19: Nirvana grass, flying on the grass
After leaving Madam Jin's home, Chu Qing prepared to tidy up and head to the black market.
However, he was intercepted halfway by a minor leader: "Master Qing, Hall Master Liu wants to see you."
Chu Qing smiled and asked: "Did the Hall Master say what it's about?"
The minor leader looked blank: "I don't know either."
Chu Qing wiped the smile from his face.
The minor leader...
Ten minutes later: Chu Qing saw Hall Master Liu.
"Kid... look at the good deed you've done."
Chu Qing was bewildered.
Hall Master Liu's expression turned ugly. He pointed at him and scolded, "I told you to trace clues about the murderer, and you went to tear down a dilapidated courtyard; you even forged evidence, claiming the murderer had fled. This is deception. You deceived me, and you deceived Chief Constable Shi."
"You damn bastard."
A murderous intent welled up in Chu Qing's heart.
You dare curse me like that?
Do you truly think I'm still just a lackey who only knows how to wave flags and shout?
He cupped his hands and said: "Hall Master Liu, we haven't caught the murderer for many days. Chief Constable Shi is dissatisfied, the Wubao Disciples are dissatisfied, the Powerful are dissatisfied, and even the gang is dissatisfied."
"Since there was no way to catch a scapegoat, I could only say that the murderer had escaped."
Hall Master Liu sneered: "So, I spent one thousand taels of silver just for you to fool me?"
"Heh... the murderer wasn't caught, and now I have to pay another five hundred taels of silver to please those people at the yamen?"
"Tell me, should I pay this money?"
Chu Qing remained silent.
Hall Master Liu sneered: "At the end of the month, give me three thousand taels of silver."
"Otherwise... even if the people from the yamen back you, I have plenty of ways to make you wish you were dead."
"Get out!"
Chu Qing cupped his hands, turned around, and walked away. Once outside, he glanced back at the Liu family courtyard, his murderous intent boiling over.
"Three thousand taels of silver at the end of the month?"
"I'm afraid that even if I have the money to pay, you won't live to spend it."
Over these past few days, he had been hanging out with the minor leaders and learned more information about Hall Master Liu.
He secretly pondered his own progress and calculated when it would be best to strike.
When he arrived home, he saw Xiao Tao Hong standing there.
"Chu Qing, Madam wants to take you to the clothing store to buy some clothes tomorrow morning, and she will take you to meet Madam Shi in the afternoon."
"Remember to prepare."
Chu Qing was touched.
He knew Madam Jin was doing this for his own good.
"Fine, since she has arranged a path for me... I cannot refuse her kindness."
Night fell:
Chu Qing headed straight for the black market outside Qingshui County.
Shiji County was over one hundred kilometers away from Qingshui County.
In this era, an ordinary person would need a full day to walk there.
Chu Qing cultivated Red Snake Leg; his two long legs were strong and Powerful, enhanced by many Iron Tendons.
As he ran along the way, he moved like a giant snake slithering.
One hour...
Two hours...
"The speed is too slow."
"I need a movement technique."
"Whether for traveling or killing enemies, I need one."
"Apothecary Li said that the black market has everything; I hope to scavenge a Secret Manual for a movement technique."
Four hours later:
Under the cover of night, city walls were vaguely visible.
Not far from the city walls, a large river flowed rapidly.
On an open space by the river, flickering lights dotted the area; it was densely packed with many tents and stalls.
The black market... had arrived.
Chu Qing covered his face and stepped inside.
To his surprise:
This black market was bustling with activity, just like a busy market fair; there was no fear of being discovered at all.
"It seems the black market has a very strong backer."
The black market was large, with stalls arranged neatly, forming temporary streets.
Chu Qing looked through them street by street.
There were sellers of weapons, crossbows, and even leather armor, iron armor, and shields.
As for his martial arts Secret Manuals, many stalls had them.
There were also stalls where nothing was displayed; instead, a few numbers were written on white cloth, along with text indicating the acquisition of Secret medicine and Secret Manuals.
