Temporarily Avoiding the Sharp Edge

Skywind Martial City at night was not quiet despite the late hour; instead, a different kind of liveliness permeated the air. Lanterns lining the streets swayed in the night breeze, stretching and shortening the shadows of passersby. From the distant taverns, the boisterous sounds of martial artists playing finger-guessing games and the crisp clinking of wine bowls could still be heard. Occasionally, figures could be seen flashing across rooftops, disappearing into the darkness.

"Brother Qin, I feel like we're being followed," Tang Xiaoman said with an nonchalant smile, his voice low enough that only the two of them could hear. "It's not just one group; there are two at the street corner to the left, and another... heh, hiding in plain sight, right behind that cart selling fierce beast pelts."

Tang Xiaoman cursed inwardly. These guys were like dogs, their noses too sharp. Brother Qin had just finished a ten-win streak and was at his weakest, yet they wanted to take advantage of him. How shameless! However, he also secretly admired Qin Jue's foresight. If they had stayed in the martial training grounds a moment longer, they might have faced more than just being followed.

Qin Jue's expression remained calm as he said lightly, "I know. There are three groups. Two have their killing intent exposed; they're likely desperate outlaws blinded by greed, not much to fear. But there's another group, well-hidden, with long, steady breaths. They're a master."

"A master?" Tang Xiaoman's heart tightened. "Could it be someone from the martial training grounds?"

"Doesn't seem like it," Qin Jue shook his head. "People from the martial training grounds wouldn't use these methods. No matter who they are, our priority now is to find a safe place to recover. Fighting head-on is the last resort."

"I understand!" Tang Xiaoman immediately replied. "I know a place that's absolutely safe. There's an inn in the South City called Returning Goose Residence. The owner was a sworn brother of my father back in the day."

"Good, you lead the way."

The two said no more and quickened their pace, weaving through the streets and alleys. Tang Xiaoman was clearly very familiar with Skywind Martial City's layout. After many twists and turns, they quickly lost the two unprofessional trackers without a trace.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the two arrived at the depths of an alley in the South City. At the end of the alley hung an old lantern, bearing the words "Returning Goose Residence."

The inn's facade was not large and even looked a bit dilapidated. Compared to the grand taverns and inns in Skywind Martial City, it was utterly unremarkable.

Tang Xiaoman stepped forward and knocked on the door with a rhythmic pattern.

Soon, the door creaked open, and a tall, burly middle-aged man poked his head out. He saw Tang Xiaoman and was first stunned, then broke into a surprised smile. "Xiaoman? What are you doing here, kid? Didn't you go to North Continent with your father?"

"Uncle Li," Tang Xiaoman chuckled, patting the man's shoulder familiarly. "Don't ask, it's a long story. This is my brother, Qin Jue. We've run into some trouble and need to rest here for a few days."

The man, addressed as Uncle Li, looked at Qin Jue. Although his aura was contained, Qin Jue could feel that this man was definitely a martial artist, and a strong one at that. Uncle Li's gaze lingered on Qin Jue for just a moment before he readily stepped aside.

"Alright! Same old rules, I don't ask anything, and you don't say anything. Come on in."

The two entered the inn. The interior was tidy and clean. Uncle Li led them directly through the front hall to a separate room in the backyard. The backyard was quiet, with an old well and several old locust trees planted beside it. Moonlight spilled down, dappling the ground.

"This one will do. No one usually comes to the backyard, so it's quiet," Uncle Li said, opening the door. "If you need anything, just come to the front hall to find me."

"Thank you, Boss Li," Qin Jue said, cupping his fist.

"No need to be polite," Uncle Li waved his hand and then said to Tang Xiaoman, "You, kid, behave yourself and don't cause trouble for me."

"Got it, Uncle Li," Tang Xiaoman replied with a cheeky grin.

After Uncle Li left, Tang Xiaoman immediately closed the door and carefully checked the windows before letting out a sigh of relief.

"Brother Qin, you should meditate and recover quickly. I'll stand guard for you," Tang Xiaoman said, moving a stool to the doorway. He took off his Cloud Treading Boots, took out a soft cloth, and began to carefully wipe them.

Qin Jue nodded and didn't stand on ceremony. He sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and began to circulate the Nine Revolutions Viscera Refining Secret Record.

For a time, the room fell silent, with only Qin Jue's long and steady breaths audible.

As the cultivation technique circulated, the dried-up Qi and Blood within his body, like a riverbed in a drought receiving timely rain, began to slowly regain its vitality. His internal organs, under his inner sight, emitted a faint halo. With each vibration, a low, thunderous sound echoed, rapidly refining the Heaven and Earth Origin Energy absorbed into his body and replenishing the immense consumption from before.

