Refining the True from the False: Becoming a God Starting with Devouring a True Dragon

[The Liver Jerky of the Fire-Hiding Bull Demon: A demon capable of transforming its liver fire into flame magic through anger. After consumption, the liver fire within the meat can be extracted and stored in the liver for later use.]

(Note: Liver fire will continuously burn your liver until it reduces you to ashes. Please use with caution.)

Jerky that can breathe fire after being eaten!

This thing can definitely be used as a trump card.

While others were still practicing martial arts, he was already using fire magic.

Needless to say, its power is immense; a move that the bull demon uses as a trump card must be incredibly lethal.

The only downside is...

This liver jerky probably needs to be eaten immediately.

Wang Qi thought for a moment and tied the dried meat of the Hidden Fire Bull Demon to his lower back.

This piece of meat has become his trump card.

If things really get to the worst, it can give itself a good chance of survival.

Before they could even rest, the sound of gongs rang out.

Wang Qi yawned and then began his afternoon street patrol with Gao Ya, who arrived late.

Wang Qi and his fellow constables, along with some newly promoted and unconnected official constables, were generally responsible for streets that were poor alleys, chaotic and devoid of any lucrative opportunities.

Today he is in charge of Pig Liver Alley in Xiashui Lane.

Xiashui Lane was once a lane where butchers lived. It got its name because the people in the lane ate the offal of pigs, cows and sheep every day. Many of the alleys in the lane were named with rather simple and vulgar names such as pig liver, chicken intestines, and cow heart because of the different foods they ate.

Later, a demonic calamity killed most of the people in Pig Liver Alley, and the alley fell into ruin.

Because no one wanted to live in such an "unfortunate place," it gradually became a dead-end alley.

Such dead-man alleys are rare in Heihe County; they are mainly concentrated in Xiashui Lane.

But there are countless similar cases in the towns and villages outside Heihe County.

Dead Man's Village, Dead Man's Town, Dead Man's Village...

Gao Ya, standing beside him, sighed. "Sigh, Master Huang said so much, he clearly wanted the yamen to resolve the snake problem in the sewer alley as soon as possible."

"Even I can understand such simple words. What are those old men upstairs thinking?"

"Heaven knows," Wang Qi sighed. "If the snake problem had been solved sooner, everyone wouldn't be so tense."

He also harbored considerable resentment towards the officials above him.

If they hadn't been incompetent and lazy, I wouldn't have been targeted by the Black River Gang.

"I really envy you. You've caught Zhang Zaotou's eye, and you're already training outside in just over a month... Zhang Zaotou must be giving you a lot of good stuff, right?"

Gao Ya said from the side.

Wang Qi nodded. "They gave me ten catties of beef, sent me to fish at the Heihekou River, and gave me guidance in my cultivation... They really helped me a lot."

"How are you doing? With just over a month left, can you break through to the next level?"

Gao Ya looked troubled. "Cultivation is manageable, but the problem is the meat... I'm not that close to my uncle, and his son is a government official candidate... I can't spare the time. My family's business hasn't been doing well lately either, so we can't come up with the money..."

"Let's see what fate has in store."

"Once the constables get their monthly pay at the beginning of next month, I'll lend you two hundred coins to buy meat," Wang Qi said, patting Gao Ya on the shoulder.

"That's enough for me." Gao Ya's smile became even more stiff. "Brother Da Niu has already given me more than ten kilograms of beef, and there should be more to come."

"I probably won't need your help."

"Just ask if you need anything," Wang Qi said firmly.

Having arrived in this world without parents, they only get along well with their group of four.

It would have been a real shame if Gao Ya had been kicked out just one step away from the goal.

Wang Qi continued his inspection.

But then he suddenly realized that Gao Ya was standing still.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Oh, it's nothing." Gao Ya quickly caught up.

……

As the two suns set in succession, dusk faded and the bright moon hung high in the sky.

After eating the millet and wild vegetable porridge, Gao Ya hurriedly went out, looked around, turned corner after corner, and finally walked into a quiet alley.

"Hello!"

A large hand suddenly grabbed his collar and flipped him over.

"Brother Bear."

Gao Ya called out in a low voice, not daring to look up at the burly man dressed in Black River Gang clothes.

"Did you find that... Wang Ya's bird-raising secrets that I asked you to look for?"

