Starting with warding off evil and disaster, one can ascend to immortality after countless tribulati

With a mournful face, he walked ahead, trembling, to lead the way.

Seeing that Jiang Ming's expression was calm and he showed no sign of anger towards them, the disciples in the alchemy room hurriedly stammered out their compliments.

"Senior Brother Jiang, your strength is truly terrifying. Apart from Senior Sister Xu Youwei, no one in the alchemy room is your match."

Upon hearing the familiar name, Jiang Ming paused, unable to resist a flicker of curiosity about this woman Chen Meng had always fawned over. "Oh, what is your Senior Sister Xu's cultivation level?"

"Fifth rank perfected, just one step away from the sixth rank."

Jiang Ming sighed silently, offering no comment.

These scions of wealthy families are born with abundant resources to support them, not to mention that Xu Youwei can also use her looks to make money and extract extra resources from her admirers.

After a while, it's normal that the other party's cultivation level was high.

Only someone from a humble background like Zhao Yongkang would risk his life for resources. Unfortunately, no matter how much he struggled, he couldn't withstand the terrifying power of a seventh-grade martial arts technique.

If anyone's to blame, it's him for being blind and daring to provoke me.

"Senior Brother Jiang, this is Zhao Yongkang's room. If you see anything you like, just take it with you."

With Zhao Yongkang dead, the disciples of the alchemy room didn't even bother to call him "servant" anymore, and simply opened the door to welcome Jiang Ming in.

Pointing to the piles of miscellaneous items on the ground, he asked respectfully, "Would you like me to help you pack them up?"

"The spirit stones and treasures are mine; you can divide the rest among yourselves."

After calmly giving a brief explanation, Jiang Ming waited only a moment before the large package was handed to him.

More than a hundred spirit stones, a book on alchemy, and a palm-sized alchemy furnace.

After a quick glance, Jiang Ming couldn't help but feel disappointed. He hadn't expected that Zhao Yongkang, a dignified constable, would only have this much wealth.

It seems that Manager Wu hasn't returned the resources used to bribe officials. The matter wasn't resolved, yet he's still taking the money. They're all exploiting people...

After a moment of reflection, Jiang Ming accepted the pills prepared by the disciples of the alchemy room and strode away from the room.

Fortunately, it's the end of the month, and all the managers are out reporting for duty.

Otherwise, under the nose of a late-stage Qi Refining Realm expert, Jiang Ming would never dare to kill, rob, and leave.

The higher Jiang Ming's cultivation level, the more awe he felt for the strong. Although they were both at the fifth level of the Qi Refining Realm, the reason he was able to kill Zhao Yongkang by leaping a small realm was purely due to the advantage of his powerful cultivation technique.

If Zhao Yongkang is also highly regarded, possesses a seventh-grade cultivation technique, or has mastered a spell, then the outcome will be uncertain.

Back at the blacksmith's workshop.

Jiang Ming dared not linger outside and went straight to the attic to take refuge.

By hiding here, even if Steward Wu comes to investigate, Zhou Yi will be there to protect them.

"Why do you look so pale?" With Zhou Yi absent, Madam Zhou naturally didn't shy away from showing her face. Seeing Jiang Ming's worried expression, her beautiful eyes couldn't help but reveal a look of doubt.

Explain the reasons in great detail.

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhou nodded, handed Jiang Ming a cup of flower tea, and encouraged him with satisfaction, "Not bad, decisive and efficient like a man."

You didn't give anyone a handle to use against you. Even if Wu Yue harbors resentment, he has no reason to retaliate openly. Besides, he would never turn against Zhou Yi for the sake of a mere constable.

Let me think about what Zhou Yi would do.

Rubbing her temples, Madam Zhou blinked her bright eyes and smiled. "Given Zhou Yi's personality, he'll most likely let you go out to avoid the limelight and buy some resources."

If everything goes as I expect, there is something I'd like to ask you.

"Please speak, sister, I will do my best to handle it."

