Trade

Shen Yi studied Qin Jianghe.

Thick brows, large eyes, stubble scattered thick and wild across his face—he carried a rugged, heroic air.

At the same time, Qin Jianghe was studying Shen Yi.

The young man before him wore tattered clothes riddled with holes.

He was utterly unkempt.

Yet those sword-like brows and starry eyes left an especially deep impression.

Piecing it together with what he remembered before losing consciousness,

this young man must have dealt with the Whale Gang leader who had pursued him, saved his life, and brought him here.

That leader had been no slouch.

For Shen Yi to dispatch him unscathed and carry Qin Jianghe here, his strength truly could not be underestimated.

Qin Jianghe sorted out the entire chain of events in his mind, drew a deep breath, cupped his fists, and slowly said,

"Qin thanks you, little brother, for saving my life."

Shen Yi smiled and returned the gesture.

"Hall Master Qin, let's speak plainly. I'm no wandering hero who upholds justice without asking for anything in return."

Qin Jianghe coughed twice.

Then he let out a hearty, cheerful laugh.

"Little brother, you're forthright."

"You saved me. What do you seek?"

Rather than continue standing over him, Shen Yi sat cross-legged opposite Qin Jianghe, meeting his gaze levelly.

That gesture eased Qin Jianghe's heart somewhat.

He felt that Shen Yi was not some aloof and arrogant man.

"I seek martial arts."

Shen Yi spoke those four words.

Confusion appeared in Qin Jianghe's eyes.

Shen Yi smiled and continued explaining.

"I cultivate my family's martial arts, but they have their limits. That is why I entered the martial world, hoping to seek a more profound inheritance of martial arts."

"Hall Master Qin is an elite of the Raging Tide Gang and the master of a hall. Surely you possess some techniques or secrets that can be exchanged with me."

Understanding dawned on Qin Jianghe, and he asked,

"What kind of martial arts does little brother favor?"

"Fist and foot techniques..."

Shen Yi paused.

"Saber arts, inner arts, lightness skills and movement techniques."

"Any of them will do."

Qin Jianghe understood. After pondering for a moment, he said,

"For a life-saving favor, one ought to repay it with a gushing spring."

"Our gangs are formed by sworn brothers from all walks of life. Unlike great sects and schools, we do not possess so many rules concerning inherited teachings."

"Still, passing on techniques and arts is governed by rules even within the gang..."

Naturally, Shen Yi knew it would not be so simple.

What Qin Jianghe said was indisputably true. Martial arts inheritances had always been the core resource that allowed sects and factions to hold together.

They could not be handed out lightly.

Much like the Pacification Office, such rewards were generally granted to disciples according to merit and achievement.

Moreover, this was not a one-shot deal.

Like the Fragmentary Array Breaker Art Shen Yi had obtained, they would reveal it to their disciples bit by bit.

Only then could they keep them firmly tethered, ensuring they always stood on the same front as the sect or faction.

Seeing Shen Yi's calm expression, without the slightest trace of impatience, Qin Jianghe secretly nodded, approving of his steady temperament.

"However, the martial arts I possess..."

"The inner art was passed down by the gang, but my saber art was something I created myself, combining the gang's techniques with guidance from the elder responsible for transmitting arts."

"I can decide to teach you this saber art."

"As for inner arts, fist techniques, or movement arts, if little brother is willing to join our Raging Tide Gang—"

"With your ability, you will quickly accumulate merit and be taught the core secrets."

Shen Yi nodded faintly.

Obtaining one saber art had already met his expectations.

As for Qin Jianghe's suggestion that he join the Raging Tide Gang,

he gave neither assent nor refusal.

After all, his current status as a wanted man was far too sensitive. Joining a gang did not seem nearly as convenient as traveling alone.

"Fine."

"Then we'll use the saber art to settle the debt first."

Qin Jianghe stared into Shen Yi's unwavering eyes.

A trace of embarrassment appeared on his face.

"Please forgive me, little brother."

"Qin is still inconveniently injured and cannot demonstrate the saber art freely. We may have to wait until my wounds recover somewhat more."

