Caught in His Own Net

One day...

Two days...

Chu Qing wore coarse hemp clothes. While waiting for Iron Cloth Shirt to reach Entry, he spent most of his time reading at Madam Jin's place.

Madam Jin ground ink for him; he massaged Madam Jin's shoulders. They looked just like a talented scholar and a beautiful lady.

The sight made Xiao Taohong's little heart pound wildly.

That day, Chu Qing left Madam Jin's house. After returning home and washing the fragrance from his hands, his Profession Slot refreshed:

Iron Cloth Shirt promotion successful

Technique: Iron Cloth Shirt Entry—temper it a hundred times daily, and after a thousand days, reach Proficiency

Promotion Condition: 1: Three portions of secret medicine, 2: Wrap iron wire around the body for three days

"Three portions of secret medicine?"

Chu Qing's heart stirred. "When Mantis Fist and Red Snake Leg advanced to Proficiency, they didn't require secret medicine at all."

"This Iron Cloth Shirt needs three portions of secret medicine just for Proficiency? Then how much will it need for Mastery, Great Completion, and Perfection?"

"Should I get the secret medicine now?"

Right now, someone was surely watching the Iron Cloth Shirt Martial Hall. Buying secret medicine would definitely be dangerous.

The safest method was to wait.

But on the path of martial arts, one step ahead meant every step ahead.

After considering it again and again, Chu Qing decided to take the risk.

"I picked up that silver. Even if I can't get the secret medicine, it won't matter."

He found children to buy the medicine again.

When the master of the Iron Cloth Shirt Martial Hall learned of it, his face went pale, and he nearly burst into tears.

"The murderer is harming me!"

A disciple said, "Master, why don't we take his silver and refuse to give him the secret medicine?"

"Then notify Chief Constable Shi."

The master smiled bitterly. "Since the murderer dares to buy secret medicine, he isn't afraid that I won't give it to him."

"If I refuse, he'll definitely kill someone."

"I'm not afraid of the murderer. But are you?"

The disciples were horrified.

What a joke. They were not even a match for Li Hao.

"Chief Constable Shi never told us to report it. We'll pretend we know nothing and give him the secret medicine."

A few minutes later, the children came out with the secret medicine tucked away.

Following Chu Qing's instructions, they passed through streets and alleys, handing it to other children. Those children scattered in every direction, and one of them handed it off to yet another group of children.

After repeating this three or four times, Chu Qing followed from afar. Only after confirming that no one was tracking them did he take the secret medicine.

This time, he bought twenty portions of secret medicine.

For the time being, he did not lack secret medicine. He only lacked iron wire.

Iron wire was easy enough to obtain. He went straight to the Blacksmith Shop and got over ten pounds of iron wire to wrap around himself.

Second condition in progress... Please persist for three days

Wrapped in iron wire, Chu Qing showed his face at the Martial Hall. He casually practiced Mantis Fist a few times on the training ground, then began Frog Jumps, striving toward the first condition for Toad Technique.

When noon came and he went to the Great Dining Hall to eat, he discovered there was barely any food left.

Puzzled, Chu Qing happened to spot Shi Tiezhu, who looked utterly lost, and walked over.

"Tiezhu, what happened?"

"Why is all the food gone?"

Shi Tiezhu hesitated, then finally sighed.

"The master, Senior Disciple Brother, Senior Sister, and the others are still locked up in prison."

"Everyone is in a state of panic, terrified that the Martial Hall will shut down."

"I don't know what to do either."

Chu Qing's heart stirred, and he comforted him. "With Senior Disciple Brother and the others gone, you should shoulder the responsibility."

Shi Tiezhu was at a loss.

"The Mantis Martial Arts Hall has existed for over a hundred years. The master and the others will definitely be fine."

"You're the only one from the Assault Class who has reached Entry. You need to take charge of the overall situation. When Senior Sister and the others return, they'll definitely praise you."

Shi Tiezhu fell into thought. "But I don't know what I should do."

Chu Qing smiled. "People are iron, food is steel. Start by setting the Great Dining Hall in order, then straighten out the Assault Class members."

"As for those formal disciples, you don't need to bother with them."

Shi Tiezhu did as he said. In less than half a day, the Martial Hall had recovered most of its order.

The dining hall had plenty of food, and most of the Assault Class students were practicing punches on the training ground.

Seeing this, Shi Tiezhu sighed to Chu Qing.

"You really are born to study. Such a chaotic mess, and you settled it in just a few words."

