Execution

Shopkeeper Wang's cloudy eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.

His senses couldn't possibly be wrong.

This kid before him had silently become a Blood Refining martial artist.

He narrowed his old eyes and began sizing Li Qiming up in earnest.

You wouldn't know without looking closely, but one close look was enough to shock you.

"Ape Arm Wasp Waist? I've practiced martial arts all my life, yet I never expected to misjudge someone..."

"I never thought you, kid, would possess such martial talent. Good, very good."

Shopkeeper Wang nodded, muttering to himself.

Judging by his expression, he didn't seem entirely unable to accept it.

The heart Li Qiming had been holding in his throat slowly settled. He knew he couldn't hide the improvements to his Root Bone and realm forever. He'd originally been wondering how to explain it, but seeing the old man's reaction, it seemed he only needed to play dumb.

"Shopkeeper, what is Ape Arm Wasp Waist? Is my martial talent very high?"

Li Qiming seized the chance to ask.

He didn't understand the slightest thing about this martial knowledge.

Shopkeeper Wang wasn't stingy with his explanations. "Martial talent lies chiefly in one's Root Bone. So-called Root Bone is a type of physique more compatible with the martial path."

"The ancients summarized and categorized these physiques suited for martial arts, resulting in basic Root Bone aptitudes such as Ape Arm Wasp Waist, Wolf Bone Ox Skin, Tiger Back Bear Waist, Wasp Waist Crane Knee..."

"There is only one reason a person fails to master martial arts: they lack Root Bone aptitude."

"But there are all sorts of reasons why a person succeeds in martial arts, and among them are countless Root Bone aptitudes."

"If Root Bone aptitude isn't unearthed, it will slowly disappear as one grows older... Likewise, as many martial artists cultivate, their Root Bone aptitudes will grow stronger and stronger!"

"But for most martial artists, their Root Bone aptitude won't change much throughout their lives. It may even decline as they age..."

By this point, Li Qiming could hear a trace of sadness in Shopkeeper Wang's voice.

It seemed the man spoke from deep experience. After all, he was already quite old.

"Your Ape Arm Wasp Waist is rather common. You've only been at the restaurant a little over a year, yet you've cultivated Tiger Roar Fist to Minor Accomplishment. Your Root Bone aptitude can be considered slightly above average... But perhaps it may change as you continue cultivating... No one can say for sure."

Shopkeeper Wang didn't speak too absolutely, leaving Li Qiming a sliver of hope.

No matter what, this kid had truly given him a fright. Not long ago, he'd only discovered that Li Qiming had reached Entry Level in Tiger Roar Fist. How had he reached Minor Accomplishment after just a few days?

But on second thought, if the boy had spent a whole year reaching Minor Accomplishment, it became reasonable enough.

After thinking for a moment, Shopkeeper Wang's expression suddenly darkened. He said,

"Qiming, you do have some Root Bone aptitude... But can you promise me one thing?"

Li Qiming was somewhat surprised. He blinked, looking all ears.

"I know you will definitely take part in Dragon Roar Martial Hall's assessment next month. After all, nine out of ten people willing to work as restaurant drudges do so with that very intention..."

"If, and I mean if, you pass the assessment, take first place, and become a Registered Disciple, could you look after my little grandson, Wang Jie, a little?"

Shopkeeper Wang spoke slowly.

He didn't actually think Li Qiming would become the top-ranked Registered Disciple in the assessment. After all, there were plenty of people in this assessment who were more talented than Li Qiming.

But what if...

Only then did Li Qiming understand. Shopkeeper Wang had a grandson who was a Registered Disciple at Dragon Roar Martial Hall. But because he'd gotten in through Shopkeeper Wang's connections, essentially through the back door, he wasn't doing very well there. Apparently, he was often met with cold stares and ridicule from his fellow disciples.

"If I can help, I definitely will..." Li Qiming nodded.

