Bet: Ten Bottles of Qi-Replenishing Pills

Su Xinghe was delighted.

The other party being willing to reveal his name meant he was already halfway there.

"Elder Xie, this junior has a question. The Grandmaster Lu Xuanji you mentioned, the one who reached Inner Tempering within a month and became a martial artist in half a year—is he from that family which holds up half the sky in Lin County?"

The young master should have been the youth in the training ground just now. Though he had decent talent and had already entered the Ninth Rank, Su Xinghe was confident he could catch up to him within a year.

But Lu Xuanji was different.

If he had guessed right, the other party had long since become a Fifth Rank Core Embrace Grandmaster. Even with his cheat, he might not even catch a glimpse of the man's back within three to five years.

Xie Guang nodded lightly.

"You brat, don't aim too high. That man had the resources of his Lineage supporting him. He had been conditioned with medicine since he was in his mother's womb. Before sixteen, he had already laid a solid foundation to soar into the heavens in a single bound."

"Look at yourself. You're wearing coarse linen, and there are more patches than fabric. No need to think about it—you're a pauper."

Su Xinghe suddenly understood.

So he was a genius cultivated after birth, with the resources of an entire Lineage tilted toward him.

No wonder Lin County could not develop.

Above, there were the taxes owed to the Zhou Dynasty. Below, the Lu Family monopolized every trade. Then there were layers upon layers of exploitation by forces great and small. How could ordinary people possibly survive?

Besides, there were no rare resources here. What could they use to support a Grandmaster?

But why had this old man dragged him into it again?

This was his battle robe. Every patch upon it was a mark of glorious achievement. It looked shabby, but after his modifications, its defensive power rivaled rattan armor.

"Elder Xie, everything you said makes perfect sense."

"But... there is one thing..."

"This junior does not think he is quite so worthless."

Afraid the fish that had taken the bait might get away, he phrased it rather tactfully.

Xie Guang said suspiciously, "Oh? Which thing is that? Let's hear it!"

"You said it would take me two or three years to break through to martial artist, but I am confident I can reach Inner Tempering in three months, perhaps even break through to martial artist within a year. How about we make a bet? If I do it, you'll owe me ten bottles of Qi-Replenishing Pills."

Su Xinghe spoke with complete confidence.

He had originally signed a contract with the old gang leader precisely for the second condition. Breaking through to Inner Tempering in three months was the basic requirement, but he also wanted to challenge himself to break through to martial artist the following year and obtain the status of a retainer with a monthly salary of one hundred taels.

Breaking through to Inner Tempering within three months was what he needed to show the old gang leader. It was also the most important step in his new plan before entering the ranks of martial artists.

Therefore, he believed he could not lose this bet.

As for Qi-Replenishing Pills, ever since learning that they could speed up the recovery of Qi-Blood, he had naturally coveted them.

Unfortunately, one bottle cost ten taels of silver. For him now, that was still rather extravagant.

Xie Guang nearly jumped up and started cursing.

"You stubborn little mule, how could I possibly lose!"

"Then Elder Xie, you agree?"

Su Xinghe did not mind. He continued pressing forward step by step.

Xie Guang froze.

Inside, he cursed Su Xinghe for being a little fox.

He was old enough to become shrewd as a demon, and he now understood what the boy opposite him was plotting. But with things having reached this point, if he changed his words now, where would he put his old face?

Still, he was not so easily fooled.

"Ten bottles of Qi-Replenishing Pills are no problem. But what if you lose, brat?"

Su Xinghe smiled bashfully and returned the original words to him.

"You know, Elder, this junior is just a pauper. I survive in the guard squad on a meager income. If I lose, then for the next twenty years, I will naturally be at Elder Xie's command."

"Hehehe..." Xie Guang laughed.

Ten bottles of Qi-Replenishing Pills were only one hundred taels of silver, merely a month's salary for him. But if he could witness a martial arts genius from the Brokerage Guild rise to prominence, he would naturally be willing.

It had been a long time since anyone had entertained him so much in conversation, and this was even a promising youngster with some talent.

Though he was a little old, his mind was quick and his courage was not small.

Then he would give it a try for now.

After all, he did not have to hand over the pills immediately.

"You stinking brat, what's your name?"

It worked!

Su Xinghe was overjoyed. He now had the resources he needed to go from Inner Tempering to breaking through as a martial artist.

"This junior is Su Xinghe."

He cupped his fists and bowed.

Seeing his confidence, Xie Guang became interested as well.

He readily agreed. "Then it's a deal!"

"Thank you for granting me this, Elder Xie."

"Then may this junior buy one bottle from you first?"

Xie Guang flicked his sleeve.

"Every medicine has some poison in it. Reach Inner Tempering first, then we'll talk!"

Su Xinghe was puzzled. "Then Grandmaster Lu..."

Xie Guang began chasing him away.

