Shen Qingxue's Identity, Escorting the Treasure

"This... is there something you require of me?"

Zhou Yun did not immediately take the Blood Coagulation Pill, asking this question first instead.

"Junior Brother, rest assured. This is a personal sponsorship from me, Chen Jingping; there is no need to take it to heart," Chen Jingping said generously. "It is just that there are occasionally minor matters within my capability that require a helping hand, such as providing support in a fight or handling some trivial tasks, and I may need to trouble you to step in."

"That would be perfect."

Only after hearing this explanation did Zhou Yun feel at ease accepting the Blood Coagulation Pill and the loose silver.

This sponsorship was already of significant value; one had to know that medicinal pills were items that were always in demand but rarely available, and the price of a Blood Coagulation Pill was already higher than the market rate.

With these three taels of loose silver, the monthly tuition for the martial hall would be fully covered, meaning the three taels from his assigned post could be entirely dedicated to his martial arts training.

The amount of meat a martial artist needed to consume each month was several times that of an ordinary person, and with the price of meat currently skyrocketing, eating alone was no small expense.

"Since that is the case, I shall not disturb your rest any further, Junior Brother."

Chen Jingping did not linger. Before leaving, he instructed, "By the way, Junior Brother, Junior Sister Shen Qingxue is the daughter of the Chief Escort of the Sky Sea Escort Agency. The assigned post you accepted was posted by her."

"Many thanks for the guidance, Senior Brother."

Zhou Yun cupped his hands in a salute, silently committing this information to memory.

Through Chen Jingping's account, he realized that the small Black Stone Martial Hall actually had nearly ten disciples who had reached the Dark Force stage, and the backgrounds of some were quite extraordinary—it was truly a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers resided.

Not to mention the identities of Shen Qingxue and Wang Lan, that Liang Chengshi shared the same surname as Master Liang; their relationship was certainly not simple.

Even this Senior Brother Chen seemed to hail from Xiang City, one of the Twelve Main Cities.

However, Zhou Yun possessed a golden finger.

That Senior Sister Shen asked me to go to her courtyard at mealtime; she must intend to explain the details of the assigned post, right?

Seeing that the day was still young and the courtyard was quite spacious, Zhou Yun immediately planted his feet and began to practice his martial arts.

A single day without training left his entire body feeling uncomfortable.

He assumed the stance of the Black Ape Fist. Having gained much insight from his exchange with Liang Chengshi, he felt more and more that this fist technique and his movement technique could be combined in some way.

It was not merely performing them simultaneously, but rather applying the subtle insights of his movement technique into the execution of his fist technique.

The potential of the Black Ape Fist does not seem as simple as just the Bright Force stage.

Zhou Yun calmed his mind, earnestly sensing the nuances of the fist technique and the changes in his own body while executing the Black Ape Fist.

Ever since the blood and qi within his body had transformed into internal force, he had become increasingly unbridled in his use of martial arts.

It was not only because his internal force was more durable, but the martial arts he performed were also significantly more powerful.

Bang, bang-bang!

Zhou Yun's figure danced, a gust of wind from his fists whistling through the air, causing the locust leaves in the courtyard to fall.

His strikes became increasingly compact, his feet moving with the wind as the patterns of his fist technique shifted constantly.

Once he had gone through all the sequences of the Black Ape Fist, Zhou Yun incorporated his movement technique, and his entire body began to glide through the courtyard.

Combining the movement technique with the fist technique, he sought to infuse the ferocity of the Black Ape Fist into the unpredictable nature of his movement, and as a result, his speed increased even further.

"These two Black Ape martial arts of mine are one step closer to reaching Great Success!"

Zhou Yun exhaled and withdrew his stance, feeling quite delighted as if he had unearthed the profound subtleties of the two martial arts.

The sky gradually darkened; the time agreed upon with Shen Qingxue was approaching.

"I will stop here for today and continue tomorrow."

Zhou Yun tidied himself up slightly, changed into his new Inner Courtyard attire, and hurried toward Shen Qingxue's courtyard.

Along the way, most of what Zhou Yun saw were Earth-grade courtyards.

He surmised that the Heaven-grade courtyards must be the residences of the Dark Force senior brothers or Master Liang.

"This is the place."

