Chapter Forty-Four: The Three-Star Martial Master

"So where did you hide?" Zhao Shuang'er gazed at Qin Feiyang with curiosity. To manage to evade the pursuit of the Battle King—truly unbelievable.

But Qin Feiyang did not linger on the question, instead smiling: "Ladies, we've known each other for some time now. Could you help me with a small favor?"

"Known each other for some time?" The two women's eyes widened at once.

"Uh!" Qin Feiyang was taken aback, scratching his head and offering an awkward smile. "Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue. What I meant was we're old acquaintances."

Seeing this, the two women couldn't quite tell whether Qin Feiyang was teasing them deliberately or if it truly was a slip of the tongue.

"Ahem." Qin Feiyang grew more embarrassed, coughing dryly as he hastily changed the subject. "You can see the situation I'm in. If I don't change my appearance, it's going to be hard to survive in Yan County..."

Luo Qingzhu said, "So you want us to help you find a Shape-shifting Pill?"

Qin Feiyang smiled. "Miss, you are truly sharp."

Luo Qingzhu nodded. "We can do that, but you mustn't mention this to anyone."

"So readily agreed?" Qin Feiyang was astonished. Wasn't that too easy?

Zhao Shuang'er said, "Actually, we came here to help you, because we all know you were falsely accused."

Qin Feiyang was pleasantly surprised, and thanked them. "Thank you, ladies. I, Qin Feiyang, will remember this favor always, and I promise not to tell a soul about it."

Luo Qingzhu smiled, took out a jade box from her storage pouch, and handed it to Qin Feiyang. "What you want is inside."

Qin Feiyang hurriedly opened the box. Inside was a flawless, pure white pill. Indeed, it was a Shape-shifting Pill!

Luo Qingzhu smiled. "I originally kept this pill to save my own life. But since you need it, I'll give it to you. Remember, from now on, you owe me a favor."

The Shape-shifting Pill was indeed a good way to save one's life. With a new, unfamiliar face, no one could recognize him.

"Thank you." Qin Feiyang looked at her gratefully, took out the pill, and quickly swallowed it.

A wondrous sight unfolded. Qin Feiyang's features began to twist rapidly. In less than five breaths, a completely unfamiliar face appeared before Luo Qingzhu and Zhao Shuang'er.

He still looked like a youth, but his complexion was pale, and he carried a scholarly air.

Zhao Shuang'er handed him a mirror. Qin Feiyang examined himself carefully, nodded, and smiled. "Not bad, not bad. Now I can enter the city openly. By the way, why are you two in Black Bear City?"

He returned the mirror to Zhao Shuang'er and eyed them suspiciously.

Luo Qingzhu smiled. "My uncle lives in Black Bear City. Since we were passing by, I came to visit him."

"Passing by?" Qin Feiyang was a little startled. From her tone, Luo Qingzhu seemed not particularly fond of this so-called uncle. But that was her family matter, and he had no interest in meddling.

Zhao Shuang'er cautioned, "Qin Feiyang, you need to be careful now. Don't let your identity be exposed. The Battle King pursuing you is from the Lin family of Yan City, and we've learned that every city in Yan County now has Lin family members stationed."

Luo Qingzhu added, "We arrived in Black Bear City this morning. Your warrant was issued yesterday, so we went to inquire about it."

"Such a grand display—they really think highly of me, these scoundrels." Qin Feiyang sneered.

Suddenly, there was a sharp sound as something sliced through the air.

Qin Feiyang looked over, his expression momentarily surprised, then a hint of amusement crept onto his face. It was the black-clad old man who guarded the herb fields.

Mu Fei and Jiang Wei were there as well, but both looked battered, their faces bruised and swollen, like two wounded chicks. The black-clad old man held each by the scruff.

"Cousin!" Qin Feiyang was secretly gleeful.

At that moment, a startled cry rang out nearby.

"What?" He was utterly shocked, turning to Luo Qingzhu. "Who's your cousin?"

"That one." Luo Qingzhu pointed to Jiang Wei.

Qin Feiyang was stunned. Jiang Wei was Luo Qingzhu's cousin? What a coincidence!

"Cousin? Why are you here?" "Cousin, please save me!" Jiang Wei, upon seeing Luo Qingzhu, was first surprised, then immediately pleaded for help.

The black-clad old man also glanced at Luo Qingzhu, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, but he said nothing and swept straight past the three of them.

"Cousin, I beg you, help me! If I'm taken to the Pill Hall, I won't survive unscathed!" Jiang Wei cried out anxiously.

Luo Qingzhu's brows knitted tightly. At last, she sighed and looked at the old man. "Senior, please wait a moment."

