strokinit Chapter 30 The Well-Suppressing Beast
Chapter 30 The Well-Suppressing Beast
Jiang Qi turned his head and saw that Steward Li had also arrived at the water store at some point.
He glanced at the corpse on the ground without even raising an eyebrow, then his gaze fell on the turtle.
"This is a water-suppressing beast," Steward Li said in a deep voice. "Some time ago, I had Cui Yuan put it into the well."
"A water-suppressing beast?" Guo Meng quickly put down the wooden bucket.
Jiang Qi's heart stirred slightly.
Having lived in the water town for many years, he had indeed heard of the "water-suppressing beast".
Some ancient wells, deep and cold, are sometimes used to house specific living creatures, such as turtles, soft-shelled turtles, and fish.
It is said to be able to invigorate water vapor, suppress evil spirits, and keep water quality clear and pure.
So, the well water is murky because of this two-headed turtle?
If that's the case, then the old beggar's madness before his death was just a coincidence?
"Manager Li, should we release the...water-suppressing beast back?" Guo Meng asked.
"Put it back," Steward Li ordered.
Guo Meng did as instructed, picked up the bucket, and put the two-headed turtle back into the well.
Manager Li then turned his gaze to the old beggar's corpse, frowning as he asked, "What happened?"
Jiang Qi briefly recounted what had happened, omitting his doubts about the well water and the old man's death, only saying that the old man had come to ask for water, suddenly fell ill, and died of fright.
Manager Li didn't pay much attention after hearing this, simply nodding before scrutinizing Jiang Qi closely with sharp eyes: "I heard you've already refined three strands of Qi and Blood?"
Jiang Qi nodded calmly.
Zhenyuan Martial Arts School does not participate in power struggles, but it is watched by various forces. It is normal that the Ironclad Gang found out that he had developed his third Qi and Blood in the martial arts school that afternoon.
"Not bad." Manager Li nodded. "I didn't expect that a small water shop could produce three martial artists with Qi and Blood."
After a brief pause, he asked again, "Have you ever thought about working for the gang? The Fierce Wind Hall, or other branches, all need manpower."
Ironclad Gang?
Fighting and killing are nowhere near as good as water.
Jiang Qi hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Manager Li, I have been working at the waterworks for a long time and am familiar with the affairs here and the water usage of the Liefeng Hall, but I know very little about the affairs of the gang..."
Manager Li glanced at Jiang Qi and said, "Very well. The water supply for Liefeng Hall is important, and the water station does need people. Since you're so willing, you can stay for now."
As he spoke, he took out a black iron waist token: "This is the identity token of the elites in the gang. With this token, you can receive iron armor and weapons, as well as twelve taels of silver and fifteen doses of Blood Qi Powder every month."
"Thank you, Steward Li!"
"Our Ironclad Gang has always valued talent above all else, and we have a clear system of rewards and punishments. As long as you work diligently, the gang will never be stingy with resources. Whatever the merchants and escort agencies outside can provide, our Ironclad Gang can provide as well, and even more."
The words were phrased tactfully, but Jiang Qi understood them perfectly.
The implication is that he is a member of the Ironclad Gang and must not have any dealings with the Sihai Shanghai or Weiyuan Escort Agency.
But interestingly, the manager did not mention Lee Tong Money Shop.
"Thank you, Steward," Jiang Qi replied solemnly.
Manager Li grunted in agreement, gave a few more instructions on things like paying attention to the well water quality and delivering water on time, and then left.
"Congratulations, Brother Jiang!" Guo Meng looked at the black card in Jiang Qi's hand with envy on his face. His expression was different from his usual natural one, and instead had a bit of flattery.
There was nothing he could do; he only had two streams of qi and blood, and in terms of status within the gang, he was no longer as high as Jiang Qi.
Jiang Qilue clasped his hands in a fist and said, "There's something I'd like to ask Brother Guo for advice on."
"Brother Jiang, please ask away."
"What is our relationship with Litong Money Shop, Sihai Trading Company, and Weiyuan Escort Agency...?"
Upon hearing this, Guo Meng smiled knowingly: "Brother Jiang wants to ask about the sponsorship, right? Actually, Manager Li's words just now have already made it clear."
