Chapter 49
"Little one, are you eyeing my two golden loaches?"
Lu Qing noticed the black little beast staring persistently towards the kitchen, prompting him to cover his forehead with his hand.
No need to guess; it was obvious.
Because those two golden loaches were right in the kitchen.
He recalled how the black little beast had been circling around him earlier, sniffing, likely detecting the scent of the golden loaches on him.
After all, just that evening, he had moved the two golden loaches into the water tank and covered it with a wooden plank to prevent them from jumping out at night.
The fishy smell, once attached, was hard to remove quickly.
Unexpectedly, this little one's nose was so keen that it could discern the scent of the golden loaches amidst a mix of various fish smells.
The black little beast did not respond, merely gazing at Lu Qing quietly.
But from their time together, Lu Qing understood its meaning.
It indeed wanted to eat those two golden loaches.
Lu Qing couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
"Little one, let's make a deal. You can eat any fish here. If that's not enough, I'll get you more. But I need to keep those two golden loaches, okay?"
Lu Qing didn't care whether the little beast could understand his lengthy speech; he started negotiating with it.
However, the black little beast either pretended to be dumb or genuinely didn't understand.
It simply blinked its eyes and continued staring fixedly in the direction of the kitchen behind Lu Qing.
Alright, Lu Qing understood now that the little one was determined to eat the golden loaches.
Knowing there was no room for negotiation, Lu Qing had to compromise.
"One. I can only give you one. The other one, I need it. I can't give it to you."
Lu Qing raised one finger, speaking seriously.
The black little beast stared at Lu Qing for a moment, then finally nodded.
"You really can understand me!"
Seeing the black little beast's action, Lu Qing could no longer doubt.
He had suspected before but was never sure.
Now, witnessing its behavior, he could confirm.
This little guy had understood him all along and had been pretending to be dumb!
Upon hearing Lu Qing's words, the black little beast resumed its earlier naive and calm expression, acting as if it had no idea what he was saying.
But Lu Qing wouldn't be fooled by it anymore.
Thinking about how he had been deceived by a small beast for so long, he found it both funny and frustrating.
Turning back to the kitchen, he lifted the plank covering the water tank and grabbed one of the golden loaches, then returned to the courtyard.
"I can only give you one. Do you want it or not?"
Seeing the golden loach struggling in Lu Qing's hand, the black little beast's eyes brightened.
Just as Lu Qing finished speaking, he felt a shadow flash before his eyes, and the golden loach in his hand disappeared.
When he focused again, the black little beast was already munching on the golden loach voraciously.
Watching it bite off the loach's head in one gulp, Lu Qing's heart ached.
That was worth hundreds of silver taels.
But seeing the black little beast eat happily, eyes squinting in joy, tail wagging cheerfully, he could only console himself.
Well, at least the little one had given him a valuable hundred-year-old ginseng last night. Feeding it something good in return was only fair.
The black little beast ate quickly. Before long, the nearly two-pound golden loach was entirely in its stomach.
After finishing the loach, the black little beast looked at Lu Qing again.
Lu Qing was startled and quickly said, "No more. I need the remaining one. I can't give it to you!"
The black little beast gave Lu Qing a sidelong glance, seemingly displeased by his stinginess, then walked over to the tub of fish and began eating leisurely.
Lu Qing: ...
So, you didn't dislike the small fish; you just wanted the tasty ones first.
Seeing that the black little beast did not continue demanding the remaining golden loach, he sighed in relief.
Luckily, the little one was reasonable. If it had tried to snatch the other golden loach, he wouldn't have been able to stop it.
Watching the little beast eat happily, Lu Qing squatted down, thinking.
"Little one, do you really like eating such exotic fish?"
Now that he was sure the little beast could understand him, Lu Qing was eager to communicate.
The little beast looked up at him, its eyes sparkling.
Lu Qing hurriedly added, "I'm not saying I'll give you the other golden loach. Don't misunderstand."
Hearing this, the little beast lowered its head and continued eating, ignoring him.
Lu Qing didn't mind. "However, just because I can't give you the other golden loach doesn't mean I won't give you other exotic fish I catch in the future."
The little beast looked up again, puzzled.
"Little one, how about we make a deal?" Seeing its interest, Lu Qing continued, "If I catch any more exotic fish like the golden loach, as long as you bring me the same kind of plant root as last night, I'll trade them with you. How about that?"
Last night's plant root?
The little beast tilted its head, realizing Lu Qing meant the plant it had instinctively found special and dug up for him.
He seemed to like it a lot?
It remembered the plant grew in some places within its mountain territory.
Though digging it up was easy for the little beast, it didn't want to agree too readily.
Why should it, when he was so stingy about giving it another fish? Hmph!
The little beast pretended to hesitate for a while before reluctantly nodding.
Lu Qing had no idea a young beast could have such complex thoughts.
Seeing it agree, he was overjoyed.
If the little one could indeed find more hundred-year-old ginseng, he didn't mind giving it all the exotic fish he caught.
After all, the ginseng was far more valuable to him than the exotic fish.
Thus, both man and beast felt they had struck a great deal and happily reached an agreement.
Though it had eaten a golden loach, the little beast still finished all the fish in the tub. Its belly was slightly bloated when it left.
Watching the little beast clumsily jump over the fence, Lu Qing shook his head with a smile.
It truly loved fish, preferring to overeat rather than leave any behind.
Once the little beast disappeared, Lu Qing took the wooden tub back to the kitchen to clean, then went to his room to sleep.
The night passed uneventfully.
The next morning, Lu Qing woke up, practiced several rounds of Health Nourishing Boxing, and felt refreshed.
Health Nourishing Boxing, created by his master, truly lived up to its name.
Just practicing for a few days, he already felt much stronger and more energetic.
After a simple yet nutritious breakfast, Lu Qing took Xiao Yan, carrying the remaining golden loach in a bucket, and headed to the Halfway House.
Climbing the mountain, Lu Qing felt a sense of anticipation.
According to his master's words before going into seclusion, the Vitality and Blood Replenishing Pill should be ready today.
With the help of the pill, he was confident that reaching the Qi and Blood stage was within his grasp.
Chapter 50
Arriving at the Halfway House.
Lu Qing was surprised not to see his master practicing boxing in the open space in front of the door.
He went inside to take a look and found the door to the medicine room still tightly closed, with a faint medicinal fragrance wafting out.
Knowing his master was still refining medicine inside, he did not make a sound to disturb him.
Instead, he placed the bucket in a corner, consciously took out a broom, and began to clean the yard.
Seeing her brother cleaning, Xiao Yan also dragged out a small broom from the corner to help.
When the siblings had almost finished cleaning the yard, Lu Qing finally heard the sound of the door opening from inside the house.
Immediately following was the hearty laughter of the old doctor.
"You two, have you been here for a long time?"
Seeing Lu Qing and Xiao Yan cleaning the yard, the old doctor asked.
"Not very long, less than half an hour," Lu Qing replied honestly.
"Grandpa Chen, Xiao Yan helped her brother clean too," the little one boasted, holding up her broom.
"Grandpa knows, Xiao Yan is the best," the old doctor praised immediately.
"Hee hee," the little one smiled happily upon receiving the compliment.
"Master, did you stay up all night?"
Lu Qing asked, noticing that the old doctor's clothes were exactly the same as yesterday's.
"That's right. In the path of medicine refining, one cannot be negligent. Especially with this Blood-Nourishing and Qi-Tonifying Pill, it's best to refine it in one go to preserve the ginseng's efficacy to the maximum," the old doctor nodded.
"Master, don't you want to rest for a while?" Lu Qing asked with some concern.
"No need, it's just one night. My old body isn't that weak yet," the old doctor waved his hand. "Moreover, old people naturally need less sleep; sleeping a little less is no big deal."
Lu Qing observed that his master's face was still rosy and energetic, with no signs of fatigue.
He knew his master was telling the truth.
After all, his master was a powerful martial artist at the Internal Organs Realm. Staying up all night would hardly affect him.
"Does this mean the Blood-Nourishing and Qi-Tonifying Pill is ready?" Lu Qing's eyes lit up.
"Indeed, it's already refined," the old doctor took out a white porcelain bottle. "That old ginseng yielded twenty Blood-Nourishing and Qi-Tonifying Pills."
"With these twenty pills, not only will it be much easier for you to enter the Qi and Blood Realm, but your cultivation progress will also be very rapid once you do."
