Chapter 82: Dark Alley |
Chen Qing emerged from Zhou's courtyard and walked toward home. Just as he turned the corner at Changping Street, an inconspicuous green-canopied carriage quietly approached and stopped beside him.
From the driver's seat, a plainly dressed but sharp-eyed coachman jumped down and bowed slightly, "Master Chen, my master requests your presence for a conversation in the private room of the tea house at the alley entrance ahead."
Chen Qing asked, "What is your master's surname and name?"
The coachman smiled obsequiously, "My young master's surname is Huang, given name Mingxuan."
Chen Qing's steps paused slightly, but he said impassively, "Lead the way."
Huang Mingxuan!?
The Huang family's eldest son, rumored to be the candidate for the next family head.
"Master Chen, please."
The coachman gestured invitingly, then led Chen Qing to the nearby tea house.
A thirty-year-old man wore a moon-white brocade robe, his bearing dignified and graceful.
This person was indeed Huang Mingxuan, the Huang family's eldest son.
Half a step behind him stood an ordinary-looking elder with his hands tucked in his sleeves and eyes downcast.
Chen Qing's eyebrows raised slightly, immediately recognizing this elder as a transforming strength expert.
Seeing Chen Qing enter, Huang Mingxuan's face showed a perfectly measured smile as he gestured with his hand, "Brother Chen, please sit. I apologize for the presumptuous invitation, please forgive me."
Chen Qing sat as instructed, "Young Master Huang is too polite."
Huang Mingxuan got straight to the point without beating around the bush, "Brother Chen speaks directly, so Mingxuan won't go in circles either. I've come today, first, to apologize for Aunt Xu's previous offense against Brother Chen."
He bowed slightly, lowering his posture extremely, "Women are short-sighted and don't recognize talent. Her words were offensive. When my father learned of this, he was greatly enraged. With just one word from Brother Chen, you may dispose of her as you wish, whether to beat, punish, exile, or imprison her. The Huang family will have no objections."
His tone was calm, as if discussing not his own aunt, but an object that could be discarded at any time.
Chen Qing's eyelids lifted slightly, but he said nothing.
What a grand gesture from the Huang family, and what ruthless hearts.
Using Xu Xiuhua as a token of allegiance showed both sincerity and severed relations, while also serving as cold intimidation, that before family interests, even relatives could be abandoned like worn shoes.
"Second."
Seeing Chen Qing's silence, Huang Mingxuan continued, "The Huang family is willing to invite Brother Chen to join with the highest standard of patronage. One thousand taels of silver, a mansion in the prefectural city, three Blood Qi Pills monthly, plus access to boxing manuals and ancient texts collected in our Huang family's secret vault for Brother Chen's study. Whatever Brother Chen needs, the Huang family will strive to fulfill."
These conditions were generous enough to move many transforming strength experts.
"Third."
Huang Mingxuan leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice with a confiding tone, "The grudge between Brother Chen and Master Shi of Pine Breeze Martial Hall is something my father sees and finds troublesome. Master Shi lost his promising disciple, this hatred is hard to dispel."
He changed his tone and smiled, "However, my father is willing to personally intervene on Brother Chen's behalf! As long as Brother Chen nods and leaves Zhou's courtyard, the Huang family guarantees all past matters will be wiped clean! Master Shi will never trouble Brother Chen over this matter again."
Offering Xu Xiuhua as sacrifice, promising great wealth, then resolving the enemy Shi Wenshan, the Huang family's three moves were precisely aimed at the heart.
For a young expert of humble origins with powerful enemies, this was an almost irrefutable olive branch.
Leaving the storm-tossed Zhou's courtyard to join the towering tree of the Huang family would make the road ahead smooth.
However, Chen Qing caught the key information in those words.
This hatred is hard to dispel!?
His expression remained unchanged, but killing intent surged in his heart.
It seemed he too needed to act quickly.
