Transaction

Shen Yi was observing Qin Jianghe.

Thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a dense, messy stubble gave him a ruggedly heroic air.

Qin Jianghe was also observing Shen Yi.

The young man before him was dressed in tattered clothes, riddled with holes.

He was quite unkempt.

But his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes were particularly impressive.

Combining that with his memories before he lost consciousness.

It was likely this young man who had dealt with the Whale Gang leader who was chasing him, saved his life, and brought him here.

Those leaders were quite skilled.

For Shen Yi to have safely dealt with them and brought him here, his strength was indeed not to be underestimated.

Qin Jianghe sorted out the sequence of events in his mind, took a deep breath, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and slowly said:

"I, Qin, thank this young brother for saving my life."

Shen Yi returned the greeting with a smile:

"Hall Master Qin, let's be frank, I'm not a chivalrous hero who seeks no reward."

Qin Jianghe coughed twice.

He let out a hearty and cheerful laugh:

"Young brother is straightforward."

"Since you saved me, what do you seek?"

Shen Yi no longer stood tall, but sat cross-legged opposite Qin Jianghe, meeting his gaze.

This action eased Qin Jianghe's heart slightly.

He felt that Shen Yi was not a cold and aloof person.

"I seek martial arts."

Shen Yi uttered four words.

Qin Jianghe's eyes showed doubt.

Shen Yi smiled and continued to explain:

"I practice family martial arts, but they are limited, so I have entered the jianghu, seeking more profound martial arts inheritance."

"Hall Master Qin is an elite of the Raging Tide Gang and also the master of a hall, so you must have some techniques and secrets that you can exchange with me."

Qin Jianghe understood, and he asked:

"What kind of martial arts does young brother have in mind?"

"Fists and feet..."

Shen Yi paused:

"Swordsmanship, mental cultivation, lightness skill."

"All are acceptable."

Qin Jianghe understood, and he pondered for a moment:

"A life-saving grace should be repaid with a fountain."

"Our gangs are gathered from all walks of life, unlike large sects that have many rules for inheritance."

"But there are also rules within the gang regarding the passing on of skills and techniques..."

Shen Yi naturally knew it wouldn't be that simple.

What Qin Jianghe said was also undoubtedly true; the inheritance of techniques has always been the core resource that allows sects and forces to consolidate.

It was impossible to grant it easily.

It was more like the Pacification Office, where disciples were rewarded based on their merits and achievements.

Moreover, this was not a one-time deal.

Instead, it was like the incomplete Array Breaker Art that Shen Yi had obtained, with bits and pieces being doled out to the disciples.

Only in this way could they be firmly tied down, always standing on the same side as the sect.

Qin Jianghe looked at Shen Yi's calm expression, without showing any impatience, and couldn't help but nod inwardly, praising his calm temperament.

"However, my martial arts..."

"Although the mental cultivation is passed down by the gang, my swordsmanship is something I created myself by combining the gang's techniques and the guidance of the elder who transmits skills."

"I can decide to pass this swordsmanship on to you."

"As for mental cultivation, fist and foot techniques, or lightness skill, if young brother is willing to join our Raging Tide Gang."

"With your abilities, you will soon accumulate merits and be granted the core secrets."

Shen Yi nodded slightly.

Obtaining a sword technique was already within his expectations.

As for Qin Jianghe's suggestion of joining the Raging Tide Gang.

He remained noncommittal.

After all, his wanted status was too sensitive right now, and joining a gang felt less convenient than traveling alone.

"Alright."

"Then we'll settle it with the sword technique for now."

Qin Jianghe stared fixedly at Shen Yi.

He couldn't help but reveal a hint of embarrassment:

"Please forgive me, young brother."

"Qin is currently unable to move freely and demonstrate the sword technique, I may have to wait until my injuries recover a bit more."

Shen Yi nodded slightly:

"It doesn't matter."

"I'll wait for you."

Gurgle.

The sound of his stomach rumbling was as clear as a frog in a wheat field. Qin Jianghe touched his stomach and grinned:

"Young brother, do you have any food?"

Shen Yi pointed to the package beside him:

"There."

"I asked the old man who rescued you for some dry rations."

"Have something to fill your stomach first."

"I'll go out for a walk later, and if I can find some wild game, I'll add some more flavor."

Qin Jianghe nodded, reached into the package, pulled out two steamed buns, and began to gobble them down.

He said with some emotion:

"Speaking of which, I haven't thanked the old man for saving my life yet."

"If it weren't for young brother's righteousness."

"I and the old man's family would probably have died a tragic death."

"If I return to the hall, I will definitely send someone to give the old man some money to express my gratitude."

Shen Yi mused that this Hall Master Qin was indeed grateful and repaid kindness.

He also took out a small piece of flatbread from the package and ate it while casually chatting:

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

"Could it be that you were ambushed?"

Qin Jianghe's eyes became lost.

He paused for a moment, then sighed and slowly said:

"Young brother's guess is correct. Recently, conflicts between the Raging Tide and the Whale Gang have intensified, and I have had many encounters with their Yaksha Branch."

"Yesterday, I led my men on patrol upstream of the Clear River, when suddenly, my hall's warship exploded, and the brothers on board suffered heavy casualties."

"Then, many of the Whale Gang's water ghosts emerged from the bottom of the river to hunt us down. I was lucky to escape under the cover of my brothers."

"The other brothers..."

Qin Jianghe murmured:

"If they don't have my good fortune, I'm afraid their fate will be grim."

Shen Yi smacked his lips and casually said:

"The ship exploded, so there must have been gunpowder hidden in advance."

"The ship belongs to your Broken Blade Hall."

"Didn't you notice anything beforehand? Then this Whale Gang is too powerful."

Qin Jianghe's gobbling action suddenly froze, and he said with a wry smile: "I've thought about this too."

"After thinking about it, it's only possible that there's a mole in the hall, but I must return to the hall to thoroughly investigate who it is."

Qin Jianghe said up to this point, and his eyeballs rolled around.

Although he was straightforward, he wasn't stupid.

He immediately went along with the flow and said:

"If young brother has nowhere to go, why not return to the Broken Blade Hall with me first, so I can have a quiet place to teach you the sword technique."

Shen Yi stared at Qin Jianghe without a word.

His silence made Qin Jianghe feel awkward again.

Qin Jianghe scratched his head and spoke once more, "Indeed, my words are taking advantage of you, little brother."

"I also know a lightness skill that isn't taught within the gang."

"I acquired it when I was apprehending thieves in Clear River Town years ago. Although it's not top-notch, it has its unique aspects."

"If you don't mind, little brother, as long as you can ensure my safe return to Broken Blade Hall, I will give it to you as well."

Shen Yi was slightly taken aback.

He had originally intended to agree, but he was considering the potential dangers, so he hadn't had time to respond.

He didn't expect that his slow reaction would bring an unexpected surprise.

Shen Yi remained calm and nodded slowly, "It's a deal."

Qin Jianghe breathed a long sigh of relief upon hearing this.

In Little River Village, early in the morning, the fishermen went out one by one, preparing to start a new day of fishing.

Suddenly, A large ship on Clear River rapidly approached, Blocking the river mouth of Little River Village completely.

A group of jianghu travelers holding hooks and forks, carrying large sabers on their shoulders, and looking extremely vicious, jumped down from the large ship.

On the ship, there were even more excited, howling barbarians resembling yakshas, jumping down from the bow one after another.

The leader shouted fiercely, "Qin Jianghe showed himself in this village."

"Search for me!"

"Dig Qin Jianghe out for me!"