32: Mrs. Shi sings opera

The wind and rain continued for three days and three nights, only varying in intensity.

Hall Master Liu’s death brought much relief to ordinary people during this rainy season.

And Chu Qing, over these three days, relying on his Toad Skill, consumed a large amount of vital energy and spirit to heal his sternum and recover from his injuries.

At the same time, he also Cultivated Dragonfly skimming water to Major Achievement.

Movement Technique: Dragonfly skimming water Major Achievement — One hundred refinements daily, Secret medicine every ten days, Perfection in a thousand days.

Promotion Conditions: 1: One hundred thousand toe touches on water, 2: One portion of universal Secret medicine.

The Major Achievement Dragonfly skimming water, whether for long-distance assault or sudden burst, was significantly more powerful than Grass Tread Flight.

If Cultivated to Perfection, it would definitely be even more formidable.

The regrettable thing was:

This Movement Technique required universal Secret medicine.

Universal Secret medicine was suitable for any ordinary Cultivation Technique; it was uniquely unsuitable for Secret Inheritance Cultivation Techniques.

Moreover, this type of Secret medicine was precious, costing two hundred taels a portion on the black market.

It was said that all universal Secret medicine flowed out from martial arts academy students and the Bingjia Sect.

Ordinary martial arts halls and Gangs simply did not know the formula.

Last night, he went to the black market.

As a result, the wind and rain there were even heavier, the river water rose, and that area of the black market was submerged by the river.

Consequently, he had silver, but couldn't spend it.

Wasn't this bullying people?

Fortunately, he hadn't been idle these past few days.

He Cultivated Toad Skill, Iron Cloth, advanced the first condition progress of Eagle Claw Skill, improved Dragonfly skimming water, and replayed his fight with Hall Master Liu.

Hall Master Liu’s Iron Tendons were definitely more numerous than mine.

He might even possess Iron Bones.

But, his various Iron Tendons and Iron Bones were scattered in combat, not as good as mine.

I relied on the Secret Toad Skill to increase the number of my Cultivation Technique Iron Tendons at any time, exceeding his perception, which allowed me to kill him.

But, I also got injured.

Overall, the number of Iron Tendons is still very important.

These past few days, he consumed the remaining four portions of Secret medicine and developed four more Iron Tendons.

Now, the number of Iron Tendons has reached 123.

But, he was not satisfied.

I need more Secret medicine to forge more Toad Iron Tendons.

However, the black market was closed, not only was there no Nie Qi Grass, but even Eagle Claw Secret medicine and universal Secret medicine couldn't be bought.

Now, he urgently needed Secret medicine.

Without Secret medicine, progress was slow.

Can't waste any more time.

Chu Qing deliberated repeatedly, and he decided to continue with the Madam route.

And this time, his target was — Madam Shi.

Madam Shi, though broad-minded, had classified him as a servant, so he couldn't emulate Madam Jin.

We haven't met for three days, I should make my presence known.

Behind Madam Shi was Chief Constable Shi.

He wanted to get some Secret medicine through Madam Shi.

Thinking of this, Chu Qing grabbed an oil-paper umbrella and went out.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

His toes stepped, and the accumulated water rippled in circles with his toes as the core.

Water Touch + 1.

Water Touch + 1.

Progress improved.

In the wind and rain, Chu Qing walked away with his umbrella, leaving only a ripple.

Jin Family Mansion:

Madam Jin rested her small hand on her chin, leaning by the window, watching the flowers beaten by the wind and rain, disheveled and messy.

It's that gentle lowering of the head, like a delicate flower overwhelmed by the cool breeze.

Madam Jin said lazily, Xiao Tao Hong!

Go, pick a flower.

Xiao Tao Hong sighed to herself and whispered, Madam, there are only withered flowers left.

Let's pick them after the wind and rain pass!

Madam Jin glared.

Xiao Tao Hong, helpless, could only obediently go to pick them.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

A knocking sound rang out.

Madam Jin in the back of the house heard it.

Xiao Tao Hong, see if it's... Qing'er.

Madam, Young Master Qing is here.

...A few minutes later, Madam Jin looked at the flower Chu Qing gave her and chuckled, You picked a flower from my flowerbed?

Chu Qing naturally massaged her shoulders and said, These past two days, the wind and rain have stopped, I'll go outside the city to pick a flower.

Madam Jin was happy, she tugged at Chu Qing's sleeve, telling him about flower knowledge, wishing he would immediately find a beautiful flower and bring it back.

