Chapter 69

As Li Zimei's soft voice echoed, Xu Xiaohui in the private room couldn't help but widen her eyes, looking at Xu Qing.

It wasn't her fault for not recognizing him; it was truly because the Xu Qing in her memory was covered in filth and looked dirty.

But now, the person standing at the door of the private room had a slender figure as straight as a pine, with a head of long black hair draped casually over his shoulders, revealing an indescribable elegance, especially that face that was enough to make people infatuated.

Peerlessly handsome.

A face like a sculpture, with distinct features. Beneath a pair of sword-like eyebrows were a pair of slender, icy eyes, dark and deep. The sharp glint inadvertently revealed and the spiritual energy power on his body made people not dare to underestimate him.

"It is me." Xu Qing nodded.

Xu Xiaohui's pretty face flushed slightly, and she picked up her wine glass to drink, masking the turmoil in her heart.

Zhou Qingpeng, who was to the side, laughed and stepped forward to welcome him.

"Junior Brother Xu Qing, come, take a seat."

Looking at them, Xu Qing politely cupped his fists before sitting to the side. His gaze also swept over the three of them. Compared to the coldness and cruelty contained within the sect, these three disciples who had entered at the same time as him clearly still retained some warmth and kindness.

But clearly, the sect's environment had also changed them. For instance, Zhou Qingpeng appeared to be beaming with joy, yet the exhaustion hidden within his expression was still seen by Xu Qing.

Especially on his body, there was a bit more vicissitude; this was the growth gained after experiencing some things.

As for Xu Xiaohui, Xu Qing couldn't quite describe her changes; he only felt that she seemed to be becoming more and more like the woman in the feather tent at the scavenger camp.

Only Li Zimei hadn't changed much; it was just that amidst her inferiority and reserve, there was more vigilance and caution in her eyes. It seemed that to her, anyone appearing in her surroundings made her wary.

Time passed slowly. As everyone communicated simply, although Xu Qing was mostly silent and didn't speak, the atmosphere in the room still livened up amidst their mutual reflections. After all, for them, the time spent entering the sect was still too short.

It was just that it was mostly Zhou Qingpeng and Xu Xiaohui laughing and talking. Li Zimei, like Xu Qing, also chose to be silent, and occasionally when looking at Xu Qing, her expression was clearly somewhat constrained and inferior.

Soon, Zhou Qingpeng, having had a few more drinks, spoke with emotion.

"Actually, before entering the sect, I knew a little bit about the sect's affairs, but only after truly entering did I realize that hearing about it and experiencing it personally are different. In the Seven Blood Eyes... wanting to live a little better is too difficult. With just a little carelessness, if you die, you die."

"You all should have similar feelings, right... Junior Brother Xu Qing, I still don't know which department you went to work in? I went to the Coastal Defense Department. Xiaohui is also very capable; in a short time, she exchanged for a magic boat and was arranged to go to the Dispatch Department."

Xu Xiaohui, who was to the side, heard this, and her smile was somewhat complex as she nodded.

"I am in the Homicide Department." Xu Qing was somewhat uncomfortable with the atmosphere here; it made him feel that it contradicted the coldness and cruelty of the people outside, so he spoke softly.

"The Homicide Department?" Xu Xiaohui's eyes lit up again.

Li Zimei, who was to the side, revealed some envy in her eyes. Compared to Xu Xiaohui, although she was no longer dressed as a dirty scavenger, she was still very ordinary, so she spent more time with her head down.

To her, of the four people from the same period, three already had magic boats, and only she was still ordinary, which made her feel a lot of pressure sitting here.

"Junior Brother Xu Qing, you actually went to the Homicide Department. A few days ago, your Homicide Department did a big thing. Thousands of Night Dove heads were hung on the city wall. Everyone has been discussing it these past few days. By the way, in that operation of yours, with your strength of blood-qi manifesting shadows during the entrance test, did you participate too?"

Hearing this, Zhou Qingpeng's expression stirred. He had seen Xu Qing once before and felt the spiritual energy fluctuations on Xu Qing's body, and just now he also discovered that it seemed to be a bit stronger, so he probed again.

"However, this kind of large-scale mission actually carries huge risks. Junior Brother Xu Qing, although your body tempering is good, after all, techniques are the sharpest. As newcomers, having just entered the sect, striving for survival and cultivation is the priority. There will be plenty of opportunities for us to show ourselves in the future."

Xu Qing glanced at Zhou Qingpeng, seeing the other's probing. In reality, he felt that these three people from the same period were all very good in character and didn't have too many bad intentions. This was also another reason why he was willing to come here, besides the Ghost Desire Horseshoe Crab.

So he nodded and didn't speak.

"The Seventh Peak's Homicide Department is just like our Coastal Defense Department; there are many fierce people inside. By the way, Junior Brother Xu Qing, I heard that in this operation of your Homicide Department, an incredible figure emerged."

