As for informing the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School's headmaster, Du Xiang, about the Iron Clothes Martial Arts School and Electric Sword Martial Arts School's plans to attack Flying Eagle's disciples, Qin Wang didn't consider it.
Firstly, Du Xiang might ask, "How does a new disciple like you know this?"
Secondly, getting involved wouldn't benefit him. If it led to his death, it would be a huge loss.
The next day, early in the morning, Qin Wang went out in batches to buy six Qi Blood Pills. After returning, he took the pills, practiced the Little Red Sun Technique for a while, and then practiced the Eagle Body Technique.
[Martial Arts: Eagle Body Technique (Entry Level)]
[Progress: (1/800)]
[Effect: Agile movement, nimble dodging, light footsteps. Can be mastered in one year.]
"The Eagle Body Technique is finally at the entry level."
"The next step is to get the Little Red Sun Technique to the entry level."
Early the next morning, Qin Wang looked at his intel panel, his eyes showing satisfaction.
At the Chen family residence, in the quiet backyard, four slender girls in green clothes sat silently on benches.
"Xue Mei, there's less than half a year left. Do you have any wishes?" One of the girls suddenly asked the more mature-looking girl on the left.
"Wishes?"
"I hope my younger brother can become a doctor, marry, and have children. What about you?"
Qin Xue Mei looked at the three girls beside her: Xiao Zi, Xiao Lan, and Xiao Qing.
Thinking of her younger brother Qin Wang, Qin Xue Mei's thin face showed a hint of contentment. With the 20 taels of silver, her brother should have no problems in the future. He was now working as a pharmacy apprentice at Baicao Hall and might become a doctor. Being a doctor had prospects; perhaps he could marry and start a family, ensuring the Qin family line continued. Her sacrifices wouldn't be in vain.
"I... I want to live."
"I don't want to be a sacrifice..."
"Me too..."
Xiao Zi, Xiao Lan, and Xiao Qing murmured.
They still hoped their families might help redeem them, so naturally, they didn't want to die. Qin Xue Mei, hearing this, looked silently at the night sky.
In the east part of town, in a residential house with a blue brick wall, two men in black stood with a young man in his late twenties, dressed in black. On the ground lay a young man of about 21 or 22, his eyes wide open in death, a pool of blood beside him.
"Uncle, I have no way back. From now on, I'll follow you!" The young man in black, Lin Yunfeng, cupped his hands to one of the men in black, taking a deep breath.
He had been with the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School for ten years, learning only the first nine forms. He knew there were three stronger forms after that. He had hoped to succeed in confessing to his junior sister, Du Yun'nang, becoming headmaster Du Xiang's son-in-law, and thus learning the remaining forms. But unexpectedly, his feelings were unrequited.
Desperate, he realized there was no hope of progress at Flying Eagle. His distant uncle, Lei Wu, who taught at the Electric Sword Martial Arts School, had come to him. Lei Wu asked him to provide the addresses of Flying Eagle disciples and to kill a fellow disciple as a show of loyalty. Lin Yunfeng did both, knowing there was no turning back.
"Yunfeng, you should have done this earlier! With your talent, staying at Flying Eagle Martial Arts School is a waste of time!" Lei Wu, one of the men in black, spoke angrily. "You see, after ten years, Du Xiang still treats you as an outsider by not teaching you the last three forms! Your decision today is wise!"
"Yes, Yunfeng, Lei Wu is your uncle. Joining the Electric Sword Martial Arts School ensures you are valued and your skills will advance rapidly!" The other man in black patted Lin Yunfeng's shoulder reassuringly.
"Alright." Lin Yunfeng nodded. "Uncle, Uncle Quan, let's find the next target!" The three disguised the wounds of the dead youth and disappeared into the night.
In the north part of town, in the old house Qin Wang rented.
Early in the morning, Qin Wang sat in his room, looking at his intel panel.
[Daily Intel Refreshed!]
[Daily Intel]
[1: Yesterday, you met Baozi shop owner Zhang Fan. Zhang Fan was sucked dry by Black River Gang leader Ji Zhang due to his demonic art's relapse.]
[2: Yesterday, you focused on the Black River Gang. Gang leader Ji Zhang's demonic art relapses every 12 hours, requiring blood. He currently hides in a courtyard 300 feet from Yacha Street, coming out at night. You will be his target 12 hours later.]
[3: Yesterday, you focused on the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School. Five disciples have been killed by disciples from Electric Sword and Iron Clothes Martial Arts Schools, disguised as 'Blood Hand Rakshasa' seeking revenge.]
[4: Yesterday, you focused on the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School. Headmaster's third disciple Lin Yunfeng, after failing to confess to his junior sister and realizing he can't learn the last three forms of the Eagle Body Technique, has defected to the Electric Sword Martial Arts School. He will bring Electric Sword and Iron Clothes experts to attack Flying Eagle disciples, finding your address in seven days.]
[5: Yesterday, you focused on Zheng Kecheng. He encountered a severely injured blade master and obtained the Shadow Moon Blade Technique.]
[6: Yesterday, you visited Yang's Breakfast Stall. Owner Yang Yulin was extorted by Tie Wen and decided to sell his stall and move his family to a relative in a neighboring county.]
[7: Yesterday, you met Black River Gang leader Tie Wen. He extorted 22 taels of silver from Yang Yulin.]
[8: Yesterday, you focused on County Magistrate Chen Hao. With the shaman's help, his illness was alleviated, but he increased the number of child sacrifices to 12 boys and 12 girls.]
[9: Yesterday, you visited Xinglin Chun Medicine Hall. The manager, due to increased levies from the Tianhe Society, decided to raise prices by half a percent.]
[10: Yesterday, you focused on Qin Xue Mei. Currently well-fed, she is content thinking you will become a doctor at Baicao Hall, marry, and have children. She awaits the River God Festival in six months.]
"Huh? Black River Gang leader Ji Zhang's demonic art relapses, needing blood every 12 hours?"
"I will be his target in 12 hours?"
Qin Wang's face turned ashen as he stood up abruptly, realizing death was near. A wave of extreme fear enveloped him, making him tremble uncontrollably. Knowing the Black River Gang leader's skills were comparable to Zheng Kecheng's, he understood he would surely die if targeted.
Most terrifyingly, Yacha Street was where Qin Wang currently lived. Ji Zhang was hiding nearby, making it extremely dangerous.
"I can't stay here! I need to move immediately!"
Qin Wang took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. The intel indicated Ji Zhang would act in 12 hours, suggesting safety for now.