6: Be careful in your next life

One hundred taels from usury, fifty taels contributed by Liu Hai.

He could buy three Secret medicines and advance his Mantis Fist.

Chu Qing was delighted and quickened his pace to find his Senior Brother.

Result:

As soon as he stepped out, a ruffian blocked him:

"Chu Qing, Big Boss is calling for you."

Chu Qing's heart stirred, and he smiled, "I just came from Hall Master Jin's place. I wonder what Big Boss wants with me?"

The ruffian said, "I don't know either."

Chu Qing dropped his smile.

Ruffian... a few minutes later:

Chu Qing saw Big Boss Liu Jun, who was equally burly and had a fierce expression.

A year ago, Liu Jun became Big Boss by relying on his ten Iron Tendons.

Whenever there was a fight, he would charge forward, extremely fierce.

"Why did you kill Liu Hai?"

Liu Jun growled.

He had a very good relationship with Liu Hai, and Liu Hai's death was unforgettable for him.

Chu Qing asked in confusion, "What?"

Liu Jun stared at him intently, his face ferocious, and said,

"Liu Hai asked you to go with him to kill, but you didn't go."

"Liu Hai cursed you and said he would deal with you."

"So, you held a grudge, disregarded Martial Arts ethics, ambushed Liu Hai, and split his face with a saber."

"You killed Liu Hai, do you admit your guilt?"

Chu Qing said in a panic, "Big Boss, my family is destitute, I can't even afford straw sandals, let alone a saber."

"I only know how to cheer and have never cut anyone."

"Look, I'm so thin, and Brother Liu is so strong; he could pick me up with one hand."

"Give me ten thousand guts and a hundred sabers, I wouldn't dare to kill Brother Liu!"

Liu Jun asked again, "Why didn't you go to the dock last night?"

Chu Qing cupped his fists and said, "Hall Master Jin called me over."

Liu Jun frowned.

He asked a few more questions, and Chu Qing brushed them all off.

Finally, Liu Jun waved his hand and said, "Get out!"

..."I didn't expect Liu Jun to care so much about Liu Hai."

"I hope he doesn't investigate me anymore."

Half an hour later:

Chu Qing, carrying the silver, knocked on his Senior Brother's door again.

"Senior Brother, three more Secret medicines."

His Senior Brother looked at the silver, then at Chu Qing, feeling puzzled.

Dressed in simple linen and barefoot, where did he get so much silver?

"This money of yours..."

Chu Qing cupped his fists and said, "Senior Brother, I am a Blood River Gang grunt. Someone in the gang asked me to buy Secret medicines."

His Senior Brother suddenly understood.

It was normal for various gangs to have people Cultivating Mantis Fist and asking others to buy Secret medicines.

A moment later, his Senior Brother took out three Secret medicines and said,

"How do you feel after taking the Secret medicine?"

Chu Qing said excitedly, "In two days at most, I will achieve basic mastery."

His Senior Brother sighed inwardly.

That Shi Tiezhu, without even taking Secret medicine, was also close to basic mastery.

Chu Qing's Secret medicine... was wasted.

What a pity... Shi Tiezhu couldn't bear to buy Secret medicine.

Otherwise, with his Aptitude and diligence, he might have achieved basic mastery in a single day, recreating the glory of Zhao Hu back then... In his previous body's home:

Chu Qing swallowed three Secret medicines.

【You have met the conditions, Mantis Fist has advanced.】

...【Chu Qing】

【Realm — Iron Tendons 4 / 5%】

【Cultivation Technique: Mantis Fist Perfection — Genius Aptitude, one thousand eight hundred Secret medicines, ten years of arduous Cultivation, can break the limit.】

【Advancement Conditions: 1: Kill ten enemies with your fists, 2: One shizhu pearl】

Basic mastery yesterday, Perfection today.

It wasn't easy!

However, after Perfection, why was there still a Realm?

He only knew that Cultivation Techniques had stages of basic mastery, proficiency, mastery, Major Achievement, and Perfection.

He had never heard of breaking the limit.

"It seems I can only learn more Martial Arts Knowledge after being admitted to the Martial Arts Academy."

A moment later, he studied the advancement methods:

Killing ten enemies with his fists, that was easy to handle.

But, one shizhu pearl made him frown.

