Chapter 107: The Patron Just Died Like That?

Yang Ling followed Wen Xiaoba to the Wen Residence once again. This time, he not only met Wen Kongxuan but also saw a young man who looked travel-worn and weary.

The young man sized Yang Ling up from head to toe, then smiled and clasped his hands in greeting, "Constable Yang, I've long heard of your reputation. I am Dai Huaijin from the Pharmacy Guild."

From the Pharmacy Guild? Already here so soon?

While returning the courtesy politely, Yang Ling opened the other's Status Panel for a quick look:

Character: Dai Huaijin

Profession: Martial Artist

Strength: 62

Agility: 34

Spirit: 17

Martial Arts: Dead Heart Sutra (Second-Rate, Flawless Proficiency)

Life-Death Needle (Skilled)

Ghost Shadow Step (Skilled)

Affiliation: Valley of the Dead, Pharmacy Guild

Holy cow!

This was also a Seventh-Rank Expert!

The other party looked only about seven or eight years older than Yun Ruo.

His age should be around thirty-four or thirty-five!

"The Valley of the Dead is a Second-Rate sect. My guess was correct, the Pharmacy Guild indeed has the Valley of the Dead's influence within it."

Yang Ling's mind stirred slightly.

Based on his indirect understanding during this period, whether it was the Mining Guild or the Pharmacy Guild, he had a rough idea that the structure of such organizations was primarily a conglomerate.

Within the Pharmacy Guild, aside from Second-Rate sects like the Valley of the Dead, there should also be many Third-Rate sects related to medicinal materials, or other Second-Rate sects with strength comparable to the Valley of the Dead.

Only with these sects stepping forward could medicinal shops from various regions join the Pharmacy Guild, forming a large-scale conglomerate.

"Constable Yang, I must offend you."

Dai Huaijin suddenly changed the topic.

Yang Ling only felt a surge of danger and his figure instantly vanished from his original spot.

Thud! Thud! Sounds came from behind him.

He saw two silver needles already firmly embedded in the door panel behind him.

"What do you mean by this?"

Yang Ling's expression darkened.

"Such movement technique... No wonder he was rated as Upper Eighth-Rank. Even an average Upper Eighth-Rank might not be able to dodge my sudden attack in front of me."

Dai Huaijin muttered to himself, then smiled at Yang Ling, "Constable Yang, please don't be angry. Those silver needles just now weren't poisoned, and I didn't aim for your vital points. Even if you hadn't dodged, it would have just been like a mosquito bite, you wouldn't have been injured."

"Yang Ling, I wrote to Brother Dai overnight to draw the Foundation Consolidation Pills."

"The Pharmacy Guild's rule is that Foundation Consolidation Pills can be drawn, but it depends on whether the recipient is qualified enough."

Wen Kongxuan explained, "Brother Dai was just conducting a test on you. As long as you pass, the Foundation Consolidation Pills can be issued."

As he spoke, a flash of amazement crossed Wen Kongxuan's eyes.

He had been prepared just now and personally witnessed Yang Ling's terrifying movement technique.

That speed... he was afraid that even if he encountered it, he simply wouldn't be able to catch up!

"So that's how it is."

Yang Ling nodded thoughtfully, "I just hope next time, you two can give me a heads up in advance."

"Constable Yang, I feel increasingly confident about this investment.

I will write to inform my superiors and try my best to help you secure a spot to go to the Water Qilin Cave."

Dai Huaijin said with a smile, "As for drawing the Foundation Consolidation Pills, let's not make it sound so unpleasant. This time doesn't count as a draw, consider it our Pharmacy Guild's investment.

Even if you can't go to the Water Qilin Cave in the future, there's no need to repay.

There are ten in total here, please count them."

After speaking, he handed Yang Ling a wooden box.

Not a draw? Directly an investment? No need to repay?

Yang Ling's expression immediately softened a few degrees. He promptly took the wooden box and opened it for a glance.

They were all high-quality Foundation Consolidation Pills, each capable of increasing internal technique experience by 500 points!

"Brother Dai, it doesn't count as a draw? Can you make that decision?"

Wen Kongxuan was somewhat surprised.

Dai Huaijin smiled faintly, "Making the decision occasionally is fine."

He paused, then said, "On my way here just now, I seemed to see Cui Tao. He appeared to be drinking tea with Mad Blade Liu Wu in a teahouse."

Yang Ling's expression shifted slightly.

Cui Tao and Mad Blade Liu Wu?

