Starting as a cowherd, he sought a way to cultivate immortality.

As night deepened, Chen Chi sat cross-legged on the bed, his chest and abdomen rising and falling, practicing the "Qi-gathering and breathing technique".

A wisp of "pure energy" was inhaled into his body, and he immediately felt refreshed.

Chen Chi remained calm and unhurried, slowly exhaling a breath of stale air according to the method described in the Qi-gathering and breathing exercises.

[Breath Control Method]

[Proficiency (5142/8000)]

[Accumulated strength unleashed, five times the power]

He opened his eyes, a look of joy appearing on his face.

After reaching the Transformation Realm in martial arts, the chances of sensing the pure energy of heaven and earth actually increased.

This greatly saved him the time it would take to master the "Qi Gathering and Breathing Technique"!

"If this continues, my breathing technique may reach perfection in just two years, or even less."

Chen Chi was in high spirits and prepared to continue practicing the breathing technique.

But as soon as he closed his eyes, he heard faint shouts coming from the next room.

That was the room where Uncle Qin was.

Chen Chi hurriedly got out of bed, not even bothering to put on his coat, and rushed to Qin Shan's room.

"Xiao Chi, Xiao Chi..." Qin Shan's voice was no longer weak and powerless, but instead had the energy and spirit he had when he was healthy.

"Uncle Qin, I'm here," Chen Chi replied.

He casually lit the oil lamp on the table and walked to Qin Shan's bedside.

At this moment, Qin Shan was half-lying on the bed, staring intently at Chen Chi's face.

Qin Shan grabbed Chen Chi's hand, which was resting on the edge of the bed, a complex expression on his face.

Fang Yong also rushed over upon hearing the commotion and stood next to Chen Chi:

"Sir, what's wrong?"

Qin Shan glanced at the tall and thin Fang Yong and slowly said:

"Fang Yong, after I die, take some money with you and leave the Qin mansion."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yong knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down his face.

"Master!" Fang Yong leaned forward and wiped away his tears.

"Master...you can't die!"

Qin Shan's lips were a little pale, but a smile appeared on his face.

"Everyone will have this day eventually."

Chen Chi felt Qin Shan grip his hand even tighter.

"Uncle Qin".

Looking at Qin Shan, whose eyes were gradually losing their light, Chen Chi felt as if a stone was lodged in his heart.

Qin Shan's gaze softened as he spoke softly:

"Xiao Chi, after I leave, the Qin family mansion will be in your hands."

"The only thing I can't let go of is Fufeng."

"Don't blame him, help me find him."

Chen Chi looked up at the roof, unable to bear to look at Qin Shan's appearance before his death.

"Promise me, Xiao Chi..."

Qin Shan's tone was almost pleading.

"Young Master Chen, please agree to the master's request." Fang Yong kowtowed repeatedly to the side.

Chen Chi took a deep breath and placed his other hand on Qin Shan's withered hand.

"Uncle Qin, I promise you, whether Qin Fufeng is dead or alive, I will find him."

After hearing Chen Chi's promise, Qin Shan felt relieved of his last worry, and his breathing became rapid.

He stared at Chen Chi, his eyes filled with unspoken words, but he was speechless.

Chen Chi whispered in Qin Shan's ear:

"Uncle Qin, I have had a sudden enlightenment in martial arts and have broken through to the Transformation Realm. I am sure I will pass the martial arts examination."

Qin Shan opened his mouth and hissed.

"Uncle Qin, when have I ever lied to you?" Chen Chi forced a smile.

Qin Shan's eyes showed a look of satisfaction.

The next moment, he fell into a deep sleep, a single tear slowly sliding down his cheek.

"Master—" Fang Yong cried out in anguish.

As Chen Chi held the hand that was gradually losing its warmth, his heart felt as if it had been stabbed, and he convulsed violently.

The early autumn night was bitterly cold.

……

As a former head constable of the county government, Qin Shan's funeral was a major event in Changqing County.