The old man stopped and turned to Luo Qingzhu, his tone grave. "Luo Qingzhu, I know your identity is not simple, but Jiang Wei has caused serious trouble this time. Even you may not be able to save him."

"May I ask, what is so serious?" Luo Qingzhu frowned.

The old man replied, "He and Mu Fei looted all the herbs from my Pill Hall's fields. Do you think that's serious?"

"What?" Luo Qingzhu's face changed. She scolded, "Cousin, how could you do such a thing?"

Jiang Wei protested urgently, "I'm innocent! Mu Fei and I were used!"

Mu Fei echoed, "Yes, yes! It was Qin Feiyang and that damned wolf. But no matter how we explain, this stubborn old man won't believe us."

"Hmm?" Luo Qingzhu and Zhao Shuang'er exchanged glances, then looked at Qin Feiyang.

Qin Feiyang stood upright, looking completely innocent and unruffled.

Seeing this, Jiang Wei grew even more anxious, urging, "Cousin, what's the use of staring at him? Help me think of a way out! I'm truly innocent!"

He was unaware that the person his cousin was now looking at was the very culprit.

Luo Qingzhu recovered herself and looked at the old man, bowing slightly. "Senior, I know my cousin's character well. He would never dare do such a thing. Could you please show him some mercy?"

"This matter hasn't been fully investigated yet. I can't hand him over to you," said the old man, then turned and headed toward the city.

As for Qin Feiyang, he only glanced at him once, from beginning to end.

After watching the old man leave, Luo Qingzhu turned to Qin Feiyang, her voice angry. "You are far too reckless! Do you realize what you've done?"

"Qin Feiyang, this time you truly acted unwisely. The threat from the Lin family of Yan City isn't resolved yet, and now you've offended the Pill Hall as well. Honestly... I don't even know what to say," Zhao Shuang'er sighed, shaking her head.

"I haven't done anything! Don't wrong a good man," Qin Feiyang protested with an air of innocence.

Regardless, he would never admit to this.

"A good man, you?" The two women were exasperated and amused.

"Take care of yourself!" Luo Qingzhu tossed the words coldly and left swiftly.

Qin Feiyang asked quietly, "Miss Shuang'er, is Luo Qingzhu at odds with her uncle's family?"

"It seems there's some conflict, but I don't know the details," Zhao Shuang'er shook her head.

"And why are you with her?" Qin Feiyang asked.

Zhao Shuang'er smiled. "I want to enter the Martial King Hall of Xingyue City, so I asked her for help. She's quite nice—agreed without hesitation."

"Then let me congratulate you in advance."

"The Martial King Hall's assessment is much stricter than the Martial Hall's. Whether I can pass is another matter."

"With your talent, I'm sure you will."

"Thank you."

They chatted as they walked toward the city gates. Nearing the gate, Zhao Shuang'er whispered, "Though you've changed your face, it's best to disguise yourself when selling those herbs, lest you draw suspicion."

"I don't even have any herbs to sell. Unless you're offering some?" Qin Feiyang replied.

"You are truly dishonest," Zhao Shuang'er rolled her eyes at him, then turned, leaving Qin Feiyang with a dazzling view of her back as she stepped into the city, vanishing into the crowd.

"This clever little girl, trying to get information from me. But she's a bit too green," Qin Feiyang smirked.

Still, Zhao Shuang'er's advice was sound. He did need to take precautions.

Moreover, he couldn't sell everything at once—it would be best to split it into several batches.

Approaching the city gate, Qin Feiyang glanced at the wanted poster, then strode into the city without hesitation. He found a modest inn to stay in for the time being, simply because he was broke.

Those upscale, luxurious inns could only be admired from afar for now.

After a night's rest, Qin Feiyang bought a cloak and a set of black clothes the next morning. With a slight disguise, he entered the Treasure Pavilion of Black Bear City and successfully sold the first batch of herbs, earning two thousand one hundred gold coins.

He immediately exchanged those coins for Gathering Qi Pills—a total of one thousand.

In the days that followed, Qin Feiyang hid in the ancient castle, copying the second stroke of the character "return".

Three days later, the iron book suddenly radiated beams of brilliant light—the second stroke was finally complete.

Boom!

His cultivation also broke through, and he became a Three-Star Martial Master!

"Uncle Yuan, thank you for giving me this treasure," Qin Feiyang muttered.

At this rate, he needn't bother with cultivation—just copying daily would let his strength soar.

But the consumption of Gathering Qi Pills pained him.

He and the Wolf King shared the thousand pills; the Wolf King still had three hundred left, but Qin Feiyang had already used all of his.

"Gold coins, why are you so quickly spent?" Qin Feiyang sighed helplessly, leaving the castle and the inn. He headed once more to the Treasure Pavilion, preparing to sell the second batch of herbs.