Nirvana Qi Grass, Grass on Wings

After leaving Madam Jin's home, Chu Qing prepared to tidy himself up and head to the Black Market.

But halfway there, a Minor Leader stopped him.

"Master Qing, Hall Master Liu wants to see you."

Chu Qing smiled. "Did the Hall Master say what it was about?"

The Minor Leader looked blank. "I don't know either."

Chu Qing's smile vanished.

The Minor Leader...

More than ten minutes later:

Chu Qing saw Hall Master Liu.

"Kid... look at the fine work you've done."

Chu Qing looked bewildered.

Hall Master Liu's face was ugly. Pointing at him, he berated him, "I told you to investigate clues about the murderer, but you went and tore down a ruined courtyard. You even fabricated evidence, claiming the murderer had fled. This is deception. You deceived me, and you deceived Chief Constable Shi."

"You fucking bastard."

Killing intent welled up in Chu Qing's heart.

You dare curse at me like this?

Did you really think I was still some lackey who only knew how to wave flags and shout?

He cupped his fist. "Hall Master Liu, the murderer hasn't been caught for many days. Chief Constable Shi is dissatisfied, the Fortified Village Disciples are dissatisfied, the powerful and noble are dissatisfied—even the gangs are dissatisfied."

"With no way to catch a scapegoat, we could only say the murderer escaped."

Hall Master Liu sneered. "So I paid one thousand taels of silver just for you to fool me?"

"Heh... not only wasn't the murderer caught, I also have to pay another five hundred taels of silver to curry favor with those people from the yamen?"

"Tell me, should I pay this money?"

Chu Qing remained silent.

Hall Master Liu sneered. "By the end of the month, give me three thousand taels of silver."

"Otherwise... even if the yamen people back you up, I have plenty of ways to make you wish you were dead."

"Get out!"

Chu Qing cupped his fist and turned to leave. Once outside, he looked back at the Liu family courtyard, killing intent boiling in his heart.

"Three thousand taels of silver by the end of the month?"

"I'm afraid that even if I have the money to give, you won't have the life to spend it."

These past few days, he had mixed with the Minor Leaders and learned more about Hall Master Liu.

He silently weighed his own progress, calculating when would be the best time to act.

When he got home, he saw Xiao Taohong standing there.

"Chu Qing, Madam will take you to a clothing shop tomorrow morning to buy clothes, then take you to meet Madam Shi in the afternoon."

"Remember to prepare yourself."

Chu Qing was moved.

He knew Madam Jin was doing this for his sake.

"Fine. Since she is arranging a way out for me... I cannot reject her good intentions."

Night fell:

Chu Qing headed straight for the Black Market outside Clear Water County.

Stone Cliff County was more than a hundred kilometers away from Clear Water County.

In this era, an ordinary person needed a full day of walking to get there.

Chu Qing cultivated Red Snake Leg. His two long legs were strong and powerful, bolstered by many Iron Sinews.

As he ran, he resembled a great serpent slithering forward.

One hour...

Two hours...

"Too slow."

"I need a Lightness Skill."

"Whether for traveling or killing enemies, I need one."

"Pharmacist Li said the Black Market had everything. I hope I can find a Lightness Skill manual."

Four hours later:

Under the night sky, the outline of a city wall appeared in the distance.

Not far from the city wall flowed a large, rapid river.

On an open stretch of ground by the river, wavering lights dotted the darkness. Tents and stalls stood thick as stars.

The Black Market... had arrived.

Chu Qing covered his face and stepped inside.

To his surprise:

The Black Market was bustling, like a grand market fair. It did not fear being discovered in the slightest.

"It seems the Black Market's backers are formidable."

The Black Market was huge. Its stalls were arranged neatly, forming temporary streets.

Chu Qing went down the streets one by one.

There were sellers of weapons, bows, and crossbows. There were even leather armor, iron armor, and shields for sale.

As for Martial Arts Manuals, many stalls had them.

Some stalls displayed nothing at all, merely writing a few numbers on white cloth, along with words saying they purchased secret medicines, manuals, and the like.

