Translator:KelaudeEditor:Kelaude

In his past life, the first job that Yan Liqiang had earned money from was as an artist. He had grown up in an orphanage back then and began learning how to draw on his own when he was eight years old. As it happened, there was a teacher in the orphanage who knew how to draw, so they instructed him in practicing still life drawings as well as portraits. After going through five years worth of blood, sweat, and tears, Yan Liqiang was finally capable of carrying a canvas on his back, setting up a booth at the park or the streetsides to earn money from drawing portraits of people. He started doing this when he was thirteen years old. Drawing one portrait would earn him 20 yuan.

On the year he turned fifteen, while he was setting up shop in the park one weekend morning, he caught sight of an old man, who had come to do his morning exercise, fainting by the roadside. He didnt hesitate to call an ambulance, sending the old man to the hospital. As the saying goes, one good turn deserves another. Afterwards, once the old man regained consciousness, the old man did not wrong him. Instead, after finding out that Yan Liqiang knew how to draw, he taught him how to draw portraits accurately in accordance to another persons description. That old man turned out to be a criminal sketch artist for the provincial public security department and was a first-class expert in that field. Yan Liqiang learned from the old man for a few years, and received all his teachings. He managed to gain a solid grasp of his techniques in that area and even surpassed the teacher as a result. Later on, the old man had even wanted to recommend Yan Liqiang to work in the public security department as a criminal sketch artist too. But Yan Liqiang was in the prime of his youth at the time; he still had a lot of dreams and goals to achieve in the future so he wasnt satisfied with a stable and peaceful occupation which would earn him a couple of thousand yuan a month for a lifetime. Thus, he chose not to work at the public security department and had instead, chosen the more difficult path of making a living with more opportunities.

Yan Liqiang himself never expected that the skills hed learned in his past life could be put to use here.

To be the only one in the world with such a skill, with no others bearing the same skillsetit was an ability that would naturally have everyone on their feet once it was exhibited.

This was because the painters and artists of this world were accustomed to ink and wash forms of painting. Ink and wash painting paid particular attention to the artistic mood and vividness of the subject. It was the kind of state and comprehension which could only be grasped intuitivelyto be sensed but not to be expressed in words. All ink and wash paintings had the artists personality drawn into it. It was an exhibition of the painters inner world. Even though line-drawing techniques existed in ink and wash painting, portraits drawn using brushes were completely incomparable to Yan Liqiangs type of portraits. After all, he had especially trained himself to reach the standards of a criminal sketch artist in his past life.

The portrait drawn by a criminal sketch artist didnt pay attention to vividness, artistic mood or any form of spiritual comprehension and experience. Instead, it was all about accuracy! To be able to draw the portrait to attain the quality of a photograph as well as to accurately and unmistakably reveal the appearances of the suspectthat was the highest realm that could be attained!

Liqiang, when did you learn how to do this? Qian Su stared at Yan Liqiang in amazement. You were actually able to use a charcoal core to draw out such a realistic appearance of a man based on just a description. Such a skill is simply marvelous!

Standing at the side, Lu Peien remained silent. He took the wooden board from Yan Liqiangs hands and studied it carefully in his grasp. As he looked at the painting in hand, he shot a look of wonder at Yan Liqiang. Clever! Wonderful! Marvelous! Such a skill has never been seen before. Its unheard of

The surrounding crowd also moved closer. Every single one of them was all struck dumb when they saw the portrait drawn by Yan Liqiang.

It looks like him! The resemblance is uncanny! The person in the painting almost looks alive Zhou Yong felt such respect for Yan Liqiangs painting on the wooden board that he was practically prostrating himself with admiration. A martial warrior like Zhou Yong didnt have anything more elegant to say than alive!. This was already the best praise he could think of.

Uncle Qian, I myself am unsure when I learned this. Perhaps this skill was taught to me in my dreams said Yan Liqiang calmly. Since he had already used this excuse before, what harm was there in using it again?

Last time, Yan Liqiang had explained that hed learned the method to save the kid from within a dream, but people like Qian Su and Lu Peien wouldnt normally accept such a claim at face value. It was merely because they didnt want to delve further since they thought Yan Liqiang must have encountered it by chance or by coincidence. But now, after Yan Liqiang explained that hed learned this drawing skill from his dreams as well, both Qian Su and Lu Peien exchanged speechless glances with each other as they started to question their earlier decision. Could it be that Yan Liqiang was truly able to meet a deity in his dreams and was bestowed with this opportunity? Otherwise, how could such unimaginable painting skills that had never appeared in this world, emerge from a young man who had never held a painting brush before?