"It seems there is a fierce person in the Mysterious Department of your Homicide Department. I don't know what his name is, but I heard that this person actually killed an enemy chieftain at the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation. He is the only one in this operation who was not at the captain level but beheaded an enemy chieftain. Thinking about it, the Sea Transformation Scripture must have reached its peak to be able to do that. Such a contribution, it is said, is going to be promoted."

Zhou Qingpeng sighed with emotion, his eyes full of admiration. This sentence was no longer a probe, but genuine envy.

In his understanding, this matter couldn't possibly be related to Xu Qing. Although Xu Qing's body tempering was very strong, with blood-qi manifesting shadows, after practicing the Sea Transformation Scripture, Zhou Qingpeng had already realized that the sharpness of the Sea Transformation Scripture's techniques made beheading body-tempering cultivators easy, especially in a place like the Homicide Department, where there were many strong people.

Even though he had sensed that Xu Qing's Sea Transformation Scripture spiritual energy fluctuations were very strong at the pharmacy before, he still didn't associate it with the ability to stand out from the strong-filled Homicide Department and behead an enemy chieftain at the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation.

"I also heard about this matter; it has been spread a lot these past few days. It seems to be from the Sixth Team of the Mysterious Department." Xu Xiaohui, who was to the side, served dishes for both Xu Qing and Zhou Qingpeng and spoke with a smile.

These past few days, it was indeed the disciples of various departments on the Seventh Peak who were all discussing the Homicide Department's operation to close the net on the Night Doves, especially the outstanding figures in this operation, most of whom had been discussed.

Xu Qing was somewhat surprised. He had focused his efforts these past few days on finding the timing to kill the mermaid youth and hadn't paid attention to these matters. This was the first time he had learned of the rumors outside and the first time he had heard about being promoted.

"It has nothing to do with us. For us... surviving is the key."

Zhou Qingpeng sighed with emotion and touched his leg, where there was a scar that hadn't completely healed. Afterward, he looked up and saw that Xu Qing had been silent, so he spoke earnestly.

"Junior Brother Xu Qing, you can't always be too unsociable. You need to change this personality of yours. You need to learn to be flexible. For your superiors, sending some gifts or something like that, that's the only way to have a chance to gain protection and survive better."

Xu Qing nodded upon hearing this. He was not good with words and didn't know what to say, so for most of this meal, he was listening, while Zhou Qingpeng also slowly regained the spirit he had before entering the sect, occasionally raising his glass amidst laughter, controlling the atmosphere.

During this time, Zhou Qingpeng clearly drank too much and showed off his own achievements.

For example, how harmonious his relationship was with his current superior in the Coastal Defense Department, for example, how many friends he had made in the Coastal Defense Department, what kind of convenience he had gained, and he even grandly offered to improve Xu Xiaohui's network circle.

Of course, he didn't forget to repeatedly advise Xu Qing to change his personality. As for Li Zimei, he also said he would ask if the Coastal Defense Department still needed servants, wanting to recommend her.

"My boss promised me that as long as my performance in this assessment is good, he will introduce me to Senior Brother Ding Xiaohai. You all know Senior Brother Ding, right? He is known as the number one person in Qi Refining on our Seventh Peak." Zhou Qingpeng was very proud in his heart, and Xu Xiaohui, who was to the side, flattered him with a smile, making the atmosphere in the private room increasingly harmonious.

Xu Qing also smiled and raised his glass to congratulate him.

He didn't dislike Zhou Qingpeng; everyone had their own way of living. Xu Xiaohui being able to obtain a magic boat so quickly, she must have her own capabilities. As for Li Zimei, Xu Qing was not good at communication, but he felt that being able to recognize him at first glance, the other's observation skills must be extremely keen.

This meal lasted for nearly an hour.

After three rounds of drinks, it was already late at night outside, and Zhou Qingpeng's drunkenness deepened. Everyone finished. During this time, Zhou Qingpeng gave the Ghost Desire Horseshoe Crab to Xu Qing, but before Xu Qing could pay, Zhou Qingpeng waved his hand.

"My family is doing fine; consider this little thing a gift between friends."

Xu Qing glanced at the bag containing the Ghost Desire Horseshoe Crab and noticed the sincerity in Zhou Qingpeng's expression; he truly intended to give it to him. So, after thinking about it, he didn't force the money on him and cupped his fists in thanks.

At this moment, the four of them walked out of the private room and arrived at the entrance of the restaurant. Zhou Qingpeng looked at Xu Qing and spoke with a smile.

"Junior Brother Xu Qing, I am from the Kun Department of the Coastal Defense Department. I still don't know which department of the Homicide Department you are in. Let's keep in touch more in the future. In my spare time, I will also come to find you to reminisce about the old days. Since we are from the same period, we must interact more. In this cold sect, we can trust each other the most. Everyone must stick together and move forward."

Xu Qing nodded upon hearing this.

"I am from the Mysterious Department."

"The Mysterious Department? That's the same department as that fierce person. He is from the Sixth Team. Brother Xu Qing, which team are you in?" Hearing this, Zhou Qingpeng sobered up a bit, and Xu Xiaohui, who was to the side, was also surprised.