Huang Mingxuan poured Chen Qing a cup of tea and quietly waited for Chen Qing's answer.
"Young Master Huang's favor, Chen is ashamed to accept."
Chen Qing spoke slowly, his tone steady, "Chen has deeply felt the Huang family's sincerity. However, this matter concerns Chen's martial path and life, requiring careful consideration. Please allow Chen to return home and consider for a few days before giving you an answer."
Huang Mingxuan's smile didn't change, but a trace of faint disappointment and understanding flashed in his eyes.
He lifted his teacup, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger, "Brother Chen's caution is natural. The Huang family's door will always be open for Brother Chen, only..."
He looked up, gazing deeply at Chen Qing with meaningful intent, "The weather in Gaolin changes without warning. Opportunities are fleeting. Brother Chen should decide early. Don't wait until storms approach to seek shelter, by then it will be difficult."
Having said this, he elegantly gestured dismissively, "Brother Chen, please."
"Young Master Huang, farewell."
Chen Qing cupped his fists and rose to leave.
Huang Mingxuan watched Chen Qing's retreating figure and sneered, "Good advice can't save the damned, mercy can't ferry those who refuse salvation. Let him be."
After leaving the tea house, Chen Qing walked straight home.
Lady Han emerged from the house and said, "Ah Qing, the meal is ready, it's on the stove."
Chen Qing nodded, "I understand. Mother, please go back inside quickly, the wind is strong outside."
Chen Qing returned to his room and placed a Blood Qi Pill in his mouth.
"About time."
Then he began cultivating Toad Fishing Force. Immediately, gurgling sounds from deep within his organs connected into one piece, like muffled thunder rolling ceaselessly in his abdominal cavity, growing louder and more urgent.
The qi and blood within his body surged and churned like a volcano about to erupt.
On his skin's surface, fine beads of sweat constantly seeped out, only to be instantly vaporized by the surging internal heat, forming wisps of white vapor swirling around his body.
Toad Fishing Force third realm achieved!
But this was only the beginning.
Beneath Chen Qing's bare upper body skin, countless fine lines seemed to writhe frantically, his muscles, tendons, and bones all emitting subtle groans of strain.
"Hum..."
A strange resonance suddenly emanated from deep within his bone marrow! This sound was initially subtle, like the lingering echo of metal striking metal, but instantly rose and magnified, transforming into continuous thunderous roaring!
Not heard by the ears, but directly resounding through his limbs and bones, every inch of skeleton, every strand of marrow simultaneously exploding, surging, tempering.
Chen Qing's body began trembling violently beyond his control, the amplitude so great it nearly launched him from the bed.
His bones grinding made teeth-aching "creaking" sounds.
A mighty, irresistible, supremely rigid and yang force, accompanied by this terrifying thunder sound, surged forth from the deepest marrow, washing toward every corner of his body!
The intense pain far exceeded any previous breakthrough attempt, as if it would completely tear and melt his body from inside out.
Chen Qing's forehead and neck veins bulged like coiled dragons, his teeth clenched tight, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth, yet he desperately maintained the last clarity in his spiritual platform, fully operating Toad Fishing Force to guide this torrent of destruction and rebirth.
Thunder rolled, washing marrow and cutting hair!
Countless filthy impurities hidden deep in flesh and blood, in meridian gaps, even in the marrow's essence, accumulated over years, drug toxins, fine blockages left behind... under this baptism, like remnant snow under blazing sun, rapidly melted and disintegrated.
Sizzle sizzle sizzle...
On his skin's surface, a layer of viscous, foul-smelling, dark muddy oil-sweat, mixed with tiny dust-like grayish-black particles, was forcibly squeezed out from his pores by the violent qi and blood.
In the blink of an eye, Chen Qing appeared as if just dragged from a filthy mud pond, covered in a thick layer of foul-smelling black mud.
The air in the room became unbearably polluted.
However, beneath this layer of filth, Chen Qing's body was undergoing earth-shattering transformation.
