Before Qin Fang could speak, the voice of his master’s wife came from behind him. "Who is it?"

The young man paused, ignoring Qin Fang as a smile spread across his face. He peeked his head in. "Mistress, it’s me."

"Oh, it’s you, Little Xing! Come in, come in."

The master’s wife stood at the kitchen entrance. Seeing Zhou Xing, she greeted him with a smile.

Zhou Xing smiled and answered, also carrying a few things in his hands as he entered.

Qin Fang stepped aside, then closed the door.

Zhou Xing chatted cheerfully with the master’s wife. It was clear they were close, and she was obviously fond of him, beaming after just a few words.

Qin Fang followed quietly, not interrupting.

Noticing Qin Fang, the master’s wife smiled and made the introductions. "This is your Eldest Martial Brother, Zhou Xing... Little Xing, you haven’t met your Little Junior Brother yet, have you? This is the new disciple your master took in. His name is Qin Fang."

Qin Fang let out a small breath and bowed slightly. "I am Qin Fang. It’s an honor to meet you, Senior Brother."

"So you’re my Little Junior Brother?"

A flash of surprise crossed Zhou Xing’s eyes. He immediately recalled the Identity his master had given him a few months ago.

At the same time, he remembered something else and, almost instinctively, glanced at Qin Fang’s left hand.

The injury on Qin Fang’s left hand had mostly healed... but it had been broken, after all. It had only been a little over two months, so there was still some swelling.

Of course, this didn’t escape Zhou Xing’s notice. His pupils constricted slightly, but he quickly smiled. "So, you’re my junior brother. Master never mentioned you before."

As he spoke, he subconsciously glanced at Qin Fang’s right leg...

’According to the intel from Lan Gui Fang, the injured person who disappeared at the end was suspected to be the killer, using a self-injury ploy...’

’And his injury was on his right leg.’

He made these two movements with extreme subtlety.

However, Qin Fang knew that Zhou Xing worked for the Government Office. He had also learned from his master that Zhou Xing was the one in charge of the Wang Long case. Since this was their first meeting, he was naturally observing the man’s every expression with intense focus.

So when Zhou Xing’s gaze discreetly swept over his left hand and right leg, his heart went cold.

But he didn’t say anything, instead putting on a slightly embarrassed expression. "Actually, I’m not an official disciple yet... I’m only a Registered Disciple."

The master’s wife smiled warmly. "Official, registered, what’s the difference? Do you think your master belongs to some great, formal sect? Since he brought you home and you’ve called me ’Mistress,’ you’re family."

A warmth spread through Qin Fang’s chest. He lowered his head. "Yes..."

Zhou Xing glanced around and immediately deduced what this Qin Fang had been doing here...

The snow was swept, and a pile of firewood was stacked by the door. There was still sweat on his forehead. He had clearly been helping the master’s wife sweep snow and chop wood.

He smiled warmly. "Mistress is right. Once you’ve entered this house, you’re one of the family."

"But Master has always been like this, he doesn’t like to be flashy. He has some connections in True Martial, and if he were to hold a formal disciple acceptance ceremony, it would cause too much of a stir. That must be why he chose to keep it low-key. You don’t need to worry. Knowing Master’s personality, the fact that he brought you home means he has accepted you."

Qin Fang hadn’t expected Zhou Xing to reassure him. Not knowing what else to say, he could only take a deep breath and say earnestly, "I owe Master a debt as great as a mountain. If it weren’t for him, I would probably be dead... If I can truly earn Master’s acceptance, then I can finally be at ease."

Zhou Xing smiled and nodded gently.

Seeing the martial brothers chatting so naturally, the master’s wife, who was standing nearby, smiled. "Alright, you two keep talking. I just have a few more dishes to make, and then we can eat... You two should have a little something to drink later."

"Mistress, how could we let you do all the work? Let me, let me." Upon hearing this, Zhou Xing quickly laughed and started toward the kitchen.

"Get out, get out, go on..." the master’s wife scolded with a laugh. "With your cooking skills, you’ll just waste my ingredients."

