Photographic Memory

Zhong Ping recognized the man at the front. He was Qian Bao, the leader of the Tiger Gang.

The two were business partners and knew each other fairly well.

When they ran into each other, Zhong Ping was just about to greet him, but Qian Bao spoke first.

In the manner of a host, Qian Bao said, "Steward Zhong, I never expected you'd come to Mudstone Alley. It was my oversight not to welcome you sooner!"

"Leader Qian, you're too kind. I happened to be passing through and thought I'd take care of some personal business while I was here." Zhong Ping responded with a faint smile.

He glanced at the imposing group around Qian Bao and asked curiously, "Leader Qian, may I ask what you're doing here?"

"To be frank, three of my brothers went missing without a trace a couple of days ago. I suspect they fell victim to some scoundrel. I'm taking my men to settle the score with him!"

Qian Bao spoke of the matter with righteous indignation, and a bone-chilling coldness seeped through his words.

At that, Zhong Ping's gaze flickered. A couple of days ago—that wasn't the same time as...

His thoughts raced, suspicion rising, but he quickly dismissed it.

There was no way to know if the matter was true, and it had nothing to do with him. There was no need to invite trouble.

With that thought, he cupped his hands and said, "Since you have business to attend to, Leader Qian, I'll take my leave."

"This is my poor hospitality today. Another time, I'll treat you to Spring Breeze Pavilion to make it up to you, Steward Zhong." Qian Bao was in the middle of a fit of anger, so he didn't try to keep Zhong Ping there.

Zhong Ping started to leave. Just as he passed Qian Bao, something seemed to occur to him. He called out to stop him and asked curiously, "Leader Qian, forgive my boldness, but may I ask who harmed your men?"

Qian Bao hesitated when he was stopped. He wasn't keen on revealing the truth.

But since they were bound to deal with each other often in the future, after a brief pause he lowered his voice and said, "There's no harm in telling you, Steward Zhong. I suspect it was Su Qiang!"

Su Qiang was a member of the Little River Gang and had never gotten along with Qian Biao.

Whether it was gang rivalry or personal grudges, there was more than enough reason to point the finger at him.

A strong suspicion didn't necessarily mean he was the culprit. But if it could restore the Tiger Gang's prestige, deter petty troublemakers, and eliminate a rival, that was enough.

"Su Qiang?" Zhong Ping furrowed his brow.

He knew Su Qiang. They had some history, though they weren't close.

That wasn't important. What mattered was that Su Qiang and Hong Ming were close friends.

It had been Su Qiang who'd used his connections to get Hong Ming that cargo-delivery job.

Now Qian Bao was going after Su Qiang. He was clearly planning to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys. But wasn't he afraid Hong Ming would retaliate?

Wait—Qian Bao's information network wasn't that extensive. He probably didn't know what had happened to Hong Ming yet.

Should he warn Qian Bao?

Zhong Ping hesitated.

If he was honest with himself, he didn't want to get involved. What did Qian Bao's death have to do with him?

But Qian Bao had always been generous to him, and had done him plenty of favors.

And who knew whether word of their meeting might reach Hong Ming and lead to a misunderstanding?

If Hong Ming suspected he'd had a hand in this, Zhong Ping would be like a mute eating bitter herb—suffering in silence, with no way to explain himself.

With that in mind, Zhong Ping pulled Qian Bao to the side of the road and lowered his voice. "Leader Qian, I urge you to think carefully about this."

"Steward Zhong, is there something I should know?" Qian Bao's expression turned serious.

Zhong Ping gave Qian Bao a light pat and said in a quiet voice, "I can't say much else. Just know this: Su Qiang has a friend named Hong Ming, and he's a Bright Force martial artist!"

"What?" Qian Bao was utterly shocked.

He'd heard about Hong Ming. He'd thought the man's martial arts training was nothing but a fool's dream, but he'd never expected him to actually succeed!

Bright Force—that was a realm even he could only dream of reaching!

Qian Bao's expression shifted repeatedly. After a long while, he finally composed himself, looked at Zhong Ping, and said respectfully, "Thank you for the warning, Steward Zhong. Otherwise, I might have made a terrible mistake!"