His bone marrow was reborn in the thunder sound, becoming as heavy and condensed as mercury, with greatly increased blood-producing power.
As his blood flowed, it faintly produced the sound of rushing rivers, its color becoming ever brighter with a heavy, metallic quality, nearly like lead-mercury.
His tendons, bones, and membranes, under tempering, became even more resilient, every subtle tremor containing explosive force.
When the last echo of thunder gradually dissipated within his body, the trembling in the room stopped.
Chen Qing suddenly opened his eyes!
Toad Fishing Force third realm, Thunder Sound Marrow Cleansing, achieved!
He slowly exhaled a long breath of turbid air, the breath shooting out three feet before gradually dissipating.
Feeling the unprecedented clarity, power, and control within his body, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted, as if invisible shackles had been broken.
Blood flowed like lead-mercury, organs tough as metal, bone marrow condensed like silver frost.
In every gesture, power flowed without obstruction, where his will went, force could arrive instantly.
Great achievement of transforming strength?
Chen Qing slowly clenched his five fingers, feeling the magnificent force surging through his tendons and bones, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.
…
County military camp, secret chamber.
Candleflames flickered, illuminating Pang Qinghai's face.
Spread before him were mountains of iron evidence:
Duplicate shipping manifests of Renhe Medicine Shop smuggling private medicines, documents stamped with unusual release seals from the Canal Transport Office, secret account books of silver transactions between the Huang and Zhu families with the Blood River Gang and weapon forging shops, even delivery receipts from Pine Breeze Martial Hall receiving items marked as "specialties" that were actually armor.
These county families were often deeply entangled, no one knew which were whose hidden pieces.
Only by producing ironclad chains of evidence could one be convincing.
Pang Jiu stood with hands at his sides, saying quietly, "My lord, all chains are closed. Master Deng Feihu has confirmed, Old Liu from Guangchang and Master Lin from Hongyun have also been secretly notified. We await only your command."
The corners of Pang Qinghai's mouth curved in a cold arc.
"Time to close the net."
His voice was low, carrying long-suppressed thunderous fury, "Pass the word, we strike tomorrow at the hour of the ox! Primary targets: Huang mansion, Zhu mansion, Renhe Medicine Shop, Far-Sight Escort Agency headquarters, Pine Breeze Martial Hall! Kill any who resist!"
"Yes!"
Pang Jiu's eyes flashed with fierce light as his figure quickly melted into the shadows.
In the secret chamber, only Pang Qinghai remained, along with the dancing candleflames.
…
Drunken Immortal Tower, warm pavilion.
Cold winds howled outside the window, but inside the warm pavilion, charcoal fires blazed.
"Zhou's courtyard is like a candle in the wind. That old wretch Zhou Liang is severely injured and difficult to heal, not to be feared! But that Chen Qing..."
Shi Wenshan's face was dark as water, his voice like grinding sandpaper as he said coldly, "He cut off my disciple Yaohui's future, crippled my Gaosheng! This boy absolutely cannot be left alive!"
Sitting across from him were Blood River Gang Vice Leader Yu Ze and Meng Tieshou, the highly paid patron of the Zhu family.
Both had condensed auras and sharp gazes, both transforming strength experts.
Yu Ze picked his teeth and chuckled, "Master Shi, rest assured. The family head has long been impatient. Tomorrow at the hour of the ox will be the time to settle everything! Leave that old man Zhou Liang to me."
Meng Tieshou was much steadier. His thick, dark-skinned fingers rubbed the cup's edge, "Brother Shi, rest assured. Tomorrow we will certainly give our utmost effort."
"Thank you!"
Shi Wenshan took a deep breath and said solemnly, "After the deed is done, the business from two shops in the new western market allocated by the merchant guild for Pine Breeze Martial Hall will be presented to the Blood River Gang! Additionally, there's a treasured three-year 'Fire Cloud Grass' to gift to Patron Meng. This grass greatly benefits tempering tendons and bones, especially hand techniques!"
