Cultivating in Different Professions

"Senior Brother, I’ve investigated everything," an Inspector whispered.

"How many times have I told you? Call me ’Sir’ when we’re on duty!" Dai Jin said, clearly displeased. "Remember, we aren’t just disciples of the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect. We are Inspectors of the Da Xuan Inspection Bureau!"

"Yes, Sir."

Lu Dashou quickly corrected himself. "Su wasn’t lying. Remnants of the Fragrance Sect did appear in Wuling City before. The order to investigate came from the Inner City, directed at the Outer City. At the time, Su was still serving in the South City Bureau. He was the one who led a team to arrest a group of Fragrance Sect remnants.

"In fact, it’s because of that meritorious service that he was promoted from a lowly constable to East City Bureau Captain."

Dai Jin’s brow furrowed. ’Could Su Mu’s Xuanhuang Blood Exchange Technique have really been seized from those Fragrance Sect remnants?’ Still, he felt something was off.

"Sir, in my opinion, even if it’s not the Xuanhuang Blood Exchange Technique, what Su is practicing can’t be our Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect’s Hundred Herbs Blood Exchange Method either.

"Think about it. Senior Brother Feng’s death was only a few months ago. Even if Su got the Hundred Herbs Blood Exchange Method from him, he’s only been practicing it for a few months at most.

"He doesn’t have our Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect’s resources, either. What could he possibly accomplish in just a few months?

"But his strength is clearly far beyond that of someone in the Early-stage Blood Exchange—"

"What the hell do you know?!"

Dai Jin snapped irritably. ’Is Su Mu just some ordinary person?

’How could his cultivation progress be measured by a good-for-nothing like you?’

’You could slander him in other areas, but not this one.’ No matter how much Dai Jin loathed and hated Su Mu, he had to admit that Su Mu was, without a doubt, a genius.

He had reviewed all of Su Mu’s files and found his background to be completely clean.

He was originally a refugee displaced by a disaster. He got lucky and met Taiping Captain Lin Qi Huan, from whom he learned the Submerging Wave Saber Technique.

In a short time, he developed the Submerging Wave Saber Momentum, and from then on, his progress was unstoppable.

Aside from the Xuanhuang Blood Exchange Technique, the origins of all the other cultivation techniques and martial arts he practiced were traceable.

He could master any cultivation technique or martial art, reaching the Realm of Perfection in an incredibly short time.

He had even grasped a Martial Intent while still in the Body Tempering Realm.

Dai Jin had carefully cross-referenced all the timelines. For some of the techniques and arts, there was no way Su Mu could have obtained them in advance, so the time he spent practicing them couldn’t be falsified.

There was no explanation for any of it other than sheer talent and aptitude.

’After all, Martial Intent isn’t something that can be achieved just by piling up resources.

’Without the necessary insight, all the resources in the world would be useless.’

"He wouldn’t lie about the Blood Exchange Technique,"

Dai Jin said in a deep voice.

’The difference between the Hundred Herbs Blood Exchange Method and the Xuanhuang Blood Exchange Technique is easy to detect.

’Though he hadn’t personally examined Su Mu’s body, he was certain Su Mu wouldn’t lie about this.

’Who would tell a lie that could be so easily exposed, unless they were a complete idiot?’

"Besides, the fact that he said it so openly means he’s already prepared. We won’t find anything by investigating further," Dai Jin said slowly. "But I’d bet anything that Junior Brother Feng’s death has something to do with him!"

"But Sir, without evidence, we can’t do anything to him. He is a Taiping Captain, after all, and he has the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow!"

Lu Dashou said.

At the mention of the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow, Dai Jin’s expression turned grim.

’It was the greatest humiliation of his life, the closest he had ever come to death.’

"If it weren’t for that Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow, I could crush a piddling Blood Transformation Realm cultivator like him with one hand!" Dai Jin said through gritted teeth. "If he’s the one who did it, he must have left a trace somewhere.

"These case files aren’t getting us anywhere. We need a new line of thinking."

"What do you have in mind?"

Lu Dashou asked.

"First, they claim Junior Brother Feng was killed by members of the Wuling Hu Family. The Taiping Bureau may have wiped out the Wuling Hu Family, but there could be survivors. Find them.

"Second, Su Mu claims he seized his Xuanhuang Blood Exchange Technique from remnants of the Fragrance Sect. I refuse to believe some random band of Fragrance Sect remnants would just happen to possess the Xuanhuang Blood Exchange Technique. It’s also strange that they appeared in Wuling City in the first place. Investigate! Find out if there are any other Fragrance Sect remnants in the city!"

A thoughtful expression on his face, Dai Jin continued slowly, "As a Taiping Captain, colluding with the Fragrance Sect is a capital offense!"

"Sir, now that you mention it, I just remembered something,"

Lu Dashou said, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"What is it?"

"In the East City District of Wuling City’s Outer City, there’s a Qingcha Sect. I believe it has some connection to the Fragrance Sect,"

Lu Dashou said. "Its Sect Leader was a disciple of the Fragrance Sect years ago. He was later granted amnesty by the Da Xuan Court and was allowed to remain in Wuling City.

"And Su Mu was once the Captain of the East City Bureau. That could be a lead."

"Well done!"

Dai Jin praised him. "Junior Brother Dashou, you follow this lead. If you can find evidence of Su Mu colluding with the Fragrance Sect, I’ll ensure you’re credited with a major contribution!"

"Thank you, Sir!"

Lu Dashou said excitedly.

... ...

「Wuling City, the Wang Estate.」

"The Inspection Bureau..."

Wang Zang tapped his fingers on the tabletop, a small note lying before him. The note detailed the Da Xuan Court’s establishment of the Inspection Bureau.

"Second Brother is quite lucky."

With a pensive look, Wang Zang muttered to himself, "He stumbles into an immense achievement out of nowhere, right as the court establishes the Inspection Bureau. If I pull a few strings and get Second Brother a position inside, it could be a perfect shortcut to power."