Lu Qing took the porcelain bottle, feeling its weight.
He suddenly asked, "Master, is it best to take these pills after entering the Qi and Blood Realm?"
The old doctor was stunned for a moment and then replied, "That's right, these pills are one of the best auxiliary pills for the Qi and Blood Realm. Refining just one can bring significant progress. Many martial artists in the Qi and Blood Realm would spend a fortune to get a few pills."
"Then wouldn't it be a waste if I take these pills before entering the Qi and Blood Realm?"
"Although some efficacy would be wasted, your foundation is a bit weak. Without the help of these pills, even if you've mastered Health Nourishing Boxing, it would still take some time for you to enter the Qi and Blood Realm."
Hearing his master's words, Lu Qing smiled and changed the subject.
"Master, yesterday I went fishing and caught two peculiar fish that seem quite unusual. I wanted you to take a look."
"Oh, what good things did you catch this time?" The old doctor was interested.
He knew that his disciple had a great talent for fishing and often caught unusual fish.
These days, there was never a shortage of small fish at his place.
Fried small fish were delicious, especially with wine, which had almost depleted his two jars of aged wine.
"This type of fish is something I've never caught before. It's small but quite strong and feels very unusual."
Lu Qing took out the bucket with the golden loach from the corner of the yard.
The old doctor looked inside and saw the golden loach swimming around. He suddenly widened his eyes.
"This is a golden loach!"
"Master, you recognize this fish?" Lu Qing asked.
"Of course I do," the old doctor said excitedly. "Remember the Red Moon Carp you caught before? I told you it was one of the Ten Delicacies of the world."
"Is this fish also one of the Ten Delicacies?" Lu Qing was intrigued.
He hadn't expected this.
"Yes, this fish is also a rare one, called the golden loach, and it ranks among the Ten Delicacies, though much lower than the Red Moon Carp, being one of the last. Therefore, its taste is not as good as the Red Moon Carp."
"However, what it lacks in taste, it makes up for in its highly nourishing properties, making it perfect for those with weak constitutions."
"Last time, I told you that your Red Moon Carp was bought by a nobleman in the city to nourish his wife."
"After eating the Red Moon Carp, her health improved significantly, but she was still somewhat weak."
"If she had eaten this golden loach, she would have fully recovered."
Lu Qing was surprised to learn that the golden loach was indeed one of the Ten Delicacies.
He realized that he had caught two types of the Ten Delicacies in the small river outside the village.
A small rural river hiding two, possibly more, rare fish was quite intriguing.
Could it be because of the Blood Apricot Tree, or some other unknown reason?
Lu Qing couldn't help but ponder deeply.
The old doctor had evidently thought of this as well.
"A Qing, where did you catch this golden loach?"
"At the same place where I caught the Red Moon Carp," Lu Qing replied honestly.
"The small river outside the village has both Red Moon Carp and golden loach?"
The old doctor realized something unusual.
"Master, is there something wrong with that?" Lu Qing asked humbly.
"It is quite unusual," the old doctor said. "But I can't explain the reason. However..."
"However, what?" Lu Qing noticed the old doctor's serious expression and asked quickly.
"Don't tell anyone about the rare fish in the river outside the village," the old doctor warned solemnly. "Rare fish are valuable, and once the news spreads, it might not be good for the village."
"I understand," Lu Qing nodded.
He understood his master's warning.
The so-called crime of having a treasure—rare fish were too valuable.
If others found out about the rare fish in the river, they might try to take over the river and drive the villagers away.
This kind of thing he had seen in many news stories in his past life.
It would be a disaster for the villagers of Jiuli Village.
It seemed he could no longer reveal the rare fish he caught.
Understanding this, Lu Qing immediately made up his mind.
Even if he caught rare fish in the future, he wouldn't sell them.
After all, he had an agreement with the black beast: if he caught rare fish, he could exchange them for ginseng.
"Just remember that," the old doctor nodded, knowing his clever disciple wouldn't need too much guidance.
However, he was curious about something else.
"Didn't you say you caught two golden loaches? I remember golden loaches always appear in pairs. Where's the other one?"
"The other one was eaten by that black beast," Lu Qing replied with a bitter smile and then explained how the black beast insisted on eating the rare fish, leaving out their agreement.
"I originally wanted to keep both golden loaches, but the beast wouldn't let up, so I had to give it one."
"I see. That's not a problem. The black beast gave you a hundred-year-old ginseng, so it's only fair to give it a rare fish in return," the old doctor said, not feeling it was a loss.
"Master, there's only one golden loach left. Why don't you enjoy it? Consider it a token of my appreciation," Lu Qing suggested.
"It would be a waste for me to enjoy such a good thing alone," the old doctor laughed. "Let's eat it together."
"Besides, your timing in catching this golden loach is perfect. If we're lucky, you might enter the Qi and Blood Realm today."
Hearing this, Lu Qing was stunned.
Chapter 51
"Master, what do you mean?" Lu Qing asked.
"Your body has always been somewhat weak. To step into the Qi and Blood Realm, you must first replenish your foundation."
"Normally, taking the Blood Replenishing and Qi-boosting Pill would achieve this effect, but that would be somewhat wasteful."
"So, your timing with catching this Golden Loach is perfect. With it, I can make a medicinal soup that will replenish your deficiencies."
"But Master, I intended to share the Golden Loach with you," Lu Qing said hesitantly.
"Just let me have a bowl of the soup; no need to be so formal."
The old doctor wasted no time and took the Golden Loach into the kitchen.
Lu Qing followed, watching as the old doctor skillfully prepared the fish.
He removed only the innards, keeping even the blood, and placed everything into an earthen pot.
Then the old doctor added some medicinal herbs and began to stew the mixture.
The cooking took an entire hour.
The aroma of the nourishing soup soon filled the house, making Lu Qing and Xiao Yan's mouths water.
"It's ready."
The old doctor extinguished the fire, let the pot cool slightly, and brought it to the table.
As the lid was lifted, a rich fragrance wafted out, making Lu Qing and his sister salivate even more.
Even the old doctor couldn't help but praise, "It's truly one of the ten rare delicacies."
He took out three bowls, two large and one small.
First, he served two bowls of soup.
Then he pushed the remaining pot towards Lu Qing.
"Xiao Yan is still young and can't handle much medicinal power. A small bowl is enough for her. As for me, a taste will suffice. The rest is for you."
"Master..." Lu Qing hesitated.
"Don't dawdle. Remember, you must consume everything, including the residue."
Seeing his master's stern expression, Lu Qing could only take the pot and pour himself a bowl of soup.
The three of them began to drink the soup.
Lu Qing took a sip and felt an indescribable freshness spread from his tongue, making his whole body feel like it was opening up.
Across from him, Xiao Yan was also drinking happily, her eyes narrowing with delight.
The old doctor savored a sip of soup, tasting it carefully before swallowing.
He sighed, "No wonder the wealthy are willing to pay a fortune for these rare fish."
"Brother, this fish soup is delicious!" Xiao Yan exclaimed joyfully.
Following his master's instructions, Lu Qing drank bowl after bowl. Before long, he had finished half the pot, including the residue.
After finishing the soup, Lu Qing sat for a while before feeling his whole body heat up, and a surge of warmth rose from his dantian.
Seeing his state, the old doctor smiled, "Good, the medicinal power of the soup has begun to take effect. Now go outside and practice the Health Nourishing Boxing to fully absorb the medicine."
Hearing this, Lu Qing hurried outside, unable to sit still from the heat building inside him.
In the courtyard, he calmed his mind and began to perform the nine forms of Health Nourishing Boxing.
The old doctor followed him outside, nodding approvingly as he watched Lu Qing quickly enter a state of concentration.
His disciple was indeed a martial arts genius, quickly entering a state of cultivation even under the effects of the medicinal power.
In the courtyard, the initially uncomfortable heat from the medicinal soup began to calm as Lu Qing practiced his boxing forms.
Thoughts about the Health Nourishing Boxing flowed through his mind, and a sense of enlightenment arose within him.
Instinctively, he started to guide the medicinal power inside him using the boxing forms.
Health Nourishing Boxing was the culmination of the old doctor's lifelong research, perfected from a fragmented martial art he had obtained in his youth.
It encapsulated his decades of medical experience, understanding the body's qi, blood, muscles, bones, and internal organs.
It had remarkable effects on nurturing the body and improving health.
The Health Nourishing Boxing consisted of thirty-six forms, with the first nine forming a cohesive set that worked in harmony.
