Several days had passed since the uproar at Chunhua Restaurant that had shaken East Street.
A blue-green carriage quietly emerged from a secluded alley on East Third Street, blending into the streams of people and carriages passing along the road.
[Yang Ning] [Destiny System: Destined Martial Saint, Heaven Rewards Diligence] [Realm: Body Tempering Realm] [Techniques: Tiger Soul Fist (Tendon Changing 743/1000) Wind Howling Blade Technique (Beginner 79/100)]
Inside the carriage, Yang Ning studied the panel before him, his knuckles unconsciously tapping against his knee.
His life-or-death battle with Wang Teng of the Blood Ape Gang had been brief and perilous, yet it had forced him to use almost every means at his disposal.
The spoils of that brush with death had far exceeded his expectations.
The pressure and insights gained in a life-or-death struggle surpassed those of ordinary hard training by far.
Under the extreme exertion, the qi and blood coursing through his body had faintly brushed against the barrier to the next level.
Above Body Tempering lay Tendon Changing.
This was the beginning of the second transformation of qi and blood, and the foundation for a martial artist to develop "force."
Once accomplished, qi and blood would no longer merely nourish the body and increase strength. They could be refined and transformed into "Bright Force," capable of bursting from the body and injuring enemies from a distance.
The power of fists and kicks would undergo a qualitative change, and one's means of dealing with enemies would greatly expand.
According to martial artists Yang Ning knew at Qin Mansion, and from what Qin Yurong had occasionally mentioned, Bone Forging came after Tendon Changing.
It was the third qualitative transformation of qi and blood. One's force could progress from "Bright" to "Hidden," combining hardness and softness and moving at will.
It could even be imbued into weapons, greatly enhancing their lethality.
In ancient times, these stages might have been called "Bright Force" and "Hidden Force." Today, they were more directly known as "Tendon Changing" and "Bone Forging."
In addition, the newly added Wind Howling Blade Technique was another important achievement for Yang Ning in recent days.
After becoming a Qin Family Guest, he had gained limited access to some of the martial arts in the Library Pavilion at Qin Mansion.
He hadn't chosen blindly. Instead, he had used his foundational Tiger Soul Fist as a basis, seeking a technique that resonated with it.
After trying several sword and saber manuals, he had ultimately chosen to exchange for Wind Howling Blade Technique.
With several days of diligent practice and the aid of Heaven Rewards Diligence, his progress had been rapid. He was on the verge of mastering it.
After dismissing the panel, Yang Ning's thoughts returned to his recent experiences with the Qin Family.
Qin Yurong had indeed made careful arrangements.
She had provided Yang Ning's family with a small inn owned by the Qin Family, located in a relatively peaceful district.
This had taken care of both their lodging and their livelihood.
Only after his family had settled in and their situation had stabilized did the heaviest stone in Yang Ning's heart finally fall.
After getting his family settled, Yang Ning had asked Qin Yurong for half a day's leave.
As the carriage rattled through the increasingly familiar streets and alleys, the first place he wanted to visit was near the site of his old home. He wanted to confirm his suspicions.
But as they approached that familiar, dilapidated district, he signaled the driver to slow down. Then he lifted one corner of the carriage curtain and scanned the street.
Just as he'd expected.
From a distance, he could see that there were clearly more idlers than usual near his old home, with its faded blue cloth curtain.
On closer inspection, they all seemed to be going about their own business, but their gazes kept drifting toward the Yang family's tightly shut door.
Those gazes were cold and watchful, patient as hunting dogs.
Yang Ning's eyes turned cold. He gently lowered the curtain and said in a low voice:
"Don't go that way. Turn off and head to Wu's Grocery Store."
The carriage silently turned onto another side road.
Wu's Grocery Store stood on the main street of East Third Street. It was an old shop run by the Wu family father and son for many years, and the Yang family's main source for daily necessities.
Before long, the carriage stopped at a street corner some distance from the grocery store.
Yang Ning put on a wide-brimmed bamboo hat, pulled the brim low, and stepped out as if he were an ordinary passerby.
But as he neared the store, his heart sank.
Wu's Grocery Store, which was always open for business at this hour, had its doors firmly shut!
The heavy wooden doors were barred tight, and the old "Wu's" sign above them hung a little crooked.
An ominous feeling, like a cold snake, suddenly slithered into Yang Ning's heart.
Yang Ning was about to ask a nearby shopkeeper he knew when the small side door beside the grocery store creaked open a crack.
A young shop assistant poked his head out, nervously glancing from side to side. Then he slipped outside with an empty food box in hand, apparently to buy lunch.
Yang Ning recognized him. He was a bright, hardworking young assistant at Wu Xian's shop, named Aji. Yang Ning had often dealt with him when he went to buy things.
Seeing Aji walk quickly toward a quiet alley at the end of the street with his head lowered, Yang Ning hesitated briefly, then followed him without a sound.
When Aji turned into the alley, Yang Ning moved in a flash, covering his mouth with one hand and dragging him into a secluded corner deep inside.
"Don't shout. It's me."
Yang Ning let go and spoke in a low voice.
Aji was still shaken. When he recognized Yang Ning beneath the bamboo hat, he first looked delighted.
"Y-Yang!"
But that joy was quickly replaced by a mixture of fear and grief, and his eyes reddened in an instant.
Yang Ning's heart tightened. He hurriedly asked:
"Aji, why is the shop closed?
Where's Brother Wu? Where's Uncle Wu?"