Among them walked men in black robes carrying red lanterns, shouting:

No. 78 is purchasing Mantis Fist Secret Medicine.

No. 69 is purchasing bedroom manuals.

Chu Qing approached a black-robed man and said, "If someone wants to purchase something, can they ask you to spread the word?"

The black-robed man smiled. "That's right."

"One tael of silver to shout it once along every street."

"You're new here, aren't you?"

Chu Qing said nothing.

The black-robed man smiled. "When it comes to buying things, we only build bridges and pull strings. Whether you receive the genuine article is none of our concern."

"Even if you buy a fake, don't cause trouble in the Black Market."

"If you want trouble, go outside."

"Also, try not to have us shout about excessively precious items. Otherwise, people with ulterior motives may set their eyes on you."

"Of course, if you're strong enough, shout whatever you like."

Chu Qing understood and cupped his fist in thanks.

Nirvana Qi Grass was precious and unsuitable for calling out a purchase offer. He could only inspect the stalls one by one.

One...

Ten...

A hundred...

He had nearly finished visiting every stall, yet still found none.

However, at one stall, he discovered many Lightness Skill manuals.

Grass on Wings.

Eight Steps Catching Cicadas.

Floating on Water.

Seven Flashes in the Wind.

A great many people surrounded this stall.

They bargained back and forth, and from time to time someone took away a manual.

Chu Qing observed for quite a while. From their conversation, he learned that this stall owner was an old vendor with a solid reputation.

After the crowd thinned somewhat, Chu Qing said:

"Friend, can you introduce the characteristics of these Lightness Skills?"

The stall owner wore a monkey mask and spoke in a hoarse voice:

"Grass on Wings is suitable for long-distance dashes!"

"Eight Steps Catching Cicadas is suitable for short-distance bursts!"

"Floating on Water is suitable for showing off in front of girls!"

"Dragonfly Touching Water is suitable for..."

The stall owner introduced seven or eight types in one breath before finally asking:

"Which one do you want?"

Chu Qing pondered silently:

For short-distance bursts, Red Snake Leg and Mantis Fist would suffice for now.

I need a Lightness Skill for long-distance dashes.

If my identity as the murderer is exposed in the future, it will also help me escape.

Finally, I must consider promotion as well.

"Which Lightness Skill has the easiest secret medicine to obtain?"

Tap!

The stall owner tapped Grass on Wings with his finger.

"This Lightness Skill has no corresponding secret medicine. Train seriously, and you'll reach Great Accomplishment in one year and Perfection in three."

Chu Qing smiled. "I'll take it."

He had brought plenty of silver, but he still needed to buy Nirvana Qi Grass, so he did not dare spend recklessly.

Moreover, the other Lightness Skills all had corresponding secret medicines. When he advanced quickly, he would also need to buy secret medicines.

That would be another expense.

Therefore, he could only temporarily give up on the other Lightness Skills.

"Once I settle the Toad Secret Medicine, I can borrow some silver and come back to buy them. It won't be too late."

A few minutes later:

Skill: Grass on Wings, Not Initiated—ten practices daily, Initiated in ten days

Promotion Condition: 1: Walk one thousand steps upon grass.

What a simple Lightness Skill.

This Black Market was set upon a field of grass.

He could complete the Promotion Condition just by walking around.

Wonderful.

You walked one step upon grass.

Walked one step upon grass.

The Profession Slot refreshed continuously.

A few more minutes passed:

Skill: Grass on Wings, Initiated—two practices daily, Proficient in thirty days

Promotion Condition: 1: Walk ten thousand steps upon grass.

The skill advanced.

A wealth of leg-strengthening techniques appeared in Chu Qing's mind. As he walked, he adjusted his posture and felt himself moving faster, his body becoming lighter, and his strength draining more slowly.

After settling the Lightness Skill, it was as though good fortune had arrived.

He had not passed more than a few stalls before his pupils contracted.

Because on this stall sat a blade of grass.

Nirvana Qi Grass.

But... several Masked Men were negotiating its price with the stall owner.