Blood Sha

Night. The end of the You hour.

A carriage hurried out of the Inner City from the Qin Mansion, heading straight for the Four Seasons Pharmacy in the Outer City.

Inside the carriage.

Qin Jiu gazed at the vast night outside the window, then suddenly spoke: "Uncle Wang, that Vice Hall Master Li—what realm of martial arts is he in? If you were to go all out, roughly what odds would you give yourself?"

"Hard to say."

Wang Yue, who was driving the carriage, shook his head at the question: "He and this old servant are both at the Internal Strengthening level. If this old servant were in my prime, I shouldn't fear this man. But the day we crossed hands, the aura of his movements instinctively made this old servant wary."

"If it truly came down to a life-or-death struggle." He paused here, his voice turning heavy, then said: "Then most likely, the one who dies would be this old servant."

"Of course, he wouldn't come out unscathed either."

"Young Master asks this..."

"I just want to have a clear picture in my mind."

Qin Jiu stared at the horizon, his gaze deep and obscure, and said: "To the Qin Family, this man is neither friend nor foe. Since he's set his sights on the spirit beast formula, he's bound to keep it in mind. If tonight we both gain something, all is well..."

As his words trailed off.

The voices inside the carriage gradually faded.

In the night, only the sound of hooves echoed clearly on the bluestone street.

Outer City, South Town District.

Within a cluster of scattered and orderly pavilions, lights blazed brightly. Even as it neared late night, figures dressed in luxurious attire still passed through the entrance, most of them martial artists with imposing auras.

"Demon beasts besieging the city—it's made the Four Seasons Pharmacy's fortune instead."

Qin Jiu let out a light laugh.

He stepped down from the carriage and entered the pharmacy.

Then, after explaining his purpose to the steward in the main hall, he was led to a private room on the second floor.

"Honored guest, please wait a moment."

The steward bowed as he withdrew from the room.

Before long, he returned, bringing another figure with him.

This man was none other than Li Yuan.

"You may leave now."

"Without my orders, let no one come to disturb us."

Li Yuan instructed the steward.

Only after the man had closed the door again did he turn to Qin Jiu with a smile, saying: "Patriarch Qin pays a late-night visit—it seems you've reached a decision?"

"Naturally."

Qin Jiu nodded: "My Qin Family's formula can be traded to Hall Master Li."

"However..."

"As for the price, I need to ask clearly."

"Now that the demon beasts have besieged the city, Vice Hall Master Li, how exactly do you intend to get me out? And, do you represent the Four Seasons Pharmacy, or yourself?"

Li Yuan smiled faintly at this.

"As for your first question, I have nothing to say. As for the second, naturally it has nothing to do with the Four Seasons Pharmacy. That formula of the Qin Family is not worthy of the pharmacy's attention."

"Does the gentleman have any other questions?"

"I do."

Qin Jiu's expression turned serious: "Since you have a way to get me out, then aside from the formula, I am willing to pay extra money to have the Qin Family leave this place with me."

"Stop right there."

Li Yuan shook his head: "Perhaps I didn't make myself clear to you."

"In truth, I can only get you out of Songshan County safely and alone. This has nothing to do with the price you pay. In fact, even bringing some valuables with you is nearly impossible, let alone bringing people."

"No matter how high the price you offer..."

"I am powerless to do anything."

These words fell.

Qin Jiu fell into immediate silence.

"Why?"

He uttered three words.

"No comment."

Li Yuan sighed. "This Li's transaction with you has already broken the pharmacy's rules, so matters beyond this deal, you need not ask. You only need answer whether you sell or not."

"Might I be allowed another moment to consider?"

"As you wish."

Li Yuan nodded slightly, then with a hint of deeper meaning, added, "You need not rush a decision. You may continue observing for a time. This Li will be waiting for you at the Four Seasons Pharmacy whenever you come."

He seemed quite certain.

In the end, Qin Jiu could only accept the deal.

Thus his words carried no impatience.

The side room fell into silence for a time.

After the space of half a cup of tea.

Qin Jiu's lips moved slightly, just as he was about to speak, when a thunderous roar blasted at his ears.

"Boom"

The room shook.

Qin Jiu and Wang Yue's expressions changed almost simultaneously.

They both looked at Li Yuan.

But at that moment, the latter was also stunned.

"Something terrible has happened."

"Outside, many demons are charging into the city."

Just then, the door was suddenly pushed open by a young servant, who spoke to Li Yuan with a face full of panic: "The hall master ordered this servant to call you to the main hall for alert."

"Why tonight?"

Li Yuan's face showed shock, then he hurriedly asked, "Where is the hall master?"

"He has already left the pharmacy."

The servant was a First Refining martial artist.

But as he spoke, the surging blood energy within his body churned violently.

Clearly, he was very tense.

Hearing this, Li Yuan turned to Qin Jiu and said an apology, then left hastily with the servant.

"Young master, this place is not safe to stay."

"Mm, let's head back first."

Qin Jiu's face was grave as he quickly walked out the door.

The pharmacy was now in chaos.

Those who had been buying pills were now fleeing in panic, because the Four Seasons Pharmacy was near the South Gate, and with the earlier thunderous noise, it was hard not to wonder if the city gate had been breached.

"Uncle Wang, forget the carriage."

After stepping out of the pharmacy.

Qin Jiu called out to Wang Yue.

With the situation unclear, dragging things out might only invite trouble.

Besides, both of them were martial artists—running was far faster than riding a horse, let alone a carriage, so it was simpler to just sprint back.

Wang Yue snapped back to attention.

He nodded first, scanned the surroundings, then strode toward two figures holding weapons nearby.

"Lend me your weapons for a moment."

"Tomorrow, the two of you may come to the Qin Mansion in the Inner City to retrieve them."

Wang Yue said this, and without waiting for their consent, reached out and snatched two long blades.

The two men's faces darkened.

Just as they were about to shout in protest.

A canine-like creature shot past them, like a shadowy ink line, speeding straight for Wang Yue. Its pupils were blood-red, its back bore jagged bone spikes, and its whole body exuded a sinister Sha Qi. It opened a mouth full of razor teeth, ready to bite.

But the latter had already sensed it.

With one hand gripping the two blades, he clenched his other withered hand into a fist.

Then he smashed it into the creature's neck.

"Thud"

A muffled sound rang out.

The creature slammed onto the ground, convulsing uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Qin Jiu hurried over.

"Young master, be careful—these demons are hard to gauge by aura alone. Don't stray too far from me."

Wang Yue's eyes blazed with a terrifying gleam.

A murderous aura radiated from him.

As he spoke, he handed another long blade over.

Qin Jiu took the blade, nodded once, then raised it and slashed down at the demon still twitching on the ground.

Puchi

A flash of steel.

A grotesque, beastly head rolled away.

At almost the same moment, the Red Seal suspended in the core of his mind

began to rumble violently.

[Demon Sha Leopard (Grade 2)]

[Talent: Blood Sha (Purple)]

[Description: Born of Yin, drawn to Sha, delighted by blood]

[Talent Status: Engravable]

[Engraving Condition: One jin of Yin Underworld Soil]

"Who would've thought..."

"I can actually engrave a demon's talent."