Chapter Forty-Seven: Beaten Within an Inch of Life

"What?"
The man in purple’s face instantly turned pale.
"Didn't you just tell me to speak freely?"
Qin Feiyang grinned, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth.
"I did say that, but you can't... just ask for the moon!"
The man in purple looked aggrieved.
"You could refuse, you know. Anyway, I was planning to find Luo Qingzhu next."
Qin Feiyang laughed.
His meaning was clear: if you dare refuse, I’ll go persuade Luo Qingzhu and tell her father everything. Then not only would you lose your position as branch lord, you’d likely face severe punishment.
The man in purple wore a bitter expression. This youth was nothing but trouble!
Qin Feiyang approached, draping an arm over his shoulder and chuckling, "Come on, don't be like that. We both know that even if you give me ten Beast Spirit Pills, it’s not coming out of your own pocket, right?"
The man in purple’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected this youngster to be such a sly fox.
"So, yes or no? Give me an answer!"
Qin Feiyang pressed him.
The man in purple gritted his teeth, then nodded. "Fine, but you must promise me that, if you have the chance, you’ll speak well of me in front of the young lady."
"That's a small matter."
Qin Feiyang agreed readily.
"And this is the first and last time. Public funds are already running low—it would be easy for someone from above to notice."
The man in purple added.
"Don’t worry, I’m easily satisfied. I won’t ask you for another silver coin ever again."
Qin Feiyang laughed.
"Easily satisfied? I’d never have guessed."
The man in purple rolled his eyes.
Alas!
This time, he’d truly lost both wife and soldiers.
After some small talk, the man in purple left, shaking his head and sighing.
Less than half an hour later, he had the burly man in black deliver a spatial pouch.
After seeing the man off, Qin Feiyang carefully counted the contents: not a single Gathering Qi Pill was missing—exactly one hundred thousand, plus a Beast Spirit Pill. This was quite the windfall.
But he knew it was all thanks to Luo Qingzhu.
“How should I thank them?”
Qin Feiyang put away the pouch and began to ponder.
A moment later,
His eyes lit up.
He fetched pen, ink, and bamboo slips, and began copying diligently.
He was transcribing martial arts techniques!
Now, he was penniless, unable to offer anything valuable as thanks except the techniques in his mind.
After several hundred breaths,
He finished the last character with a flourish.
There were two techniques in total.
One was a supporting skill, Gale Step.
The other was an offensive skill, Black Moon Palm.
Qin Feiyang examined the bamboo slips, smiling. "Both are perfect-level techniques. If auctioned, they'd spark a frenzy. Surely they’ll like them!"
"Auction?"
Suddenly,
Qin Feiyang paused.
"Right, why am I so foolish?"
"I could copy martial arts techniques and put them up for auction!"
At once,
Qin Feiyang grew excited.
The importance of martial arts was obvious.
Especially perfect-level techniques—even the great clans of Black Bear City might not possess them.
At most, they’d have one.
Yet in his mind, there were over a hundred perfect-level techniques—a veritable treasure trove!
He had been sitting atop this treasure, oblivious, wracking his brains daily for ways to earn gold coins. How foolish!

He hurried to fetch another bamboo slip, but as he prepared to copy, he hesitated.
Though perfect-level techniques were common in the imperial capital—every great clan had them—this was Yan Prefecture. If a large number of perfect-level techniques appeared, it might attract unnecessary trouble.
Clearly, such techniques couldn’t be released lightly.
He’d have to copy a high-grade skill instead.
Yet, to his dismay, he couldn’t recall any high-grade skills.
In the past, aside from perfect-level techniques, he’d looked down upon all others and paid them no mind.
Who’d have thought they’d be useful now?
“I vaguely recall browsing a few high-grade skills out of boredom once. Let me think carefully.”
Qin Feiyang closed his eyes and pondered deeply.
After a long while, he finally remembered a high-grade skill called ‘Wild Ox Fist.’
He picked up his pen and began transcribing.
Wild Ox Fist—its strikes roar like a wild ox, famed for its raw power, and is a top-tier high-grade technique.
After finishing, Qin Feiyang checked it over, ensured there were no errors, and smiled. “I wonder how much a high-grade skill will fetch at auction in Black Bear City.”
He then put away the three bamboo slips, left his room, closed the door behind him, and entered the inn’s main hall. After asking a waiter for directions to the Jiang family, he departed, striding quickly toward their residence.
Upon arrival, however, the Jiang family servants informed him that Luo Qingzhu and Zhao Shuang’er had already left, though not long ago—he could still catch up.
He asked which city gate they had used.
The servant replied: the west gate.
Qin Feiyang hurried to the west gate without delay.
At the west gate,
Two fine horses stood, each bearing a beautiful maiden—a striking scene for passersby, who couldn’t help but steal glances.
A few young men even stepped forward to greet them.
But the two maidens ignored them, their eyes cold, gazing through the gate at the bustling street, seemingly waiting for someone.
A moment later,
Disappointment crept into their eyes.
Luo Qingzhu sighed, "Shuang’er, he’s not coming. Let’s go."
Zhao Shuang’er replied angrily, "That fellow really doesn’t know what’s good for him."
"Wait!"
Just then, a loud voice called out from within the city.
The two girls immediately broke into smiles.
Qin Feiyang sped over like a whirlwind, stopping before them.
Zhao Shuang’er pouted, "I thought you weren’t coming!"
Qin Feiyang smiled, "How could I not? You’ve both helped me—I must see you off."
"See us off?"
The two were puzzled.
Qin Feiyang produced two bamboo slips and pressed them into Zhao Shuang’er’s hands, saying with a smile, "Thank you for helping me. I don’t have anything valuable, so please accept this humble gift—I hope you won’t mind."
"Gift?"
Zhao Shuang’er frowned, opened the bamboo slip, and froze at its contents.
Seeing this,
Luo Qingzhu, puzzled, took the other slip from Zhao Shuang’er and examined it, then she too was stunned.
He was giving perfect-level martial arts as gifts? How extravagant was this man?
Did he even realize their value?
Seeing their reactions, Qin Feiyang realized he’d vastly underestimated the worth of perfect-level techniques in Yan Prefecture.
Perhaps even in Yan City, such skills were rare.
"This is too valuable; I can’t accept it."
Zhao Shuang’er shook her head, about to return the bamboo slips.
But Qin Feiyang had already turned, striding out through the city gate without looking back, waving with a carefree smile, "Ladies, until fate brings us together again. And remember: think of me whenever you have time!"
Luo Qingzhu and Zhao Shuang’er rolled their eyes.
"Thank you,"
Zhao Shuang’er whispered in her heart.
Luo Qingzhu was of illustrious birth—obtaining perfect-level skills was not difficult for her.
But Zhao Shuang’er hailed from a small family, relying solely on her own efforts for everything.
Perfect-level techniques were her dream.
With Qin Feiyang’s gift of two such skills, she could save several years of struggle.