Even the county magistrate, Lu Xiuyuan, personally attended the ceremony and bowed before Qin Shan's memorial tablet to express his condolences.

Many old friends and colleagues who had a good relationship with Qin Shan came to pay their respects.

Chen Chi, dressed in mourning clothes, knelt to one side, watching people come and go inside and outside the mourning hall, and found it somewhat laughable.

No one visits when someone is seriously ill, but after they die, everyone comes to say goodbye.

How hypocritical their sighs and lamentations are!

The mourning hall gradually fell silent as dusk fell.

Chen Chi stepped forward, lit three more incense sticks, and placed them in the incense burner.

Wisps of smoke rose and drifted slowly overhead.

"Chen Chi, please accept my condolences."

A familiar male voice came from behind.

Chen Chi turned around.

Li Youcai, dressed in a black brocade robe, stood before him with a solemn expression.

"I have come on behalf of the Sun family to offer my condolences to Constable Qin," Li Youcai said, bowing with his hands clasped in a steady voice.

Chen Chi nodded and stepped aside.

Li Youcai's gaze swept over Qin Shan's memorial tablet in front of him, and he bowed slightly in respect.

He walked to the memorial tablet, kowtowed three times, then lit a stack of paper money and threw it into the brazier.

After offering his condolences, he took a few steps back and turned to look at Chen Chi.

"With you by Officer Qin's side until the very end, I believe Officer Qin's spirit in heaven can finally rest in peace."

Chen Chi cupped his hands in response:

"Uncle Qin has been incredibly kind to me; this is just my duty."

A flash of disdain crossed Li Youcai's eyes, which then turned serious as he said:

"Officer Qin is gone. What are your plans now?"

Chen Chi looked up at Li Youcai, his brows furrowing slightly.

"My affairs are none of your concern, Butler Li."

Li Youcai seemed oblivious to the distance in Chen Chi's words, and continued:

"I know you are incredibly strong, and you even trained at Xingyun Martial Arts School for a few years."

"I hired two warriors at the Blood Strengthening Realm to follow me, paying them one tael of silver per month."

With them around, I found dealing with the Sun family's trivial matters much easier than before.

Chen Chi, I wonder if you'd be interested?

I will give you two taels of silver per month.

Chen Chi could tell from Li Youcai's sincere tone that he was not lying and genuinely wanted him to be his follower.

However, Chen Chi did not believe that Li Youcai could afford to hire a follower who was at the Transformation Realm.

"Thank you for your kindness, Steward Li, but I have my own plans for the future," Chen Chi replied without the slightest hesitation.

Li Youcai raised an eyebrow, paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "In that case, I wish you all the best for the future. Farewell."

He bowed and took his leave, then turned and walked away quickly.

Outside the mourning hall, the two martial artists at the Blood Strengthening Realm were waiting for Li Youcai.

Unexpectedly, Li Youcai saw them and immediately scolded them loudly:

"I paid you all to do this, so get your act together! Who are you trying to fool with that sour look on your faces?!"

The two martial artists turned pale, stood up tremblingly, and replied repeatedly, "Yes, Master Li!"

Li Youcai snorted coldly, straightened his brocade robe, looked into the mourning hall, and continued to shout loudly:

"Don't think that just because you've learned martial arts for a few days, you can be arrogant and ignorant."

"You can't even pass the martial arts exam, what are you all?"

After saying that, he left without looking back.

The two martial artists were humiliated and their faces turned red, but they still followed Li Youcai without saying a word.

Chen Chi looked out of the mourning hall, his expression calm.

Li Youcai was making veiled accusations, and he could naturally understand it.

But he wasn't angry; he even found it a little ridiculous.

Now that I am a martial artist at the Transformation Realm, it would be easy for me to not only become a martial arts scholar, but also pass the martial arts examination.

This time, Li Youcai will probably be disappointed again.

Chen Chi knelt down again on one side of the mourning hall and closed his eyes to rest.