Set a goal, and the system takes over the body.

"How is it evil?" Qi Xiuyuan asked, frowning.

Wang Heihu explained, "This sword technique is not right. When I first started using it, it only took me half an hour to easily master it, and its power was quite formidable, comparable to the mastery of other low-grade sword techniques. However, after practicing diligently for another six months, I made no further progress. This is definitely not right."

Qi Xiuyuan nodded secretly.

Something definitely isn't right.

Logically speaking, being able to grasp the basics in half a quarter of an hour indicates that this technique is very compatible with Wang Heihu.

However, he made no progress whatsoever in the following six months.

This is a problem.

Moreover, even at the beginner level, one's skill is equivalent to mastering other low-grade sword techniques.

suffice it to say.

This sword technique is of a high caliber.

Qi Xiuyuan's Five Animal Fist includes the Tiger Form. He could let the system take over his training later and see if he could gain anything from it.

But there's no rush right now; let's deal with Wang Heihu and his gang first.

He put the manual back on the table and looked up at Wang Heihu.

"Speak, what other information do you have to offer? What you had before isn't enough to buy your lives."

Wang Heihu's eyes twitched slightly, and his Adam's apple bobbed: "I can buy your life with silver! I still have silver stored in Black Wind Stronghold, as well as several martial arts manuals. As long as you release me, I'll send someone to deliver them to you later—they're all yours!"

Qi Xiuyuan simply looked at him calmly.

Benefits that cannot be obtained immediately are not real benefits.

Anyone can write a bad check.

"I can even get you women! Women of the Qingyu Pavilion level, as many as you want, I can get them for you, guaranteed to be clean!" Wang Heihu then added.

Qi Xiuyuan remained silent.

Wang Heihu seemed to suddenly remember something, his eyes lighting up: "I have another piece of information that can give you leverage over Li Yan, the top courtesan of Qingyu Pavilion. From now on, if you tell her to go east, she'll never dare to go west!"

Qi Xiu remained silent.

Wang Heihu said, "I bumped into her once before. Li Yan knows martial arts, and she's quite skilled! For a top courtesan in a brothel to have such excellent martial arts skills, she must have some ulterior motive for hiding in Qingyu Pavilion as a cover!"

Qi Xiuyuan was slightly taken aback.

Not long ago, Li Yan auctioned off her virginity at Qingyu Pavilion, attracting all the city's powerful and wealthy to join in the fun. In the end, she was won by the son of the prefect. Now, it turns out that she is a martial artist, and quite strong at that. This is indeed a bit unexpected.

But that's all.

These intricacies had nothing to do with Qi Xiuyuan, and he had no interest in guessing what secrets a courtesan might be hiding.

"Is that all?"

"Well... Brother Qi, what else do you want to know? Just tell me, and I'll tell you everything I know without holding back a single word!"

Wang Heihu couldn't figure out what Qi Xiuyuan wanted, so he could only turn the tables and take the initiative.

"It seems you don't have any other valuable information."

Qi Xiuyuan braced himself on his thighs, stood up from the bench, walked over to Wang Heihu, and grabbed the other man's neck with one hand.

The oil lamp flickered, casting the shadows of the two people onto the mottled earthen wall.

Wang Heihu's lips twitched repeatedly, but his body was still sealed and he couldn't move. He could only watch helplessly as the hand tightened its grip.

His face quickly turned bright red, then gradually turned purple, and his eyes bulged so much they looked like they were about to pop out.

"You...you..."

He managed to squeeze out a few words from his throat.

Qi Xiuyuan's expression was cold and indifferent, his gaze fixed on him without the slightest ripple.

"Your information isn't enough to buy your life."

A crisp snapping sound.

Wang Heihu's eyes were wide open, and he was lifeless. Qi Xiuyuan casually threw him on the ground.

The bandits lying on the ground all trembled violently, their eyes filled with fear.

They couldn't move or shout, but they knew very well that it would soon be their turn.

Qi Xiuyuan showed no mercy and launched a series of attacks.

None of the bandits were spared.

