Chapter 324 - 162: Sharp Edge (Part 2)

Another table was livelier, with four or five people sitting around it.

The man leading them was middle-aged, with a sturdy build and a composed expression. A Golden Threaded Large Ring Saber with a thick spine and a thin edge hung at his waist. His temples bulged high, a clear sign of his remarkable proficiency in Inner Martial Arts.

Chen Qing recognized the man. It was Luo Wei, the Chief of the Debao Escort Agency.

Back when the Zheng Family hosted the Yunlin Commerce Association, Chen Qing had only been an ordinary Steward Disciple of the Wutai Sect. He had seen this famous figure of the Yunlin Prefecture’s Escort World from afar, but at the time, he naturally wouldn’t have caught Luo Wei’s notice.

He never expected to run into him today at a tea shed in these desolate mountains.

’It seems the Zhu Family’s bounty has attracted quite a few masters.’

Zhao Stone gulped down a mouthful of coarse tea and lowered his voice. "We’ve come all this way and haven’t seen so much as a shadow of a Zhu Family disciple. Could the intel be wrong?"

He was both thrilled and anxious to be able to follow his Senior Brother here.

’Looks like Chen Qing hasn’t forgotten me. I suppose I can be considered one of his confidants.’

Hearing this, Xu Qi sneered. "The Zhu Family are like rats in the street now. Once discovered, their ordinary Tributors and disciples would have long been killed and robbed by Wandering Martial Artists who’ve caught their scent. You think they’d still be hopping around for you to see? Any of them still breathing are hiding carefully in the shadows. But those small fry don’t matter. The real prize is that old fox, Zhu Yi. What he’s carrying is what truly makes people’s eyes red with greed."

As he spoke, a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.

Chen Qing glanced at Xu Qi and asked faintly, "This Zhu Yi, how much do you know about him?"

Xu Qi was usually sociable and well-connected. He quickly replied, "To answer Brother Chen, I wouldn’t say I know him, but we have met once. From what I know, he was originally at the Late-stage of Embracing Pill Force. But I’ve heard recently that in order to increase his strength, he secretly began cultivating a Demon Skill. I’m afraid he might be approaching the Realm of Perfection by now..."

Zhao Stone sighed and shook his head from the side. "I really don’t get it. These people have such large families and fortunes. Why must they take such risks and dabble in those fatal Demon Skills?"

"Of course you don’t understand."

Xu Qi scoffed. "An old fellow like Zhu Yi, whose cultivation has stagnated for years, sees his lifespan running out with no hope for advancement. How could he be resigned to that? Demon Skills offer rapid progress and immense power. They’re a shortcut in the eyes of ambitious and desperate people like him."

"And according to the iron laws of our Four Great Sects, if any core member dabbles in Demon Skills, their entire clan will be exterminated. This serves to purge demonic influence, and it’s also a sword hanging over the heads of the great families, forcing them to constantly police themselves."

As they were chatting, the waiter brought over three bowls of coarse tea.

Chen Qing picked up his tea bowl. He had just taken a sip when he saw Luo Wei, the Chief of the Debao Escort Agency, stand up with a broad smile and walk toward their table.

"Your Excellency has an extraordinary air about you. You must be the Chief of the Wutai Sect’s Cyan Wood Institute, Young Hero Chen Qing, I presume?" Luo Wei said with a smile, cupping his fist in a salute. His tone was quite polite.

Chen Qing put down his tea bowl, stood, and returned the salute. "I am. Chief Luo, it has been a while."

A flash of surprise crossed Luo Wei’s eyes. "Chief Chen recognizes me?"

"I had the honor of witnessing the Chief’s distinguished presence at the Yunlin Commerce Association," Chen Qing said, his tone calm.

Luo Wei laughed heartily and slapped his forehead. "Look at this memory of mine! Forgive my rudeness, forgive me!"

But Chen Qing knew the truth as clearly as if looking in a mirror. ’Back then, how could an ordinary Steward Disciple from the Wutai Sect at the Commerce Association possibly have caught his eye?’

But times had changed. He was now the Chief of the Cyan Wood Institute and one of the Five Heroes of Yunlin. His status and strength were far beyond what they used to be.

After Luo Wei took the initiative to build a connection and exchanged a few pleasantries, he cupped his fist and returned to his own seat.

The commotion here also attracted the attention of the old man at the other table.

He set down his tea bowl, slowly walked over with his granddaughter, and gave Chen Qing a slight fist-in-palm salute. "So it is a distinguished disciple of the Wutai Sect. This old one is Xiang Jiarem. It is a pleasure."

’Xiang Jiarem?’

Chen Qing found the name rather familiar. After a moment’s thought, he remembered.

The man was an extremely famous doctor from the Lin’an Prefecture area. His medical skills were exquisite, and he traveled year-round through the surrounding prefectures, making friends far and wide. Everyone from Sect Elders to heroic Wandering Martial Artists owed him a favor.

However, it was also rumored that this old man had a rather eccentric and arrogant temperament, and he couldn’t be hired by just anyone.

"So it is Senior Xiang. This junior was disrespectful." Chen Qing cupped his fist again, his tone carrying a note of respect.

In the Jianghu, no one could guarantee they wouldn’t one day need the help of a master physician. Forging a good relationship with such a person was by no means a bad thing.

From behind him came the low-voiced discussion between Zhao Stone and Xu Qi.

Zhao Stone was curious about the old man’s origins, and Xu Qi replied in a low voice: "That’s the renowned ’Rejuvenating Hand,’ Mr. Xiang Jiarem. His medical skills are divine! The only son of the Hundred Sources Sect’s Sect Leader suffered from cultivation deviation, was critically injured, and on the verge of death. It was Xiang Jiarem who pulled him back from the gates of hell with his Golden Needles. To this day, he’s still an honored guest of the Hundred Sources Sect. It’s just his temper... I hear it’s a bit odd."

Zhao Stone clicked his tongue in amazement at this, nodding repeatedly. He understood that such a figure wielded immense influence in the Jianghu and could not be easily offended.

Chen Qing and Xiang Jiarem exchanged a few polite words.

Xiang Jiarem then gently nudged the young woman behind him half a step forward and introduced her. "This is my granddaughter, Xiang Xiaoling. Xiaoling, come and greet Brother Chen."

The young woman, Xiang Xiaoling, stepped forward with natural grace, cupped her fist in salute to Chen Qing, and said in a clear voice, "Xiaoling greets Brother Chen."

Having traveled the Jianghu with her grandfather, she had seen countless young talents and thus showed no stage fright.

Chen Qing smiled and nodded in response. "A pleasure, Miss Xiang."

Seeing this, Xiang Jiarem stroked his beard and smiled. "This old man must continue on his journey, so I won’t disturb Chief Chen’s rest any longer."

Chen Qing raised his hand in a ’please’ gesture. "Senior, please go ahead."