novellaaa Chapter 43 Promotion to Protector
Chapter 43 Promotion to Protector
The newcomer had a cold and stern face. He looked Jiang Qi up and down a few times before saying:
"Junior Brother Jiang, right? I noticed that you seemed a bit hesitant when you practiced the 'Chasing the Wind Step'."
My name is Hu Yun, you can call me Senior Brother Hu. I have been practicing this footwork for over a year and have gained some insights. If you don't mind, Junior Brother, I can offer some guidance.
This person's words seemed polite, but his condescending attitude and subtle disdain were clearly perceptible.
Jiang Qi frowned slightly.
I have never met this person before, so why is he acting this way?
"Thank you for your kindness, senior brother. I am just a beginner and will figure it out on my own. There is no need to trouble you."
Upon hearing this, Hu Yun smiled slightly, as if he had expected it. He didn't say much, only calmly saying, "In that case, junior brother, practice diligently."
After saying that, he turned and left, his back view exuding an air of aloofness.
Jiang Qi watched him leave, his doubts still unresolved.
At this moment, Ye Lan and Wu Yue came over again, accompanied by a young man with an extraordinary demeanor.
"Junior Brother Jiang," Ye Lan introduced with a smile, "this is Senior Brother Ouyang Chen."
"Greetings, Senior Brother Ouyang." Jiang Qi bowed in greeting.
He knew this person; he was ranked among the top in the inner academy and seemed to have already cultivated the sixth strand of Qi and Blood.
Ouyang Chen smiled warmly and said gently, "Junior Brother Jiang, there's no need for such formalities."
As he spoke, he glanced in the direction Hu Yun had left and chuckled, "Junior Brother, are you wondering why Junior Brother Hu Yun wasn't very friendly to you?"
Jiang Qi nodded: "I do have this feeling. Please enlighten me, Senior Brother."
"The reason is quite simple," Ouyang Chen explained, "Junior Brother Jiang received funding from Litong Money Shop, didn't he?"
Jiang Qi's heart stirred, and he nodded.
"Junior Brother Hu Yun also received funding from Litong Money Shop," Ouyang Chen said slowly. "If I'm not mistaken, Junior Brother Jiang and Junior Brother Hu Yun received the same funding. But Hu Yun has five strands of Qi and Blood, while Junior Brother Jiang..."
It turned out to be the case.
Jiang Qi understood; it was jealousy stemming from resource allocation.
"Thank you for informing me, Senior Brother Ouyang." He didn't pay much attention to it.
Ouyang Chen was somewhat surprised by Jiang Qi's calmness, and then said, "Junior Brother Jiang, are you interested in becoming a bodyguard? The benefits at my Weiyuan Escort Agency are no worse than those of a gang."
Wu Yue and Ye Lan also looked at Jiang Qi with an invitation in their eyes. After breaking through to the mid-stage of the Blood Burning Realm, they became bodyguards at the Weiyuan Escort Agency.
Seeing Wu Yue and Ye Lan's attitude towards Ouyang Chen, Jiang Qi guessed that Ouyang Chen's identity was extraordinary, but after a moment's thought, he politely declined.
"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother Ouyang, but I have just refined four strands of Qi and blood, and I want to stabilize them first. I have no plans to make any changes for the time being."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Chen was not angry. Instead, he smiled and said, "It's alright. If you change your mind in the future, Junior Brother, the doors of Weiyuan Escort Agency will always be open for you."
His composure and poise during conversation were truly captivating.
After exchanging a few more words, Ouyang Chen left with Wu Yue and Ye Lan.
Jiang Qi continued to immerse himself in the practice of "Chasing the Wind Steps" until dusk, when his experience with this movement technique had increased to [Chasing the Wind Steps (Beginner): 23/100].
At this rate, with the bonus from the [Shadow Chaser] skill, one can achieve minor mastery in a few days at most.
After tidying himself up, he went to the courtyard of the apprentices in the outer academy.
Zhao Xiaoqi was practicing the stances of "Zhenyuan Body Strengthening Exercise". Although her movements were stiff, she was very serious and methodical.
After what happened last night, Xiao Qi's complexion improved a lot, the gloom between her brows disappeared, and her spirit was completely different from usual.
"Qi-ge'er!" Upon seeing Jiang Qi, Xiao Qi immediately stopped running and came over, her face beaming with smiles. "Qi-ge'er, you've entered the inner courtyard! That's amazing!"
