abnabooks Chapter 58 Following the Clues to Find the Melon?
Chapter 58 Following the Clues to Find the Melon?
The punch was fierce and swift, with a whooshing sound as it pierced the air. Xuan Le was caught off guard and had no choice but to turn around hastily to defend herself.
Bang!
With a muffled thud, Xuan Le was knocked back more than ten steps by the punch before she regained her balance, her eyes flashing with shock and anger.
"Xuan Le, if you want to bark, go back to your Zhenyue Martial Arts School and bark."
Xu Zhao walked over expressionlessly, stood beside Jiang Qi, and coldly looked at Xuan Le.
As the personal disciple of the martial arts school's master, he could not tolerate any outsider openly provoking the school's disciples at the school's entrance.
"Xu Zhao!" Xuan Le was both surprised and angry. He considered himself to be quite strong, but he was still wary of this recognized prodigy of Zhenyuan Martial Arts School.
He glared fiercely at Jiang Qi, as if to hold him responsible for today's humiliation, then sneered, "Jiang, you're lucky! Don't let me run into you on the martial arts arena!"
After uttering those harsh words, Xuan Le quickly left.
"Junior Brother Jiang," Xu Zhao looked at Jiang Qi, his expression softening slightly, "this man is vindictive and narrow-minded. If you encounter him during the assessment, you must be extra careful."
"Thank you for helping me out, Senior Brother Lu," Jiang Qi said, cupping his hands in thanks.
"There's no need for formalities between fellow disciples," Xu Zhao nodded. "If he comes to bother me again, just let me know."
......
Back to the water shop in Sweetwater Lane.
As soon as I entered the alley, I saw Xiong Kuohai's towering figure standing by the well.
"Come, come, Protector Jiang! We've been waiting for you for a long time!" Xiong Kuohai's eyes lit up when he saw Jiang Qi, and he greeted him with a big laugh.
Ever since they drank together last time, this Xiong Protector seems to have regarded Jiang Qi as a "drinking buddy," and would bring wine to visit him every now and then.
"Tsk tsk, Protector Jiang, have you heard about the battle at Black Fish Bay?" Xiong Kuohai poured Jiang Qi a bowl of wine. "Ke Jinglan, the deputy commander of the Dang Kou Army, personally led twenty elite Dang Kou Guards to besiege and annihilate Fan Jiangjiao, the leader of that water bandit gang. And guess what happened?"
"The River-Turning Dragon was killed?" Jiang Qi asked cooperatively, picking up his wine bowl and taking a sip.
"More than just killed!" Xiong Kuohai's eyes widened like a black bear's. "I heard that when Ke Jinglan was in the middle of a fierce battle with Fanjiangjiao, a mysterious man in black suddenly appeared!"
That was incredibly powerful! Just three moves, only three moves!
He forcefully killed the infamous Ten Bloodline Bandits, including the River-Turning Dragon!
Even more astonishingly, when Ke Jinglan gave chase, he was forced back by the man in black's blade!
"Guardian Jiang, tell me, just how strong must that person be? He's probably a master of the Bone Strengthening Realm, isn't he?"
Jiang Qi remained calm and nodded in agreement: "Indeed impressive."
Xiong Kuohai took a swig of wine, smacked his lips, and suddenly leaned close to Jiang Qi, lowering his voice with an unusually serious expression:
"Protector Jiang, to be honest... that night, after I told you about the two Pang family masters being kidnapped, your expression changed, and you said you'd drink another day..."
That very night, a man in black appeared at Blackfish Bay, slew the River-Turning Dragon, and rescued the people... Isn't that a coincidence?
Jiang Qi felt a slight chill, but remained outwardly calm.
Xiong Kuohai stared at Jiang Qi's face, seemingly trying to discern something.
But a moment later, he suddenly burst into laughter and patted Jiang Qi on the shoulder:
"Haha! Just kidding, just kidding! If Protector Jiang were really that capable, why would you be sitting here with me, Old Xiong, drinking this bland liquor? Haha!"
