parentshiftbook Chapter 6 Initial Success of Blood Refining
Chapter 6 Initial Success of Blood Refining
"Brother Qi, martial arts practitioners need to eat more meat. The more you eat, the faster you'll train. Eat more," Zhao Xiaoqi said, picking up some food for you.
"Thank you, Auntie, and Xiaoqi, you too."
The three of them sat around the table and ate their meal.
During this time, Jiang Qi secretly poured some moonlight water into the soup when Zhao's mother and Xiao Qi were not paying attention.
Moonflower water has the effect of strengthening the body's foundation and improving physical condition, which is beneficial to Zhao's mother and Xiao Qi.
Not long after they started eating, they suddenly heard a loud knocking on the door.
"Open the door!"
Zhao Xiaoqi's expression changed, she put down her chopsticks and got up to open the door.
Two people stood outside the door; one had sharp eyes, and the other was a burly man with a dark complexion.
"Master Pang..." Zhao Xiaoqi's voice was a little weak when he saw the person who came.
"Zhao Xiaoqi, the one tael of silver you borrowed is due. Including principal and interest, it's one tael and one hundred and twenty cash in total," Pang Zhan said coldly.
The one tael of silver that Zhao Xiaoqi gave to Cui Yuan, the waterman of the water workshop, in order to get a job as a handyman for the Ironclad Gang, was borrowed from these people.
Zhao Xiaoqi's face turned pale: "Master Pang, could you give me a few more days? I... I'll pay the interest first."
"The rules can't be broken." Pang Zhan shook his head, and the burly man on his right pulled out a piece of paper. "When we borrowed it, we agreed that we would pay back the money when it was due, and if we didn't have the money, we would use something as collateral."
Zhao Xiaoqi looked around the room, a bitter expression on her face.
What valuable things could he possibly have to pawn in his house...?
Just as Zhao Xiaoqi was at a loss.
"Xiao Qi, here you go." Jiang Qi stood up, walked to the door, and slipped a tael of silver to Zhao Xiao Qi.
Xiao Qi had previously told him that he had given Shui Tou a tael of silver, and he had a hunch. Sure enough, the silver was borrowed.
"Brother Qi..." Zhao Xiaoqi was stunned for a moment, wondering where Jiang Qi got so much money, and subconsciously wanted to refuse.
"Take this, pay off the debt first." Jiang Qi glanced at Zhao's mother, then gave Xiao Qi a wink.
He recognized Pang Zhan, who came to collect the debt; he was a member of the Pang family from the Litong Money Shop in Xicheng, and they were in the business of lending money.
Although the Pang family is not a prominent family, they are not people like them who can be offended.
Zhao's mother, who had just recovered from a serious illness, could not withstand any further shock.
Zhao Xiaoqi hesitated for a moment, but still took the silver and returned it to Pang Zhan first.
Pang Zhan took the silver, and the burly man next to him handed the IOU to Jiang Qi.
"Cash and goods settled."
"Thank you, Mr. Pang." Jiang Qi took the IOU.
Pang Zhan glanced at Jiang Qi and suddenly laughed, "Your name is Jiang Qi, right? I know you, the plumber from the Sweetwater Lane plumber's workshop... Hmm, you're quite righteous."
In this day and age, it's rare to see someone paying off another's debt.
He dared to lend money to Zhao Xiaoqi, which means he must have investigated the people around Zhao Xiaoqi.
"I'm a man who likes to be loyal. If you ever need money in the future, come to Litong Money Shop and find me. The interest rate is lower than other shops."
"Thank you, Master Pang. If I need anything, I will definitely go to you." Jiang Qi cupped his hands in thanks.
He appeared calm, but he was calculating in his heart.
This Litong Money Shop might actually come in handy someday.
Although he had Moon Essence Water that he could exchange for silver, his frequent transactions inevitably attracted attention.
Borrowing money to practice martial arts serves two purposes: it can be used as a pretext, and it can also avoid a lot of risks.
Whether or not they can repay it is another matter entirely.
As long as you practice martial arts faster than you borrow money, you don't have to worry about not being able to pay it back.
Of course, the premise is that he can actually make a name for himself in the training and verify how fast he can actually train.
Otherwise, borrowing money to practice martial arts is tantamount to digging one's own grave.
Pang Zhan nodded, no longer making things difficult for Zhao Xiaoqi, and left with the burly man.
