The value of Xu Qing’s latest transaction reached an astonishing forty thousand taels. A sum this large was enough to attract the attention of truly powerful experts.
So, as Xu Qing left the Black Tiger Spiritual Food Store, he once again felt eyes on him. This ti, there were even more people watching than before.
n die for wealth as birds die for food.
It was an eternal truth.
"It’s him."
"If I rember correctly, he’s the one from last ti. Scarface and his crew went to rob and kill him, but they all turned up as corpses the next day."
"Scarface was at the An Jin level, and his lackeys were all Ming Jin experts. In the end, Scarface was beheaded, and his four lackeys all had their throats slit with a single sword strike."
"He’s really strong!"
"..."
As a result, many of those watching had already dismissed the idea of ambushing Xu Qing. They were well aware of their own strength and knew that anyone who could casually produce so much money was not to be trifled with.
Not to ntion, there was the cautionary tale of Scarface and his n from over a month ago.
However, faced with such a massive prize, there were still so who, confident in their superior skills, decided to take the risk.
The scene shifted.
Xu Qing had left the Black Market alone.
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
In an alley, four figures in black appeared. They wore black cloaks and hats, completely concealing their faces.
"Hand over your things, and you can walk away," one of the black-clad figures said in a low, heavy voice.
"..."
Killing intent radiated from them.
CLANG!
The sound of a sword being drawn rang out. With a flick of his hands, Xu Qing tossed the two iron chests into the air. His right hand shot out, unsheathing his Level 10 Iron Sword.
’Life-taking Thirteen Swords.’
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Xu Qing’s eyes were icy as he struck with blinding speed. He unleashed his Sword Techniques. Inside the narrow alley, slivers of silver Sword Light flashed like lightning, each one filled with an aura of death and destruction.
SQUELCH! SQUELCH! SQUELCH!
Blood splattered, spraying across the ground and walls.
SWISH!
The entire exchange, from the mont Xu Qing attacked to its conclusion, was over in an instant. By the ti he returned to his original spot, his Level 10 Iron Sword was already sheathed. He reached out his hands and caught the falling iron chests.
THUD! THUD!
The next mont, the four figures in black all collapsed, their heads rolling on the ground.
One had to understand that these were all extrely strong Hunters from the Black Market. Each had reached the An Jin realm, and two were even at the Peak of An Jin.
Unfortunately for them, before Xu Qing, they were nothing but ants. Not one of them could withstand a single strike. Xu Qing had beheaded all four with a single sword move each.
It could be said that with their deaths, the Black Market would be a much safer place for a while. But it wouldn’t last long, as others would soon rise to take their place.
After all, being a ’Hunter’ was dangerous, but the rewards were too great.
No matter what one did, nothing brought in money faster than robbery and murder.
"What vicious Swordsmanship."
Just then, a voice spoke up.
"Hm?"
Xu Qing looked over and saw a burly figure wearing an ox-head mask. The man stood at the end of the alley, his gaze indifferent as he stared straight at Xu Qing.
Moreover, his eyes held a sharp, penetrating quality.
"Are you going to make a move too?" Xu Qing’s tone was calm.
"I was originally planning to." The burly figure in the ox-head mask shook his head. "But after seeing your Swordsmanship, I’ve abandoned that idea."
"Heh."
Xu Qing let out a cold laugh. After looting the bodies, he found eleven thousand taels in silver notes—a decent haul. He then picked up his two iron chests and left.
The burly figure in the ox-head mask watched Xu Qing leave, pondering for a mont. ’Since when did the Outer City of Qingbei Town have such a master of Swordsmanship? I did hear about a mysterious sword master a while ago, one who cos and goes like a shadow. I think they called him ’Lv Dongbin’?’
’Could this man be him?’
The scene shifted.
Xu Qing was back at his residence.
He took off the Evil Ghost Mask.
His original appearance was restored.
’One hundred ninety-one catties of Black Mountain Tiger at.’
Xu Qing mused, ’This will last one hundred ninety-one days. That ans I won’t have to go out adventuring for more than half a year. I can focus on my Cultivation.’
’However, the monthly inco from Chunfeng Tower isn’t high, and my cut is only thirty percent. So, I can only get three to five hundred taels of silver from Spring Breeze Lane each month.’
’Of course, that’s more than enough for a Mingjin Martial Artist. But I’m not a Mingjin Martial Artist, I’m a Huajin Martial Artist, so this silver is nowhere near enough.’
’In that case, I need to find another way, a new thod to make money.’
Thinking of this, Xu Qing saw the Fine Iron Sword nearby.
’I’ve got it.’
Xu Qing’s eyes lit up. ’The Encyclopedia of All Things can record weapons. I just need to buy so ordinary Iron Swords, raise them by a single level, and their price will multiply several tis over.’
’This is a surefire high-profit business.’
’But...’ Xu Qing pondered, ’Selling weapons is fine if the quantity is small. But if the numbers get too high, I’m afraid I’ll start treading on the interests of the higher-ups in Qingbei Town.’
’Without enough strength, you can’t protect a large enterprise.’
「Ti flew by.」
Before he knew it, spring had passed and autumn had co.
