Chen Jing accepted the firearm and returned to his residence.
After Zhuang Tao's reminder, Chen Jing clearly realized that Red Rock County seemed peaceful on the surface, but beneath it, undercurrents were surging.
Therefore, starting that very night, Chen Jing kept the Western firearm close at hand, never letting it leave his side.
Even while training at the Fist Academy, he only concealed it beneath his clothes, keeping it pressed against his waist at all times.
After all, the thing didn't consume a single bit of blood qi, yet it was deadly enough to turn the tables at the brink of life and death. He couldn't afford to be careless for even a moment.
Over the next few days, Chen Jing continued his usual secluded training at the Fist Academy. On the surface, everything remained as before, but in secret, he paid ever closer attention to the changes around him.
Soon, Chen Jing noticed something amiss.
Zhuang Tao and Xiang Lingfei visited far less often. Even when they did show up, they came and went in a hurry, as if some urgent business had them tied up.
What concerned Chen Jing most was Xiang Lingfei.
The man's face had grown noticeably paler. Weariness that wouldn't go away often clouded his brow, as if he'd lost too much blood qi or something had been draining his vitality for a long time. He was like a different person from before.
One morning, Chen Jing had just finished his training, sweat soaking through his fitted clothes.
A servant from the Chen family hurried over, looking flustered as he reported, "Master Chen, someone claiming to be a steward from the Liu Family is here to see you. He says he has important business to discuss!"
"Someone from the Liu Family?"
At that, Chen Jing's