Bones of Iron

"Young Master Xin, I..."

President Qu wanted to speak too.

But Qi Shiyun flicked a finger, and a stream of invisible force pinned President Qu in place, leaving him unable to move.

Then two people Lianshan Xin did not recognize emerged from a corner. Taking one side each, they likewise supported President Qu as they headed toward the Qu Family estate.

After those two strangers appeared, more and more people began emerging from every direction.

They silently fell in behind them.

The entire process was silent and charged with killing intent.

Although this was Lianshan Xin's first time witnessing such a scene, he could still tell these people were veterans of countless battles.

"President, Young Master, Lianshan Xin-huh? Why are you..."

President Qu's steward watched his master enter with a crowd of people, looking somewhat puzzled.

Lianshan Xin glanced at him. His talent did not activate.

But judging by his appearance, he seemed to have been kept in the dark.

That did not matter, though.

What mattered was that Lianshan Xin remembered him giving Lianshan Jingcheng a hard time.

Although that had mainly been President Qu's decision, the tigers had to be struck down, and the flies could not be spared either.

And so Lianshan Xin gave the steward a dangerously friendly smile.

"Steward Qu, I suggest you keep quiet. Otherwise, anything you say may become evidence for the Demon Cult to take revenge on you someday."

"The Demon Cult? What Demon Cult?"

The steward looked utterly bewildered.

He genuinely did not know.

But Lianshan Xin told Qi Shiyun, "Third-Place Qi, this man is the Qu Family's steward and President Qu's absolute confidant. He must know plenty of inside information. I suggest you hand him over to me for questioning. I'm sure I can extract results that will satisfy you."

Qi Shiyun gave Lianshan Xin an odd look, then glanced at Steward Qu before waving a hand casually. "He's yours. Just don't kill him."

Lianshan Xin felt reassured.

He had known that an intelligence organization like the Nine Heavens would never conduct its internal affairs as rigidly as the orthodox bureaucracy did in public. There was plenty of room to maneuver.

"Little Jiu, Wenbin, stay with Lianshan Xin and protect him."

Qi Shiyun assigned Lianshan Xin two bodyguards, putting him completely at ease.

After all, there were still demon spawn hiding in the Qu Family estate.

Having bodyguards really was important.

"Lianshan Xin, start by questioning this young master of the Qu Family and their steward. Stay out of the arrests, or you might become a hostage of the Demon Cult."

Qi Shiyun was not looking down on Lianshan Xin. She was stating a fact.

Lianshan Xin was not the sort of cannon fodder in fantasy novels who liked standing around watching the excitement, either. He knew his current strength well enough. He really did need to stay away from the heart of the battlefield.

So he readily took her advice and found an empty room.

After knocking Qu Junjie and Steward Qu to the ground with a kick apiece, Lianshan Xin first cupped his hands and introduced himself to his two bodyguards.

"I'm Lianshan Xin, a newly admitted student of the White Deer Grotto Academy. How should I address you two elder brothers?"

"Du Jiu."

He was a young man who looked about Lianshan Xin's age, with a trace of youthful inexperience still showing in his face.

"Qi Wenbin."

Hearing the surname "Qi," Lianshan Xin raised his assessment of the man's importance.

"Brother Qi, you and Third-Place Qi..."

"We merely share a surname."

Qi Wenbin's tone was cold, and there was even a trace of displeasure in his eyes, as though protecting a powerless "young master" like Lianshan Xin was an insult to him.

Lianshan Xin noticed Qi Wenbin's displeasure.

He found it a little baffling, but did not take it too seriously. After all, some people did not even like money, let alone him.

Watching Qi Wenbin stand off to one side with his sword clasped against him, looking utterly unapproachable, Lianshan Xin thought, What a shame. Swap his gender and he'd be an ice-cold beauty. Unfortunately, he's actually a man in his thirties.

An ice-cold beauty might be hard to win over, but a middle-aged man? Easy pickings.

"Brother Qi, Brother Jiu, my strength is lacking, so I'll be counting on you both to look after me," Lianshan Xin said with a smile.

Qi Wenbin said nothing, seemingly unable to be bothered with him.

Du Jiu smiled and cupped his hands just as Lianshan Xin had. "Since Lady Qi has given the order, Brother Qi and I will naturally follow Young Master Lianshan's lead."

"No need for that. We're all brothers here. I'll probably be joining the Nine Heavens myself in the future."

At those words from Lianshan Xin, Du Jiu's smile grew warmer.

Qi Wenbin remained aloof.

"Brother Qi, Brother Jiu, sorry for the trouble, but please keep an eye on things outside while I question these two."

"Sure thing. Want me to help?" Du Jiu rotated his wrists, his voice naturally exuding confidence. "I'm no good at studying, brother, but I'm an absolute expert at torture."

Qu Junjie had already started trembling.