"What he uses are Grade-Entering pills!"

Thinking that this might damage his image as a senior, he added another sentence.

"Qi-Replenishing Pills are merely practice work for those apprentice alchemists. Even I cannot bear to buy real pills."

Su Xinghe truly wanted to say that he was not afraid of pill poison.

But that involved the characteristics of his fate.

He had already said too much today. If he kept shamelessly pushing, he feared Xie Guang would think him insatiably greedy.

He could only obediently listen.

He did not mention pills again.

The next day, he continued getting up an hour early.

The moment he left Tongzi Ward, he saw Public Security Office patrolmen all over the streets. From time to time, constables carrying firearms hurried down the long street.

Had something major happened?

A sense of unease gradually rose within Su Xinghe.

When he arrived at Eight-Zhang Street, he saw a familiar convoy of carriages parked outside the Brokerage Guild.

Banners fluttered, and a faint scent of blood drifted through the air.

These were the Qian Family Trading Company carriages the Great River Gang disciples had ridden when they went to ambush the river bandits last time.

Those large, black, stuffy wooden crates still filled him with lingering fear.

He turned three steps into two and hurried to the warehouse in the rear courtyard.

Pushing open the door, he found that the night-duty disciples, who should have been sprawled about still drunk from the night before, had already risen early and were gathered together eating.

His appearance did not attract anyone's attention.

He quickly walked to the counter and looked at Old Cripple, whose eyes were still bleary with sleep.

Perhaps he had gotten up too abruptly, for his complexion did not look good.

"Cripple Uncle, what... happened?"

Old Cripple stopped what he was doing and glanced toward the Brokerage Guild's rear courtyard.

"Nothing. A few people from the Qian Family died, that's all."

"If you want food, take it yourself."

He spoke carelessly, lowered his head, and continued wiping the cleaver he used to chop meat.

"The Qian Family... could this be connected to what happened last time?"

Su Xinghe muttered.

"Why are you worrying about that, brat!"

This time, Old Cripple did not even lift his head.

But those words instantly shattered Su Xinghe's doubts.

"Thanks. I already ate breakfast today."

With that, he got up and headed toward the rear courtyard's training ground.

His subsequent fist practice became even more diligent, nearly sixty or seventy repetitions every day.

What came with it was insufficient sleep and the expenditure of large amounts of silver.

The Qian Family's matter was discussed at the Brokerage Guild for three days.

Their trading company had turned into ruins overnight. Their homes had all been destroyed, and fewer than one in ten of their clansmen remained.

After three days, it was drowned beneath other topics, though the Public Security Office remained busy for quite some time.

Four days later.

Su Xinghe: Great River Gang (Cannon Fodder Disciple)

Martial Arts: Apprentice Grade (Force Infusion 72%)

Fate: Diligence Makes Up for Dullness

Trait 1: Water-Tight, Unyielding

Trait 2: Many Grains Make a Tower, Success Follows Naturally

Golden Ape Fist (Hall-Entering) 520/1000

Ascending Dragon Stance (Hall-Entering) 566/1000

Incomplete Red Lotus Treasure Vase Qi 0/10000

With his diligent and arduous fist practice, the Golden Ape Fist had broken through to Hall-Entering over the past few days.

Previously, at First Glimpse of the Path, he could only unleash one-third of the fist art's power. But after reaching Hall-Entering, this true martial art had reached fifty percent of its power.

This also accelerated the advancement of his martial arts realm. The Force Infusion stage on the progress bar was nearing completion once more.

The Qi Circulation stage mainly involved the rhythm of breathing guided by chants, coordinated with the surging of Qi-Blood within the body. At the Force Infusion stage, that stirred Qi-Blood was used in the exertion of muscular force.

With the same hundred-pound punching power, Force Infusion brought an explosive burst of strength like twisting strands into a single rope.

Fortunately, all of this was reflected in the internal circulation and fusion of Qi-Blood. What others still saw was merely the framework of the Golden Ape Fist.

As long as no martial artist of Eighth Rank or above used Internal Force or True Qi externally to inspect him, he would not be exposed.

Starting three days earlier, those eight new disciples had also gradually succeeded in entering the Qi Circulation stage.

With Su Xinghe mixed among them, he no longer stood out so much.

The gazes of those old disciples, whether intentional or not, also began spreading to the others.

But everyone was a pauper. After practicing only a few rounds, they hurried away. Coupled with the rift from that day, his relationship with the Brokerage Guild disciples had dwindled to little more than nodding acquaintances.

But that was fine too.

At the martial artist level, he was still a newcomer.

Watch more, listen more, speak less, and avoid making another mistake.

As the sun set, Red Elegance Manor outside the city.

Clusters of candlelight had already been lit in the spotless eastern pavilion's great hall.

At the long table, more than twenty burly men in black robes were drinking and feasting.

