strokinit Chapter 8: Practicing martial arts is too difficult
Chapter 8: Practicing martial arts is too difficult
Envy...jealousy...disbelief mingled in the eyes of the two.
Who would have thought that Zhang Xiao, who seemed somewhat lazy and always liked to chat, would be the first among their group to break through.
Tan Ming and Luo Yue stood at the edge of the crowd, their expressions not good.
"This kid goes to the canteen to eat medicinal food almost every day. I even saw him buy Blood Qi Powder at the pharmacy... He still got there by piling on medicine. If I had money, I could do that too," Tan Ming whispered.
Luo Yue scoffed, "The energy and vitality built up with money are weak and superficial; they won't go far. True talent can't be bought with money."
Despite this, the sourness in their eyes was unmistakable.
Jiang Qi was also somewhat surprised.
Zhang Xiao's martial arts training was indeed not very diligent, but I didn't expect him to develop qi and blood so quickly.
However, it has nothing to do with me.
Put aside distractions and continue practicing martial arts.
......
In the afternoon, the sunlight slanted slightly.
Jiang Qigang finished practicing a set of boxing moves, his forehead beaded with sweat, and was about to rest for a moment when he heard someone coming to find him.
Upon arriving at the entrance of the martial arts school, Zhao Xiaoqi was peeking around curiously. When he saw Jiang Qi come out, he quickly waved.
Jiang Qi strode over, and Zhao Xiaoqi handed him an oil paper package, whispering, "Brother Qi, here. This is braised pork knuckle made by the kitchen of Zuixianlou today."
"It wasn't leftover; my foreman gave it to me specially because he saw how hard I've been working these past two days."
Zuixianlou's braised pork knuckle is very famous; you can smell the aroma even through the oil paper wrapping.
You can't buy this small package for less than 300 coins.
Jiang Qi didn't take it, refusing, "Take it back to your aunt."
"Don't worry, Qi-ge'er, my mother has some. This one is for you." Zhao Xiaoqi shoved it at you without saying a word.
Jiang Qi couldn't refuse him, so he had no choice but to accept it.
But when he took the item, his gaze suddenly sharpened as he looked at the back of Zhao Xiaoqi's hand.
There was a dark purple bruise on the back of his hand.
Upon closer inspection, a bruise was faintly visible on the side of Zhao Xiaoqi's neck, where it was concealed by her collar.
"Xiao Qi, what happened to your injury?" Jiang Qi's voice turned serious.
Zhao Xiaoqi's eyes darted away for a moment, then she forced a smile and subconsciously pulled her hand back: "It's nothing... I just bumped into the door frame while moving the jars. I'm tough, it'll be fine in a couple of days."
"That's all for now, Qi-ge'er. I snuck out and need to get back quickly. Qi-ge'er, you must practice your martial arts diligently!"
After saying that, without waiting for Jiang Qi to ask any more questions, Zhao Xiaoqi turned around and ran away.
......
At the same time, inside the martial arts school, in the training ground directly opposite the main gate.
Luo Yue stood with his arms crossed under the pillar, his eyes glancing casually toward the doorway, a mocking and disdainful look on his lips.
"Shui Tou is too lenient. That kid has blocked the road and demanded money time and time again, but he only gave him a beating. If it were me, I would have crippled that kid to stop bothering me every day."
"Those who struggle to make a living at the bottom of society have no awareness whatsoever."
"And this Jiang Qi..." A strange greed flashed in his eyes.
......
As dusk fell, Jiang Qi returned to the water shop in Sweetwater Lane after finishing his day of cultivation.
As I approached the well, I saw a figure.
Luo Yue was vigorously cranking the well pulley to draw water, and fine beads of sweat even appeared on his forehead.
The cart next to them already had four or five buckets of water.
Jiang Qi was surprised.
Since the water shop was merged into the Ironclad Gang, only three people remained.
Aside from fulfilling their daily water delivery duties, Tan Ming and Luo Yue rarely came to the water shop.
At this spot, very few people ask for water.
At this time, Luo Yue was fetching water at the water shop.
Something unusual happened.
Jiang Qi remained calm and was about to go home.