During this time, men wearing black robes and carrying red lanterns walked around, shouting:
[Number 78 acquiring Mantis Fist Secret medicine]
[Number 69 acquiring bedroom arts Secret Manual.]
Chu Qing approached a Black Robed Person and asked: "If I want to acquire something, can I ask you to relay the message?"
The Black Robed Person smiled: "That's right."
"One tael of silver, and we shout it on every street."
"You're new here, aren't you?"
Chu Qing remained silent.
The Black Robed Person smiled: "For acquisitions, we only act as intermediaries; as for whether you can receive authentic goods, that's not our concern."
"Even if you receive counterfeit goods, do not cause trouble in the black market."
"If you want to cause trouble, go outside."
"Also, try not to have us shout about overly precious items; otherwise, you will be targeted by those with ulterior motives."
"Of course, if you are strong enough, shout whatever you want."
Chu Qing suddenly understood and cupped his hands in thanks.
Nie Qi Grass was precious; it wasn't suitable to shout about acquiring it, so he could only check the stalls one by one.
One...
Ten...
One hundred...
Seeing that he had finished checking all the stalls, it still wasn't there.
However, he did discover many movement technique Secret Manuals at one stall.
[Grass Tread Flight]
[Eight Steps Chasing Cicada]
[Water Treading]
[Seven Flashes Facing the Wind]
...
There were many people surrounding this stall.
The group was haggling, and from time to time, someone would take away a Secret Manual.
Chu Qing observed for a good while and, through the conversations of this group, learned that this stall owner was a veteran and had a good reputation.
When the crowd thinned out a little, Chu Qing said:
"Friend, can you introduce the characteristics of these movement techniques?"
The stall owner, wearing a monkey mask, said in a hoarse voice:
"Grass Tread Flight is suitable for long-distance raids!"
"Eight Steps Chasing Cicada is suitable for short-distance bursts!"
"Water Treading is suitable for showing off in front of girls!"
"Dragonfly skimming water is suitable for..."
The stall owner introduced seven or eight types in one breath, and finally asked:
"Which one do you want?"
Chu Qing pondered to himself:
I have Red Snake Leg and Mantis Fist for short-distance bursts, which are usable for now.
I need a movement technique for long-distance raids.
If my identity as the murderer is exposed later, it will be easier to escape.
Finally, I must consider the issue of promotion.
"Which movement technique's Secret medicine is the easiest to get?"
Clack!
The stall owner tapped his finger on [Grass Tread Flight] and said:
"This movement technique has no corresponding Secret medicine. Practice it diligently; one year for Major Achievement, three years for Perfection."
Chu Qing smiled: "I'll take it."
He had brought quite a bit of silver, but he still needed to buy Nie Qi Grass, so he didn't dare to spend recklessly.
Moreover, the other movement techniques had corresponding Secret medicines, so when he wanted to advance quickly, he would also need to buy Secret medicine.
That would be another expense.
Therefore, he had to give up on the other movement techniques for now.
"Wait until I secure the Toad Secret medicine, and then borrow some silver; it won't be too late to buy them then."
A few minutes later:
[Cultivation Technique: Grass Tread Flight (Not Initiated) — Ten practices daily, initiation in ten days]
[Promotion Condition: 1: Walk one thousand steps on grass.]
Such a simple movement technique.
This black market was located on a patch of grass.
Just walking around would fulfill the promotion condition.
How nice.
[You walked one step on grass]
[Walked one step on grass]
The profession column kept refreshing.
A few minutes later:
[Cultivation Technique: Grass Tread Flight (Initiated) — Two practices daily, mastery in thirty days]
[Promotion Condition: 1: Walk ten thousand steps on grass.]
The Cultivation Technique advanced.
Chu Qing's mind was filled with many techniques for exerting leg strength. As he walked, he adjusted his posture and felt his speed increase, his body felt lighter, and his energy consumption decreased.
With the movement technique secured, it seemed his luck had arrived.
He hadn't walked past many stalls when his pupils constricted.
Because: on this stall, there was a herb.
Nie Qi Grass.
It was just... there were a few masked people currently negotiating the price of this medicinal herb with the stall owner.