Chapter 122: Course Arrangement, New Sword Gets Its Edge

Qin Shi sent the old man, whose limbs were twitching uncontrollably and who was trembling like a sieve, to the clinic, then, adhering to the principle of doing good deeds without leaving a name, left with his chest puffed out and head held high.

He jogged back to the No. 9 Middle School dormitory building, pushed open the door, and saw that Lao Liang was already drinking with Teacher Ren.

The two chatted happily about anecdotes and amusing stories of Martial Artists from various Old Martial Arts sects, filled with a joyful atmosphere.

"Master Liang, your cigarettes."

Qin Shi unconsciously let out a breath of relief.

The reputation of the Nanhuang Dojo was placed right there; if they truly formed a grudge, he would have quite a headache too.

He wondered if 150 million would be enough to post bail for Lao Liang.

"Just put it here."

Lao Liang tapped the small table, signaling his Disciple to sit down.

"Just now, while exchanging views with Lao Ren, I originally had materials prepared for you to break through the Bone-Joint Great Limit — Divine Gate and Bone Gate Dual Cultivation, using Blood and Qi to nurture the Spirit, laying the Body Forging Foundation in advance.

But their Nanhuang Dojo has a 'Heart Blood Refining Intent,' which also happens to open the Bone-Joint Great Limit and increase one's own Foundation. The two of us discussed it and felt we could arrange both for you."

How did it suddenly become Hong Sheng and Nanhuang one big happy family in the blink of an eye?

Qin Shi was confused; in the time it took him to buy a pack of cigarettes, Lao Liang and Old Ren had reached a consensus?

Can Old Martial Arts sects turn hostility into friendship just by drinking a few cups?

It doesn't quite match the stereotypical impression.

"Does Classmate Qin have heavy academic pressure?"

Ren You took a few sips of North Warehouse Daqu, his face slightly flushed, and started calling each other brothers with Lao Liang:

"In my opinion, Brother Liang's teaching method is still too rough. How could Old Martial Arts sects not be good at fighting? Messing around in the Virtual Combat Room every day won't cultivate true enemy-killing Skills."

Qin Shi answered sincerely:

"I am currently the Class Leader, top three in grades, and my class schedule is freely arranged."

After the last full disclosure, Class Teacher Qian Feng specially permitted him not to come to school every day, as long as he didn't delay the average grades of his cultural courses; the rest was up to him.

This degree of freedom, looking across Xin Yi High School, probably only a handful of students possess.

"Not bad, not bad. Classmate Qin is capable in both literature and martial arts, doesn't seem to favor one over the other."

Ren You was quite satisfied and said softly:

"I remember you just got a Temporary Inspection Credential; which tier is it?"

"Third-Tier Credential: Capture, Interrogation, and the ability to shoot dead armed criminals."

Qin Shi stated truthfully.

"That means you yourself possess the Qualification to assist in law enforcement. Good, this saves me from running connections again. Brother Liang, I have three Wanted Orders in hand; look, no time like the present — how about today we let Classmate Qin try his hand?"

Ren You respected this Number One Master Lao Liang very much and asked for his opinion.

"Deal."

Lao Liang was concise and to the point.

He looked at Qin Shi, who still didn't know what was going on, and said in a deep voice:

"Shi, a Martial Artist's fist and reputation, in the final analysis, rely on fighting. Make the beaten fear you, make the winners numerous, until no one can defeat you and no one can stop you — that is when the Martial God is within sight. Single-mindedly burying your head in increasing Qi Life Force is absolutely not the Old Martial Arts style."

Hearing Lao Liang's words, Qin Shi instantly perked up, like a player receiving a mission, full of fighting spirit.

"Master Liang, just tell me directly: where are the people, who do I fight!"

……

……

"Brother Wei, isn't capturing major criminals usually arranged by Headquarters' Action Division? What does it have to do with our Cheng Hua Branch?"

On the residential building, Wei Zheguang, wearing plainclothes, was holding a Telescope, covertly observing two men sitting inside a beverage shop not far away.

Usually speaking, the increase in Qi Life Force often drives comprehensive enhancement of physical quality, especially on the level of the Five Senses.

But experienced veterans all know that when secretly spying on an opponent, it's best not to use the naked eye directly.

Gaze and sight are not formless and insubstantial; on the contrary, they easily trigger Spiritual Induction, making people alert.

