This Is How You Take Pills!

Old Zheng nodded. "Very good. If you run into any problems while practicing your fists in the future, come ask me."

He had originally intended to take the opportunity to allocate Zhou Chen some resources, but the words reached his lips before he swallowed them back down. The Flesh-Cutting Tournament was drawing near, and all the martial hall's income was currently being poured into Zhao Tianhong. There truly were no spare resources left.

Besides, Zhou Chen's aptitude was merely average. Even if he were given resources, they might not prove useful.

"Thank you, Master!"

Zhou Chen clasped his fists and bowed, though he felt somewhat disappointed. He had thought that after displaying such comprehension, Old Zheng would give him some benefits.

With more resources, he could cultivate faster as well.

He was just about to turn and leave.

Old Zheng stroked his beard, seeming to weigh his words. "In a little while, it will have been three months since you entered the hall. By the rules, the supply of Qi-Blood Soup should stop then. However, cultivation is not easy for you. I will make the decision and let you drink it for another three months free of charge."

Zhou Chen's eyes lit up. This was truly an unexpected delight, and he hurriedly clasped his fists. "Thank you, Master!"

"Mm. Go."

Old Zheng waved a hand, and Zhou Chen went downstairs.

When the other disciples saw Zhou Chen come down, every one of them wore an expression of shock. They had never imagined that the usually low-key Zhou Chen could break through in such a short time!

Liu Fei, standing nearby, covered her cherry-red mouth in shock. "Junior Sister Sun, Junior Brother Zhou has been in the hall for less than three months, right? Yet he has already achieved such attainments in fist techniques!"

At last, a trace of emotion appeared on Sun Yingying's indifferent face. But if she showed it now, would that not damage her pride? Thus, she snorted coldly. "What is there to be shocked about? No matter how good his comprehension is, his ordinary physique and poor family circumstances will limit his future. No matter how well he trains his fists, they are just flowery forms!"

"Junior Sister is absolutely right!" Shen Ao walked over. After his initial surprise, his face was also full of disdain. "He is merely a poor brat. His talent is limited, and he can only barely maintain himself through diligence. In the future, he will ultimately linger around the First-Rank Skin Tempering Realm."

Zhang Shaojiu, standing to one side, looked rather displeased. He stared fixedly at Zhou Chen for a while. He had thought himself second in the courtyard, yet Zhou Chen had reached Initiation in fist techniques even faster than him!

The feeling of having his thunder stolen was like a stone lodged in his chest, neither rising nor falling, choking him with discomfort.

Shen Ao saw through Zhang Shaojiu's thoughts and said carelessly, "Junior Brother Zhang, there is no need to care about such a minor character. Just cultivate with peace of mind. He is merely a tiny bug letting a little light shine from its backside. How could he compare to a bright moon like you?"

Sun Yingying could not hold back a laugh. "Senior Brother Shen's analogy is truly amusing!"

Seeing this, Liu Fei said no more and left with a smile. The Liu Lineage had no plans to choose a side too early. It would not do to get too close to the Sun Household and Shen Clan, who had already pledged themselves to the new city lord.

"Thank you for the encouragement, Senior Brother Shen. I certainly have not taken such a minor character to heart."

Hearing those words, Zhang Shaojiu's mood improved again. Indeed, he was ultimately a giant dragon that would soar out of the abyss, while Zhou Chen was merely a bug. Comparing himself with Zhou Chen was simply beneath him!

On the other side, Ye Lingtian also came over with a smile to congratulate Zhou Chen. In a corner, however, Ma Pengcheng watched Zhou Chen with an extremely ugly expression. He had originally thought Zhou Chen was merely a pawn he could crush at will.

Who could have expected Zhou Chen's growth to be so terrifyingly fast!

The comprehension Zhou Chen had displayed made Ma Pengcheng's scalp prickle even more!

