Ambush

Hu Gongquan and his group naturally didn't want to die, so they could only comply with Xu Qing's demands and hand over all the kickbacks they had taken over the past year.

Next.

Xu Qing briefly familiarized himself with the profit model of the Spring Breeze Pavilion. After a moment of contemplation, Xu Qing decided not to reveal the profit models of high-end clubs from Earth.

The night passed without incident.

The next day.

Morning.

Xu Qing woke up early. He had stayed at the Spring Breeze Pavilion for one night but hadn't engaged in any debauchery. The women of pleasure in the Spring Breeze Pavilion simply didn't catch Xu Qing's eye.

Whether it was Lan Xin, the top courtesan of the Spring Breeze Pavilion, or Zi Yan, who possessed the demeanor of a well-bred lady, Xu Qing wasn't particularly interested in either. He simply rested soundly for the night.

"Time to go back."

Xu Qing stretched. After having breakfast at the Spring Breeze Pavilion, he left and arrived at the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School. He met Du Cangying again at the main academy.

In the main academy room.

"What is it?"

Du Cangying sized up Xu Qing.

"Master."

Xu Qing took out a stack of silver notes worth ten thousand taels from his embrace and respectfully handed them to Du Cangying. He then said, "Disciple went to the Spring Breeze Pavilion last night and checked the account books. I discovered that Hu Gongquan and the others had falsified the accounts, pocketing a full ten thousand and eighty taels in kickbacks over the course of a year."

"Disciple made them return it all last night."

"Please review it, Master."

"Oh."

Du Cangying raised an eyebrow and took the ten thousand taels of silver notes. He said, "Xu Qing, I didn't expect you to have this capability."

"Good, good."

Du Cangying nodded. He took out three thousand-tael silver notes from the ten thousand taels, totaling three thousand taels, and handed them to Xu Qing, saying, "This is for you. Take it."

"Thank you, Master."

Xu Qing rejoiced inwardly and accepted the three thousand taels of silver notes.

"How is your Azure Hawk Force training coming along?"

Du Cangying asked.

"Reporting to Master, disciple has made some progress these past few days," Xu Qing replied.

"Demonstrate it for me."

Du Cangying instructed.

"Yes."

Xu Qing nodded respectfully.

Following that.

Xu Qing began to practice the Azure Hawk Claw Force within the room. He had already combined the Eagle Claw Skill and the Azure Hawk Force, forming the Azure Hawk Claw Force, which embodied the essence of both its combat style and body refinement method.

"You..."

With just a glance.

Du Cangying could tell.

"Hoo..."

After more than ten minutes.

Xu Qing finished his performance and let out a breath of turbid air.

"Excellent, excellent, excellent."

Du Cangying's eyes gleamed slightly, and a look of great surprise appeared on his face. "Xu Qing, oh Xu Qing, you have truly exceeded my expectations."

"You've actually combined the Eagle Claw Skill and the Azure Hawk Force."

"Master's eyes are as sharp as ever," Xu Qing said. "As expected, nothing can be hidden from Master."

"Hahaha..."

Du Cangying burst into laughter. "I never imagined you would have such comprehension in martial arts. Coupled with your innate talent and this understanding, you are a genius! A true genius!"

"Master flatters me," Xu Qing replied.

"When you reach the peak Bright Force, I will personally teach you the methods for Dark Force," Du Cangying said. "From now on, if you have any matters, come directly to me."

"Yes."

Xu Qing nodded.

"Go on."

Du Cangying waved his hand.

"This disciple takes his leave."

Xu Qing respectfully departed.

"I truly didn't expect this, I really didn't expect it."

Du Cangying watched Xu Qing's retreating back, hands clasped behind him, and fell into thought. "When I first established the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School, I upheld the belief of teaching without discrimination. I never imagined I would receive a disciple with such exceptional talent today."

"Hahaha..."

"Heaven truly favors me!"

Du Cangying laughed heartily three times.

Morning.

Xu Qing bought three catties of Tai Sui Spirit Meat from Old Man Xiao. The resource building had other secret medicines and tonics, but Xu Qing didn't need them. Three catties of Tai Sui Spirit Meat daily were more than enough.

In a flash.

Xu Qing returned home.

"Exposing my talent to Master again this time seems to have only brought benefits, no drawbacks. Instead, it has made Master pay even more attention to me."

Xu Qing mused, "I already have sufficient wealth in hand, and with the thirty percent profit I receive from Spring Breeze Pavilion each month, it's enough to cover my daily cultivation expenses."

"Therefore."

"I don't need to focus on earning money anymore. I'll focus on cultivating peacefully for a while."

Time flew by.

Evening.

"Hoo..."

Xu Qing slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

With a thought.

[Eight Extremities Fist LV6: 115/320.]

"Almost there,"

Xu Qing murmured, "Just a few more days."

Afterward.

Xu Qing finished his practice. He pan-fried a piece of Tai Sui Spirit Meat and ate it. A warm current surged from his abdomen, spreading throughout his body, slowly restoring his stamina and energy.

"Master."

A few minutes later.

Just as it turned six in the evening.

Yu Chen arrived at Xu Qing's residence with Yu Hu.

"Brother Xu."

Yu Chen cupped his fists.

"You're here."

Xu Qing looked up, his expression calm.

"Yu Hu, pay your respects to Master."

Yu Chen commanded.

"Master."

Yu Hu was a little reserved.

"Mm."

Xu Qing nodded.

Following that.

