Lion's Roar

Hengyuan stopped in his tracks, turned around, and without saying a word, clasped his hands in a respectful bow to Xu Qi'an.

"I'd like to visit the health center," Xu Qi'an stated his request.

"Can."

"Let's go together," Xu Qi'an invited his two colleagues.

"Didn't you bring any money?" Song Tingfeng glanced at him sideways.

Xu Qi'an smiled without saying a word, took a couple of steps, and stepped on a hard lump. He picked it up naturally and placed it in his palm. "See, the money's here."

Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao: "???"

The former stared at the dull-colored silver and said dejectedly, "I wasn't watching where I was going and missed this silver. You got a freebie."

In fact, you've missed out on at least several taels of silver. Xu Qi'an raised an eyebrow, put the silver into his pocket, and explained, "Master Hengyuan lives in the Yangsheng Hall in the eastern part of the outer city. I heard that the widows, orphans, and lonely people there don't have a very good life."

"There are countless people in the world who are not doing well," Zhu Guangxiao said in a low voice, then sighed.

The three followed Hengyuan out of the inner city and headed towards the Yangsheng Hall in the east of the city. During the journey, Song Tingfeng discovered something interesting.

"Look at this monk. We walk fast, and he walks fast too, always maintaining a fixed distance, but he never looks back at us."

This was certainly not because Hengyuan had eyes in the back of his head. Xu Qi'an and the other two sighed inwardly: What a terrifying spiritual sense.

Deliberately quickening their pace, the four soon arrived at the east side of the city, a slum area filled with low, dilapidated houses and people wearing patched-up old cotton-padded coats.

They basked in the sun, their faces sallow and thin, their eyes vacant. The children here still had a bright light in their eyes, but their emaciated bodies, dirty faces, and the way they always stared at people's wallets made people feel inexplicably disgusted with them.

Xu Qi'an felt a great hatred, but not directed at the poor people and children, but at the environment itself.

In his past life, he had seen many photos of war-torn regions, where poverty, hunger, and chaos were the constant themes. Every time he saw similar photos or scenes, he felt intense disgust because he, who yearned for a better life, was powerless to change these things.

It's probably what's called impotent rage.

"Keep an eye on your wallets, although they wouldn't dare, nor are they capable of, stealing your money." Hengyuan's voice came from ahead, continuing:

"Do not give alms here, as this will put you in an awkward situation."

He didn't explain the nature of the awkward situation.

I understand. If I show them goodwill, they'll be easy prey. Is Monk Hengyuan afraid we'll get angry and harm the poor people here? Xu Qi'an pondered this, saying aloud:

"I rarely come to places like this, why not go and work?"

"Most of the people living in such places are landless migrants. They may have had land before, but they could not bear the heavy corvée labor and chose to give up their land and come to the city to make a living."

"But there's no place for them to live in the city, and from time to time, catchers come here looking for fishermen. However, in order to survive, there are indeed quite a few among them who commit crimes."

Master Hengyuan explained in a calm tone.

As they spoke, the four arrived at the Health Preservation Hall, a courtyard that had been around for quite some time, the plaque on the gate long since faded from the ravages of time.

"Government officials came to renovate the courtyard a while ago, but I replaced the old plaque with the new one. Too much glitz and glamour might not be a good thing for Yangshengtang. Please, gentlemen!"

Upon entering the health center, Hengyuan led them inside and said, "Lord Xu, I know you are in trouble. I am seeking your help, not to borrow money. I have heard that you have a good relationship with the Warlock of the Bureau of Astronomy, and I would like to ask you to help me find the white-robed Warlock to save a child."

They crossed the front yard and entered the messy backyard, arriving at a woodshed.

The woodshed was covered with thick straw and cotton quilts. In the corner were a charcoal brazier and a large bowl. A thin, black dog was curled up on the quilts.

Hearing the noise, the black dog stirred, but couldn't get up. It struggled to lift its head, and seeing a stranger, its dull eyes instinctively revealed a pleading, pitiful look as it spoke haltingly:

May your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea, and may you enjoy great luck and prosperity.

Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, who had been expressionless, suddenly froze.

Xu Qi'an was struck dumb, recalling some of the things he had said when he saved Hengyuan No. 6.

"This, this is... that child?" Xu Qi'an murmured.

"He can only say these eight words." Hengyuan gazed at the black dog with a compassionate expression. "I rescued him while searching for my junior brother Henghui. Because of the tragic treatment he received, he wouldn't live much longer. During this time, I used my Qi to nourish his body, barely keeping him alive."

"But this cannot last. His health is very poor and he needs medical treatment, otherwise he will die within three days at most. Ordinary doctors cannot save him; only Warlock from the Bureau of Astronomy can. I had no choice but to seek help from Lord Xu."

Song Tingfeng opened his mouth, then said in a deep voice, "Perhaps, death is the best end for him."

Hengyuan glanced at the gong and said softly, "Every day when the sun rises, his eyes are bright. I can read the longing in them, because it is a pure hope that he just wants to live."

"In some people's eyes, he might be as insignificant as a weed in the yard. But even a weed wants to live tenaciously."

Song Tingfeng fell silent.

Xu Qi'an gave the "black dog" a deep look. "I understand. I will ask the Warlock from the Bureau of Astronomy to examine the patient. Master, if you need money in the future, please feel free to come to me."

After saying that, he added, "I will give you a maximum of three qian of silver per day."

Three coins a day? Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao were slightly moved. They knew that eight coins made up one tael, Xu Qi'an's monthly salary, not counting rice, amounted to only four or five taels of real gold and silver.

Even in the inner city, one can live a relatively comfortable life.

