Sensing Qi, Controlling Qi, Strengthening Qi

Although Qin Yu was just a helper, he had been there for over a month and was very familiar with the Flying Tiger Escort Agency's affairs. Hearing Li Cunxiao's question, he immediately began to speak enthusiastically.

What martial artists train is their Blood Qi. Only by mastering Blood Qi can one qualify to enter higher realms.

The Blood Qi Realm has three minor stages: Sensing Qi, Controlling Qi, and Strengthening Qi.

Simply put, it means perceiving Blood Qi, controlling Blood Qi, and strengthening Blood Qi until the body is filled to the brim.

Martial artists who have mastered Blood Qi, while not yet superhuman, have their stamina, endurance, and explosive power pushed to the limits of ordinary humans. Facing unarmored commoners, they are capable of fighting ten to one.

Most of the escorts in the agency are at this realm. Only by reaching the Blood Qi Realm does one qualify to go out on escorts; before that, they can only remain at the agency as general laborers.

"What about beyond the Blood Qi Realm?"

Hearing Li Cunxiao's words, Qin Yu's expression faltered, and he touched his head.

"I've only just faintly sensed Blood Qi myself, how would I know?"

Tiger Form Fist is a martial art that all helpers at the Flying Tiger Escort Agency learn, complete with training methods, combat techniques, and medicinal preparations.

According to Qin Yu, it is personally taught by the two Great Escorts below the Chief Escort Zhang Lishi. The teaching methods are extremely strict, with corresponding training techniques only being passed down once a certain minor realm is reached.

Li Cunxiao knew that with the current chaos, martial arts were truly the foundation for survival in troubled times, priceless treasures compared to connections or wealth. It was normal for the training to be strict.

Even at the martial arts schools in the outer city, paying money only allowed one to learn the superficial introductory methods. Which master would impart their full knowledge to anyone who wasn't an inner disciple?

"However, the fact that Tiger Form Fist can attract young masters and ladies from the inner city to compete in learning it must mean it has advantages that other martial arts lack, or perhaps these people are aiming for Zhang Lishi?"

Li Cunxiao quickly stopped thinking about it. Qin Yu was, after all, just a helper, and his family was only moderately wealthy. The information he could obtain was limited to this.

After being led to his living quarters and familiarizing himself with the surroundings, Li Cunxiao planned to go home to get some clothes, personal items, and the ten taels of silver hidden under his bed.

But after passing through a few doors, he saw the Fourth Miss Zhang from that morning standing in the courtyard, holding some candied fruits and pastries, flitting around her younger brother like a bee around a flower.

"Oh dear, hurry home with me. Your elder brother looks so fierce, no one will bully him."

"Brother!"

Li Muxia turned his head, his eyes lighting up. Like a rabbit, he ran into Li Cunxiao's embrace.

He looked up, his eyes full of reluctance. Clearly, it was the first time he had to part from his family, and he seemed a bit lost.

Seeing that the Fourth Miss was followed by several guards and maids, Li Cunxiao knew that his brother had specifically come to see him before leaving, and his heart warmed.

"Muxia, don't cry. Big brother is here with you in this escort agency, we haven't separated, we're just a few walls apart."

"When you go in, remember what big brother said: listen more, watch more, and speak less."

"Madam and the young ladies are all kind people, you don't need to be afraid."

As he spoke, Li Cunxiao stepped forward a few paces. The guards and maids became a bit nervous seeing his fierce appearance. However, that Zhang Que'er was not afraid. Seeing the big man squat down before her, she solemnly cupped her hands:

"Fourth Miss, I entrust my younger brother to you."

Zhang Que'er had never been "entrusted with such an important task" before. Li Cunxiao's solemnity made it seem as if she was doing something extraordinary.

Coupled with her desire to build a good relationship with Li Muxia, her slightly chubby face immediately lifted high, and she waved her small hand:

"Don't worry! With me protecting him, even my father wouldn't be able to do anything!"

What a doting daughter, a leaky cotton-padded jacket for her old father.

Li Cunxiao suppressed a smile and didn't say anything more, as others were watching.

But based on what he had seen that morning, Zhang Lishi's doting on his children, with this "big sister" around, his younger brother should be fine.

After bidding farewell to his reluctant brother, Li Cunxiao quickly left the escort agency.

It wasn't yet dusk, the sky was a clear azure blue, and the view stretched for miles, unobstructed.

He touched the round-necked robe he was wearing and let out a long sigh.

Starting today, his life had a new hope.

"Did you hear? The Li brothers somehow stumbled upon some incredible luck and were taken in by the Flying Tiger Escort Agency."

"Watch your mouth! They were taken in as helpers and bookboys. If people didn't know better, they'd think they'd struck it rich!"

"Isn't becoming a helper at the Flying Tiger Escort Agency considered striking it rich? Hey, you say, how much silver do they pay a month there?"

"Is that all you care about! Is money the important thing? What's important is learning martial arts! If you can learn even a single move, you can be a guard for a wealthy family and earn ten taels a month."

"Are you all just gossiping here? Haven't you finished your work?!"

Gao Cheng, listening to the chatter of the kitchen helpers, reprimanded them with a stern face.

But in his heart, he was also happy for the Li brothers.

When he fell into the water as a child, it was Li Cunxiao's father who saved him, and the two families had become close because of it.

Later, when Li Cunxiao's parents passed away, he, being an apprentice to the head chef at the East Arrival Restaurant, would help them out from time to time.

If nothing else, half of any good meat or dishes left over by customers were given to the Li brothers and half to his own family.

His wife often complained about these leftovers, calling it like "throwing a bone to a dog."

He wasn't good with words and could never win an argument, but he never failed to bring food to the Li brothers.

One must repay kindness.

Without Uncle Li saving his life, Gao Cheng would have long since become a wandering ghost—forget leftovers, he wouldn't have even had pig slop to eat!

When the day's work was done and he returned home to mention this, his wife remained silent this time. Instead, their son beside her chimed in excitedly:

"Dad! Then can I go to the escort agency to play with Brother Muxia from now on!"

Gao Cheng, upon hearing this, suddenly fell silent.

People strive for higher places, water flows to lower depths.

His own family was still in the ditch, while the Li brothers had gone to higher ground. Would they ever meet again in the future?

"Once I'm settled at the escort agency, I'll have to buy some gifts to visit Big Brother Gao."

Li Cunxiao walked along the familiar road home, his thoughts drifting to the past.

As a child, his body was weak. Even with the meticulous care he provided Muxia, his brother would inevitably fall ill.

Illness meant spending money. When his pockets were empty, going from one meal to the next was the norm.

It was Gao Cheng who ensured the brothers had enough to eat.

Even a leftover dish from the restaurant was a source of sustenance that many poor families could only dream of.

Without Gao Cheng, relying solely on the one or two taels of silver each month, his younger brother would have long ago become gaunt and sallow, and Li Cunxiao's bones would not have grown so strong.

He had always kept this kindness in his heart, unspoken. Actions speak louder than words; rather than spouting pretty phrases when not yet established, it was better to repay the debt with tangible actions once he had the means.

With no burdens and a light step, Li Cunxiao soon arrived at the dilapidated shantytown. Just then, he saw from a distance four or five ruffians emerge from a house, grinning cheekily. Crying and groans could be heard from within the small house.

Leading them was an unusually bald man, with an open-mouthed green snake tattooed on his forehead.

"Green Snake Gang?"