My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 81: Chapter 79: Trust

”Pingze?”

Monkey was stunned for a moment, but he quickly nodded. ”I know it. It’s just to the east.”

He pointed in a direction, then paused. ”It’s pretty fast if you go by water—you can get there in about two to four hours. But if you take the mountain path... that would take over twenty hours. I used to go to Pingze often back when I worked the waterways.”

Qin Fang raised an eyebrow. ”Worked the waterways?”

Monkey sighed softly. ”Master Qin, you see me as a gang member now, but I actually came from a decent family... It’s just... sigh... times are hard. It’s difficult to even make a living by fishing. I had no choice but to try and get by in the streets... That’s why I’m very familiar with all the cities near True Martial.”

Qin Fang glanced at him. Monkey was dark and thin, and it was hard to tell his age, but he looked to be around twenty. From his appearance, he had indeed come from a poor background.

’...Well, in reality, how many people who join gangs actually have respectable family backgrounds? If they had any other way out, no one would be willing to join a gang.’

’It looks glamorous, but in truth, it’s a life of licking blood from a blade’s edge.’

”...Shi Tou and the others, have they been buried too?” Qin Fang thought of the other two men he had interacted with the most during this time.

The light in Monkey’s eyes dimmed, and he nodded gently.

The few of them were always around Xu Meng, so they saw each other the most and were naturally the closest.

And then there was Heizi, who had died on the very first day Qin Fang arrived...

Yet in the short span of just over a month, of those four men, Monkey was the only one left alive.

It was clear how dangerous this gang life was.

The atmosphere grew a little heavy. Monkey suddenly took a deep breath and said, ”Master Qin, do you have business in Pingze? If there’s anything I can do, just say the word. I can’t help with the big stuff, but I can certainly guide the way or handle small errands.”

Monkey’s words actually made Qin Fang’s mind stir...

He was going to kill Wang Hu, but to be frank, he was in an unfamiliar place. He would indeed face many problems.

’If I had a guide... it would certainly be much more convenient.’

He narrowed his eyes. ”I’m going to Pingze, and I might be doing something very dangerous... Are you still willing to go?”

Hearing this, Monkey’s expression turned serious. ”Master Qin, you didn’t just save the boss’s life twice, you saved my life twice too! I don’t understand any grand principles, but I do understand repaying a debt of gratitude! Just like the boss, if there’s any way I can be of use, just say the word, Master Qin. I’d go through fire and water for you. If I even so much as frown, then I’m not a man born of a mother and father!”

Looking at Monkey’s earnest expression, Qin Fang nodded slightly.

He approved of this...

Last night, Monkey had risked being chased down and killed by the Water Dragon Gang to bring the heavily injured and unconscious Xu Meng to the front of Qin Fang’s courtyard.

But he didn’t have to. If he had come alone, Qin Fang would have protected him.

Yet, he did it anyway.

It could be described as a ’disregard for his own life and death.’

This was enough to prove Monkey’s loyalty and sense of duty.

’...Righteousness is often found among the most humble of men.’

Qin Fang looked at Monkey, nodded gently, and clapped him on the shoulder. ”Alright. If I need you, I won’t hesitate to ask.”

As Qin Fang clapped his shoulder, Monkey’s eyes brightened, and a smile spread across his face.

He was clearly overjoyed and invigorated by Qin Fang’s approval.

Soon, they arrived at Xu Meng’s home.

It was just a small courtyard in Fisherman City. A few men from the Fish Dragon Gang were busy in the yard. When they saw Qin Fang and Monkey enter, they quickly stood up straight.

”Master Qin.”

”Master Qin.”

They greeted Qin Fang respectfully.

’...After what happened yesterday, Qin Fang’s status in the Fish Dragon Gang had shot straight up.’

’To put it bluntly... Xu Meng’s position in their hearts might not even be as high as Qin Fang’s.’

’...In the dog-eat-dog world of gangs, the principle of ’the strong are revered’ was held in even higher esteem.’

Although Xu Meng was their boss, Qin Fang was clearly stronger. Naturally, these gang members held Qin Fang in greater awe.

”Brother Qin, you’re here?”

Xu Meng walked out from the kitchen carrying a platter of food. Seeing Qin Fang, he broke into a smile. ”Perfect timing. Come, sit. The dishes are all ready.”

”Brother Xu, you’re still injured. This...” Qin Fang hesitated, looking at Xu Meng’s slightly pale face.

”It’s just a minor injury, nothing to worry about,” Xu Meng said with a smile.

A table had been set up in the courtyard, already laden with a rich spread of dishes. He placed the platter down and enthusiastically invited Qin Fang to sit.

Seeing Xu Meng’s insistence, Qin Fang didn’t say any more and simply nodded as he took a seat.

Qin Fang sat in the seat of honor, with Xu Meng sitting beside him at the head of the table. The others didn’t join them, but waited by the side.

This arrangement made Qin Fang a bit uncomfortable. He told them to take a seat as well, which made them all look overwhelmed by the favor, but they still shook their heads.

”You and the boss should eat. We’ve already eaten. We’ll just wait here to help you refill your wine and serve the dishes.”

”That’s right, that’s right, we’re just here to serve. You and the boss go ahead and eat.”

”Thank you for your kindness, Master Qin.”

They said one after another.

But Qin Fang shook his head. ”We are all brothers. There’s no need for such formalities. If you keep this up, I’m leaving.”