Shiji County was mountainous and rich in bamboo.

When quarry workers mined stones in the bamboo mountains, there was a chance to dig out smooth, jade-like, translucent pearls.

Thus, they were called shizhu pearl.

These things were extremely valuable, collected by Fortified Manors, Powerful individuals, and others, not allowing outsiders to touch them.

"The last layer of breaking the limit can't be achieved in the short term."

"I'll talk about it when I have a chance in the future."

A moment later:

The Secret medicine took effect.

Chu Qing began to Cultivate.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

The Perfection Mantis Fist allowed him to move with agility, his fist winds roaring, his fingers like hooks, and his five fingers joined together forming a blade.

If someone saw him Cultivating at this moment, they would feel that he was a humanoid praying mantis.

【Iron Tendons + 20%】

Perfection Mantis Fist, higher efficiency.

Chu Qing was ecstatic.

He continued to Cultivate while the medicine was effective.

【Iron Tendons + 20%】

One time... five times... his arms became hot, and one Iron Tendon was formed.

Continue.

One Iron Tendon was born... five...

Ten... During Major Achievement Mantis Fist, one Secret medicine produced four Iron Tendons.

Now, Mantis Fist was at Perfection.

One Secret medicine could actually produce six Iron Tendons.

Eighteen... The last Iron Tendon was born, Chu Qing roared, his five fingers joined together, like a long blade.

Crack!

His hand-blade fell.

The only table was actually split in half by him.

Looking at the broken edge, it was flat and smooth.

As if a strong man had split it with one strike.

Chu Qing smiled.

Eighteen Iron Tendons added to his body, his muscles bulging, his strength greatly increased.

He felt that if he met Liu Hai now, he could split his head with one punch.

Unfortunately... Liu Hai was already dead.

"I now have twenty-two Iron Tendons."

"The chance of passing the preliminary examination this time is even greater, right!"

Chu Qing was delighted.

Suddenly, he frowned and looked outside the door.

Through a crack in the door, he saw a panicked face.

"Liu Xiaogou?"

Outside the door, Liu Xiaogou took off running.

Chu Qing frowned. Liu Xiaogou was from the same village as Liu Hai and Liu Jun, and they had a good relationship.

"Did Liu Jun ask him to investigate me?"

"If I can split a table, will he suspect me? Kill me?"

In an instant, Chu Qing thought of many things.

The last thought surfaced in his mind: "This child must not be allowed to live!"

Chu Qing ran after him.

Mantis Fist, with its agile movements, also trained the legs.

Of the twenty-two Iron Tendons, ten were in his legs, and the remaining twelve were distributed in his arms.

His feet skimming the ground, Chu Qing was like a large mantis, chasing Liu Xiaogou.

Thirty meters... Liu Xiaogou turned his head, saw Chu Qing chasing, and ran even faster.

Pedestrians on the street cursed.

Twenty meters... Liu Xiaogou gasped for air, feeling his little heart was about to jump out of his throat.

He swore he had never run so fast before.

Ten meters... Liu Xiaogou turned his head and wanted to cry when he saw Chu Qing's expressionless face.

Why the hell did I peek at him practicing?

He's so fierce, will he hit me?

His mind raced with a thousand thoughts.

He ran in a panic, actually into a secluded alley.

Chu Qing flashed in after him.

His feet skimming the ground, like a mantis, he caught up behind Liu Xiaogou.

At this moment, Liu Xiaogou turned his head again and saw Chu Qing close at hand.

"Brother Chu... I didn't mean to peek, I will definitely be careful next time."

Chu Qing smiled and said, "I know."

Liu Xiaogou breathed a sigh of relief.

He swore that once Chu Qing left, he would definitely tell Liu Jun.

He would say that Chu Qing could split a table with one punch.

He wanted to pin Liu Hai's death on Chu Qing.

Who told Chu Qing to scare him?

But, the next second: Liu Xiaogou was terrified.

Because: Chu Qing raised one hand high, his five fingers joined together like a blade, pointing at his forehead.

"He's going to split me like he split the table?"

"Will my head be split open?"

Crack!

When that punch came down, Liu Xiaogou screamed, the Flesh on his face split open, his facial bones fractured, and it was clear he wouldn't survive.

"Next life, don't peek anymore."

Chu Qing wiped his hand.