piratefiction Chapter 28 A Mysterious Aura
Chapter 28 A Mysterious Aura
Jiang Qi solemnly cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your guidance, Instructor."
"Hmm." Coach Zhou patted his shoulder. "You don't need to rush this matter. You can consider it further."
Also, you don't need to participate in today's small competition. You've just broken through to the third level of Qi and Blood; consolidating your strength is the most important thing.
"Thank you, Coach."
The competition proceeded as scheduled, and the atmosphere was lively.
Chen Feng vented all his resentment and jealousy in the fight, defeating three disciples with three strands of Qi and Blood in succession, displaying his imposing presence.
However, until the end of the competition, no other faction extended an olive branch on the spot as they had to Jiang Qi.
Although Chen Feng won, no one paid any attention to him. He could only suppress his frustration and anger, and his face was terribly gloomy.
On the training ground.
"Young brother, you don't need to worry about the Ironclad Gang," said Zhu, the head镖师 (bodyguard) of Weiyuan Escort Agency, with a gentle smile. "I can't speak for other things, but if you come, your treatment will definitely be better than what you're getting now."
"Young friend Jiang, why don't you listen to me? Whether it's the Ironclad Gang, the Weiyuan Escort Agency, or the Litong Money Shop, they're all just fighting and killing. But my Sihai Trading Company is different; we're businessmen." Manager Wang of Sihai Trading Company retorted, not to be outdone.
Pang Zhan simply smiled and said, "I'll say it again: Litong Money Shop welcomes you anytime, young brother."
Jiang Qi cupped his hands in a somewhat helpless gesture: "Thank you, Chief Escort Zhu, Manager Wang, and Master Pang. I will definitely consider it carefully."
"..."
Not far away, Chen Feng, seeing Jiang Qi once again being fought over by three families and taking first place in the competition, was even more furious.
......
at the same time.
The inner courtyard of the martial arts school.
Shen Yi stood holding his knife, gazing at the swaying shadows of the trees, his brows slightly furrowed.
Instructor Zhou pushed open the door and came in: "That three-headed old monster... any leads?"
Shen Yi sighed and shook his head gently: "The Shadow Ghost's trail has been locked, and a net has been laid. I expect we can close the net in the next day or two."
The traces of the painted skin remain elusive and elusive.
"As for the heart..." He paused, a serious look flashing in his eyes.
"Still can't determine who it is?" Instructor Zhou asked in a deep voice, his face serious.
Shen Yi raised her head, her gaze seemingly able to pierce through the high walls as she looked down at the formal disciples in the outer courtyard:
"Everyone carries a strange aura to some extent. But they don't quite resemble those three old ghosts. We can't determine for now whether they are new ghosts or the three old ghosts in disguise. It will take some time to figure it out."
Coach Zhou was silent for a moment, then sighed, "These are turbulent times."
The atmosphere inside the courtyard was somewhat oppressive.
After a long pause, Shen Yi suddenly asked, "That Jiang Qi... has already condensed three strands of blood energy?"
"Hmm." Coach Zhou smiled. "It's a few days faster than expected."
"He's a rough gem." Shen Yi nodded. "Although he has a strong aura of evil on him, he is quite intelligent and has high comprehension. He shouldn't have been corrupted by evil spirits. He must have come into contact with something evil by chance."
"I hope... he can go far."
"Licheng today is rife with evil and treacherous undercurrents, and it needs some fresh blood."
Coach Zhou was somewhat surprised: "Among the young people you've praised twice in a row, besides the few you've carefully nurtured, this kid is probably the first one, isn't he?"
Shen Yi smiled, not denying it, but the worry in her eyes did not diminish in the slightest.
......
In the evening, Jiang Qi finished his day of cultivation.
Although the third layer of Qi and blood in the body is only in its initial stage, it is steadily growing stronger under the continuous nourishment of the Blood Nourishing Pill.
At this rate, it will probably be completed in just a few days.
After getting ready, I had just stepped out of the martial arts school when I saw Liu Ying, the chubby cook from the kitchen, running over with a small bowl.
