If you don't bring disaster to the world, what kind of henchman are you to be?

Willow Lane.

"Mother, I'm back."

Zhu Qing pushed open the courtyard gate and called out first.

Immediately afterwards, a few lights appeared in the dark inner room, and a middle-aged woman wrapped in thick cotton clothes carefully walked out carrying a candlestick.

A cold wind was blowing, and the candlelight flickered weakly. She could only turn around to shield herself from the wind, her haggard and wrinkled face appearing and disappearing intermittently.

"Xiao Qing, you haven't caused any trouble, have you?"

Zhu Chen looked at Zhu Qing with concern, her brows furrowing deeply, especially when her gaze swept over the bloodstains on his body.

"It's nothing, just a routine arrest," he said casually.

"My son."

Zhu Chen touched his face with her rough hands and said hoarsely, "Can you resign from your post and go back to our hometown with me? The government office is too dangerous, and I don't want to see you kill anyone again."

"Killing one more person adds to your sins and creates another enemy."

Her voice was mournful, and she sobbed softly as her shoulders slumped.

Zhu Qing knew why.

He inherited his minor official position as a banner officer from his father, who was murdered by his enemies.

The officialdom may seem glamorous, but it is actually a battlefield where few can live a peaceful and undying life.

"Mother, go back to sleep."

Zhu Qing didn't know how to comfort him, so she could only offer a perfunctory reply.

go?

It's probably too late.

The original owner had arrested and killed many people during his years as an official. If his official skin were really stripped off, he probably wouldn't live more than three days.

At least I still have some power, and I have a few sworn brothers and sisters to back me up.

The best solution right now is to seize the time and use our current position to acquire resources for cultivation.

Once you improve your strength, you will be able to protect yourself, and you will have nothing to fear, whether it is political enemies in the court or enemies in the martial arts world.

After coaxing his mother back home, Zhu Qing returned to his own room and lit the candlestick with a tinderbox.

The firelight slowly spread, illuminating the entire humble dwelling.

His home was an ordinary mud-brick and thatched hut, and his bedroom was only about ten square meters in size, simply furnished with a wooden bed and a square table.

Zhu Qing removed his flying fish robe and then summoned the control panel.

[Thunder Blade Technique +5]

【Thunder Blade Technique (Minor Success 0/100)】

As attribute points were injected, related memories surged in Zhu Qing's mind.

The mental techniques and incantations of the Thunder Blade Technique were simplified, and another figure appeared in front of him.

The transparent surface reveals clearly visible red vein patterns, which represent the flow of Qi and blood.

The figure wielding a knife slashed rapidly.

In less than ten breaths, Zhu Qing closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he had returned to normal, and his swordsmanship was now fully understood.

He drew his long sword and went into the courtyard.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

The longsword moved with incredible speed, more than twice as sharp as before.

"The Thunder Blade Technique is a specialty of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Its characteristic is speed, aiming to unleash all power within a few breaths and quickly end the battle."

"After achieving minor mastery, his swordsmanship became even more exquisite and swift. Among the current commanders of the Northern Garrison, only a handful have mastered the minor mastery of the Thunder Blade."

After practicing his swordsmanship a few times, a smile appeared on Zhu Qing's lips.

……

As night deepened, the snow fell even heavier.

When Zhu Qing opened the door the next day, the snow in the yard had already piled up to a foot thick.

He quickly swept the yard, put on his robe, and went to the nearest pharmacy.

He has some savings now, and he wasn't on duty this morning, only reporting for duty at noon, so he took this opportunity to get some medicine to aid his cultivation.

Although killing enemies is a faster way to gain attribute points than cultivating, there aren't enemies to kill every day.

The attribute panel is just an aid; what you really rely on is your own hard work and perseverance!

Huichun Pharmacy.

"Oh, Master Zhu, it's been a while since you last visited!"

The shop had just opened.

The young apprentice was still sweeping the main room when he saw Zhu Qing lift the thick curtain and enter. He quickly and respectfully greeted him.

"Is Doctor Duanmu still not up?" Zhu Qing patted the snow off her body.

The young apprentice brought over a cup of hot tea: "Master went out to make house calls at dawn today, and it seemed like he was in quite a hurry."

"Um."

Zhu Qing nodded and then said, "Get a few doses of Qi and Blood Circulation Herbal Patches."

"Alright!"

The young apprentice hurried behind the counter, picked up the small gold scale, and suddenly raised his voice: "By the way, Master Zhu, we just got some twenty-year-old tiger bones, which can be used to make an even more effective tiger bone powder. Would you like to order a few doses?"

Tiger Bone Powder.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Qing's heart stirred.

In the original owner's memory, the blood and qi effects brought by Tiger Bone Powder were very powerful, perfectly matching the Zheng Yang Fierce Tiger Fist he cultivated.

When combined, the two can achieve twice the result with half the effort in cultivation.

However, tiger bones are expensive, and a dose of tiger bone powder costs at least ten taels of silver. The original owner might not be able to afford even one dose a year.

