Gou Zai Wudao Shi Lian Shen

Lu Chen rushed to the county town overnight.

The night was deep, and the mountain wind was sharp as a knife.

Lu Chen unleashed his Golden Ape Through the Forest Kick, his entire body moving like a green shadow, darting through the mountains, streams, and slopes.

As the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn, Chixia County finally came into view.

After entering the city, Lu Chen went straight to Wang's Yam Shop.

In the past, the yam shops would have been open for business early in the morning, with shop assistants carrying out the medicinal herbs and the aroma filling the air. But today, the whole street was unusually quiet.

The gates of Wangji were tightly shut, with several martial arts guards standing at the entrance, each with a knife at their waist and a tense expression.

The courtyard was heavily guarded, with guards patrolling everywhere.

Lu Chen entered the yam shop and headed to Qiao Yuan's residence.

Wang Shouyi stood by the bed, while Master Ge Ye sat beside him, his face weary, his hands still stained with dried medicine and blood. Several empty medicine bottles lay on the table, and silver needles were scattered around.

But Qiao Yuan on the bed was already lifeless.

He lay there quietly, his face ashen, his whole body wrapped in thick white cloth, yet dark red bloodstains could still be seen seeping out.

Wang Shouyi turned around, saw Lu Chen, and spoke in a low, hoarse voice.

"You're too late."

"Qiao Yuan's injuries were too severe; there was no hope of recovery."

Lu Chen looked helpless, a sad expression on his face.

Qiao Yuan taught him the Golden Ape Piercing Forest Leg technique, and also showed him the kindness of being a martial arts instructor.

I just didn't expect everything to happen so suddenly.

Ge Ye sighed with grief. Qiao Yuan had been with him for so many years and they were old friends who had been through thick and thin together.

Now, we are suffering this calamity because of him.

However, he was powerless to reverse the situation and could not save Qiao Yuan.

At this moment, Wang Shouyi took out two secret manuals from his bosom and handed them to Lu Chen.

"Qiao Yuan asked me to give this to you."

He said he had never taken on any disciples in his life.

"But since you have learned his Golden Ape Through the Forest Kick and even made a name for yourself with it, you can be considered half a successor."

He hopes you can carry on his legacy.

Lu Chen reached out and took the manual. It was Qiao Yuan's "Mighty Vajra Palm" and "Golden Ape Piercing the Forest Leg".

The two booklets are not heavy.

But when it lands in your palm, it feels like it's weighing down a thousand pounds.

Master Ge Ye sighed, "Before Qiao Yuan died, he asked, 'How far have you progressed with your Golden Ape Through the Forest Kick?'"

"I know nothing about it."

He said that with your talent, you will surpass him sooner or later.

"He also said that if you can master the Vajra Palm technique, combining your fists, palms, and legs, you will surely become famous in Chixia County in the future."

Lu Chen's knuckles tightened slightly.

He stepped back, straightened his clothes, and bowed deeply to Qiao Yuan.

"Senior Qiao."

"I have mastered the Golden Ape Through the Forest Kick to perfection."

"I will avenge you."

Then, Wang Shouyi reached out and grabbed Lu Chen's wrist.

"Lu Chen".

Wang Shouyi looked at him, his voice low but more solemn than ever before.

"The news of Senior Qiao Yuan's death should not be spread for the time being."

Lu Chen's brows twitched slightly.

Wang Shouyi said in a deep voice, "Now that the Wang Family has no martial artist at the Great Perfection of Blood Transformation level to oversee things, it is in a precarious situation, surrounded by the Huang family. Last night they already tore off the mask and killed two of our Wang Family's alchemists, and they will only become more ruthless next."

"If they find out that Senior Qiao Yuan is dead, they will surely seize the opportunity and wipe out my Wang Clan."

At this point, a hint of weariness flashed in Wang Shouyi's eyes.

Markets are like battlefields.

Sometimes, the life or death of a powerful person can determine the rise and fall of a family.

Although Qiao Yuan was surrounded and attacked by three Blood Transformation Masters, he fought his way out, killing one and injuring another, and finally managed to return to the Yam Shop.