"Jiang Qi? Perfect timing. Come to the water room, I have something to tell you." Cui Yuan, the waterman, suddenly walked over with a smile.
Is the water source there too?
Jiang Qi paused, then said, "We're here."
Upon entering the water room, Cui Yuan casually closed the door behind him.
The room was dimly lit, with only an oil lamp flickering.
Cui Yuan pointed to the seats next to him and said with concern, "The three of you have been busy at the water store lately. You've worked hard."
"It's my duty," Jiang Qi replied.
Cui Yuan then casually asked, "How's your training at the martial arts school going? I heard that the Zhenyuan Martial Arts School has an assessment that requires three months to develop qi and blood... You should be almost there, right?"
Jiang Qizhuang said bitterly, "Practicing martial arts is too difficult. I haven't even made a dent yet."
"It's really difficult." Cui Yuan sighed. "Luo Yue and Tan Ming are the same; neither of them has mastered it."
Don't rush, take your time. I've always been very diligent in fetching and delivering water.
Even if...the martial arts school deal falls through, I'll put in a good word for you with Manager Li of the Ironclad Gang so you can stay at the Water Shop; at least you'll have something to eat.
"Thank you for your help, Shui Tou." Jiang Qi cupped his hands in thanks.
Cui Yuan nodded, then suddenly changed the subject, pulling out a booklet: "By the way, on the 17th of last month, the Zhenyuan Martial Arts School delivered water, wasn't that you and Xiao Qi?"
The 17th of last month?
Jiang Qi felt a chill run down his spine.
That day, the well water inexplicably turned murky, and he used the [Separation from Water] skill to purify it before sending it to the martial arts school.
The cook at the martial arts school even praised the water quality as being crystal clear and gave them extra money.
Why did Cui Yuan suddenly ask about this day?
Could it be that we've discovered something?
In a flash, the thought crossed my mind.
Jiang Qi remained expressionless, only briefly recalling before nodding to confirm, "Yes, it was Xiao Qi and I who delivered it that day. Shui Tou, is there a problem?"
"Oh, it's nothing, it's nothing." Cui Yuan laughed it off, jotting something down in the booklet with his pen. "Since our water store has been incorporated into the Ironclad Gang, we have to do things according to the Ironclad Gang's rules."
From then on, all water fetching and delivery had to be recorded for future inspection.
I was just asking routinely to make sure everything was recorded. As long as it was you two who delivered it, it's fine.
He closed the booklet, then seemed to remember something, took out five coins, and said, "By the way, it's your turn to deliver water tomorrow, right?"
"Number 17, Bingzi, Maigu Hutong urgently needs water. Please make the trip tomorrow morning, before dawn, and deliver the water."
"Take this money and buy yourself a bowl of morning tea."
Jiang Qi took the copper coins. "Thank you, Shui Tou. I'll head back now."
"Okay, go ahead, get some rest."
Jiang Qi turned and left the water room.
Not long after he left, Luo Yue slipped inside: "Brother Cui, how was it?"
Cui Yuan nodded with a smile.
"I told you so! It was Jiang Qi and Zhao Xiaoqi who delivered the water on the 17th of last month!"
Luo Yue spoke rapidly, his eyes gleaming with greed, "Chef Cai from the martial arts school has mentioned to me several times that the water they delivered that day had an exceptionally good effect on medicinal cuisine."
"Brother Cui, there seems to be something wrong with the water from that day!"
Jiang Qi is just a lowly nobody trying to make a living. Where would he get the money to go to a martial arts school?
I bet he found something in the well!
Cui Yuan held the notebook and silently flipped through it.
Luo Yue licked his lips and continued, "This well used to be called the Dragon-Locking Well!"
Two years ago, there seemed to be a strange sound faintly heard, some people said it sounded like... a dragon's roar!
Brother Cui, do you think there might really be some treasure hidden at the bottom of this well?
Did this kid get lucky and benefit from it?
Cui Yuan put down the booklet in his hand and tapped his knuckles lightly on the table: "I've been paying attention these past few days. That kid Jiang Qi has been going to the well a lot more often, sometimes even staying by the well platform late at night. I wonder what he's up to."
"Brother Cui, then let's..."