11: Martial arts school attendant!
Li Qing opened the courtyard gate, and standing outside was none other than Chen Shui.
This butcher, who usually had a booming voice and a hearty smile, had a strange expression on his face at this moment.
It was as if he had just won the jackpot only to have it immediately snatched away; joy was mixed with deep anxiety.
His voice was also somewhat raspy.
Chen Meng was not there.
"Uncle Chen, please come in and sit."
Li Qing stepped aside to let him in.
Chen Shui stepped into the courtyard and sat down on a stone stool, first grinning so wide that the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes squeezed out.
"Little Li Qing, great news! Meng'er passed the Martial Arts Hall's assessment and has officially become an Inner Sect Disciple!"
"That's wonderful! Congratulations, Uncle Chen, and congratulations to Senior Sister Chen Meng!"
Li Qing was genuinely happy for them.
For a Slum to produce an Inner Sect Disciple of a Martial Arts Hall was a major event that brought glory to the family.
However, the joy on Chen Shui's face was as fleeting as a night-blooming cereus, quickly replaced by a cloud of worry.
He rubbed his rough, large hands together, his brow furrowed into a knot.
"It is a joy, but..."
He sighed, seemingly having something difficult to say.
Li Qing poured him a bowl of water.
"Uncle Chen, have you run into some trouble?"
Chen Shui picked up the bowl but didn't drink, only staring at the surface of the water as he spoke slowly.
"While Meng'er was processing her inner sect paperwork, she took a liking to a Senior Brother in the Martial Arts Hall named Lu."
"He's called Lu Yunfei."
"Lu Yunfei?"
He hadn't heard of him.
He was someone who had never even left the Slum.
How could he know the Inner Sect Disciples of a Martial Arts Hall?
"Yeah," Chen Shui continued.
"I've seen him; the kid looks decent enough, all fair-skinned and clean-cut."
"His strength is also considered quite good among the Inner Sect Disciples, and he has some reputation."
"That girl Meng'er has thrown her whole heart into it."
Is Chen Meng actually a fan of good looks? Li Qing pondered inwardly.
Why was Chen Shui telling him all this?
Just to vent?
Probably not.
At this point, Chen Shui suddenly slapped his thigh, his face full of resentment.
"That Lu Yunfei, with his slicked-back hair and powdered face, doesn't look like anything good at first glance!"
"I'm afraid Meng'er is young and can't judge people clearly; she might be fooled by a few of his words!"
"If this delays her Cultivation, or..."
"Or if that boy toys with her feelings, what will we do!"
The old father's worry was palpable.
Chen Shui thought about how he had left his hometown and brought his daughter to the Slum.
Hiding from enemies under assumed names.
All he wanted was for his daughter to grow up smoothly and be happy.
But to be ruined by that libertine...
The thought of it made the hands that had held butcher knives for years tremble slightly.
Li Qing remained silent.
In matters like this, it was indeed difficult for an outsider to intervene.
After a moment, Chen Shui seemed to make a decision.
He looked up at Li Qing, his eyes carrying a hint of earnestness.
"Little Li Qing, Uncle wants to ask you for a favor."
"Please say it, Uncle Chen. As long as I can do it."
"An Inner Sect Disciple can bring an Attendant to look after their daily life, and they can return home once a month to visit family."
Chen Shui stared at Li Qing.
"Uncle wants to ask you to be Meng'er's Attendant and enter the Martial Arts Hall with her."
Hearing this, Li Qing's heart gave a sudden leap!
An Attendant?
Enter the Martial Arts Hall?
Good heavens, so this was what he was waiting for!
Seeing that he didn't agree immediately, Chen Shui hurriedly explained.
"Don't overthink it; Uncle isn't asking you to be a servant."
"It's mainly because I know your background and you're a steady person."
"And..."
Chen Shui sized Li Qing up. Although Li Qing's body was much stronger now.
And he seemed to have grown a bit taller.
In Chen Shui's eyes, he was still that frail youth who would fall over if the wind blew.
He chuckled, looking a bit embarrassed, and lowered his voice.
"And, that girl Meng'er has very high standards."
"She definitely won't take an interest in someone as weak as you, who can't even truss a chicken."
"With you by her side, you can help Uncle keep an eye out—guard against fire, guard against theft, and guard against Senior Brothers!"