"At this rate, one day his fist technique may reach Major Accomplishment, or even Perfection. If he truly rises to power one day and remembers the grudge of having his path blocked back then..."

Ma Pengcheng no longer dared to think further.

To eliminate future trouble, the sooner the better.

He thought of the concealed-weapon martial art he had obtained by chance. That booklet alone was worth a hundred taels of silver. Together with the dozen or so taels of loose silver he had saved up, it should be enough to hire someone from the Clear River Gang or the Evil Tiger Gang.

After the hall closed, the sky gradually darkened, and twilight flowed like water. Once Ma Pengcheng reached home, he tucked his things into his clothes and headed out alone toward the Clear River Gang. When he reached a secluded spot, a shout suddenly came from behind him.

"Senior Brother Ma, wait!"

Ma Pengcheng halted and turned around, only to freeze in surprise.

The person who had come was actually Zhou Chen.

Just moments ago, his mind had been filled with thoughts of how to kill this brat. He had been so deep in thought that when Zhou Chen delivered himself to his door, he did not know how to react for a moment.

Zhou Chen walked over with a smile. "Senior Brother Ma, I was inconsiderate before. I came especially today to apologize! Come, let's talk as we walk."

"Apologize?" Ma Pengcheng frowned slightly, feeling that something was off. Yet when he saw Zhou Chen's face piled high with smiles, he reconsidered and felt that perhaps he was simply being overly suspicious.

After all, Zhou Chen was far weaker than him, and they were out on the street.

Thus, after a brief hesitation, Ma Pengcheng still followed Zhou Chen.

As they walked side by side, Zhou Chen took out a packet of Qi-Blood Powder from his clothes and stuffed it into Ma Pengcheng's hand, his tone sincere. "Senior Brother Ma, I have thought things through these past few days. You were right before. My aptitude is truly too poor. Even drinking Qi-Blood Soup, I can only barely reach the First-Rank Skin Tempering Realm. As for going any further, I have experienced it myself—it is difficult to make even an inch of progress. Consider this packet of Qi-Blood Powder my apology to you, Senior Brother."

"This..."

Ma Pengcheng looked at the Qi-Blood Powder in his hand, and the killing intent in his heart instantly dissipated by more than half. He even felt a few traces of satisfaction. This brat had finally recognized reality!

Zhou Chen draped an arm around his shoulder and spoke as they walked. "But you are different, Senior Brother Ma. I heard your physique is above average, much better than mine. Master Zheng was in a good mood today and allowed me another three months of Qi-Blood Soup. I thought that with my aptitude, drinking more Qi-Blood Soup would be useless anyway. I might as well give it to you, Senior Brother Ma. Perhaps you can use it to break through to First Grade Perfection, or even step into the ranks of a Second-Rank Martial Artist! When that time comes, Senior Brother, do not forget to give your junior brother a hand."

"Hahaha! Good! Junior Brother, I am greatly gratified that you possess such understanding. Do not worry. After I drink your Qi-Blood Soup, I certainly will not forget you!"

After hearing this, the corners of Ma Pengcheng's eyes relaxed, and he could not suppress the curve of his lips.

At this point, all the doubts in his heart completely vanished.

Since Zhou Chen was willing to lower his head and be a dog, there was no need for Ma Pengcheng to spend that concealed-weapon manual and more than ten taels of silver to hire someone. The money he saved would all be his. With one more obedient dog, what was there not to be happy about?

As they spoke, Zhou Chen naturally led him into an even narrower alley.

"Oh, right, Senior Brother Ma!"

Zhou Chen reached into his clothes and said excitedly, "Master actually gave me a pill as well, called a Blood-Boiling Pill!"

"A Blood-Boiling Pill?!"

Ma Pengcheng's breathing abruptly caught.

That was something far more valuable than the Qi-Blood Soup and Blood-Boiling Powder distributed by the martial hall. One pill cost at least several taels of silver. For Martial Warriors, it was a rare and precious supplementary medicine!

