Say that again

Chen Tiantian swallowed the third Marrow-Washing Pill.

About an incense stick's worth of time later, her body continued to give off a foul stench and expel black grime.

Zhao Ling was utterly bewildered.

She began to wonder whether she was seeing and hearing things.

Only after digging her nails into her palm and feeling the pain did she believe what was happening before her eyes.

Three Marrow-Washing Pills, three marrow cleansings!

It was unheard of!

Only when the third Marrow-Washing Pill's medicinal power was exhausted did Chen Shi'an let Chen Tiantian get up.

To avoid disturbing Su Qingrou, he had Zhao Ling take Chen Tiantian to bathe and change.

Half an hour later.

Zhao Ling returned to Chen Shi'an's room.

"Did you tell Tiantian about the Marrow-Washing Pills?" Chen Shi'an asked softly.

Zhao Ling nodded. "I told her not to let anyone know about tonight, including Sister Qingrou."

"Tiantian knows how to keep her mouth shut. You can rest easy," Chen Shi'an added.

"I know what you're getting at."

Zhao Ling pursed her lips. "I'll keep my promise. I'll teach her the Seven Star-Chasing Forms."

The corners of Chen Shi'an's mouth lifted. "Of course I trust you."

Then he changed the subject. "Do you think Tiantian could undergo another marrow cleansing?"

Zhao Ling sounded uncertain. "Being able to undergo three marrow cleansings already makes her an astonishing talent. There's a very good chance she'll become a mighty figure in the upper three realms someday.

"Wanting even more marrow cleansings-isn't that a little greedy?"

Chen Shi'an exhaled softly. "Three Marrow-Washing Pills, three marrow cleansings. It's truly astonishing.

"How could I be satisfied without getting a few more Marrow-Washing Pills for Tiantian to try?"

Zhao Ling nodded. "If you have a way to get more Marrow-Washing Pills, I certainly support it."

Then she added, "Such exceptional talent for the martial Dao, yet she was born in a barren place like the Desolate Ruins. What a pity.

"If she could leave the Desolate Ruins and receive training from a major sect or powerful organization, she could definitely reach the upper three realms."

Chen Shi'an's eyes flickered thoughtfully.

After a pause, he asked, "Getting more Marrow-Washing Pills anytime soon will be difficult. I might not manage it.

"Will Marrow-Washing Pills remain effective until she becomes a ranked martial artist?"

Zhao Ling nodded. "But the sooner she takes them, the greater the benefits."

"I'll try to get Tiantian more Marrow-Washing Pills as soon as possible."

Chen Shi'an smiled faintly. "Please take care of things at home."

"Be careful out there."

With that, Zhao Ling turned and left the room.

Knowing he would leave early tomorrow, Chen Shi'an felt unsettled and could not sleep.

He took the Horizontal Saber out into the courtyard and continued practicing Sword-Draw beneath the old willow tree.

The night deepened.

The door opened softly, and a slender, graceful figure slowly approached Chen Shi'an.

"Still awake this late?" Chen Shi'an asked softly.

Qin E'na brought over a small stool and sat beneath the old willow tree. "I just woke up. My head's still a little fuzzy."

"With your tolerance, you'd better stay away from alcohol," Chen Shi'an said with a slight smile, beginning to practice the Seven Star-Chasing Forms Zhao Ling had taught him.

"Zhao Ling taught you her saber technique?" Qin E'na sounded mildly surprised.

Chen Shi'an kept swinging his saber. "You know saber techniques too?"

"Although I've never cultivated, I can tell at a glance that you're practicing the Seven Star-Chasing Forms passed down in Zhao Ling's family," Qin E'na said.

Chen Shi'an smiled faintly. "Since I'm leaving tomorrow, I'll compliment you one more time. You have a good eye."

Qin E'na pursed her lips. "Who wants your compliments?"

Chen Shi'an shook his head and sighed softly. "I'm complimenting you because you've been running around helping with everything these past few days. Don't mistake good intentions for ill."

"Your compliments are all surface and no heart. Empty fluff.

"Do you expect me to thank you and brim with gratitude for such insincere praise?" Qin E'na retorted irritably.

"You're a quick learner."

The corners of Chen Shi'an's mouth lifted before he changed the subject. "Qin E'na, since you're already here in the Desolate Ruins, put the past aside for now. Get used to life here quickly and keep living as best you can."

Qin E'na said nothing. She rested her elbows on her knees and cupped her chin in her hands, staring blankly ahead with unfocused eyes.

Chen Shi'an fell silent too and continued practicing the Seven Star-Chasing Forms.

Quiet settled beneath the old willow tree, broken only by the Horizontal Saber slicing through the air.

One stood practicing his saber; the other sat lost in thought.

The scene was somewhat strange, yet also oddly harmonious.

Usually, whenever these two were together, they would bicker without end.

Had Su Qingrou seen this scene, her jaw would surely have dropped.

