CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: GRAVELY INJURED

Xu Guang looked at the other party, and Han Song lowered his voice, "Wang Ran was seriously injured by someone yesterday!"

Huh??

"What happened?"

Han Song’s tone was mysterious, and he said in a low voice, "I just went to the sect to collect this month’s salary, and saw a few disciples carrying Brother Wang Ran in from outside. Do you know how he got injured?"

Xu Guang glanced at Han Song, seeing the schadenfreude and gossip in that kid’s eyes.

So he started talking to Du Shizhen on his own.

Han Song became anxious and pulled Xu Guang away, lowering his voice, "Dharma Protector, do you know that Wang Ran was valued by the Gao Family from Songjiang Prefecture, and they were thinking of marrying him? I’ve heard that Wang Ran goes to Songjiang Prefecture every few days to give gifts to the young lady of the Gao Family. You know, Wang Ran has good talent and a proud disposition..."

"It seems he was favored by a young master from the Song Clan but was rejected on the spot by Wang Ran. On his way back, Brother Wang Ran was beaten and seriously injured."

Han Song, being closer to Tie Xiong within the sect, has even become a formal member of the No Gap Small Meeting because of Xu Guang, so he naturally has no goodwill towards Wang Ran, the favorite disciple of the Grand Elder.

His words carried a hint of schadenfreude.

Xu Guang squinted slightly, feeling that the outside world was not much safer than Qingshuo County. Wang Ran had ambitions to rise and develop in Songjiang Prefecture, but ended up in such a predicament.

Being a genius, especially in Martial Dao, is risky. It seems that his plan of keeping a low profile for now is indeed correct.

Recently, he had been following Wang Ran and Wang Chong, but Wang Ran was very powerful and seemed to have perception far beyond ordinary people.

He didn’t dare get too close, and Wang Ran mostly stayed reclusive. Even when he sought female company, it was arranged through the Red Workshop, and he really hadn’t found anything unusual about Wang Ran.

But now, with Wang Ran seriously injured, whether he can recover is still unknown. Once Liu Ning’s attention is off him, then...

Root out the problem; this has been Xu Guang’s philosophy since he fled. In such chaotic times, having principles is necessary, but so is being tough!

After bidding farewell to Han Song, Xu Guang went to Fang Cheng’s small courtyard and found that Liu Yu’s father, Liu Guang, was visiting Fang Cheng’s family.

Fang Cheng was also of commoner origin, and in the past, it was the Liu Family that supported his medical education, which is why Liu Yu came to Fang Cheng for help earlier.

When the two saw Xu Guang, they did not shy away and continued discussing the matter concerning Wang Ran.

Both of them are now considered followers of Liu Ning’s faction, yet there was not much pity in their words regarding Wang Ran; rather, there was some schadenfreude.

What is this? Should we say that Wang Ran doesn’t understand human relations, or should we say that he’s so talented that he’s envied by everyone?

Xu Guang kept a calm face and left after sitting for a while.

Liu Guang tried to get closer but, seeing Xu Guang’s indifferent and emotionless expression, seemed to understand Xu Guang’s stance and only expressed some words of gratitude.

At noon, though the streets were not very crowded, there were more hooligans around. They stood by the street like wolves, watching passersby as if checking if they had any food on them.

But at the sight of Xu Guang and the over ten-meter-tall General Wei under him, they scurried into the alley like quails.

Xu Guang’s reputation was too formidable, especially after the Liu Family incident. He was almost deified, an embodiment of the heroes from storytelling.

The hooligans feared ’the hero,’ which was normal.

Xu Guang couldn’t be bothered with them. He first left General Wei in Fang Cheng’s small courtyard, ensuring no one was following him, then turned a few corners and found the place agreed upon with Su Yan.

In the courtyard, there was only Su Yan. Xu Guang was somewhat on guard initially, but fortunately, the distance from Fang Cheng’s courtyard wasn’t far, so General Wei could come at any time.

Su Yan had no tricks up her sleeve.

Looking at the palm-sized red coral core before him, Xu Guang was pleasantly surprised. This high-aged marine-derived medicine contained substantial energy, enough to serve as the main ingredient for refining a Seventh-Grade Elixir, worth more than the three-thousand taels of silver that Su Yan had brought yesterday.

"Blood Coral! Master Su, you are considerate."

