An Introduction to a Master, and Tiger-Bone Tonic

When Lu Xingmin saw Qin Geng accept the money, he pushed a letter across the table.

The envelope was made of old-fashioned kraft paper. There was no recipient's name on it, only a red seal over the flap bearing an ancient character meaning "bind."

"This is what I promised you before—an introduction to a master."

Lu Xingmin sat down again and picked up his tea bowl. "It's at number thirty-eight, Crouching Ox Alley, north Jinmen City. The place is out of the way, at the end of a dead-end lane. There's a crooked jujube tree by the entrance. You can't miss it."

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Qin Geng took the letter with both hands and carefully put it away. "This... how should I address him? What kind of martial arts does he practice?"

"You'll know when you get there."

Lu Xingmin kept him in suspense. "Once you arrive, give him the letter and listen carefully to what he says. Whether it works out depends on your luck—and his mood."

"When would be a good time to visit? Would showing up empty-handed be rude? Should I bring something?"

Qin Geng asked.

Xu Chun had taught him that an excess of courtesy never offended anyone.

Lu Xingmin waved a hand. "Absolutely not. That gentleman has an odd temper, and he hates that sort of empty ceremony. Show up carrying gifts, and he might not even let you through the door. Go during the day, when the sun's high. Just bring yourself."

"Understood."

Qin Geng nodded and committed it to memory.

He had asked what he needed to ask, and the money was in hand.

But Qin Geng hadn't forgotten the bowl of tea on the table. He drained it in one gulp.

He remembered perfectly well: this was Dragon Well Imperial Tribute, brewed with several secret qi-restoring medicines. One bowl was worth three portions of Bone-Strengthening Powder.

Gulp.

He drank it like an ox.

The tea was faintly bitter on his tongue, then sweet in his throat. A rush of heat slid down his gullet into his stomach like a line of fire and burst outward, sending warmth through his limbs and every bone in his body.

His knees and ankles, sore from a night of rushing about, began to tingle pleasantly under the heat's nourishment.

Good stuff!

"Will we need to go into the mountains again?"

Qin Geng asked.

Last night had been dangerous, but the reward had been generous.

"We will."

A fierce glint flashed in Lu Xingmin's eyes. "The foreigners have spread their operation too far for this to be over. But we'll wait until Third Master Cao uncovers something and we've made preparations. I'll contact you then."

"All right. Call, and I'll be there."

Qin Geng cupped his hands, turned, and strode out of Osmanthus Fragrance Studio.

By the time he stepped outside, dawn had broken.

More people filled the streets. Cries from vendors selling jianbing and fried dough rose and fell, bringing the bustle of everyday life to the city.

Qin Geng felt the heavy silver dollars tucked inside his coat, then the medicinal heat still working through his body. With wind in his step, he bypassed the carriage depot and headed straight for Hundred Herb Hall.

Before they parted, Lu Xingmin had specifically told him he could let Shopkeeper Zheng know what had happened in the mountains.

Hundred Herb Hall had just opened when he arrived.

Several young assistants were swishing big brooms across the entrance, sweeping away fallen leaves.

Qin Geng made his way into the back hall as though he knew it by heart.

Zheng Tonghe stood before the medicine cabinets, holding a small balance as he checked a newly arrived batch of astragalus.

When Qin Geng came in, Zheng Tonghe set down the balance and looked him over, mildly surprised.

"You're back?"

Zheng Tonghe came out from behind the counter. "How did things go in the mountains?"

Qin Geng hid nothing. He pulled up a stool and recounted everything that had happened the previous night in the ruined temple on Bell Mountain.

He told him how they had set the ambush, about the Human-Speaking Snake in the living corpse's mouth, and finally Master Miao Zhen's deduction. He left out nothing.

Zheng Tonghe listened with a deep frown, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

After Qin Geng finished, Zheng Tonghe remained silent for a long while before slowly breathing out.

"So that's what happened..."

"That method looks like the gu arts from the Miao borderlands, or some form of beast control. But the traditions around here follow the natural order. Even those who work with insects wouldn't do anything so revolting. They used living people as vessels, mixing Livestock-Making with the Corpse Path."

"Beast control? Gu arts?"

Qin Geng asked.

"Yes. Old tales from the martial world. There used to be some unorthodox sects in the south that raised snakes, insects, rats, and ants. One was called the Insect-Worship Cult, or something like that. The imperial court wiped it out years ago."

Zheng Tonghe waved a hand, clearly unwilling to dwell on the subject. He looked at Qin Geng. "Anyway, you got your silver dollars? Planning to buy more Bone-Strengthening Powder?"

Qin Geng patted his coat. "Thirty silver dollars, paid on the spot. But Shopkeeper Zheng, the Bone-Strengthening Powder... it's not quite strong enough for me anymore."

"Not strong enough?"

Zheng Tonghe looked surprised.

Qin Geng nodded. "It feels like I can't get full. I take it, feel warm for a while, then the effect's gone after a couple rounds of boxing. It used to last most of the day."

Zheng Tonghe raised an eyebrow. "Your appetite keeps growing. Ox-Bone Strengthening Powder is for beginners tempering their muscles and bones. Now that you've trained your body, I can see why it falls short."

"Your qi and blood are stronger, and the fire in your furnace burns hotter. Naturally, that little bit of firewood isn't enough."

Zheng Tonghe turned and walked deeper among the medicine cabinets, pointing to several drawers marked with red labels. "Do you want to swap ox bone for tiger bone, or go straight to Dragon-Tiger Decoction? Both cost three silver dollars a dose, and their effects are about the same."

"I'll take both."

Qin Geng smiled.

At three silver dollars a dose, thirty dollars would buy only ten doses.

But this was money worth spending.

His [Martial Artist] level was stuck just short of nine. He was only one step away from the legendary Bright Force.

Without stronger medicine, who knew how many years of hard training it would take to break through that final layer, thin as window paper?

He needed to reach level ten quickly and unlock the Sickly Tiger Bones talent. Then he could seek a master; if that master saw his talent, his chances would be better.

"Both?"

"Give me your hand. If your body can't bear them, they'll be poison in your gut. I need to see whether your foundation can withstand medicine this fierce."

Zheng Tonghe gestured for Qin Geng to place his hand on the pulse cushion.

Qin Geng held out his wrist.

Zheng Tonghe set three fingers on the pulse points and half closed his eyes.

The instant his fingers touched Qin Geng's wrist, Zheng Tonghe's eyelids twitched sharply.

The pulse beneath his fingertips was nothing like an ordinary person's steady rhythm. It was a war drum under the beat of a mallet—thump, thump, thump—deep and powerful, with a faint springing force.

That pulse energy did not float near the surface. It lay hidden deep within, yet seemed ready to erupt at any moment.

"Well, I'll be..."

Zheng Tonghe's eyes flew open. He stared at Qin Geng, eyes widening slightly in disbelief. "I haven't examined you closely in half a month, and you're already about to enter Bright Force?"

Zheng Tonghe was genuinely stunned.

His progress was frighteningly fast!

How long had the boy been training, all told?

A month?

Two months?

"I've been eating more and training hard lately."

Qin Geng offered the modest explanation.

"Hard work alone won't get you this far."

Zheng Tonghe withdrew his hand.

"All right. Since your body has reached this point, it is time to make a push."

Zheng Tonghe nodded. "Your current state is the sign that a full vessel is about to overflow. Use powerful medicine now, and you can ride its force to break through that barrier in one charge!"

"Shopkeeper Zheng, what exactly is Bright Force?"

Qin Geng wanted to hear an expert's explanation.