Blood Sha

Night, late in the hour of the Rooster.

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

Inside the carriage.

Qin Jiu gazed out at the boundless night and suddenly asked, "Uncle Wang, what stage of martial cultivation has Vice Hall Master Li reached? If you gave it your all, how likely would you be to win?"

"Hard to say."

Wang Yue, who was driving, shook his head. "He and this old servant are both at the Internal Strengthening stage. In my prime, I wouldn't have feared him. But when we crossed hands that day, something in his aura made me wary on instinct."

"If it came down to life and death..." His voice grew heavy. "Most likely, I'd be the one to die."

"Of course, he wouldn't get off lightly either."

"Young master, why do you ask?"

"I just want to know what I'm dealing with."

Qin Jiu gazed into the distance, his eyes shadowed. "To the Qin Family, this man is neither friend nor foe. Since he's taken an interest in the spirit beast formula, he'll hardly stop thinking about it. If both sides get what they want tonight, that would be ideal..."

His words trailed off.

The carriage fell silent.

Only the clatter of hooves echoed clearly along the stone-paved street.

Outer City, South Town District.

Inside a cluster of buildings arranged in graceful disorder, lights blazed. Though midnight was near, well-dressed figures still streamed in and out of the entrance, most of them imposing martial artists.

"The demons besiege the city, and Four Seasons Pharmacy thrives."

Qin Jiu chuckled.

He stepped down from the carriage and entered the pharmacy.

After explaining his purpose to the shopkeeper in the main hall, he was led to a private room on the second floor.

"Please wait a moment, honored guest."

The shopkeeper bowed and withdrew.

Before long, he returned with someone in tow.

It was Li Yuan.

"You may leave."

"Without my orders, don't let anyone disturb us."

Li Yuan instructed the shopkeeper.

Once the man had closed the door behind him, Li Yuan turned to Qin Jiu with a smile. "Patriarch Qin, your late-night visit suggests you've made up your mind?"

"Indeed."

Qin Jiu nodded. "The Qin Family's formula can be sold to Hall Master Li."

"However..."

"I'd like to clarify the price first."

"With demons surrounding the city, Vice Hall Master Li, how do you intend to help me escape? And are you acting on behalf of Four Seasons Pharmacy, or for yourself?"

Li Yuan smiled faintly.

"I can't answer your first question. As for the second, this has nothing to do with Four Seasons Pharmacy. That formula of the Qin Family's isn't worth the pharmacy's attention."

"Do you have any other questions?"

"I do."

Qin Jiu's expression turned solemn. "Since you have a way to get me out safely, then in addition to the formula, I'm willing to pay extra to take the rest of the Qin Family with me."

"Hold on."

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

"In truth, I can only get you out of Songshan County safely, by yourself. That has nothing to do with how much you're willing to pay. You could hardly even take a few belongings, let alone other people."

"No matter how high your offer..."

"There's nothing I can do."

At those words, Qin Jiu fell silent.

"Why?"

After a long while, he managed to utter just three words.

"I can't say."

Li Yuan sighed. "By making this deal with you, I've already broken the pharmacy's rules. So don't ask about anything beyond the terms of our trade. You only need to tell me whether you're selling or not."

"Could I have a little more time to think it over?"

"Of course."

Li Yuan nodded, then added with a hint of meaning, "There's no need to rush your decision. You can watch how things unfold for a while. I'll be here at Four Seasons Pharmacy whenever you're ready."

He seemed certain.

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

So Li Yuan showed no impatience.

The private room fell silent.

After the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Qin Jiu parted his lips, about to speak, when a tremendous boom thundered in his ears.

"Vumm!"

The private room shook.

Qin Jiu and Wang Yue blanched almost at the same time.

They both turned to Li Yuan.

But he looked just as astonished.

"This is bad!"

"Demons are pouring into the city from outside!"

At that moment, a young servant shoved open the door, his face stricken with fear. "The Hall Master sent me to ask you to come to the main hall and stand guard."

"Why tonight?" Li Yuan blurted in shock, then hurriedly asked, "Where is the Hall Master?"

"He's already left the pharmacy."

The young servant was a First Refining martial artist.

Yet as he spoke, the vigorous qi and blood in his body roiled without pause.

Clearly, he was extremely tense.

Li Yuan turned to Qin Jiu, apologized, then hurried away with the young servant.

"Young master, we shouldn't stay here."

"Mm. Let's go back first."

Qin Jiu's expression was grave as he hurried out.

The pharmacy was in chaos. The people who had been buying pills were now fleeing in panic. Four Seasons Pharmacy was close to the South Gate, and after that tremendous boom, it was hard not to wonder if the city gate had been breached.

"Uncle Wang, forget the carriage."

After leaving the pharmacy, Qin Jiu called to Wang Yue.

The situation was unclear. If they delayed any longer, trouble might spring up out of nowhere.

Besides, they were both martial artists and could run faster than a horse—especially a carriage. It would be simpler to run back.

Wang Yue came to his senses.

He nodded, glanced around, then strode toward two armed men nearby.

"Lend me your weapons."

"You can collect them tomorrow at the Qin Mansion in the Inner City."

As he spoke, Wang Yue took two long sabers from them without waiting for their answer.

The two men scowled.

They were just about to berate him when a doglike creature flashed past them, a streak of shadow-black ink racing toward Wang Yue. Its eyes were blood-red, and grotesque bone spines lined its back. Baleful energy radiated from its body as it opened its mouth, packed with sharp teeth, to tear into him.

But Wang Yue had sensed it coming.

He gripped both long sabers in one hand and clenched his other, withered hand into a fist.

Then he slammed it into the creature's neck.

"Thud!"

A muffled impact rang out.

The creature hit the ground and writhed, twitching.

Qin Jiu hurried over.

"Careful, young master. It's hard to tell what level these demons are just from their auras. Don't stray too far from me."

Wang Yue's eyes glinted with a terrifying light.

A murderous aura swirled around him.

As he spoke, he handed Qin Jiu one of the long sabers.

Qin Jiu took it and nodded. Then he raised the saber and brought it down on the demon still twitching on the ground.

"Chhk!"

A flash of blade-light.

A grotesque, beast-shaped head rolled away.

At almost the same moment, the Red Seal suspended in the depths of his mind began to rumble and shake.

[Demon Fiend Leopard (Second Rank)]

[Talent: Blood Fiend (Purple)]

[Description: Born from the pursuit of yin, gathered by the pursuit of fiends, delighted by the pursuit of blood]

[Talent Status: Available for Imprinting]

[Imprinting Condition: One catty of Netherworld Soil]

"I never thought..."

"I could even imprint a demon's talent."