For a moment.
News that the Mad Sand Gang had been wiped out spread through every street and alley.
Sun Wangxian went to see for himself. The gang's compound was awash with blood.
The sight couldn't help but remind him of Li Yan and the others.
"Could it be... that both of these incidents really were the work of one person?"
"Judging by Young Master Wu's reaction, this person wasn't sent by the Wu Family."
"If so, who could have done it?"
Sun Wangxian found the He brothers difficult to read.
"Whatever the case, I have to make sure we're on good terms."
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
After that.
Meng Cao kept a much lower profile.
Although Master Li flew into a rage,
he didn't know who the mysterious person was, so he didn't dare act too brazenly.
As for He An, he was given a fairly long stretch of time off.
He didn't rest, continuing to practice day and night.
His Skill Points in the Yi Jin Jing and Gale Blade Technique rose rapidly.
Especially the Yi Jin Jing.
In the courtyard.
He An looked radiant as he stood upright, silently practicing the Yi Jin Jing.
After the time it took to drink half a cup of tea.
[Destiny: Success Comes Naturally.] [Yi Jin Jing: (1/500) Perfection.] [Gale Blade Technique: (22/400) Minor Accomplishment.]
As the final move slowly came to a stop, a warm current stirred within him.
"After a month, the Yi Jin Jing has finally reached Perfection. It's just..."
Looking at the Yi Jin Jing, which had reached Perfection, yet still had Skill Points, He An pondered silently:
"I wonder what will change on the panel once I fill the proficiency bar?"
He didn't dwell on it. He'd find out sooner or later, so he continued practicing his blade technique.
Perhaps it was because the Yi Jin Jing had reached Perfection.
When he practiced the Gale Blade Technique again,
He An could clearly feel that his blade's momentum was several notches stronger than before.
He An's face lit up with delight.
"Again!"
[Gale Blade Technique +1.]
[Gale Blade Technique +1.]
Not far away, watching He An work so hard, He Ping felt a faint sense of urgency rise within him.
"He An is improving so quickly. I can't keep holding him back."
He called out:
"Rou'er, boil some extra water today!"
"Okay!"
Time passed minute by minute.
Night fell.
He An let out a breath of stale air.
He had practiced all day, yet his body still felt incredibly light.
"After the Yi Jin Jing reached Perfection, not only did my strength and speed change dramatically, my stamina improved a great deal too."
"At this rate, it may not be long before my Gale Blade Technique advances as well."
Ever since the Gale Blade Technique had reached Minor Accomplishment, He An could clearly feel just how powerful this Martial Art was.
Its true might was absolutely on par with any Ninth Rank blade technique.
It might even rival Eighth Rank blade techniques.
With extreme speed combined with the physical strength granted by the Yi Jin Jing,
He An was confident that even if he fought Sun Wangxian to the death, his opponent wouldn't necessarily have the upper hand.
Meanwhile.
Over the course of an entire month,
He An had refused to turn away any chance to learn more about this world.
He had even committed many books on martial arts to memory.
Even so, he didn't dare take a moment's rest.
Meng Cao was still alive.
The Meng Family had not been wiped out.
Sooner or later, he would face those people.
If he wasn't strong enough, death was the only thing waiting for him.
Most importantly, He An knew perfectly well
that although nobody knew what he had done, someone might still grow suspicious.
What he had to do was, before anyone discovered a clue,
gain enough strength to fear no one.
"I hope there's still time."
He An sighed.
As night slowly fell over Fangcheng, a trace of worry rose in his heart.
"Uncle, dinner's ready!"
Soon, a bright, clear voice rang through the courtyard.
"Coming!"
Looking at his adorable nephew, He An wore a fond, doting smile.
On the table, a large basin of rice steamed with a rich aroma.
He An heartily served himself a big bowl.
Ever since he started learning martial arts, his appetite had grown considerably.
"He An, take your time. There's more if you're still hungry." Wang Rou smiled.
He An nodded, swallowed the rice in his mouth with a mouthful of food, then asked, "By the way, Eldest Sister-in-law, I noticed you boiled a lot of extra water today. Is something going on?"
He Ping cut in, "I'm the one who needs it."
He An froze, then quickly understood.
"Eldest Brother, how's your injury?"
"It's completely healed."
He Ping chuckled:
"I can feel that I'm not far from the Blood Circulation Realm."
"This is the perfect opportunity. I'm going to break through to the Blood Circulation Realm."
"Really?"
He An was overjoyed.
If his eldest brother broke through, the pressure on him would ease considerably.
"Of course."
Wang Rou smiled in agreement. "Your eldest brother has been talking about it all night."
"If anything happens again, your eldest brother will be there to look after you. You won't have to worry so much."
"That's true!" He An poured a cup of wine and clinked it against his eldest brother's.
"Eldest Brother, I believe in you. You'll definitely break through this time."
"I have you to thank for that, too."
He Ping burst into laughter.
For a moment, the courtyard rang with cheerful voices.
But.
By the wall outside the courtyard,
a Shadow flashed past.
Listening to the laughter and conversation inside, he wore a hideous grin, like a wanderer from hell.
"You're next."
"You hunted me down back then, and now your whole family is living in bliss."
"If that's how it is, then you can all die together."
"I just wonder whether you're the one who took my things."
"If I find out it was you, I'll cut you to pieces."
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