The Wager: Ten Bottles of Qi-Replenishing Pills

Su Xinghe was delighted.

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

"Elder Xie, this junior has a question. The Grandmaster Lu Xuanji you mentioned, who reached Inner Tempering within a month and became a Martial Warrior 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 from the training ground just now. Though his talent was decent and he had already entered the Ninth Rank, Su Xinghe was confident he could catch up within a year.

But Lu Xuanji was different.

If he had guessed correctly, the man 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.

"Stop aiming so high, kid. That man had the resources of his Lineage supporting him. He was nourished with medicine from the moment he was in his mother's womb. Before sixteen, he had already laid a solid foundation to soar into the heavens."

"Look at yourself. You're dressed head to toe in coarse linen, and there are more patches than fabric. No need to think about it—you're a poor wretch."

Su Xinghe suddenly understood.

So he was a genius cultivated from birth, with the entire Lineage's resources tilted toward him.

No wonder Lin County could not develop.

Above them were the Zhou Dynasty's taxes to pay; below them, the Lu Family monopolized every trade. Then there were layer upon layer of exploitation from forces large and small. How could ordinary people possibly have any way to live?

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. The patches upon it were all illustrious war achievements. It looked shabby, but after his modifications, its defensive power rivaled rattan armor.

"Elder Xie, everything you said makes sense."

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

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

Afraid that the fish on the hook would get away, he phrased it rather tactfully.

Xie Guang asked suspiciously, "Oh? Which thing? Go on, let me hear it!"

"You said it would take me two or three years to become a Martial Warrior, but I am confident I can reach Inner Tempering in three months, perhaps even become a Martial Warrior within a year.

"How about we make a bet? If I accomplish it, you will owe me ten bottles of Qi-Replenishing Pill."

Su Xinghe spoke with complete confidence.

He had already signed a contract with the old gang leader, all for the sake of the second condition. Reaching Inner Tempering within three months was merely the basic requirement. He also wanted to strive to become a Martial Warrior the following year and obtain the status of a guest retainer with a monthly stipend of one hundred taels.

Breaking through to Inner Tempering within three months was something he had intended to show the old gang leader anyway. It was also the most crucial step in his new plan before joining the ranks of Martial Warriors.

Therefore, he believed he could not lose this wager.

As for Qi-Replenishing Pill, once he learned that they could speed up the recovery of qi and blood, his eyes had naturally turned red with envy.

Unfortunately, one bottle cost ten taels of silver. For his current self, that was still somewhat extravagant.

Xie Guang nearly jumped up and cursed at him.

"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.

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

Old and shrewd as he was, he now understood what the boy opposite him was after. But with things already said this far, where could he put his old face if he changed his tune now?

Still, he was not so easy to fool.

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

Su Xinghe smiled bashfully and returned the man's own words to him.

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

"Hehehe..." Xie Guang laughed.

Ten bottles of Qi-Replenishing Pills were only one hundred taels of silver, no more than a month's salary for an Attendant like him. But if he could watch a martial arts genius from the Brokerage Guild rise, he would naturally be willing.

It had been a long time since anyone had entertained him with such a pleasant conversation, and this one was a promising talent with some aptitude.

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

Then he would give it a try.

In any case, he did not have to hand over the pills immediately.

"Brat, what's your name?"

It was done!

Su Xinghe was ecstatic. He now had the resources he needed from Inner Tempering until his breakthrough into Martial Warrior.

"This junior is Su Xinghe."

He cupped his fists and bowed.

Seeing how confident he was, Xie Guang grew interested as well.

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

"Many thanks for Elder Xie's generosity."

"Then could this junior buy a bottle from you first?"

Xie Guang flicked his sleeve.

"Every medicine has three parts poison. Reach Inner Tempering first, then we'll talk!"

Su Xinghe did not understand. "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 pharmaceutical apprentices. Even I cannot bear to buy real pills."

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

But that involved the traits of his fate.

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

He could only obediently listen.

He did not mention the pills again.

The next day, he once again got up an hour early.

The moment he left Tongzi Ward, he saw street patrol constables from the Public Security Office all over the streets. Occasionally, constables carrying firearms hurried along the long street.

"Did something major happen?"

A growing unease rose in Su Xinghe's heart.

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

Flags fluttered, and a faint smell of blood drifted over.

These were the Qian Family Trading Company vehicles that the Great River Gang disciples had ridden when they ambushed the water bandits last time.

Those large wooden crates, black and stifling, still filled him with lingering dread.

He took three steps as two and hurried to the warehouse in the rear courtyard.

Pushing open the door, he found that the night-watch disciples, who should have been sprawled about still drunk, had risen early today and were sitting together eating.

His arrival did not draw anyone's attention.

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

The man had likely gotten up too abruptly. His complexion did not look good.

"Uncle Cripple, this... what happened?"

The Old Cripple paused what he was doing and raised his head to glance toward the Brokerage Guild's rear courtyard.

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

"If you want food, take it yourself."

He spoke carelessly, lowering his head to continue wiping the kitchen cleaver he used for chopping meat.

"The Qian Family... could it be related to what happened last time?"

Su Xinghe muttered.

"Why are you worrying about that, kid!"

This time, the Old Cripple did not even raise his head.