After the two had walked away, Zhao Xiaoqi's eyes reddened: "Qi-ge'er, I will definitely pay you back this money..."
"No rush." Jiang Qi patted his shoulder. "Let's eat first."
Zhao's mother repeatedly expressed her gratitude.
"..."
......
Because of Pang Zhan, the rest of the meal wasn't as comfortable. After eating some, Jiang Qi said he had something to do and left first.
On the way back to Sweetwater Lane, we passed an alleyway and could hear shouts and sounds of fighting from afar.
Clearly, it was another gang fight.
He paused, then immediately turned into a side alley and took a detour.
The scar on the back of my head is still there, so I'd better stay away from things like this.
"The world is truly in chaos..."
Jiang Qi couldn't help but sigh.
......
In the days that followed, Jiang Qi would go to the waterworks to fetch water every morning, and after finishing, he would go to the martial arts school to practice martial arts.
Returning to the well at night, I collect moonlight water and water from outside the well to improve my health.
More than ten days passed in this way.
That afternoon, the training ground outside the martial arts school was unusually lively.
Because it's time for the monthly coaching guidance day.
Instructor Zhou Yong stood in the center of the field, surrounded by dozens of outer court disciples who watched intently.
"The key to Zhenyuan Body Strengthening Exercise lies in the word 'endurance'," Zhou Yong said in a loud voice. "The movements must be precise, and the breathing must be coordinated with the mind. Only by practicing each movement to exhaustion can you stimulate your qi and blood."
He personally demonstrated, his movements varying in speed, causing his bones to crack softly.
"Practicing martial arts without internal energy cultivation is a waste of time in old age. What is internal energy cultivation? It's your vital energy and blood! How do you get your vital energy and blood? First, through training; second, through proper nutrition!"
"I understand that many of you are reluctant to buy medicinal diets. But if you really want to cultivate your qi and blood, you should at least have a qi-boosting and blood-nourishing diet every day."
Otherwise, just exercising without proper nutrition will only damage your body and have the opposite effect.
Everyone listened in silence.
"A medicinal meal costs half a tael of silver... How can anyone afford that..." someone muttered under their breath.
Zhou Yong glanced indifferently at the complaining person, said nothing, and continued the drill.
Martial arts are not something ordinary people can learn.
Most of these people don't have much of a family fortune. It's already quite an achievement for them to spend ten taels of silver to try their luck in the future. Everyone wants to eat medicinal food and tonics, but not everyone can afford them.
He went through the same thing back then.
After about half an hour of practice, Zhou Yong let everyone practice on their own while he patrolled the area and gave guidance.
While everyone was practicing diligently, they suddenly saw a person not far away with their head down, carrying a bundle on their back, silently walking towards the gate of the martial arts school.
"That's Senior Brother Zhang..." an apprentice named Zhang Xiao whispered. "Senior Brother Zhang has been a student for three months, but he hasn't developed any internal energy. According to the rules, he should leave the martial arts school."
As everyone looked over, they saw Senior Brother Zhang's desolate figure walking out of the martial arts school gate step by step, glancing at them as he went, his eyes filled with resentment and pain.
The atmosphere in the room was somber.
Many people shared the same sorrow.
No one knows whether they will end up the same way three months from now.
Jiang Qi glanced at his senior brother a few times, then calmed himself down and continued practicing his body-strengthening exercises.
Every move was executed with utmost care and precision.
As he practiced, he suddenly felt a faint warm current rising from his chest and slowly flowing to his limbs and bones.
Wherever it passed, the muscles swelled slightly, as if a force was being generated.
Jiang Qi was overjoyed.
This is... a sign that Qi and blood are beginning to emerge!
He suppressed his excitement and continued practicing the entire set of exercises. After finishing the exercise, his consciousness sank into his sea of consciousness.
The [Book of a Hundred Trades] shimmered with golden light, and several more lines of text suddenly appeared beside the [Moonlight Envoy]:
[Occupation: Warrior]
[Level: 1 (1/100)]
[Effects: Improves martial arts training efficiency and smooths blood and qi circulation; slightly enhances strength and endurance; and slightly improves comprehension when practicing martial arts techniques.]
[Skills: None]
Now look below.
[Realm: Early Stage of Blood Burning Realm]
It worked!
Jiang Qi was thrilled.
The beginning is always the hardest. Once the [Martial Artist] profession is unlocked, training martial arts should go much more smoothly.
He carefully sensed the flow of qi and blood within his body.