Master Black Pays a Visit

Two days later.

Outside Dendrobium Village, the old bamboo grove.

A figure darted through the bamboo, light on his feet, his form flickering in and out of sight.

Feng Xiu followed the rhythm of Wind Chasing Step as he wove through the densely packed bamboo. With a tap of his foot, he floated a yard forward.

His toes tapped again, and he changed direction.

The wind howled, and bamboo leaves scattered through the air.

After several circuits, Feng Xiu returned to the clearing deep in the bamboo grove.

Two stone locks had been placed in each of five directions around the clearing, and each one weighed at least several hundred pounds.

Ropes were tied to the locks, with ten finger rings fastened to the other ends.

Feng Xiu walked over and slipped each of his ten fingers into one of the rings.

He took a deep breath, then curled all ten fingers into downward-facing claws.

The muscles in his arms tensed, and veins bulged as the ten ropes snapped taut.

Even with weeds, broken stones, and dried bamboo stumps scattered across the clearing, the five stone locks could crush their way through the obstacles.

A thick layer of dirt and debris piled up in front of the locks. Feng Xiu strained, spreading his fingers wide. Qi and blood surged through his arms, and with every ounce of force he exerted, the locks inched closer.

The strength in his ten fingers increased steadily, and his knuckles cracked.

"Your finger strength is even greater than it was a few days ago, Young Master."

Xiang Geng stood nearby, feeding firewood into the stove as he watched Feng Xiu train.

Feng Xiu did not answer. He continued pulling at the stone locks with his fingers.

Only after all ten locks had formed a circle around him on the ground did he rub his fingers, which had gone somewhat numb.

Then he went over to the iron pot and plunged both hands into the scalding iron sand.

He turned it over, again and again.

"Xiang Geng."

"This subordinate is here."

"Have the brothers noticed anything unusual while patrolling these past few days?"

Xiang Geng shook his head. "No. The brothers patrol every day, and nothing ever happens. They're getting a little tired of it."

Feng Xiu relaxed, then continued training.

With every turn of the sand, the faint tearing sensation that stabbed at his finger bones grew a little stronger.

Xiang Geng hesitated before saying, "Young Master, how about we just fill in that Dark Canal? Then we wouldn't have to guard it every day."

"How would we fill it in?" Feng Xiu glanced at him casually.

Feng Xiu had already begun to command respect, and even Xiang Geng found him a little intimidating. He gave an awkward smile. "W-We could just fill it up."

Whoosh—

Feng Xiu shifted his gaze away and continued turning the iron sand.

"Filling it in would make too much noise. What if those monster fish found out?"

Xiang Geng fell silent for a moment, then ventured, "Then... what about the thing in the reservoir?"

Feng Xiu's hands stopped moving at once.

"That's not something you need to worry about."

Feng Xiu paused, his expression perfectly calm.

"It's just a scaly beast without a single hair on it."

Xiang Geng froze.

Then he shuddered all over. This—

Ever since they had killed Fish Mother, he had given the matter a great deal of thought.

In his mind, Fish Mother surely had not come alone.

Xiang Geng opened his mouth several times, wanting to say something, but swallowed the words each time.

After a long while, he finally came back to himself and silently added another log to the stove.

Feng Xiu's words kept circling through his mind.

Scaly... beast?

A scaly beast without a single hair?

A few sparks burst from the dry, hard wood crackling in the stove and landed on the back of Xiang Geng's hand.

His thoughts drifted. Had the Young Master known all along?

His face paled, then flushed. His brow furrowed, and every so often his eyes flicked toward Feng Xiu's resolute expression.

In Jade Belt Reservoir...

There was a dragon!

Suddenly, a stinging pain on the back of his hand brought him back to himself. He hurriedly brushed the sparks off, and something clicked in his mind.

A true dragon... Daoist Yellow Dragon... praying for rain... Could Daoist Yellow Dragon have been a true dragon reincarnated?!

