Storm and Rain: Do Not Spurn Heaven's Kind Intentions

Evening:

Chu Qing diligently cultivated the Iron Cloth Shirt at home.

The Iron Cloth Shirt differed from techniques such as Eagle Claw Skill.

After all the Iron Sinews of the Iron Cloth Shirt had been cultivated, continued training could still increase his resistance to blows.

As for techniques such as Eagle Claw Skill, once they reached Perfection, their moves would become smoother.

Each circulation of the Iron Cloth Shirt made his skin a little tougher.

The improvement was slight, but it was still progress.

Cultivating the Iron Cloth Shirt consumed a great deal of nourishment.

Fortunately, Chu Qing was hardworking and had earned some money. He occasionally even borrowed money from Fatty Jin.

He did not lack meat to sustain himself.

As lanterns began to glow:

There were far fewer pedestrians on the streets. The fortresses' noble young masters galloped on horseback, touring the County Town at night; meanwhile, hoodlums fought over territory.

Chu Qing covered his face and headed straight for Pharmacist Li's apothecary.

Pharmacist Li had been unable to sit or lie still these past few days.

A few days ago, after obtaining the Nirvana Qi Grass, he had begun refining medicine.

The secret medicine had been refined.

Then, he began to worry:

"Will the other party kill me to silence me?"

"Should I add poison to the secret medicine?"

"Should I run away?"

At first:

He had thought Chu Qing would come impatiently.

But:

Amid his torment, he waited several days.

That night, dark circles beneath his eyes, he drifted into a muddled sleep.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The knocking instantly jolted him awake.

He opened the door.

Coarse clothes, bare feet, face covered.

At that moment, Pharmacist Li let out a breath.

What was meant to come had finally come. He felt much more relaxed now.

"I refined fifteen portions of secret medicine in total."

"But if I get another chance to refine it next time, I can make seventeen or eighteen portions."

Chu Qing said calmly, "Once we find the medicinal ingredients, I'll have you refine it again."

Pharmacist Li breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed he would not be killed to silence him.

Chu Qing scraped off a tiny bit from every portion of secret medicine.

He swallowed it.

You consumed part of the secret medicine...

There was nothing wrong with the secret medicine.

Chu Qing smiled.

He impatiently swallowed a full portion.

The next second, the Profession Slot refreshed:

Technique: Toad Skill Proficient—practice a thousand times daily, consume one secret medicine every Ten Suns, Great Accomplishment in a thousand days, (secret transmission)

Promotion Condition: 1: Toad Secret Medicine x10

There was still enough secret medicine.

He swallowed another portion.

"Promote!"

Technique: Toad Skill Great Accomplishment—practice a thousand times daily, consume one secret medicine daily, Perfection in a thousand days, (secret transmission)

Promotion Condition: 1: Toad Secret Medicine x100, 2: one jin of toad venom

Chu Qing felt both joy and sorrow.

What delighted him was that reaching Perfection did not require the precious Stone Bamboo Bright Pearl. What troubled him was that one hundred portions of Toad Secret Medicine would not be easy to obtain.

"But no matter how difficult secret medicine is to acquire, it is still easier than Stone Bamboo Bright Pearl."

"As for toad venom..."

"Pharmacist Li, does your apothecary have toad venom?"

Pharmacist Li quickly said, "Yes."

"I still have one tael in stock."

Chu Qing said leisurely, "Prepare one jin for me."

"Mm... the secret medicine formula will count as payment."

Pharmacist Li said joyfully, "Thank you, sir. I will prepare the toad venom in the shortest possible time."

Chu Qing nodded.

At that moment, the secret medicine took effect.

He began cultivating.

Croak!

Croak!

The Great Accomplishment Toad Skill was several times more effective than it had been at Proficiency.

In an instant, his Spirit and Energy surged wildly.

Iron Sinew +10%

His spine grew hot. One portion of secret medicine was consumed, and a major sinew formed along his spine.

Chu Qing was suspicious. "When my other techniques reached Great Accomplishment, one portion of secret medicine added several Iron Sinews. Why does the Toad Skill only add one?"

"Could it be because it is a secret transmission?"

The next second, his expression changed slightly.

Because:

After the major sinew in his spine formed, a strange fluctuation arose. This Toad Iron Sinew could actually link with the Iron Sinews cultivated by many other techniques.

