Starting from the Locked Dragon Well, I'll grind my way to becoming the Great Sage of Immortal

"I snuck out," Zhao Xiaoqi chuckled. "I'm not going to say anything more, Qi-ge'er, I have to hurry back, I have a lot of things to do."

After saying that, he hurriedly left again.

Jiang Qi escorted Xiao Qi to the alley entrance before returning to the water room to continue tidying up the well.

At noon, I went to the martial arts school to practice.

We returned to the water shop at dusk.

into the night.

Jiang Qi stood beside the well.

"Moonlight".

With a soft murmur, the moonlight condensed on the surface of the well.

Before long, five drops of [Moonlight Water] were suspended in the palm of his hand.

With the improvement in his physical strength and the resulting mental enhancement, he can now refine five drops of [Moon Essence Water] in one night.

Five drops of "Moonlight Water" signify that cultivation can become even more extravagant.

After a day of training, he also gained a deeper understanding of [Blood Collection].

[Blood Collection] cannot be created out of thin air; he is now refining the medicinal resources needed to cultivate a wisp of blood and qi.

"【Moon Essence Water】is essentially a powerful medicine for strengthening the body's foundation and improving overall health. Using it solely to refine qi and blood is not a long-term solution..."

Jiang Qi looked at the well water, his gaze slightly narrowed.

"I should borrow some money."

......

In the morning, Jiang Qi delivered water to the kitchen of Zhenyuan Martial Arts School.

When the chubby cook saw Jiang Qi, he laughed and said, "Young Jiang, oh no, now you should be called Waterman Jiang! You're a waterman now, and you're personally delivering water?"

Jiang Qi put down the bucket and shook his arms: "Master Liu is joking. There are only two people in the water shop now. The Iron-Clad Gang has strict rules, so we dare not be negligent. The water manager is just a title."

Mentioning Cui Shuitou, the fat cook's face flashed with regret: "Alas, Cui Shuitou was such a good person... how could he just be gone like that? It's such a pity."

The water from your water shop has always been very good, especially that time... Cui Shui Tou even told me it was specially made water and promised to send some more, but after he left...

"Jiang boy, do you know how that batch of water was disposed of?"

Jiang Qi felt a slight chill in his heart, but his expression remained unchanged: "Which time is Brother Liu referring to?"

"Which time? Last month or the month before last..." Chef Liu pretended to think for a moment, then shook his head. "Sigh... never mind, he's gone, there's no point in saying it now."

As he spoke, he took a small ceramic bowl from the stove next to him: "I cooked an extra medicinal meal this morning, which will help nourish your qi and blood. Take it home and eat it."

"Thank you, Master Liu." Jiang Qi accepted the gift, expressed his gratitude, and left.

......

Back at the water shop, Jiang Qi looked at the medicinal food in the ceramic pot, his gaze focused.

Although Cui Yuan and Luo Yue are dead, they mentioned Liu Ying, the cook at Zhenyuan Martial Arts School, before they died.

He went to deliver water today hoping to use his new role to get to know the cook better.

On the surface, there seemed to be no problem, but they did mention the time they delivered water and even gave a bowl of medicinal food...

He paused for a moment, then fetched some water and put the medicinal food into it.

Wait for the medicinal food to dissolve.

"Out of water".

A soft murmur.

The medicinal properties gradually separated and precipitated out of the water, settling to the bottom.

Jiang Qi removed the sediment and examined it further.

As the saying goes, medicine and martial arts are inseparable. During his two months at the martial arts school, in addition to practicing martial arts, he also came into contact with a lot of information about medicine.

However, after a thorough inspection, no abnormal or toxic ingredients were found in the medicinal diet.

"Am I overthinking it?" Jiang Qi frowned slightly.

Is this medicinal meal really just a kind gesture from Brother Liu...?

He gently shook his head.

One should always be wary of others.

Although Liu Ying was a cook, he was quite skilled in the lucrative kitchen of a martial arts school. He had already cultivated three streams of qi and blood and was also very knowledgeable about medicinal cuisine.

It's always good to be cautious.

Thinking this, Jiang Qi got up, poured out the medicinal food, and then took a drop of [Moonlight Water] and drank it.

After practicing several sets of the Zhenyuan Body Tempering Exercise in the water room, he changed into clean clothes and went out.

......

West Street, Litong Money Shop.

