Chapter 148: Chapter 106: Difficult Problem

Qin Fang didn’t plan to return to True Martial with Monkey.

His lack of identity papers was one reason. True Martial was still investigating refugees, and if he stayed there long-term, he would most likely be reported due to the collective responsibility system. His stay wouldn’t last.

Besides... he still had things to do here.

At this thought, his gaze turned complicated, but then it hardened with resolve.

After putting away the letter, he got up and dug out the buried silver taels. After a moment’s thought, he kept five hundred taels for himself and planned to have Monkey take the rest to his senior brother and the others.

Finally, he found some Iron Nails and Darts and hid them on his person. He also gathered the bee hide from the wooden pile, the Giant Bee’s Poison Gland which he had sealed in a bottle, the Qi Blood Pills, the Body Refining Elixirs, and the Secret Manual, packing everything into a bundle.

Afterward, he sat cross-legged on the bed and waited for Monkey to return.

Sitting on the bed, Qin Fang closed his eyes to assess his injuries. Now that he was an Anjin Martial Artist, his control over his own body was extraordinary; he could clearly perceive wherever he was hurt.

He had already read through the second half of the Wild Bull Hundred Forgings, but since he had only just developed Anjin today, he hadn’t had a chance to practice it yet.

But he already knew the next step on his cultivation path.

’Only now do I understand. My previous Body Refining was part of the Outer Cultivation Method. What comes after Anjin must be the Inner Cultivation Method.’

’Outer Refining for sinew, bone, and flesh; Inner Refining for organs and marrow!’

’I’ll use Anjin, combined with medicinal concoctions, to stimulate my internal organs and make them progressively stronger.’

’The five major organs correspond to the five senses, which is why an Anjin Martial Artist’s senses become increasingly keen.’

’If I’d already begun Inner Refining, I would have a high chance of healing common injuries just by stimulating my body with Anjin.’

’Unfortunately, I hadn’t started Inner Refining yet... when all of this happened today.’

’I had assumed it was just some ordinary people looking for Wang Hu’s fortune... I never thought it would be connected to that monster again. It was completely unexpected.’

Then, his thoughts couldn’t help but turn to the monster...

’That monster was strong.’

’Its strength was even greater than mine.’

’Definitely at the Anjin level of combat strength.’

’The key was its terrifying Life Force.’

’If I hadn’t risked everything in that final strike to cleave it in two, who knows if I would have been the one to die.’

’And in that life-or-death battle, for the first time, I felt the limitations of Hidden Weapons.’

’...They’re very effective against people.’

’But against monsters... Hidden Weapons just don’t seem to cut it.’

’I hit that monster so many times, yet it was still jumping around.’

’If I hadn’t found a blade at the end... I would probably be dead now.’

’And this World... it’s just that dangerous and strange.’

’The enemies I’ll face in the future won’t necessarily all have obvious fatal weaknesses.’

’...Close combat ability. You don’t have to use it, but you can’t be without it.’

’Fortunately, it seems I’m not afraid of close combat anymore...’

As his mind raced with thoughts, he slowly regulated his body with the Spiritual Snake Listening Wave breathing technique. The pain seemed to ease considerably.

Just then, Monkey returned.

He entered the room and called out in a low voice, "Master Qin."

Qin Fang opened his eyes and looked over.

Monkey said in a low voice, "Everything is ready. The boat is docked where we boarded last time... But, Master, are you really not coming with me? Your injuries..."

With the rain gone, the blood trickling from Qin Fang’s ear was particularly noticeable, and Monkey looked very worried.

"It’s fine. Take these things to Senior Brother. I’ve already asked him to find you some work in the city. For the time being... don’t go back to Fishermen’s."

He said seriously.

Monkey hesitated for a moment, but finally sighed softly. "Yes, I understand."

He knew he couldn’t change Qin Fang’s mind.

Taking the bundle from Qin Fang, Monkey lowered his voice again. "Then, Master... please be careful."

Qin Fang nodded. Just as Monkey was about to leave, Qin Fang suddenly thought of something. "Don’t take the land route. Take the water route."

Monkey froze for a moment, then nodded quickly.

He didn’t ask why, but he knew Qin Fang wouldn’t harm him. There had to be a reason for telling him to take the water route.

After watching Monkey leave, Qin Fang took a deep breath, composed himself, and walked out the door.

It was still raining. He put on his bamboo hat and walked out of the courtyard gate.

Then he arrived outside Xu Meng’s house.

His gaze was icy.

’That mysterious group... they’re looking for me under the guise of an "Expert in Hidden Weapons".’

’Quite a few people know I’m the "Expert in Hidden Weapons"; every member of the Fish Dragon Gang knows.’

’But... only two people know about my connection to Zhou Xing.’

’One is Monkey.’

’The other... is Xu Meng.’

Qin Fang himself wasn’t worried. He was on his own and could hide anywhere in the markets, even on Old Ox Back.

But... Senior Brother was different.

Senior Brother was an official at the Government Office; almost everyone in the county knew him.

They also knew Master... Master was one of Huichun Hall’s most famous resident physicians.

’These people are targeting me now, and I can’t figure out why... Is it because of Wang Hu? Or because of... the Poisonous Thorn?’

’But whatever the reason, the fact remains that I’m being targeted.’

’Today, I even killed an Anjin master and forced out a monster...’

’I may have unwittingly been dragged into some huge whirlpool.’

’So, no matter what... I can’t let Senior Brother and Master be implicated because of me!’

’...As long as they don’t know my relationship with Senior Brother, he and Master will be safe, at least for now.’

’But if they find out... then Senior Brother and Master will be in their sights.’