Chu Qing only smiled without speaking.

Wrapped in iron wire, he continued his Frog Jumps.

Hall Master Liu of the Head-Slicing Hall was in a foul mood.

Today, Chief Constable Shi had sent someone to berate him, saying he had not been putting his heart into his work. In the afternoon, he was ordered to bring his Chief Subordinates and Minor Leaders to see him.

"He took my money and still makes me work? Is there any justice left?"

Hall Master Liu was dissatisfied, but he did not dare resist.

Because all his Chief Subordinates had gone to be Young Master He Qi's dogs.

He could only gather a group of Minor Leaders.

The Minor Leaders had dark circles under their eyes and looked exhausted, making Hall Master Liu frown.

"I need a Chief Subordinate."

Hall Master Liu looked around, then casually pointed at a young man who seemed slightly more alert.

"What's your name? From now on, you're a Chief Subordinate."

The alert young man dropped to his knees with a thud. "Hall Master, I don't know martial arts. I can't be a Chief Subordinate."

What a joke. Whoever became a Chief Subordinate now might die at any moment.

I don't want to die.

Hall Master Liu pointed at several others, but none of them wanted to rise in rank.

Enraged, he cursed them viciously.

One Minor Leader rolled his eyes and said:

"Hall Master, why not make Chu Qing a Chief Subordinate?"

Hall Master Liu said, "Hm? Chu Qing? Who's that?"

"Chu Qing joined the Mantis Martial Arts Hall's Assault Class. He wants to enter the Martial Academy."

"He knows martial arts and is stronger than all of us. He also acknowledged Hall Master Jin's wife as his adoptive mother and can read and write."

"It would be perfectly fitting for him to be a Chief Subordinate."

The Minor Leaders all nodded in agreement.

"Then it'll be him."

And so:

Chu Qing became a Chief Subordinate without knowing how or why.

Before he could figure out what was going on, Hall Master Liu led him, surrounded by a crowd of Minor Leaders, straight toward the yamen.

When he saw the yamen, Chu Qing wanted to run, thinking Hall Master Liu had discovered his identity.

But then he thought again. If they truly knew he was the murderer, they would have sent people to arrest him long ago. Why go through all this?

He forced himself to remain calm.

Half an hour later:

Chu Qing and the others arrived at a courtyard. Hall Master Liu entered the main hall alone.

A young man in his thirties sat upright in the center. His brows shone like stars, his eyes were bright and clear, and his bearing was extraordinary.

At his feet knelt a bald, muscular man with knotted flesh.

This was... the master of the Iron Cloth Shirt Martial Hall.

Chief Constable Shi drank tea and said coldly:

"Three days. For three whole days, your Blood River Gang hasn't found a single clue."

"Tell me, what use are you to me?"

Thud!

Hall Master Liu dropped to his knees and frantically kowtowed. "Lord Shi, we have searched day and night. We have not dared to slack off."

Chief Constable Shi did not even glance at him as he said coldly:

"This morning, children went to the Iron Cloth Shirt Martial Hall and bought twenty portions of secret medicine."

"Did you know?"

Drip!

Drip!

Hall Master Liu was drenched in cold sweat.

The Chief Constable had once said that the murderer had to be dug out within three days.

Yet three days had passed, and there was still no trace of the murderer.

But the murderer had voluntarily emerged to buy secret medicine, revealing his tracks.

This was slapping the Chief Constable across the face.

"My lord..." Hall Master Liu wanted to cry.

Chief Constable Shi said calmly, "Can you find any clues or not?"

Hall Master Liu was soaked through, his eyes darting as he said, "My lord, I've just promoted a Chief Subordinate. He is skilled in both letters and martial arts. He will definitely find clues."

Chief Constable Shi's heart stirred.

"Bring him in."

"Yes."

A moment later, Chu Qing entered.

He cupped his fist and shouted, "Greetings, Chief Constable."

Chief Constable Shi was secretly satisfied. Although this young man wore hemp clothes and went barefoot, he was full of spirit and possessed an excellent bearing.

"Hm... Lead people to investigate the murderer. The moment you find anything, report it immediately."

Chu Qing felt strange.

Well, well. You want me to investigate myself?

"Yes, my lord."

Chief Constable Shi said calmly, "Work well, and you won't be lacking in benefits."

Chu Qing's face filled with wild delight. "I obey, my lord."

Clack!

A teacup was thrown before Hall Master Liu.

"Eat it, then get lost!"

"Yes!"