Practicing these forms could nurture qi and blood, regulate breathing, and was an excellent method for cultivating qi and blood.
Immersed in his practice, Lu Qing repeatedly performed the first nine forms of the Health Nourishing Boxing.
With each movement, the medicinal power from the nourishing soup gathered like homing birds, quickly being absorbed into his qi and blood, enhancing his vitality and strengthening his body's foundation.
Lost in his practice, Lu Qing was unaware of the passage of time.
Suddenly, he felt a tremor throughout his body.
His qi and blood seemed to break through a barrier, flowing freely throughout his body, perfectly controlled.
Feeling a surge of enlightenment, Lu Qing began to slow down and finally stopped, closing his eyes to quietly sense the changes within his body.
"Good, the qi and blood are connected, circulating throughout the body. You've finally stepped into the Qi and Blood Realm!"
The old doctor exclaimed in admiration as he watched.
After a while, Lu Qing opened his eyes.
He felt light and powerful, with an enhanced control over his body.
He extended his palm, and with a thought, a burst of blood qi condensed in his hand, making his palm turn red, almost dripping with blood.
As his thoughts dissipated, the blood qi disappeared, and his palm returned to normal.
"The Qi and Blood Realm allows a martial artist to control their qi and blood, purifying the body and enhancing strength."
"With a thought, the qi and blood connect throughout the body, capable of unleashing tremendous power and significantly increasing defense."
"That's why even a few ordinary strongmen can't match a martial artist in the Qi and Blood Realm."
"Whether in explosive power or defense, the gap is too vast to overcome."
Feeling the various changes in his body, Lu Qing gained a deeper understanding.
No wonder his master said that a martial artist in the Qi and Blood Realm could easily throw off several strong men.
Compared to ordinary people, the explosive power of a Qi and Blood Realm martial artist was indeed extraordinary.
"How do you feel after stepping into the Qi and Blood Realm?" the old doctor asked, approaching.
"I feel great," Lu Qing replied joyfully. "Master, no wonder you say martial artists are powerful. I've just entered the Qi and Blood Realm and already feel much stronger. I can't imagine how powerful higher-level martial artists must be."
"With your aptitude, reaching those levels is only a matter of time."
The old doctor had great confidence in Lu Qing's martial arts potential.
After all, how many could step into the Qi and Blood Realm from a frail youth in just a few days?
Lu Qing's martial arts talent was no less than the prodigies the old doctor had heard of in his travels.
"Lu Qing, now that you've stepped into the Qi and Blood Realm and become a true martial artist, there are some things you need to understand."
The old doctor's expression suddenly turned serious.
"Please tell me, Master," Lu Qing responded respectfully, feeling a sense of urgency.
"There's something you must know. In the martial arts world, the methods are divided into training techniques and combat techniques..."
Chapter 52
"Training methods and combat techniques?" Lu Qing was surprised.
"Yes," the old doctor replied.
"Training methods, also known as nourishing methods, as the name implies, are techniques for nurturing the body, tempering the flesh, and enhancing one's physical strength."
"The Health Nourishing Boxing I taught you is actually a form of training method, a boxing technique I created myself to train the body."
"As for combat techniques..."
The old doctor paused to organize his thoughts before continuing.
"Martial artists who cultivate the way of martial arts have vigorous Qi and blood, and are usually energetic and competitive. It is inevitable to have a strong desire to win."
"Therefore, in the long history of conflict, martial artists have gradually developed many highly aggressive techniques, which are combat techniques."
"Combat techniques are also known as killing techniques. These martial arts do not aim to nurture the body or temper the flesh, but focus on how to unleash the greatest destructive power and lethality in the shortest time with the least cost to defeat the opponent."
"Thus, in terms of lethality, combat techniques are much stronger than training methods."
"Nourishing methods and killing methods..." Lu Qing pondered these two terms carefully.
Just from these two names, he could feel the turbulence on the path of martial arts, a cruel road that might demand life-and-death decisions at any moment.
"Master, you said Health Nourishing Boxing is a training method. What about our lineage's combat techniques?" Lu Qing couldn't help but ask.
"Our lineage doesn't have combat techniques."
The old doctor's next words left Lu Qing stunned.
"Don't make such a face," the old doctor said with a smile, "Master is not good at fighting. It's not surprising that I didn't create any powerful combat techniques."
Lu Qing then remembered that his master was a physician, a very kind-hearted physician who did not like to fight.
A lack of competitive spirit might be why he didn't create any powerful combat techniques.
"However, even though Master is not good at fighting, I do have a few decent combat techniques in my possession. Would you like to learn them?"
"Hmm?" Lu Qing was stunned again. "Master, didn't you just say our lineage doesn't have outstanding combat techniques?"
"Our lineage indeed doesn't have outstanding combat techniques," the old doctor replied.
"Your grandmaster, who was my master, was just an ordinary itinerant physician who knew some basic self-defense techniques."
"Later, when I was young, I had some fortuitous encounters, which allowed me to create the Health Nourishing Boxing."
"So, I wasn't lying when I said our lineage doesn't have outstanding combat techniques."
"Then what did you mean just now, Master?"
"The combat techniques I possess are mostly acquired during my travels. Some were given to me as medical fees by certain chivalrous individuals I treated, some I bought in markets in large cities, and others I found while collecting herbs in the mountains."
With a few simple words, the old doctor hinted at his extraordinary experiences, which Lu Qing could discern.
But...
"Master, can combat techniques be bought?" Lu Qing found it somewhat incredible.
In his impression, martial arts manuals should be the most cherished possessions of martial artists. Who would sell them?
"Haha, this world is vast and full of wonders. When you have the chance to venture out, you'll realize that not only are there people who sell martial arts manuals, but some even carve out their lifelong learning and make it public for everyone to learn," the old doctor laughed.
"Who is so generous?" Lu Qing asked in astonishment.
"That was a great martial artist admired by all martial artists under the heavens."
The old doctor seemed lost in thought, showing a longing expression and fell silent.
After a long while, he came back to his senses, "Alright, let's not talk about that."
"Lu Qing, although as physicians, our duty is to cure and save people."
"But sometimes, when you travel outside, you will inevitably encounter unforeseen events, so you must have some self-defense skills."
"Health Nourishing Boxing is good for dealing with ordinary people, but if you face martial artists who also cultivate martial arts, it is not enough."
Lu Qing nodded.
Health Nourishing Boxing can be used to deal with enemies, but against those who can unleash powerful lethal combat techniques, it is evidently at a disadvantage.
"You have now stepped into the Qi and Blood Realm and become a true martial artist, so it is time to choose a combat technique to cultivate."
"Master, what kind of combat techniques can I learn?" Lu Qing asked with some anticipation.
"Although I have many combat techniques here, most are quite ordinary, suitable only for the Qi and Blood Realm. The truly exquisite ones, there are only three. Wait a moment."
Saying this, the old doctor walked into the house and soon came out with three books.
"These three martial arts, one is a staff technique, one is a blade technique, and the other is a sword technique. Each one is a martial art for the Bone and Muscle Realm. Which one do you want to learn?"
Lu Qing's eyes roamed over the three manuals.
He did not foolishly say he wanted to learn all of them.
Although he possessed supernatural abilities, he understood the principle of not being greedy.
He was now just a small Qi and Blood Realm martial artist, focusing on cultivating one martial art was the best choice.
After some contemplation, Lu Qing finally said, "I choose the blade technique."
"Are you sure? Once you choose, it may affect your future martial path," the old doctor said solemnly.
"Disciple has thought it through. I choose the blade technique," Lu Qing replied firmly.
He was not very interested in staff techniques, and his interest in sword techniques was average.
Instead, the blade technique intrigued him.
After all, the blade was quite domineering, which suited his taste.
"Since you have decided, then take this manual."
The old doctor handed one of the manuals to Lu Qing.
Lu Qing took the manual and opened the first page, his brows raised: "Four Directions Blade?"
"Yes, this blade technique is called Four Directions Blade. I found this manual by chance in a mountain cave while collecting herbs."
"In the cave, there was a skeleton, already turned into bones. In front of the skeleton, there was an oiled paper package, containing this Four Directions Blade manual."
"After burying the skeleton, I took the manual."
Lu Qing was amazed.
He realized that his master seemed to have a lot of fortuitous encounters.
When he was young, he could discover unknown martial arts that led to the creation of Health Nourishing Boxing.