"Don't mention it. We're friends; it's only right. It's just that Su Qiang..." Zhong Ping trailed off.

Qian Bao's expression changed in an instant, and he replied firmly, "Don't worry, Steward Zhong. If Su Qiang is Hong Ming's friend, then there's no way he could have killed my men."

One was a distant relative, five degrees of kinship removed; the other was a Bright Force martial artist. It was obvious which mattered more.

"In that case, I won't keep you any longer."

Zhong Ping was pleased with Qian Bao's attitude. After replying with a hearty laugh, he took his leave.

Qian Bao returned to his group and led his men in another direction.

"Leader, did we take a wrong turn? The Su family isn't this way."

"We're not going to the Su family. We're going to the Hong family!"

With a Bright Force martial artist in Mudstone Alley, he ought to pay a visit, both out of courtesy and common sense.

On the way, he was just about to prepare a sufficiently generous gift when, for better or worse, he ran into the three Su siblings.

Su Qiang looked like he was traveling with his whole family. He didn't seem to be moving house so much as fleeing for his life.

"Oh no, it's the Tiger Gang!"

Su Qiang spotted Qian Bao and his men too, and his face changed dramatically.

After learning that Qian Biao had died, he'd sensed trouble. He'd hurried back to Mudstone Alley in the middle of the night, intending to take Su Sheng and Su Lan and flee.

Who would've thought he'd walk straight into the tiger's jaws?

With no way to retreat, Su Qiang could only step forward several paces and face the threat head-on.

At the same time, he quietly told Su Sheng and Su Lan to run at the first opportunity.

Just then, a deep, warm voice rang out, gentle as a spring breeze and soothing as falling rain. "So it's Brother Su!"

Qian Bao was greeting me?

Su Qiang found it absurd. Hadn't the man come looking for revenge? Why was he suddenly so friendly?

Unfooled, Su Qiang demanded sharply, "Qian Bao, what do you want?"

"Brother Su, you jest. You're a friend of Master Hong's. How could I dare do anything to you?" Qian Bao said, his face kind and benevolent.

Master Hong?

Su Qiang paused, bewildered. Who was Qian Bao talking about?

"Brother Su, I have important business to attend to, so I won't keep you. If you happen to see Master Hong, please put in a good word for me."

Qian Bao left with a hearty laugh, changing his mind once more and heading back the way he'd come.

He'd visit Hong Ming whenever Su Qiang went to the Hong family's home.

Qian Bao was gone, but his words only left Su Qiang more confused. There was that "Master Hong" again. Who was he?

Suddenly, he froze.

Could he mean A Ming?!

The Hong Family Grocery Store was more lively than ever.

He didn't know where the news had come from, but all the neighbors had come to offer their congratulations.

Hong Ming felt helpless, but seeing how happy his grandfather was, he let him have his way.

The whole family stayed busy until the middle of the night before things finally quieted down.

The house had fallen silent, but the bustle lingered in Hong Zheng and the others' hearts, refusing to fade, becoming a memory that would never be erased.

Hong Ming had ended his "business" early and returned to his room to cultivate. No one dared disturb him.

In fact, with him gone, the family and neighbors felt even freer to let loose.

After hearing the door close outside, Hong Ming summoned his delighted younger cousin, Hong Yi.

"Brother Ming."

Hong Yi came running over, practically skipping. He was very happy tonight.

But his happiness showed in his appetite. He'd eaten until his mouth was slick with grease and his belly was round and bulging.

The delicious food he'd eaten tonight was more than he'd had in all his previous meals combined.

"A Yi, come here. I'll give you another osmanthus cake," Hong Ming coaxed.

Once Hong Yi took the cake and wolfed it down, Hong Ming used the opportunity to inspect his trait.

[Trait: Photographic Memory (Level 2 · Gold)]

[Status: Can be solidified]

[Required Fortune: 18 points]

[Solidification Effect: Never forget anything after seeing it five times.]

Seeing this, Hong Ming chose to solidify it without hesitation.

[Spent 18 points of Fortune. Successfully solidified the "Photographic Memory" trait.]