I'll Treat You to Noodles

Relying on his consummate knowledge of pharmacology, Lin Qing appeared to stroll past the stalls casually, but in reality, he had already discerned the quality, age, and authenticity of most of the medicinal materials.

Most of what was sold here were rare and uncommon herbs, yet there were also quite a few fakes.

"This Blood Spirit Grass has a dull surface, but it is actually brimming with internal blood energy; it was merely damaged at the roots during harvesting, causing some potency to leak, so it was mistaken for a defective item..."

"I'll take it."

"That piece of ten-year-old Poria has been partially moth-eaten and looks terrible, but the medicinal properties in the core are perfectly preserved, making it worth far more than the stall owner's asking price..."

"I'll buy it."

"These Snake Saliva Fruits have an off-color and are being sold by the owner as an aphrodisiac, but in truth, because of their unique growth environment, they contain a faint, venom-tempering effect. They have miraculous results when used to concoct certain specialized healing salves."

Lin Qing remained composed, snapping up these herbs that looked inferior or had niche uses for a very low price.

After one round, he had spent twelve taels of silver to buy a large bag of medicinal materials.

He roughly estimated that if he carefully processed these herbs, especially if he concocted them into the more effective Blood Nourishing Powder for sale, his profits would at least triple.

This was a relatively safe way to make money.

Just as he was purchasing the herbs and conversing in low tones with the stall owners, his experience points for pharmacology in the Heavenly Dao Record were also growing rapidly.

In this black market, seeing many rarely encountered herbs and their mutated forms, and even some semi-finished products with bizarre processing methods, had greatly broadened his understanding.

When he bought the last ingredient, the Yin Condensing Flower, at a low price, his pharmacology experience points surged.

[Pharmacology (Mastery)]

[Experience Points: 1/10000]

An unprecedented sense of clarity flooded his entire body.

At this moment, in his eyes, there were no absolute good or bad herbs, only those that were suitable or unsuitable.

He even felt that he could vaguely deduce unknown combinations of medicinal properties.

His control and application of medicinal power had reached an entirely new realm.

With his shopping complete, Lin Qing dared not linger.

He slung the bulging bundle over his back and headed toward the exit.

Just then, a man with a scarred face had just emerged from the black market gambling den, still cursing his bad luck.

"Damn it, I lost every cent I had."

The scarred man muttered curses under his breath.

At that moment, a lean man beside him nudged him.

"Scarface, that kid is definitely a greenhorn; he bought a lot of low-quality herbs. Let's take him out and make a comeback."

The lean man chuckled sinisterly.

"Are you sure?" Scarface asked, looking suspicious.

Although he had committed his fair share of murder and robbery, he wouldn't make a move unless he was certain.

"I'm sure." The lean man nodded.

"Alright, wait for me; I'm going to gamble a few more rounds today to turn things around."

Scarface narrowed his eyes and followed after him.

By now, Lin Qing had already reached the exit.

Just as he handed over his token and was about to leave the black market, the tall man guarding the exit suddenly whispered, "Your voice sounds a bit young; Scarface has his eye on you. Watch yourself."

Lin Qing's heart skipped a beat.

That was it—although he had deliberately lowered his voice, the vocal timbre of a young man was ultimately different from that of an old hand, and he had still been noticed by someone observant.

He dared not look back, nor did he dare to offer thanks; he merely paused his footsteps imperceptibly before quickening his pace to leave the black market rapidly.

After leaving the abandoned brick kiln area, he immediately turned into a secluded side path and picked up his pace.

However, less than two miles out, the sound of rapid footsteps came from behind him.

He glanced back and saw a man with a scar on his face, wielding a horizontal blade, chasing after him with a ferocious look in his eyes.

Lin Qing knew there would be no easy way out; the man clearly saw that he was young and had purchased many items, marking him as a fat sheep.

His gaze swept quickly across his surroundings; there was a dense thicket of bushes just ahead.

He feigned panic, stumbling toward the bushes with unsteady steps.

A cruel grin appeared on Scarface's face as he quickened his pace, shouting, "Kid, leave the goods behind and I'll spare your life!"