There was no time to think. He continued cultivating.

Iron Sinew +10%

The Profession Slot flashed continuously as the number of Iron Sinews increased.

Eleven portions of secret medicine were consumed in succession, producing eleven distinct Iron Sinews with no repeats.

Thus:

His total number of Iron Sinews reached a staggering 119.

"With so many Iron Sinews... I'm not inferior to Martial Academy Outer Court students, am I?"

"Moreover, the Iron Sinews of the Toad Skill can temporarily link with the Iron Sinews cultivated by other techniques."

"And this is the Toad Skill's greatest secret!"

For example:

When he previously fought with Mantis Fist, he could at most unleash the full power of all thirty-six Iron Sinews. The Iron Sinews from his other techniques could only contribute part of their might.

But now, when he used Mantis Fist, thirty-six Mantis Iron Sinews plus eleven Toad Iron Sinews were equivalent to forty-seven Iron Sinews.

Its power had increased by at least one-third, perhaps even more.

"What a technique. It truly is an unrivaled technique."

Chu Qing threw back his head and laughed, crying out, "Killing enemies is now as easy as turning over my hand!"

A clap of thunder rang out, and torrential rain came pouring down as wild winds swept through.

"This wind and rain came at just the right time."

"Hall Master Liu, I had intended to let you live a few more days. What a pity Heaven has arranged things so beautifully!"

"I cannot spurn Heaven's kind intentions, or Heaven will not spare me!"

Pharmacist Li, standing nearby, turned pale with horror.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Peal after peal of thunder rolled without end.

With wind and rain sweeping the land, it was the perfect season for murder:

The Iron Hand Hall Master put on steel gloves, changed into night-traveling clothes, and donned a steel breastplate. Finally, he threw on a straw rain cape and stepped into the storm.

The Iron Fist and Red Snake Hall Masters dressed the same way, except they also brought along a jar of fine wine.

Mantis Martial Arts Hall:

Zhao Wuji was guiding Zhao Hongxiu in her cultivation.

Zhao Wuji said calmly, "Hongxiu, I'm heading out."

Zhao Hongxiu froze. Seeing the wind and rain raging outside the window, she asked worriedly:

"Father... are you going to kill someone?"

"I've cultivated 108 Iron Sinews too. I can help you."

Zhao Wuji said calmly, "Your Iron Sinews may meet the standard, but... you have too little experience in life-and-death combat."

"The enemy is very formidable. In a fight, I will have no leisure to look after you."

He put on a straw rain cape, covered his face, and opened the door. The wind rushed in, making the candle flame inside the room sway and flicker.

Zhao Hongxiu chased him to the doorway and leaned against the frame. "Who is the enemy?"

"Blood River Gang—Hall Master Liu!"

"This man has 150 Iron Sinews and three Iron Bones."

Zhao Hongxiu said in horror, "Father, bring a weapon!"

"No need...!"

Zhao Wuji arrived at a hidden courtyard.

Iron Hand and the other Hall Masters had already arrived. They sat around a table.

The Red Snake Hall Master warmed wine and said, "After we slaughter Hall Master Liu, do you think Chief Constable Shi will investigate?"

Zhao Wuji said coldly, "No one will report it, and there will be no aggrieved victims. Who would investigate?"

Iron Hand and the others let out strange, sinister chuckles.

They were going to wipe out Hall Master Liu's entire family.

"Will Chief Constable Shi suspect us?"

Zhao Wuji sneered. "Burn the corpses and scatter the ashes. Leave no traces of techniques behind. The fortresses behind us will never allow him to arrest us a second time."

Silence.

A little later, the Red Snake Hall Master finished warming the wine. "Gentlemen, let us share this cup, then kill enemies amid wind and rain."

The Iron Fist Hall Master was tempted.

Zhao Wuji said, "When we return from killing, the wine will still be warm."

With that, he was the first to push open the door and leave.

Iron Hand, Iron Fist, and the Red Snake Hall Master nodded and followed close behind. They stepped into the storm, treading beneath thunderclaps as they headed straight for Hall Master Liu's home.

Apothecary:

Chu Qing opened the door and let the wind and rain lash against him.

"Truly, the perfect season for killing enemies."

The next second, Grass on Wings activated. His target—the Blood River Gang, Hall Master Liu's home.