Li Qing had just escaped from Qingshi County. He didn't know whether the authorities would issue a warrant for his arrest, so changing his name was the easiest solution.
"As for what to do, I suggest we get on the road and leave this place as soon as possible."
"Who knows if a second monster might appear here?"
At that, everyone felt a faint chill in their hearts. They instinctively backed away a few steps, staring at the monster, now completely reduced to a pool of foul blood.
Wang Kuohai's expression changed, and he hurriedly said, "Mr. Qin is right."
Then he changed tack. "Mr. Qin, would you be willing to travel with us?"
"The road ahead is long and arduous. It would be inconvenient for you to travel alone. With more of us on the road, we can look out for each other."
Li Qing looked at Wang Kuohai and immediately understood what he was thinking.
Clearly, he'd seen Li Qing deal with the monster and wanted to recruit a free bodyguard.
Li Qing's thoughts stirred. I don't have a carriage. I could hitch a ride instead of relying on my own two legs. We haven't even gone far, and my legs are already weak.
And I can let them handle the meals, too.
Thinking it over, he nodded. "All right. But could I ride in a carriage? I don't really want to walk."
Li Qing casually made a small request and watched Wang Kuohai's reaction.
Wang Kuohai laughed heartily. "That's no problem at all."
He turned to the Escort Guards behind him and said, "Make room in one of the carriages for Mr. Qin."
"Yes, Chief Escort!"
Their thunderous reply rang out, and some of the Escort Guards immediately began clearing a carriage.
They had three carriages in all, each loaded with goods.
Curious, Li Qing went over to where the dead monster lay.
In the pool of black liquid was a strange, transparent stone, about the size of a thumb joint. It was perfectly round and looked quite peculiar.
After a moment's thought, he picked up a branch from nearby and used it to fish the transparent round stone out of the liquid.
It rolled through the dirt a couple of times. He tore off a piece of ragged clothing, picked up the sphere, and wiped it clean.
Wang Kuohai watched Li Qing without asking a single question. He simply directed the Escort Guards as they prepared the carriage and gathered the bodies of their dead companions.
Still, the furtive glances he kept casting showed how closely he was watching.
Li Qing looked at the round stone, now clean on the rag, and picked it up.
The instant his fingers touched the raw stone, the Jade Tablet in his mind gave a light tremor.
A multicolored Radiance streamed out of the stone and rushed up his arm, straight into the Jade Tablet.
The Jade Tablet immediately gave off a wondrous Radiance. A strand of pure, flawless vital essence welled out of it and instantly merged with Li Qing's bloodline essence.
His bloodline essence circulated, absorbing and refining the pure white essence.
Li Qing's body shuddered slightly. He felt that his essence had increased at least twofold.
The essence now covered one-fifth of his entire bloodline.
He pondered, If my essence can cover my entire bloodline, will I have succeeded in Foundation Establishment?
The Essence Blood Art only contained the method of cultivation; it didn't describe the realms.
Li Qing had no idea what the cultivation levels in this world were. He was simply feeling his way across the river by touching the stones.
"Maybe I can use monsters like this to speed up my cultivation in the future."
"Besides modifying the contents of books, the Jade Tablet seems able to extract the power from these stones and turn it into essence, which it then uses to replenish me."
Li Qing pondered this. His golden finger was remarkably powerful, with the ability to both improve cultivation arts and extract energy.
The stone in his hand had turned to powder, its power completely spent.
Wang Kuohai keenly noticed the change in the stone and seemed to mull it over.
An Escort Guard walked over. "Chief Escort, the carriage is all cleared out."
"Escort Guard Huang Mountain and the other two have been buried nearby. Once we get back, we'll find people to collect their remains."
Wang Kuohai nodded, his expression grave, and walked over to Li Qing.
"Mr. Qin, please get in the carriage!"
Clack, clack, clack.
The carriage struggled onward along the mountain path. Its wheels rolled over the gravel, scraping and grinding every so often.
By then, they were more than ten miles from the inn. Another mountain rose into view ten miles ahead.
That was Qingfeng Mountain, the next stretch of road they had to cross. Beyond it lay Baili Mountain.
After that, the road would be smooth all the way to Jade City in Huanglong Prefecture.
Inside the carriage, Li Qing was drowsy. Riding on such an uneven road made the carriage jolt so much that his whole body kept rocking back and forth.
Though the essence within him flowed without end, sleepiness continued to weigh on him.
Just as they passed through a narrow stretch of woods and Li Qing felt himself drifting off, the carriage suddenly lurched to a stop. The tremendous momentum nearly sent him tumbling out.
"What happened?" Li Qing, his face heavy with sleep, jolted awake.
A group of people burst out of the woods and surrounded them. There were a full twenty of them, and every last one looked fierce and menacing.
Their leader was an eight-foot-tall man, a Hundred-Forged Steel Saber in his hand and a Baleful Intent radiating from his whole body.
A small-time underling jumped out and shouted at the people from the Escort Agency:
"This mountain was planted by me, these trees were opened by me. If you want to pass this way, leave your road toll behind!"
Wang Kuohai looked at the twenty bandits, his expression turning serious.
"Honored heroes, I'm Wang Kuohai, Chief Escort of the Jade City branch of the All-Under-Heaven Escort Agency."
"I've earned a little respect in the North Continent's martial world. Here's some silver. I hope you'll let us pass."
As he spoke, he tossed a money pouch toward the nine-foot-tall man.
The pouch shot through the air like thunder, seemingly carrying considerable force.
The eight-foot-tall man swept out his left hand and caught it with ease. A cold smile appeared on his face.
He weighed it lightly in his hand. "This little bit of money is supposed to send beggars on their way?"
"I'm taking all your goods. If you know what's good for you, get lost."
"If you don't, you'll leave your lives here."
Wang Kuohai's expression turned cold. He'd infused his throw with a special force, yet the other man had caught it with such ease. The man's skill was no worse than his own.
He drew a deep breath. "Hero, the martial world runs on rules and righteousness."
"I've already paid the tea money. If this really comes to bloodshed, I'm afraid you won't be able to handle the consequences."
By then, the Escort Agency's twelve Escort Guards had already closed ranks around him, drawing their blades.
They lived by the Escort Agency's wages, which meant walking with their heads on the chopping block. They couldn't back down.
Wang Kuohai took the lead, while the other Escort Guards formed up around him, keeping a wary eye on the bandits opposite.
The big man looked at the neatly arrayed escorts, a trace of solemnity crossing his face.
He roared, "Men, attack!"
The nineteen bandits charged forward, shouting and clamoring.
"Kill!"
"Take it all!"
Clang, clang, clang...
Ting, ting... clang!
They met in close combat, and the air filled with a clattering din of clashing metal.
The eight-foot-tall man lunged forward, his Hundred-Forged Steel Saber becoming a swimming dragon as it shot straight toward Wang Kuohai.