The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror-Chapter 21 - 17 Hiring a Hitman

(ps: Chapter 17 rewritten)

Gradually getting used to the state of mastering the Crane Form, Xu Qing noticed that the thread of black Qi within the bronze mirror's reflection of his Qi fortune had vanished without a trace, giving him a sense of solid grounding.

"It seems this thread of black Qi is associated with people like Zhao Bao, who pose a threat but not a significant one. This fits with the bronze mirror's assessment of giving them a thread of black Qi. Judging from this, my current Combat Power is indeed not weak," Xu Qing concluded after an inner analysis.

It is not surprising, really. Even though his actual combat experience was lacking, the Crane Form primarily strengthens the body, and upon mastery, it improves physical condition comprehensively.

It's like in martial arts novels where having profound Inner Strength can enable someone who only knows ordinary techniques like Grand Ancestor Long Fist to beat down many ordinary worldly society fighters.

Moreover, Xu Qing had an advantage, which was that his Divine Soul was much stronger than that of ordinary people, hence his heightened perception. He could easily detect the ill intentions of others and naturally avoid some close-range dangers.

"The Doctrine of the Mean from the Book of Rites mentions that the path of utmost sincerity can bring forth knowledge of the future. This shows that earnest study can possibly grant some premonitory abilities, perhaps due to the cultivation of the Divine Soul through reading, as it has been in my case," Xu Qing concluded, interpreting the classical texts in a new light based on his own experiences.

"But I have less than three years to live, and even though my physical condition has improved, my lifespan has not extended. It's clear that I am likely to face a fateful disaster in three years. Previously, I discussed this with my uncle, and we agreed it's probably related to the Xu Family's annihilation. However, the evaluation of Qi fortune in the bronze mirror did not produce any black Qi. Could this mean that the black Qi signifies troubles I will encounter in the near term?"

In fact, even if the bronze mirror simply acted as a blank system interface, merely providing information about one's own state, Xu Qing could still extract many useful insights from it, such as the appearance of black Qi being a skill to premonish danger.

A short lifespan could be seen as an almost insurmountable death ordeal that awaits in the future.

These insights enabled Xu Qing to further plan his own path.

After reflecting for a while, Xu Qing regulated his breathing, leaped gently towards a tree trunk in front of him, and kicked up effortlessly along the main branch to a high position.

His figure floated like a crane, elegant and carefree in the wind.

This finally had the flavor of a high-level figure from the worldly society.

Although the road ahead was difficult, he genuinely enjoyed the world he was currently in.

After having fun outside, Xu Qing satisfied, returned to his small courtyard.

...

...

"What's the matter? Is there something wrong with the tonic today?" Zhou Family saw Xu Qing drink down the Four-Ingredient Soup and immediately knit his brows.

Xu Qing shook his head: "Auntie, there's no need to prepare the Four-Ingredient Soup for me anymore."

"Why?"

"Drinking it no longer has any effect on me," Xu Qing replied softly.

"Alright then."

Returning to his small cabin to rest, Xu Qing felt a bit melancholic.

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It seemed he needed to ponder over a new health tonic recipe.

Considering his current experience, combining medicine with martial arts seemed to be the right approach to self-improvement. The problem was that he knew only so many tonic prescriptions, and besides knowing the recipes, he also had to understand medical theories.

His initial problem was quite simple: a lack of nutrition.

Both the Four-Ingredient Soup and Six Flavors Rehmannia Soup were tonics for nourishing the body.

In fact, he no longer lacked nutrition. Drinking the Four-Ingredient Soup earlier even led to some feelings of heat and dryness within him. With the perception of his Divine Soul, he could distinctly feel a slight discomfort in his body.

Besides, there's a saying that all medicines have their side effects.

Now that the Four-Ingredient Soup was ineffective, further consumption might even burden his body.

"The exercise benefit of the Crane Form is primarily focused on the limbs; even if I managed to cultivate some heat in my torso, the effect remains insignificant. Moreover, the evaluation of my Martial Arts Level is 'Muscle Training.' It seems that my bones and skin haven't improved as much, which might be due to the Crane Form's Training Method providing limited enhancement to them. Also, consuming too many medicinal herbs brings up the issue of detoxification, which involves kidney function—pertaining to the realm of Refining Internal."

The human body is extremely complex, and initial training shows significant results. The deeper one goes, the more effort and hard work are required to achieve even minimal gains.

But in theory, if every part of the body can be maintained and strengthened, enhancing one's regenerative abilities, then it is indeed possible to extend the lifespan of the physical body and become akin to the esteemed immortals and sages in the eyes of ordinary people.

...

...

"Big brother went out to supervise the summer tax collection, and he hasn't returned yet; we don't know what's going on. Seeing that Li Gongpu's brat is about to participate in the county exam, once the other party smoothly obtains the title of Scholar, with Li Gongpu's support, they will definitely encroach upon many of our Zhao family's interests."

A lone Scholar title actually has very limited influence, but combined with an uncle who is an Archivist, that's a different story.

Such an identity can't make one a country gentleman, but becoming a local strongman is still very hopeful.

Unless one is a complete fool.

The toughest hurdle in the child student test is actually the county exam.

In a large county like Qingshui County, more than a thousand child students participate in the county exam each year, and the number who pass will not exceed fifty.

But after the county exam, the prefectural exam typically has a pass rate between twenty to thirty percent.

The last hurdle of the child student test—the "institutional exam"—has a pass rate that can reach forty percent, and sometimes even fifty percent.

Xu Qing has connections with Historian Li, and Historian Li is County Magistrate Wu's favorite; as long as Xu Qing's writing is passable, he will certainly not get stuck at the county exam.

Zhao Bao sees it very clearly; Li Gongpu currently has no children, so all resources will definitely have to be spent on Xu Qing.

If he ruins Xu Qing before the county exam, then Li Gongpu will have no hope left.

Once his morale is gone, it's only a matter of time before the Zhao family takes back the authority to maintain law and order in the county.

After all, Li Gongpu's only backer is County Magistrate Wu, while the Zhao family still has other connections.

County Magistrate Wu will have to leave sooner or later.

Thus, Zhao Bao's intention to deal with Xu Qing is not merely out of vengeance, but also to fundamentally solve the problems the Zhao family currently faces.

"Bao brother, the men, we've already found them; they can take action at any time," a constable said.

Zhao Bao asked, "Did you find out the background of the other party? Have you looked into it clearly?"

"A passerby strongman; after the deed is done, he'll take the money and leave immediately, without lingering. Moreover, he doesn't know who we are; I contacted him through Old Third Du."

Old Third Du is the leader of the beggars in South City, who, by leveraging his gang of beggars, now also lives in a house with several entrances.

"How much is he asking for?"

"Thirty taels," the constable whispered.

"Thirty taels?" Zhao Bao frowned and said, "It's a bit costly, but this matter is urgent, so give it to him. The day before the county exam, I will find a way to send Li Gongpu and the Guo brothers away. When the kid leaves the house, you guys act. Remember, only break his legs; don't cause any fatalities."

Incidents involving death are significant and very hard to cover up.

"Understood."

...

...

"Give this ten taels of silver to that person, and remember, don't mention my name," the constable handed the silver to Old Third Du.

...

...

"Xiaomi, tell that person, after the job is done, five taels of silver; these three taels are the deposit."

...

...

"This one tael of silver is the deposit; after the job is done, there will be another tael," a young beggar threw the silver to a middle-aged man who had been starving for several days in a ruined temple.