The only time he ever used it was when Zhang Sanshi gave it to him on the day he was promoted to the rank of brigade commander.

The feeling it brought me is still unforgettable.

"How much silver?" Zhu Qing stepped forward.

The young apprentice chuckled, "You're a regular customer here, and you've always been very accommodating. How about I only charge you ten taels of silver for a dose of tiger bone powder?"

"Okay, five sets to start."

The young apprentice was slightly surprised: "Five doses?"

In his memory, Zhu Qing was not wealthy, and usually only bought ordinary blood-nourishing medicine patches that cost a few cents.

He hasn't even been able to afford this medicine for the past few months and hasn't been able to get it filled in a long time.

I never expected them to be so generous today.

"Okay! Great!"

He snapped out of his daze and quickly stepped onto a stool to grab the medicine.

Zhu Qing then went to a money exchange outside the city and withdrew one hundred taels of silver.

"Sir, you bought five doses at once. If you trust us, you can store the medicine with us."

"We can brew medicine for you anytime, anywhere. The backyard is also spacious enough for you to stretch out your arms and legs to practice."

The young apprentice was overjoyed to have such a big business so early in the morning. After preparing the medicine, he spoke to her attentively.

Zhu Qing was quite satisfied with what he heard: "Okay, brew me a dose first."

Anyway, I'll have to make it myself when I get back, and I don't have as many tools as this, so why not?

An hour later, the medicine was ready.

Zhu Qing drank it while it was still hot, then took off his shirt, revealing his strong muscles, and started practicing the Zhengyang Fierce Tiger Fist on the spot.

This boxing style is extremely powerful and yang, and practicing it makes one feel like a tiger whistling through the wind.

With the help of Tiger Bone Powder, Zhu Qing soon felt his body boiling like a furnace, and even in the icy snow, wisps of white steam seeped out of his pores.

Surge, surging.

It felt as if a rolling heat wave was flowing through my meridians, and I had an inexhaustible energy.

[Zhengyang Fierce Tiger Fist +1]

Soon after, the subtitles appeared in front of me.

So fast!

Zhu Qing was overjoyed upon seeing this.

In less than 15 minutes, the progress increased by 1. In the past, it would have taken at least several hours to complete.

Having good medicine as an aid makes all the difference!

Zhu Qing was greatly encouraged and immediately continued practicing...

They remained so absorbed in their work until noon.

[Realm Level: Late Skin Refining (54/100)]

Zhu Qing slowly came to a stop, grinned as he looked at the progress in front of him.

The progress increased by 4 points in one morning. At this rate, in four or five days at most, even if there are no enemies to kill, I will be able to finish the cultivation of the Skin Refining Realm and sprint to the Flesh Refining Realm!

Martial arts training is divided into two stages: the four levels of body tempering and the five stages of opening up the source of energy.

The four stages of body tempering are: refining the skin, refining the flesh, strengthening the bones, and burning the blood.

If one can reach the level of flesh refining, it will not only greatly increase one's strength, but also qualify one to be promoted to deputy centurion.

They receive a monthly salary of five taels of silver and are also entitled to one second-class medicinal bath in the armory each month!

The requirements are that, in addition to having the corresponding merits, one must also reach the level of Body Refinement.

"Right now, Brother Zhang only has one deputy centurion position available. Whether Brother Guo or I can get the position first depends on who cultivates faster."

"This money was well spent!"

Zhu Qing put on his clothes, ate a big bowl of duck blood vermicelli soup and several sesame cakes at a street stall, and arrived at Beizhen Fusi with a full belly.

Right Guard Post.

As soon as Zhu Qing stepped into the courtyard, she sensed that the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

problem occurs?

He spat out the toothpick from his mouth and then casually grabbed a small flag.

"Zhu, Zhu, you've arrived." This flag bearer was named Qian Wei, and was the flag bearer who had followed the original owner the longest.

His expression was somewhat complicated at this moment.

"What's wrong? You all look a bit off."

"You still don't know?"

"Stop being so wishy-washy, just say it."

Qian Wei pursed his lips, then lowered his voice: "Song Qinghe, the one we just arrested last night, is dead."

"Dead?" Zhu Qing's pupils contracted slightly.

Qian Wei then explained, "Last night, Lord Wang took Song Qinghe to the Dali Temple, but they were attacked by assassins on the way, and Song Qinghe died on the spot."

"Lord Wang is seriously injured, and Physician Duanmu is administering acupuncture to him at the Dali Temple. I heard he hasn't woken up yet."

Song Qinghe is dead.

Wang Wenzhi was seriously injured.

Zhu Qing frowned, inwardly realizing that something was terribly wrong.

Anyone with a brain knows that the Tang faction sent them to kill and silence witnesses.

They moved so quickly and acted so boldly.

They grabbed him one step at a time and then silenced him the next.

If that's the case...

"Where is Zhang Baihu?" Zhu Qing asked again.

Qian Wei honestly replied, "Someone from the Chu Prince's residence arrived an hour ago. Lord Zhang went to the Chu Prince's residence."