Wei Zheguang lowered the Telescope, turned his head, and said to Lao Feng:

"The chance to earn merit must be seized by oneself. Those two guys in the beverage shop have been on the Patrol Department's Wanted List for a while. The thin one is called 'Ox Head,' a gun expert who committed fifty shootings in three years and killed four Patrol officers.

The tall one is called 'Snake Boy,' Amateur Level 5, proficient in Tianzhu fighting techniques. The two are partners and often commit crimes as a gang."

Lao Feng, who was temporarily conscripted to the Frontline to participate in the operation, said with a bitter face:

"Such ferocious ruthless characters — Brother Wei, why did you call me over! You want to earn merit, but I don't want to die gloriously!"

Wei Zheguang had a cigarette in his mouth, eyes always fixed on the beverage shop:

"I received a tip that Ox Head and Snake Boy plan to take advantage of the period before Hengzhou opens to pull one last big job. The target is the Litong Gold Shop across the street."

He raised his hand and pointed at the huge Signboard on the other side; Litong Gold Shop is a Tai'an time-honored brand with great reputation and many branches, the preferred choice for Urban Circle residents to buy precious jewelry.

"Reporting to the Action Division would be more steady, right? They have guns, and this is a bustling downtown area. If there are casualties, someone will be disciplined, Brother Wei."

The more Lao Feng listened, the more he felt it was risky. The merit of capturing major criminals was certainly fragrant, but the consequences of failure were also severe.

"I got the tip five minutes ago. By the time the Action Division rushes over, the people will be long gone. Ox Head and Snake Boy learned that Litong Gold Shop restocked yesterday and suddenly decided to act today. They do things very efficiently, absolutely won't exceed eight minutes."

Wei Zheguang's Expression was solemn, giving Lao Feng a reassurance pill:

"You only need to provide remote support for me, use your professional Skills to activate mechanical resonance, intercept their escape Vehicle. No danger. I have Qi Life Force 60 Points, the Patrol Department's 'Assault Combat Technique' at Great Achievement, and also applied for a bulletproof vest. Dealing with two major criminals isn't difficult."

Lao Feng said helplessly:

"Brother Wei, did you get stimulated last time, want to earn merit to transfer out of the Branch, get promoted to the Action Division, and prove yourself to Sister Yun?"

Wei Zheguang's face stiffened, he rubbed his nose and said:

"Maybe. It's not that I must make her like me... just a breath stuck in my chest. I, a dignified big man, lost to a High School Student — what does that count as!"

Lao Feng sighed, not knowing how to comfort the lovesick Brother Wei. He felt relationships between men and women were too complex, far less simple than the Terminal's Paper Waifu.

"Fine, I'll first communicate with the nearby surveillance probes and pull up the footage."

He hadn't brought any equipment today, so he could only rely on his Brain to exert power, closing his eyes as his Spiritual Field Power radiated outward, mental waves fluctuating like electromagnetic signals, constantly vibrating and syncing frequencies to access the surrounding surveillance.

This was a technique of the Mechanical System domain, a signature method of the electronic branch.

After a moment, beads of sweat the size of beans seeped from Lao Feng's forehead as he spoke with difficulty:

"Brother Wei, more than two—they're waiting for someone."

Wei Zheguang's facial color sank slightly. Cow Head plus Snake Boy—if he dealt with the gun-wielding Cow Head first, then fought Snake Boy one-on-one, his chances of victory were quite high.

But with one more person, it would be more difficult; a partner accepted by ruthless bandit criminals naturally couldn't be any decent sort.

"Who?"

Wei Zheguang asked.

"Him."

Lao Feng opened his Terminal, using the Screen as a sketchpad, and quickly drew a portrait.

It was a man with triangular eyes and a Snake Head Tattoo drawn on the web of his right hand—a burly man.

"Gray Viper!"

Wei Zheguang recognized him; this was also a major criminal ranked in the top ten of the Patrol Department's Wanted Order!

This man had an extremely high danger coefficient, a rare Esper in Hengzhou, mastering Spiritual Hypnosis and Soul Infiltration.

He had once been arrested and imprisoned, but was rescued and broken out by his accomplices. After escaping the Legal Network, Gray Viper did not restrain himself; instead, he carried out revenge, using mental control on the Senior Inspector who had personally captured him, inducing hypnosis to make him kill his own wife and daughter, then lifting the manipulation to drive him to suicide.

