Zhang Chaofeng Returns

It was already dusk.

Qin Shuang jumped when there was a sudden knock at the door.

When she looked up, she saw Shen Bai opening the door quite naturally.

Due to her angle, Qin Shuang only saw a hand reach in and firmly grab Shen Bai around the neck.

Qin Shuang was stunned.

This guy clearly wasn't someone easy to get along with, yet someone dared to put their arm around his neck.

Wasn't that asking for death?

Thinking this, Qin Shuang could already envision Shen Bai erupting in rage, drawing his sword, and attacking.

But then, a voice spoke.

"Old Shen, you tricked me so badly. Tell me, what kind of compensation will make up for it? Cured meat won't do."

As soon as Zhou Qing entered, he started yelling excitedly.

Seeing this, Qin Shuang breathed a sigh of relief.

If it was Zhou Qing, then everything made sense.

With Zhou Qing's arm around his neck, Shen Bai said helplessly, "Old Zhou, it wasn't that I deliberately hid it from you. There was just a reason for it."

Zhou Qing let go, sat down, took a sip of tea, and stared intently at Shen Bai.

After a moment, Zhou Qing sighed.

"I'm happy that my brother can have the strength he does now."

The words came from his heart.

Originally, Zhou Qing had thought that if he went to Maple Forest Province, he would take Shen Bai with him to look after him.

Now it seemed Shen Bai didn't need his care; he could even care for Zhou Qing in return.

As for why Shen Bai had suddenly become so strong, Zhou Qing didn't ask.

They were good brothers, and Zhou Qing wouldn't pry. Asking too many questions would only spoil things.

He just needed to know that Old Shen was strong enough to survive in this world.

Shen Bai smiled, refilled Zhou Qing's tea, and then asked, "What happened with the Fox Demon incident afterward?"

Zhou Qing thought for a moment and said, "Nothing unusual happened after I went back."

"Old Shen, are you going to get involved with the Grand Tomb incident?"

Shen Bai nodded. "Since there's a Grand Tomb, I definitely want to check it out."

Zhou Qing said, "Alright, if I get any news, I'll come tell you."

The two chatted for a while longer.

Zhou Qing's purpose in coming was simply to chat with Shen Bai and verify his identity.

The yamen had just dealt with the Fox Demon, so Zhou Qing didn't linger and left the Pawnshop.

"There's still more to the Fox Demon incident; we should be careful," Qin Shuang reminded him after Zhou Qing left.

Then, she knew her reminder was useless, because with Shen Bai's strength, it made little difference whether she reminded him or not.

Shen Bai pondered briefly. For now, it was best to observe the situation and prioritize improving his own strength.

Thinking of this, Shen Bai went to the courtyard and began to diligently practice Vajra Demon-Subduing Fist.

Qin Shuang brought a small stool and sat in the courtyard, watching Shen Bai practice with wide eyes.

The night passed quickly.

When Shen Bai recovered from his state of grinding proficiency, he let out a long breath.

Vajra Demon-Subduing Fist +300

Another 300 proficiency points. Now, the proficiency of Vajra Demon-Subduing Fist was nearing the 2000-point mark, bringing it closer to Rank 4.

Shen Bai stretched, moved his body, and took some Qi-Blood Medicine.

Qin Shuang had just finished resting and walked out, only to see Shen Bai taking medicine.

"It's best not to take too much of this ordinary Qi-Blood Medicine. There's a lot of drug residue, which isn't good for your body."

Shen Bai placed the medicine pot aside.

She was right.

The more common the medicine, the more residue it left.

It was only because Shen Bai's Qi and blood were like a dragon's that he could forcefully expel the side effects of the medicine.

However, this was the only kind of ordinary medicine Shen Bai could find at the moment.

Although he wasn't practicing Blood Sword Dance as much, other Divine Abilities still consumed Qi and blood, and corresponding replenishment was necessary.

Qin Shuang thought for a moment, then tossed over a porcelain bottle. "Here, take this. It's a Qi-Blood Medicine, refined by the Hundred Healers Valley."

Shen Bai caught it but didn't take it immediately, instead putting it into his pocket.

Qin Shuang said helplessly, "I know you're wary, but I really mean you no harm."

Shen Bai chuckled, "When it comes to things you ingest, it's best to be careful. I'm just curious, you have quite a lot of treasures, not like a Thieves' Gate disciple at all."

From the sachet to this medicine, if everything was real, Shen Bai felt Qin Shuang's identity needed further verification.

Qin Shuang coughed. "It's the Thieves' Gate, so it's normal to have a lot of stuff."

"Really?" Shen Bai raised an eyebrow.

Qin Shuang said very seriously, "Really."

Shen Bai warned, "I don't care if you're telling the truth or not. All I want are the things from the Grand Tomb. If you don't cause trouble, we'll split everything fifty-fifty. But if you do cause trouble, I'll pluck off your beautiful head."

Qin Shuang stuck out her neck and huffed, "Hmph, I'm very serious about cooperating."

Shen Bai stood up. "Let's eat."

Qin Shuang asked, "How come you eat on time every day?"

"Self-discipline."

Shen Bai said that one word, then walked out of the Pawnshop.

Qin Shuang had no choice but to follow behind him.

The two ate on the street, and Shen Bai rubbed his stomach, strolling back to the Pawnshop as if to aid digestion.

The Pawnshop was open as usual today, but no one came by, so Shen Bai took a nap on the reclining chair.

Qin Shuang, meanwhile, was bored, flipping through the Pawnshop's items, which was the only way she could pass the time.

"So, how many good things do you think we'll get this time?"

After being bored for a while, Qin Shuang rested her chin in her hands and asked.

Shen Bai didn't even lift an eyelid. "However much we get, that's how much it is."

"If we get everything, won't we be rich?" Qin Shuang said again.

Shen Bai chuckled. "You sure can dream."

Qin Shuang continued, "Won't we just be utterly dominant once we go in?"

"We should be absolutely crushing it," Shen Bai said.

Qin Shuang asked curiously, "What does 'absolutely crushing it' mean?"

Shen Bai opened his eyes. "I'll be in charge of the 'crushing it,' and you'll be in charge of the 'absolutely.'"

Qin Shuang: "..."

She suddenly realized it was difficult to communicate with Shen Bai, because his words felt so hurtful.

The two just chatted on and off like that.

Time gradually passed, and they went out to eat once more.

It wasn't until dusk was about to fall that someone came into the Pawnshop.

"We're closed. Come back tomorrow." Shen Bai had rested for quite a while and was preparing to go back to grind for proficiency, so he didn't have time to stay open.

But the person seemed not to hear and walked into the Pawnshop alone.

Shen Bai looked up and saw who it was.

"Zhang Chaofeng?"

Shen Bai hadn't expected Zhang Chaofeng to return so close to nightfall.

However, Zhang Chaofeng was not in a good state at all.

Zhang Chaofeng was covered in dirt from head to toe, and his eyes were unfocused.

Upon seeing Shen Bai, Zhang Chaofeng's eyes cleared slightly, and he immediately collapsed to the ground.

"Shopkeeper, it's over, everything's over."

"My wife is dead, everyone in the village is dead."

"Fox Demon, there's a Fox Demon causing trouble, everyone's gone..."

Inside the Pawnshop, Zhang Chaofeng's cries were particularly distinct.