Time slowly slipped by.

Before they knew it, nearly two hours had passed.

A fine sheen of sweat covered Chen Shi'an's forehead. It was getting late, and he prepared to go back and rest.

"Qin E'na, aren't you going to sleep?" Chen Shi'an asked quietly as he sheathed his saber.

"You go ahead. My head's still a little dizzy. I want to sit here a while longer." Qin E'na moved her stool back and rested her head against the willow tree, an unmistakable sadness showing in her beautiful eyes.

Chen Shi'an took three steps forward, then looked back. "I'll be leaving early tomorrow, so I won't say goodbye to my sister-in-law, Zhao Ling, or the others. Let them know for me."

Qin E'na nodded. "Take care of yourself."

Chen Shi'an hesitated briefly. "Try not to go out unless you need to, and don't go alone."

Qin E'na blinked. "Why?"

"Do you really need to ask?"

Chen Shi'an's lips curved slightly. "You're so beautiful, you might attract some bad people."

Qin E'na froze for a moment, then her smile bloomed like a flower. "Chen Shi'an, do you feel uncomfortable if you go a day without getting a tongue-lashing?"

Chen Shi'an shook his head. "I can't praise you or compliment you. Forget it. If I can't afford to offend you, at least I can hide from you. I'm going to bed."

With that, he strode into his room and gently closed the door.

Qin E'na withdrew her gaze and remained leaning against the old willow tree, the sadness in her eyes visibly fading.

The next day.

Early in the morning, just as dawn broke.

Chen Shi'an left the house quietly, without disturbing anyone.

The Demon Hunting Team's reporting time was the Si Hour. There was no need to leave so early.

He had done so because he wanted to visit the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

The Demon Hunting Team was expanding to support the fighting in West Mountain Hollow. He suspected he would soon leave Windrise Stronghold.

Who knew when he would return?

Chen Tiantian possessed extraordinary talent for the martial Dao. He wanted to see whether he could get a few Marrow-Washing Pills from Tao Yaoyao.

The reading experience for VIP members has been optimized. Tap the center of the screen to bring up the menu for convenient access to "Settings," "Previous page," "Next page," and "Back to top."

Clearly, he had arrived too early. The Hundred Flowers Pavilion, which only closed late at night, had not yet opened for business.

Estimating that he would have to wait another hour, Chen Shi'an decided to wander elsewhere first and find something to fill his stomach.

Although it was still early, pedestrians already streamed along the streets, most of them early risers hurrying about to earn their living.

Chen Shi'an remembered clearly that there was a wonton shop less than half a street away from the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. Its food was quite good.

The memory was particularly vivid because the gambling house his body's previous owner had frequented was not far from the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

Whenever the previous owner won money at the gambling house, he would treat himself at the wonton shop.

Following the previous owner's memories, Chen Shi'an walked slowly along the street.

Suddenly, piercing screams and pleas for mercy came from ahead.

The voice sounded somewhat familiar.

Chen Shi'an quickened his pace.

A group of burly men stood at the entrance to an alley nearby, surrounding someone and beating him with fists and feet.

The burly men wore matching outfits: black shirts, blue trousers, and red sashes around their waists.

Chen Shi'an was very familiar with this attire.

They were enforcers from the gambling house the previous owner had frequented.

When the previous owner owed the gambling house money, these men had often threatened him and even beaten him.

The person they were beating now most likely owed the gambling house money.

Through the gaps between the enforcers, Chen Shi'an saw that the victim was a fat man-and a familiar one at that.

His old gambling friend, Han Shan.

When Chen Shi'an had first transmigrated, he had used selling straw in the Outer City as a cover. With Han Shan's connections, he had successfully disposed of Zhao Desheng's corpse and averted a crisis.

After tasting the profits, Han Shan had kicked Chen Shi'an aside the very next day, buying straw and taking it to the Outer City to sell on his own.

Thus, Chen Shi'an felt no sympathy whatsoever at the sight of Han Shan being beaten.

He continued walking, with no intention of intervening.

Still, he felt a little puzzled.

Han Shan's father was a centurion in the City Guard Battalion. In Windrise Stronghold, he counted as someone of standing.

Even if they disregarded the monk, they ought to respect the Buddha behind him. The gambling house should not have been beating Han Shan in the street.

Han Shan had sharp eyes. As Chen Shi'an passed the alley entrance, he spotted him immediately.

He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Chen Shi'an... Squad Leader Chen, save me!"

Since Han Shan had called out to him, Chen Shi'an stopped.

The gambling house enforcers all turned to look at him.

One of them recognized Chen Shi'an and curled his lip. "He's a squad leader? Han Shan, stop trying to bluff us.

"I know this brat's background better than you do.

"He's even poorer and more down-and-out than you.

"He used to have an older brother who paid off his gambling debts. Now his brother's dead, and he doesn't even dare enter the gambling house. I haven't seen him in quite a while."

