From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

Listening to the Wind Pavilion, inner room.

The air was filled with the scent of sandalwood, and the brocade cushions on the soft couch were piled up like a small mountain.

Jin Xinniang leaned back, one hand supporting her head, the other idly fiddling with the teacup on the small table beside her, her eyes staring out the window, lost in thought.

"Miss."

A slender figure appeared out of nowhere and stood silently in front of Jin Xinniang.

Jin Xinniang didn't even lift her eyelids, nor did she flip through the book in her hand. She lazily asked, "Is there any good news?"

"Miss."

An Hongxin pulled a thin booklet from his sleeve, opened it, and read aloud:

"Sun Fugui from the East City was beheaded by the gang leader at the North Gate Wharf three days ago; his head was split in two. Li Zheng from the West Street went into the mountains to gather herbs half a month ago and hasn't returned yet; he's probably fed the monsters. Qian Hai from the South City is doing quite well; he married into the Jiang family and has moved out of the slums, so he's made some achievements..."

She read them down one by one: some were dead, some had run away, and some were still living their lives aimlessly.

Upon reaching the last page, An Hongxin paused:

"Zhu Hong has now entered the Jinyang Prefecture government office and is serving as a second-class constable."

"Oh?" Jin Xinniang put down the book in her hand, a hint of interest finally appearing in her eyes: "Is this the kid who swapped the 'Taizu Changquan' manual?"

"Yes."

An Hongxin nodded and continued reading: "After he joined the police force, he killed three thugs by himself on the night of Bailongfang. Later, he went with the old constable Lin Jizhi to investigate a case in Xiangwanlin, where he killed a ground wolf and also fought and killed an adult Black Mountain Giant Bear."

"A bear?"

Jin Xinniang raised an eyebrow slightly. If she remembered correctly, the young man was only a beginner in the Mutant Refining stage. She asked, "But how much effort did that old constable put in?"

"no."

An Hongxin shook his head: "Zhu Hong must have learned some martial arts from somewhere. He went head-to-head with the bear and literally ripped it open, crushing its heart. The old constable was just harassing it with his knife and trying to distract it. Zhu Hong was the one who took the lion's share."

"Martial arts?"

A hint of suspicion flashed in Jin Xinniang's eyes, and she sat up slightly straighter: "What method is it? Can you trace its origin?"

"Cannot be found."

An Hongxin shook his head, his brows furrowing slightly: "That fist technique is fierce and domineering, it does not belong to any faction in Jinyang City, nor is it the standard martial art of the government."

"Growing out of thin air?"

Jin Xinniang narrowed her eyes.

"It's as if... it came out of thin air," An Hongxin said in a low voice. "We can't find its roots, we can't figure it out."

"That's interesting."

A playful smile appeared on Jin Xinniang's lips. Her eyes darted around, and it was unclear what she was planning. "This kid is quite cunning. Continue."

"Yes."

The red letter turned a page: "Afterwards, he changed to a different sword manual, practiced it behind closed doors for seven days, and now he has gone to the Rift Valley, presumably to hunt demons."

"Half a month." Jin Xinniang's eyes gleamed. "To go from suffering from tuberculosis to becoming a constable in the public service, he's quite an interesting person..." She tossed the scroll aside, a half-smile playing on her lips. "It's been half a month since he left Tingfeng Tower, hasn't it? According to the rules, once someone enters the public service, their contract is void. But," she paused, "..."

"This kid didn't even say hello."

What's wrong?

Do you not take me seriously?

These words seemed to express mild anger, but the tone was full of teasing.

"Miss."

An Hongxin looked up. "Should we grab him and question him?"

"Is it necessary to arrest them?"

Jin Xinniang tapped her finger lightly on the edge of the couch: "Tingfeng Tower does business 'at will,' wouldn't drag people away and ruin our luck?" She then chuckled, "Besides, if we chase after them too closely, people will inevitably suspect we have ulterior motives." She waved her hand and lazily slumped onto the couch.

"Let him go. When he remembers, he'll only feel more indebted."

An Hongxin bowed and nodded first, then remained silent for a moment before raising her eyes and slowly reporting, "Hongxin has learned something; someone is trying to harm him. Does Miss wish to intervene?"

"Red Letter, you said..."

Jin Xinniang didn't answer immediately, but just looked at her with a half-smile: "Should that boy be protected?"

Listening Wind Pavilion has a rule that's quite interesting.

When this building was first built, it was originally intended for a connection among a hundred people. Anyone on the register who caught Jin Xin Niang's eye could be rescued in a critical moment. As for right and wrong, merit and demerit, whether or not they caught her eye, it was all up to Jin Xin Niang to decide. In any case, so far, only two people have benefited.

"Hongxin thought..."