Jiang Qi stepped inside, and someone immediately came forward to greet him: "What would you like, sir?"

"Is Master Pang here?" Jiang Qi asked.

The man looked Jiang Qi up and down, then hesitated, "Master Pang isn't here right now..."

Before he could finish speaking...

"Young Brother Jiang?" A voice came from inside, and then Pang Zhan walked out with some surprise.

"Greetings, Master Pang." Jiang Qi bowed.

Pang Zhan glanced at Jiang Qi several times and laughed, "I just heard someone say yesterday that the new waterman at Sweetwater Lane is named Jiang Qi. I didn't expect it to really be you."

"In just two months, young man, you have not only entered the Zhenyuan Martial Arts School and developed your qi and blood, but you have also become a water leader."

"It's truly impressive."

"You flatter me, Master Pang," Jiang Qi said, bowing slightly.

"Young brother, what brings you here today?" Pang Zhan asked, staring at Jiang Qi.

Jiang Qi maintained his cupped hands: "I've come here today to borrow some money from Master Pang."

Pang Zhan paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Practicing martial arts does indeed require money. Given your status as a waterman and your refined blood and qi... according to the rules, you can borrow eight taels."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "However, you are a righteous person and a formal disciple of Zhenyuan Martial Arts School... So, I'll take the liberty of lending you ten taels. The monthly interest will be one hundred and fifty coins."

Ten taels of principal, with a monthly interest of one hundred and fifty coins, is equivalent to ten thousand yuan according to the currency conversion of the previous life, with a monthly interest of one hundred and fifty coins, or one and a half percent per month.

In normal private lending, the interest rate is 1% or 1.5%, which is considered high.

But in this world, ordinary people often borrow money at interest rates of 3%, 5%, or even higher. An interest rate of 1.5% is already quite reasonable.

For Jiang Qi, whether it's one percent interest or one percent five percent interest, the difference is actually not that significant.

"Thank you, Master Pang!"

With the guise of "borrowing money to practice martial arts," not only can the speed of strength improvement be accelerated, but there is also a legitimate explanation, killing two birds with one stone.

The formalities were completed quickly. Jiang Qi pressed his fingerprint, and Pang Zhan gave him ten taels of silver.

Looking at Jiang Qi, Pang Zhan seemed to be deep in thought.

In two months, he went from an ordinary plumber to a martial arts school disciple and then to the head of the Ironclad Gang's plumbing team, honing his skills and spirit...

He's righteous and has decent talent.

If they can make further progress within six months and develop a second stage of Qi and Blood, then I might consider providing some financial assistance.

"Young Master Jiang, joining a gang isn't a long-term solution. It's all fighting and killing, and it's very dangerous. How about coming to work for my money exchange?" he asked with a smile.

Jiang Qi paused slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Master Pang, but I haven't thought of that much yet."

Pang Zhan didn't press the matter: "Alright, you're welcome anytime. Oh, and remember to pay the interest on time."

......

With the guise of "borrowing money to practice martial arts," Jiang Qi's training at the martial arts school became much more lavish.

Daily medicinal meals, two days of tonics...

Soon, the news that "Jiang Qi borrowed money to take medicine and practice martial arts" spread throughout the martial arts school, attracting much discussion.

"Borrow money to buy medicine? Are you crazy!"

"They are too eager for quick success and instant benefits, and they are not afraid of damaging the foundation."

"..."

Most of the comments were disgraceful, and a few were sarcastic.

In a short time, even the few formal disciples who had previously had some interaction with Jiang Qi stopped keeping in touch with him.

However, one person took the initiative to come to Jiang Qi's side.

Zhang Xiao gave a thumbs up: "Junior Brother Jiang, you have guts! Borrowing money is a skill, but daring to turn that money into real strength is an even greater skill!"

"I had no choice," Jiang Qi said, feigning a sigh.

"Where there's a will, there's a way. Of the twenty or thirty senior brothers and sisters in this courtyard, how many dare to risk everything to practice martial arts like Junior Brother Jiang?"

"I see that Junior Brother Jiang is extraordinary; his future achievements will definitely be the highest among us."

A glint of light flashed in Zhang Xiao's eyes.

Jiang Qi smiled and said, "Senior Brother Zhang, you flatter me."

"Um, I'm a little short on cash lately, could you perhaps..., Junior Brother Jiang?"

"..."

......