parentshiftbook Chapter 86 Murder on a Rainy Night
Chapter 86 Murder on a Rainy Night
Jiang Qi felt that having more methods meant having more confidence.
"Once I've mastered strengthening my bones, I might have a chance to learn about the methods of literary cultivation," he thought to himself. "Even if I can't grasp the basics, understanding the principles will give me a better idea of how to deal with enemies in the future."
He closed the booklet, put away the black charcoal monster, and stood in the room, circulating his qi and blood to strive for the perfection of the ten qi and blood.
......
Three days later, late at night.
Inside the water pavilion, Jiang Qi's body was enveloped in a misty, rosy aura that faintly glowed in the dimly lit room.
The tenth stream of qi and blood in his chest surged like a river, finally breaking through the last bit of stagnation and reaching complete perfection!
hum-
A slight vibration came from within the body, the total amount of Qi and blood increased again, and the physical strength, power and speed were all improved.
Jiang Qi opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance in them disappearing before he returned to calm.
"The ten streams of Qi and blood are now complete."
The next step is to go to the Demon Suppression Division to exchange for the Bone Strengthening Realm cultivation technique, and formally temper the muscles and bones of the legs, torso, etc.
Reaching the mid-stage of the Bone Strengthening Realm sooner will give you more confidence.
He stood up, stretched his limbs, and pushed open the door.
The rain started again, pattering against the bluestone slabs in the courtyard.
Just as he was about to go back inside, he suddenly heard footsteps coming from the alley entrance.
The two of them, one after the other, stepped into the water pavilion.
The leader was burly, with broad shoulders and a rugged face, and eyes like an eagle.
Beside him was a tall, thin man with a deep and focused demeanor and sharp eyes.
He knew both of them, and they even had a grudge against each other.
"Lord Jiang." Dai Haishan, the deputy leader of the Qingshui Gang, greeted him with a smile and cupped his hands in a very polite manner.
Cao Mang, the leader of the Futao Hall of the Qingshui Gang, also bowed.
Jiang Qi looked calmly at the two men: "Chief Dai, is there something you need?"
"Hehe, it's nothing serious." Dai Haishan took out five silver notes and two jade bottles. "It's just a small token of my appreciation."
Jiang Qi didn't answer, but only asked, "What does Chief Dai mean by this?"
Dai Haishan's smile remained unchanged: "Lord Jiang is exceptionally talented, and his future is limitless. My Qingshui Gang is willing to provide all the resources needed for his future cultivation."
"If Chief Dai has something to say, he might as well speak frankly." Jiang Qi still didn't respond.
Dai Haishan pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "I only hope... that Lord Jiang will not interfere in the feud between my Qingshui Gang and the Tieyi Gang."
Jiang Qi remained silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled, reaching out to take the silver notes and tonic: "I am a Demon Suppression Guard, responsible only for slaying demons and monsters, not for gang warfare."
Dai Haishan immediately cupped his hands and said, "With Lord Jiang's words, I am relieved. From now on, my Qingshui Gang will deliver medicine to Lord Jiang on time every month. I have important matters to attend to today, so I will visit again another day."
After saying that, he turned and left with Cao Mang.
As they walked out of Shuifang Alley, Cao Mang whispered, "Chief, are we really giving him so many Blood Refining Pills for free every month? The guild isn't exactly flush with cash these days..."
Dai Haishan scoffed: "Just a Demon Suppression Guard with some potential. Who knows when he'll die in some ditch? In the past, he wouldn't be worth it."
But this is a crucial time, and we shouldn't create unnecessary complications. Those who achieve great things don't concern themselves with trifles; a few resources are all they need.
He paused, then frowned slightly: "However... this boy gives me a sense of familiarity, as if I've seen him somewhere before."
Unable to find a solution, he waved his hand and said, "Never mind, let's go back to the hall first. Tonight at midnight, we must kill Qin Lie. After that... we'll find another opportunity to eliminate this brat as well, to prevent future troubles."
"yes!"
......
Liefeng Hall.
Qin Lie sat opposite a middle-aged man dressed in a brocade robe, with a fair complexion and no beard, drinking tea.
"Last night, Dai Haishan mobilized half of the elite troops from the Raging Waves Hall and the River-Turning Hall, scattering them to lie in ambush at the docks and the West Market. It seems he will definitely make his move tonight." The middle-aged man took a sip of tea.