Even while collecting herbs, he could find martial arts manuals.
This kind of luck was indeed incredible.
"Lu Qing, this Four Directions Blade technique, I have only read it, but not practiced it. Since you chose this blade technique, I can only give you some training suggestions but cannot teach you hand-to-hand."
"So how far you can master it depends on yourself."
"Disciple understands," Lu Qing nodded.
"Although the Four Directions Blade technique is intricate, if practiced deeply, even a Bone and Muscle Realm martial artist would find it hard to withstand its power. But with your martial aptitude, mastering it should not be difficult."
The old doctor's confidence in Lu Qing made him somewhat embarrassed.
If it weren't for his supernatural abilities, he might indeed disappoint his master.
Chapter 53
That night, after Lu Qing put Xiao Yan to sleep and fed the black little beast, he lit an oil lamp and took out the "Four Directions Blade Manual."
Interestingly, the black little beast had brought another old ginseng plant that night. The quality was no less than the previous one. Unfortunately, Lu Qing did not have any strange fish to exchange, so the little beast was visibly unhappy when it ate the fish. Lu Qing had to promise to catch a strange fish for it as soon as he had time, which finally appeased the beast. However, before leaving, the little beast did not take the ginseng with it and left it behind. Therefore, Lu Qing now owed the black little beast a strange fish.
Under the bright oil lamp, Lu Qing opened the first page of the "Four Directions Blade Manual." Quickly, he saw a dense white light and even a hint of red light emerging from the manual.
[Four Directions Blade: A manual recording a high-level blade technique.]
[Muscle and Bone Realm blade technique, emphasizing momentum and slaughter.]
[It is said that this blade technique was created by a martial arts master at the peak of the Muscle and Bone Realm, who poured his life's blood into it. With this blade technique, he once fought against a master of the Internal Organs Realm and survived.]
[Would you like to download and simulate it?]
"Is it really a manual with red light?" Lu Qing was surprised to see the red light on the manual. Having awakened his ability for so long, he had developed some judgment about the light emitted from items. Anything associated with red light was extraordinary, a true treasure. Whether it was the strange fish or the hundred-year-old ginseng, it was the same. This "Four Directions Blade" manual, which emitted a red light even stronger than the strange fish and ginseng, truly astonished Lu Qing.
Choosing yes, he began to browse through the "Four Directions Blade" manual.
[Downloading... current progress: 1%, 2%, 3%...]
As Lu Qing flipped through the pages, the download progress gradually increased.
[...97%, 98%, 99%, 100%]
[Download complete. Starting simulation... current progress: 1%, 2%, 3%...]
When Lu Qing finished reading the manual, the progress bar reached 100%, and another progress bar appeared.
"So that's how it is. If it's detected that someone else is practicing a technique, it can be directly simulated. For manuals, they need to be downloaded first and then simulated," Lu Qing thought.
He waited patiently, and before long, the progress bar reached 100%.
[Simulation complete. Would you like to practice?]
Without hesitation, Lu Qing chose yes.
In the next moment, countless key points and insights on practicing the Four Directions Blade technique flooded his mind. Lu Qing closed his eyes slightly, quietly receiving this information. After a long time, he opened his eyes, a hint of shock in them.
"This Four Directions Blade technique is truly extraordinary."
By now, Lu Qing had absorbed all the insights from his mind and had a comprehensive understanding of the technique. The Four Directions Blade technique had only nine moves in total. Each move focused on mobilizing the entire body's strength to unleash the most powerful force and momentum, capable of cutting down any enemy.
The so-called "Four Directions" did not simply refer to the four cardinal directions but to the entirety of the world, wherever one's gaze could reach. The ambition of the martial artist who created this technique was indeed grand. Lu Qing saw in the manual that the creator of this blade technique aimed to use it to counter and defeat masters of the Internal Organs Realm.
Closing the manual, Lu Qing reached for a wooden blade he had made himself in the afternoon. It was not very beautiful but was sturdy enough. In this rural area, where could he find a real battle blade? He had to make do with this for now. After all, he was only practicing and not going to kill anyone.
Holding the wooden blade, Lu Qing stood silently, letting the insights about the Four Directions Blade technique flow through his mind. With these insights, he began to practice the moves recorded in the manual. After entering the Qi and Blood Realm, his control over his body had greatly improved. Although it was his first time practicing the blade technique, he already executed it quite well on the first try. This was partly due to the simplicity of the moves in the Four Directions Blade technique.
The technique consisted of nine moves, each straightforward, focusing on momentum rather than complexity. Practicing it was not difficult. The real challenge was how to mobilize the entire body's strength while wielding the blade to ensure that each strike unleashed the maximum power. This involved very complex force generation methods, including body movements, footwork, angles, and ways of striking, as well as the coordination of qi and blood with the bones. Mastery required a high degree of self-control.
After practicing a few times, Lu Qing, with the help of his mental insights, soon mastered the basic blade moves. However, he still struggled with the unique force generation method of the technique. He remained calm, continuing to practice the blade moves repeatedly. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. He believed that with the help of his insights, once he practiced the moves to a certain proficiency, everything would naturally fall into place.
Indeed, as he continued to practice, his mastery of the blade moves became increasingly refined. The connection between the moves grew smoother, and the technique flowed seamlessly. The nine moves of the Four Directions Blade technique, though simple, were interconnected, forming a whole. They were enough to cover all parts of the body, leaving no openings.
As Lu Qing practiced continuously, he minimized the gaps in the connections between the blade moves. Finally, when he eliminated the last flaw, a realization dawned upon him. The next moment, he took a step forward, linking his qi and blood throughout his body, which instantly burst forth, and he slashed down fiercely with the blade.
Whoosh!
Under the powerful force, the blade wind scattered, pressing the weeds under his feet flat to the ground.
After this strike, Lu Qing stood still, a look of joy on his face.
"So this is the feeling of linking qi and blood and bursting forth instantly."
Just now, Lu Qing had finally grasped how to coordinate the burst of qi and blood with the blade strike to maximize its power. According to the description in the "Four Directions Blade" manual, only by achieving this could one be considered to have truly entered the technique. If he could perform an entire set of blade moves, each strike accompanied by a burst of qi and blood, he would have achieved minor success in the blade technique.
"It wasn't easy. Without my abilities, it might have taken me another month to master the basics of the Four Directions Blade."
Although it seemed that Lu Qing had easily grasped the initiation of the technique in just a couple of hours, only he knew how difficult it was. He had been in a state of enlightenment with the help of his abilities. Even so, it took a significant amount of time to master the basics. Of course, this was partly because he had never practiced a blade technique before. Ordinary martial artists rarely experienced enlightenment, and for them to master the Four Directions Blade might take a year or more.
Grabbing the wooden blade, Lu Qing intended to strike while the iron was hot and continue practicing. Suddenly, he heard a cracking sound from the blade. It turned out that he had used too much force during the last move, causing the wooden blade to crack.
"It seems I need to find a way to get a real blade."
Chapter 54
Lu Qing originally intended to practice the Four Directions Blade Technique to a small success in one go.
Unexpectedly, his wooden blade broke, leaving him somewhat disappointed.
As for achieving great success or perfection in the future, he didn't dare to think about it for now.
That realm could only be touched by experts at the Tendons and Bones Realm or above, not something a mere Qi and Blood Realm cultivator like him could hope for.
Although he understood the key points and insights of the blade technique in his mind, he dared not attempt them.
The extreme force exertion method was something his current body couldn't withstand.
Only those at the Tendons and Bones Realm or above could recklessly push their bodies to such limits.
In fact, with Lu Qing's current entry-level Qi and Blood Realm, it was unlikely he could achieve even a small success in the Four Directions Blade Technique.
His qi and blood weren't sufficient to sustain so many consecutive bursts.
Realizing this, Lu Qing's somewhat heated mind from the excitement of practicing the blade technique cooled down.
He glanced at the wooden blade in his hand, shook his head, and tossed it into the woodpile under the eaves before turning back inside.
The next morning, after preparing breakfast, Lu Qing practiced several sets of Health Nourishing Boxing, regulating his breath and fully invigorating his qi and blood.
Then he took out a snow-white porcelain bottle, poured out a pill, swallowed it, and continued practicing to absorb the medicinal power.
According to his master's instructions, it was best to take one Blood Replenishing and Qi-boosting Pill per day.
Any more, and the body couldn't immediately digest all the medicinal power, causing unnecessary waste.
