Chapter Ninety-Three: The Tourism Act

"Yes, keep searching!"

"Understood."

That night, Qin Yi concealed himself atop the roof of a house across from his own, his entire figure swallowed by the shadows.

He was determined to see if the Golden Alliance had any further tricks up their sleeve.

During the first half of the night, no one attempted to infiltrate his residence.

Even in the latter half, there was still no sign of intruders; not a single unfamiliar person approached the perimeter of the courtyard.

"I wonder if the Golden Alliance has grown fearful, or if they're planning something big," Qin Yi mused as dawn approached.

He slipped down from the rooftop, refraining from returning home, instead seeking a place to rest.

Three days passed in a flash.

During those days, whether he kept watch near his own house, the residence of He Hongjun, or the headquarters of the Golden Tiger Gang, he found no one causing trouble.

"It seems the Golden Alliance doesn't dare to make a move for now," Qin Yi decided it was time to show himself.

Thinking it over, it made sense. He had killed Wu Yulong; unless the Golden Alliance dispatched a master of the innate realm, they wouldn't dare confront him.

But Qin Yi doubted such masters were commonplace. If the Golden Alliance truly had an innate expert in Xiangzhou City, trouble would have found him already.

So, he felt it would be safe to remain in Xiangzhou for the next few days.

He estimated that it would only take a few more days to grasp the basics of the Giant Spirit Technique and the Returning Sea Method.

"Once I've mastered that scholarly technique, I'll leave immediately," Qin Yi calculated in his heart.

At He Hongjun's home.

At that moment, Liu Chongjie was present as well.

"Master Liu, has the father of the calligraphy shop's proprietor returned as you mentioned before?" Qin Yi inquired.

"Reporting to Chief, he has returned. He entered the city just this afternoon. Would you like to invite him here, or shall I escort you there?" Liu Chongjie asked respectfully.

"Invite the proprietor's father here. Tell him I wish to learn his scholarly technique. Remember to be courteous. Here is a five-hundred tael silver note—give it to him as tuition," Qin Yi instructed.

The Golden Tiger Gang was the dominant force in the western district; the old man was unlikely to refuse.

Liu Chongjie accepted the silver note, saluted, and said, "Rest assured, Chief. I will invite the gentleman politely."

"Very well, go ahead."

Half an hour later, Liu Chongjie arrived with an elderly man nearing eighty years of age, white-haired but spry.

In the rear courtyard, within a pavilion—

"Uncle Kang, this is Chief Qin," Liu Chongjie introduced.

"Chief, Uncle Kang was once a disciple of the Boundless Dao Sect," Liu explained.

"Greetings, Chief Qin," Uncle Kang attempted to bow, but Qin Yi quickly helped him up.

"No need for formalities, Uncle Kang. Please, sit down," Qin Yi said, guiding him to a seat.

"Uncle Kang, I heard you were once a disciple of the Boundless Dao Sect?"

"Yes, that was over twenty years ago. I returned to my hometown after leaving monastic life," Uncle Kang replied with a sigh.

He had once strived to master martial arts, but his talent was mediocre, and by middle age he had only reached the third level.

"Did you study the scholarly technique of the Boundless Dao Sect? What is its name, and how far did you progress?" Qin Yi asked.

"I did. I'm still studying it. Our sect's scholarly technique is called the Observation Method. I have reached the second level," Uncle Kang answered, puzzled why Qin Yi was so interested in a scholarly technique.

To his mind, its utility was far inferior to martial arts, but he dared not question further.

Qin Yi was delighted—another new scholarly technique!

"Please, Uncle Kang, teach me!" Qin Yi saluted.

"Chief Qin is too polite. Since I have received your payment, it is only right that I teach you," Uncle Kang replied, somewhat flattered. Honestly, he found the young chief approachable; if it had been another gang leader, intimidation rather than courtesy would have been the norm.

"Then let us begin, Uncle Kang."

"Very well. This Observation Method requires a matching Dao diagram, combined with meditation for cultivation. Let me fetch the diagram," Uncle Kang said, producing a folded diagram from his robe.

The diagram was quite old, made of canvas rather than paper.

Qin Yi examined it, noting it depicted a Daoist elder in green robes atop a snowy mountain, deep in study.

"May I take a look?" Qin Yi asked, intrigued.

"Of course."

Qin Yi touched and studied the diagram, confirming it was ordinary, merely aged. It was not the same as the incomplete diagram he carried.

"Chief Qin, allow me to explain the first level," Uncle Kang offered.

"Please do."

"Only the spirit remains, to observe its wonders; inaction leads to purity…" Uncle Kang began his earnest explanation, and Qin Yi listened intently.

Time flew, and soon it was afternoon.

After a single afternoon of practice, Qin Yi felt he had gained much.

However, he estimated it would take five to seven days to truly grasp the fundamentals.

"Uncle Kang, how about this—come by each morning, and I will study the Observation Method with you. I have other matters in the afternoons," Qin Yi proposed.

He planned to study the scholarly technique in the mornings, and spend afternoons and evenings learning the Giant Spirit Technique and Returning Sea Method, having the martial instructors come teach him directly. He could always pay them extra for their trouble.

"No problem at all," Uncle Kang agreed.

Nine o'clock that evening.

The martial instructor from Zhenhai Martial Hall had just departed. Qin Yi, after bathing, was about to sit down with some tea when he suddenly dashed out toward the door.

Upon reaching the courtyard, he saw a woman standing atop the wall, dressed in a blue gown and veiled in gauze.

An uninvited guest!

Qin Yi sprang forward, shattering the flagstone beneath his feet, launching himself toward the woman like an arrow.

"Leaping Strike!"

Midway, he vaulted upward.

Thud!

Two figures crossed paths atop the wall, their exchange producing muffled sounds.

They clashed not just once, but several times!

Just as Qin Yi prepared to strike again, the woman spoke.

Her voice was gentle and melodious.

"I am not your enemy. I have come to discuss something with you."

Qin Yi frowned. He sensed no murderous intent from her, nor any malice.

Most crucially, his attempt at a decisive blow had failed—the woman's strength was not inferior to his own!

"Let's talk elsewhere. Follow me," Qin Yi said, tapping his toes and disappearing into the courtyard.

Li Yajuan, seeing his caution, furrowed her brow but quickly followed.

Soon, Qin Yi left the city and halted at a small grove outside its walls.

The woman followed closely, stopping as soon as he did. Their distance as they exited had never exceeded thirty meters!

In other words, this woman was extremely fast—even faster than Wu Yulong!

In truth, Li Yajuan was even more astonished by Qin Yi.