Immortal Refiner

Shengtian City, Chiming Street, Green Mountain Martial Arts School.

Today, this usually deserted martial arts school was bustling with activity. Prominent figures from the streets, big and small, had all come to congratulate the old master, Xu Qingshan.

While Xu Qingshan was temporarily away, someone at Li Qing’s table whispered, ”Old Master Xu is quite something. I heard that when he was young and strong, he took two concubines, but none of them ever got pregnant. Who would have thought that after all these years, his newly taken concubine has actually conceived!”

”Hey, I heard that before, when he was struggling to have children, Old Master Xu often scolded and beat his wives and concubines.”

”Is that so?”

Sitting nearby, Li Qing listened to these remarks with a slightly odd expression but continued to eat and drink without joining the discussion.

Qi Kang, on the other hand, wore a look of schadenfreude. He had never had much goodwill toward those who ran martial arts schools and exploited the common people.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the main guest of the banquet, Xu Qingshan, entered the martial arts school with a tall, thin man.

This man had an imposing presence, with sharp, piercing eyes, and his entire demeanor was as sharp as an unsheathed blade.

Old Master Xu walked half a step behind this man, his expression respectful and humble.

”Brother Zhang Lai, please come in and take the seat of honor. The Flying Cloud School must be quite busy lately, right?”

With this one sentence, the identity of the newcomer was revealed.

Flying Cloud School!

One of the three major martial arts schools in the city, controlling nearly a quarter of the underground forces in the imperial capital.

As soon as Zhang Lai entered the martial arts school, Xu Qingshan led him to the main seat. The others in the room immediately fell silent, and the atmosphere grew tense.

”Hahaha, everyone, please enjoy the food and drinks. This Brother Zhang Lai is one of the direct disciples of the Flying Cloud School!” Old Master Xu immediately laughed heartily to lighten the mood.

However, this disciple from the Flying Cloud School remained stern and sighed repeatedly, ”Don’t mention it. Recently, we’ve been going to great lengths to catch that Star-Stealing Thief. We haven’t had a moment to catch our breath!”

Xu Qingshan quickly chimed in, ”Ah, that Star-Stealing Thief has caused so much trouble. Brother Zhang, your Flying Cloud School has worked hard to maintain the peace in the city!”

”There’s no helping it. That Star-Stealing Thief has exceptional lightness skills, and only our Soaring Cloud Technique can keep up with him. Naturally, this tough task falls on us disciples.” Zhang Lai shook his head as he spoke, then added, ”But for the sake of the city’s peace, this little hardship is nothing.”

Hearing this, Qi Kang’s impression of the martial arts school members improved slightly.

However, Li Qing found it somewhat amusing, as if he detected a completely different undertone in these words.

”Qi Kang, when you’re outside, you must remain calm and composed. No matter what happens, don’t let your emotions get the better of you,” Li Qing quickly advised.

Qi Kang looked puzzled, unsure why his master was suddenly giving him this lesson.

”Master, what do you mean by that?” Qi Kang pressed.

Li Qing replied, ”I’m telling you to be more steady. Don’t get carried away by every little thing. Learn to be rational and control your emotions!”

Qi Kang was still puzzled by these words, but in the next moment, the conversation between Old Master Xu and Zhang Lai reached his ears again, and he finally understood his master’s intentions.

”Brother Zhang, you are truly noble. I heard that because of this matter, the monthly fees in several nearby streets have increased?” Master Xu asked with a hint of doubt in his tone.

Zhang Lai, while savoring the strong liquor in his cup, nodded and said, ”Indeed, that is the case.”

”Then our Chiming Street cannot remain silent. Starting next month, we will also increase the monthly fee by one tael of silver. Once the matter of the Star Thief is resolved, we will revert to the previous fee,” Master Xu declared.

The guests at the banquet hall immediately fell silent, the atmosphere so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Zhang Lai declined, ”Ah, how can this be? The monthly fees were agreed upon in advance. How can we just increase them at will? Moreover, capturing the Star Thief is the duty of our Flying Cloud School.”

But Master Xu immediately countered generously, ”No matter what, the Flying Cloud School is working tirelessly for the sake of the city’s residents. Since other streets have increased their fees, our Chiming Street should do the same. I just hope the Star Thief can be captured as soon as possible!”

”Good! Since Master Xu has such a heart, I will not decline. The Flying Cloud School will definitely capture the Star Thief as soon as possible!”

Thus, Xu Qingshan seized the moment to announce this matter.

He spoke a lot of grand words, saying how the Star Thief had committed numerous crimes, disrupted the city’s order, and left the people living in constant fear.

The Flying Cloud School had been working tirelessly to address this, and starting next month, the monthly fee would increase by one tael of silver. Once the Star Thief was captured, the fee would revert to the previous amount.

After finishing his speech, Zhang Lai also thanked everyone present for their support.

Creak!

At the table, Qi Kang clenched his fists tightly, his eyes slightly red.

The others present also looked extremely displeased.

After all, no matter how much the Star Thief disrupted the order, it didn’t affect these merchants.

Usually, they just treated it as a rumor, something to amuse themselves with. They never expected it would actually impact them directly.

”This...”

Someone hesitated, not daring to be the first to speak.

An increase of one tael of silver per month meant twelve taels a year—not a small sum! Moreover, the Star Thief was elusive. Forget capturing him, most people didn’t even know what he looked like. Who knew when he would be caught?

In other words, as long as the Star Thief remained at large, they would have to pay an extra tael of silver each month as protection money! Who could accept that?

Qi Kang finally understood why his master had previously advised him to remain calm and composed, to learn to stay cool-headed in the face of adversity. It was because he had foreseen this very scene.

At that moment, Qi Kang’s heart was filled with mixed emotions. He admired his master’s foresight but was also disappointed—disappointed that despite his martial prowess, he had done nothing in the face of such injustice.

So, Qi Kang lowered his head and remained silent.

Inside the martial arts school, someone finally spoke up, but the content of their words left everyone’s hearts cold.

”That’s right, the heroes of the Flying Cloud School have indeed worked hard to ensure we have a peaceful environment for doing business!”

”Exactly, I agree to increase the monthly fee by one tael of silver!”

”I agree too!”

At the main table, Zhang Lai, with a radiant smile on his face, cupped his hands and said, ”Thank you all for your kindness. Rest assured, the Star-Stealing Thief won’t be at large for much longer. With our Flying Cloud School here, you can all be at ease!”

Those who echoed his words were merchants who had been relatively close to the Green Mountain Martial Arts School in the past.

Everyone else in the room looked at them with eyes that seemed to say, ”We have a traitor among us.”

It was clear that these few had been instructed in advance to play along with Zhang Lai and Xu Qingshan in this act.

Meanwhile, Li Qing, who was sitting at the table drinking and eating, paid no attention to these matters. He was completely absorbed in savoring the food, detached from the events unfolding around him, as if the money to be paid had nothing to do with him.

(End of the Chapter)

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