Lianshan Xin glanced at Qu Junjie, then said to Du Jiu, "In that case, Brother Jiu, please give us a demonstration first."

"Wait!"

Qu Junjie cried out loudly.

"If you want to know something, just ask! Why do you have to torture me?"

Lianshan Xin said, "...Young Master Qu, aren't you going to hold out a little? Don't you have any faith in the Demon Cult or sense of belonging?"

Qu Junjie stood firm, his bones of iron unbending. "Of course I have faith in the Holy Cult and feel that I belong. But now I'm under someone else's eaves, and when it's time to be a wise man, I must be a wise man. I have to live up to the name my father gave me."

Du Jiu was speechless.

Even Qi Wenbin's cold expression began to crack.

Lianshan Xin gave Qu Junjie a thumbs-up. "Young Master Qu, you may not be very capable, but you slide onto your knees fast. That's a talent in its own right."

Who said Young Master Qu could not become a general if he were sent to France?

There was no garbage in this world, only resources put in the wrong place.

"Brother Jiu, Young Master Qu is yours. When Third-Place Qi asks, I'll tell her you extracted all the intelligence he had."

Song Jiang was not exactly a positive example of a man from Shandong, but his three nicknames-Protector of Righteousness, Timely Rain, and Filial and Righteous Black Third Son-were worth learning from for anyone from Shandong.

If you wanted to get ahead within the establishment, being a lone wolf had no future.

Sure enough, Du Jiu grew even more enthusiastic. "Leave him to me, Young Master. Rest assured."

"Mm. Sorry for the trouble, Brother Jiu."

Lianshan Xin turned his gaze to Steward Qu.

Ever since hearing the words "Holy Cult" from Qu Junjie's mouth, Steward Qu had been completely numb.

After meeting Lianshan Xin's gaze, Steward Qu likewise recognized which way the wind was blowing and immediately dropped to his knees, banging his forehead against the floor.

"Young Master Xin, please see the truth! I know nothing about the Demon Cult. Whatever Master and Young Master were plotting, I'm only a servant. They would never tell me secrets like that."

Qi Wenbin nodded slightly and spoke of his own accord. "I don't think he's lying."

Of course Lianshan Xin could also tell he was not lying.

But that did not matter.

Lianshan Xin crouched down, looked at Steward Qu with a beaming smile, and asked kindly, "Steward Qu, did it feel especially good when you turned my father away at the door?"

Steward Qu's face was pale as he continued kowtowing. "Young Master Xin, I was only following my master's orders!"

"President Qu's retribution will be worse than yours. Don't rush." Lianshan Xin smiled. "Steward Qu, would you like to atone for your crimes by rendering meritorious service?"

"Yes, yes! Please show me a way out, Young Master Xin."

Lianshan Xin looked back at Qi Wenbin. "Brother Qi, which realm of the Martial Dao are you in now?"

Qi Wenbin frowned, but after a moment's hesitation, he still answered, "Qi Condensation Peak, half a step into true intent."

The third realm of the Martial Dao was the qi condensation realm; the fourth was the true intent realm.

At "half a step into true intent," Lianshan Xin chuckled inwardly.

The qi condensation realm is the qi condensation realm. What's this nonsense about half a step into true intent?

When the true intent realm folks hold a meeting, do they invite you?

Although those were his thoughts, Lianshan Xin still asked with a smile, "Looks like you're about to break through to the true intent realm, Brother Qi. Aside from your own hard work and diligent cultivation, heavenly treasures should also help you break through the qi condensation realm, right?"

"Of course, but heavenly treasures are all expensive. Even on my monthly salary, I wouldn't dare dream of them. I'm not a pampered young master like you lot. I can only accumulate merit myself and try to exchange it for medicinal ingredients to help me break through before the end of the year," Qi Wenbin said frankly.

Realization dawned on Lianshan Xin. He understood why Qi Wenbin disliked him.

So this fellow hates the rich.

Then we're in the same class.

Why should us poor bastards fight among ourselves?

"Brother Qi, let me correct you on one thing first. I'm no pampered young master. I earned Third-Place Qi's and Lord Heavenly Sword's regard by rendering meritorious service."

After saying that, Lianshan Xin pointed at Steward Qu. "The Qu Family runs a merchant association. As far as I know, they've stockpiled quite a few cultivation supplies. And as the steward of the entire association, Steward Qu knows the Qu Family's circumstances like the back of his hand. Brother Qi, do you understand what I mean?"

The instant Lianshan Xin finished speaking, Qi Wenbin was already standing before him, clasping his hand and saying earnestly, "Brother, I spoke a little too loudly earlier. Third-Place Qi instructed us that you were in charge. Whatever you say, I'll do. If anything goes wrong, I'll take responsibility for you."

Lianshan Xin laughed aloud. "Brother Qi, I still prefer that proud, untamable look you had earlier."

Qi Wenbin said solemnly, "Brother, just call me Little Qi."