his eyes. From a distance, he heard a crisp thwack! The blade pierced the person who had just run past him. Blood erupted like a gushing spring. This scene completely stunned Zhou Huan. This capital city was too terrifying; a simple flying knife from a government official could be this potent. The fellow who just ran by was already unimaginable, but the one chasing him was clearly even more formidable.

Seeing this, Zhou Huan instantly felt that his own abilities were lacking; both of these men were far superior to him.

“Chief, we finally took him down. He’s got three lives on his ledger; if we hadn't stopped him, we wouldn't be able to account for it back at the office.”

“Hmph. Does anyone I set my sights on ever escape? Unless they vanish from my sight entirely. Let’s go, brothers. Call people to clean up the scene; we’re off for drinks!” This fellow, who looked like a constable, had chased the fugitive for so long yet showed no sign of breathlessness, his expression unchanged, as if it had been effortless.

The man walked up to Zhou Huan and flashed a smile. “That guy, he’s lucky he ran fast, or that blade would have found him instead!”

“Well, it didn’t hit him, did it? Let’s go, Chief. Tonight, a jar each! We’re not going home until we’re completely sloshed. It’s a rare day off!”

“Right, right!” The group of four or five constables jostled each other and headed toward the end of the main avenue. At the avenue's end, lights blazed brightly, and many taverns hung colorful banners. From afar, the inns looked to be doing excellent business.

Zhou Huan watched as the pursuers gathered the body of the slain man. He had initially considered helping with the proper rites for the deceased, but this was the capital, and he was a nobody. Furthermore, if the soul of the man killed just now was not handled correctly, coming back to cause trouble would leave Zhou Huan utterly outmatched. Thus, Zhou Huan decided to be more cautious this time, ignoring the departed soul and following the group of bailiffs alone.

Watching the bailiffs enter a tavern, he followed suit. As soon as he entered, he made a direct path toward the constables and spoke up, “Gentlemen officers, what was that criminal you just caught doing?”

The officers’ eyes narrowed, and they shot Zhou Huan a hostile glare. “You are quite an odd fellow. What is your business? What significance is it to you to inquire about this matter?”

“No, I was just curious. Frankly, I was quite startled just now. I have never seen such advanced martial skill, coupled with your own legendary prowess. I am filled with admiration, and so I could only use this as an excuse to ask about that fellow!” Zhou Huan spoke with utmost deference and politeness.

The constable who had spoken earlier stroked his beard. “Young man, you seem to be looking for trouble for no reason. Fine, today my brothers and I are off duty and in high spirits, so telling you won't hurt. Listen closely!” As he spoke, the constable threw an arm around Zhou Huan’s neck and whispered into his ear.

Though Zhou Huan found the proximity unwelcome, he yielded smoothly, smiling faintly. “I am all ears.” In truth, Zhou Huan wasn't solely interested in the incident; he wanted to know what that first fellow did and why he gave Zhou Huan such a sinister smile. Was it merely a casual expression, or was there another reason, perhaps treating Zhou Huan as a target for amusement?

“My young friend, let me tell you, that fellow came from Shanxi to the capital to participate in the Canfa Assembly. Because he runs so fast, everyone calls him 'Long-Legged Hero.' But this brat got arrogant after gaining a reputation, and once in the capital, he started challenging everyone and killing innocents indiscriminately. Three people have already fallen by his hand. Do you think we who eat the Emperor's rice can ignore such things?” The constable grinned widely, showing his back teeth, and laughed boisterously.

Zhou Huan managed a polite smile while the other bailiffs drank merrily. One of them chimed in, “Chief, why waste time talking to him? Let’s drink! Hey, waiter, bring more wine!” As he spoke, this fellow waved for the waiter. In the blink of an eye, the group forgot about Zhou Huan, drinking themselves into a stupor.

Zhou Huan shook his head, the corner of his mouth curling up slightly in a faint smile. “Hmph, these guys. Truly pathetic. Probably homeless, they only care about getting drunk. What’s the point?”

Zhou Huan left the bustling street, following the route someone had mentioned toward where the Canfa arena was being constructed. But just as he exited the prosperous area, he felt a burst of icy wind rush past him from behind, instantly soaking through his outer garment. This caused the recently roused Zhou Huan to break out in another cold sweat. He spun around sharply, but saw only the wind—nothing else. The only things on the ground were scattered, rotting leaves.