Tang Xiaoman, guarding the door, heard the muffled sounds emanating from Qin Jue's body. His wiping motion paused, his eyes filled with shock.

Good heavens... what kind of cultivation technique is this? Such a massive commotion? Tang Xiaoman marveled inwardly. For ordinary martial artists to suffer such severe internal damage, it would take at least ten days to half a month to recover. Judging by Brother Qin's state, he might recover seventy to eighty percent in just a night or two. This guy's foundation is as thick as a fierce beast's!

Time passed slowly, and the night deepened.

Qin Jue's complexion quickly regained its color, and his breathing became even more steady and prolonged.

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Seeing this, Tang Xiaoman was completely relieved. He looked at Qin Jue and couldn't help but ask, "Brother Qin, what are your plans next? After today's battle, the name Ghost Face has gained some notoriety. There must be many people investigating you."

Qin Jue slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them before disappearing. He exhaled a breath of turbid air and said, "I need to break through to the Hundred Refinements Fifth Layer as soon as possible. The steward at the Four Seas Pavilion mentioned that Wuming Workshop might have the Purple Haze Dragon Vein Grass I need."

"Wuming Workshop?" Tang Xiaoman's expression changed slightly upon hearing the name.

"You know of it?" Qin Jue asked.

"More than just know," Tang Xiaoman said with a wry smile. "That place is the underground black market of Skywind Martial City, hidden in a natural cave beneath the South City. It's a mix of all sorts of people, from desperate outlaws to criminals, but it's also the only place in the city where you can buy those illicit treasures. It has only one rule—no questions asked about origins, cash and goods exchanged. But because of that, black-on-black incidents happen frequently. It's very dangerous."

Qin Jue pondered for a moment and said slowly, "Indeed, although it's very dangerous, I must go."

The path of martial arts is a struggle against fate itself. Since he chose this path, there was no room for retreat. He urgently needed to improve his strength, and this Purple Haze Dragon Vein Grass was the key to his breakthrough. No matter how dangerous it was, he had to obtain it.

Seeing Qin Jue's determined gaze, Tang Xiaoman grinned and put his meticulously polished Cloud Treading Boots back on.

"Then I'll risk my life to accompany you, Brother Qin. I'll go with you," he said, patting his chest. "Although that place is dangerous, we're not pushovers."

"Thank you," Qin Jue said sincerely.

"Hey, what are you thanking me for!" Tang Xiaoman waved his hand dismissively.

Meanwhile, on a rooftop several hundred feet away from Returning Goose Residence.

A dark figure stood in the shadows, blending into the night. It was the black-clothed guard who had followed them all the way.

He gazed at the inn from afar, his eyes cold. As a professional guard, he hadn't followed too closely like the other two groups of fools. Instead, he kept his distance, using his keen senses to lock onto the target's location.

A moment later, he took out a sound transmission talisman from his embrace, gently tapped it, and a faint light flashed on the paper.

"Young Master, the target has found a place to stay, the Returning Goose Residence in the South City. Should this subordinate act?"

A moment later, a young man's voice came from the talisman: "No need. Continue observing, don't alert the snake. This brat is very vigilant; acting rashly will only ruin things. Wait until he leaves the inn, then find an opportunity."

"Yes," the black-clothed guard replied in a low voice. The light on the talisman extinguished, and he once again melted into the night.

The next morning, as the first ray of sunlight streamed through the window into the room, Qin Jue opened his eyes.

After a night of meditation, he had recovered seventy to eighty percent of his depleted Qi and Blood, and the fatigue in his mind had vanished, leaving him feeling refreshed and energetic.

Tang Xiaoman, who had stood guard all night, was a bit tired but still full of spirit. Seeing Qin Jue awake, he yawned and said with a grin, "Brother Qin, your recovery speed is too fast, it's inhuman."

"You go rest. I'll meditate and consolidate for a while longer, and we'll head to Wuming Workshop this afternoon," Qin Jue said.

"Alright, I'll catch a quick nap then." Tang Xiaoman stretched. "Oh right, Brother Qin, it's best to disguise ourselves when going to Wuming Workshop. Although that place doesn't ask about your background, there are many eyes and ears, so it's always better to be careful."

"I understand." Qin Jue nodded.

He took out a black cloak and an ordinary iron mask he had prepared from his bag. After putting them on, his entire aura became unremarkable.

In the afternoon, the two of them silently left the Returning Goose Residence and disappeared into the streets and alleys of the South City.

Not long after they left, on a distant rooftop, a certain shadowy figure's eyes sharpened.

"They're moving."

He whispered, his figure flashing as he vanished from the rooftop.