”Ah?”

Hearing Qin Fang say this, they subconsciously looked at Xu Meng.

Xu Meng rolled his eyes and cursed with a laugh, ”Brother Qin has spoken, so what are you all still posturing for? How come I never see you this eager to serve me? Hurry up, sit down, and eat!”

Hearing Xu Meng say this, the atmosphere immediately relaxed.

One by one, they all smiled and thanked Qin Fang.

Then they raised their cups, naturally to first thank Qin Fang for saving their lives... If it weren’t for him, they would likely be either dead or on the run. How could they possibly have taken over a territory as large as Fisherman City, let alone be sitting here soundly enjoying a fine meal?

Qin Fang didn’t stand on ceremony. Although he wasn’t a big drinker, he raised his wine bowl and downed a cup.

’...This was the first time Qin Fang had tasted the wine of this world.’

’It was basically rice wine, not very strong, similar to beer. But it was sweet and quite tasty.’

Seeing Qin Fang drink so readily, the men’s smiles clearly became more relaxed.

One after another, they relentlessly toasted Qin Fang.

And Qin Fang accepted every toast... The alcohol content was very low. He felt that with his Physique, he could drink any amount without getting drunk, so there was no need to spoil the mood.

This behavior also made the gang members respect him even more.

Amidst the laughter and conversation, three rounds of dishes were served before they knew it.

Only then did Qin Fang ask, ”Brother Xu, that thing... is it ready?”

Xu Meng’s spirit immediately sharpened. He said to the others, ”Alright, you’ve eaten and drunk your fill. Go on about your business. No need for you to stand guard here.”

Seeing this, the others knew their boss wanted to discuss business with Master Qin. They tactfully said their goodbyes to Qin Fang and left the courtyard.

Monkey even thoughtfully closed the courtyard gate behind them.

Only then did Xu Meng turn to Qin Fang and say in a low voice, ”Our luck is good. It’s ready...”

As he spoke, he took out a Porcelain Bottle and handed it to Qin Fang.

”Inside is the venom of a Jiejie Wu...”

’Jiejie Wu?’

Qin Fang was confused.

”Jiejie Wu is also called a Silver Footband. It’s the most venomous snake around True Martial... Its venom is much more potent than arsenic or the like. Most importantly... arsenic is only most effective when ingested. If you just coat a Weapon with it, you definitely can’t kill an Anjin Martial Artist.”

”But the venom of this Jiejie Wu... it’s fatal upon drawing blood.”

”But it’s winter now, and the Silver Footbands are all in the east, so they’re hard to find. Extracting the venom is even harder... Luckily, I know some old hunters who had some on hand. This small bottle alone cost me a full fifty taels of silver...”

Xu Meng said in a low voice.

Realization dawned on Qin Fang, and he nodded.

He didn’t know what a Jiejie Wu was, but he had heard of the Silver Footband...

A Silver Ring Snake.

Silver Ring Snake Venom. Among all snake venoms, it ranked in the top five.

He carefully took the Porcelain Bottle, held his breath, and pulled out the stopper. Inside was just a shallow layer...

”Don’t be fooled by how little there is. Just this much is enough to kill several hundred people... It’s best to apply it to your weapon right before you make your move.”

Xu Meng whispered.

Qin Fang nodded, carefully sealed it, and tucked it into his robes. Then he took out some Silver Notes from his robes and handed them to Xu Meng.

Xu Meng was taken aback, then frowned. ”Brother Qin, what are you doing? I only told you all that to emphasize how rare the venom is, not to ask you for money... Do you not see me as a brother?”

Seeing Xu Meng’s reaction, Qin Fang paused, then simply took back the notes. ”Alright, then this little brother accepts it humbly.”

Xu Meng nodded, then hesitated for a moment before asking, ”Which specific Anjin master is it... Can Brother Qin tell me? This brother will see if there’s anything else I can do to help.”

He said sincerely.

Qin Fang shook his head. ”As for who it is, you shouldn’t ask, brother. You’re injured right now; focusing on your recovery is what matters... However, I do need to borrow someone from you.”

”Hm? Who?” Xu Meng asked, surprised.

”Monkey... I need him to be my guide,” Qin Fang said.

Hearing this, Xu Meng nodded without any hesitation. ”That’s no problem at all.”

He paused, then lowered his voice again. ”Are you sure you don’t need this brother’s help with anything else?”

Qin Fang shook his head.

Seeing that Qin Fang was truly unwilling to say, Xu Meng sighed and didn’t press the matter.

’...He felt that Qin Fang didn’t quite trust him.’

In the end, he could only raise his wine bowl and say, ”In that case, this brother can only wish Brother Qin success in advance.”

Qin Fang raised his wine bowl and drained it in one go.

After the meal was finished, Qin Fang stood up to leave.

On his way out, Qin Fang ran into Monkey outside the gate. He said to him, ”Come find me first thing tomorrow morning. Get yourself ready; we’re going on a long trip.”

Monkey froze, then remembered Qin Fang’s earlier question. His eyes instantly lit up, and he said in a low voice, ”Yes, sir!”

Qin Fang nodded, clapped him on the shoulder, and left.

Early the next morning, before the sky grew light, Monkey knocked on the gate to Qin Fang’s courtyard.

Qin Fang, who was already fully prepared, opened the gate.

Not long after, two figures quietly left Fisherman City under the cover of darkness...