Chapter 25: Truth!

A Shuo, you... you became an inner disciple?

Zhang Xiong looked utterly incredulous.

After becoming an inner disciple, he was assigned by his master to manage the medicine shop and the weapons forging workshop.

Although he didn't need to do menial tasks, he spent most of his time away from the martial hall, so he wasn't clear about Qin Shuo's changes over the past month.

Upon seeing him wearing the robes of an inner disciple, he was instantly shocked.

"Thanks to my master's favor, he took me in as an inner disciple ahead of schedule." Qin Shuo nodded with a smile.

"Oh? He took you in as an inner disciple early, rather than you having cultivated inner strength?"

Zhang Xiong sharply caught the emphasis in Qin Shuo's words, and his expression immediately relaxed.

Taking someone in as an inner disciple ahead of time is not without precedent in the martial hall.

Third Senior Brother Zhan Bai is precisely the inner disciple whom the master took in early.

He has now achieved perfection in inner strength, only one step away from entering the Pulse Passing realm, becoming a great master like his master.

Among all the inner disciples, he is the most likely to inherit his master's mantle and become the next head of the martial hall.

"Mm." Qin Shuo nodded.

"That's also great. With your master's strong support, as long as you work hard, achieving inner strength is just a matter of time."

Upon learning the truth, Zhang Xiong also sincerely rejoiced for Qin Shuo.

Afterward, he seemed to think of something, looking left and right, confirming no one was around, then suddenly lowered his voice and blurted out:

"Qian Biao is dead!"

"Oh?"

Qin Shuo raised his eyebrows, indignant, and said: "Good riddance!"

Zhang Xiong stared at Qin Shuo with a piercing gaze, as if trying to see through him.

But Qin Shuo remained composed, not avoiding or evading Zhang Xiong's gaze, facing his scrutiny directly.

"This kid really hides his depth well."

Zhang Xiong muttered inwardly, feeling a hint of wariness toward this usually honest and dutiful youth before him.

Before today, he had always thought Qin Shuo was a law-abiding, harmless ordinary youth.

But Qian Biao's death completely changed his view of Qin Shuo.

If he hadn't received definite news, Elder Wu Kai of the Flying Bear Gang would have already fled to the prefectural city and wouldn't be in Blackwater City these two days.

Perhaps he, like others, would think Qian Biao died due to retaliation from the Flying Bear Gang.

But now.

He could almost be certain that Qian Biao's death is absolutely related to the youth before him.

Just the night before, he had revealed Qian Biao's residence in the inner city to Qin Shuo.

The next day, Qian Biao was shot dead at home.

Such a coincidence; if one claimed this had nothing to do with Qin Shuo, he would be the first not to believe it.

"Indeed, good riddance!"

Zhang Xiong withdrew his gaze: "Someone like Qian Biao isn't worth mourning."

"But A Shuo, the county constables are now everywhere hunting the killer; you have a grudge with Qian Biao, so the officials will likely come looking for you—you need to be prepared."

"Wasn't it Wu Kai of the Flying Bear Gang who killed him?" Qin Shuo's heart jumped.

Zhang Xiong gave Qin Shuo a meaningful look and explained:

"Although the officials also think that, after all there's no solid evidence, so they will investigate everyone who is suspicious."

"I see!" Qin Shuo felt somewhat reassured.

"Moreover, according to the officials' judgment, the killer who murdered Qian Biao not only has superb archery skills but also immense strength."

"An arrow pierced Qian Biao's head; after passing through his skull, it still had enough force to penetrate a foot into the wall."

Therefore, they concluded that the perpetrator must be someone with innate divine power or a cultivated inner strength expert.

In the whole Blackwater City, only Wu Kai of the Flying Bear Gang fits these traits.

So you don't need to worry; the officials' questioning of you will at most be a mere formality.

After all, you've just joined the martial hall and haven't yet cultivated inner strength, so suspicion is low.

Zhang Xiong added.

Though he said that, Zhang Xiong's wariness toward the youth before him only deepened.

According to his friend at the county office, Qian Biao and his two lackeys were all killed by a single arrow.

The killer's strength is extraordinary; after the arrow pierces the head, it either embeds a foot into the wall or sinks deep into the ground, impossible for an ordinary person to pull out.

If things are truly as he suspects, then Qian Biao and his two companions were all killed by Qin Shuo.

Then the youth before him would have some fearsome ability.

"Fortunately I've always treated them well; if this kid became my enemy..."

Zhang Xiong felt a chill down his spine, not daring to think further.

At the same time, he made up his mind: henceforth, he would offend anyone else, but not offend this seemingly harmless youth before him.