Because of the concealment of crimes committed by Espers, it was very difficult to track their movements; several times they had cast nets and set traps, only for him to escape, returning empty-handed.

"Plan cancelled! Lao Feng, contact the Action Division—Gray Viper has appeared; their target definitely isn't just Litong Gold Shop!"

Wei Zheguang reacted quickly; his gaze swept rapidly and finally settled on the two black armored transport vehicles parked below.

They bore the Star Ring emblem of United Pharmaceutical!

"Qin... Brother Wei, Qin Classmate is also at the scene; he just pushed the door and walked in!"

Lao Feng's head steamed, as if his computer was overloaded, his facial color turning deathly pale.

Using the human body to stimulate Qi Life Force, employing Magnetic Vibration techniques to connect with electronic devices.

Belonging to high-level skills, it easily overloaded the Brain.

"Qin Shi?"

Wei Zheguang held up his Telescope, and sure enough saw a sunny youth in a school uniform added to the drink shop.

He was queuing at the Front Desk to place an order; after receiving his number, he sat down opposite Cow Head and Snake Boy.

"What the hell is he butting in for!"

Wei Zheguang wanted to curse, hesitated for a moment, and still said:

"Lao Feng, you stay here; wait for the Action Division personnel to arrive!"

Lao Feng, having lifted the state of his brain connecting to electronic signals, opened his eyes, gasping for breath as he asked:

"Brother Wei, where are you going?"

Wei Zheguang gritted his teeth and said:

"Save people! Damn pretty boy! All he does is cause trouble!"

……

……

Ding-dong.

The drink shop door was pushed open, and the bell chimed crisply.

Gray Viper, wearing a body-hugging outfit with clearly defined muscle definition, ordered a cup of Jasmine Flower Tea and a portion of Baked Biscuits.

He looked at someone with a very sturdy build, radiating a dangerous aura of "strangers keep away," but he spoke slowly and calmly, relatively gentle.

"There's a traitor in the team."

Gray Viper sat at the window table, saying to the tall and thin Cow Head and Snake Boy:

"Someone on the Patrol Department's side has gotten hold of you."

Cow Head's hand reached toward his satchel, gripping the Thunder No. 4 Large Caliber Firearm inside.

"Who?"

He looked with unfriendly eyes at the dark-skinned Snake Boy.

"The Little Brother who drives for you."

Gray Viper smiled and said.

"Ah Hua? He's been following me for a long time..."

Cow Head subconsciously wanted to refute, but looking at Gray Viper's eyes like an ancient well, a chill rose in his heart, and he chose to believe.

"I'll go deal with him right now."

Gray Viper raised a finger, stopping Cow Head:

"No need; when I just came in, I had already greeted him. He is now biting his own fingers, one by one, eating them all into his stomach."

Even a vicious criminal like Cow Head, upon hearing Gray Viper's words, couldn't help but feel afraid, with fear surging up.

Espers really are all perverts!

"Robbing United Pharmaceutical—won't that be too risky? Going against such a giant corporation never ends well."

Snake Boy, who had remained silent the whole time, had a hoarse voice; he drank a cup of freshly squeezed Orange juice and said softly:

"If what you say is true, that the vehicle carries High-Grade Energy Liquid supplied to the Hengzhou Martial Association, then we are equivalent to offending both the giant corporation's security and the Martial Association; even if successful, we might not live past three days."

Gray Viper was calm and composed, a smile on his face:

"I dare do this because I've certainly planned a Retirement Path. The ship at Jiusong Port is already ready; forty minutes to reach Yincheng. There, the Secret Sect will provide cover; under the Electronic Blockade, Tai'an can't even deploy the Sky Eye System, so no matter how furious the giant corporation and Martial Association are, it will be of no use."

Ox-Head and Snake-Boy exchanged a glance, the former hesitating as he said:

"The two of us are taking such a huge risk; each of us should get a bottle of Level 5 Energy Liquid."

Gray Viper accepted the Jasmine Flower Tea and Baked Biscuits the waiter brought over, then said:

"Your abilities are worth only one bottle of Level 5 Energy Liquid. Whether you do it or not is up to you; anyway, it hasn't started yet, I accept anyone's withdrawal."

Ox-Head's throat bobbed, as if swallowing saliva; he was very confident in his quick-draw — just 0.21 seconds to draw the gun from his satchel and complete firing.

