"I do have an idea that’s guaranteed to save time and effort."

Wang Changbai didn’t want to work his old bones to death either, so he quickly came up with a plan.

"What is it?" Han Yuan asked.

"It’s simple... I know Blacksmith Wang over in the eastern part of the city."

"I’ll go have him forge something for us."

Wang Changbai leaned in and whispered a few words in Han Yuan’s ear.

"That’s not a bad idea. Offer him some extra money and have him make it quickly," Han Yuan said softly.

"It’s nothing difficult. I’ll have it ready for you by tomorrow," Wang Changbai promised, patting his chest.

「The next day.」 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

An iron frame, resembling a doorframe and standing over ten feet tall, appeared at Han Yuan’s house.

An iron ball the size of a soccer ball hung from the center of the frame.

"Han Yuan, this iron ball weighs a little over twenty pounds. Think you can handle it?" Wang Changbai said with a smile.

"Of course... Can we add more weight later?"

Han Yuan ran a hand over the iron frame, finding it quite sturdy.

"Of course. As long as you can take it, even fifty-five pounds won’t be a problem."

Wang Changbai nodded.

"Let me give it a try."

Han Yuan abruptly struck the iron ball with his palm.

CLANG~

Sent flying by the immense force, the iron ball swung back with tremendous momentum and slammed viciously into Han Yuan’s chest.

BAM~~

Han Yuan grunted, holding his breath and circulating the qi and blood in his body.

After the ball struck him several times and lost its momentum, Han Yuan would hit it again with his palm.

By adjusting his position, Han Yuan could also have the iron ball strike different parts of his body.

This way, he no longer needed anyone’s help to practice his Outer Forging.

’Thank goodness I came up with this method, or this old man would’ve been worked to death,’ Wang Changbai thought with a smug smile.

「In the days that followed.」

By day, Han Yuan tempered his body, cultivating his Arhat Iron Cloth Shirt.

By night, he stood guard at the County Yamen’s storehouse and cultivated his Mountain-Breaking Fist.

After Outer Forging, he needed to apply more medicinal balms to help his injured muscles recover quickly and become even tougher.

This caused Han Yuan’s expenses to increase significantly.

Fortunately, with the silver he’d taken from those Tomb Raiders and the monthly protection money from Changfeng Street collected, he wasn’t in any financial trouble for the time being.

Since he had only just begun, and this Outer Forging method was extremely taxing on the body, Han Yuan could only train about a dozen times a day.

Otherwise, his body wouldn’t be able to handle it, and he would suffer internal injuries.

Five or six days passed in this manner.

「As the sun began to set.」

Han Yuan, stripped to the waist, silently endured the iron ball as it smashed into him again and again.

His torso was already a mess of black and blue bruises and large, blood-congested patches, a gruesome sight.

BAM~

As the iron ball slammed viciously into his lower abdomen, Han Yuan finally completed another training session.

Host: Han Yuan

Thousand Falcons Blade Technique: Perfection (Breaking the Sky)

Mountain-Breaking Fist: Minor Success (661/1200)

Arhat Iron Cloth Shirt: Uninitiated (87/100)

’Only thirteen points to go... I should be able to cross the threshold tomorrow.’

’Once my Arhat Iron Cloth Shirt reaches the entry level, I’ll be in the Body Tempering Realm.’

’In all of Qingshui County... I’ll finally be somebody.’

After a short rest, Han Yuan washed up and applied some medicinal balm to speed up the recovery of his damaged muscles.

Once he was done, he changed into his Constable Uniform, strapped on his long saber, and headed for the County Yamen.

He had just reached the entrance to the County Yamen when someone called out to him.

"Han Yuan, Chief Constable Gao wants to see you."

A Government Official informed him.

’Gao Yuan...’

Han Yuan wondered why the Chief Constable had suddenly summoned him.

But Gao Yuan was his direct superior, so he had no choice but to go.

When he arrived at Gao Yuan’s courtyard, he saw Gao Yuan standing outside the house with a solemn expression, looking somewhat hesitant.

"Greetings, Chief Constable Gao."

Han Yuan said, cupping his fist.

"Han Yuan... there’s something I need to ask you."

Gao Yuan’s tone was grave as he looked at Han Yuan.

"Please speak freely, Chief Constable Gao," Han Yuan replied, his demeanor respectful but not subservient.

"Do you want to know the real reason your brother, Han Jiudao, died?"

Gao Yuan asked, emphasizing each word.

Surprise flashed across Han Yuan’s face, but he didn’t hesitate for a second. "Please, Chief Constable Gao, tell me everything!"

"Follow me inside." Gao Yuan sighed and walked into the house.

Han Yuan followed him inside.

"Your brother’s death... I’m actually partly responsible for it."

Gao Yuan chose his words carefully before speaking softly. "If I hadn’t sent him to investigate the Cyan Sand Gang’s smuggling case... he probably would still be alive."

"The Cyan Sand Gang... It really was them?!"

Han Yuan’s expression was one of shock.

"What, you already knew?" Gao Yuan asked, surprised.

"No... I just found a few clues before."

"Before my brother disappeared, he was seen at the Cyan Sand Gang’s docks several times."

"I sent someone to investigate later... but unfortunately, Zhao He found out, so I didn’t dare to press the matter," Han Yuan said gravely.

"I see." Gao Yuan nodded.

"It’s highly likely your brother was killed by the Cyan Sand Gang."

"He was investigating the gang’s smuggling operation at the time. Then one night, he supposedly ran into Blood Eagle in the middle of a crime, chased him out of the city, and mysteriously disappeared."

"But I’ve always suspected that someone was impersonating Blood Eagle to lure your brother out of the city and assassinate him."

"But I had no proof, so I couldn’t avenge him."

Gao Yuan sighed softly.

"Then why didn’t you tell me sooner, Chief Constable Gao?" Han Yuan frowned.

"Given your strength at the time, telling you would have been like throwing you into a pit of fire."

"You’ve gotten stronger now, but I still didn’t want to tell you. After all, I already cost you a brother. I didn’t want to drag you into this as well," Gao Yuan explained.

"Then why are you telling me now, Chief Constable? Has something changed with the Cyan Sand Gang?"

Han Yuan asked quietly.

"That’s right... I’ve received a tip... The Cyan Sand Gang is planning something big in the next few days."

"But I haven’t been able to find out the exact day."

"After thinking it over and over... I’m afraid you’re the only one who can help me," Gao Yuan said quietly.

"Whatever it is, Chief Constable, just say it."

Han Yuan looked as though he was ready to do whatever it took to avenge Han Jiudao.

"It’s simple. This is an address... It’s where Tan Bingren, the Cyan Sand Gang’s Vice Gang Leader, keeps his wife and child."

"You will secretly abduct Tan Bingren’s wife and child, take them outside the city, and then summon him."

"Then, we will capture Tan Bingren together and force the exact date out of him."

Gao Yuan took out a slip of paper.

But this time, Han Yuan hesitated, unwilling to take the slip of paper.

"Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to harm them. Once this is over, we’ll let them go."

"This is a last resort. The Cyan Sand Gang is too secretive. This is the only way."

Gao Yuan patted Han Yuan’s shoulder understandingly.

After thinking it over, Han Yuan gritted his teeth and took the slip of paper.

"Rest assured, if everything goes smoothly..."

"...the truth behind your brother’s death will soon be revealed," Gao Yuan said solemnly.

"Let’s hope so."

"Chief Constable Gao... when do you plan to act?"

Han Yuan asked.

"There’s no rush. We’ll wait a few more days."

"I’ll send someone to notify you before we make our move," Gao Yuan said quietly.