Thus,
She was deeply grateful.
"Who exactly is he?"
Luo Qingzhu wondered silently.
Even in Yan City and Star Moon City, great families guarded perfect-level techniques as treasures.
Yet this man handed out two without blinking.
Without considerable background, it would be impossible to do so effortlessly.
Moreover,
The handwriting on the bamboo slips was vigorous and elegant—like dragons and phoenixes dancing, full of spirit.
Only a well-read, knowledgeable person could write so beautifully.
But Qin Feiyang was supposed to be a man from the countryside—how could he produce such lively script?
Suddenly,
She felt as though Qin Feiyang was shrouded in a mysterious veil, unfathomable and enigmatic.
"Shuang’er, let’s go. I have a feeling we’ll meet him again soon."
Luo Qingzhu smiled.
"Yes."
Zhao Shuang’er nodded.
The two put away the bamboo slips, tugged the reins, and their horses neighed, carrying them swiftly away.
Meanwhile,
Qin Feiyang hurried to the Treasure Pavilion.
But as soon as he entered the hall, a young man in purple collided with him head-on!
Bang!
They bumped chest to chest.
Qin Feiyang stepped back three paces.
The young man in purple staggered and fell to the ground.
"Damn!"
He cursed loudly, sprang to his feet, and glared fiercely at Qin Feiyang. "Are you blind? You dare bump into me? Believe me, I’ll kill you!"
"Mu Fei?"
Qin Feiyang was surprised.
The saying ‘enemies are bound to meet’ was proving true.
Mu Fei saw Qin Feiyang silent and staring at him oddly, and grew furious. "What are you looking at? Didn’t you hear me? Apologize now, or I’ll gouge out those dog eyes of yours!"
"Apologize? Take a look in the mirror first—what are you?"
Qin Feiyang was about to speak when a scornful voice beat him to it.
Another young man in purple, surrounded by servants, entered the Treasure Pavilion, walked over to Qin Feiyang, patted his shoulder, and smiled, "Buddy, don’t be afraid of him—he’s just a coward."
"Jiang Wei?"
Qin Feiyang was surprised.
Another familiar face!
Mu Fei scowled and sneered, "Jiang Wei, is he your father? Why stick your nose in?"
"You’re mistaken. I’m not his father."
Qin Feiyang replied seriously, shaking his head.
"Pfft..."
The crowd inside and outside burst into laughter.
Was there ever a more cutting retort?
Jiang Wei’s face flushed bright red.
"Young master, this guy’s too rude. You tried to help him and he insults you—just cripple him!"
"Young master, this is the one who came to see the young lady just now."
Several servants whispered encouragement, their eyes hostile.
Jiang Wei raised an eyebrow, sized up Qin Feiyang, and suddenly realized, "No wonder you looked familiar—you stood beside my cousin that night in the forest. Be honest, are you her friend?"
Qin Feiyang nodded.
"Then we can consider ourselves kin!"
Jiang Wei smiled brightly, then turned, took a few steps back, and instantly changed his demeanor, waving his hand and shouting, "What are you waiting for? Beat him to a pulp!"
The servants grinned wickedly and surged forward, pouncing on Qin Feiyang.