This is none other than a divine archer with innate godly strength!

To offend him would end as Qian Biao and his two companions have already answered with their lives.

"By the way, Elder Xiong, do you have any news about the strange beasts?"

After learning that the constables' visit was just routine, Qin Shuo also relaxed and began to ask Zhang Xiong for news about the strange beasts.

Nowadays, the medicinal soups and baths are all taken care of by the martial hall.

As for the daily accumulation of blood and qi, he can only rely on himself.

Zhang Xiong has extensive connections and is well-informed.

Maybe there is also news about exotic beasts, so that's why he asked.

"Are you ready to go hunting again?" Zhang Xiong's eyes lit up.

Exotic beast meat is needed not only by outer courtyard disciples who cultivate blood energy to break through.

Those who have achieved internal strength and truly entered the martial way need it even more.

Before achieving internal strength, ordinary meat can still meet the body's needs.

But after achieving internal strength, the energy contained in ordinary meat is no longer enough to support a martial artist's training.

To make further progress, one must consume large amounts of exotic beast meat and elixirs; otherwise, advancement will be extremely slow.

Although the martial hall provides inner disciples with two taels of exotic beast meat each day

but for internal strength martial artists, this is merely a drop in the bucket, far from enough.

So, upon hearing that Qin Shuo was preparing to go into the mountains again, Zhang Xiong's thoughts also became active.

Especially when he thought Qin Shuo was very likely a divine archer with innate godly strength, he became even more excited.

"Hmm, my standing practice and sword technique are now complete; I can start accumulating blood energy and prepare to break through."

Qin Shuo hid nothing, telling Zhang Xiong about the martial hall's support for him and Wei Lao Tou's request that he procure exotic beast meat himself.

"You wouldn't believe it, but I actually know a place with exotic beasts," Zhang Xiong laughed.

He himself greatly desires exotic beasts, so he has always kept an eye out for news about them.

"What place?" Qin Shuo exclaimed delightedly.

He had only asked casually, not expecting Zhang Xiong to really know.

"Wolf Mountain."

Zhang Xiong spoke a name.

"Wolf Mountain?" Qin Shuo frowned.

Although he was familiar with the several large mountains near Blackwater City, he had never heard the name Wolf Mountain.

"Wolf Mountain is not within Blackwater City's territory."

"It is a barren mountain range located over three hundred li north of Blackwater City, rarely visited and known to few."

Seeing the doubt in Qin Shuo's eyes, Zhang Xiong explained.

"In Wolf Mountain there is a single-horn silver wolf, as fast as lightning; even a martial artist who has achieved great internal strength would likely lose if they encountered it."

"Therefore, even the best hunters near Wolf Mountain dare not lightly enter it to hunt."

"Over time, Wolf Mountain has become a paradise for exotic beasts and a forbidden zone for humanity."

"There, exotic beasts roam in herds and spiritual herbs grow everywhere, yet few dare to enter to hunt or harvest."

"However, I've heard that the Heavenly Wolf Gang has recently been sending people into Wolf Mountain frequently, apparently hoping to hunt that single-horn silver wolf."

"Many martial artists who have heard this news have already set out, heading to Wolf Mountain to get a share."

"A Shuo, if you want to hunt exotic beasts, now is a good time to go to Wolf Mountain."

Zhang Xiong poured out all the information he had gathered.

"Unfortunately, I recently need to stay in the city to cooperate with the City Lord's Mansion and the Heavenly Wolf Gang in eradicating the Wolf Fur Strange Disease; otherwise I would also like to go to Wolf Mountain."

Zhang Xiong shook his head, his tone full of helplessness and reluctance.

As the steward of the martial hall's pharmacy, he often needs to personally handle affairs with the City Lord's Mansion, making it impossible for him to step away at this critical moment.

"Thanks, Brother Xiong!" Qin Shuo sincerely thanked.

This news came just in time.

"Thanks for what?!"

Zhang Xiong scratched his head, a little embarrassed, "A Shuo, to be honest, I am currently breaking through to great internal strength and desperately need exotic beast meat."

"If you go hunting in Wolf Mountain, could you get some extra and bring some for me?"

"Of course. If I have any gains, I will certainly not forget Brother Xiong." Qin Shuo said seriously.

Don't worry, I won't let you lose out. The exotic beasts you bring back will be counted by gross weight, one tael of silver per catty—how does that sound?

Good!

Qin Shuo readily agreed.

Qin Shuo saw Zhang Xiong off.

Qin Shuo returned to the inner court and began planning the trip to Wolf Mountain.