NABC Chapter 64 Bloodbath at the Water Workshop
Chapter 64 Bloodbath at the Water Workshop
Jiang Qi looked at Li Tianren and felt that there was something strange about him, much like Yan Beifeng, the young master of the Blood Blade Hall of the Qingshui Gang, whom he had killed before.
"Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Xie. The Ironclad Gang is quite good." He didn't want to get too involved with the other party, so he gave a slight bow and spoke in a flat tone.
Li Tianren's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes deepened slightly, and he asked with a playful tone, "Guardian Jiang... are you reluctant to part with that well?"
Jiang Qi's expression changed.
What does that mean?
Why would the young leader of the prestigious Qingshui Gang suddenly mention a well?
To outsiders, Suolong Well is just an old well in Sweetwater Lane that has been around for a long time and provides water for the nearby residents. Ordinary people would never mention it.
Unless... Li Tianren knows something?
Or perhaps, it's related to the evil spirits we spied on that night?
Jiang Qi subconsciously sensed the talisman and tortoise bead in his arms.
The inscription did not get hot, and the tortoise bead remained calm and showed no unusual movement.
This shows that the Li Tianren in front of us is not possessed by evil spirits.
However, this does not completely rule out the possibility of a connection.
Evil and unorthodox methods may not necessarily require possession.
"No need for Young Master Li to trouble himself." Jiang Qi suppressed his thoughts.
Li Tianren didn't seem surprised by Jiang Qi's answer; instead, he smiled.
"In that case, I wish Protector Jiang... a bright future."
After saying that, he gave Jiang Qi a meaningful look before turning and leaving.
Jiang Qi watched his retreating figure, his brows furrowing slightly.
This person is definitely suspicious.
"Protector Jiang, ignore him! None of the Qingshui Gang members are good!" Xiong Kuohai said gruffly from the side.
Jiang Qi nodded and said, "I'll go to the martial arts school first."
"Okay, I'll wait for you to get back and have a drink."
......
Jiang Qi led Xiao Qi and the others to the Zhenyuan Martial Arts Hall area.
Xu Zhao, Zhang Xiao, and several other martial arts school disciples who participated in the assessment had all finished their matches and gathered here.
Some people looked happy, while others looked gloomy.
Coach Zhou Yong glanced at everyone and nodded slightly: "Xu Zhao, Jiang Qi, Zhang Xiao, Ouyang Chen... the four of you have performed exceptionally well. If there are no unforeseen circumstances, based on past experience, obtaining the 'Martial Arts' title should not be a problem."
Wang Meng, Li Qing, you two also have a 60-70% chance. The rest of you... take stock, and we'll fight again next time.
He paused for a moment and then said, "Let's go. The results will be announced in three days. Let's go back to the martial arts school first, and I'll tell you about the problems and areas for improvement that we each exposed during the match."
......
Zhenyuan Martial Arts School, inner courtyard.
Coach Zhou Yong analyzed and gave instructions on everyone's performance that day, and finally kept Jiang Qi behind alone.
"Your Wind-Breaking Blade is now fully mastered, and your Wind-Chasing Step is nearing completion." Zhou Yong looked at Jiang Qi with admiration in his eyes. "With your performance today, combined with your excellent performance on the first level's Qi and Blood Stone, it's highly likely that you'll receive an 'A' grade in this assessment."
"Grade A?" Jiang Qi looked at Instructor Zhou.
"Not bad. The martial arts examination is graded into four levels: A, B, C, and D. Those who achieve a grade of B will be awarded the title of 'Martial Artist'."
Those who obtain the highest rank will not only receive honors and titles, but will also have the opportunity to be directly selected for training within the Martial Arts Department, gaining access to systematic knowledge and resources,” Zhou Yong explained.
"However," he changed his tone, his expression turning serious, "you could have ended the fight much faster today. You were too conservative in the early stages, prolonging the battle, and your timing and rhythm control were lacking."
When facing an equally matched opponent, prolonged engagements can easily lead to unforeseen circumstances and needlessly deplete one's physical strength and energy.
Jiang Qi listened silently and nodded in agreement.
When acting, you naturally have to go all the way.
"Your comprehension and temperament are both excellent. But the path of martial arts requires more tempering in combat than just these qualities..." Zhou Yong earnestly advised.