Xu Qing began teaching Yu Hu the Eight Extremities Fist. Yu Hu had a good foundation and a sturdy physique. Furthermore, Yu Chen had fed Yu Hu many nourishing items.

Additionally.

While Yu Hu wasn't exceptionally bright, he wasn't dull either.

In a flash.

An hour later.

The sky had already darkened.

"That's about enough,"

Xu Qing stopped and said, "Yu Chen, it's getting late. Take Yu Hu back with you. Once it's completely dark, the roads won't be safe."

"Understood."

Yu Chen nodded. "Thank you for your trouble, Brother Xu."

"Master, this disciple takes his leave."

Yu Hu bowed.

"..."

Xu Qing watched Yu Chen and Yu Hu depart.

Eight Extremities Fist is merely a combat style. After being upgraded by the Omni-Codex, it has gradually incorporated the essence of body refinement methods, evolving into a profound martial art that blends both combat and refinement. Xu Qing mused inwardly. The Eight Extremities Fist I'm teaching Yu Hu isn't the original, but the LV2 version. Once fully mastered, it can condense Bright Force.

This is more than enough.

Given Yu Hu's foundation and aptitude, with an hour of study each day, he should be able to learn LV2 Eight Extremities Fist within a month. By then, he won't need to come here; he can practice martial arts at home.

Eight o'clock in the evening.

This was the second watch.

Xu Qing received a letter, delivered by a runner from the Spring Breeze Pavilion. The letter was from Hu Gongquan, stating that someone had caused trouble at the Spring Breeze Pavilion tonight and that Xu Qing needed to come and handle the situation.

"Caused trouble."

Xu Qing put away the letter and glanced at the runner.

"Who is it?"

Xu Qing asked.

"I... I don't know..."

The runner kept his head down, his eyes darting away, as if he were hiding something from Xu Qing. Xu Qing frowned; he could sense the runner's unease.

"Are you lying to me?"

Xu Qing's expression turned grim.

"No... no..."

The runner waved his hands. "How could I dare lie to you, sir!"

"Let's go."

After a moment of thought, Xu Qing finally said.

"Yes, yes, yes."

The runner nodded quickly.

The second watch.

It was already dark. There was practically no one on the streets; residents were asleep in their homes. Xu Qing walked on the road towards the Spring Breeze Pavilion.

The Spring Breeze Pavilion runner walked ahead.

Suddenly.

Just as Xu Qing rounded a street corner.

The Spring Breeze Pavilion runner suddenly quickened his pace, rushing ahead.

"You..."

Xu Qing shouted.

Swish! Swish! Swish!!!

The next moment.

Three figures broke through the air, descending from the rooftops. They formed a triangular formation, all clad in black night-blooming clothes, and had already surrounded Xu Qing.

"Ah!"

A cry of alarm.

The Spring Breeze Pavilion runner, running too fast and in a panic, tripped and fell to the ground, letting out a scream.

Turning back.

The Spring Breeze Pavilion runner saw Xu Qing's chilling gaze.

"I'm sorry, sir. They captured my parents and child. I... I had no choice..."

The Spring Breeze Pavilion runner stammered.

Pfft!

The next moment.

With a flash of silver, a dart shot through the air with incredible speed. In an instant, it pierced the Spring Breeze Pavilion runner's neck.

"..."

The employee of the Spring Breeze Pavilion opened his mouth, his face a mask of shock and unwillingness as he died.

"Who are you?"

Xu Qing paid no mind to the employee's fate, instead looking at the three assassins in black night-blooming clothes who had surrounded him. "I don't believe I've offended you, have I?"

"Dead men don't need to know too much."

"Attack."

"..."

However.

The three assassins in black night-blooming clothes clearly had no intention of chatting further with Xu Qing. After dealing with the employee, the three exchanged glances and immediately attacked Xu Qing from three different directions.

"Serpent Evasion Technique."

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Xu Qing's eyes flashed as he unleashed the Serpent Evasion Technique. His body moved with a nimble and agile grace, like a swimming snake, swiftly evading the attacks of the three assassins.

"What agile footwork."

"You're not as simple as you seem, kid."

"It seems the Corpse Ghouls really might have been killed by you."

The three assassins said.

"You're connected to those Corpse Ghouls."

Xu Qing shouted.

"Die!"

Swish!

The next moment.

The three assassins joined forces, drawing their soft swords from their waists. The sword light was chillingly sharp and incredibly fast. The streaks of sword light enveloped Xu Qing like a net cast from heaven.

Clang!

The sound of a sword ringing out.

Xu Qing took a step back, his right hand reaching out to grip the hilt of the Iron Sword strapped to his back. His brow seemed to exude an extremely sharp sword energy.

Swish!

Xu Qing had already drawn the Iron Sword.

At this moment.

The blade of the Iron Sword reflected sharp beams of sword light.

"Thirteen Sword Strikes of Life-Taking!"

Xu Qing let out a soft cry. "First Sword! Sword Out, Throat Sealed!"

Crack!

Xu Qing thrust his sword forward, imbued with a killing intent. The sword light slashed horizontally, and with an unstoppable momentum, it shattered all of the opponent's sword light.

Crack! Crack!

Not only that.

The soft swords in the hands of the three assassins all snapped.

"What?!"

The three assassins were greatly alarmed.

Puff! Puff!

Blood splattered.

Two crimson flowers bloomed.

One strike.

It was just one strike.

Two assassins died on the spot, their throats sealed with a single sword stroke. One assassin remained alive, clutching his broken sword, his eyes filled with terror.