Three consecutive days.
Every afternoon, Yan Chuan would spare two to three hours, from afternoon till evening, to roam around, disguising himself as a passing ordinary martial artist, investigating the whereabouts at locations where several villains had once frequented.
However, he found nothing.
Who among those who manage to escape from the court’s pursuit is an easy opponent?
Even with the clues provided by Wei Wude, finding them was not easy.
At least, three days were too short.
Yan Chuan wasn’t in a hurry; he took it as a walk. Moreover, carrying a gun, walking in those places, always observing, always on guard, looking at people, roads, courtyard walls, and houses, a tension constantly tight in his mind, with concentrated willpower, which also benefited Yan Chuan’s boxing practice.
Staying indoors all day, remaining in the Martial Arts Hall, this wouldn’t do either.
Even with "Mutual Teaching and Learning," it inevitably affected Yan Chuan’s cultivation.
Going out for a walk.
Yan Chuan also had ’Experience,’ ample ’Experience,’ enough for him to squander. Even while walking, he turned on ’Experience,’ entering a state of ’Absolute Focus.’ In this state, whether practicing boxing, developing martial arts, or gaining prescient insights and observing subtle clues, it all had wonderful uses.
The various details that ordinary constables and martial artists like Wei Wude could not notice or perceive were all laid bare in Yan Chuan’s eyes.
Strolling for three days.
Meticulously detailed.
Yan Chuan mastered more details, then followed the clues, finally, on the fourth day—
The first target was finally found.
"Military Suppression Department!"
In the small house to the west of the city, Fan Defang, with his sharp monkey-like face, revealed a sinister smile. He picked up a portrait from the table, depicting a cool, beautiful woman in her thirties or forties, with an exquisite figure and face, her coolness and dignity only adding to her allure!
Fan Defang put down his brush and stared at the portrait, smiling with satisfaction.
"Guangling Wang Family!"
"Big Saber Wang Family!"
"Their fame may be loud, but unfortunately, the Mrs. Wang who hides deep in the inner courtyard will still be plucked by me, won’t she?"
Fan Defang held the portrait to his nose and took a deep breath; mixed within the paper and ink was the same scent as the one Mrs. Wang used. The fragrance assailed his senses, and combined with Fan Defang’s lifelike painting skills, he felt that this beautiful woman was right in front of him, in his arms.
The pleasure inside, outsiders could hardly know.
But this was only Fan Defang’s foreplay.
He placed ’Mrs. Wang’s’ portrait into a book box, inside which held dozens to hundreds of portraits, all were incredibly beautiful women Fan Defang had ’collected’ previously.
Each one, not just beautiful, but outstanding in temperament, all having a life of luxury. Although they were older, at least in their thirties or forties, not lacking even fifty-year-old well-preserved noble madams, whom neither ordinary youths nor old men would bother to give a second glance. But Fan Defang had this peculiar taste!
Mature beautiful women!
They were Fan Defang’s favorite!
Adding the thrill of walking a tightrope amidst the strict defenses of these wealthy families, the excitement of possibly being discovered or uncovered at any moment, the angry yet silent noblewomen, either submissive or morally loyal, left Fan Defang unable to stop.
"These five years were truly well-lived!"
"I only wish I’d discovered the charm of it earlier!"
Fan Defang put away the portrait, a smile on his face.
"Mrs. Wang, here I come!"
On a moonless, windy night, as the deep quiet of night enveloped, Fan Defang stepped out of his hidden courtyard, lightly tapping his foot, leaped onto the wall, jumped onto the rooftop, and then ran across the roof tiles, light as the wind, like a swallow, making not the slightest sound.
He was familiar with the path, heading straight for the Wang mansion.
Unbeknownst to him, a pair of eyes amongst the darkness was watching him—
"Qingzhou Swallow Sect!"
"Former teacher of Xiping Academy—"
Hiding in the shadows, Yan Chuan personally saw a black shadow leap out of the courtyard, scaling walls and rooftops. That movement technique, that posture, light as a swallow, was conspicuous, unmistakably the Fan Defang of the ’Qingzhou Swallow Sect’!
Speaking of this person, Yan Chuan had not heard much, after all, Guangling County is in Jian Province, quite far from Qingzhou. But the files organized by Wei Wude were detailed, and Yan Chuan had long memorized them.
Fan Defang was once a notable figure among martial artists in Xiping County of Qingzhou, with fame and strength comparable to the former ’Guangling Ten Tigers.’
’Swallow Sect’ was Fan Defang’s family business, specializing in ’Swallow Fist’ and ’Swallow Flying’ for generations, with ’Swallow Flying’ being a qinggong, and the absolute skill ’Swallow Three Water Copies’ was renowned throughout Qingzhou.
When it passed on to this generation of Fan Defang, he too worked hard, training both ’Swallow Fist’ and ’Swallow Flying’ to a very high realm.
During the court’s military expansion, Xiping County opened a Martial Arts Academy, and despite his family’s prominence, Fan Defang keenly realized this was an opportunity, immediately joining Xiping Academy, and was judged as a ’teacher,’ academically just below a ’Professor.’ Moreover, Fan Defang individually led ’Swallow Fist’ and ’Swallow Flying,’ and had the qualifications to recruit ’Research Students’ and even ’Doctoral Students,’ his status above ordinary teachers.
After joining the Academy, ’Swallow Fist’ and ’Swallow Flying’ were submitted to the court, through joint R&D by the ’True Martial Bureau’ and the ’Vigorous Martial Arts Department,’ which perfected and improved the skills, making them more comprehensive and exquisite.
Consequently, Fan Defang’s strength advanced further.
He had a better future awaiting him, and even becoming a professor at the Academy was possible.
But Fan Defang wasn’t honest.
After entering the Martial Arts Academy, his power greatly enhanced, treated with high regard, he could no longer conceal his romantic inclinations. He leveraged his ’teacher’ status and the ability to recruit ’Research Students’ and ’Doctoral Students,’ deliberately recruiting only female disciples, then manipulated the knowledge of true martial arts, and the students’ chances of graduation to coerce and entice. Often, under the guise of painting for students, over three to four years, he had indescribable relationships with many female disciples.
Indulgent and commanding, savoring all kinds of flavors.
However, frequently walking by the river, how could one’s shoes not get wet?
For martial arts practitioners, regardless of gender, there is always a fierceness.
Fan Defang’s crimes were exposed, and he quickly became aware, fleeing before ’Xiping Academy’ and ’Vigorous Martial Arts Department’ could apprehend him.
From Qingzhou to Peng State, then to Jian Province.
After his infamy spread, Fan Defang threw himself into a life of crime, indulging in all imaginable evils, earning the notorious title of a rapist and a flower thief!
Recently, this rapist arrived in Guangling County, having committed two crimes in succession.
Including Guangling Academy, for a time, none could catch him.
He was found by Yan Chuan!