......
It was already evening when we came out of the martial arts school.
Jiang Qi and Zhao Xiaoqi walked together toward the water shop in Sweetwater Lane.
However, as soon as he reached the entrance of Sweetwater Lane, the scene before him made Jiang Qi's heart sink.
The alleyway entrance was a mess, with broken flagstones, knife and axe marks on the walls, and even traces of blood that had not yet dried.
Zhao Tong, Gao Li, and others who were supposed to be on duty here were nowhere to be seen. Instead, five or six burly Ironclad Gang guards were protecting a middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man was thin, with sharp, eagle-like eyes.
"Greetings, Hall Master Chen." Jiang Qi and Xiao Qi stepped forward and clasped their hands in greeting.
This person was none other than Chen Ying, the deputy head of the Fierce Wind Hall.
Upon seeing that it was Jiang Qi, Chen Ying's expression softened slightly, and he nodded: "Go in."
Upon entering the courtyard of the waterworks, an even more shocking scene came into view.
The courtyard was in chaos; water buckets were overturned and broken, the well pulley was broken, and there were even several obvious pools of blood near the well platform.
Guo Meng was packing up with two gang members, looking grave.
"What happened?" Jiang Qi asked, frowning.
Upon seeing Jiang Qi, Guo Meng rushed forward and angrily shouted, "Protector Jiang! You're back! Just now, the Blood Blade Hall suddenly attacked Sweetwater Lane!"
"They were numerous, and all of them were skilled fighters! Even Yan Liang came! Deputy Hall Master Chen was injured! In the end, it was only after the Hall Master himself arrived that they were repelled!"
Bloodblade Hall is attacking Water Pavilion? And it's a large-scale attack by hall masters?!
Jiang Qi was startled.
The water store was just a water supply point. In the past, even if there were conflicts, Blood Blade Hall would at most send some ordinary gang members to harass them.
Launching a full-scale attack at the branch level like today, with even the branch leaders from both sides taking action, is extremely unusual!
Considering Li Tianren's earlier meaningful mention of Suolongjing...
Jiang Qi became even more suspicious that the Qingshui Gang might be connected to evil forces.
"The Hall Master and the Blood Blade Hall Master...fought?" Jiang Qi pressed.
Yan Beifeng was possessed by evil spirits, and his father Yan Liang was also related to evil spirits, which is traceable.
"Yes!" Guo Meng's face showed a hint of lingering fear. "Our hall master fought with Yan Liang for dozens of rounds, and in the end, they were both injured before they retreated."
Jiang Qi's expression darkened slightly, as the eerie black shadow's howl before it vanished last night flashed through his mind.
"Found you... Sotaki... you're mine..."
That evil spirit had its eye on Suolong Well, but dared not approach it, so it sent the Blood Blade Hall of the Green Water Gang to attack it.
The fact that the Water Shop came under the control of the Ironclad Gang led to today's conflict...
As my thoughts raced, a sense of urgency inevitably arose in my heart.
moment,
"Are you all alright?" Jiang Qi asked, suppressing his inner turmoil.
"We're fine, just some minor injuries that will be fine with a bandage. But Protector Xiong..."
Guo Meng sighed and pointed to a broken wine jar and spilled wine beside the well.
"Guard Xiong brought over a jar of fine wine earlier, saying he was waiting for Guardian Jiang to return so he could celebrate Guardian Jiang's victory... but then Blood Blade Hall attacked."
"To protect us, he was struck in the chest by Yan Liang... He vomited blood and collapsed on the spot, his sternum... was shattered... After the hall master repelled Yan Liang, he immediately took Protector Xiong back to the hall for treatment, but... his condition is probably not good."
"As Protector Xiong was being carried away, he was still muttering, 'The victory celebration wine... I didn't drink it...'"
Is Xiong Kuohai seriously injured?
Jiang Qi's expression hardened slightly as he looked at the wine stains and broken pottery shards by the well. He could almost see the burly man carrying a wine jar, laughing as he walked over.
From initial wariness to later becoming drinking buddies, this Xiong Protector, though rough, was also quite generous, often telling him stories of Licheng's past, gang conflicts, and reminding him of various people and things to be wary of...