Did dragons really exist in this world?

Could he have fallen out with the Young Master over a rain-praying ritual?

Xiang Geng's whole body stiffened. He remained stunned for a long time, unable to recover, his mind still a tangled mess.

"Ah, I finally found you!"

Just as Xiang Geng's thoughts were racing, a sudden voice shattered the silence in the bamboo grove.

The two of them looked back.

A man stood at the entrance to the clearing, dressed in dusty gray clothes, a slick smile on his face. It was Master Black.

Xiang Geng frowned and was about to scold him, but Feng Xiu raised a hand to stop him.

Master Black hurried over. At a glance, he spotted the ten stone locks on the ground, dragged there by sheer force, and Feng Xiu's hands, which he had once again soaked in medicinal liquid.

"Young Master Feng, you really do train hard!"

Master Black praised him. "Just watching you practice makes even old Black jealous. Tell me, how exactly do you train?"

"What, you want to learn?" After finishing his treatment, Feng Xiu plunged both hands back into the iron sand and turned it over, tossing it into the air.

Master Black's eyes narrowed. "I think I'll pass."

"Then tell me. What do you want?"

"Can't I just come by to see you? We're practically family, aren't we?" Master Black chuckled.

Then he flashed a mouthful of gold teeth and launched into a long-winded account.

"Young Master Feng, you have no idea how busy I've been these past couple of days."

"The Tiger Might Hall on the east side got into it with the Torch Gang on the west. There were over a hundred men between them. If old Black hadn't stepped in, someone would've died."

"And before I could even catch my breath, the Green Roc Gang from the south started fighting the Red Flower Hall. Good grief, I was nearly worked to death."

Master Black's voice was infectious, and a hint of smugness crept into his expression.

He punctuated his words with animated gestures, speaking with such passion that his face lit up.

Feng Xiu did not even look up. With a thought, he called up his status panel.

[Life: 17]

[Spirit: 7]

[Strength: 14]

[Agility: 9]

[Technique Record: None]

[Recorded: Bone Refining Claw (Minor Accomplishment, Strength +2)]

[Wind Chasing Step (Minor Accomplishment, Agility +2)]

[Combination: Not yet at the pinnacle (Unavailable)]

[Supreme Attainment: Vajra Finger Blade]

The Supreme Attainment techniques appeared in a separate column on the panel. His Agility and Strength had each increased by two points.

He had gained a deeper understanding of the techniques for exerting force with Bone Refining Claw and of how to unleash his full strength. His arms had grown stronger as well.

"With Five Force Fist, Bone Refining Claw, and Vajra Finger Blade, I've already completed most of my martial arts framework."

"All that remains is to keep increasing my life force and strengthen my defenses."

Feng Xiu pondered this silently, feeling very satisfied.

The only thing that bothered him was that, even if he wanted to spar with someone and hone his skills, he could not find many Body Refining martial artists of his level around him.

"Young Master Feng, tell me, has old Black had an easy time of it? I finally got a chance to rest and thought I'd have a drink with my brother Old Liu, but who knew he'd be dead?"

Master Black kept chattering by his ear, a trace of sorrow hanging between his brows as he sighed.

"Quit rambling. What did you come here for?" Xiang Geng was getting impatient. Feng Xiu still had not said a word.

It was either this about the east side, or that about the Li family.

One moment he was talking about knocking on a widow's door, the next he was praising the roast duck at Old Man Xia's house.

He had not gotten to the point at all. Xiang Geng frowned coldly.

Master Black did not play along this time. He spread his hands, looking quite innocent.

"I'm not here for anything. Just came to catch up."

"Then stop talking nonsense." Xiang Geng's expression turned sour as he cut Master Black off without the slightest courtesy.

The smile on Master Black's face slowly faded. His gaze shifted back to Feng Xiu.

"Young Master Feng, you be the judge. Do you think everything I say is nonsense?"

