Hostility

The Flower-Plucking Thief began to laugh maniacally, shouting as he laughed:

"Hahahaha! You offended our Formless Alliance—every last one of you will die!"

His face was twisted viciously, and he looked utterly deranged.

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name. For good books from Taiwan, choose Taiwan Novel Network, t??w??k??a??n??.c??o??m??—utterly hassle-free.]

"What is the Formless Alliance?" Jiang Che asked suspiciously.

Liu Hai's expression turned grave as he slowly said:

"This is a mysterious organization from Cang Prefecture. Every one of them is a notorious bandit who takes pleasure in crime and is exceedingly cruel.

"They are also skilled at disguise, making them impossible to guard against. That is why they are called Formless.

"Furthermore, they rank themselves according to strength, then paint the rankings on their faces using a special medicine. That is also how they identify one another."

"So that means there are another ninety-six people stronger than him?!" Jiang Che asked in surprise.

"That's right. It is said that those ranked within the top forty have already reached the Iron Skin Realm, while those in the top ten are even Force-Entering Realm experts!"

A trace of gravity flashed through Liu Hai's eyes.

"And they always repay every grievance, down to the smallest slight. Once one of them gets into trouble, someone ranked higher will definitely come to seek revenge!"

After hearing this, Jiang Che's mood grew heavy as well.

Though he seemed to have a few trump cards, if the enemy was a Force-Entering Realm expert, he would not even have the right to resist!

Especially since they were skilled in disguise. If one day they impersonated someone he knew, it would truly be impossible to defend against!

"Little Brother Jiang, there is no need to worry too much." Liu Hai patted Jiang Che on the shoulder.

"Their Force-Entering Realm experts generally will not move so easily over such a minor matter. And even if they come, the Force-Entering Realm martial artists of Abyss-Facing City are not pushovers!

"As for Iron Skin Realm opponents, I, Liu, have never feared anyone! If you run into any trouble, come find me anytime!"

"Many thanks, Chief Constable Liu! Jiang is naturally not afraid either!"

Jiang Che declared loudly.

That was right. He was not alone.

Not only did he have Chief Constable Liu, but if things truly came to it, he could also seek out his master.

Besides, even if they wanted revenge, they would surely target the people from the Yamen first.

Not a minor character like him who, in outsiders' eyes, had merely delivered the report.

Moreover, Jiang Che was confident that with the Proficiency Panel, his strength would steadily improve. By then, he might not be unable to contend with them.

Besides, if he could not win, could he not run?

At worst, he could practice more lightness skills and body-tempering arts later, max out his survival ability first, and talk afterward.

"Haha, now that's more like it. Let's go!"

With that, Liu Hai grabbed the Flower-Plucking Thief, who was bound up like a rice dumpling, and led the two of them out of the small grove.

When they arrived at the Yamen, the constables saw Liu Hai carrying another person in and immediately gathered around.

"Brother Liu, who is this?" one constable stepped forward and asked.

"This is the real Flower-Plucking Thief!" Liu Hai announced loudly.

"Really?"

The crowd looked at one another in shock.

Liu Hai swept his gaze around and said solemnly:

"This man nearly violated the Shao Family's young lady! Fortunately, Jiang Che happened upon him and reported it to me, allowing us to capture him successfully!"

As they had agreed beforehand, Liu Hai did not mention how Jiang Che had fought the Flower-Plucking Thief with all his strength. He only said that Jiang Che had reported the matter to him.

The constables' expressions changed one after another upon hearing this. If the Shao Family's young lady had been harmed, every one of them would have been skinned alive!

Luckily, Jiang Che had discovered it early!

They all looked toward Jiang Che, their eyes carrying a trace of gratitude.

Yin Yingying could not help looking at Jiang Che as well, her eyes widened round.

"I never thought Jiang Che was actually right! If I had known, I should have helped him report it!"

When she thought of how she had missed out on the Qi-Replenishing Pill, regret immediately filled her heart, and she puffed out her lips in anger.

"But he doesn't look like one at all!"

A Martial Arts Hall disciple whispered below.

Liu Hai raised the Human Skin Mask in his hand and said:

"This man is skilled at disguise and extremely cunning. After investigation, he has been confirmed as a member of the Formless Alliance!"

"The Formless Alliance!"

Someone cried out in surprise.

Yet even more people looked utterly confused.

"What is the Formless Alliance?"

Liu Hai did not explain. He simply had the constables throw the man into the dungeon.

Then Liu Hai took out the Qi-Replenishing Pill from his robes and said:

"The capture of the Flower-Plucking Thief this time was entirely thanks to Jiang Che's report. Therefore, this Qi-Replenishing Pill belongs to him. Do any of you have objections?"

The crowd immediately broke into whispers. Several people who had taken part in capturing the fake Flower-Plucking Thief were clearly dissatisfied.

"This guy just stepped in dog shit and got lucky!"

"We worked ourselves half to death, and this guy picked up the spoils!"

Liu Hai frowned, but it was not convenient for him to say anything. He could hardly reveal Jiang Che's true strength.