Just as Scarface reached the edge of the thicket.

Just as his figure was about to be revealed.

"Catch this!"

Lin Qing suddenly raised his hand, scattering a large handful of lime powder he had been clutching, throwing it straight into the other's face.

It landed squarely in his eyes.

"Despicable!"

Scarface was caught off guard. With lime in his eyes, he swung his broadsword wildly to protect his body, his footsteps retreating rapidly.

However, this was the opportunity Lin Qing had been waiting for. He stepped forward, lunging from the side, his five fingers curled into a fist as he struck toward the man's ribs, bringing with it a whistling gale of force.

Though Scarface could not see, his hearing remained. Sensing the vicious wind approaching, he instinctively swung his blade back in a fierce slash!

"Rip!"

The sharp blade tore through his clothes, revealing the wooden board strapped to his chest.

Lin Qing broke into a cold sweat; the speed and ruthlessness of the man's strike far exceeded his expectations.

He did not force a direct confrontation, retreating rapidly while shaking his arms, causing the ropes to fall away!

"Clang—!"

Over a dozen dark iron rings hidden in his sleeves slid down from his arms to his wrists, emitting a crisp metallic chime upon impact!

"Iron Wire Fist? Are you from the Hong Family?"

Hearing the distinct sound of the iron rings, Scarface's movements faltered, and he opened a slit in his swollen, red eyes.

"Knowing that now is too late!"

Lin Qing let out a low shout. Taking advantage of the man's shaken state, he stomped on the ground, his right arm muscles coiled and taut. The iron rings tore through the air as he smashed them downward!

Scarface hurriedly raised his blade to block.

"Bang!"

Scarface felt his arm go numb, his broadsword sinking under the weight of the iron rings.

His swordsmanship was sharp, moving like surging waves to neutralize Lin Qing's attacks one by one; he was clearly a veteran of the blade, his cultivation at least at the late stage of the First Barrier Realm.

Clang, clang, clang!

The two traded blows, locked in a fierce struggle in the forest clearing, a series of sparks erupting between them.

Lin Qing was slightly inferior in strength, but the Iron Wire Fist was rigid and fierce, and he used the iron rings to parry the blade, the clanging sound never ceasing.

He kept Zhang Shun's teachings in mind: never be constrained by fixed moves, and always blend the real with the fake.

During the entanglement, Lin Qing feigned a flaw, appearing to throw a punch that missed, his body leaning forward.

"I thought you were something special, turns out you're just a novice!"

Thinking his chance had arrived, Scarface grinned hideously and slashed horizontally with his blade!

At the very moment the blade reached him, Lin Qing twisted his waist, dodging the edge by a hair's breadth, and simultaneously raised his leg, delivering a vicious kick straight toward the man's crotch!

Snap!

The sound of shattering eggs echoed.

"Ah—!"

A miserable howl was squeezed from Scarface's throat. He doubled over like a shrimp, his broadsword nearly slipping from his hand, his face drained of all color.

"Let me treat you to more powder!"

Lin Qing did not let up, throwing another handful of lime powder directly at his head.

Most of it went straight into the man's wide-open mouth.

"Cough, cough... ugh..."

With his eyes still burning in agony, Scarface swallowed the lime and began to choke violently, tears and snot streaming down his face as his combat effectiveness plummeted.

Like a madman, fueled by a final burst of ferocity, he gripped his sword with both hands and hacked and slashed wildly at Lin Qing, desperate to force him back.

Lin Qing refused to clash head-on, using his footwork to circle around, parrying and deflecting with his iron rings, and occasionally throwing stones when the opportunity arose.

He would fight for a bit, then use the trees and brush to retreat, draining the man's stamina and patience.

Already severely wounded and tortured by the lime, Scarface's strength drained rapidly under Lin Qing's rogue tactics. His movements grew slower and slower, leaving him riddled with openings.

Finally, just as Scarface swung and missed, his old strength spent and new strength yet to arise, Lin Qing raised his arm and delivered a heavy punch, channeling all his power into a strike that slammed into Scarface's temple!

"Boom!"

The dull thud of a shattering skull echoed through the air.