This achievement is enough to shock many people in Chixia County.

As long as outsiders don't know that Qiao Yuan is dead, they will assume that the Wang family still has such a ruthless person.

Even the Huang family dared not act recklessly again.

Lu Chen glanced at Qiao Yuan, who was already dead on the bed, and slowly said, "Is the manager trying to use Senior Qiao's remaining influence to prop up Wang's current situation?"

Wang Shouyi nodded.

"good."

"The Huang family is still unaware that Qiao Yuan is dead, so they are still somewhat wary."

"Hold on for one more day, and you'll have one more chance."

Lu Chen nodded, then told Wang Shouyi some good news: "Shopkeeper, I have broken through to the Great Perfection of Blood Refining Realm."

"Don't worry, with me here, Wang's business won't collapse!"

"What? Really?" Wang Shouyi was shocked and found it hard to believe.

Lu Chen nodded: "I've been in seclusion in the medicine garden for a while, and I managed to break through by sheer luck."

"Chief Wang Zhong already knows, but things happened so suddenly that he may not have had time to send someone to inform the manager."

He spoke of it casually.

But to Wang Shouyi, it was like a thunderclap.

A great success.

How old is Lu Chen?

Seventeen years old.

No, when he first came to Wang Ji, he had just broken through to become a martial artist.

How long has it been?

Less than a year.

From the initial stage of Blood Removal to the advanced stage of Blood Removal.

Such speed would make him a genius capable of causing a stir even among the five major martial arts schools in Chixia County.

Wang Shouyi stared at him blankly, first in disbelief, then his eyes gradually brightened, and a look of surprise appeared on his face:

"Good! Good! Good!"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

"Heaven has not forsaken my king!"

"Heaven has not forsaken my royal destiny!"

"Hahaha!"

With Lu Chen as his anchor, Wang Shouyi felt much more at ease, and the gloom brought by Qiao Yuan's death dissipated in an instant.

Wang Shouyi looked at Lu Chen and suddenly said solemnly, "Lu Chen, from now on, you are no longer a guard of the Wang family."

"You are my royal retainer."

From guard to retainer, Lu Chen's status was instantly elevated.

Wang Shouyi continued, "The pills you need for martial arts training will be provided free of charge by Wang's Company."

"Blood Qi Powder and Qi Strengthening Pill, as long as they are in the treasury, will be given to you first."

"In addition, I will give you an extra 20% of the pharmacy's profits."

A 20% profit margin is 10% more than Qiao Yuan's salary.

But Lu Chen is absolutely worth the price. After Qiao Yuan left, Lu Chen is now the pillar of Wang Ji.

Lu Chen did not refuse upon hearing this. Reaching the peak of Blood Transformation requires even more pills and resources.

Wang Ji needs his strength.

He also needs Wang Ji's resources.

This is a win-win situation where both sides achieve mutual success.

Lu Chen bowed to Wang Shouyi and said, "Thank you, shopkeeper."

Wang Shouyi shook his head: "I should be thanking you."

"Lu Chen, I, Wang Shouyi, will make my point right here today."

"As long as the Wang family doesn't fall, they will do everything they can to support your martial arts training."

After that, no one had time to continue grieving over Qiao Yuan's death.

The Huang family's knife was already at Wang Ji's neck.

Wang Shouyi quickly regained the composure befitting a manager.

He first arranged for his trusted confidants to transport Qiao Yuan's body to an underground ice cellar and freeze it, so that he could give it a proper burial later when the opportunity arose.

He then immediately ordered his maid to bring him cosmetics, a false beard, a gray hairpiece, and Qiao Yuanping's old robe to disguise Lu Chen.

After some styling, Lu Chen gradually began to resemble Qiao Yuan.

Wang Shouyi had Lu Chen impersonate Qiao Yuan to mislead the others.

Then, he arranged for Master Kuzunoha to be placed in an even more secluded storeroom.

After making arrangements, Wang Shouyi could only pray that Wangji could weather this storm.