Midwinter Month, Refugees Rise Everywhere

Xu Qing's transaction this time reached a staggering forty thousand taels. Such a massive sum was enough to attract the attention of truly powerful individuals.

Therefore.

As Xu Qing left the Black Tiger Spirit Food Shop, he once again felt like he was being watched, and this time, the number of people was even greater than before.

"People die for wealth, birds die for food."

This truth remained unchanged.

"It's him."

"If I remember correctly, it was the same person last time, Scarface and his group went to ambush him, and the next day they all turned into corpses."

"Scarface had the strength of Dark Force, and his subordinates were all masters of Bright Force, but in the end, Scarface was beheaded, and his four subordinates were all killed with a single sword strike to the throat."

"He's really strong!"

"..."

Unconsciously.

Many people abandoned the idea of ambushing Xu Qing. They knew their own strength clearly, and they also knew that someone who could afford to spend so much money was not to be trifled with.

Not to mention.

There was the precedent of Scarface and his group from over a month ago.

However.

Faced with such temptation.

Some still relied on their superior skills and bold hearts, deciding to take the risk.

The scene shifted.

Xu Qing had already left the black market alone.

Swish! Swish! Swish!!!

In the alley.

Four figures in black appeared. They were all wearing black cloaks and black hats, their faces completely obscured.

"Hand over the goods, and you can leave."

"..."

One of the black-clad figures said in a deep voice.

His killing intent was palpable.

Clang!

A sword hum.

Xu Qing waved his hands, tossing two iron chests into the air. He then extended his right hand and drew the LV10 Iron Sword from its sheath.

"Thirteen Sword Strikes of Life-Taking."

Clang! Clang! Clang!!!

Xu Qing's gaze was icy as he moved swiftly, his sword techniques unleashed. In the alley, streaks of silver sword light flashed like lightning, yet they were filled with an aura of death and destruction.

Puff! Puff! Puff!!!

Blood splattered, falling onto the ground and walls.

Swish!

From the moment Xu Qing attacked to the end, when he returned to his original position, the LV10 Iron Sword was already sheathed. He extended both hands, catching the falling iron chests once more.

Thump! Thump!!!

The next moment.

The four black figures surrounding him had all fallen, their heads rolling to the ground.

It was important to note.

They were all extremely powerful hunters in the black market, each having reached the level of Dark Force, with two of them even being at the peak of Dark Force.

Unfortunately.

Under Xu Qing's blade, they were all like ants. They couldn't even withstand a single strike from Xu Qing, and all four of them had their heads severed by his sword.

It could be said.

With the deaths of these four individuals, the environment of the black market would improve for a while. However, it wouldn't last long, as others would soon replace them.

After all.

Although being a 'hunter' was dangerous, the profits were too high.

No matter what else one did.

Nothing could compare to the speed of making money through robbery and murder.

"What ruthless swordplay."

At this moment.

A voice sounded.

"Hm?"

Xu Qing looked over and saw a burly figure wearing a bull-head mask. The person stood at the end of the alley, their gaze indifferent, staring directly at Xu Qing.

Moreover.

Within this person's eyes, there was a sharp glint.

"Are you going to make a move too?"

Xu Qing's tone was calm.

"I originally intended to."

The burly figure wearing the bull-head mask shook his head. "But after seeing your swordplay, I've lost the urge to make a move."

"Heh heh."

Xu Qing let out a cold laugh. After finishing his looting, he obtained banknotes worth eleven thousand taels, which was his spoils of war. It wasn't bad. He then left, carrying two iron boxes.

The burly figure wearing the bull-head mask watched Xu Qing leave, pondering for a moment. "When did the outer city of Qingbei Town produce such a master swordsman? A while ago, I heard about a mysterious sword expert who came and went without a trace, I think his name was 'Lü Dongbin'?"

"Could this person be him?"

The scene shifted.

Xu Qing had already returned to his residence.

He took off the evil ghost mask.

He resumed his original appearance.

"One hundred and ninety-one jin of Black Mountain Tiger Meat."

Xu Qing mused, "That can last me for one hundred and ninety-one days. That way, I won't have to venture out for over half a year and can focus on cultivation."

"However."

"The Spring Breeze Pavilion's monthly income isn't high, and my commission is only thirty percent. Therefore, I can only get three to five hundred taels of silver from the Spring Breeze Pavilion each month."

"Of course."

"This is already enough for a Bright Force martial artist, but I am not a Bright Force martial artist, I am a Transforming Force martial artist. So, this amount of silver is simply not enough."

"In that case."

"I need to find another way, to come up with a new method of making money."

Thinking of this.

Xu Qing saw the Fine Iron Sword not far away.

"I've got it."

Xu Qing's eyes lit up. "The Omni-Codex can record weapons, and I just need to acquire some ordinary iron swords. If I can upgrade them by just one level, their price can increase several times over."

"This is a surefire way to make a huge profit."

"But..."

Xu Qing pondered, "Selling weapons, if the quantity isn't large, it's fine. But if the quantity becomes too large, it might encroach upon the interests of the higher-ups in Qingbei Town."

"Without sufficient strength, one cannot protect a large enterprise."

Time flew by.

Unknowingly.