Yu Ze's eyes lit up. The profits from two shops would be considerable wealth.
He immediately agreed, "Good! Master Shi is straightforward! Tomorrow at the hour of the ox, I'll personally lead people to block Zhou's courtyard front gate."
Meng Tieshou looked at Shi Wenshan and slowly nodded, "This old man's Black Evil Hand hasn't tasted transforming strength expert blood in a long time. Tomorrow, this old man will keep Zhou Liang pinned down."
His words were calm but carried chilling killing intent.
Shi Wenshan said coldly, "Thank you both! Tomorrow at the hour of the ox, we'll meet at Zhou's courtyard and eliminate this scoundrel together!"
The hatred in his heart seemed to have found an outlet.
When the banquet dispersed, it was already late at night.
The wind and snow seemed heavier, goose-feather flakes falling densely.
Shi Wenshan refused carriages and horses, walking alone through the thick snow, making his way toward Pine Breeze Martial Hall with deep and shallow steps.
He came to a narrow, deep back-street alley rarely traveled by people.
High walls rose on both sides, blocking the already faint snow-light, making the alley even darker.
Cold wind carrying snow swirled through the alley with eerie howling sounds.
Sudden change!
From the shadows of the left wall, a figure like a ghost merged with the night burst forth without warning!
At extreme speed, as if tearing through the falling snowflakes, the generated force instantly carved a deep furrow in the accumulated snow!
No shouts, no warnings, only the purest, deadliest killing intent!
A fist, wrapped in mighty, mountain-heavy terrifying force, produced a low whistle like muffled thunder, directly striking Shi Wenshan's completely unguarded left waist and ribs.
Before the fist arrived, the concentrated force-wind already painfully pricked Shi Wenshan's kidney area!
Ambush!?
Shi Wenshan was after all a great achievement transforming strength expert. In this critical moment, relying on reflexes honed through decades of life-and-death combat, he instantly pushed his whole body's qi and blood to the extreme. His entire arm's veins bulged as he desperately thrust his elbow backward while frantically twisting his waist and hips rightward, trying to deflect and dodge!
"Bang—!!!"
The impact sound, muffled like beating a giant drum, thunderously exploded in the narrow alley!
Shi Wenshan felt an unimaginably violent giant force slam into his left elbow! That force was heavier, more concentrated, more domineering than he had estimated!
It felt not like a fist, but like a siege hammer wrapped in tremendous force!
"Crack!"
A subtle yet heart-stopping bone-breaking sound clearly reached Shi Wenshan's ears!
Piercing pain came from his left elbow, his entire left arm instantly paralyzed, qi and blood flowing backward, half his body going soft!
He staggered backward, heavily crashing into the cold, hard blue brick wall on the right!
"Rumble!"
The wall shook violently, snow falling rustling down.
Stars danced before Shi Wenshan's eyes, his internal organs seemingly displaced, intense pain and dizziness washing over him like a tide.
He slid down against the wall, his right hand desperately covering his painfully injured left elbow, looking up with shock and rage.
He saw the ambusher standing steadily in the middle of the snowy alley, perfectly blocking the path.
The person wore dark clothing suitable for night movement, standing in shadow where face and expression couldn't be clearly seen.
From the build, they seemed quite young.
Wind and snow whirled between the two, stirring up ground snow like scattered jade.
"What a sinister little beast! No martial virtue!"
Shi Wenshan endured the severe pain, struggling to stand straight, his eyes shooting out terrifying fierce light, "Skulking rat! Who are you?!"
The newcomer said nothing, advancing with phantom steps like a spirit ape on branches, right hand slightly raised in invitation.
Seeing that familiar technique, Shi Wenshan's pupils suddenly contracted, shock appearing on his face:
"It's you?! Chen Qing!"
The wind and snow seemed to freeze at this moment.
Killing intent in the alley suddenly boiled!
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