The Sihai Trading Company and Weiyuan Escort Agency have business dealings with my gang, though not as serious as those with the Qingshui Gang, the relationship isn't exactly good.
"As for Litong Money Shop... Brother Jiang, you can rest assured to accept it. Money shops deal in money and have dealings with various gangs and factions, but they generally do not participate in territorial disputes."
Many brothers in the gang would go to Li Tong Money Shop to borrow money when they were short of cash. If you received financial assistance from the money shop, the gang wouldn't say anything.
Sure enough.
Jiang Qi understood.
Litong Money Shop is a relatively neutral investor that is generally accepted by all parties.
"Thank you for clearing up my doubts, Brother Guo."
"It's nothing." Guo Meng glanced enviously at the black card in Jiang Qi's hand. "I have something to do, so I'll be going now."
"Take care, Brother Guo."
After seeing Guo Meng off, Jiang Qi looked at the old beggar's corpse on the ground, then glanced at the well, his gaze deep and unfathomable.
"The water-suppressing beast...the mad beggar..."
Is it really a coincidence?
While they were deep in thought, Zhao Xiaoqi and Brother Sun returned with the news of the incident.
As expected, the government simply recorded a few words and left them to handle it themselves.
The three men wrapped the old man's body in a tattered mat and buried it in a mass grave outside the western city.
When they returned to the water shop, it was already night, so Xiao Qi and Brother Sun went home first.
......
into the night.
Jiang Qi arrived at the well.
The well water had calmed down considerably, but it was still murky.
Looking closely, I did not see the two-headed turtle.
The night sky was clear, and the moonlight was like water.
After a moment's thought, Jiang Qi began to use the [Moonlight] skill to condense moonlight water.
The hazy moonlight, drawn by the light, gathered in wisps and strands on the surface of the well, gradually solidifying.
A drop of crystal-clear Moon Essence Water slowly took shape and floated up.
Just as Jiang Qi was about to collect the contents, a ripple suddenly spread across the surface of the well.
Two wet turtle heads slowly emerged from the water, then opened their mouths and began to swallow and exhale the moonlight.
Jiang Qi felt a chill run down his spine and stopped casting the spell; the moonlight on the well surface dissipated.
The two-headed turtle seemed to sense something, and simultaneously raised its head, all four eyes looking at Jiang Qi on the well platform, with a hint of... doubt and dissatisfaction in its eyes.
Jiang Qi's heart stirred.
This water-suppressing beast seems to possess sentience?
After a moment's hesitation, he tried casting [Moonlight] again.
As the moonlight reappeared, the two-headed turtle immediately lowered its head and began to swallow and spit again.
Jiang Qi stopped, and it looked up at him.
After repeating this process several times, Jiang Qi was basically certain that the two-headed turtle had an instinctive desire for moonlight and could sense the moonlight gathered when he cast spells, thus trying to bask in his moonlight.
"It's not uncommon to see people freeloading food and drinks or taking shelter under roofs, but this is the first time I've seen someone freeloading under the moonlight."
The Moon Essence Water has been collected almost tonight. Jiang Qi glanced at the moonlight, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
He turned around, grabbed a bucket, and prepared to scoop the water-suppressing beast out of the water.
But when he returned to the well, there was no sign of the two-headed turtle.
"..." Jiang Qi said helplessly.
This turtle is quite intelligent and knows the secret of how he gathers moonlight; leaving it in the well will ultimately be a hidden danger.
However, given the current situation, capturing this water-suppressing beast would likely require descending into the well.
But he had no idea what was going on down the well, and the risk of going down was too great.
"It probably can't climb out on its own. As long as it's still in the well, it'll be fine..." Jiang Qi could only put aside this thought for the time being and think of another way.
......
The next morning, everything was as usual.
Jiang Qi, Zhao Xiaoqi, and Brother Sun delivered the standard time to Liefeng Hall.
The two security guards conducting the inspection were still the same two unfamiliar faces. The inspection was strict, but nothing went wrong.
It can be basically confirmed that the deaths of Chang Song and Song Hai did not cause any disturbance in the Liefeng Hall.
After delivering the water, I returned to the water depot.
"Qi-ge'er," Zhao Xiaoqi exclaimed excitedly, "I'm going to the martial arts school to practice today!"