8: Ai Family Treasure Hunt

After taking the second qi and blood pill and changing into the navy blue martial outfit gifted by Tailor Zhang, Qin Feng did dozens of standard push-ups in the small courtyard in one breath until his arms were sore and numb and sweat poured off him like syrup. The power of the Medicinal Pill steamed within his body following the intense exercise, as if a faint current of air was darting through his limbs and bones, bringing an unprecedented sense of fulfillment and power.

With a thought, he opened the character panel.

【Name: Qin Feng】

【Age: 16 years old】

【Rank: Entry Martial Apprentice】

【Status: Minor internal injury (recovering, expected to fully heal within three days)】

【Remarks: Vigorous Qi and blood, physique beginning to take shape.】

“Entry Martial Apprentice!” A flash of joy crossed Qin Feng's eyes. It seemed that the primary condition for entering the path of martial arts in this world was to possess a strong physique far exceeding that of ordinary people and to be able to initially sense or mobilize the Qi and blood in the body. Relying on the training knowledge brought from his past life, combined with the assistance of the qi and blood pills and Doctor Chu's medicine, he had stepped over this threshold in just a few days, which was undoubtedly an excellent start.

Night fell again, and the intelligence refreshed at the zi hour.

【(White) The Flower Picking Bandit Chen Yurang, wanted by multiple cities and known as the 'Silver-Faced Gentleman,' has quietly slipped into Star South City. This person's strength is as high as Advanced Martial Master; he possesses superb light body techniques, is skilled in using knock-out incense, and is currently scouting for his next target.】

【(White) The rogue Wang Er Mazi, who has recently stolen women's undergarments multiple times, was captured by Six Fan School constables this evening. He was heavily punished with twenty strokes of the water-fire staff and is currently held in the North City Prison awaiting trial.】

【(Yellow) The Ai Family couple has scheduled to go to a relative's house outside the city tomorrow morning to help arrange a funeral, and they are expected to return at sunset. Although the large yellow guard dog at their home is fierce, it loves to eat meat buns. Mixing anesthetic powder purchased from Huichun Medical Hall into the meat bun filling is enough to make it sleep for four hours.】

Seeing the first entry, Qin Feng's brow furrowed. An Advanced Martial Master Flower Picking Bandit! This level of strength could likely be ranked even within Star South City; he was definitely an extremely dangerous individual. He secretly alerted himself to be more careful during nighttime activities in the future.

The second entry left him somewhat speechless. This Wang Er Mazi was truly 'persistent' and had finally met his downfall.

However, the third piece of yellow intelligence made his spirits rise!

An opportunity! No one would be at the Ai Family home tomorrow, and even the method to deal with that big yellow dog was specified! It was truly a godsend!

He suppressed his excitement and began to calculate carefully. He needed to go to Huichun Medical Hall to buy the anesthetic and also prepare meat bait. No time to lose; he would act tomorrow!

Early the next morning, Qin Feng woke up early and arrived at Huichun Medical Hall once again.

Doctor Chu was still slowly sipping tea. Seeing Qin Feng, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: “Young friend, you've recovered very quickly. Your complexion is ruddy and your steps are steady; it seems you are no longer in any serious trouble.”

“It is all thanks to your brilliant medical skills, Senior. This Junior is full of admiration,” Qin Feng said, clasping his hands in a sincere salute.

“You flatter me, you flatter me. It's because you are young, have a good foundation, and strong recovery power.” Doctor Chu stroked his beard and smiled, his gaze sweeping over Qin Feng's brand-new martial outfit, asking as if casually: “Did my young friend come today to get some medicine to strengthen the body?”

Qin Feng felt a slight chill in his heart; this old doctor's eyes were indeed sharp. He nodded along: “Exactly, I would like to ask the old gentleman to prepare some medicine to solidify the foundation and nurture the origin. Additionally...” He paused, showing a slightly embarrassed expression, “I wonder if your hall has... any anesthetic medicine? My second uncle made an appointment with someone to hunt wild boar in the mountains. Fearing the beast's ferocity, he wants to prepare some for self-defense.”

“Oh? Hunting wild boar?” A subtle glint flashed through Doctor Chu's eyes before he returned to his calm demeanor. “We have it. Xiao Chun, follow the prescription: seven doses of Foundation Solidifying and Origin Nurturing Soup, and pack five qian of 'Rosemary' powder.”

“Coming, Master!” Miss Xiao Chun responded and went off, quickly handing the wrapped medicinal herbs and a small packet of white powder to Qin Feng.

“Body strengthening medicine, seven doses, total ten silver coins. Rosemary powder, five silver coins,” Xiao Chun announced the price.

Qin Feng timely showed a 'heart-pained' expression on his face, slowly counting out fifteen silver coins to pay the bill. Then, as if afraid of regretting it, he grabbed the medicine bags and quickly left the medical hall.

Watching his departing back, Doctor Chu picked up his teacup, gently blew on it, and the corner of his mouth curled into a meaningful arc.

After leaving the medical hall, Qin Feng went to a butcher shop to buy two meat buns and a small piece of fresh pork. Returning home, he carefully mixed the packet of 'Rosemary' powder into the meat filling and re-wrapped them, creating specialized 'anesthetic meat buns.'

With everything ready, he waited patiently until after noon when the pedestrians on the street thinned out before quietly approaching the vicinity of the Ai Family Bun Shop in the west of the city.

The Ai Family home was a single-family house with a small courtyard. At this time, the courtyard gate was tightly closed with a lock hanging on it. It was quiet inside; as the intelligence had stated, the owners were out.

Qin Feng observed the surroundings and circled to the side-rear of the courtyard, which was relatively secluded. He took a deep breath, stepped back a few paces, took a running start, tapped his toes twice on the wall, and firmly grabbed the top of the wall, which was nearly two people high. The climbing training from the fire department in his past life came in handy now; his movements were clean, agile, and efficient.

He cautiously poked his head out to observe the courtyard. The yard wasn't large, with firewood piled in a corner and some clothes hanging to dry. The old locust tree in the southeast corner was very prominent. Beneath the tree, a large, sturdy dog with brownish-yellow fur was napping, its ears twitching occasionally.

Qin Feng held his breath, pulled out the specialized meat bun, and accurately tossed it in front of the big yellow dog.

The aroma of the meat bun immediately caught the dog's attention. It raised its head alertly, sniffed, and looked around. Finding nothing unusual, it ultimately couldn't resist the temptation and swallowed the meat bun in one gulp.

In just a few moments, the big yellow dog shook its head, its limbs went weak, it gave a whimper, slumped to the ground, and fell into a deep sleep.

Qin Feng's heart settled. He lightly flipped over the wall and landed in the courtyard. He quickly walked to the old locust tree in the southeast corner and estimated the position.

“System space, retrieve!” With a thought, a small but sturdy iron shovel appeared in his hand. This was something he had specifically bought and placed in the System space earlier for emergencies.

Without further hesitation, he swung the shovel and began digging vigorously at the estimated spot by the tree roots. Soil was turned over shovel by shovel, and sweat soon soaked his sideburns. When he had dug about two feet deep, the tip of the shovel finally hit a hard object!

Joy rose in his heart. He put down the shovel and carefully brushed away the soil with his hands, revealing an old wooden box about two feet long and one foot wide. The surface of the wooden box was covered in mud, but the extraordinary quality of the wood itself was still visible. The lid was locked with a small copper lock.

The "Azure Edge Sword Manual" and the Medium Grade Profound Rank weapon, the "Azure Edge Sword," mentioned in the yellow intelligence were inside!