Feng Xiu dipped both hands in the medicinal liquid again. He drew them out and wiped them with a towel.

Looking back at Master Black, he wore the faintest smile.

Nonsense?

Master Black had come here and said all that for only one reason.

He wanted to show, indirectly, how well-informed he was and how far his connections reached—that he had already found out something.

Zhou Gang's memory loss had been kept quiet within the Feng Clan, but the commotion at Fragrant Flower House back then had been too great.

Su Wantang could not erase the memories of those who had heard about it or seen it but had never been directly involved.

That included him.

And the martial prowess he had displayed before had been too astonishing.

So his purpose in coming here was obvious.

"Of course not. Master Black has extraordinary connections. Forget Green Rock City—even Cloud Province couldn't get by without you."

Feng Xiu shook his head with a smile, tossing out the words lightly.

Xiang Geng was taken aback. He had not expected Feng Xiu to flatter him like that.

Master Black instantly beamed, thoroughly pleased. His fat face crinkled with laughter, and his gold teeth gleamed.

"Exactly! Young Master Feng really has a discerning eye."

Master Black smiled, then picked up where Feng Xiu had left off.

"By the way, I heard you mention that woman Su Wantang yesterday. Old Black thought about it carefully, and she seemed to say her husband's surname was Li?"

"Ah, it was so long ago that I can barely remember. Was it Li Xuanshuang?"

Master Black slapped his forehead and groaned in frustration, as though he had just remembered something.

Feng Xiu's smile did not fade. "Master Black, your memory really is awful."

"Ah, I'm getting old. Women's bellies are hard on the back, so my memory really isn't what it used to be." Master Black sighed.

"Indeed. Sounds like you could use a tonic."

Feng Xiu nodded, his expression full of agreement. He turned toward Xiang Geng and raised his chin.

Xiang Geng had no choice, though he knew he had to pay up.

He took a hundred-tael banknote from the pouch at his side and handed it to Master Black.

Master Black showed no reaction. He took the note and casually tucked it into his shirt.

"By the way, Master Black, help me with one small favor." Feng Xiu smiled again.

"Just say the word, Young Master Feng," Master Black replied heartily.

"My claw technique has just begun to take shape, and I'm releasing too much force. I can't control it well. Could you find me a pair of top-quality cowhide gloves?"

Feng Xiu thought for a moment, then asked.

"Ha! That's no trouble at all." Master Black looked as if he had it taken care of.

His narrowed eyes met Feng Xiu's. Feng Xiu nodded with a smile.

Master Black smiled too. Dealing with clever people was always a pleasure.

"Young Master Feng is generous and easygoing. If old Black still kept things to himself, that'd be downright dishonest."

"Ah, what was I going to say? Yesterday I was drinking with Old Liu's father. What did he say? Let me think... Oh, right!"

Master Black grinned even more broadly. He spoke while racking his brain, then suddenly seemed to remember.

"He said some big shot would be coming to Green Rock City in a few days. I heard the title was Cavalry Commander of the Garrison Battalion under the Eastern Army's Commander-in-Chief's Office?"

"He has over five hundred Iron Crutch Cavalry under him. A proper court official, the real deal."

"Hmph. The Eastern Army must be bored, running around in our territory for no good reason. Those court officials do nothing all day but fight over power and profit."

Master Black snorted and cursed under his breath.

Feng Xiu's expression did not change. He nodded in agreement. "Master Black is right. The court is full of parasites who do nothing but line their own pockets."

At that, Master Black waved his hand.

"All right, all right, Young Master Feng. I won't keep you. I still need to stop by Widow Wang's place." A knowing grin spread across his lips, one only a man could understand.

He had barely turned and taken a few steps before he abruptly looked back.

"Old Black's memory is awful. I nearly forgot. Before I came here, I ran into Young Master Wu. He told me to remind you not to forget tomorrow's... whatever that mutton banquet is called."

Master Black slapped his forehead, finally remembering what he had come to say, then forced another smile.