Shen Yi nodded faintly.

"No matter."

"I'll wait."

Grrr.

His stomach growled as clearly as frogs in a wheat field. Qin Jianghe rubbed his belly and grinned.

"Little brother, do you have anything to eat?"

Shen Yi pointed at the bundle beside him.

"There."

"I got some dry rations from the old man who pulled you from the water."

"Fill your stomach first."

"I'll go out for a look later. If I run into any game, we can add a little meat to the meal."

Qin Jianghe nodded, reached into the bundle, pulled out two steamed buns, and immediately began wolfing them down.

He sighed with feeling.

"Come to think of it, I still haven't thanked that old man for saving my life."

"If not for little brother's righteousness,"

"the old man's entire family and I would likely all have died violent deaths."

"If I make it back to the hall, I will certainly send someone to deliver the old man some silver, as a token of my gratitude."

Shen Yi thought this Hall Master Qin did know how to repay kindness.

He took a small piece of flatbread from the bundle as well, eating as he casually chatted.

"Hall Master Qin, as the master of a hall, you should have had gang members guarding you. How did you end up being hunted by the Whale Gang?"

"Could it be that you were ambushed?"

Qin Jianghe's gaze turned blank.

After a brief pause, he let out a long sigh and slowly said,

"Little brother's guess is right. The conflict between the Raging Tide Gang and the Whale Gang has intensified lately, and my hall has clashed with their Yaksha Branch many times."

"Yesterday, I led men on a patrol along the upper reaches of Clear River. Our hall's warship suddenly exploded, and the brothers aboard suffered grievous casualties."

"Then numerous Whale Gang water demons emerged from the riverbed, determined to wipe us out. I only escaped by luck under the cover of my brothers."

"The other brothers..."

Qin Jianghe murmured softly,

"If they did not have luck like mine, I fear their prospects are grim."

Shen Yi smacked his lips and casually said,

"If the ship exploded, gunpowder must have been hidden aboard beforehand."

"The ship belonged to your Broken Blade Hall."

"You didn't notice anything beforehand? Then this Whale Gang is far too formidable."

Qin Jianghe froze halfway through wolfing down his food. He gave a bitter smile. "I've considered that as well."

"After turning it over and over in my mind, the only possibility is that there is a traitor in the hall. But I must return to the hall before I can investigate thoroughly and determine who it is."

As Qin Jianghe spoke, his eyes rolled.

Though straightforward by nature, he was no fool.

He immediately went with the flow.

"If little brother has nowhere to settle, why not return to Broken Blade Hall with me first? Then I can also find a quiet place to teach you the saber art."

Shen Yi gazed at Qin Jianghe without speaking.

The look made him awkward again.

Qin Jianghe scratched his head and spoke once more.

"It's true that I would be taking advantage of little brother with this proposal."

"I also know a lightness skill, one not passed down by the gang."

"I obtained it years ago while hunting bandits in Clear River Town. Though it cannot be considered first-rate, it has its own unique merits."

"If little brother does not mind, then so long as you can escort me safely back to Broken Blade Hall, I will give it to you as well."

Shen Yi was slightly taken aback.

He had originally intended to agree. He had merely been weighing the dangers they might encounter, so he had not answered in time.

Who would have thought that his slow reaction would instead bring an unexpected gain?

Shen Yi kept his expression unchanged and slowly nodded.

"A deal."

Hearing this, Qin Jianghe let out a long breath.

In Little River Village at dawn, the fishermen headed out one after another, preparing to begin another day of making their living from the waters.

Suddenly,

a large ship rapidly approached on Clear River.

It completely blocked the river exit of Little River Village.

A group of martial world men, armed with hook spears and broad sabers slung over their shoulders, their faces fierce and vicious, leaped down from the large ship.

Even more savages aboard, shrieking excitedly like yakshas, jumped down from the bow in an endless stream.

The leader bellowed viciously,

"Qin Jianghe was seen in this village."

"Search it!"

"Dig Qin Jianghe out for me!"