At such a close distance, it was guaranteed that anyone below Professional rank would fail to react in time, their heads blown apart by bullets.

But there were too many tales about Gray Viper, the vast majority of them mixed with blood and cruelty.

After eating a piece of handmade biscuit fresh from the oven, Gray Viper looked at the two:

"How's the consideration going?"

Ox-Head said with difficulty:

"Snake-Boy and I have no objections; we'll follow your orders completely."

Gray Viper nodded with satisfaction:

"I like cooperating with smart people who know the times; it's not so troublesome."

He lightly snapped his fingers; the seven or eight customers in the drink shop, like marionettes, suddenly all turned their heads in unison, facing Ox-Head and Snake-Boy's table.

The customers simultaneously revealed stiff smiles, extremely eerie.

"He just walked in, there was no contact at all, yet he actually hypnotized this many people!"

A chill rose straight from the bottom of Ox-Heart's heart; this ability was too terrifying, simply impossible to guard against.

Gray Viper curled his finger and tapped the tabletop again, like pressing a switch; the many customers pulled open their clothes, revealing they actually had three or four layers of Plastic Bombs strapped inside.

"In a moment, let them go first to tie down the escort vehicle's security personnel; Ox-Head, you're responsible for firepower suppression; Snake-Boy, finish off the remaining Zab Fish and clean up the battlefield. Three minutes to finish, drive out of the city."

Ox-Head and Snake-Boy nodded, merely sighing at Gray Viper's ruthlessness, that he could even devise tactics like human bombs.

Once this job is done, they're guaranteed to top the Tai'an Patrol Department's Wanted List.

If they can't escape Hengzhou, they'll probably have to spend a lifetime in hiding.

Snake-Boy, bandages wrapped around his fists, asked in a deep voice:

"Everyone in the shop today was selected by you in advance; you hypnotized them long ago?"

Gray Viper gave a slight nod:

"I never put myself in an unfamiliar environment. Oh, except for him — this kid is an unexpected factor, but it doesn't matter; I really enjoy destroying young lives, it gives me immense pleasure."

He sauntered to his feet, carrying that plate of Baked Biscuits to sit before the youth who had zero presence:

"Little friend, what's your name?"

"Qin Shi."

Gray Viper glanced at that school uniform:

"Xin Yi High School, huh. Qin Classmate, look into my eyes, imagine I'm the person you trust most. Are you willing to experience the lightness of liberation? No longer bound by studies, no longer enduring parents' nagging; I can bring you the greatest ease, as long as you... obey my will."

Gray Viper's pupils gradually turned pitch-black, like a black hole trying to suck and pull Qin Shi's soul inside.

This is an Esper's hypnotic method.

Using words, gestures, and spiritual guidance to completely manipulate another's mind, twisting their will.

"Afraid not."

Qin Shi shook his head; he had finally finished that eighteen-yuan Honey Snow Orange Juice, and answered very seriously:

"I came specially for you; you're surrounded by me."

He spat out the first word, his palm shooting out like lightning; meeting Gray Viper's astonished gaze, he clamped onto that face, twisted his neck, and yanked downward with force.

Thud!

This heavy criminal with a bounty of hundreds of thousands on the Patrol Department's Wanted Order smashed the back of his head solidly into the table corner!

"You..."

Under the intense pain, Gray Viper's ears buzzed, ringing like an alarm.

He didn't understand why this high school student hadn't been successfully hypnotized by him.

But the back of his head, nearly caved in with a bloody hole, coldly narrated the fact of the crash.

Mist-like Spiritual Field Power abruptly surged high, like wave crests rising on a calm sea.

Transforming into bundles of mental undercurrents, they impacted Qin Shi.

Gray Viper doesn't only know hypnosis; he also possesses an extremely rare mind-type ability.

He can silently slip into someone's heart and twist their will.

"In a moment, I'll make you like a dog, prone on the ground licking my soles..."

Gray Viper's anger burned fiercely; he seemingly couldn't accept eating a fall at the hands of a high school student.

But the next moment, his extremely active thoughts froze.

A grand palace threw open its gates; indifferent eyes enveloped him!

Like a cold Sun, radiating terrifying brilliance!

PS: It's true that due to the shelf-release fever state being poor, I couldn't manage 8k every day, but I'm trying hard to write! The new year is coming; hope all reader-lords have smooth sailing, peace and joy!

(Chapter End)