The century-old ginseng from the black little beast had been refined into twenty Blood Replenishing and Qi-boosting Pills, enough for Lu Qing to use for more than half a month.
After consuming all twenty pills, he would undoubtedly make significant progress in the Qi and Blood Realm.
As for the ginseng the black little beast brought last night, Lu Qing planned to use it after finishing the current bottle of Blood Replenishing and Qi-boosting Pills.
The medicinal power of the Blood Replenishing and Qi-boosting Pill was much gentler compared to the Golden Loach tonic from yesterday.
After practicing Health Nourishing Boxing for a while, slowly absorbing and refining the medicinal power, Lu Qing finished his practice.
Feeling the increased vigor in his qi and blood, he was overjoyed.
He then went to wake up Xiao Yan, who was still lying in bed, for breakfast.
"Xiao Yan, have you grown taller?"
While helping the little one wash her face and brush her teeth, Lu Qing noticed her sleeves were a bit short and couldn't help but ask.
"Really, brother?"
Originally still a bit drowsy, Xiao Yan suddenly woke up.
"Let me measure."
Lu Qing wiped her face and had her stand at the threshold to measure her height.
After measuring, he found that she had indeed grown a bit taller.
"You have grown taller. Look, this was the mark we made last time, and this is the new mark."
Lu Qing pointed at the marks on the door.
Every time he measured Xiao Yan's height, he would carve a mark, and this new mark was indeed higher than the previous one.
"I really have grown taller!"
Xiao Yan looked up at the marks with a face full of happiness.
Lu Qing rubbed her head.
Not only had she grown taller, but her health had also improved a lot.
Her hair was no longer dry and yellow, her complexion was rosy, much better than when he first woke up.
"Alright, let's go inside and eat. If you eat well, you'll grow even taller soon."
Seeing Xiao Yan still smiling foolishly at the marks on the door, Lu Qing smiled and urged her.
As a result, the little one ate half a bowl more during breakfast.
After breakfast, Lu Qing took Xiao Yan to the Halfway House to greet and study with their master.
Lu Qing didn't tell the old doctor that he had already started practicing the Four Directions Blade Technique.
Everything should have a limit. His rapid mastery of the Health Nourishing Boxing overnight had already shocked his master.
At that time, he could still use the excuse of sudden enlightenment.
But he couldn't always be suddenly enlightened, or it would be too astonishing.
So Lu Qing decided to keep a low profile and keep it a secret for now.
That morning, nothing special happened.
The old doctor started formally teaching Lu Qing some medical principles and knowledge about drying and storing medicinal herbs.
Soon, the morning passed.
After finishing his studies, Lu Qing left Xiao Yan at the Halfway House and found an excuse to go out, saying he wanted to buy some things at the Grand Bazaar.
Now that Lu Qing was a Qi and Blood Realm martial artist, and a clever one at that, the old doctor naturally had no worries about him.
Hearing that he wanted to buy things, he immediately agreed.
Leaving the Halfway House, Lu Qing went home, took some silver, put on a large bamboo basket, tied a red string around the sacred tree at the village entrance, and headed straight for the Grand Bazaar.
Soon, Lu Qing's figure appeared at the Grand Bazaar.
Seeing the bustling crowd, he smiled.
Yes, today was market day at the Grand Bazaar.
Since his last grand shopping trip here with Brother Wang Da'an, Lu Qing hadn't returned.
He knew his performance during that trip had been quite eye-catching.
To avoid drawing attention, he simply didn't come back.
Now that he had become a Qi and Blood Realm martial artist with some self-defense ability, and the food at home was nearly gone, he decided to replenish supplies.
However, his purpose today was not just to buy daily necessities but something more important.
Walking around the Grand Bazaar, Lu Qing soon found his target, Master Ma.
He was about to greet him but stopped and stepped aside.
Because he saw someone beside Master Ma.
A young man in luxurious clothing, with an arrogant expression.
Behind him were several sturdy, imposing men, clearly not to be trifled with.
Especially since Lu Qing noticed that the previously domineering Master Ma was now ingratiating himself with the young man.
He decided to observe quietly and see what was happening.
Seeing Master Ma and his group approaching, Lu Qing quietly hid, lowering his presence and listening carefully.
He didn't use his abilities to probe their information.
After entering the Qi and Blood Realm, he knew that martial artists were very sensitive to others' scrutiny.
Using his abilities might alert them, causing trouble.
So he only planned to listen and see if he could gather any useful information.
Fortunately, the arrogant young man didn't bother to lower his voice.
"Ma Gu, your place is really shabby, just like the alleys where beggars sleep in the west of the city, filthy and stinking."
Walking through the Grand Bazaar, the young man in luxurious clothing looked disgusted.
"Young Master Wei, you are of noble birth and naturally not accustomed to my rural place. I beg your pardon."
Ma Gu bent slightly, his face full of humility.
"If it weren't for my need to enter the mountains to find a good birthday gift for my father and having no other place to stay, I would never come here. It's really disgusting!"
The young man nearly gagged at the sight of the pork offal being sold in the market.
How could there be people selling such lowly meat in this place?
Chapter 55
"Mago, what is that? Such lowly meat, is it something people should eat?"
The young man in luxurious clothes, his face pale, pointed at the meat stall, his voice somewhat sharp.
Especially the pig offal on the stall, with a faint odor wafting over, almost making him vomit.
Following his finger, Mago saw he was pointing at the pork stall and couldn't help but feel helpless.
At this moment, the entire Grand Bazaar was silent.
As for the meat stall owner, he was already shivering with fear, his sturdy body trembling, almost wanting to hide under the stall.
The young man in luxurious clothes was clearly a noble from somewhere.
Even Lord Ma had to humble himself, let alone a rural pork seller who couldn't afford to offend him.
"Young Master Wei, this is the countryside. Naturally, these poor people can't afford good things," Mago said with a forced smile.
"You are a noble, it's natural that you can't stand such filth. Let's move over there to avoid dirtying your eyes."
"I've already had the house cleaned up. You can move in at any time."
"Then let's go quickly. If I stay any longer, I might faint!"
The young man in luxurious clothes covered his nose and mouth, his face full of disdain, and hurried forward.
Mago quickly followed.
As for the guards of the young man in luxurious clothes, they hadn't said a word from beginning to end, and their expressions hadn't changed much.
After the young man in luxurious clothes and his entourage left, it was a while before the people in the Grand Bazaar dared to move again.
Lu Qing also emerged from the crowd.
He watched the direction in which the young man in luxurious clothes and his entourage left, lost in thought.
This young man in luxurious clothes was clearly a noble from the city.
It was his first time encountering a city noble, and indeed, he had quite an air about him.
Even the few guards following him were not to be trifled with.
Although Lu Qing hadn't used his abilities to probe their backgrounds, he could sense that each of those guards was much stronger than him.
None of them were likely below the Internal Organs Realm.
He wondered about the background of this young man, who had such powerful guards.
Originally, he had wanted to approach Mago, but it seemed there was no opportunity today.
Lu Qing decided to continue his shopping at the Grand Bazaar, buying more food to take home, as their rice, flour, and meat had almost run out.
As for salt, they still had plenty; his master had bought a large bag last time he went to the city, enough to last until next year.
While Lu Qing was happily shopping, on the other side, Mago, who had just arranged for the young man in luxurious clothes and his entourage to move in, walked out of the house with a bitter expression.
He had never expected that the young master of the Wei family would suddenly appear in his small place.
The key was that he had to greet him with a smile.
Otherwise, if the clan found out that he had not properly entertained the young master of the Wei family, he would be in serious trouble.
But this young master of the Wei family was notoriously arrogant and difficult to serve in the city.
If he could avoid it, he wouldn't want to be associated with such a little tyrant.
Good hospitality wouldn't earn him any merit, and poor hospitality would bring a lot of trouble.
Most importantly, if anything happened to the young master while he was here, even the clan wouldn't be able to protect him.
Despite his unwillingness, Mago had no choice.
He could only pray that the young master would quickly find what he wanted and leave.
Otherwise, the longer he stayed, the more Mago would worry.
Filled with gloom, Mago headed to the Grand Bazaar.
He needed to handle some things there quickly, like temporarily stopping the sale of chickens, ducks, and pork, to avoid offending the cleanliness-obsessed young master.
Upon arriving at the Grand Bazaar, the first thing Mago did was head to the pork stall.
The fat man who ran the stall was usually very respectful to him, so he decided to let him take a break.