Hearing this, Chen Shi'an looked up and calmly studied the enforcer who had spoken.

The man was tall, with triangular eyes and somewhat dark skin.

Chen Shi'an remembered him. He had dealt with the previous owner before, once hauling him to the Chen Family's home to collect a debt.

"Squad Leader Chen, save me! They're trying to kill me! If you don't help, I'll die right here!" Han Shan's voice was desperate and choked with tears.

Chen Shi'an frowned slightly. "How much do you owe them?"

"Not much. Just three taels," Han Shan answered hastily.

Chen Shi'an was even more puzzled. "Han Shan's father is a centurion in the City Guard Battalion. Is there any need to go this far over three taels of silver?"

The triangular-eyed enforcer said coldly, "You don't know shit. His father's no longer a centurion, and now he's half-dead to boot.

"Are you planning to stand up for Han Shan?"

Confusion showed on Chen Shi'an's face.

Han Shan hurriedly said, "Squad Leader Chen, help me this once, for the sake of the time I helped you sell straw."

At those words, Chen Shi'an turned and strode away.

Han Shan panicked and cried out tearfully, "Squad Leader Chen, help me! I'm begging you! Just this once..."

The triangular-eyed enforcer snorted. "A penniless wretch trying to strut around like a big-tailed wolf.

"Good thing you ran fast. Otherwise, I'd send you to meet that dead brother of yours."

At those words, Chen Shi'an turned back and looked calmly at the triangular-eyed enforcer. "Say what you just said again."

"Oh?"

A mocking look appeared on the triangular-eyed enforcer's face. "It's so early, this brat must still be half-asleep."

The other gambling house enforcers burst into laughter.

Chen Shi'an's expression did not change. "Say what you just said again," he repeated.

The triangular-eyed enforcer snorted. "Forget once. Even if I said it a hundred times, what could you do to me?

"Listen carefully, brat. If you keep yapping here, I'll send you to meet that dead brother of yours right now. Want to hear it again...?"

Before he could finish, Chen Shi'an suddenly shot forward. In two breaths, he covered four or five zhang and reached the triangular-eyed enforcer.

"You dare attack me? You're courting death!"

The triangular-eyed enforcer swung a fist the size of a vinegar bowl at Chen Shi'an's head.

Before his fist could complete its swing, a piercing pain stabbed through his abdomen. His whole body flew backward and slammed hard into the wall at the alley entrance.

He slid to the ground and rolled about clutching his stomach, repeatedly vomiting multicolored filth that reeked of sourness.

Chen Shi'an lowered his foot and quietly regarded the other gambling house enforcers.

He had used only thirty percent of his strength in that kick, yet it had made the triangular-eyed enforcer vomit stomach acid.

The other enforcers froze where they stood, unable to recover for a long while.

They had been hired as gambling house enforcers because they could handle themselves. All possessed the strength of martial artists who had entered a stage.

The triangular-eyed enforcer, in particular, was a genuine martial artist at the acquired second stage and the minor leader of this group.

Yet he had failed to withstand even one kick from Chen Shi'an.

Some of the other gambling house enforcers also knew Chen Shi'an. Seeing this scene, they could scarcely believe their eyes.

At that moment, Han San clambered to his feet, cursing:

"You bootlicking snobs, barking with someone else's backing! My father may no longer be a Centurion, but my brother Chen Shi'an is now a Squad Leader in the Demon Hunting Team.

Every last one of you has dog's eyes that can't recognize a pearl, yet you still dared to lay hands on me!"

As he spoke, he limped over to Chen Shi'an and reached out to sling an arm around his shoulders.

Chen Shi'an shifted slightly to the side, deftly dodging Han San's hand.

Deeply embarrassed, Han Shan chuckled sheepishly and withdrew his hand.

At that moment, one of the Gambling House men steeled himself and said, "I don't care whether you're really a Squad Leader in the Demon Hunting Team now. Han Shan owes our Gambling House silver, and he has to pay it back.

Even if this goes all the way to the City Lord, our Gambling House is still in the right."

Chen Shi'an turned his gaze on Han Shan. "Going to the Gambling House to gamble was your own choice. Debts must be repaid. You owe the Gambling House silver, so you should pay it back."

With that, he pulled aside his outer robe, revealing the Demon Hunting Team Squad Leader's Token at his waist. "I'm the one who beat your men. If your Gambling House wants to settle the score, feel free to come looking for me at the Demon Hunting Team.

I'm taking Han Shan with me. Tell your Shopkeeper to grant him ten days' grace. If he still can't repay the silver after ten days, I won't interfere with whatever you do to him."

Having said that, he turned and strode away.

Anyone able to open a gambling house in Windrise Stronghold had powerful backing. More likely than not, someone from the Stronghold's upper ranks stood behind them.

Had the triangular-eyed thug not disrespected Chen Shi'an's elder brother, Chen Shi'an would never have intervened on Han Shan's behalf.