Carrying two snuff bottles filled with Calming Essential Oil, Lu Li and Xiao Cha arrived at the National Martial Arts Association by car.
But when they were still two miles away, the car couldn't go any further.
The entire street was packed with people, with long queues forming and completely blocking the surrounding area.
The purpose, of course, was to purchase "Calming Incense".
At that moment, a young man who had already bought the incense box was happily squeezing out.
People along the way asked, "Young man, is there any incense left?"
The young man replied, "Yes, there are plenty. Cultivator can buy three boxes directly."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and some people even analyzed the situation:
"Looks like there's no shortage of stock."
"Wasn't there an embargo? Where did you get it from?"
"The former chairman has a wide network of connections, so it's hard to say."
As the crowd chatted idly, a few people with gloomy expressions suddenly stopped queuing, turned around, and quickly left.
Meanwhile, seeing that the car couldn't get in, Lu Li had "Number 0" lift the car over his head and walk in.
As soon as this tactic was employed, the crowd spontaneously parted to make way, respectfully stepping aside.
Upon arriving at the National Martial Arts Association building, they left Number 0 waiting downstairs and went to the top floor where they met Xia Weijun.
After a day apart, she looked tired.
Lu Li clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Master, I have come to express my gratitude. I have truly benefited greatly from this visit!"
Xia Weijun led the two inside and said with a light smile:
"It was President Nan's phone call and effusive praise that made my master take notice of your talent. You must diligently cultivate yourself and not disappoint the high expectations of your two seniors."
"I will not slacken my efforts!"
At this moment, Lu Li noticed that Old Master Nan was not there.
Xia Weijun volunteered, "A dead eunuch is coming to Jinmen, President Nan went to pick him up."
Presumably there was some official business involved, Lu Li didn't pay much attention and handed over two snuff bottles, saying:
"Here are two bottles of essential oil; they worked quite well. Consider this a small token of my gratitude."
Xia Weijun curiously took the bottle, opened it, took a gentle sniff, and immediately opened her mouth wide as if about to sneeze.
It was only by using the physique of Blood Exchange martial artist that it was suppressed.
"Nice one!!"
Xia Weijun was a connoisseur and quickly tucked it into his sleeve, intending to save it for his master.
But Lu Li wanted to do more than that, so he asked:
"Master, are you Spirit Refinement to Meditative Entry? I have something that can help people achieve a state of Thoughtless Meditation; I'll give it to you in a few days."
Lu Li was referring to that record player.
Xia Weijun had just put away the essential oils when she heard this news, and she was stunned for a moment.
She met Lu Li's clear and sincere gaze, and chuckled:
"You should repay kindness quickly; you're really a righteous person!"
Lu Li smiled but didn't say anything. Xia Weijun patted his shoulder and said:
"I do urgently need to advance to the Thoughtless Meditation to increase my chances of breaking through to the Innate Realm, so I won't stand on ceremony with you."
"It's good that it works," Lu Li said. "It will take about three days, Master, please wait a little while."
"Don't call me 'Master' anymore, it feels awkward."
Xia Weijun smiled, revealing a set of pearly white teeth, and said:
"You're a good person, just my type. I'll take you as my godbrother, and you can call me 'sister' from now on!"
The word "sister" felt a bit distant, Lu Li paused for a moment, but it didn't seem unreasonable, so he used Xiao Cha's form of address:
Hello, Sister Xia.
"Haha~ Good little brother! Suddenly you have a younger brother and two younger sisters, how fortunate!"
Xia Weijun hooked her arms around both Lu Li and Xiao Cha's shoulders at the same time, looking very happy.
"Zhenghong of [Xuanzang Temple] is going to take over as vice president. He's a lecherous scoundrel, so ladies should be careful when dealing with him!"
"Why would the Governor's Office hire someone like this!"
Just as the two women were talking, Lu Li twitched his nose and his expression changed!
At this moment, Number 0 is below.
Master and servant were of one mind; through the mind within the puppet, Lu Li sensed the smell of kerosene!
The source... is the warehouse where the Calming Incense was previously unloaded!
"Someone is trying to set a fire!"
Lu Li gave a reminder and simultaneously ordered Number 0, who was not far away, to rush over.
Number 0 pushed off with his feet, transforming into a black shadow as he rushed to the warehouse, just in time to see someone throw a lighter inside.
The kerosene was ignited, and flames shot up instantly, threatening to turn the Calming Incense stored there into ashes.
At the critical moment, Lu Li mobilized his own mental energy within Number 0's body, which surged forth and covered the flames like a cotton blanket.
With the air cut off, the raging flames were extinguished in just a second or two.
When the three arrived, only wisps of smoke remained.
The arsonist was trying to escape, but Number 0 blocked his way.
This was a burly man wearing a baseball cap who sent Number 0 flying with a single punch; he was clearly a Blood Exchange martial artist!
But in the end, he managed to stop her but couldn't escape in time, and was intercepted by Xia Weijun!
"Bang bang bang!"
With a loud bang, the two exchanged blows, punching each other three times.
With each punch he received, the man in the baseball cap took a step back, his entire foot sinking into the ground; he was clearly no match for the other man.
The third punch sent him flying backward, his fingers digging into the ground to carve a ditch before he could barely regain his balance.
The man was in a sorry state; his hat had fallen off, revealing a shiny bald head.
Xia Weijun said with a grim expression:
"Kongxing! Has your Xuanzang Temple gone mad! Destroying these incense sticks will only benefit the People of Izumo!"
The monk named Kongxing dusted himself off, his fleshy face revealing a chilling smile.
"Abbess Huixian, the Imperial Army asked me to pass on a message to you—don't try to stop them with your bare hands!"
At that moment, staff members rushed over carrying buckets of water.
He bowed in reverence to the emptiness of Kongxing, then disappeared into the crowd.
Xia Weijun didn't chase after them, but instead said to Lu Li and Xiao Cha:
"This person is the disciple of that lecherous bald-headed Zhenghong I mentioned earlier. Strange... [Xuanzang Temple] has had its source of income cut off by the People of Izumo; they should be sworn enemies!"
Neither Lu Li nor Xiao Cha could answer this question.
Fortunately, the Calming Incense in the warehouse was unharmed.
Jin Chaofeng, whom we haven't seen for a long time, came to report:
"Your Excellency, thankfully the rescue was timely; only some outer skin was burned."
"Move the Calming Incense to my office."
Xia Weijun didn't pursue the responsibility for the negligence; she simply gave the order with a cold face, and a group of staff immediately started moving the items.
Looking at the charred warehouse, Xia Weijun pinched her brow and said in a deep voice:
"In this world, it's so hard to do anything decent. Brother, it's all thanks to your quick thinking, subordinate."
Lu Li picked up the conversation, asking, "Sister Xia, what's the background of this Xuanzang Temple?"
I typed this on my phone, so it was a bit slow. Sorry.