Lu Peien muttered dubiously to himself for a moment before he spoke to Yan Liqiang, The perpetrator is vicious and merciless, and his methods are savage. Hes definitely not a good man. Now that we know what he looks like, how about I bring this painting to Huanglong Countys Law Enforcement Office and check the pictures of major wanted criminals to see if any of them share similar features to this one? It will make it easier for us to verify the perpetrators identity as well as issue a document to capture and arrest the criminal

Why is there a need to go to Huanglong County? Isnt there one in Qinghe County? Yan Liqiang was caught off-guard.

Lu Peien glanced at Qian Su, who in turn, gazed at Zhou Tiezhu who held a look of resentment on his face. After master was met with this mishap yesterday, I went to the countys Law Enforcement Office to report the case to the authorities, but the officer of the countys Law Enforcement Office said this was a business dispute between the Yan Clan and the customer. So this wasnt considered a case and therefore nothing theyd be concerned with. He wanted us to resolve it on our own. I was so angry that I ended up arguing with them. Those officers even said that if were going to stir up trouble, they would instead investigate our Yan Clans workshop for making such a low-quality horseshoe that it broke the horses leg, that theyd demand we pay the compensation fee to the other man before they tried looking for him

Previously, Yan Liqiang was in a hurry to go home, so Zhou Tiezhu barely had time to explain everything in detail to him.

Yan Liqiang hadnt expected such a thing as no case-filing would also exist in this world. In his past life, only the officials would spout such words, causing a large number of people to have nobody to turn to for their injustices and with nowhere to go to cleanse away the hatred in their hearts. Just these two words alone had unknowingly covered up countless hidden crimes and filth, allowing innumerable demons and monsters colluding together to run amuck in the world without any scruples. Even if a person were killed, or an underaged girl raped, should you, the victims family, try to file a case, then as long as the official said no case-filing, even if the perpetrator was devoid of conscience and was worse than a dog, it wasnt considered as breaking the law. Regardless of how major the injustice was, that was still wrecking havoc without reason. The so-called truth and justice, law and sanctity, the feelings of the people, they were nothing but a joke before these two light words.

A dark situation had befallen him, the most unjust since hed arrived; his father had almost been hacked to death by some man, and yet the Law Enforcement Office stood on the perpetrators side without budging and had instead chosen to fling bogus accusations at them. Yan Liqiang instantly flushed red with fury, practically seething with anger.

After he calmed down, only then did Yan Liqiang recall that Hong Taos uncle from the Hong Clan seemed to be working at the Qinghe Countys Law Enforcement Office. No wonder they had banded together.

However, even if the Hong Clan could extend their hold over at the Law Enforcement Office of Qinghe County, they werent able to reach out to the Law Enforcement Office of Huanglong County. In Huanglong County, the Lu Clans influence was completely on a different level than the Hong Clan.

Once he understood these facts, Yan Liqiang sucked in a deep breath of air. He cupped his fists at Lu Peien. Then I shall trouble Sixth Master

No trouble. Its no trouble at all! Theres no time to lose. If youre sure that this man is our wanted criminal, we can request the Law Enforcement Office of Huanglong County to report directly to the prefectural citys Law Enforcement Office so they can issue a document to make the arrest said Lu Peien unscrupulously. After being commanded to do so by the authorities, Qinghe Countys Law Enforcement Office wont be able to shirk their responsibilities. That culprit surely wont be able to act as recklessly as before. This matter should not be delayed, so Ill head back to Huanglong County first and verify this mans identity. Even if hes not a wanted criminal, our Lu Clan can still find someone to ask around for anyone who might know this person!

Lu Peien stood as he spoke, getting ready to leave with the portrait drawn by Yan Liqiang. Yan Liqiang escorted him out of the residence.

Ill let Steward Lu stay behind, along with two guards from the Lu Clan. If Young Master Yan has anything that needs to be done, you can inform Steward Lu to handle it on your behalf!

Yan Liqiang nodded his head. Lu Peien then handed Yan Liqiangs drawing on the wooden board to the guard accompanying him and requested him to pack it carefully in a cloth, strapping it to his back. Soon after, he then brought along four attendants and went off on their rhinodrake steeds.

The Revival Pill brought by the Lu Clan was undisputedly miraculous. After a mere two hours had passed, Yan Dechang, who had lain unmoving up till then, finally regained consciousness. His complexion was also far better than how it looked that morning.