Spring turned to autumn.

Deep winter.

The cold wind howled, and heavy snow fell. As far as the eye could see, the vast land was covered in a white blanket. The temperature continued to drop. In this harsh winter, countless refugees and beggars outside the city must have starved or frozen to death.

"Master, Master..."

Outside the door.

Xu Qing heard Yu Hu's voice. It was quite loud and full of vigor as he ran into the courtyard. "My mother said that you are alone, Master. My mother made cabbage and pork dumplings today and asked me to bring you a bowl."

"Good."

Xu Qing showed a smile and his gaze fell on Yu Hu. He took the steaming bowl of dumplings from Yu Hu.

"Master, eat quickly."

Yu Hu rubbed the back of his head and said with a simple laugh, "It won't taste good if it gets cold."

"Mm."

Xu Qing nodded.

The dumplings tasted really good. To be able to eat such a steaming bowl of pork dumplings in this weather and in this chaotic era was the greatest dream of countless common people.

"Master."

Yu Hu stood by, waiting. He had to wait for Xu Qing to finish his dumplings before taking the bowls back to wash them. He couldn't let his Master wash dishes.

"What is it?"

Xu Qing didn't look up.

"My parents said that you live alone in such a big courtyard, with no one to manage it for you. They think you should buy some maids and servants."

Yu Hu said.

"Haha..."

Xu Qing chuckled a few times. "We'll see."

"Okay."

Yu Hu replied.

In fact.

Yu Hu's martial arts talent was quite good. Xu Qing had taught Yu Hu for a month, allowing him to learn Eight Extremities Fist. Then, after practicing for a full half-year, Yu Hu truly mastered the LV2 Eight Extremities Fist and achieved Bright Force.

Of course.

Yu Chen was overjoyed when he found out.

You must know.

Yu Hu was only fifteen years old after the New Year this year.

"I'm done."

Xu Qing handed the bowl to Yu Hu.

"Got it."

Yu Hu took the bowl. "Master, I'm heading back."

"Mm."

Xu Qing nodded and said, "Yu Hu, starting tomorrow, you'll come here every morning at six o'clock, and I will continue to teach you more advanced Eight Extremities Fist."

"Thank you, Master!"

Yu Hu excitedly knelt on the ground.

"You've already achieved Bright Force in your Eight Extremities Fist. After consolidating it for a while, it's time for me to teach you more."

Xu Qing waved his hand. "Go on."

"Yes, as you command."

Yu Hu was extremely happy.

At the same time.

After returning home, Yu Hu gave the bowl to Wang Cuilan and then told Yu Chen and Wang Cuilan about this. This made Yu Chen extremely happy and excited.

"Good, good, good."

Yu Chen's expression was incredibly joyful. "This is truly wonderful. Hu Zi, you must remember, no matter what happens, you must listen to your Master."

"There's a saying, 'Once a teacher, always a father.'"

"Do you understand?"

"Understood, Father."

Yu Hu said.

In the courtyard.

Buzz!

With a thought.

Xu Qing reviewed the changes over the past half-year.

Over half a year.

From the scorching heat of summer, it had turned into the heavy snow of deep winter. Xu Qing had spent most of his time practicing martial arts in the courtyard and gaining experience points for the Blood Curse Beast Taming Technique by utilizing the ant nests on White Dwarf Mountain.

"Hoo..."

Xu Qing took a deep breath and looked at the falling snow. His thoughts drifted, and he couldn't help but recall the sixteen years he had spent with his Grandpa.

Back then.

Xu Qing was still muddle-headed, wandering with his Grandpa, Nine Fingers. Naturally, they had encountered winters like this, and he had almost died in the cold.

"I wonder how many people will die in this winter weather."

Xu Qing sighed. "I hope nothing bad happens."

You must know.

When Xu Qing wandered with his Grandpa, they had encountered such situations before. In the biting cold of winter, the emaciated refugees and beggars, unable to bear the hunger, coupled with the bewitching of some evil cults, would resort to rebellion just to survive.

The outcome was self-evident.

All were suppressed.

Countless died or were injured.

After all, The Great Zhou Martial Kingdom of today had not yet reached a point where beggars and heretical cultivators could easily breach a county town; it still possessed sufficient underlying strength.

Outside the city.

The Jiang Family, Nangong Family, and He Family, the three great aristocratic families of Qingbei Town, had indeed played a leading role, successively establishing three porridge distribution points outside the city.

However.

Due to the porridge distribution points in Qingbei Town, the number of refugees outside the city was only increasing. At this rate, the porridge distribution was merely a drop in the bucket.

The scene shifted.

On the city wall.

"This can't go on."

The county magistrate of Qingbei Town stood on the city wall. As the view zoomed in, a middle-aged man with a stern face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes came into view. He was wearing the official attire of a county magistrate.

Around him.

Standing next to the county magistrate were the heads of the He, Jiang, and Nangong families.

"Indeed!"

The head of the He Family, He Yuebin, nodded. His temples were streaked with white hair, and he frowned. "The number of refugees this year is far too high, at least double that of last year."

"What exactly is going on? Why are there so many refugees this year?"

The head of the Nangong Family, Nangong Ming, asked in a deep voice.