He originally thought Cui Tao's move against Wen Kongxuan was about power struggle.

But now it seemed the matter might still be related to the Rong tribe spies?

"Mad Blade Liu Wu? I've heard Cui Tao mention him. This guy was his childhood brother, they practiced martial arts together."

Wen Kongxuan said casually, "Liu Wu previously followed a Mining Guild elder named He Dongfeng.

Since he has returned to Changhe Prefectural Capital, He Dongfeng should be coming back soon too."

Dai Huaijin had also just mentioned it in passing. Seeing the situation, he chatted a few more casual words with Wen Kongxuan and Yang Ling before hurriedly leaving.

"Director Wen, this Brother Dai's methods are quite impressive. I wonder what rank expert he is?"

Yang Ling suddenly asked.

Wen Kongxuan smiled, "Sun Biao, Director of the First Division of the Public Security Department, has sparred with him. He said Brother Dai must have Seventh-Rank proficiency.

In our Ironclad Department Government Office, his registered record shows Lower Seventh-Rank. I don't know if his cultivation has improved recently.

Yang Ling fell into thought. He planned to go to Shi Xin's side.

To briefly explain the matter of Cui Tao and Liu Wu.

To see how Shi Xin would arrange things.

Just then, a commotion suddenly came from outside.

Immediately after, Wen Xiaoba ran in, his face pale, "Uncle Wen, something big has happened!!"

"What is it? Why are you so flustered?"

Wen Kongxuan frowned, simultaneously glancing outside the courtyard.

It seemed quite noisy outside.

Wen Xiaoba stammered, "Brother Dai... Brother Dai is dead!"

"What did you say!? How is that possible!"

Wen Kongxuan shouted sharply.

Dai Huaijin had just left less than a quarter of an hour ago, how could he be dead!?

Yang Ling was also somewhat stunned.

Wen Xiaoba quickly said, "You should go take a look, it's right at the end of the street!"

Yang Ling and Wen Kongxuan swiftly left the residence and headed towards the end of the street.

A crowd of onlookers had already gathered here.

Meanwhile, constables from the Ironclad Department had cordoned off the nearby area, not allowing ordinary people to approach.

Yang Ling, with his sharp eyes, spotted Dai Huaijin's corpse lying on its back several zhang away at a glance.

His glabella was somewhat dark and bruised, as if he had been struck by a fist.

His eyes were wide open, still retaining a trace of unwillingness.

His investor, his financial backer, just died like that?

Seeing this scene, Wen Kongxuan's heart suddenly trembled. He quickly stepped forward, staring fixedly at Dai Huaijin's corpse, unable to speak.

Yang Ling looked at Dai Huaijin's corpse, momentarily stunned, then a chill shot up from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head.

He unconsciously activated the Vajra Bright King Technique.

His entire person entered a combat-ready state.

A proper Lower Seventh-Rank expert, just died like that!

Died less than a hundred zhang away from them!

And this was still Changhe Prefectural Capital! The residence of Wen Kongxuan, Director of the Third Division of the Bandit Apprehension Division, was on this very street!

What kind of expert would be so audacious, disregarding the law, to beat Dai Huaijin to death!?

The nearby constables also recognized Wen Kongxuan's identity. One of them hurriedly stepped forward, "Director Wen, do you know this person?"

Wen Kongxuan took a deep breath, nearly gritting his teeth as he said, "This is Dai Huaijin from the Pharmacy Guild, a Lower Seventh-Rank expert, and also a disciple of the Valley of the Dead.

How exactly did he die!?"

The nearby Ironclad constables all collectively drew in sharp breaths, their eyes filled with astonishment.

A Lower Seventh-Rank expert!?

They never imagined that this guy beaten to death on the street would be a Lower Seventh-Rank expert!

In Changhe Prefectural Capital, this already belonged to the top tier!

"I... we don't know either..."

That constable stammered.

"Investigate, investigate for me!"

Wen Kongxuan shouted sternly.

Then he looked at Yang Ling, the anger on his face easing somewhat, replaced by a grave expression, "Yang Ling, you go find Director Shi. This matter needs to be taken over by the Public Security Department.

I suspect Brother Dai's death is related to that incident at noon yesterday!"

Yang Ling immediately nodded. Just as he was about to leave, Wen Kongxuan suddenly said, "Take more people with you! You few, go with Constable Yang!"

Yang Ling's mind stirred. He immediately clasped his hands in acknowledgment, then led eight Ironclad constables towards the Ironclad Department Government Office.