You Don't Want to Live, But I Do

The next day, the sun was high in the sky.

The streets of Sanyang were already crowded, with no less than a thousand people coming and going, but it was remarkably quiet at the moment.

Everyone was looking at a shop called "Good Luck Cloth Shop" in the middle of the street.

The Imperial Guards were moving goods from the shop, box after box, onto horse-drawn carriages. In the early hours of the morning, after Shen Qing led his men to raid the Black Water Gang's stronghold, he ordered all of the gang's assets to be seized.

Before long, everything in the cloth shop had been cleared out. The Imperial Guards, without the slightest hesitation, hastily affixed seals and quickly drove the carriages back to the Hundred Households Office.

Only after the figures of the Imperial Guards disappeared did discussions erupt on the street.

"What's going on? Why was this cloth shop sealed up when it was perfectly fine?"

"This Good Luck Cloth Shop was opened by people from the Black Water Gang, wasn't it? Did the Black Water Gang commit a crime?"

"There was trouble at the Black Water Gang's place yesterday too, several houses collapsed, and dozens of people were injured."

"Someone almost died, and it was a Centurion of the Imperial Guards who used a green saber who saved him."

"Imperial Guards? Saving people? I can understand these words separately, but put together, I don't recognize them?"

In the past, when the yamen handled cases, if you blocked the road, they would at most drive you away and scold you a few times.

But when the Imperial Guards took action, it meant a major case. If ordinary people blocked the road, they would truly be whipped, and they could be beaten to death under the pretext of obstructing official business without any recourse.

A man in black spoke, his voice low.

"He really saved someone, and it was my neighbor, a laborer."

"Is that true? Have the Imperial Guards changed their ways?"

One person scoffed.

"Imperial Guards changing their ways? Are you dreaming? Talking about whatever you dream about?"

"Try it in front of other Imperial Guards, and you might get your fill of whipping."

At noon, shouts could be heard from Shen Qing's courtyard, like the roars of ferocious beasts or the booming sound of giant stones colliding.

As time passed, the noise grew louder and more intense.

Inside the room, three medicine vats were placed in a row, and the entire space was filled with a rich medicinal fragrance.

These were brewed from the thousands of pounds of medicinal ingredients purchased by the scholar.

After receiving the order, the scholar had gone to knock on the doors of the pharmacies before dawn.

In just a short hour, the scholar had bought out all the medicinal ingredients in Luoshui City. He also bought ten large pots.

After some simple arrangements, he began boiling the medicinal ingredients in Shen Qing's courtyard. Ten large pots could boil three vats of medicinal ingredients at once.

Once Shen Qing absorbed the medicinal properties from the three vats, they would be replaced with a new batch. This was already the fourth batch.

Shen Qing slowly opened his eyes, his blood essence surging within him, accompanied by continuous roars like those of wild beasts. Faintly, a hint of the dragon elephant's might could be felt.

Shen Qing clenched his fists, feeling the immense power.

The Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill truly deserved its title as the foremost body-tempering technique. The increase in strength was not just a little bit.

One must know that his strength had already reached a terrifying state with the enhancement of the red trait, Body Sanctification. Yet, after practicing the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill, he could still feel a vigorous improvement.

Shen Qing exhaled a long breath, leaped out of the medicine vat, and shouted in a low voice.

"Change the medicine!"

The Colonel waiting outside the door immediately rushed in, carried the medicine vats out, and brought in three pre-prepared vats.

Soon, the sounds of wild beasts roaring could be heard again in the room.

The immense medicinal power continuously tempered every inch of Shen Qing's skin and flesh.

His physical body was rapidly strengthening, and his power was soaring.

Time ticked by, and the sky gradually darkened.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Ma Kui was gathering a few trusted subordinates for a drink.

Although he had been kicked unconscious by Shen Qing the day before yesterday, Ma Kui was still unconvinced.

He gave himself many excuses.

Such as not sleeping well last night, being ambushed, being caught off guard, and so on...

However, it was also a blessing in disguise, as the bottleneck in his Xiantian Realm had been kicked open by Shen Qing, allowing him to break through to the Xiantian Realm.

Ma Kui's face was flushed red, and the smell of alcohol emanated from him. He stomped his foot on a stool and shouted.

"Shen Qing? Luoshui Town Pacification Department? They're nothing!"

"If this place doesn't keep me, another will!"

The several Lieutenant Officials raised their wine cups and cheered loudly.

"Just so, just so! Congratulations, Brother Ma, on breaking through to the Xiantian Realm! From now on, the world is your oyster!"

Ma Kui, extremely excited, took a large gulp of wine. "Good, good, good. I won't hide it from you all anymore. I'm laying my cards on the table."

"Last night, I connected with the Centurion Ma You from Qiushui City. Soon, I'll be heading to Qiushui City to become a Centurion."

"When the time comes, you'll all come with me. We'll find a new place, and we'll still be living the good life!"

The few Lieutenant Officials were stunned for a moment before quickly bowing.