“Master, Master, don't go, wait for us!” Zhou Huan heard voices from the end of a distant alleyway, seemingly calling for him. The sound alerted Zhou Huan—it was Dongzi and Shi Bingyuan. He instinctively wanted to reply, but then he felt a hand on his shoulder. He slowly turned, causing Zhou Huan to instinctively take two steps back. Standing before him was the very man who had been stabbed to death moments ago—his spirit dripping black blood, a river of gore flowing from him, his eyes fixed directly on Zhou Huan.

Zhou Huan gasped, drawing a sharp intake of air. What was happening? How could this man find him to cause trouble? It was impossible! Zhou Huan refused to believe it was real, as his Ghost Eye hadn't opened yet; how could he see this specter? Zhou Huan rubbed his eyes and asked in shock, “Sir, why were you staring at me just now, and why did you smile?”

Zhou Huan’s query was met only by silence. The ghost remained motionless, staring intently at the spot before him.

“Master, who are you talking to?” His apprentices, who had caught up, seemed completely unable to see the spirit standing before their master.

“There is a ghost before us. This fellow seems to have fixed his attention on me, but I don't know what he wants. He won't answer when I ask!”

“Master, has your Ghost Eye recovered?” Shi Bingyuan asked Zhou Huan.

Zhou Huan shook his head and re-examined the flow of qi within his body. He felt he might have the capacity to open his Ghost Eye now, but if it were open, why did he feel nothing?

“Master Zhou, I have not come to harm you. I know my death is near, but my soul cannot return to the Underworld because I was struck by that blade. Therefore, I hope that with your restored merit, Master Zhou can help send me back so I may reincarnate!” The spirit finally spoke, and this voice seemed to be audible to Zhou Huan's apprentices as well.

Zhou Huan suddenly felt the two streams of qi within his body merge as one. If he could use this combined energy, wouldn't he be far more powerful than before?

When Zhou Huan looked back toward the spirit, it had already vanished. Beside him were only his two apprentices, and the perpetually reckless Dongzi.

“Listen up, everyone. Starting tomorrow, we’re going to the mountains north of the city to practice qi. I think we need to consolidate our inner energy, or we might suffer at the Canfa competition,” Zhou Huan declared. He turned and headed straight back to the inn where he was staying. His apprentices followed closely. No one spoke again along the way. Back at the inn, Zhou Huan sought out Tian Lang immediately and said, “Tomorrow, my disciples and I are heading into the mountains to train. I’m leaving the two young ladies in your care. This place is full of riffraff; don’t let them be bullied!”

“Brother, rest assured. I would sooner lose this life than let anyone harm the two ladies. Otherwise, how could I face myself with a clear conscience?”

Zhou Huan smiled. “That’s good then. Tell you what, I’ll leave Dongzi with you too. He can help if anything comes up!”

Dongzi’s eyes darted. “Leaving is fine, but it’s useless for me to go train qi with you three.”

“It’s settled then. Dongzi stays with Tian Lang to look after the young ladies. We go to the mountains tomorrow to practice qi. There are fifteen days left until the Canfa competition begins. I believe that within these fifteen days, we can grasp the basic methods of circulating and utilizing qi.”

Just then, Xiaoyun burst out of the room clutching a rabbit, clamoring to go with Zhou Huan. Hearing Xiaoyun’s insistence, Xiaofang also emerged, arguing that if her sister went, she must go too.

A smile spread across Zhou Huan’s face. “My dear young ladies, it’s best if you stay. I don’t know what’s happening in those mountains, but if we’ve targeted that area, others likely have too. Once we get up there, we’ll be scrambling just to find a spot to practice qi. Besides, if you stay here with Dongzi and Tian Lang watching over you, I won’t have to worry constantly about you, right?”

The two young ladies pouted reluctantly but nodded in agreement. Afterward, Zhou Huan led his disciples back to their room. Once inside, Zhou Huan immediately began packing. He turned to his disciples and said, “Disciples, we leave immediately. If we wait until morning, the young ladies might guilt us into staying, and that would be troublesome.” With that, Zhou Huan and his disciples strode quickly out of the room, rushing out the inn’s back door, heading directly toward the mountains north of the capital city.

The very next morning, just as Zhou Huan had predicted, the two young ladies, having packed their bags, came to his room looking for him. But when they discovered Zhou Huan was already gone, they returned to their room crestfallen. As soon as they were inside, Tian Lang entered the young ladies’ room. “Don’t go chasing after them, ladies. Isn’t Brother Tian Lang here to look after you at home?”