He tilted his head back and took another big gulp, wiped his mouth, and continued his rambling:
"Actually, I have an even bolder guess... I have a brother who works for the bandit army, and he told me privately that the man in black that night used the 'Wind-Breaking Blade' technique... and his skill was extremely profound, reaching perfection!"
"Our hall master is also at the peak of the 'Breaking Wind Blade' technique. Protector Jiang, do you think... it's possible that the hall master secretly intervened to rid the people of this scourge, without wanting to reveal his identity?"
Jiang Qi paused slightly in his hand holding the wine bowl, a ripple of emotion stirring within him.
Although Xiong Kuohai's words were a guess, they did remind him.
Many people in Licheng practice the Wind-Breaking Saber Technique, but only a handful have mastered it to perfection.
If one always uses the same sword technique in one's actions, it is inevitable that traces will be left behind. If someone with a keen eye follows the clues, they may be able to make some connections.
"Finding a new, advanced sword technique is of utmost urgency," Jiang Qi thought to himself.
"Bear Guardian! Bear Guardian!"
Just then, Zhao Tong rushed into the courtyard, his face pale. "Madam, your wife is here!"
"Damn it! No one can disturb my and Jiang Hushi's drinking pleasure!" Xiong Kuohai waved his hand impatiently as he was getting into the conversation.
"Is that so?" An angry voice rang out from outside the courtyard gate.
Xiong Kuohai froze, nearly dropping his wine glass.
A woman with raised eyebrows walked in aggressively.
"Madam... what brings you here?" Xiong Kuohai instantly transformed from a burly man into a quail, getting up with an embarrassed smile.
"Why did I come? If I hadn't come, were you planning to drink until dawn? Do you think everyone is as free as you?" Madam Xiong grabbed Xiong Kuohai's ear.
"Ouch! Madam, be gentle! Be gentle! I'll go back right away! I'll go back right away!"
Xiong Kuohai grimaced in pain, but dared not resist. He could only beg for mercy repeatedly, and was dragged out of the water shop by the woman, who grabbed his ear and looked utterly pathetic.
Zhao Tong and the others quickly lowered their heads, pretending not to see.
I'm sorry, Protector Xiong.
Jiang Qi glanced at Xiao Qi not far away, shook his head and chuckled.
Back in the water room, I brewed the medicinal soup and began my cultivation.
It went on until late at night.
Jiang Qi then went to the well and used the [Moonlight] skill to collect [Moonlight Water].
As the well water rippled slightly, the two-headed turtle-shaped water-suppressing beast surfaced precisely on time, inhaling and exhaling the gathered moonlight essence, its four small eyes gleaming with a lively light under the moonlight.
The night was silent, with only the moonlight flowing through the well.
......
early morning.
On the well platform, Xiao Qi, Brother Sun, Uncle Wang, and several others were drawing water.
Beside them were two other figures.
One of them was Uncle Chen, who had been recuperating from his injuries for many days. He looked much better than before, but his movements were still somewhat slow.
The other was a little girl of about twelve or thirteen years old, wearing a faded coarse cloth dress, with two pigtails, a thin face, but bright eyes.
She was trying her best to help Uncle Chen carry buckets and fetch water. Although she wasn't very strong, she did it very seriously.
"Uncle Chen, your injury hasn't fully healed yet. Go back and rest for a few more days," Jiang Qi said as he walked out of the washroom.
"Oh dear, I can't lie still all day. My whole body aches. I feel more at ease working around this well."
When Uncle Chen saw Jiang Qi, he immediately straightened up with a grateful smile on his face.
After recuperating for nearly a month, his injuries finally stabilized, and he was able to walk again. He couldn't wait to return to the water shop.
As he spoke, he pulled the little girl beside him over: "Xiao Shui, come here and bow to Jiang Tou."
The little girl named Xiaoshui immediately stepped forward, timidly but very politely bowed deeply, and said in a soft voice, "Jiangtou."
"Jiangtou, don't underestimate Xiaoshui just because she's young. She's hardworking and quick to learn," Uncle Chen praised, his eyes filled with affection and expectation.
As if receiving a signal, Xiao Shui immediately ran to the eaves of the nearby house and brought over a bamboo basket.
Inside the basket were five chickens that had already been plucked and cleaned.