For a moment, his eyes nearly went straight, and his throat grew dry!

"This junior brother will borrow flowers to offer to Buddha! Senior Brother, have a look!"

Zhou Chen took out the Blood-Boiling Pill.

Ma Pengcheng looked at the "Blood-Boiling Pill" in Zhou Chen's hand, but his brows furrowed slightly. Confused, he said, "Junior Brother, why is this Blood-Boiling Pill so large? I remember Blood-Boiling Pills are swallowed directly, but yours is nearly half the size of a fist..."

"Ah, Senior Brother, you do not know." Zhou Chen stepped half a pace closer, and his wrist suddenly flicked. "This is how you take pills!"

With that, his wrist shook, and the poison sac flew straight at Ma Pengcheng's eyes!

"Ah!" Ma Pengcheng let out a miserable scream. His eyes burned with agony, and in an instant, all he could see was a chaotic, searing haze. He staggered back two steps, rubbing his eyes wildly with both hands as hoarse cries of pain escaped his mouth.

At this point, if he still did not understand that he had been played, then he truly was an utter fool.

"You little bastard! I'll kill you!"

He stumbled backward, his heel striking a protruding stone. He fell flat onto the ground.

Beside him was a foul puddle left by collected rainwater. When his hand touched it, he ignored the filth and scooped up the water to splash over his face, trying to wash away the burning gray powder.

But the moment the water touched his skin, the burning pain instead intensified sharply.

Worse still, a wave of dizziness surged over him immediately afterward, and the world spun around him.

Standing several steps away, Zhou Chen watched Ma Pengcheng's miserable state and spoke unhurriedly. "Senior Brother Ma, I forgot to remind you. Pufferfish poison becomes fiercer when it meets water. It can seep through your pores—the more you wash, the deeper it goes."

"You!!!"

Ma Pengcheng was so furious that he nearly vomited blood. He threatened fiercely despite his inner weakness, "Have you gone mad? You actually dared lay hands on a fellow disciple! If anyone sees this and word reaches Master Zheng's ears, you will die without a burial ground!"

Zhou Chen sneered. He had deliberately led Ma Pengcheng into this secluded alley. The sky was growing dark, and every household had shut its doors and stayed inside. Who would know that someone had died here?

Moreover, he felt no psychological burden at all over killing Ma Pengcheng. After the hall closed, he had secretly followed Ma Pengcheng all the way. He saw Ma Pengcheng return home, take some money and a booklet, tuck them into his clothes, then head toward the Clear River Gang. Combined with the look Ma Pengcheng had given him in the courtyard, it was difficult for Zhou Chen not to suspect that Ma Pengcheng intended to hire someone to murder him.

So he struck first to gain the upper hand!

"Die!"

Seeing that threats were useless, Ma Pengcheng fought like a trapped beast. He gritted his teeth, stomped both feet against the ground, twisted his waist and hips to exert force, and followed the sound as he swung both fists toward Zhou Chen. It was precisely the Wild Bull Fist's Raging Blood Crashes the Mountain.

He had reached Major Accomplishment in the First-Rank Skin Tempering Realm!

He was confident that his strength was greater than Zhou Chen's. As long as this punch forced Zhou Chen back, he could flee the alley and draw others over. Then he would report this to Master Zheng and have him clean house!

Bang! Crack!

There was a dull impact, followed by the crisp sound of bones shattering. Ma Pengcheng only felt as though his fists had struck an iron wall. Both fists instantly suffered comminuted fractures, and agonizing pain shot through his entire body, leaving him drenched in cold sweat!

"Ah!"

Ma Pengcheng howled miserably. The recoil sent him staggering backward, his arms hanging at his sides, all ten fingers bent at unnatural angles. Blood dripped through the gaps between them. What was going on? Had he just punched a steel plate?

By now, he could barely open his swollen, reddened eyes. But when he looked, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets!

What the hell was this monster standing before him?!