"Young man, look here, today's pork is especially good. Which piece would you like? I'll give you a discount."
Before Mago reached the pork stall, he heard this sentence.
He was curious. The fat man was usually stingy when selling meat. Although he wouldn't shortchange anyone, he wouldn't cut even a bit more than a pound. Why had he suddenly become generous today?
Then he saw a young man with a bamboo basket standing in front of the stall, choosing meat.
The figure looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn't remember who it was.
As Mago was still pondering, he saw the young man with the bamboo basket stand up and point at the meat on the stall.
"Boss, I want this piece, the biggest one."
Finally, Mago saw the young man's side profile and remembered who he was.
He was the young man who had claimed to be the apprentice of Doctor Chen last month!
Seeing Lu Qing, Mago recalled some things.
More than half a month ago, Lu Qing had come to the Grand Bazaar and bought a lot of things, claiming to be Doctor Chen's apprentice.
Afterward, Mago had sent his men to investigate in Jiuli Village.
It turned out the young man hadn't lied; he was indeed learning from Doctor Chen.
This made Mago curious, and he had been pondering how to get closer to Lu Qing.
However, after that visit, Lu Qing had not appeared at the Grand Bazaar again.
This had rendered all of Mago's preparations useless.
Given his status, he couldn't actively go to Jiuli Village to approach Lu Qing; otherwise, anyone could tell he had ulterior motives.
He had thought the opportunity was lost, but now, Lu Qing had reappeared.
Mago was delighted, and he temporarily forgot the troubles brought by the young master of the Wei family.
He walked up and said, "Young Lu, long time no see."
Lu Qing, who was watching the boss cut his chosen piece of meat, turned his head upon hearing this. Seeing Mago, he was surprised.
Wasn't this the person accompanying the noble from the city? Why was he here?
But Lu Qing quickly reacted and smiled, "Ah, it's Lord Ma. Long time no see."
At this moment, Mago got a good look at Lu Qing's current appearance.
He was stunned.
Compared to more than half a month ago, Lu Qing had changed significantly.
The last time Lu Qing came to the Grand Bazaar, he was thin, his face pale, and his clothes were patched.
He had looked like a typical poor rural boy.
This was one of the reasons why Mago had sent his men to investigate in Jiuli Village.
In his opinion, if Lu Qing was truly Doctor Chen's apprentice, he shouldn't be living so poorly.
But now, although Lu Qing's clothes hadn't changed much, his physical condition had improved greatly.
He was no longer thin, stood tall and straight, with a healthy complexion and bright eyes.
More importantly, Mago could faintly sense the surging energy within Lu Qing.
A Qi and Blood Realm warrior?!
Mago's heart was filled with shock.
Chapter 56
Sensing the faint yet unmistakable force of Blood Qi within Lu Qing's body, Mago felt as if his world had been upended.
The last time he saw Lu Qing at the Grand Bazaar, the boy was nothing more than a frail, sallow-faced youth who knew nothing of martial cultivation. Yet here he was now, a Qi and Blood Realm martial artist!
How was this possible? It hadn't even been a month!
In less than a month, he had transformed from an inexperienced boy into a Qi and Blood Realm warrior? Mago's understanding of cultivation was profoundly shaken. He was astounded by Lu Qing's rapid progress.
During his previous visit to the Grand Bazaar, there was no trace of martial cultivation on Lu Qing. As a Tendons and Bones Realm martial artist himself, Mago was certain of this.
But now, the shock he felt was even more intense. He could hardly fathom how Lu Qing had managed to become a genuine martial artist in such a short time.
When he had begun his own martial training at thirteen, it had taken him five full years to barely step into the Qi and Blood Realm by eighteen, and that was with his family's support. Even then, his family had praised his diligent efforts and quick progress.
For Mago, hailing from a side branch of his family with fewer resources, becoming a martial artist by eighteen was a significant achievement, indicating his talent.
Yet now, in front of Lu Qing, all his previous pride seemed utterly insignificant. Achieving Qi and Blood Realm in less than a month—this speed would surpass even the so-called martial prodigies meticulously nurtured by prominent families in the city.
Mago was left almost in a daze by Lu Qing's transformation.
Seeing Mago's dumbfounded expression, Lu Qing couldn't help but ask, "Master Ma, are you alright?"
Mago snapped back to reality, struggling to compose himself before forcing a smile. "I'm fine. It's just that the changes in you, Young Master Lu, have taken me by surprise."
"Oh, I've been cultivating with my master recently, training my body. After some time, I made a bit of progress, making you laugh at my feeble attempt," Lu Qing said modestly.
This remark left Mago speechless. If this was "a bit of progress," what did his twenty years of effort, only to barely enter the Tendons and Bones Realm, amount to?
However, a thought crossed Mago's mind. Indeed, Lu Qing's master was the renowned physician, Old Doctor Chen. Even the County Magistrate praised this mysterious figure. Perhaps Lu Qing's swift advancement was related to his master's guidance.
While these thoughts raced through his mind, Mago's smile remained unchanged. "Young Master Lu, you are too modest. To achieve Qi and Blood Realm at your age, even in the city, you would be considered a genius."
"You seem to know a lot about the city, Master Ma?" Lu Qing asked curiously.
It was no surprise to Lu Qing that Mago could identify his Qi and Blood Realm status. A martial artist with substantial cultivation naturally exuded vigorous Blood Qi and a strong spirit, unless one practiced a unique concealment technique or had exceptional control over their essence and spirit to hide their martial identity.
"I wouldn't say I know a lot, but I did live there for a few years," Mago replied vaguely.
"I see," Lu Qing nodded, not prying further into why Mago, once living in the city, now resided in the small Grand Bazaar.
"Since you lived in the city, Master Ma, you must be well-informed. I have a dilemma that I hope you could help me with."
Mago's interest piqued. He had been seeking a way to grow closer to Lu Qing, and now the opportunity had presented itself.
"What troubles you, Young Master Lu?"
"I wish to purchase a battle blade, but there are none available at the Grand Bazaar. Do you know where I might find one?"
"A battle blade?" Mago was taken aback.
"Yes, I've recently taken an interest in blade techniques, but I lack a suitable weapon," Lu Qing explained directly, seeing no need to be coy since Mago had already identified his martial status.
Mago found nothing unusual about Lu Qing's desire for a weapon. For a martial artist, seeking a well-suited weapon was entirely normal.
"As for a good battle blade…" Mago pondered, "You would likely only find one in the city. There are a few shops there with good reputations."
"Only in the city?" Lu Qing hesitated.
"Indeed. Most skilled blacksmiths gather in the city. While there are blacksmiths in rural areas, they mainly produce crude farming tools. Crafting a battle blade requires high-level forging skills that rural smiths typically lack," Mago explained.
Seeing Lu Qing's hesitation, Mago's mind raced.
"Have you never been to the city, Young Master Lu?" Mago asked.
Lu Qing sighed, "To be honest, Master Ma, I have not. Furthermore, my master forbids me from going to the city on my own before I finish my training."
Old Doctor Chen had never said such a thing, but Lu Qing found it useful to use his master's authority to handle Mago.
"A master's orders are not to be disobeyed. This is indeed a bit tricky," Mago sympathized.
Noticing Lu Qing's reluctant expression, Mago knew the timing was right.
After a moment of feigned hesitation, he offered, "If you trust me, Young Master Lu, I could purchase a battle blade from the city on your behalf."
"Really?" Lu Qing's eyes lit up but then quickly dimmed with doubt. "Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you, Master Ma?"
Seeing Lu Qing's eager yet hesitant look, Mago found it amusing. Young people were so transparent.
He chuckled, "It's no trouble at all. We get along well, and it's a small favor. It wouldn't bother me."
Lu Qing's expression shifted, showing signs of inner struggle.
Finally, as if making a significant decision, he said, "Then I must trouble you, Master Ma."
Success!
Mago was delighted.
Suppressing a smile, he asked, "What kind of battle blade are you looking for, Young Master Lu?"
Chapter 57
"Master Ma, what kind of war blade does Young Master Lu want?"
Lu Qing pondered for a moment before asking, "Master Ma, how much does it cost to buy a war blade?"
"That's hard to say," Mago replied with some difficulty.
"A regular war blade might cost just a few taels of silver. A better refined blade could start from dozens of taels."
"If there are special requirements, such as mixing in special metals, the price could be upwards of a hundred taels."