An Hongxin lowered her beautiful eyes slightly, her voice soft, yet her words conveyed a clear understanding: "He must have caught Miss's eye."

"Go."

Jin Xinniang stared at her for a moment, then suddenly smiled faintly: "Have someone keep a close eye on him. I want to see just how much trouble he can stir up."

"Yes."

An Hongxin bowed respectfully, then leaped away and vanished in an instant.

Jin Xinniang leaned back on the soft couch, casually picked up the roll of names, flipped through a couple of pages haphazardly, and then tossed it onto the kang table.

She gazed out the window, her brows slightly furrowed. Though somewhat bewildered by the future, a sliver of anticipation lingered in her heart. "The storm is brewing, what's coming is finally approaching..." She murmured to herself, her fingers twirling the lid of her teacup. "Those old fogies in the clan have also set off. Counting the days, it won't be long."

Does the person that thieving old Taoist priest with the sly nose talk about really exist...?

"Sister Jinxin!"

Suddenly, a sweet voice called out from outside the door. The door swung open slightly, and a beautifully sculpted young woman gracefully entered the room, her skirt fluttering lightly. "I'm so tired of being in this awful place!" she exclaimed. Her dark eyes were clear and bright, and her cheeks were puffed out, her face full of displeasure.

I want to go out for a walk!

If you don't let me go, I...

I left that very night and never returned!

Upon seeing her, Jinxin's worries immediately vanished, her face showing a mixture of amusement and exasperation: "You little devil, so sulky! Let's talk this out." She stood up and said, "You ran away without permission. When your father comes, let's see how you explain yourself."

"snort!"

Yingning pouted and huffed defiantly, "I don't care about him. If Daddy's going to nag, I'll just hide with Mommy." Then, her eyes darted around, and she added defiantly, "Besides..." The girl leaned forward, took her arm, and her voice softened.

"Isn't Yingning missing Sister Jinxin?"

Long time no see,

I've been wanting to come find you for a long time.

"You..." Jinxin's mother shook her head helplessly, her eyes full of doting tenderness. "Let's go, I'll take you to eat something good."

"real?"

Yingning's eyes lit up immediately, and she took her arm and walked out, saying, "Then let's hurry up and go."

……

Heading north.

Inside the Zhenyuan Martial Arts School on Jinlin Street.

In a secluded, quiet room deep within the courtyard, the doors and windows were tightly locked. The young man at the head of the table, his brows furrowed in a sinister expression, coldly uttered, "The person... is gone?"

This person was none other than Jiang Chengzhi.

"I'm gone."

The one who answered was a short, stout figure with a conspicuous jade pendant at his waist, carved with a scene of a lone fisherman on a river. "He left the city at noon today, heading towards the Rift Valley alone." He sneered.

"There are people watching along the way, there's no mistake."

Jiang Chengzhi nodded, then turned to the person sitting to the side, his expression becoming more respectful: "Cousin, thank you for your help this time."

"It's nothing serious."

The man addressed as "cousin" was around thirty years old. He glanced at him sideways for a while before lazily speaking, "Since my father has spoken, I'll naturally take care of this matter for you." His words were casual and nonchalant, but the noble arrogance in his eyes and brows was impossible to conceal.

Jiang Chengzhi took in that arrogant look, but dared not feel dissatisfied.

How could he not understand?

His father was merely an outsider who had married into the Jiang family. If it weren't for his mother being a member of the Jiang clan and still living in the mansion, he probably wouldn't even have been able to get close to the Jiang family's vermilion gates. The fact that he was able to get this person to come today was entirely due to his mother's repeated pleading and pleas.

He has absolutely no connection with Jiang Chengzhi.

Nowadays, when asking someone for a favor, one has no choice but to be submissive and obedient.

"Young Master Chengzhi."

As the two were talking, Zhang Chengyou, the martial arts instructor sitting at the lower end of the table, bowed slightly and couldn't help but speak, his tone full of hesitation: "This matter... is it really necessary to inform the head of the school first?"

After all, if they were to carry out such an important matter without the owner's knowledge, they would be the first to be held responsible if anything went wrong.

"Need not."

Jiang Chengzhi raised his eyelids, flicked his sleeves, and said decisively, "In this matter, you will follow my and my cousin's orders. As for my father, we can talk about it after things are done." He paused, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes, and said through gritted teeth, "We just need to finish this quickly."

"Kill someone and then leave immediately; there will be no problems."

These words, though forceful, reveal a lack of real solutions.

It wasn't that I intentionally hid it from my father; it's just that this matter couldn't be brought up.

Last time, Jianba caused trouble and was scolded by his father in front of everyone in the courtyard. He was also punished with a year of confinement. Bringing up this matter now would only be asking for trouble.

Moreover...

The relationship between my father and mother was not good.