Xu Qing looked at Zhou Qingpeng and Xu Xiaohui, and also at Li Zimei, whose gaze was fixed on him, and hesitated.

"I am also from the Sixth Team..."

Zhou Qingpeng's eyes widened, and he froze for a moment.

Xu Xiaohui's face revealed disbelief, and she said in surprise.

"In the same department and same team as that fierce person? It seems that fierce person is also surnamed Xu..."

Before she could finish her sentence, no matter how slow Xu Xiaohui's reaction was, she still thought of something and was instantly stunned.

"It seems a team only has twenty or so people..." Zhou Qingpeng whispered. At this moment, he was completely sober.

Only Li Zimei, when looking at Xu Qing, had an expression of shock mixed with sudden realization. In fact, when she first saw Xu Qing just now, she had keenly sensed that there was a lingering bloody scent on him.

The atmosphere all around instantly went silent. After a long while, Zhou Qingpeng laughed and cupped his fists toward Xu Qing to mask the horror in his heart.

As for Xu Xiaohui, her expression was dazed, looking at Xu Qing as if she wanted to say something but stopped, but in the end, she still didn't ask.

Soon, everyone, lost in their own thoughts, hurriedly dispersed.

It was just that for Zhou Qingpeng, after they dispersed, his body shuddered. With disbelief and a glimmer of expectation in his eyes, he immediately took out his identity token to inquire of others. He wanted to know how many people surnamed Xu were in the Sixth Team of the Mysterious Department...

Xu Qing glanced at the figures of his peers as they dispersed and turned to leave in the night, but after walking only a few steps, he seemed to sense something and turned back to look at the restaurant.

There was a thin, small figure standing at the entrance of the restaurant, timidly discussing something with the waiter, and the waiter's expression seemed somewhat impatient.

"You are a sect disciple after all, don't make things difficult for me. Everything you all ate just now has already been cleared. If you wanted to pack it up, you should have said so earlier."

This thin, small figure was none other than Li Zimei. She had returned after leaving, and now, hearing the waiter's words, her expression was somewhat bitter.

Xu Qing watched this scene and, after a moment of silence, walked over. As he approached, Li Zimei immediately sensed him. After turning around and seeing Xu Qing, her face instantly turned crimson, and the next moment it turned pale again. She stood there stunned, her self-esteem making her body tremble slightly.

"It shouldn't have been cleared so quickly, should it?" Xu Qing walked up close and looked at the waiter, speaking calmly.

The restaurant waiter glanced at Xu Qing. He had seen many disciples in the restaurant and vaguely felt that the one in front of him was not someone to be trifled with, so his attitude became respectful.

"It shouldn't have been cleared." Saying this, he hurriedly went inside, and not long after, he came out with a packed box and handed it to Li Zimei.

Li Zimei whispered her thanks, standing there extremely reserved. The reason she had left and returned was that she didn't want to be seen by anyone. Her self-esteem made her bite her lip until it was about to bleed at this moment.

"It's okay, food shouldn't be wasted. When I was young, I ate too much of other people's leftovers. Sometimes we even had to fight together just to get something to eat." Xu Qing spoke calmly.

Li Zimei looked up at Xu Qing, opened her mouth, but was too timid to speak. Under the moonlight, a breeze blew, blowing Li Zimei's hair up and revealing a very deep scar on her neck that was usually covered up.

Looking at Li Zimei, Xu Qing didn't know why, but he thought of the little girl in the scavenger camp and even felt the rich heterogenous aura on Li Zimei's body.

Disciples who hadn't exchanged for a magic boat didn't have much income, but that was compared to disciples with magic boats.

Compared to commoners, it was still quite decent, so Li Zimei's state shouldn't be like this, unless it was to purchase a magic boat, using all her income to exchange for contribution points, and being frugal to an extremely harsh degree in her daily life.

So, after a moment of silence, Xu Qing took a few white pills he had refined himself from his leather bag and placed them in Li Zimei's hand.

"Keep it up, I want to see the day you exchange for a magic boat."

After saying this, Xu Qing turned and left.

Everyone has their own way of living. There wasn't much he could help with; everything was their own choice.

Li Zimei stared blankly at Xu Qing's back. After a long while, she looked down at the white pills in her hand. A warmth that couldn't be described emerged from the depths of her heart. In this cold world, in this cruel sect, this was the first time such warmth had emerged for her.

So, after being silent for a long while, when she looked up again, there was gratitude in her eyes.

She was grateful for the white pills the other had given her, and even more grateful for those words of encouragement.

Her self-esteem made her not need sympathy, and she also rejected any pity, but she needed encouragement.

"Thank you, I will definitely exchange for a magic boat!"

Another two chapters of over 8000 words. Compared to the simultaneous update volume of my previous several books, this book has broken the record... 27 days since the book was released, with nearly 260,000 words updated.

But I'm writing very happily~~