This man, named Wan Canglan, is one of the two vice leaders of the Ironclad Gang.
A cold glint flashed in Qin Lie's eyes: "He thought that my injuries hadn't healed, and that this was my chance."
Wan Canglan laughed and said, "This time, if we join forces, we will make sure he doesn't return. Once Dai Haishan is dead, the Qingshui Gang will lose an arm, and Li Tianxiong will be unable to hold on alone."
Qin Lie raised his glass: "Thank you, Chief."
There's no need for formalities between us.
As they were talking, Qin Hongyu walked in from the outer room and bowed to the two of them: "Father, Uncle Wan."
Qin Lie asked, "Didn't you go to Sweetwater Lane today?"
Qin Hongyu blushed slightly: "Father!"
"Hehe," Wan Canglan chuckled from the side, "I heard from your father that you hid in the water cart to run to the waterworks?"
"Uncle Wan..." Qin Hongyu's face turned even redder, and two figures involuntarily flashed through her mind: one was her savior in black, and the other was Jiang Qi.
The two even overlapped.
She quickly changed the subject, "Dad, are you planning to... tonight?"
"You don't need to worry about these things." Qin Lie waved his hand and took out two bottles of Blood-Devouring Pills. "Take these to Sweetwater Lane tomorrow."
"I understand..." Qin Hongyu took the pill, lowered her head, and left.
After she left, Wan Canglan looked at Qin Lie: "You seem to think highly of that Jiang Qi?"
Qin Lie nodded: "This young man is calm, loyal, and knows when to advance and retreat. He is a rough gem."
Wan Canglan shook his head slightly: "Brother Qin, forgive my bluntness. Character and temperament are certainly important, but in the path of martial arts, talent and foundation are fundamental."
I've heard that this young man's rapid cultivation is largely due to the accumulation of elixirs. For someone at the Blood Refining Realm to rely so heavily on external medicines indicates underlying health problems; his qi and blood may appear robust, but his foundation is actually weak.
The Bone Strengthening Realm, especially the subsequent tempering stage, demands extremely high levels of physical foundation and purity of blood and qi... His future breakthrough to the Bone Strengthening Realm will likely be several times more difficult than for ordinary people. Hongyu... we should be cautious."
Qin Lie remained silent for a moment, then sighed, "What the gang leader says makes sense..."
......
As night deepened, the rain intensified.
Qingshui Gang, Nu Tao Hall.
Dai Haishan slowly wiped the mountain knife in his hand; the blade gleamed with a cold, hard light under the candlelight.
Cao Mang stood aside, holding his breath and waiting.
"The time is almost up." Dai Haishan sheathed his sword, a fierce glint in his eyes. "Order your men to surround the exits of the Liefeng Hall. Leave no one from the Qin family alive."
"Also, you personally go to Sweetwater Lane and keep an eye on things. If that kid doesn't behave, send him away beforehand."
"yes!"
Dai Haishan got up and pushed open the hall door.
The night wind, carrying raindrops, rushed towards his face, but it couldn't conceal the murderous intent in his eyes.
With a swift movement, he leaped onto the courtyard wall, and in a few bounds, disappeared into the vast rainy night.
The rain was getting heavier and heavier.
The streets and alleys were deserted, with only the sound of raindrops hitting the tiles and flowing into the ditches.
Dai Haishan leaped across the rooftops with incredible speed, his figure almost blending into the night.
As he passed through a dark alley, he suddenly felt a chill, stopped abruptly, and landed in the alley.
At the alleyway ahead, a stray dog, startled by the thunder, was barking wildly at the night sky.
"Noisy." Dai Haishan frowned, his gaze sweeping over, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
The stray dog trembled, whimpered, and tucked its tail between its legs as it fled.
But at that very moment—
Swish!
A cold glint suddenly appeared from the shadows under the eaves on the side!
The blade flashed, tearing through the rain curtain with lightning speed and icy coldness, aimed straight at Dai Haishan's face!
This strike came without warning.
"Who?!" Dai Haishan's hair stood on end, but as a master of the Bone Strengthening Realm with rich combat experience, he almost instinctively swung his sword to counterattack!
clang--!
The two swords clashed, producing a deafening roar!