Ji Xiu’s heart pounded. THUMP, THUMP.
He had a sudden illusion—that even if a powerful crossbow bolt were to pierce his chest, for a time... it wouldn’t stop him from fighting and running!
He had only tempered a few more Golden Bones, and he was still a long way from connecting all twenty-four sections into a single flow of Qi to support his entire frame, yet he was already this formidable.
’If I reach Perfection, will I truly possess the so-called ’Physical Dragon Elephant Power’ described in the books!?’
’I hope the ancients weren’t deceiving me!’
[Tutor has consumed the ’Sixth-Grade Spirit Wine’ Dragon Liver and Phoenix Marrow. Its medicinal properties have entered the spinal column, connecting the internal organs. Strength and Qi have greatly increased. Progress Advance +2!]
[Tutor has consumed the ’Sixth-Grade Spirit Wine’ Dragon Liver and Phoenix Marrow and has entered a state of ’epiphany,’ achieving twice the results with half the effort. Progress Advance +2!]
[Current: (6/24)]
For a moment, Ji Xiu was filled with an unparalleled drive, wishing he could apply the Medicinal Powder, strike while the iron was hot, and push one step further!
The Tier Six Spirit Wine was said to be for Qi Cultivation Grandmasters, but compared to a proper Foundation Establishment Secret Medicine made specifically for quenching one’s flesh, bone, skin, and membrane, it was still a bit lacking.
’If I use this Mortal Pill Extreme—the Jade Dew Medicinal Powder, a Seventh-Grade Secret Medicine—and supplement it with my state of epiphany for double the results...’
Ji Xiu was confident he could directly refine a set of ’Flood Dragon’s Internal Organs’!
By then, he would have endless internal strength and Qi, infinite Blood Marrow, and externally, a pair of Flood Dragon Arms. He could tear apart tigers and leopards with his bare hands, draw a hundred-stone bow, and shoot arrows that could pierce through a forest.
The vast, five-hundred-li Mountain Dao...
’Could I... could I venture out alone, hunt a Centennial Demon, obtain its Demon Pill through my own power, then learn Eighth Grade Alchemy Skill from Old Huang, and refine it to achieve Bone Tempering Perfection!?’
Ji Xiu’s mind was racing with excitement.
Suddenly, a familiar figure came staggering to his door.
"Master Ji..."
Old Yao, shivering from the cold, ran into the Ji Family’s courtyard in the Fire Kiln district.
Ji Xiu, who had just finished practicing the True Flood Dragon Transformation, rose from the ground, assuming it was someone from the Lin Residence coming to him about the unconscious Lin Ruxue.
Before he could speak.
He watched as Old Yao—who had once been a fellow groom with him in the same stables—suddenly fell to his knees with a THUD. Cupping something that looked like a land title in both hands, he spoke in a hoarse voice:
"Master Ji, these are all the Boss’s assets in the whole of Anning County—all the land titles, account books, and shops. All told, there are about twenty of them, large and small. By his order... I am to present them all to you today!"
Ji Xiu’s eyes narrowed. His hand, which had been reaching out to help Old Yao up, froze mid-air.
’Lin Zhenhai?’
’He’s reached Great Success in Bone Tempering and has struggled through the ups and downs of this county for twenty or thirty years.’
’Though his business isn’t on the level of the Three Major Professions, he has opened quite a few shops across several industries. By the standards of this county, being able to support a hundred-odd people is enough to earn respect and be called ’Boss.’’
’Someone like Lin Zhenhai must rake in two to three thousand taels of silver a year.’
’It’s not considered a top-tier business in Anning County, sure.’
’But the Fire Kiln, Chai Market, and Cattle and Sheep Market all cater to the poor. The margins are slim, and they have to support a lot of people. Even after merging to form the Wind and Cloud Association... it’s not like they’re making a fortune.’
’So why, out of the blue, would he suddenly lose his mind and give his entire fortune to me? We’re not even related.’
’Don’t tell me it’s because I saved Lin Ruxue, and he wants to make me his son-in-law again—only this time, with a much bigger stake?’
Just as this strange thought surfaced in Ji Xiu’s mind, Old Yao continued in a trembling voice:
"Just yesterday, the Third Young Master, Lin Du—the one the master previously expelled from the family—returned. We don’t know how, but not only has he reached Bone Tempering, he also brought two Skin Refining experts with him and smashed down the gates to the residence."
"The moment they were inside, they subdued the master and tried to force him to sign over his entire life’s fortune. They even... they even crippled his legs!"
"In a fit of rage, the master seized an opportunity and told me to take all these deeds and titles and gift them to you."
"You can sell them or give them away, he doesn’t care. He only asks that if you manage to establish yourself in the future and have the power to spare, you look after the Second Young Miss for him."
"After all, we’ve heard the Eldest Young Miss... has already been killed."
Bitterness filled Old Yao’s heart. He had only been the steward of the outer residence for a few days before the great shake-up at the Lin Residence today cost him his position.
He was a worldly man, but Lin Zhenhai had given him a way to make a living. At the very least, a person should know how to repay gratitude.
So, when he was kicked out of the Lin Residence, he followed his master’s instructions. He did not betray him. Instead, he took all the hidden deeds and brought them straight to Ji Xiu.
Ji Xiu was lost in thought after hearing all this.
’Lin Du.’
’And what corner did he crawl out from?’
But...
’The Lin Family’s shops, their assets... the comatose Lin Ruxue... Lin Ruyue, trapped in the residence... and now Lin Du, showing up to turn the world on its head...’
Ji Xiu’s thoughts raced, and he immediately connected everything to the Central Yellow Sect and Wang Hongzu.
’To mysteriously reach Bone Tempering and even rope in two Skin Refining experts... Tsk...’
’In the five hundred li of Anning County, Skin Refining Martial Artists don’t exactly grow on trees.’
’For a business like the one in the Fire Kiln, even under Manor Master Lu, only the two Great Tributors—who are now external elders in the Wind and Cloud Association—have reached that level.’
’How could some other minor family possibly get connected with Martial Artists of that caliber?’
’Add the business with Wang Hongzu and Lin Ruxue’s coma into the equation... He must be in league with the Central Yellow Sect. It can’t be a coincidence.’
Ji Xiu had already been planning a trip to the County Yamen to figure out why Gu Baichuan and Zhao Jiu had sent him such a generous gift for no apparent reason.
After learning of this, he decided that while he was at it, he would stir up some trouble for Lin Du. Since Lin Du was almost certainly involved, Ji Xiu would treat him to a fine performance of a "raid by the Government Office."