Yet those words instantly shattered Su Xinghe's doubts.

"Thank you! I already ate breakfast today."

With that, he stood and headed for the training ground in the rear courtyard.

After that, he trained even more diligently, practicing his punches nearly sixty or seventy times every day.

Along with that came insufficient sleep and the spending of great sums of silver.

The Brokerage Guild discussed the Qian Family's affair for three days.

Their trading company had become ruins overnight. Their estate was completely destroyed, and fewer than one in ten of their clan members remained.

Three days later, it was drowned beneath other topics, though the Public Security Office remained busy over it for a long while.

Four days later.

Su Xinghe: Great River Gang (Cannon Fodder Disciple)

Martial Arts: Apprentice Level (Force Infusion 72%)

Fate: Diligence Makes Up for Dullness

Trait 1: Not a Drop Leaks, Unyielding Through a Hundred Setbacks

Trait 2: Grains of Sand Form a Tower, When Water Flows the Channel Forms

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 punching practice, the Golden Ape Fist had broken through to "Hall-Entering" over the past few days.

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

This also accelerated the rise of his martial arts realm. The Force Infusion stage on the progress bar was about to reach completion once more.

The Qi Circulation stage mainly involved using breathing rhythms driven by the chant to coordinate with the stirring of qi and blood within the body. But at the Force Infusion stage, one applied that stirred qi and blood to muscular exertion.

The same hundred pounds of punching strength became an explosive force twisted together into a single rope through Force Infusion.

Fortunately, all of this was reflected in the internal circulation and fusion of qi and blood. What others saw was still merely the Golden Ape Fist stance.

As long as no Martial Warrior of the Eighth Rank or above used internal force or true qi to inspect him, he would not be exposed.

Beginning three days ago, those eight new disciples had also gradually succeeded in learning Qi Circulation.

Mixed among them, Su Xinghe was no longer so conspicuous.

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

But everyone was poor. After only a few rounds of practice, they hurriedly left. Added to the crack from that day, his relationship with the Brokerage Guild disciples had been reduced to nothing more than nodding acquaintances.

But that was fine too.

At the Martial Warrior 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 candle flames had already been lit in the spotless Eastern Pavilion hall.

More than twenty burly men in black robes sat around the long table, drinking at a feast.

If anyone familiar with Lin County's underworld were present, they would certainly be greatly shocked. Every person seated there was either a renowned gang leader within the city or a famous expert of the Lu Family.

Pick out any one of them, and he would be a ranked Martial Warrior.

It should have been a lively gathering, yet today it was exceptionally quiet. Let alone the usual drinking games, even picking up a soup ladle was done with the utmost care.

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

Lu Zhengkun, dressed like a gentleman-official, suddenly pushed open the door and entered. Along with a waft of fragrance, two breathtaking figures—one in red, one in white—appeared at the doorway.

How could the big shots present dare remain seated and continue eating? They hurriedly rose to greet them.

"Greetings, Third Master. Greetings, Madam!"

"Third Master, you've come."

Amid the eager greetings, the three passed through the hall and arrived before a table that had long been prepared.

Just as Lu Zhengkun was about to offer some polite remarks, the woman in the red dress stepped forward.

"I will command today's operation!"

The burly men at the two tables below instantly fell silent as cicadas in winter.

Lu Zhengkun was not angered. He merely chuckled.

"That works too."

He shook his head, putting on an indifferent expression.

"The Qian Family returned empty-handed last time. Don't come back empty-handed again this time. Those Head-Chopping Bandits are crafty as ghosts, so be careful."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over everyone below.

Then he looked at the wine cup before him.

The red-dressed woman's gaze swept over them as well, then her delicate brow furrowed slightly.

She could only pick up the wine jug beside her 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 rose and left alone.

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

"Boss, Liu Laizi came again today."

Little Beggar's voice was somewhat muffled in the darkness.

"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 bangs hanging over his forehead.

The youth's eyes trembled faintly, tears glittering within them. Several distinct bruises marred his once-delicate face.

"Those beasts hit you?"

A little embarrassed, Little Beggar turned his face away and nodded lightly.

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

Su Xinghe stuffed a string of large coins into the youth's hand.

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

"How are the things I wanted coming along?"

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

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 would come knocking as soon as they caught a whiff.

Including today, this was already the second time.

He had originally planned to break through to Inner Tempering first, then let them die without anyone being the wiser. But since they were in such a hurry to throw their lives away, they could not blame him for making things bigger.

"Big Brother Su!"

A soft, sweet voice called him back from behind. When he came to his senses, 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, around one and a half meters tall, was hopping toward him.

"Xiaoya, you're by yourself?"

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

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

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

"Come on, we'll go back together."

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

"Okay."

With light steps, Xiaoya skipped along ahead of him to lead the way.

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

"When you're sixteen."

"No, teach me first, please?"

Just as Su Xinghe was about to answer, a stern shout rang out ahead of them.

"I told you to buy a few things—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 some guilt.

Zhao Jing's face was dark as she gave the two of them a cold glance.

"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? When someone talks to you outside, you have to..."

Her icy voice echoed through the 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, too, had sufferings he could not put into words.

Things had been fine when he quit his job and returned to the city to pursue the martial path, 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.