strictlysupreme Chapter 17 Sword Technique Perfected! Rending Wind Sword Intent!
Chapter 17 Sword Technique Perfected! Rending Wind Sword Intent!
"Xiao Qi!" Jiang Qi called out.
Zhao Xiaoqi looked up, paused for a moment, then quickly composed herself and forced a smile: "Qi-ge'er? What brings you here?"
Jiang Qi looked him up and down, and seeing that apart from his pale complexion he seemed to be alright, he breathed a sigh of relief: "I went to Zuixianlou to look for you, but they said you weren't working there anymore. What happened?"
Zhao Xiaoqi's expression stiffened for a moment, and her gaze became somewhat evasive: "Well...didn't I tell Qi-ge'er before that the menial jobs at Zuixianlou are temporary? If the time isn't up, I can't continue working."
"It's okay, I've already found new work."
As he spoke, he hurriedly reached into his pocket and pulled out an ounce of silver: "Here you go, Qi-ge'er. Here's your money back! I'm so sorry for taking so long!"
Jiang Qi looked at Zhao Xiaoqi's feigned indifference and had some guesses in his mind.
However, since Xiaoqi was unwilling to talk about it, he didn't press her further.
"Money isn't urgent. Xiao Qi, the water shop is short-staffed right now. Can you cancel the job you just found?"
Zhao Xiaoqi was stunned, her eyes widening slightly: "The water shop is hiring? Qi-ge'er, are you... serious?"
"Hmm." Jiang Qi nodded. "One tael per month."
"Refund! Of course, you can refund it!" Zhao Xiaoqi's eyes lit up instantly. "Qi-ge, you've come to me, I can refund any job!"
Jiang Qi smiled at Xiao Qi's anxious expression and said, "Uncle Chen, Uncle Wang, do you know where they live? Ask them if they'd like to come back."
"I know! Ever since they left the water shop, Uncle Chen and Uncle Wang haven't been able to find good work, and they've been struggling to make ends meet."
Zhao Xiaoqi was beaming with excitement. "If they knew that you, Qi-ge'er, are now a waterman and they're letting you go back to work, they'd be so happy! I'm going to find them right now!"
Come to Shuifang first thing tomorrow morning.
"it is good."
......
The next day, it was dawn.
Zhao Xiaoqi, leading three people, stood excitedly by the well platform of the waterworks in Tianshui Lane.
"Xiao Qi, A Qi... he really became a waterman?" Uncle Chen rubbed his hands, somewhat incredulous.
After being laid off, they did odd jobs and struggled to make ends meet. They never expected to have the chance to come back.
The other two also looked at Zhao Xiaoqi in disbelief.
"That's right!" Zhao Xiaoqi affirmed. "Qi-ge'er has cultivated his Qi and blood, and he's very powerful now."
Just then, footsteps approached.
Jiang Qi, dressed in a gray shirt, walked steadily into the water shop.
"Jiang... Jiang Tou!" Uncle Chen and the others quickly stood up straight, looking at the young man in front of them whose temperament was completely different from that of a few months ago, and were shocked and moved.
The young man I used to fetch water with is now the head of the water company; life is truly unpredictable.
Jiang Qi nodded to the group, his expression calm: "Uncle Chen, Uncle Wang, Brother Sun, and Xiao Qi should have already told you. The waterworks is short-staffed right now, and the monthly wage is one tael."
The work still involves fetching and delivering water. However, the morning water, collected at precisely the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), must be delivered to the Ironclad Gang's Fierce Wind Hall on time...
The group nodded repeatedly, indicating they would definitely do their best.
A monthly allowance of one tael of silver is hard to come by outside.
"Don't worry, waterworker!" Uncle Chen patted his chest confidently. "We're all experienced plumbers, steady and reliable, we won't make any mistakes!"
"Yes, yes! We'll make sure the water is delivered perfectly!" Uncle Wang and Brother Sun assured him repeatedly.
"Alright." Jiang Qi walked to the well. "This is the first time. I'll take you to Liefeng Hall to familiarize yourself with the place."
The group, led by Jiang Qi, loaded water carts and headed to the Qin residence, where the Ironclad Gang's Fierce Wind Hall was located.
The Qin residence occupies a large area, with high walls and vermilion gates.
The gang members guarding the entrance were all highly skilled and their presence was clearly stronger than that of ordinary people.
Even for simple water delivery, one must undergo multiple checks before being allowed entry through the side door.
The mansion features pavilions, terraces, towers, artificial hills, and flowing water.