The price of Blood Coral far exceeded the three thousand taels that Su Yan brought yesterday; she indeed put in thought.

Su Yan covered her mouth and smiled, "Since Dharma Protector Xu came at noon, you probably haven’t had lunch yet, right? Come and taste my cooking."

Xu Guang was taken aback, and before he could refuse, Su Yan walked towards the kitchen beside her.

From the large window opened in the kitchen, Xu Guang could clearly see all of Su Yan’s actions. She indeed excelled in culinary matters, and with her good looks, everything she did was pleasing to the eye.

Initially, Xu Guang intended to see if she would make any small moves, but unknowingly, he became engrossed in watching.

She was indeed beautiful.

A short while later, Su Yan came out of the kitchen with a wooden tray.

Seeing Xu Guang watching her, she openly said, "Is Dharma Protector Xu watching to see if I’d poison it?"

Naturally, Xu Guang would not admit it, only answering, "I didn’t expect the Workshop Master, holding such high status, to also excel in culinary arts."

Su Yan, however, placed the tray down by herself and directly grabbed a piece of black beast meat from a plate with her hand, tearing off a piece and putting it into her mouth.

"Rest assured now?"

Xu Guang paused, then stepped forward to eat a piece.

With the beast meat down his throat, Xu Guang looked up in surprise.

"What kind of meat is this?"

This beast meat actually triggered the automatic circulation of qi and blood within him.

"It’s Eighth Grade Demon Beast- Ghost Scythe, dried jerky cooked and dried with various precious herbs. It neutralizes the intensity within the beast meat, and taking it regularly is even better than elixirs."

Su Yan said with a smiling face, watching Xu Guang.

The meal was somewhat awkward. Xu Guang noticed that Su Yan seemingly had some purpose to seduce him. He didn’t want to have any kind of development with such an unpredictable woman, so he hastily left after dinner.

Su Yan watched his back, simply smiling to herself.

The main goal today, besides giving Xu Guang something, was to demonstrate the Black Market’s heritage to him.

After all, with Xu Guang’s experience, he may not truly understand the Black Market.

...

Xu Guang walked on the street, tearing off a small piece of beast meat and sending it into his mouth, while recalling his interaction with Su Yan.

It wasn’t about reminiscing over Su Yan’s unparalleled beauty, but rather contemplating the motive and logic behind her actions.

With the ability to command General Wei, it wasn’t surprising that Su Yan would try to win him over, but the assets she used to do so were overwhelming. Whether it was the way of handling demon beast flesh or the invaluable spiritual medicine like Blood Coral, all held the value of a thousand gold.

Thinking of how Su Yan mentioned she had means to acquire large beasts before, Xu Guang had a hunch...

Could it be that she already has clues?

Does she want him to help tame a Great Beast?

The possibility is not small.

While pondering over these questions, General Wei’s nose lifted, snatching away the demon beast flesh from his hand.

Xu Guang was taken aback, with a dark line appearing on his forehead, "You should eat less meat."

He didn’t overthink it too much.

He just regarded Su Yan as a good collaborator. He wasn’t in need of money at present but rather pathways to buy goods. Working with Su Yan seemed a perfect fit; as long as she was sincere in conducting business, he didn’t mind assisting her with some matters.

Instead of thinking about these issues, it would be better to consider how to acquire the turtle shell from Wang Chong. Right now, he’s quite eager for the treasure hidden in that turtle shell.

Yesterday, he overheard the Wang Family’s servants say Wang Chong would be leaving the city in a few days, and he must confirm the timing.

Another day.

Early in the morning, Liu Yu came over, with an expression that seemed somewhat wronged and asked.

"Brother Xu, is my cooking not tasty? I haven’t found you at home recently."

Xu Guang felt a bit awkward and touched his nose.

"I’ve been gaining insights into alchemy recently, my teacher kept me for guidance."

Liu Yu, hearing this, timidly asked, "Then, no matter how busy you are, remember to eat on time."

Xu Guang nodded, feeling a touch of emotion in his heart.

After saying farewell to Liu Yu, Xu Guang did not go to Fang Cheng’s small courtyard.

Instead, he went to the courtyard agreed upon with Su Yan.

"Martial techniques using a Soft Sword as a weapon are not common. After all, the materials for a Soft Sword are rare and expensive, and those who can use them are usually either wealthy or noble."