Looking at Madam Zhou with surprise, as this was the first time she had made a request, Jiang Ming readily agreed, but couldn't help feeling curious.

The relationship between Madam Zhou and Zhou Yi was quite delicate. In Jiang Ming's memory, the two never showed any intimacy.

Zhou Yi was not a lecherous person. From what Jiang Ming knew, he was even an honest man who was so rigid that he was afraid to talk about sex.

Although Madam Zhou was alluring and beautiful, it was not enough to make Zhou Yi, who was over seventy years old, want to take a concubine. There must be another reason for this.

"My real name is Ye Tao, and I am the legitimate daughter of the Ye Family Chamber of Commerce in Tongzhou City."

When you come down the mountain, please visit my family for me. I've been away from home for months, and I want to know how they are doing.

My name is Jiang Ming. When you see this, I am already possessed by evil spirits and my life is hanging by a thread.

The sibling-like relationship I formed with Mrs. Zhou was very beneficial, but being deeply involved in it also brought me unprecedented hardship.

Ye Tao is a real person, but her body has been possessed by the evil spirit of the Great Forest Wood. Unlike the tender and weak evil spirit of the Willow Wood in the ancient painting, she has become powerful and has been able to embark on the path of immortality.

After some investigation, I uncovered Madam Zhou's secret and destroyed the long-accumulated mental imagery of the Great Forest Demon, causing it to revive and kill me.

If I had another chance, I would never go to the Ye Family Chamber of Commerce, much less rashly ask Madam Zhou why I had given myself to Zhou Yi.

Standing there silently, gazing into Madam Zhou's deeply affectionate eyes, Jiang Ming broke out in a cold sweat but dared not utter a sound.

She simply replied obediently, "Don't worry, sister, leave this to me."

"Thank you for your hard work." With a bright smile, Madam Zhou gently poked Jiang Ming's forehead.

She then returned to her room, took out a sachet, and carefully placed it in Jiang Ming's hand, saying, "When you arrive at the Chamber of Commerce, give this to my father."

Otherwise, he probably wouldn't see you...

Forcing himself to remain calm, Jiang Ming put away the sachet, feeling increasingly pressured. He chatted with Madam Zhou intermittently, but inside he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

After a long while, Zhou Yi returned slowly.

He glanced at the package on the ground, his expression changed slightly, and he said in a hoarse voice, "Where did this alchemy furnace come from? Did you cause trouble in the alchemy room?"

"I couldn't hide it from my grandfather, so I killed the servant in the alchemy room." Jiang Ming rubbed his hands together, feeling uneasy.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi showed no anger.

After inquiring about the reason, the anxiety immediately subsided. "You did a pretty good job; you didn't leave any evidence against you."

Otherwise, Wu Yue, that stubborn mule, won't give up easily. Go back to your cave and refine the pills. I'll hold up the sky for you if it falls.

By the way, I plan to send you down the mountain for some training in a few days, partly to avoid trouble and partly to gain experience.

Mrs. Zhou's predictions remained accurate.

With a silent sigh, Jiang Ming naturally had no objection. He set aside a portion of the spirit stones and handed them over with a sincere expression.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you, Grandpa. This is just a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it."

Zhou Yi glared at Jiang Ming, and although he was very pleased, he pretended to be angry and slammed his fist on the table, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

"Get lost, who needs your paltry sums? Keep them for your own cultivation."

"Go back and further refine the supernatural abilities and spells in the 'Small Furnace Fire Reaching Heaven Technique,' and after a few days of training down the mountain, you'll have a trump card."

As Zhou Yi watched Jiang Ming leave, a slight smile appeared in his sharp eyes.

He looked like he had struck gold, stroking his gray beard with delight. "I've mastered the basics of the technique in just half a month, and even learned a supernatural power."

This child's talent is truly terrifying; it's worth the trip.

Having prepared a small gift, Zhou Yi was not going to delay at all and immediately set off for the alchemy room to quell the storm for Jiang Ming and prevent future troubles!