After Yan Dechang woke up, the Revival Pills skin was then dissolved in water for him to drink. After resting for a while, Yan Dechang became more spirited and could actually converse with the others. Upon seeing this scene, Yan Liqiang finally placed his worries at rest and was incredibly grateful towards the Lu Clan.

Both Qian Su and Zhou Yong stayed until it was almost sunset, then ate their dinner before bidding Yan Liqiang goodbye. Zhou Young and the rest were regular soldiers. Although they were dressed casually, it would become an issue should they stay at the Yan Residence for too long. Now that the Lu Clan had assigned a couple of men to guarantee the safety of the Yan Residence, and Yan Dechang was out of harms way, Qian Su was the first to leave, with Zhou Yong and the rest in tow.

Yan Liqiang personally escorted Qian Su to the outskirts of Liuhe Town.

Liqiang, do you know why the Lu Clan took out the Revival Pill from their collection today? You should know that the Revival Pill is not just any ordinary medicine. If you placed it in the prefectural citys auction house, you might get bids worth thousands of pieces of gold, Qian Su said to Yan Liqiang, when they were finally alone together.

Yan Liqiang muttered, I wont conceal the truth from Uncle Qian. It was indeed out of my expectations that the Lu Clan would take out their Revival Pill. Although I did save a Lu Clan family member, theyve already given me gold, which should count as repaying the favor. The Lu Clans favor today is too heavy to bear, I dont know how to even begin paying them back!

Youre a bright man. When we went to celebrate the Half Year Festival at the Lu Residence yesterday, Im sure you understood why you encountered the Ninth Lady at Lotus Flower Lake, even though you didnt say it outright.

Yan Liqiang didnt feign his ignorance anymore. I just dont understand why Old Master Lu would have such thoughts. In terms of the Lu Clans aspects and family background, they completely outclass me. Im seriously flattered!

When I went to the Lu Residence today and informed Old Master Lu of what happened with your family, I also told him about your auspicious form when youd passed the Horse Stance stage. Naturally, the Lu Clan would consider such a son-in-law worthy of being offered their major assets in order to win him over. At the very least, even if you didnt end up as the Lu Clans son-in-law, youre still worth the Lu Clans investment as a youth with boundless prospectssomeone whos destined to advance as a Warrior in the future. Youll be doing a huge favor to the Lu Clan!

So this was the truth all along!

Yan Liqiang nodded, I finally understand!

Its good that you understand! Qian Su turned to cast a glance at Liuhe Town. He then softened his tone. Liqiang, just the Hong Clan in Liuhe Town was enough to almost ruin your family. Have you thought of the reason why? In this world, the so-called principles of truth and justice are just nonsense. In the end, everyone compares pure strength. People will obey whoever has that power. Those with similar strengths can probably negotiate with each other, while those without strength can only be pushed around like wooden puppets. What is strength? Money, land, people, relationships, and even fists all count as strength. The reason why the Lu Clan fancies you is because of the strength youve exhibited, as well as your future potential. Your future prospects are limitless, and becoming a Martial Warrior wont be the end for you. Its only the beginning. If you have the Lu Clan backing you, youll be like a tiger that has grown wings, and youll be able to obtain more achievements after you became a Martial Warrior. Perhaps you will perceive this point better after youve become a Martial Warrior in the future. This is also the reason why I wanted to match you up with the Lu Clans young miss!

Qian Su gazed at the silent Yan Liqiang. Ive seen the Lu Clans young miss before. Although shes older than you by a few years, her appearance and talents are considered the cream of the crop. Carefully think about it on your own. Take what just happened today; if your Yan Clan was linked to the Lu Clan through marriage, do you think the Hong Clan would still dare to use such methods against the Yan Clan?

Rest assured, Uncle Qian. This wont happen again in the future. The expression on Yan Liqiangs face was as calm as iron. Ill give ample thought about Miss Lu.

Qian Su gazed fixedly at Yan Liqiang. Then thats good!

Yan Liqiang drew in a deep breath of air after Qian Su and Zhou Yong left. He then turned to walk towards his home.

The setting sun was similar to a red-darkened cloud. In the midst of the afterglow of the setting sun, the entire Liuhe Town was dyed a shade of crimson.

Yan Liqiang glanced coldly at where the Hong Clans courtyard was situated, his lips tightly pursed. The reddish light which shrouded the Yan Residence was akin to blood in Yan Liqiangs eyes