paranoianovel Chapter 66 Might is the only truth
Chapter 66 Might is the only truth
After recovering from his shock, Chen Ying's spirits lifted the moment he saw Qin Lie.
Yan Liang glanced at Qin Lie and sneered, "You came quickly. What, your injuries from yesterday have healed so fast?"
"Heh," Qin Lie placed his right hand on the hilt of his sword, his gaze meeting Yan Liang's sharply. "You were the one who was injured yesterday, weren't you?"
Yan Liang's eyes flashed with a fierce light. Without wasting any words, he suddenly lunged forward, his right hand's dark red claw tearing through the air, aiming straight for Qin Lie's face.
Its speed was even greater than when it dealt with Chen Ying.
Qin Lie neither dodged nor evaded, and his long sword was drawn from its sheath without hesitation.
The blade flashed like snow, carrying a scorching and violent aura, slashing head-on at the ghost claw.
clang--!
The metallic clang of metal rang out once more.
This collision was even more intense than yesterday's.
The shockwave spread outwards from the two people, stirring up dust from the ground.
Both of them jolted simultaneously, each sliding back several steps, showing that they were evenly matched.
Yan Liang's face flashed with surprise, even disbelief: "You...you've broken through too?!"
Qin Lie stood with his sword in hand, his aura surging, subtly conveying a sense of inner strength and restrained power. "What? You, Yan Liang, are allowed to break through, but I, Qin Lie, am not allowed to make any progress?"
The sect leader has also broken through?!
Chen Ying and the other Ironclad Gang members were taken aback at first, then overjoyed.
Upon hearing this, Yan Liang's face immediately darkened.
He didn't expect Qin Lie to break through at this critical juncture.
As a result, the top combat forces of both sides are now evenly matched, making it much more difficult to forcibly seize the well today.
Yan Liang couldn't help but look at Li Tianren.
Upon hearing Qin Lie's breakthrough, Li Tianren's casual smile was replaced by a sinister and furious expression.
He had been planning this for a long time, even secretly providing Yan Liang with precious medicines to help him break through, and mobilizing the power within the gang to restrain other branches of the Ironclad Gang, all in order to take over Sweetwater Lane in one fell swoop.
Unexpectedly, Qin Lie is so difficult to deal with that he actually broke through at the last moment!
But in a flash, he knew that things were unlikely to get anywhere today, so he suppressed his anger, put on a fake smile, and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Qin Lie:
"Hehe, congratulations, Hall Master Qin! Congratulations! Your martial arts have improved so much, that's truly a cause for celebration!"
Then, he changed his tone: "What happened today must be a misunderstanding. Since Hall Master Qin has arrived, I won't bother you any longer."
Upon returning, I informed my father that I had prepared a generous gift to congratulate Master Qin on his breakthrough.
Qin Lie remained calm and said indifferently, "Young Master Li is too kind. If Chief Li has the time, I will be at your service at any time."
"Farewell." Li Tianren gave Jiang Qi one last deep look, a hint of lingering emotion in his eyes, before leaving.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Qi's brows relaxed.
He's not afraid of a fight, but if a fight breaks out, all his previous secrets might be exposed.
After the Qing Shui Gang members disappeared into the alley, Qin Lie's straight back finally relaxed slightly, his throat bobbed, and a trace of bright red blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.
"Master!" Chen Ying and the others exclaimed in surprise.
"It's alright." Qin Lie waved his hand, using his inner energy to suppress his churning blood and qi.
He had just broken through and his realm was not yet stable. His forced confrontation with Yan Liang aggravated the internal injuries he had sustained in yesterday's fierce battle.
"You all go outside and keep watch," Qin Lie instructed Chen Ying. "I have a few words to say to Protector Jiang privately."
Although Chen Ying and the others had concerns, they obeyed the order and left after the hall master spoke.
Only Qin Lie and Jiang Qi remained beside the well.
"Master," Jiang Qi said, bowing.
Qin Lie nodded, first walking to the well platform to examine the Suolong Well, then slowly strolling around the water workshop, his gaze sweeping over every corner as if searching for something.
However, apart from the exceptionally clear and cool well water and the fact that the water mill was quite old, he did not find anything particularly unusual about it.
He then turned around and his gaze fell on Jiang Qi.
