Chapter 70: Why Is Miss Jiang Spying on Me?

Calculating the days, it was time to pick up the soft armor from the blacksmith shop.

Li Rui put down the Daoist scripture in his hand.

He gave Lianghe a few instructions and left the black market.

The state-run blacksmith shop was not close to the black market; it took about half an hour to reach before he heard the clanging of hammer on iron.

“I’m here to collect my soft armor.”

The burly man, raising his hammer to strike a red-hot iron bar, paused and turned his head.

“It’s you—I’ll get it for you right away.”

The burly man recognized Li Rui.

He set down his hammer, wiped sweat from his brow with a cloth hanging around his neck, and stepped through the curtain into the back room.

He returned quickly.

When he reappeared, he held a thin, lightweight chainmail shirt.

“You’re lucky—the Xuanjin iron was just enough. I’ve reinforced the chest and back; ordinary spiritual weapons can’t pierce it.”

Li Rui took the armor.

The more he looked, the more he liked it.

It was extremely light—worn beneath clothing, it was completely invisible.

He drew his knife and tested it; indeed, it could not cut through.

“A fine treasure!”

With this armor protecting his vital points, even if someone launched a surprise attack, he’d have a better chance of survival.

“Here’s your payment.”

Li Rui was very satisfied with the man’s craftsmanship and swiftly pulled a hundred-ounce silver note from his sleeve, bearing the seal of Tianbao Trading House.

The burly man took the note.

A faint smile appeared on his face: “Old man, if you ever come back for weapons, I’ll give you a ten percent discount.”

“Alright.”

Li Rui chuckled.

He hadn’t noticed—this burly man, with his thick brows and big eyes, looked like a simple fellow, yet he knew how to do business.

He took off his outer robe.

He put the armor directly over his inner garment, then pulled his outer robe back on.

Li Rui studied himself for a long while.

Only when he was certain no trace of the armor showed did he leave the forge satisfied.

“Another hundred taels owed.”

He felt a sudden headache.

Being able to owe money was a skill in itself.

If he were still just the head of Tianyi Hall, no one would agree to let him run a tab.

After all, they lived on salaries, with almost no other income—a hundred taels took a whole year to save, truly pitifully poor.

This hundred taels came from the black market’s accounts.

He could repay it later; previous clerks had done the same—so long as it wasn’t excessive, no one would press the matter.

Some rules must be followed, but often one must also know when to adapt.

He had obtained the armor that could save his life.

Li Rui was in good spirits, strolling slowly down the street.

At that moment.

A familiar voice came from behind.

“Senior Li.”

Li Rui turned toward the voice and saw Han Qin waving at him, standing beside her were Zhu Yue and Jiang Yan.

“If it isn’t the three senior masters.”

He bowed to the three of them.

Han Qin stepped forward quickly and smiled: “Senior, you’re much older than I am—just call me Xiao Han.”

“Alright, Xiao Han—where are you headed?”

Li Rui didn’t pretend to be shy.

Han Qin explained: “Naturally, it’s about the Ghost Ming Sect—a senior uncle has come from our sect to Qinghe; we’re going to welcome him.”

“I see.”

Li Rui nodded.

He had heard rumors of this.

Ever since Zhao Wei’s death, the Heaven-Earth Alliance was furious.

Others could be ignored.

But the Ghost Mask Knife must die—now, many hall masters across the six halls are out searching for him.

Even Deputy Alliance Master Tang has come personally to Qinghe.

Li Rui should have joined the mission too, but he claimed old age and poor health; Dao Xiong knew his age and didn’t press him.

The pursuit of the Ghost Ming Sect was originally provoked by Huaqing Sect; sending experts now is only natural.

Han Qin: “Last time I exchanged insights on weapons with Senior Li, I gained much. After we finish dealing with the Ghost Ming Sect, I’ll come again to learn from you.”

“Of course, of course.”

Li Rui smiled and waved his hand, his eyes subtly scanning the three.