Brother Xiong spoke in a deep voice.

Gao Ya shook his head. "He probably doesn't have any secret techniques; it's just pure talent."

"fart!"

Brother Xiong gave a sudden shove, sending Gao Ya crashing heavily into the wall.

cough cough...

Gao Ya coughed violently a few times.

"Have you ever seen anyone who can make a bunch of beasts so obedient without relying on secret manuals or techniques?"

"Do you think I'm some kind of country bumpkin?!"

Gao Ya looked horrified and explained, "I've been following him for several days, and I've searched under the bed, but there's nothing there."

"He definitely has that talent!"

"But you didn't say that a few days ago," Xiong Ge said with a fierce look.

"At that time... I knew my family was in debt, and I panicked, so I..."

Gao Ya was lifted up by Xiong Ge again. "Kid, I'm warning you, don't try anything funny with me."

"I'll give you three more days."

"Found it, and your family's debts are wiped clean. Not found? Then all four of you can go down into the river and feed the fish!"

After saying that, Brother Xiong slapped Gao Ya hard across the face again.

He turned and followed a few of his underlings out of the alley.

……

Zhengyu Street, Zhang Family Courtyard.

Wang Qi sat at the table, looking somewhat reserved and uneasy.

"Eat, eat more fish."

Madam Zhang served Wang Qi food with great hospitality, showing no airs of a typical "soap-headed lady".

"Thank you, Madam."

Wang Qi quickly ate a couple of mouthfuls of rice with the fish, then hurriedly put it down.

The maid "Baozi" next to him kept making faces at Wang Qi.

Every few days during the past month, Zhang Zaotou would invite him over for a casual meal, and incidentally give him some pointers on martial arts cultivation, providing him with extra instruction.

Therefore,

That's why his martial arts skills have progressed so rapidly.

As for the reason, Wang Qi himself didn't know either.

Perhaps it was that ten-pound bass that was blessing him...

Sitting upright, Zhang Yuan spoke, "Regarding the Black River Gang matter, there's bad news and good news. Which do you want to hear first?"

"Bad news."

Wang Qi responded.

Zhang Yuan said unhurriedly, "The bad news is that early next month, Hong Yu, the pond owner known as 'Fish in the Water' in the Heihe Gang, will be celebrating his 40th birthday. Your matter is related to him."

"The Black River Gang, from top to bottom, has one main leader, three deputy leaders, and five major leaders. All nine are experts in the Blood Removal Realm of the third stage of martial arts."

"Experts at this level have already eliminated impurities and waste blood from their bodies, rejuvenating their blood and energy, making them extremely powerful."

Wang Qi took a deep breath.

"And what's the good news?"

"The good news is..." Zhang Yuan paused deliberately, observing Wang Qi's reaction.

Seeing Wang Qi simply take a deep breath, his eyes becoming firm and without any panic... she was slightly surprised, but then felt satisfied.

"The good news is that Li Xiong, the one who did it, was just a fisherman at the outer cultivation level under his command, and he probably did it behind everyone's back..."

"He probably wants to use that so-called secret manual for controlling birds that you have as a birthday gift, so he can gain attention."

"Is this news reliable?" Wang Qi pressed.

Zhang Yuan shook his head. "There's no such thing as absolutely reliable news in the world."

"According to the law, non-fishermen are not allowed to sell fish for money, but you did anyway. You're a death row inmate, and your escape might just depend on a word from the jailer. Even the county magistrate can go back on his word..."

"It all comes down to how you do things."

Wang Qi seemed thoughtful. "Does Your Excellency have any suggestions?"

"Either we find this Brother Xiong and offer him a price to forget about this, or we make Heihe County forget about him..."

"If even bigger figures are involved, then things will get complicated."

"Think about it carefully yourself."

Alas, it's come to this...

Let's eat first!

Wang Qi picked up his bowl and chopsticks and began to eat heartily.

They kept praising it while they ate.

"Madam's cooking is delicious!"

"Eat more if you like it, there's more if you're not full," Mrs. Zhang said with a smile.

This food is fucking delicious!

It would taste even better if we could eat it without worrying about the consequences.

I haven't done anything wrong, and I haven't offended anyone, so why should I be so anxious and worried...?

A fierce glint suddenly appeared in Wang Qi's eyes.