There were many servants and maids coming and going, but everything was in good order.
The person in charge of receiving the water was a steward surnamed He from the mansion, who was about fifty years old.
He checked the water quality and asked the water delivery personnel for details before nodding.
"Jiangshuitou, right?" Butler He smiled and handed over some loose silver coins. "Thank you for your hard work. Please have some hot tea with everyone."
As he spoke, he took out a porcelain bottle and said, "This is a Blood Nourishing Pill. Although it is not as potent as the Blood Qi Dispersing Pill, it is gentler and longer-lasting, and is beneficial for strengthening the foundation."
"Thank you, Steward He," Jiang Qi said, bowing with his hands clasped in thanks.
Nourishing Blood Pills are a good thing; their effect on refining blood and qi is much better than Blood and Qi Powder.
The Fierce Wind Hall is quite generous.
After leaving the Qin residence, Jiang Qi distributed the reward money to everyone.
"Thank you, Shui Tou." Uncle Chen and the others looked at the reward money and felt grateful.
"Aqi is much better than Cui Yuan."
"Yes, Cui Yuan only knows how to withhold our wages."
"..."
......
With the addition of Xiao Qi, Uncle Chen, and the others, the water shop got back on track.
After keeping an eye on things for a while, Jiang Qi handed over the water delivery task to Xiao Qi.
He would refine "Moon Essence Water" at night and practice martial arts at the martial arts school during the day.
More than a month has passed in the blink of an eye.
Zhenyuan Martial Arts School.
Morning light filters through the tall trees, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone slab.
Jiang Qi held an iron sword and practiced the "Wind-Breaking Blade" technique over and over again.
After more than a month of practice, coupled with the bonus to martial arts comprehension from the [Martial Artist] profession, the nine forms of the "Breaking Wind Blade" sword technique have been mastered, and are only a hair's breadth away from perfection.
Senior Sister Zhou Jin stood by and watched, occasionally offering pointers: "The seventh move, 'Wind Brushing Willow,' emphasizes the unity of waist and stance, using the momentum of rotation to build up power. Your waist strength isn't being fully utilized... Yes, that's it!"
Jiang Qi adjusted as instructed, twisting his waist and hips, channeling his power into his arms and wrists, the blade whistling through the air, indeed becoming even more ruthless and agile than before.
At the very moment the slash was unleashed, Jiang Qi suddenly felt something, and the blockage in his heart was suddenly cleared.
【Windbreaker Blade: Perfection (Wind Slash)】
[Effect: The blade strikes with the speed of the wind, its force capable of breaking through a thousand pounds. Upon perfecting the sword technique and comprehending the intent of the 'Wind-Splitting' sword, a slight increase in body speed and blade speed can be achieved at the moment of striking. Continued practice can enhance this effect.]
When martial arts skills are perfected, they can produce special effects!
"The body is like the wind, light and drifting..."
What a powerful Rending Wind Blade Intent!
Jiang Qi was secretly delighted.
He wanted to test his sword speed again, but since Senior Sister Zhou Jin was right next to him, he had no choice but to sheathe his sword using the original moves of the "Breaking Wind Blade".
Even so, the smooth and effortless way he sheathed his sword still caught Zhou Jin's eye.
"Junior Brother Jiang, your talent in swordsmanship is truly remarkable! This move, 'Wind Brushing Willow,' already captures some of its essence."
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister." Jiang Qi bowed and expressed his gratitude.
Zhou Jin nodded: "Practice diligently and don't slack off. I'll go take a look elsewhere first."
"Thank you for your trouble, senior sister."
Seeing that Senior Sister Zhou had left, Zhang Xiao immediately came over, his face full of envy: "Junior Brother Jiang is amazing! This is the first time I've ever seen Senior Sister Zhou praise someone's swordsmanship like this."
Jiang Qi simply smiled and continued practicing his swordsmanship, carefully experiencing the subtlety of the [Wind-Splitting] sword intent.
Seeing this, Zhang Xiao's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he also started practicing beside him.
Not long after they started practicing, a young man walked over.
This man's name is Feng Heng. His second blood essence has been almost fully refined, and his strength is considerable.
"Junior Brother Zhang," Feng Heng greeted Zhang Xiao with a smile, "Senior Brother Chen Feng is hosting a small banquet at Juxian Tower tonight. Senior Brother Wu Yue and Senior Sister Ye Lan are also going. Everyone will get together and exchange cultivation experiences. Are you coming?"