Three coins a day, that's one tael in three days. Where did he get so much money? Oh, he has a thousand taels of gold bestowed upon him by His Majesty. That's alright then.

Hengyuan shook his head.

"Don't worry, the money came from honest sources, it's like it was picked up for free," Xu Qi'an reassured him.

Master Hengyuan nodded, calmed the "black dog," and led Xu Qi'an and the other two back to the front yard, saying, "Please wait a moment, gentlemen. I have something to say to Lord Xu."

Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao nodded. One turned to tease the children who were hiding in the room peeking at the guests, while the other went to talk to the old man who was sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, basking in the sun.

Upon entering a simple house, Hengyuan closed the door, clasped his hands together, and said, "Lord Xu, your aura is profound, your spirit is complete and your energy abundant. Are you about to step into the Spirit Refining Realm?"

"How could he be so accurate? I only know that Number Six is an eighth-rank martial monk, but I don't know his strength. I don't even know his strengths and weaknesses, yet he already knows my limitations." Xu Qi'an straightened his expression. "What guidance does the master have?"

Do you have a visualization diagram?

"Some."

Master Hengyuan nodded in realization and said, "This humble monk is unable to repay Master Xu's money. I originally intended to give you a visualization diagram when you reached the peak of the Qi Refining Realm."

"Since Your Excellency has this method, then this humble monk will choose another unique skill."

I've already mastered the "Heaven and Earth One Blade Slash," and the advantages and disadvantages of this ultimate technique are quite obvious. It's indeed time to learn other ultimate techniques to make up for my weaknesses. Xu Qi'an's spirits lifted. "Then thank you very much, Master."

Hengyuan nodded. "I am an eighth-rank martial monk. I know nothing of the Buddhist School Law Technique, only some offensive techniques. My specialty is the Buddhist School Lion's Roar. This technique is both a visualization method and a unique skill."

"A matching set... So the output relies entirely on roaring...?" Xu Qi'an was immediately disappointed. The Lion's Roar sounded like something only a brute would use, lacking any real sophistication.

Hengyuan, number six, noticed the disappointment in Xu Qi'an's eyes. After thinking for a moment, he said, "This humble monk can demonstrate the power of the Lion's Roar to you, sir."

"Just don't yell so loudly I can't hear you," Xu Qi'an nodded, then added worriedly, "Won't it affect the elderly and children in the yard?"

Hengyuan shook his head. "I will control the power within this room."

After saying that, Xu Qi'an saw Number Six, who looked bitter and resentful, take a deep breath and throw a punch in a normal posture.

The punch was unremarkable, lacking both power and speed, posing no threat whatsoever. The thought had barely crossed his mind when he heard a deep, resonant lion's roar.

┗|`O′|┛Aww~~

Xu Qi'an suffered a concussion and entered a state of unconscious dizziness. When he regained his senses, he saw a fist the size of a clay pot pressed against the tip of his nose.

Monk Hengyuan withdrew his fist and said in a deep voice, "This method shakes the Primordial Spirit and intimidates the enemy. When cultivated to a high level, even the most Daoist School Yin spirits of the Daoist sects will find it difficult to resist."

This move, combined with my Heaven and Earth Slash, is simply perfect! My biggest concern is missing my ultimate, but with the Lion's Roar's control effect, I'm not afraid of it missing. Xu Qi'an said happily, "Please teach me, Master."

At the same time, a question flashed through his mind: Is this really just an eighth-rank martial monk?

Hengyuan turned and walked to the bedside, dragged a worn wooden box from under the bed, solemnly took out a picture book, and handed it to Xu Qi'an:

"This book records the methods of breath control, as well as my personal insights into practice."

Xu Qi'an reached out and took it. Master Hengyuan pressed down on the cover and said in a deep voice, "It must be returned."

Why add that sentence? Have you heard of my reputation as a freeloader, Xu Qi'an? Xu Qi'an nodded. "Yes, Master."

After leaving the room, they went to the front yard and met up with their two colleagues. The three of them discussed it and pooled together one tael of silver to donate to the health center.

After bidding farewell to Hengyuan, as they reached the main gate, Song Tingfeng suddenly said, "Wait a moment."

He turned and ran back, staring silently at the old clerk, his teeth clenched and his face contorted in rage.

"Sir?" The old clerk was somewhat frightened.

Song Tingfeng gritted his teeth and made a snap decision. He took off his money pouch and threw it over, unable to bear looking any longer, and turned to leave.

That was the five taels of silver he planned to use to go to the Imperial Academy of Music tonight; it was his monthly salary.

"You damned Xu Ningyan, if I ever come to a place like this with you again, I'll take your surname!" Song Tingfeng kicked Xu Qi'an.

Xu Qi'an dodged the attack and sneered, "I don't care if you take my surname. Your son can take my surname in the future."

Song Tingfeng took off his sword and chased after him, attacking him.

Upon returning to the inner city, Xu Qi'an handed over the street patrol duties to his two colleagues and went to the Star-Gazing Tower.

"Young Master Xu." The white-robed Warlock greeted him warmly, and no one stopped him from going upstairs.

Xu Qi'an searched around but couldn't find Chu Caiwei or Song Qing. He then caught up with an Alchemist and asked:

Where is Caiwei?

"The eldest princess has arrived. Junior Sister Caiwei is accompanying her to meet Master Jianzheng at the Eight Trigrams Platform," the Alchemist said.

"My first wife and second wife are both here." Xu Qi'an then asked, "Where is Senior Brother Song?"

"They asked the government for a death row inmate and are studying him in a secret room."

"."

Xu Qi'an abandoned his idea of seeing Song Qing and asked, "Where is the kitchen?"