"Ah! It's poison!"
Jiang Hanyun stabbed at Qin Wang with his sword, but suddenly his legs went weak, and he could barely stand. His internal energy stagnated in his dantian, rendering him unable to gather any strength. He collapsed to the ground.
His three companions also fell from mid-air, their attacks thwarted.
"You're the masked man who sold me the Soul-Shocking Knife at the black market?"
Qin Wang approached the thin man in black who wore a green outfit underneath his disguise. Recognizing his voice, Qin Wang smirked and tore off his mask, revealing an elderly man with a short beard.
"Now it's my turn to send you off."
Qin Wang stepped on Jiang Hanyun's throat, pressing his face into the dirt, his eyes filled with terror and despair.
At this moment, Jiang Hanyun was filled with deep regret. He never expected to encounter another poison expert after already being controlled by one. What he thought was a fat sheep turned out to be a lethal predator.
Jiang Hanyun felt a sharp pain, and his consciousness faded.
A quarter of an hour later, Qin Wang, now carrying a larger bundle, used his Eagle Flight technique to rush back to Maple Leaf Town.
"Wang'er, you're finally back!"
Upon Qin Wang's return to their rented courtyard, he saw the lights were still on. Qin Xuemei, with her hands supporting her chin, was waiting by the oil lamp in the main hall. She quickly came to open the door upon hearing his voice.
"Sister, you haven't slept yet?"
Qin Wang entered and locked the door behind him, feeling a warmth in his heart. It was already eleven o'clock when he returned from the Maple Leaf Valley black market, and his sister was still waiting for him.
A home where someone waits for your return is truly a blessing.
"I was worried about you! Now that you're back, I can relax. Are you hungry? I'll get the food."
Qin Xuemei smiled warmly and went to the kitchen.
The food was still warm, clearly reheated several times.
Qin Wang, indeed hungry, devoured the meal while Qin Xuemei watched him with her chin resting on her hands.
After finishing, Qin Wang opened his bundle, revealing the spoils from killing the four men: a Soul-Shocking Knife, a short green steel sword, a mysterious fragment, a map of the Da Cang forces, a Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle, 1350 taels of silver, and an old sheepskin scroll. He had stripped the four men of their outer garments to find these items, leaving behind their weapons except for the short sword for his sister.
"Wang'er, you... managed to get so much silver?"
Qin Xuemei was astonished, her eyes wide. For a regular family, 5 taels of silver could cover basic expenses for a year. Just a few months ago, she and Wang'er were worried about surviving the winter, and she had sold herself into the Chen family for just 600 coins!
And now Wang'er had returned with 1350 taels of silver in a single night!
"Yes, I went to the black market at night to buy things, and four people tried to rob me. I used the Softening Powder to knock them out and found this much silver on them."
Qin Wang explained nonchalantly.
He was quite satisfied with his gains, now holding more than 9000 taels in silver notes and over 200 taels in ingots, far surpassing the wealth of the late Li Lao.
"Sister, here's the Eagle Flight technique manual. Familiarize yourself with it. Once we reach Jinzhou, I'll find a suitable cultivation method for you. The Red Sun Divine Art I practice is for men and not suitable for you."
Qin Wang handed her the Eagle Flight manual, noticing her amazement at the silver.
The Eagle Flight technique had already reached a proficient level for Qin Wang, its twelve styles firmly memorized.
"Alright."
Qin Xuemei took the Eagle Flight manual, set aside the silver, and started reading.
"I'll practice the Red Sun Divine Art first."
"We should leave Maple Leaf Town early tomorrow."
Qin Wang thought silently, aware of the need to move far away from the Chen family's impending investigation.
Time passed.
[Daily Information Refreshed!]
[Today's Information]
[1: Yesterday, you went to the black market and bought the Soul-Shocking Knife. Information suggests it is the famed weapon of 'Badao' Yue Tianyang, the top swordsman of Youzhou from over 200 years ago. His descendant, Yue Shan, was ambushed and killed by Lin Tong, Jiang Hanyun, and others.
[2: Yesterday, you used Softening Powder to kill Jiang Hanyun and three other mid-level second-rate experts. Information suggests these four were controlled by Lin Tong's Three Corpse Controlling Elixir and were living in torment. Their master, Lin Tong, intended to kill them after using them.
[3: Yesterday, you turned from prey to predator, killing Jiang Hanyun and three others. Information reveals that Lin Tong, their master, is a favorite disciple of Su Tianhai, the leader of Jinzhou's Wu Poison Gang. Lin Tong stole Su Tianhai's Three Corpse King Jar and is on the run from his master.
[4: You killed Jiang Hanyun and three others, revealing that Lin Tong plans to use the Scent Tracking Gu to follow your scent from the battle site. He will track you down in five days.
[5: You bought a mysterious fragment yesterday, which is part of an ancient and mysterious artifact. Though broken into 50 pieces, carrying it long-term stabilizes and enhances mental clarity.
[6: You bought a map of the Da Cang forces yesterday, revealing that Prince Jin is gaining ground rapidly. The Four Generals of the Tianyun League are making swift progress, controlling Jinzhou, Yanzhou, Cangzhou, and parts of Youzhou. The Yun Emperor of Da Cang has hired an immortal to launch a decapitation strike against the Jin forces.
[7: You paid attention to Chen Kun yesterday. Information reveals that upon his return to Yanyun County, he will interrogate all servants and maids, discovering the four virgins' involvement in 38 days.
[8: Last night, you used Softening Powder to knock out soldiers, unintentionally affecting the thief Li Qi. He swore to find and settle accounts with you after losing the Red Sun Divine Art he stole at great risk.
[10: Yesterday, you crossed paths with Jiang Haitian of the Lightning Sword Martial Arts Hall. Information reveals that he and Lu Ming have allied with the Qishun rebel forces, following Zheng Lingyun to hunt down the 'Hundred Knows Divine Lord' and the Tianji Pavilion.
"Refreshed!"
Qin Wang looked at the panel with anticipation.
"This knife really is the famous weapon of Badao Yue Tianyang? His descendant Yue Shan couldn't protect it?"
Qin Wang was stunned by the first piece of information, realizing he had indeed stumbled upon a treasure.
The 600 taels spent were well worth it.
"The four who ambushed me were backed by Lin Tong of the Wu Poison Gang in Jinzhou? He possesses the Three Corpse King Jar and is fleeing from his master Su Tianhai?"
"He can track me using the Scent Tracking Gu in five days?"
Qin Wang frowned as he reviewed the second, third, and fourth pieces of information.
Lin Tong, a disciple of the Wu Poison Gang, capable of using the Three Corpse Controlling Elixir, was no easy opponent. Qin Wang's Softening Powder might not affect him.
With Lin Tong tracking him in five days, they had to leave immediately.
"Sister! We must leave tonight! I killed those four men, and their master is tracking me!"
Qin Wang stood up and urgently addressed his sister, Qin Xuemei.
Lin Tong, a Wu Poison Gang disciple, could use the Three Corpse Controlling Elixir. His abilities were unknown, and Softening Powder might not work on him.
"Alright."
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Qin Xuemei began packing.
Qin Wang gathered their belongings, including the broken bowl, Soul-Shocking Knife, Soul-Gathering Pot, two Dragon Blood Pills, a three-hundred-year-old ginseng, the Green Ghost Sword, gold jewelry, the Red Sun Divine Art, the mysterious fragment, initial detoxification pills, a yellow jade stone, and their silver notes and money. The siblings left Maple Leaf Town under the cover of night.