If anyone familiar with Lin County's underworld were here, they would surely be stunned. Every person present was either a renowned gang leader from the city or a famous expert of the Lu Family.

Pick out any one of them, and they would be a Grade Martial Artist.

This should originally have been a lively gathering, but today it was unusually quiet. Not to mention the usual finger-guessing games to liven things up—even reaching for a soup ladle was done with utmost care.

"Everyone, eat! Don't stand on ceremony!"

Lu Zhengkun, dressed like a court gentleman, suddenly pushed open the door and entered. Accompanied by a waft of fragrance, two stunning figures, one in red and one in white, appeared at the doorway.

How could the bigshots present dare remain seated and keep eating? They hurriedly rose to greet them.

"Greetings, Third Master! Greetings, Madam!"

"Third Master, you've come."

Amid the eager greetings, the three crossed the hall and arrived at a table prepared long ago.

Lu Zhengkun was about to say a few polite words when the woman in red stepped forward.

"I will command today's operation!"

The burly men at the two tables below immediately fell silent.

Lu Zhengkun was not angered, merely chuckling cheerfully.

"Fine."

He shook his head, putting on an indifferent expression.

"The Qian Family came up empty-handed last time. Don't return empty-handed again this time. Those Head-Chopping Bandits are crafty as devils, so be careful."

As he spoke, his gaze swept across the people below.

Then he looked at the wine cup before him.

The woman in red followed his gaze, then frowned slightly.

She could only pick up the nearby wine jug and fill his cup with a splash.

"Xiuer, I'll leave the rest to you."

Lu Zhengkun raised his wine cup and drained it in one gulp.

Then he got up and left alone.

At dusk, in the shadows at the mouth of the alley.

"Boss, Liu Laizi came again today."

In the darkness, Little Beggar's voice was a little muffled.

"Did anything happen at home?"

"No. I didn't let them in."

Su Xinghe's face darkened.

"Did you tell him what I told you to say?"

"Yeah, they..."

"Come here."

He yanked Little Beggar up from the corner of the wall and gently brushed aside the loose bangs over his forehead.

The boy's eyes trembled slightly, tears glimmering within them. Several obvious bruises marked his once-delicate little face.

"Those beasts hit you?"

Little Beggar turned his face away somewhat embarrassedly and nodded lightly.

"Take this money first. When you have time, go see Doctor Hong."

Su Xinghe stuffed a string of cash coins into the boy's hand.

After pondering for a moment, he asked in a low voice:

"How are the things I asked for coming along?"

"I already brought them in from outside the city. They're hidden in the plane tree in the next alley over."

Over the past few days, to practice his boxing, he had bought extra food for the household. He had not expected Liu Laizi and the others to have noses so sharp that they followed the scent right to his door.

Including today, this was already the second time.

He had originally planned to break through to Inner Tempering and let them die without gods or ghosts knowing. But since they were so eager to deliver themselves to death, they could not blame him for making this matter bigger.

"Brother Su!"

A soft, sweet voice called to him from behind, snapping him out of his thoughts. When he came back to himself, he found that he was the only one left at the alley entrance.

Su Xinghe turned around.

Under the eaves beside the alley, a long-haired girl in a short skirt, about one and a half meters tall, was hopping toward him.

"Xiaoya, you're alone?"

"Hehe, Mom told me to buy two eggs."

Panting lightly, the little girl's face was brimming with a sweet smile.

He quickly glanced toward both ends of the alley. By the lamplight spilling from the windows along the way, he saw no suspicious gazes.

"Come on, let's head back together."

Night fell early in Tongzi Ward. It was not safe for a girl to be outside alone.

"Mm."

Xiaoya walked with light steps, hopping along in front to lead the way.

"Brother Su, when will you teach me boxing?"

"When you're sixteen."

"No, teach me first, okay?"

Su Xinghe was about to answer when a stern rebuke rang out ahead of them.

"I told you to buy something. Why are you dawdling around?"

"Ah... Sis! When I got there, Aunt Zhang was busy, so I waited for her a little while."

The little girl came to an abrupt stop, lowered her head, and looked at her feet with a guilty expression.

Zhao Jing's face was dark as she coldly swept her gaze over the two of them.

"Hurry up and come with me. There are lots of bad people outside!"

With that, she grabbed Xiaoya's hand and turned to leave.

"How many times have I told you? If someone talks to you outside, you need to..."

Her icy voice echoed through the narrow alley.

Xiaoya pursed her lips, turned back, and made a face at him.

Good news never left the house, but bad news traveled a thousand miles.

Su Xinghe had his own unspeakable bitterness.

Things had been fine when he first quit his job and returned to the city to pursue martial arts. But after his silver was swindled away, nearly everyone in Oil Seller Alley knew about it.

They said the eldest son of the Su Family was a fool with more money than sense,

And in the end, he had even lost his job at the farmstead.