Chapter 363: 363. Chapter 363: Little Brother, do you still remember me?

363. Chapter 363: Little Brother, do you still remember me?

Night.

Jiang Cheng refined another batch of pills.

After completing the Entry of Alchemy Technique and fully exercising his initiative, the batch of pills refined with ten portions of ingredients is at minimum intermediate quality, with roughly half reaching high quality.

Thus, although the Experience Bar has increased by a factor of two compared to the Entry stage.

However, one batch of pills can raise the Experience Bar by about 8%; at six batches per day, after a day or two he will reach Proficient level.

When Gu Zhangkong arrived at night and heard the news, he was naturally delighted; after all, he had anticipated Jiang Cheng's rapid progress, but not this rapid.

The two walked back, chatting and laughing.

This scene made a person hidden in the darkness far away furrow his brows.

The person was none other than the middle‑aged man by Gu Zhangjun's side, Huang Xing.

He knows Gu Zhangjun's temperament; if he does not complete the mission quickly, the days ahead will be terrible, so after making some preparations he rushed here from Inner City District and is lying in wait.

Now he finally sees Jiang Cheng, but what he did not expect is that Gu Zhangkong is right beside him.

If it were someone else, he would strike and kill at once, but Gu Zhangkong is different; he must act cautiously, and although Gu Zhangkong is not a Grandmaster, it cannot be ruled out that he possesses something capable of harming a Grandmaster.

His actions are constrained, while the other can act without restraint; a single misstep could cost him dearly.

Therefore, in the end Huang Xing did not act, watching the two disappear from sight, a trace of resentment flashing in his eyes.

In the Central Area there is a formation guard; even if he carries items that alter his aura, his entry would be detected immediately. Although with those people's strength he couldn't be harmed, he still does not want to cause such a commotion unless absolutely necessary.

"Wait until tomorrow."

He thought to himself.

Tomorrow morning, that kid will come here again.

He doesn't believe Gu Zhangkong could follow along.

If he doesn't follow, that will be his chance to strike!

After parting from Gu Zhangkong, Jiang Cheng entered his home, sat down, and his phone rang.

Jiang Cheng was startled, took out his phone, and saw an unfamiliar number.

"?"

Curiosity aside, he still answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Is this Jiang Little Brother?"

A kindly old man's voice sounded.

"Qin Lao?"

Jiang Cheng asked tentatively.

"Hahaha."

Qin Lao let out a hearty laugh, "Jiang Little Brother still remembers me—how rare, how rare indeed."

"Qin Lao, how could I not remember you?"

Jiang Cheng was at a loss between laughing and crying.

The other could be said to be the first Master Level strongman he had ever encountered; how could he not be impressed?

However, he was not particularly surprised that the other called him.

Moreover, he could guess that during these few days the other had certainly employed private resources to inquire about him.

Upon hearing this, Qin Lao laughed again, then asked concernedly, "Jiang Little Brother, how have you been lately? I heard you are Citywide Wanted by the Law Enforcement Bureau—what's going on?"

"That story is a long one."

"No rush, take your time," Qin Lao said politely, much more courteous than when they first met. Jiang Cheng gave a brief account of the events.

"So that's what happened."

Qin Lao was a bit surprised.

"Indeed."

Jiang Cheng nodded, "But for now I'm hiding in the Black Market; as long as I don't go out, the problem isn't big."

"But you can't stay hidden there forever, can you?"

Qin Lao retorted.

"Qin Lao, do you have any good solutions?"

"Of course there is, ahem," Qin Lao cleared his throat twice, "Little Brother, you remember, you once told me you wanted to join us, right?"

"Naturally I remember. After returning, I even contacted that person, but they said there would be a test, and even if I passed, it wouldn't guarantee that my family and I could safely reach your Base. So I had no choice but to join the Black Market."

Having said that, Jiang Cheng sighed.

"That kid is a pig!"

Qin Lao immediately erupted, "Jiang Little Brother, I've already scolded that kid harshly; he's good at starting things but bad at finishing them. When you see him again, he'll apologize and make amends. You may hit him if you wish, just don't kill him."

Jiang Cheng smiled at the words.

It was only after learning that he possessed this strength that the other said so.

Of course, some matters are fine to keep in one's heart; there's no need to voice them.

"Qin Lao, so the reason you called me today is to invite me to join you?"

"Yes, Jiang Little Brother."

Qin Lao was startled, then hurriedly said, "Little Brother, I know you're worried that your family might encounter danger on the way. Rest assured, I will come personally to escort you and your family to our Base. If you're still uneasy, I'll bring another Grandmaster with me to guarantee absolute safety! As for the treatment after you arrive, it will certainly be the best, and we have plenty of Cultivation Resources here, so you won't need to do anything yourself. Whatever you want, someone will naturally deliver it into your hands."

"Thank you for your confidence, Qin Lao, but for now I still cannot leave here."

Jiang Cheng sighed.

He also didn't shut the talk down.

Because his current patron is Gu Zhangkong, but Gu Zhangkong's standing in the Gu Family isn't high, which gives him a sense of insecurity.

Qin Lao heard that and their eyes lit up instantly.

What Qin Lao fears most hearing is Jiang Cheng flatly refuse.

But that didn't happen, which shows there's still room for negotiation.

"At the moment, what's the matter?"

He asked curiously.

"Right now I'm attempting Refining Alchemy of the Awakening Pill, and the Black Market's overseer has been a great help to me. Without him, my alchemy skill couldn't have improved this quickly, and this time…" Jiang Cheng didn't hide anything and recounted everything that had happened since arriving here.

On one hand, Qin Lao knows these matters more or less.

On the other hand, the other party is still a decent person, has a sense of justice, but is a bit world‑worn, no longer hot‑blooded.

"I understand."

Qin Lao heard that, and their inner assessment of Jiang Cheng rose a few points.

Qin Lao regretted even more in his heart, wishing he had taken Jiang Cheng and left that day.

As for the family, he could have simply entered the city with the other side; if Jiang Cheng showed any odd behavior, could he have escaped a Grandmaster's eyes?

It's just that back then, he didn't really regard Jiang Cheng much; someone like him would be better taken back to the Base, but it wouldn't matter if he wasn't.

Thinking back now, his gut feels green with regret. (End of chapter)