The depths of winter arrived.
The cold wind howled and heavy snow fell. As far as the eye could see, the vast land was draped in silver. The temperature dropped lower and lower. In such a harsh winter, countless refugees and beggars outside the city starved or froze to death.
"Master, Master..."
Outside the door, Xu Qing heard Yu Hu’s voice. It was loud and full of energy as the boy ran into the courtyard. "My mother said you’re all alone, Master, and it’s so cold. She made cabbage and pork dumplings today and told to bring you a bowl."
"Alright."
A smile touched Xu Qing’s lips. His gaze fell on Yu Hu as he took the bowl of steaming hot dumplings from the boy’s hands.
"Master, you should eat them quickly." Yu Hu scratched the back of his head and said with a silly grin, "They won’t be as good if they get cold."
"Mm."
Xu Qing nodded.
The dumplings were indeed delicious. In this weather, in these chaotic tis, eating such a bowl of hot pork dumplings was a dream that countless common people would never realize.
"Master."
Yu Hu stood waiting by the side. He had to wait for Xu Qing to finish eating so he could take the bowl back to wash it. He couldn’t possibly let his master wash dishes.
"What is it?" Xu Qing asked without looking up.
"My father and mother said that you live all alone in this big courtyard with no one to help you take care of it. They think you should buy a few maids and servants," Yu Hu said.
"Haha..." Xu Qing laughed. "We’ll see."
"Okay," Yu Hu replied.
In fact, Yu Hu’s Talent for martial arts was quite good. Xu Qing had taught him for a month, allowing him to learn Baji Fist. After practicing for a full six months, Yu Hu finally mastered Level 2 Baji Fist and cultivated Ming Jin.
Of course, when Yu Chen found out, he was overjoyed.
You must know, Yu Hu would only be fifteen years old after the new year.
"I’m finished."
Xu Qing handed the bowl to Yu Hu.
"Alrighty." Yu Hu took the bowl. "Master, I’m heading back."
"Mm." Xu Qing nodded and said, "Yu Hu, starting tomorrow, co here at six in the morning. I will continue to teach you the more advanced aspects of Baji Fist."
"Thank you, Master!"
Yu Hu knelt on the ground excitedly.
"You have already cultivated Ming Jin with your Baji Fist. After this period of consolidation, it is ti to continue your training." Xu Qing waved his hand. "Go on."
"Yes, I obey."
Yu Hu was overjoyed.
When Yu Hu returned ho, he gave the bowl to Wang Cuilan and told both her and Yu Chen the news, which made Yu Chen incredibly happy and excited.
"Good, good, good." Yu Chen’s expression was one of pure joy. "This is wonderful! Hu Zi, you must rember to listen to your master no matter what happens."
"There’s a saying: ’A teacher for a day is a father for life.’"
"Do you understand?"
"I know, Father," Yu Hu replied.
In the courtyard.
BUZZ!
With a thought, Xu Qing checked his progress from the past six months.
For more than half a year, from the scorching heat of sumr to the snowy depths of winter, Xu Qing had spent most of his ti practicing martial arts in his courtyard and grinding Experience Points for his Blood Curse Beast Taming Technique at the ant nest on White Dwarf Mountain.
"Haaa..."
Xu Qing took a deep breath. As he watched the heavy snow fall from the sky, his thoughts began to wander. He couldn’t help but recall the past sixteen years he had spent with his grandfather.
Back then, Xu Qing was still muddle-headed, wandering with his grandfather, Nine Fingers. They had, of course, encountered winters as harsh as this one, and he had even nearly died during one.
’With weather like this, I wonder how many people will die this winter.’ Xu Qing sighed softly. ’I hope nothing terrible happens.’
He knew all too well. From his ti wandering with his grandfather, he had seen it before. In the depths of a harsh winter like this, the emaciated refugees and beggars would be driven mad by hunger. Egged on by so heretical Demons and Daoists, they would try to revolt just to survive.
The result was a foregone conclusion.
They were all suppressed.
The casualties were innurable.
After all, the current Great Zhou Martial Country was not yet so weak that a county seat could be easily overthrown by re beggars and heretics. It still had a deep and powerful foundation.
Outside the city walls, the Jiang Family, the Nangong Family, and the He Family—the Three Great Families of Qingbei Town—had taken the lead, successively setting up three porridge kitchens outside the city.
However, the number of refugees outside the city was actually increasing because of the porridge kitchens. At this rate, their efforts were like trying to put out a forest fire with a cup of water.
The scene shifted.
On the city wall.
"This can’t go on."
The County Magistrate of Qingbei Town stood on the ramparts. The view zood in on a stern-faced, middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and large eyes, dressed in the official robes of a magistrate.
Around him, standing next to the County Magistrate, were the Patriarchs of the He, Jiang, and Nangong Families.
"Indeed!" He Yuebin, Patriarch of the He Family, nodded. His temples were graying, and he frowned. "There are far too many refugees this year, at least double the number from last year."
"What in the world is going on? Why are there so many refugees this year?" Nangong Ming, Patriarch of the Nangong Family, asked in a low voice.
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