"And those who like luxury, embedding jewels and jade into the hilt and scabbard, the price is even more unpredictable. It could reach thousands of taels."
Lu Qing immediately responded, "I don't need any luxurious decorations. Please, Master Ma, just help me get a simple yet sturdy and sharp refined war blade. It doesn't need to be too fancy."
"As for the price, as long as it's within fifty taels of silver, I can accept it."
Saying that, Lu Qing took out a silver ingot from his bosom, "Here's ten taels of silver as a deposit."
Master Ma looked at the shiny silver ingot and thought to himself that the old doctor indeed doted on Lu Qing, casually giving him so much silver.
Even when he was young, living off the family's support, it was rare to have ten taels of silver on him.
But then he thought it was only natural.
With Lu Qing's martial aptitude, any prestigious family would certainly cultivate him with all their might.
Such an outstanding disciple, the old doctor not paying attention would be abnormal.
"Fifty taels of silver is enough to buy a very good refined war blade. Don't worry, I'll select it carefully for you. Come and pick it up on the next Grand Bazaar day."
Mago accepted the silver without hesitation.
"Thank you, Master Ma," Lu Qing said solemnly.
He knew that Mago had other intentions in helping him.
But wasn't he also using Mago?
In these times, who would help others without reason?
In contrast, people like his master, who were truly kind, were rare and hard to come by.
"Young Master Lu, since you're here at the Grand Bazaar, why not come to my place for a small gathering? Let me play host properly."
Having received the silver and seeing their conversation go well, Mago took the opportunity to invite him.
"Well…" Lu Qing hesitated, "I'd love to, but Master Ma, don't you need to attend to that noble young master? He seemed very distinguished."
Damn!
Reminded by Lu Qing, Mago remembered the young master in his mansion.
He had been out for a while and didn't know what the young master might need.
If he couldn't find him and got angry, it would be trouble.
Thinking of this, Mago hurriedly said, "Maybe next time. When you come to pick up the blade, we'll have a drink together."
"As long as you don't mind, I'd be honored."
"Then it's settled!"
Seeing Lu Qing agree, Mago was pleased. He called a subordinate, gave a few instructions, and rushed back to his mansion.
Lu Qing watched Mago, a Tendons and Bones Realm master, fear the young noble so much, and couldn't help but shake his head.
It seemed the noble's background was indeed formidable.
After Mago left, with the war blade settled, Lu Qing was in a good mood and continued browsing the Grand Bazaar.
It wasn't long before he bought everything he needed.
Not only was his bamboo basket full, but both his hands were also carrying a lot.
After finishing his shopping, he decided not to linger and prepared to leave the Grand Bazaar.
Before leaving, he noticed Mago's men helping villagers pack up their stalls selling chickens, ducks, and pork.
It was evident that Mago feared the villagers might offend the noble young master.
Shaking his head, Lu Qing once again realized the stark difference between the city nobles and the rural villagers. He slowly walked out.
After Lu Qing left, two men emerged from the bazaar.
Watching Lu Qing's departing figure, they looked puzzled.
"Old Seven, doesn't that kid look familiar?" said a man with a somber expression.
"I think so. Feels like I've seen him somewhere before."
The other man, with a large black mole on his face, was also puzzled.
"Doesn't he look like Lu Ming's son?"
The somber man reminded.
"Lu Ming?" The man with the mole was first startled, then suddenly realized, "Yes, he does! But wasn't that brat scrawny before? He looks stronger now."
"Must be eating well," the somber man sneered. "Those old folks in Jiuli Village said the Lu family sold their land and had no money to pay us. Now it seems we've been fooled."
"They must have kept a lot of money and intentionally not paid off Lu Ming's debt."
"Fifth Brother, you mean the villagers in Jiuli Village cheated us?" the man with the mole's eyes widened.
"Of course, how else do you think that brat got money to buy so many things here?"
"Those old folks are tired of living, daring to cheat us?" The man with the mole was furious. "I'll go catch that brat now!"
He started towards the direction Lu Qing had gone.
"Don't rush." The somber man stopped him. "Catching that brat alone won't do. We need to make a big deal out of it. Otherwise, others will think there are no consequences for deceiving us. How will we keep our reputation?"
"Fifth Brother, you mean?" The man with the mole's eyes lit up.
"Let's go back first. It's not suitable to talk here, especially on Mago's turf."
They glanced around the bazaar with a trace of fear.
Mago was no ordinary person. Even their boss said to avoid provoking him if possible.
If he got angry, even their boss might not be able to stop him.
Their boss was a high-ranking martial artist, after all.
If even he was wary, Mago was not someone they could offend.
The two hurriedly left the bazaar.
Meanwhile, Lu Qing was unaware that he was already being targeted.
At that moment, he was being stopped by another group.
"You said you wanted to rob me?"
Chapter 58
"You just said you wanted to rob me?"
Lu Qing, burdened with goods on his back, looked calmly ahead.
In front of him, five or six men blocked the road, holding sticks and looking at him with ill intent.
If Mago were here, he would recognize these people as the hooligans led by Chen San, whom he had warned and punished before.
At this moment, Chen San and his group were eyeing Lu Qing's belongings greedily.
Especially the pork in the bamboo basket, making their mouths water.
Half a month ago, they were beaten up by the people at the Grand Bazaar and had just recovered after many days of rest.
They spent all the money they had left on the treatment.
They hadn't had a taste of meat for over ten days now.
Initially, they were hoping to find some unlucky soul on the road to extort a bit of money.
But unexpectedly, they encountered such a big, fat sheep.
Seeing the meat and other provisions in Lu Qing's basket, Chen San and his group almost had their eyes pop out in greed.
Perhaps because of the significant changes in Lu Qing over the past few days, Chen San and his gang failed to recognize him as the young man they had tried to rob half a month ago.
Moreover, he was the very reason they got beaten up by the people at the Grand Bazaar.
"Kid, since you heard us clearly, hand over all your belongings and money obediently!"
Chen San growled viciously.
"That's right, if you don't want to suffer, put down your things and get lost."
"Otherwise, we'll beat you up!"
The other thugs shouted.
"What if I don't comply? Will you kill me, then dump my body in the wilderness, and take everything?" Lu Qing suddenly asked.
"What did you say?"
Chen San and his group were stunned.
Had this kid gone mad from fear? They had only threatened to beat him up, not to kill him!
"Hurry and answer. If I refuse, will you kill me?" Lu Qing asked calmly.
Looking at Lu Qing's serene face, a chill ran down Chen San's spine.
He felt something eerie about this young man.
Who encounters a robbery and calmly asks if they will be killed?
Shouldn't he be panicking and begging for mercy?
Was this kid insane?
This question popped into the minds of Chen San and his group.
However, even if he was insane, he was a rich insane person!
Chen San and his gang eyed Lu Qing's belongings greedily.
If they could rob these things, it would be enough for them to splurge for several days.
With this thought, they ignored the chill in their hearts.
"That's right, if you don't hand over the money, we'll cut you up and throw you into the river!"
Unfortunately, Lu Qing had already seen through their bluster.
He looked at the information floating above Chen San's head.
[Chen San: Unemployed, hooligan.]
[Lives by petty theft and bullying, leads a few thugs, often steals from nearby villages, hated by everyone.]
He glanced at the others, and they were all the same—petty thieves and hooligans.
He shook his head in disappointment.
If these guys were truly ruthless, he could deal with them without restraint.
But now, he had to hold back.
Nevertheless, they still needed a lesson.
Having these guys wandering around was ultimately not good for the villagers.
It was just him today, but if it were someone else from the village going to the market, they might indeed get robbed.
"A bunch of useless worms, with hands and feet, yet only thinking about living off others. Even maggots have more value than you."
Lu Qing gently put down his belongings, removed his basket, and stretched his limbs.
"What did you say, kid? Tired of living?"
Chen San and his group were furious.
But before they could react, they saw a blur, and Lu Qing was already upon them like a whirlwind.
Chen San, who was in the front, instinctively raised his stick to strike Lu Qing.
But before he could swing, he felt a sharp pain in his wrist, dropping the stick.
Then, a tremendous pain hit his chest, blood surged in his mouth, his vision went black, and he fell to the ground.
When Chen San barely recovered from the pain and opened his eyes, he saw his underlings all lying on the ground, clutching their hands or feet, groaning in agony.
"Chen San, you should be grateful."
Before Chen San could grasp what had happened, a shadow loomed over him.