Xiao Tao Hong, beside them, sighed and honestly guarded the door.

Reading!

Copying calligraphy!

At dusk, Chu Qing massaged Madam Jin’s shoulders again and said,

Is Madam Shi going to the opera today?

Madam Jin felt inexplicably annoyed and stifled.

She pressed her small hand against the silk clothing below her collarbone and said, What do you want with her?

Chu Qing didn't hide anything and directly told her about his need for Secret medicine.

Madam Jin frowned and said, Xiao Tao Hong, do we have universal Secret medicine at home?

Xiao Tao Hong said through the door, Madam, the house only has the Golden Snake Secret medicine used by Master Jin.

Madam Jin said helplessly, Qing'er... go to the opera house.

Madam Shi is not an easy person to deal with, try to provoke her as little as possible.

Okay!

...Despite the wind and rain, the opera house was still lively.

The actors on stage sang: Meeting an old friend in a foreign land, each step, each line, is longing.

Madam Jin and Madam Shi, sometimes whispered, sometimes listened to the music, their red lips opening and closing, softly humming.

Chu Qing didn't understand, he just waited silently.

After a long time, the music ended and the people dispersed.

Those who listened to the music generously rewarded and cheered.

Madam Shi still rewarded three or five silver beans.

The audience left, but Madam Shi didn't move, instead, she gave Chu Qing a cold glance and said icily,

I remember the martial arts academy assessment is in less than half a month.

Why aren't you diligently Cultivating, what are you doing here?

Chu Qing cupped his fists, just about to explain.

However, Madam Shi said coldly, Since you're not ambitious, then be a Groom in advance!

Later, you go lead the horse and hold the stirrup; get used to it in advance, learn the rules.

Madam Jin frowned.

Chu Qing shook his head and said, Madam Shi, I came here this time because I want to borrow some Secret medicine from you to improve my Cultivation, so I can try to pass the martial arts academy preliminary exam.

As for being a Groom... it's not too late to talk about it later.

Madam Shi sneered, What? You still want to enter the martial arts academy with your true abilities?

What a joke.

Chu Qing pretended not to know: How did it become a joke?

Madam Shi said coldly, You Mud Leg, you can work hard your whole life and still not get into the martial arts academy.

Why waste time?

Chu Qing smiled and said, If you don't try, how will you know?

Madam Shi's face turned cold.

She slowly turned her head, staring at Chu Qing and said, Ignorant, arrogant; a complete waste of time; quietly being a Groom is your only way out.

Chu Qing said calmly, At least, I dare to try.

Madam Shi's face grew colder.

Chu Qing suddenly stepped past Madam Jin, leaned close to her ear, and whispered,

You want to perform on stage but don't dare; you can only hide below the stage your whole life, secretly humming.

You — are not as good as me.

What?

Madam Shi's eyes widened.

She ignored the warmth near her ear, ignored Madam Jin beside her, stared fiercely at Chu Qing, gritting her teeth, and said word by word, I'm not as good as you?

Chu Qing nodded: You are not as good as me!

Madam Shi stood up, looking coldly at Chu Qing.

Chu Qing met her gaze without fear.

Madam Jin quickly stood up, blocking Madam Shi, and swiftly said, Madam Shi...

Madam Shi said coldly, Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon, no one is allowed to enter.

Yes, Young Miss!

The four valiant maidservants of Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon glared fiercely at Chu Qing, then drew their long swords and stood outside the door.

In the vast opera house, only the three of them remained.

Madam Shi took a deep breath and walked step by step towards the stage.

If I sing, do you dare to listen?

Dare!

Madam Shi gave him a deep look, then, her red lips slightly parted, and a clear, bright opera voice rang out.

Madam Jin was dumbfounded.

She looked at Chu Qing, then at Madam Shi, covered her mouth, and secretly snickered.

Outside the door:

The four maidservants of Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon turned pale.

They were terrified, gripping their long swords tightly, afraid that someone would break in and reveal Madam Shi's secret.

Young Miss...

One minute... five minutes... On the stage: Madam Shi initially stood still, but gradually let go.

She moved with light, lotus-like steps, her expression changed, her small hands formed orchid gestures, just like a true opera performer.

The song ended, and silence fell.

Outside the door, Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon breathed a sigh of relief.

The next second:

Well sung!

Reward!

A man's voice faintly carried outside the door.

The four maidservants were shocked and angry.

This Mud Leg, he actually treats Young Miss as an opera performer?

He's asking for death!