As he said this, he looked into Jiang Qi's eyes again.
The image of the masked man from last night overlapped with the "Qi Ge'er" before him, leaving him somewhat disoriented.
But how could Qi Ge'er be a masked man?
That masked man was incredibly powerful, while Qi Ge'er... although he was making rapid progress, he was far from reaching that level.
"How's your training going?" Jiang Qi patted Xiao Qi on the shoulder.
"I feel great, full of energy!" Xiao Qi clenched her fist, her eyes shining.
Having escaped the torment of bloodletting and avenged his great grudge, he was now in a state of mind that greatly improved his martial arts training efficiency.
"Okay, maybe I'll be able to cultivate my Qi and blood by tomorrow."
"It's still early..."
"Take your time, there's no rush. Let's go back first."
The two walked out of the martial arts gym side by side, their shadows lengthening in the setting sun.
Today, even without the fat chef delivering the soup, the roads are all clear.
......
Back at the water shop, Jiang Qi tidied up briefly and was about to fetch water to brew the tonic when footsteps sounded outside the courtyard.
Manager Li walked in first, followed by Guo Meng and two men in tight-fitting clothes.
The two men looked familiar, and upon closer inspection, they turned out to be the two gatekeepers that Liefeng Hall had reassigned after the deaths of Chang Song and Song Hai.
"Manager Li," Jiang Qi stepped forward to greet him.
Manager Li nodded, his gaze lingering on Jiang Qi for a moment, and said, "Your position as Protector has been approved by the Hall Master. This is your salary and rations for this month."
Guo Meng quickly stepped forward and handed over twenty taels of silver, twenty blood-nourishing pills, and two blood-enriching pills.
In addition, there is a set of black armor and a black iron waist badge for the Ironclad Guards.
"Thank you, Hall Master. Thank you, Steward Li." Jiang Qi accepted the gifts, a slight thought stirring within him.
Yesterday they said it would take a few days, but today even the salary was delivered to my door. The efficiency is unusually fast.
Manager Li added, "Normally, once you advance to the mid-stage, you should be transferred to the gang or to various branches for service. Protector Xiong also specifically mentioned that he wanted to transfer you to the Fierce Wind Branch."
Jiang Qi glanced at Guo Meng and the two gatekeepers, vaguely guessing what was going on. He cupped his hands and said, "Manager, I have been working at the waterworks for a long time and am familiar with the well operations and water delivery routes. I am willing to continue to stay at the waterworks to ensure a smooth water supply."
While delivering water in the morning, he vaguely heard whispers that the death of Yan Beifeng, the son of the leader of the Blood Blade Hall of the Qingshui Gang, had caused the marriage alliance between the two gangs to fall through. The Qingshui Gang was filled with suspicion, and a conflict was imminent.
Manager Li personally led people to deliver the salary, rather than summoning him to collect it; his intention was clear.
As expected, Manager Li's face lit up with satisfaction upon hearing this, and he nodded, saying, "It's good that you have this idea. The situation has changed now, and the water supply workshop is exclusively for the Fierce Wind Hall, so it cannot be lost. We need a capable person to oversee it."
"Since you are familiar with this place, you will continue to manage the waterworks. Guo Meng, Zhao Tong, and Gao Li," he pointed to Guo Meng and the two gatekeepers, "the three of them will be temporarily transferred to the waterworks and will be under your command. You will be in charge of all matters, and you must ensure the safety of the well platform and deliver water on time."
"Yes, as you command, sir!" Jiang Qi, Guo Meng, and the other three replied in unison.
Manager Li nodded slightly, gave a few more instructions, and then hurriedly left.
After Steward Li had walked away, Guo Meng stepped forward first, his expression complex as he clasped his hands in a respectful greeting: "Congratulations, Jiang Shui Tou... Protector Jiang!"
The young man who needed his guidance just six months ago has now become his superior.
He felt a mix of emotions, including envy and感慨 (gǎnkǎi - mixed feelings of emotion and reflection).
Zhao Tong and Gao Li quickly cupped their hands in greeting, saying, "Greetings, Protector Jiang!"
They were the elites of the Liefeng Hall. When they inspected Jiang Qi's water delivery in the past, they never imagined that this young water worker would later surpass them and become a protector, with a status above theirs.
His eyes held a mixture of envy and a touch of restraint.