After he finished, he searched everyone, but unfortunately, apart from a small amount of silver, there were only a few handkerchiefs with a cheap, perfumed scent. Judging from the material and smell, they must have been brought from the Fragrant Courtyard.

Piaoxiang Courtyard is different from Qingyuge.

Qingyu Pavilion is a place frequented by high-ranking officials and nobles; the girls there are all talented, and the prices are high.

The brothel was full of ordinary-looking prostitutes, and even the wine was diluted with water, so bland it had no flavor. But it was cheap, making it a place for rough men from the lower class to release their desires.

Qi Xiuyuan accepted the silver, packed his black cloth bundle, blew out the oil lamp, and quietly left through the closed door.

He also cleaned up any traces that might point to himself.

As for those corpses...

Too much.

He couldn't possibly transport and dispose of them all.

It can only be kept indoors, waiting for the day it smells bad, and the neighbors discover it and report it to the authorities.

Since they were all bandits from Black Wind Stronghold, once the government verified their identities, they wouldn't go to much trouble to find out who killed the group of bandits.

These kinds of double-crossing cases usually end without any resolution.

Early the next morning.

Qi Xiuyuan found Qi Qingshan and told him that Lin Lang was very likely a traitor within the martial arts school.

"What?!"

Qi Qingshan's hand trembled, his face filled with disbelief.

Over the years, he has taken great care in teaching Lin Lang, and has never neglected his food, clothing and daily necessities. Lin Lang started learning early and usually seems down-to-earth and hardworking.

But now Qi Xiuyuan is saying that he is the one who betrayed the martial arts school?

"I don't want to believe it either, but Wang Heihu said it himself. If Lin Lang goes to Wang Heihu's hideout tonight, then he really is a traitor," Qi Xiuyuan said in a deep voice.

Qi Qingshan took a deep breath and clenched his fists tightly.

Being betrayed by a disciple you raised is a feeling worse than being stabbed in the back.

"Okay! I'll go with you tonight."

"etc!"

Qi Qingshan was suddenly stunned, as if he had just realized what was happening.

"Xiuyuan, have you met Wang Heihu?!"

Just now, his mind was completely focused on Lin Lang's betrayal, and he didn't react immediately.

"Yes, I've taken care of Wang Heihu and his gang."

"What?!"

Qi Qingshan grabbed Qi Xiuyuan's shoulders with both hands and stared intently at him.

Wang Heihu is a martial artist at the peak of the Inner Strength Realm.

So Qi Xiuyuan destroyed their nest just like that?

Qi Xiuyuan gave a brief account of what had happened, including the interrogation of Wang Heihu.

"Anyway, I've had some opportunities. If there's a chance in the future, I'll tell you the details slowly, Dad." Qi Xiuyuan casually made up an excuse.

Qi Qingshan's expression turned serious: "What is your current cultivation level?"

"Mid-stage Qi and Blood Realm"

Qi Xiuyuan's answer startled Qi Qingshan.

How long has it been, and he's already at the mid-stage of the Qi and Blood Realm?

He disregarded everything else, reached out and grabbed Qi Xiuyuan's wrist, focusing intently on sensing the pulse. His expression shifted from doubt to solemnity, and then to barely suppressed joy.

"Good! Your pulse is strong and powerful, and your blood and qi are abundant. You are indeed at the mid-stage of the Qi and Blood Realm, but you are much stronger than the average mid-stage Qi and Blood Realm cultivator. Xiu Yuan, how did you do that?"

He stared intently at Qi Xiuyuan.

Qi Xiuyuan smiled and said, "It's probably a case of accumulating knowledge and experience before unleashing its full potential."

As he spoke, he took out two small wooden boxes from his pocket.

Open it, and inside lie two blood-red pills.

"Father, these are two Qi and Blood Breakthrough Pills. I have checked them carefully, and they should be genuine. Perhaps they can help our martial arts school add two more disciples to the Inner Strength Realm."

Qi Qingshan looked at the two pills, his face darkened, and he felt a mix of emotions.

Lin Lang, did you betray the martial arts school just for this one pill?

His fists clenched tightly, his knuckles trembling slightly.

Just then, Lin Lang's voice came from outside, just like usual.

"Master, your disciple has come to pay respects!"