Aji's lips trembled. Tears finally spilled down his cheeks as he choked out:
"Yang, you finally came!
Something terrible happened!
The shopkeeper and Uncle Wu were taken away by men from the Blood Ape Gang a few days ago!"
"What?!"
Yang Ning's pupils contracted.
"When did this happen? Tell me clearly!"
"It was a few nights ago..."
Wiping at his tears, Aji spoke haltingly:
"A lot of people came. They smashed the door open and barged into the back courtyard, then tied up the shopkeeper and Uncle Wu, who was resting at the shop!
They also forced the shopkeeper to tell them whether he knew anything about you, Yang.
The shopkeeper gritted his teeth and refused to talk, so they beat him..."
Aji's voice was full of fear.
"Later, I secretly asked around and found out it wasn't just our shopkeeper. They also took or drove away a bunch of uncles from the Porter Guild who used to be close to your family, Yang. And...
"And some distant relatives on your sister-in-law's side who lived nearby. The Blood Ape Gang seems to have rounded them up or chased them off, too!
They're trying to wipe out everyone with any connection to you, Yang!"
What a Blood Ape Gang. He really had underestimated them!
Yang Ning's fists clenched until his knuckles cracked. Killing intent surged in his chest, almost impossible to suppress.
He forcibly reined in his roiling qi and blood and asked in a cold voice:
"Where did they take them?
To the Blood Ape Gang Headquarters?"
Aji shook his head, fear deepening in his face.
"I don't know.
Those men were vicious. They only said they were 'inviting' the shopkeeper to 'be their guest,' then blindfolded him and took him away.
We reported it to the authorities, but...
But the constables came to look around and only said they'd 'keep an eye out.'
The Porter Guild is no match for a gang.
They don't dare interfere with the Blood Ape Gang!
Yang, the shopkeeper treated us assistants with such kindness. Now that he's been thrown in jail, we..."
Just then, Aji suddenly seemed to remember something and grabbed Yang Ning's sleeve.
"Right! Yang!
Before the shopkeeper was taken away, he secretly asked me to keep something safe. He told me to hide it well.
He said that if you came back, I had to give it to you!"
A treasure?
Yang Ning froze.
Could it be the thing Wu Xian had searched for on his behalf...?
"Where is it?" Yang Ning asked.
"I was afraid it wouldn't be safe in the shop, so I hid it in the corner of the wall in the attic I rent!
I'll go get it now!"
As he spoke, Aji turned to run back.
He darted out of the alley.
About the time it took to drink a cup of tea later, he came running back, panting, with a long object tightly wrapped in layers of oilcloth held against his chest.
He solemnly handed the bundle to Yang Ning and said in a low voice:
"The shopkeeper only said that this was something you needed.
He said the seller originally wanted him to inspect it in person, but the shopkeeper felt this item was meant for you. He was afraid that waiting too long might bring trouble, so he gritted his teeth and spent almost all the shop's available funds, adding some of his own savings, to buy it early.
He said... 'You need this.'"
Yang Ning took the bundle. It was surprisingly heavy in his hands. He slowly peeled away the layers of oilcloth.
When the last layer came off, a deep, shadowy glint of cold steel suddenly caught his eye!
It was a long saber in its scabbard.
The scabbard was made of hardwood, its grain simple and ancient.
It had little ornamentation, save for worn, dark copper fittings around the mouth and end of the scabbard.
The hilt was wrapped in tightly wound dark teal cord, and the grip had been polished smooth and bright by frequent handling.
Yang Ning drew a deep breath, gripping the scabbard with his left hand and slowly taking hold of the hilt with his right.
"Shing—!"
A clear saber ring, like a dragon's cry, sounded quietly through the still alley.
The long saber slid halfway from its scabbard. Its blade was a deep, restrained gray-green, as if it had been forged with some unusual metal.
A thin line of cold light flowed along the edge. Even in the dim light, it seemed sharp enough to slice the air.
More strangely, when Yang Ning tried to channel his qi and blood into it, the blade gave a faint, heartbeat-like hum.
It resonated with his qi and blood!
This was a true qi-and-blood weapon, one that could carry and amplify a martial artist's qi and blood!
As Yang Ning watched, what seemed to be faint patterns like wind marks flickered across the gray-green blade and vanished.
Its quality was exceptional!
The saber seemed to let Yang Ning see Wu Xian—a sworn elder brother who wasn't related to him by blood, yet was closer than one—as if he already knew his younger brother had made something of himself and had placed all his earnest hopes in him.
"Did he... say anything else?"
Yang Ning's voice was a little hoarse.
Aji shook his head, tears welling up again.
"The shopkeeper only kept telling me that I had to put it in your hands...
Yang, the Blood Ape Gang are cruel to the bone. The shopkeeper and Uncle Wu are already old. If they fall into their hands..."
Yang Ning gripped the saber tightly. Even its cold scabbard seemed to have warmed a little; it carried the trust and responsibility of a friend who had given everything he had.
He raised his head, but his voice was unnervingly calm:
"Aji, go back and hide.
Keep the doors shut, and don't show yourself for the next few days."
"Brother Wu, Uncle Wu, and everyone else who was dragged into this because of me..."
Yang Ning's hand tightened around the hilt, his knuckles paling slightly with the force of his grip. He spoke each word as if hammering an iron nail into the cold air:
"I will... I will get every one of them out."
The young man turned away, the newly acquired saber in his hand, and disappeared into the shifting light and shadow at the mouth of the alley.
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