Zhou Yun saw the plaque for Earth-grade No. 2 beside the door frame and was just about to raise his hand to knock.

From within the courtyard, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.

"Miss Shen! Don't drive me away! Although I don't know the Black Ape Movement Technique, my brother is the leader of the Sea Whale Gang!"

Inside the courtyard, Lu Meng stood stubbornly before Shen Qingxue, explaining anxiously.

"Young Master Lu, please conduct yourself with dignity. Your gang has nothing to do with my Sky Sea Escort Agency. Please do not disturb my mealtime any further."

Shen Qingxue's brows furrowed slightly, and her pretty face turned cold.

"Qingxue, I have already broken through the Seven Apertures; next month I will definitely challenge the Bright Force barrier!"

Lu Meng remained unwilling to give up. "Besides, my brother can provide you with resources for your martial arts training. I have the entire Sea Whale Gang behind me!"

"Young Master Lu, the news that the Sea Whale Gang was soundly defeated by the Tiger-Wolf Gang has already spread. I heard your gang is already preparing to withdraw from Black Stone County and seek a new path in Clear Water County."

Shen Qingxue lifted her eyes slightly and said indifferently, "I introduced you to Senior Brother Jiang and the others only because I mistakenly thought you were the person I was looking for. Now it seems I was mistaken. Please leave, Young Master."

"What? The Sea Whale Gang was defeated by the Tiger-Wolf Gang? Why didn't my brother tell me..."

Lu Meng's expression froze. Just as he was about to speak again, an ill-timed knock sounded at the door.

"May I ask if Senior Sister Shen is in?"

Zhou Yun's voice drifted in from outside. Lu Meng's pupils constricted, and a surge of fury welled up in his heart.

Zhou Yun! It must be that fisherman! How is it that he could master the Black Ape Movement Technique, while I couldn't even make a start in a month!

It was currently nighttime; what it meant for a man to visit a woman's courtyard was anyone's guess.

Lu Meng gritted his teeth. "It seems Senior Sister Shen has an honored guest. I shall take my leave."

Suppressing his rage, he flicked his robes and strode away.

The gate was pushed open. Seeing who it was, Zhou Yun feigned surprise and asked, "Senior Brother Lu, why are you in Senior Sister Shen's courtyard?"

"Just passing by!"

Lu Meng was in a foul mood. Zhou Yun had once been nothing more than an Outer Courtyard disciple who washed his clothes; by what right could he climb above him now?

No, as things stood, the more pressing matter was the upheaval within the gang. He had to find his big brother as soon as possible!

As a second-generation gang member, Lu Meng knew full well that without his brother's financial support, he would be nothing more than an ordinary Inner Courtyard disciple.

"Senior Sister Shen, I have a few questions regarding my appointment."

Seeing Lu Meng hurry away, Zhou Yun paid no mind to the triviality, turning his gaze toward Shen Qingxue instead.

Her expression was like ice, her features sharp and defined, her figure tall and well-proportioned. Beneath the air of a noble lady, there was an added layer of coldness that kept others at a distance.

Yet, it was precisely this coldness that drove many young masters in Black Stone County to pursue her.

"Junior Brother, please sit. Although I am loath to send you on a delivery so soon after your appointment, I am indeed in need of a Bright Force expert."

Shen Qingxue's expression softened slightly as she reached into her robes, pulled out three taels of silver, and handed them to Zhou Yun. "This is your half-stipend as a guard for this month. Take it."

"Many thanks, Senior Sister."

Zhou Yun accepted the silver. In just a single day, he had gained six taels, not counting the Blood Coagulation Pill.

Combined with the surplus money from the Martial Master Market, Zhou Yun's purse now held seven taels of silver and over a hundred copper coins.

This amount of money was enough for a small household to live on for over half a year.

If the opportunity arises, perhaps I should purchase a blade.

Zhou Yun mused to himself. Relying solely on fists and kicks was ultimately a disadvantage; having a proper weapon would provide better self-preservation.

"Although you are a part-time guard for the Shen Family, you are under my direct command, so I will get straight to the point."

Seeing Zhou Yun accept the stipend, Shen Qingxue continued, "Tomorrow night, I will personally lead a caravan to Clear Water County to transport a shipment of precious herbs."

"Furthermore, we have reliable intelligence that a Bright Force expert will be leading a team to intercept us."