"Does Protector Jiang know why Bloodblade Hall suddenly attacked this place?" Qin Lie asked slowly.
"I don't know." Jiang Qi shook his head.
Qin Lie stared into Jiang Qi's eyes and saw that his eyes were clear and there was no evasion or hesitation. He nodded to himself in approval.
This child is indeed calm and composed, and remains unperturbed in the face of adversity.
But... is it really worth the Qing Shui Gang going to such lengths to deal with just a calm and talented young bodyguard?
Qin Lie turned his gaze to Suo Longjing again.
He had naturally heard the legend of the Locked Dragon Well.
But that was just a vague rumor. He had been stationed at the Fierce Wind Hall for more than ten years and had never seen anything unusual about the well.
What exactly is hidden in this Sweetwater Lane water shop that makes the Green Water Gang so covetous?
"Your performance in the Martial Arts Examination yesterday was very good." Qin Lie temporarily suppressed his doubts and said, "You should be more than certain of obtaining the martial arts title."
"According to the rules of our gang, anyone who passes the martial arts examination will be rewarded by the gang." As he spoke, he took out a black iron token and placed it on the stone table in the courtyard. "With this token, you can go to the hall to collect Blood Nourishing Pills, Blood Enrichment Pills, Blood Coagulation Pills, and so on."
"Thank you, Master." Jiang Qi bowed in thanks.
Qin Lie nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the wine bowl on the stone table that had not yet been put away, his eyes dimming slightly.
"When the Bear Protector was alive, he often came to have drinks with you, didn't he?"
"Yes." Jiang Qi nodded.
"Guard Xiong... was a straightforward and good man." Qin Lie picked up the bowl and slowly poured the remaining wine onto the ground. "Before he breathed his last, he was already delirious, yet he was still muttering... wine... Brother Jiang... celebrating victory..."
Jiang Qi remained silent, clenching his fist slightly.
Qin Lie put down the bowl, picked up the knife on the table, and ran his fingers over the scabbard.
"Evil spirits invade, demons lurk, the world is corrupt, and human life is cheap. To live freely in this turbid world, to protect those we cherish and those we hold dear..."
With a clang, he drew his long sword half a foot out, its gleaming blade reflecting the morning light, its cold gleam sharp and menacing.
"Only by being strong enough! Strong enough to strike fear into the hearts of all who covet, strong enough to cut through all fog and obstacles! Protector Jiang, do you understand?"
Jiang Qi remained silent.
Since he became aware of his own wisdom, he has known one thing deeply.
In this world, might makes right.
Qin Lie sheathed his sword, stood up, and lingered his gaze on Jiang Qi for a moment before suddenly asking, "Are you...married?"
Jiang Qi was slightly taken aback: "No."
"Hmm." Qin Lie responded, glanced at Jiang Qi a few more times, and said nothing more. He simply picked up his long sword and said, "Cultivate well. I will send more people to the water workshop."
After saying that, he took his knife and left.
The storm has temporarily subsided.
But Jiang Qi's sense of urgency did not diminish; on the contrary, it was like a drawn bowstring.
The Green Water Gang... sinister...
......
That morning, in the inner courtyard of Zhenyuan Martial Arts School.
"Strengthening Bones Realm?" Instructor Zhou Yong stood with his hands behind his back. Hearing Jiang Qi's question, he glanced at him with some surprise. "You are only at the mid-stage of Blood Refining Realm. Although your progress is rapid, it is still too early for you to reach the Strengthening Bones Realm. Aiming too high is not a good thing."
"The instructor's teachings are correct." Jiang Qi said respectfully. "However, I heard today that Yan Liang of the Blood Blade Hall has already 'infused his blood and qi into his bones,' and has one foot in the Strong Bone Realm."
I was curious, so I came to ask the instructor: "Since your qi and blood have penetrated to your bones, why don't you directly call it the Strong Bone Realm, but instead say you've only stepped one foot in?"
"One foot in?" Zhou Yong scoffed and shook his head. "Without truly and systematically tempering one's bones and muscles, one cannot be considered to have reached the Strong Bone Realm."
"At most, Yan Liang has only... refined more than ten strands of qi and blood, and has initially mastered the method of guiding qi and blood to temper a certain bone, thus improving the quality of his qi and blood..."