"Don't worry, I won't ask you to help for nothing. During this time, you don't need to do any work. Focus solely on polishing your martial skills. Also, eat as much fish and meat as you like every day—put it all on my tab."

As Shopkeeper Wang spoke, he took a porcelain bottle from his robes and handed it to Li Qiming. "There are ten Qi Nourishing Pills inside. Consider them my support for you."

Even if Li Qiming was ultimately eliminated, it wouldn't matter. Making friends with a young martial artist was never a mistake.

"Thank you, Shopkeeper." Li Qiming hesitated briefly, then nodded. He didn't stand on ceremony and reached out to take it.

Though this bottle of Qi Nourishing Pills couldn't compare to the premium one he'd taken earlier, it was still quite valuable. This bottle was worth at least a dozen or so taels of silver.

He liked dealing with people like Shopkeeper Wang. Whatever their purpose, they said it directly—no hemming and hawing, no scheming.

In the blink of an eye, more than ten days passed.

Early one morning, Li Qiming was eating breakfast when head chef Zhang Mingshun winked at him and said,

"Brother Qiming, want to watch an execution?"

"Where?" Li Qiming froze, then couldn't help asking.

"At the market. They're going to chop off the heads of several prisoners later. I heard there's even a martial artist among them!"

Zhang Mingshun wore the excited expression of someone who never thought a spectacle could be too big.

Li Qiming immediately perked up. He hurriedly shoveled down the food in his bowl, then rose at once, wiped his mouth, and said,

"Let's go take a look."

He'd been practicing constantly lately, never stepping outside the gates. It was time to go out and get some air.

Besides, what if he could loot a corpse and pick up some leftovers? Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Marketplace, Execution Platform.

Seven or eight prisoners dressed in white prison garb, their bodies bound in iron chains, knelt in a row upon the chopping block.

Around the platform, a dark mass of spectators had gathered to watch the show.

In this age without the internet, watching people lose their heads was considered the most thrilling entertainment around.

Li Qiming and Zhang Mingshun blended into the crowd and secured VIP spots in the very front row of the Execution Platform, since they'd arrived early.

"What did these people do?" Li Qiming asked curiously.

"Heh heh, I actually know a little about this. Look, those eight people on the platform are actually one family. That pale-faced kid is a martial artist. I heard he's pretty talented too, but that brat joined the other seven in doing something unspeakable to his adoptive mother... They outright fucked his adoptive mother to death... Sigh, what a sin!"

Zhang Mingshun spoke slowly, his expression immensely animated.

As though he'd heard him, the pale-faced youth on the platform, who had kept his head lowered the entire time, suddenly raised it. His eyes were filled with bloodshot veins, and humiliation twisted his face. He glared fiercely at Zhang Mingshun and screamed hysterically,

"It wasn't me! I didn't do it! They framed me!"

"Demons! They're all demons!"

"Why does no one believe me? Why?!"

The veins on his face bulged, twisting his features into something savage and hideous.

Zhang Mingshun was frightened by his expression. He shrank his neck back and instinctively retreated, hiding behind Li Qiming.

Li Qiming furrowed his brow and looked carefully. The other seven people on the platform wore numb expressions, like puppets.

Only this youth before him was filled with struggle and unwillingness in the face of death.

His instincts told him that this youth was probably telling the truth!

Could there really be demons in this world...?

Instinctively, Li Qiming also backed away without drawing attention.

But the crowd behind him was packed so tightly that not even water could pass through. There was nowhere for him to retreat.

Just then.

"The hour has arrived!"

The execution supervisor in red robes shouted and threw down an Execution Token.

The token hit the ground. The sentence was to be carried out immediately!

With a puff, the executioner sprayed liquor over his blade, then raised the gleaming broadsword high.

"I'm innocent! I'm innocent!" the youth was still screaming.

The next second.

Slash!

The broadsword came down violently, and his cries of innocence came to an abrupt end.