"Young Master Jiang," Liu Ying said with a beaming smile, handing the medicinal meal to Jiang Qi, "Congratulations! You've reached the third stage of Qi and Blood! I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"
"Thank you, Brother Liu."
"Don't mention it... I'm off, there's still work to be done in the kitchen." Liu Ying waved goodbye with a smile and left.
Jiang Qi glanced at it and then walked along the bluestone avenue.
Back at the water shop, just like yesterday, use the "Separate Water" skill to separate the soup.
Further examination still revealed no foreign or toxic substances.
But he poured it back into the bowl and didn't eat it.
Then, he calmed his mind, assumed a fighting stance, and continued practicing martial arts to absorb the medicinal power.
Within the body, the medicinal power of the Blood Nourishing Pill flowed like a gentle stream, and the third stream of Qi and blood gradually solidified.
In my mind, the experience of the [Martial Artist] profession is also increasing in tandem.
......
The night was as dark as water, enveloping Sweetwater Lane.
Not long after Jiang Qi returned to the water shop, footsteps could be heard outside the courtyard.
Zhao Xiaoqi and Brother Sun entered one after the other, their expressions somber.
"Qi-ge'er (Shui-tou)!" the two said at the same time.
"What's wrong with Uncle Chen?" Jiang Qi asked.
Zhao Xiaoqi took a deep breath and spoke quickly: "Uncle Chen... is injured, and seriously injured!"
"What happened? Explain yourself." Jiang Qi's expression changed.
Brother Sun stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "When Xiao Qi and I went to Uncle Chen's house, Uncle Chen's family was also looking for Uncle Chen."
"I suspected something might have happened, so I started looking along the road from Shuifang and Uncle Chen's house."
"Then... we found Uncle Chen, who was seriously injured and unconscious, in Baicao Hutong, not far from the water shop."
"Baicao Hutong?"
This alley is only one street away from Shuifang.
In other words, Uncle Chen probably had dinner last night and left the water shop not long before the accident happened.
"How badly are you hurt?" he asked.
"The doctor said several ribs were broken, and his lungs were shattered... Whoever did this must have martial arts skills!"
Was this the work of a military man?
Jiang Qi frowned slightly.
Last night... Chang Song and Song Hai attacked...
After a moment's hesitation, he took out two taels of silver: "Tomorrow morning, go and buy some tonics and medicinal herbs and send them over. If Uncle Chen's family has any difficulties, let me know."
Brother Sun sighed: "Jiang Shuitou, you are a good person... but Uncle Chen's family situation... sigh... the whole family is relying on the monthly salary from the plumber to make a living and wait for their two sons to come back."
My aunt has always been in poor health and takes medication regularly. A couple of years ago, out of kindness, she took in a baby girl and raised her. Life was already difficult enough...
Now that Uncle Chen has fallen, alas...
He didn't say anything more, he just shook his head.
"Brother Qi, Uncle Chen is injured like this, he definitely won't be able to work for a while, so the plumber's position..." Xiao Qi added.
Jiang Qi understood their concerns.
The waterworks now supplies water exclusively to Liefeng Hall and several streets, and manpower is already stretched thin.
Logically, if someone is unable to work for an extended period, they are likely to be replaced.
He thought for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Let Uncle Chen focus on recovering first. Don't worry about the waterworker's job. I'll go with him to deliver water these next few days, and we'll talk about it again when Uncle Chen is feeling better."
Upon hearing this, Brother Sun and Zhao Xiaoqi breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, Xiao Qi and Brother Sun explained Uncle Chen's situation to Jiang Qi in detail.
Just then, a weak voice suddenly came from outside the gate of the water pavilion:
"Is...is anyone home? I'd like...a drink of water..."
"I'll go take a look." Brother Sun went out after hearing this.
Outside the door stood an old man in tattered clothes.
The old man had gray hair, which was as messy as weeds. He was hunched over and held a broken bowl with several chips in his hands.
His face was filthy, his lips were dry and cracked, and his eyes were sunken in their sockets, his gaze empty and lifeless.
"Old man," Brother Sun said with pity upon seeing this, "please wait a moment, I'll get you some water right away."
"Thank...thank you, young man..." The old man's voice was hoarse, and his hands holding the bowl trembled slightly.