Surprise flickered in his gaze.

“Hmm, no wonder Huaqing Sect’s top disciples.”

In his eyes, Han Qin and the other two shimmered with multiple spots of golden light.

Each spot indicated the presence of spiritual material.

“Spirit armor, spirit weapon, spirit boots—truly an eye-opener.”

Only because he possessed the Spiritual Eye could he see through them.

Who says the rich can’t fight? Li Rui was the first to disagree—look at Han Qin’s gear, she’s practically armed to the teeth; even a sneak attack would have no weak spot to target.

Who says the rich can't fight? Li Rui was the first to disagree—look at Han Qin’s gear, nearly armed to the teeth; even a sneak attack might not find an opening.

Seeing Li Rui lost in thought, Han Qin raised her voice.

“Hehe, if that’s the case, I won’t disturb you three.”

Li Rui bowed with a smile.

“Mm, Senior, we’ll meet again another day.”

Han Qin had matters to attend to and didn’t intend to linger.

Zhu Yue remained silent throughout.

He had gradually accepted that his family’s old stable hand might be stronger than him—but he couldn’t bring himself to call Li Rui “Senior,” as Han Qin did.

He had gradually accepted that his family’s old stable hand might be stronger than him, but he could not bring himself to call Li Rui “senior” as Han Qin did.

He had already decided: once the Ghost Ming Sect matter was settled, he’d return to Huaqing Sect and enter seclusion—never coming back to Qinghe.

He had already decided to wait until the Ghost Ming Sect matter was settled.

Just as Han Qin and Zhu Yue prepared to leave, Jiang Yan spoke up: “Senior, I have a few questions for you—could we speak privately?”

“.”

Just as Han Qin and Zhu Yue were about to leave, Jiang Yan spoke up: “Senior, I have a few questions for you—may I speak with you privately?”

He glanced at his panel.

No prompt appeared—no “Gained Appreciation” or similar.

“Of course—according to previous prompts, we’ve already entered ‘childhood companions’; ordinary attention won’t increase achievements.”

Thinking this, Jiang Yan led Li Rui to the mouth of the alley across the street, where Han Qin and Zhu Yue could no longer hear them.

“That’s true—according to the earlier hint, we’re already in the ‘childhood sweethearts’ stage; ordinary attention shouldn’t increase the achievement.”

But before Jiang Yan could speak, Li Rui spoke first.

“Jiang Miss, why were you spying on me?”

Jiang Yan was caught off guard; a flicker of panic crossed her eyes.

“Was it that obvious?”

She quickly steadied herself.

“Senior, I think you’ve misunderstood.”

But Li Rui’s eyes narrowed slightly: “Oh?”

He took half a step forward, closing the distance to her—close enough to catch the faint scent of her perfume.

He shed his usual jovial demeanor and became forceful.

This woman had always been a thorn in his heart.

He stepped half a pace forward, closing the distance to Jiang Yan, nearly able to scent the faint fragrance.

He abandoned his usual cheerful demeanor and grew forceful.

This woman before him had always been a thorn in his heart.

He wanted to know why Jiang Yan had looked at her multiple times.

Jiang Yan was thinking about how to answer.

Li Rui was considering from what angle he should draw his blade if combat broke out.

For a moment, both sides fell silent.

Jiang Yan finally clarified her thoughts and regained her composure.

Li Rui’s fingers bent rhythmically behind his back, ready to draw the dagger hidden at his waist.

“Actually, the first time I saw you in the Zhu family’s stable, I noticed you were different from others.”

“Uh”

Li Rui froze.

“That’s a familiar opening line.”

“Could this little girl actually like me??”

Looking at Jiang Yan’s flushed face, Li Rui felt insecure for the first time—even about himself.

Jiang Yan pressed her lips together:

“Since childhood, I’ve been different from ordinary people—I can see others’ destinies. Yours is the rare ‘Hidden Dragon, Do Not Use’ destiny.”

(End of Chapter)