"Congratulations, Sir! Congratulations, Sir!"

After a round of cheers, a dark-skinned Lieutenant Official, Pang Xiyuan, rubbed his flushed face.

"Boss, does that mean we need to keep a low profile from now on? The transfer order won't come through in a short time, and we can't attract the attention of the Pacification Bureau."

Ma Kui waved his hand grandly. "Eat what you should eat, drink what you should drink!"

"Times have changed. Luoshui City is in such a mess, it can barely take care of itself."

"And the Qiushui City Pacification Bureau, which is in competition with the Luoshui City Pacification Bureau, would love nothing more than to kick us while we're down."

"They promised that the transfer order will be issued within two days."

Next, Ma Kui smiled mysteriously and slammed the wine jar onto the table.

"Moreover, when they heard I had broken through to the Xiantian Realm and could bring an entire Commander's team with me, they directly promised me a Centurion position, skipping the Acting Centurion rank."

The Lieutenants immediately beamed with joy. Becoming a Centurion directly? That was truly a meteoric rise. Likewise, their own status would soar.

This also meant better opportunities to skim off the top.

Ma Kui laughed heartily, seemingly envisioning his bright future.

"Luoshui City Pacification Bureau? Those clueless fools, you'll regret this. We have plenty of time ahead of us!"

Just then, a tall, thin Lieutenant Official showed a pained expression.

"Sir, after suffering such humiliation, are we just going to leave like this? Are we just going to let Shen Qing go?"

"In my opinion, Boss, you should directly challenge Shen Qing! Show them we're not afraid of anyone!"

The smile on Ma Kui's face vanished instantly.

"Damn it, don't force me to slap you when I'm happiest. Why are you bringing him up?"

"I've only just broken through to the Xiantian Realm, and my cultivation is not yet stable. Once it's stable, dealing with Shen Qing will be a piece of cake."

The thought of Shen Qing kicking him still made Ma Kui tremble inwardly. Before breaking through to the Xiantian Realm, that kick felt manageable, but after breaking through, he truly felt Shen Qing's terrifying power.

However, he still had to maintain his tough facade, otherwise, how could he keep his subordinates in line?

At this moment, a Lieutenant Official with a mustache pinched his beard, his eyes darting around. He chuckled and said, "Why must revenge be direct? I have a plan. Listen as I explain."

The gazes of those around him turned to the mustachioed Lieutenant Official. It was this fellow who had fanned the flames the day before yesterday; otherwise, Ma Kui wouldn't have been so arrogant, and they wouldn't have been thrown out by Shen Qing.

"Fang Ming isn't exactly tight-lipped. I received some news: yesterday, they apprehended Sun Yun, the Cloud-Piercing Hand from the Luoshui City theft case eight years ago."

Several people looked confused. "They caught him, so what are you saying?"

"As far as I know, Sun Yun is still in the Centurion Office's prison." The mustachioed Lieutenant Official narrowed his eyes, scanned the room, and smiled sinisterly. "What if Sun Yun were to escape? Would Shen Qing still be able to claim credit?"

The surrounding Lieutenant Officials immediately showed expressions of disdain. "I thought you had some brilliant plan? I knew you couldn't say anything good."

The mustachioed Lieutenant Official became anxious. "You haven't heard me out yet! The Centurion Office only has Shen Qing as a formidable opponent, but he can't be everywhere, right?"

"Tonight, at the beginning of the Xu hour, Fang Ming will lead men to escort Sun Yun to the Pacification Bureau's execution platform. That's when we..."

Pang Xiyuan offered the mustachioed man some peanuts. "To illegally release a death row prisoner of the Imperial Guards, ten lives wouldn't be enough to pay for it."

"Come, come, let's drink. Don't stir up any trouble. We'll have good days in Qiushui City. Don't dwell on these petty squabbles."

They played drinking games, boasted, and after several rounds of drinks, everyone was tipsy. Pang Xiyuan was the last one still standing at the table, stepping on a chair and drinking alone.

"A bunch of weaklings, trying to outdrink me... hic... urgh..."

Pang Xiyuan quickly ran to the window, leaning against the wall, and vomited until he was dizzy.

After an unknown amount of time, he looked up, feeling the world spin. He abruptly pushed open the window and leaned on it, greedily breathing in the fresh air.

Suddenly, he saw Ma Kui striding out of the courtyard. Pang Xiyuan, still drunk, called out.

"Commander Ma... no, I should call you Centurion Ma. Centurion Ma..."

"Huh? Why isn't Centurion Ma drinking? Why is he bringing his weapon... bringing his weapon..."

Pang Xiyuan's eyes suddenly widened. Could Ma Kui really be planning to attack the prisoner transport?

Pang Xiyuan slapped himself three times, with such force that he even used his Internal Energy. His right cheek was already swollen.

But at this moment, Pang Xiyuan was completely sober. A look of madness appeared on his face.

"He's crazy, he's crazy! He must be f***ing crazy!"

"You don't want to live! I still want to live!"