"Er..." Zhou Xing froze, then said, rather speechlessly, "Mistress, Little Junior Brother is right here. Can’t you spare this Eldest Martial Brother a little face...?"

But the master’s wife just smiled without a word, waved her hand, and went back into the kitchen to get busy.

Having been rejected, Zhou Xing didn’t dare try to enter again. He turned his head and smiled at Qin Fang. "Little Junior Brother, we’ll talk more in a bit. I’m going to put my things away first."

He lifted the items in his hands.

Qin Fang quickly replied, "Of course, Senior Brother."

Zhou Xing gave him another smile and turned to enter the house.

Qin Fang, on the other hand, returned to the kitchen entrance and continued chopping wood.

But the smile on his face faded somewhat, and a flicker of something appeared deep in his eyes.

’...Zhou Xing has definitely figured something out.’

He didn’t know Zhou Xing well and was unsure what his next move would be.

But for him, this was absolutely not a good thing.

As the person in charge of the case, if Zhou Xing decided to be strictly impartial, it would be an absolute disaster for him.

Never mind whether the man had any evidence...

His status as a vagrant alone was enough. If Zhou Xing really wanted to take him in, he would be completely powerless to resist.

His stay in True Martial could be considered an illegal one.

Under normal circumstances, the Government Office had every right to arrest him on the spot.

If Zhou Xing truly decided to do something to him, he would be defenseless.

In fact, Zhou Xing wouldn’t even have to do it himself. All he had to do was mention a word of it to Wang Hu... and disaster would likely befall him.

Qin Fang’s heart instantly grew heavy.

For a moment, his expression was fraught with uncertainty.

...

Meanwhile, after Zhou Xing entered the room, the smile vanished from his face, and his brows furrowed tightly.

He set down the things in his hands, lost in thought.

’...So Master really does know the killer.’

’Not only knows him, he even took the killer as his disciple...’

’My fears from that day have come true.’

His brows knitted together.

A moment later, he again heard the sharp crack of wood being chopped from outside.

Glancing out at the courtyard, he fell silent for a moment before letting out a soft sigh.

’...I’ll just have to wait and see.’

He thought.

...

CRACK...

CRACK...

Uncertain of Zhou Xing’s attitude, Qin Fang was lost in thought, his mind elsewhere as he chopped wood, wondering what to do next.

He didn’t know how much time had passed when Zhou Xing’s voice suddenly came from nearby.

"Little Junior Brother, have you already started your martial arts training?"

Startled, Qin Fang snapped back to his senses.

He turned his head to see Zhou Xing standing behind him, looking at him with some surprise.

"Ah, Master taught me the Root Technique the day before yesterday. I just started practicing the Standing Pile..." Qin Fang answered subconsciously.

"You just started the Standing Pile?"

This statement seemed to stun Zhou Xing for a moment. He subconsciously narrowed his eyes at Qin Fang, which left Qin Fang feeling bewildered.

Suddenly, he asked, "Did he teach you the Wild Bull Qi?"

Qin Fang paused, then nodded. "Yes."

"And he only taught you two days ago?" he asked again.

Qin Fang nodded again.

Zhou Xing said abruptly, "Can you perform the Pile for me now? I’d like to see."

Qin Fang froze... He had been guessing all this time, but he had never expected Zhou Xing to make such a request.

After a moment’s hesitation, Qin Fang still let out a small breath and stood up.

"Alright."

Although he didn’t know why Zhou Xing wanted to see him perform the Standing Pile, Qin Fang decided to observe him first, as he was still unsure of his attitude.

Since Zhou Xing was the Eldest Martial Brother, showing him his Standing Pile was a reasonable request.

After all, regardless of the era... the Eldest Disciple’s status within a martial school was always very high.

"Come over here."

Zhou Xing beckoned.

Qin Fang nodded, walked over to an area that had been swept clean, and took a deep breath.

"Senior Brother, please correct me."

With that, he assumed the stance for the ’Wild Bull Qi Strength Pile’.

As Qin Fang’s breathing fell into rhythm and the impossibly faint Skin Membrane Drum Sound emanated from his body, a look of utter astonishment appeared in Zhou Xing’s eyes...