At that moment, Yin Yingying stepped forward.

She shouted:

"I was grouped with Jiang Che. The moment he encountered that man, he recognized that he was the real Flower-Plucking Thief!

"He even told me to report it, but I didn't believe him... Jiang Che did not get lucky at all!"

Upon hearing Yin Yingying's words, those few people shut their mouths.

Jiang Che was somewhat surprised after hearing this. Yin Yingying had actually spoken up for him. It seemed she was not a bad person, merely someone with a bit of young-lady temper.

So he smiled at Yin Yingying.

When Yin Yingying saw Jiang Che looking at her, she immediately turned her face aside, looking all adorably sulky.

"It seems no one has any objections."

Liu Hai then smiled and handed the Qi-Replenishing Pill to Jiang Che.

Holding the Qi-Replenishing Pill, Jiang Che felt somewhat excited.

"Finally, it's mine!"

He hurriedly tucked it into the hidden pocket inside his clothes for safekeeping.

"As for the remaining reward silver, the Accounts Office will notify you after checking it. I have official duties to attend to, so I shall take my leave first!"

Liu Hai cupped his hands, then departed.

Seeing that there was nothing else to do, everyone else left as well.

As Yin Yingying left, she quickly tossed a sentence at Jiang Che:

"Hmph, Jiang Che, don't get cocky. Next time, I won't lose to you!"

With that, she ran off in a flash.

Jiang Che was somewhat speechless. Why had this somehow turned into a competition?

He shook his head. Just as he was about to head home, [Omen] suddenly issued a warning.

However, the danger was not particularly intense. There was only a rather strong sense of hostility.

Jiang Che followed the direction of that hostility and saw two disciples from other Martial Arts Halls.

They were staring at him with unfriendly expressions.

One of them was tall and powerfully built, with rough features and no eyebrows, making him look somewhat fierce.

Judging from that man's Qi-Blood, Jiang Che estimated that he possessed mid-stage Ox-Hide Realm strength.

The other was short, with a sharp mouth and monkey-like cheeks, but his Qi-Blood was even more vigorous. He had vaguely reached the late stage of the Ox-Hide Realm.

When they saw Jiang Che looking over, they pretended to shift their gazes away, yet they still did not leave.

"Looks like they're up to no good..."

Jiang Che sighed inwardly.

A common man was innocent, but possession of a jade ring made him guilty.

This Qi-Replenishing Pill was simply too conspicuous.

Jiang Che had used Flow State consecutively and could no longer activate it.

Against these two, he did not dare claim certain victory.

Besides, he did not know whether they had any other companions.

Jiang Che did not dare take the risk and decided to consume the Qi-Replenishing Pill right there at the Yamen.

"However, after consuming this Qi-Replenishing Pill, my Qi-Blood will surge sharply. I'll need a quiet place to sit in meditation and refine it."

After thinking it over, Jiang Che went to find Chief Constable Liu Hai.

Liu Hai was filling out case files. When he saw Jiang Che arrive, he said pleasantly:

"It's Little Brother Jiang. What is it?"

Jiang Che explained that he feared being robbed by villains on the road and wished to consume it here.

Liu Hai nodded upon hearing that and said:

"Little Brother Jiang has a point. This Qi-Replenishing Pill can indeed easily attract villains. It was Liu's oversight!"

He had been busy handling official matters and had indeed forgotten about this.

At the same time, he was very pleased by Jiang Che's caution.

Afterward, he led Jiang Che to a small side room within the Yamen and said:

"Little Brother Jiang, this is where the Yamen constables rest temporarily. You may consume it here in peace.

"Also, after taking the Qi-Replenishing Pill, some filth will emerge from your body. You can fetch some water and wash up. There is a basin and towel in the room."

After explaining the relevant matters, Liu Hai left.

Jiang Che followed his instructions and fetched a basin of water, then shut the doors and windows.

After taking off his clothes, he took out the Qi-Replenishing Pill.

Yet he felt somewhat wistful inside.

If he had sold it, he wondered how much it would have fetched.

Jiang Che estimated it would be worth at least one thousand taels of silver, perhaps even more!

With that much money, Jiang Che would not need to worry about money for a very long time.

But if he wanted to replenish his Qi-Blood...

No matter how much low-grade Exotic Beast Meat he bought, it would be useless.

Mid-Grade Exotic Beast Meat, meanwhile, could not be bought at all.

Even with money, he had no other good way of replenishing his Qi-Blood.

What was more, people were watching him now, so he had no opportunity to sell it at all.

"I still need to raise my strength as quickly as possible. With strength, everything else will come sooner or later!"

Jiang Che stopped thinking about it.

He picked it up and sniffed it. Amid the faint fragrance of licorice was a trace of bloody odor. He did not know what it had been made from.

After putting it in his mouth, he found the bloody taste even stronger, accompanied by hints of sweetness and spiciness.

Jiang Che did not savor it further. He swallowed it in one gulp, then began sitting in meditation to refine it.