Li Qing almost spat out a mouthful of water.
Weak and can't truss a chicken?
Do you want to taste my Great Strength!
You can't talk about me like that just because I'm short!
Besides, as my diet improves...
Height won't be a problem.
During this period, he had already grown from 1.4 meters to 1.5 meters.
The progress couldn't be said to be small!
Guard against fire, theft, and Senior Brothers?
Furthermore, I'm actually quite handsome.
Otherwise, Zhao Si wouldn't have thought about making him a 'slang'!
Thoughts flashed through Li Qing's mind constantly.
However, his heart was burning with excitement.
Although the status of an Attendant didn't sound high, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enter a Martial Arts Hall!
What kind of place was a Martial Arts Hall?
It was a Holy Land for practicing martial arts!
He could observe real martial arts up close and might even come into contact with Cultivation resources that ordinary people wouldn't see in a lifetime!
His Clone was still far from its next evolution.
He thought of Gao Qiang.
Regarding Zhao Si's death, Gao Qiang might not say anything, but he definitely had a fire suppressed in his heart.
Even though he had done it cleanly, there was no guarantee nothing would be detected.
Now even Boss Ma looked at him strangely.
If Gao Qiang found out from Boss Ma that he had bought brown rice several times...
He would inevitably become suspicious.
Entering the Martial Arts Hall with the identity of a Disciple's Attendant...
To some extent, it was also a form of protection, allowing him to lay low for a while and accumulate strength.
Li Qing feigned hesitation, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Uncle Chen, as an Attendant, what exactly would I need to do?"
"Would it affect my own affairs?"
He had to secure time for his Spirit Turtle Clone; that was the foundation of his life.
Seeing a possibility, Chen Shui waved his hand quickly.
"It won't affect anything, it won't!"
"As an Attendant, you're mainly helping Meng'er with daily chores, running errands, and such."
"When Meng'er is Cultivating, you'll have plenty of free time."
"The environment in the Martial Arts Hall is good, food is provided until you're full, and it might even be good for your physical health!"
Li Qing calculated rapidly in his mind.
The Martial Arts Hall was full of experts. Even if he was just an Attendant, by being exposed to it, he could learn a move or two.
Combined with his Great Strength and Water Control Talent, his strength would surely advance by leaps and bounds.
Moreover, once he had the background of the Martial Arts Hall...
Gao Qiang wouldn't dare to keep hounding him, giving him more confidence.
More importantly, the Spirit Turtle's evolution required a large amount of Spiritual Qi.
He had almost finished scavenging the resources in the small river.
Although the Great River was rich in resources, it was fraught with danger; the Iron-Toothed Crocodile last time was a lesson.
As a place for training Martial Artists, the Martial Arts Hall would surely offer more opportunities.
These opportunities included information and knowledge!
This was simply like a pillow being offered when one was sleepy!
A sharp light flashed through Li Qing's eyes and vanished, and he immediately returned to calm.
"Uncle Chen, since you trust me, I can agree to this."
"However, I have some of my own habits usually, so I might need some time alone and can't be by Senior Sister Chen Meng's side every moment."
He gave fair warning beforehand to avoid being restricted later.
"Oh! That's wonderful!"
As soon as Chen Shui heard Li Qing agree, the clouds of worry on his face vanished, and he nodded repeatedly.
"No problem!"
"As long as you're willing to go, everything else is fine!"
"As for Meng'er, I'll go talk to her! She'll definitely be happy to have an acquaintance looking after her!"
"The most important thing is that you have to help me keep an eye on the people around Meng'er at all times, especially Lu Yunfei!"
Li Qing smiled slightly, understanding clearly.
He was the informant Chen Shui was planting next to his daughter.
Chen Meng had been under Chen Shui's protection for years and was still young.
She didn't yet have a clear understanding of the cruelty of society.
Lu Yunfei?
He would see what kind of person he was.
As for Chen Meng, if she really met the wrong person, there was no harm in helping her out.
Agreeing to enter the Martial Arts Hall as an Attendant...
Firstly, it was to repay Chen Shui's previous life-saving favor and his kindness in sending food.
Secondly, it was for his own path of martial arts and for the rapid evolution of the Spirit Turtle!