He looked up to see Lu Qing standing before him, his face obscured by the sun.
Only the voice, cold and detached, was clear.
"You should be grateful that I didn't sense any great evil deeds from you."
"Otherwise, you'd be floating corpses in the river by now."
"I've merely broken one of your hands and feet each as a slight reprimand. If I find out you're still stealing and harming the villagers, it won't just be broken limbs."
Chen San was filled with terror as he looked at Lu Qing.
At this moment, he realized Lu Qing was far from the easy target they had imagined.
He was someone they couldn't afford to mess with!
The other thugs, too, dared not make a sound, their eyes filled with fear as they looked at Lu Qing.
They could tell he wasn't bluffing.
If they didn't do as he said, he would indeed kill them.
Lu Qing returned to his basket, picked up his belongings, and continued toward the village, without sparing another glance at Chen San and his group.
To him, they were mere trash, unworthy of his attention.
"Remember, don't let me see you again, or I'll break your other limbs too."
Watching Lu Qing's figure disappear, Chen San and his group finally dared to cry out in pain.
"Boss, what should we do?"
A thug wailed.
"What else can we do? Get up and leave! Didn't you hear that devil say he'd break our other limbs if he saw us again?"
"But how can we leave?" The thug cried, his leg twisted at an unnatural angle.
"Even if you can't walk, you have to crawl! Damn it, those who still have their legs, get up!"
Under Chen San's orders, the thugs with unbroken legs struggled to stand.
It seemed Lu Qing had deliberately left half of them with intact legs so they could leave.
In the end, the group, supporting each other and crying out in pain, limped away pathetically.
Chapter 59
Lu Qing slowly walked along the road.
His mind, however, was far from calm.
Those few hooligans, after being crippled by him, would find it difficult to commit evil deeds again in the future.
Even living like normal people would be a challenge for them.
As for why he didn't kill them outright, it was because Lu Qing wasn't one to kill indiscriminately.
In his past life, besides killing fish, he rarely even killed chickens or ducks, let alone people.
Since crossing over to this world, Lu Qing had been mentally preparing himself, telling himself that this world was different—more cruel and survival of the fittest.
But killing people was still a hard decision for him to make.
He didn't know what changes would occur once he crossed that line.
After becoming a martial artist, killing people wasn't difficult for him.
What was difficult was whether he could remain unchanged after taking that step.
If those hooligans had been truly evil, Lu Qing might have been able to do it.
But the information from his abilities told him they weren't.
So Lu Qing decided to give them a chance.
Indeed, he wasn't like the protagonists in those novels he read in his past life, who could kill decisively right after crossing over without any hesitation.
In the end, he was still just an ordinary person.
Lu Qing thought self-deprecatingly.
However, after this incident, Lu Qing finally realized the strength of a martial artist.
Even the weakest in the Qi and Blood Realm was an existence that ordinary people could not resist.
Whether in strength, reaction, or defense, the two were not on the same level at all.
When Lu Qing was teaching those hooligans a lesson earlier, he clearly felt it.
Their movements and reactions were like slow motion to him, posing almost no threat.
So he could easily break their limbs while remaining unscathed.
"Fortunately, martial arts cultivation is not easy, and breaking through to the Qi and Blood Realm is even more difficult. Otherwise, I can't imagine what this world would become," Lu Qing thought to himself.
Don't be fooled by the fact that he had entered the Qi and Blood Realm in a short time.
That was because he had the help of his abilities, the selfless guidance of his master, and the great tonic like the Golden Loach to make up for the deficiencies in his foundation.
Ordinary people didn't have such conditions.
Even after practicing martial arts for ten years, they might not even touch the edge of the Qi and Blood Realm.
According to his master, anyone who could become a martial artist in this world was extraordinary, at least one in a hundred talents.
Others, without talent, no matter how long they practiced, could only be agile and strong, capable of bullying ordinary people but breaking at the touch when encountering real martial artists.
With these thoughts in mind, Lu Qing returned home.
After putting everything away, he felt a sense of relief.
This trip to the Grand Bazaar, despite some twists and turns, left him in a good mood overall.
Especially with successfully commissioning Mago to get him a battle knife.
Thinking about having his own battle knife in a few days, Lu Qing felt quite excited.
Lu Qing originally thought he would have to wait another four or five days to see Mago again.
But to his surprise, just one day later, they met again.
…
At the back courtyard of a house in the Grand Bazaar.
Mago looked worried as he called for one of his subordinates.
"Has the young master from the Wei family not returned yet?"
"No, Master Ma, I've been waiting outside, but I haven't seen Young Master Wei and his party return," the subordinate replied respectfully.
"Why are they so late today?" Mago felt uneasy. "According to yesterday's schedule, they should have been back by now."
After waiting for a long while and still not seeing them, Mago's uneasiness grew.
He paced back and forth, constantly reassuring himself, "There won't be any problems. The Wei family's guards are all experts in the Tendons and Bones Realm. It's just a trip to the mountains, what could possibly go wrong?"
But as time passed, Mago finally began to panic.
He couldn't help but curse, "Damn it, what's that Wei brat thinking? Why does he insist on going into the mountains himself to find a birthday gift? Can't he just send his men? Doesn't he know that if anything happens to him, many people will suffer?"
Just as Mago was on the verge of organizing a search party, his subordinate rushed in.
"Master Ma, Master Ma, Young Master Wei and his party are back!"
"Where are they?" Mago's heart leaped with joy, but his subordinate's face was filled with terror.
"They're back, but Young Master Wei… he's…"
Mago's heart sank. He grabbed his subordinate's collar. "What's wrong with Young Master Wei?"
"He… he seems to be dead…"
This statement hit Mago like a bolt from the blue, leaving him stunned.
The next moment, an overwhelming fear surged in his heart.
He grabbed his subordinate's collar again, his face twisted in rage. "How did he die? Who killed him?!"
"I… I don't know. I saw the guards return, carrying a stretcher with Young Master Wei lying on it, covered in blood, not even breathing. I thought… I thought…"
The subordinate stammered, terrified by Mago's fury.
"Damn it!"
Mago realized what was going on. It wasn't certain that Young Master Wei was dead, but this guy's words were definitely his own guess.
"I'll deal with you later!"
He kicked his subordinate aside and rushed out.
The fear in his heart didn't lessen.
Although the fool was guessing, it was clear that Young Master Wei was in a very bad state.
Whether he was dead or gravely injured, the consequences were beyond Mago's bearing.
When Mago reached the front yard, he saw several Wei family guards gathered around a blood-soaked stretcher, looking somber.
On the stretcher, Young Master Wei lay pale and unconscious, his life hanging by a thread.
"Guard Li, what's going on?"
Seeing this scene, Mago's mind went blank, and he quickly shouted to the lead guard.
"The young master accidentally fell into a ravine in the mountains, his abdomen slashed open by a sharp stone," Guard Li replied, his face grim with fear.
He couldn't imagine the punishment they would face for failing to protect the young master.
"Is the young master still alive?" Mago's heart tightened, his voice trembling.
Guard Li knew what he meant and directly answered, "The young master still has a breath. We stuffed his intestines back in, applied medicine, and barely stopped the bleeding temporarily."
Mago's heart pounded. "What are you planning to do now?"
"We wanted to take him back to the city immediately, but the wound is too large. The jostling kept reopening it, washing away the hemostatic powder. We've run out of medicine, and at this rate, he won't make it back to the city."
"So we came back to see if you had any extra medicine?"
"Yes, I have it. I'll get it right away!"
Mago quickly fetched his precious hemostatic powder and handed it to Guard Li.
Although the medicine was valuable, he couldn't care about that now.
Watching Guard Li apply the medicine to the young master's wound made Mago's heart twitch.
He couldn't fathom how Young Master Wei fell to sustain such a horrific injury.
"Guard Li, what do you plan to do next?" Mago asked after the medicine was applied.
"We'll take the young master back to the city," Guard Li replied without hesitation.
"But didn't you say the young master might not survive the journey?" Mago hurriedly asked.
"Taking him back is his only chance. If we delay any longer, he won't even have that."
Guard Li didn't mention that this was also their only chance.
But Mago was anxious.
If Guard Li and his team left, it would be disastrous if Young Master Wei died en route. Who knew if the guards would flee?
He had to come up with a plan!
Mago's mind raced, seeking a way out.
Suddenly, a figure flashed in his mind, and his eyes lit up.
"Wait, I might have a way to save the young master!"