9: Received

Qin Feng put his all into it, using the shovel handle and even finding a rock to smash the copper lock on the wooden box several times. However, the seemingly small copper lock was exceptionally sturdy, leaving only a few shallow white marks on the surface, remaining completely unmoved.

"So tough?" Qin Feng frowned. It seemed the Ai Family ancestors had put a lot of effort into this lock to prevent their descendants from obtaining it too easily. Force wasn't going to work; making too much noise might attract attention.

Making a snap decision, he stopped wasting time. With a thought, he stored the entire wooden box, along with the stubborn copper lock, into his System space. Then, he quickly backfilled the pit he had dug, restoring it as much as possible to its original state to erase any obvious traces. After confirming everything was in order, he nimbly scaled the wall again and vanished silently into the end of the alley.

At dusk, the Ai Family couple (couple) returned home with weary bodies. As soon as she entered the courtyard gate, Sister-in-law Ai noticed something was wrong. "Big Yellow? Big Yellow, why are you lying here sleeping? Get up!"

The Big Yellow dog, which usually would have rushed up wagging its tail, showed no reaction now. It just lay paralyzed on the ground, letting out a faint "whimper," its eyes glazed.

"Why is this dog so listless today? Is it sick?" Boss Ai also found it strange and stepped forward to check, but he couldn't figure anything out. Thinking the dog was just being lazy and oversleeping, he grumbled a few words and let it be, not looking further into it, let alone suspecting someone had broken in.

Qin Feng returned to his rental room and locked the door before taking the wooden box out of the System space. He tried various methods—prying it with a knife, smashing it with stones, and even trying to force the lid open with raw strength—but the material of the wooden box was also extremely hard, integrated seamlessly with the copper lock. No matter how he exerted himself, he couldn't budge it an inch.

"As expected of a box containing a Profound Rank treasure; it truly cannot be opened by mundane means." Qin Feng gave up helplessly and set the wooden box aside. It seemed he could only pin his hopes on the System intelligence to see if it could provide a clue for opening it.

By this time, it was late, and hunger gnawed at his stomach. Only then did he remember that the food Auntie Li had sent was long gone, and there wasn't a grain of rice left in the house. He could only pull himself together and head out to find the cheapest noodle stall to hastily finish his dinner.

At the dead of night, during the zi hour, the System intelligence refreshed on time.

[(White) The Flower Picking Bandit 'Silver-Faced Gentleman' Flower Picking Bandit did not search for a target tonight. Instead, he spent his time at the 'Yihong Courtyard,' 'Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion,' and 'Zuixiang Pavilion' brothels, drinking, making merry, and spending money like water.]

[(White) Xiao Chun, the apprentice at Huichun Medical Hall, is actually the biological daughter of Doctor Chu Chu Yunhe. Years ago, because his wife and daughter were afflicted by a strange poison, Chu Yunhe trespassed into the Medicine King Valley Forbidden Ground to seek a cure, violating the sect's rules. He was forced to defect with his daughter and has been living under an assumed name for over ten years.]

[(Yellow) The lock on the Ai Family's ancestral wooden box is cast from refined copper mixed with a small amount of Profound Iron. It cannot be forced open without Martial Master level strength or special methods. The Ai Family ancestor's original intention was to prevent descendants from stepping into the dangerous Jianghu before they had the strength. You can try using highly corrosive 'Aqua Regia.' This substance is sold at Huichun Medical Hall, but due to its high danger, Doctor Chu usually refuses to sell it to strangers. It is suggested that the Host seek out Xiao Chun alone in the middle of the night to purchase it under an emergency pretext.]

Huichun Medical Hall again!

Qin Feng's gaze locked onto the third piece of yellow intelligence, and everything became clear. So that was it! He needed the highly corrosive "Aqua Regia"! And the method and precautions for purchase were specified—find Xiao Chun in the middle of the night!

No time to lose! He immediately got up and headed out again, arriving at the already closed back door of Huichun Medical Hall under the cover of night.

"Knock, knock, knock." He gently tapped on the door.

Xiao Chun's sleepy and wary voice came from inside. "Who is it? My master is already asleep. If you have business, come back tomorrow!"

"Miss Xiao Chun, it's me, the one who came to buy medicine during the day." Qin Feng lowered his voice, his tone carrying a deliberately crafted sense of urgency. "My second uncle... my second uncle went to check the traps this evening and accidentally got hurt by a steel hunting trap. It's clamped too tightly; we need corrosive liquid to get it off... It's an emergency, please!"

"Huh? A hunting trap?" Inside the door, Xiao Chun seemed to wake up a bit more, hesitating. "But... that 'Iron-Corroding Water' is very dangerous. Master usually doesn't let us sell it..."

"It's true! He's lost so much blood. If we don't get it off, I'm afraid... I'm afraid..." Qin Feng's voice carried a sob, performing his anxious helplessness to the fullest.

There was silence inside for a moment. Perhaps Qin Feng's "honest" image from earlier in the day and his current "anxious" appearance played a part; the simple and kind Xiao Chun finally softened her heart. The door bolt rattled, and the back door opened a crack. Xiao Chun leaned out halfway and handed over a small porcelain bottle sealed with wax.

"Here, this is the 'Iron-Corroding Water.' You must be extremely careful; if it touches your hands, they'll rot! It was supposed to sell for fifteen silver coins, but seeing how desperate you are to save someone, I'll only take twelve silver coins." Xiao Chun whispered her instructions, her face still carrying a bit of guilt as if she were doing something wrong.

"Thank you, Miss Xiao Chun! I can't thank you enough!" Qin Feng quickly took the porcelain bottle, counted out twelve silver coins and handed them over. After thanking her again, he immediately turned and left, vanishing into the darkness.

Returning home, Qin Feng was excited. He found an old pottery basin, placed the wooden box inside, and then carefully pried off the wax seal of the small porcelain bottle.

A pungent acidic smell immediately filled the air. Holding his breath, he slowly poured the colorless, transparent liquid from the bottle onto the copper lock.

"Sizzle—"

A cloud of white smoke rose, accompanied by a faint corroding sound. That incredibly sturdy copper lock was eroded, blackened, and dissolved at a speed visible to the naked eye!

In just over a dozen breaths, a soft "click" was heard as the copper lock snapped completely!

Qin Feng suppressed his excitement, wrapped his hand in a cloth, and gently lifted the now loose lid.

A faint scent, a mix of old ink and the cold chill of metal, wafted toward him.

Inside the box, on the left, lay a thread-bound ancient book with yellowed pages. On the cover, four large characters were written with vigorous brushstrokes—"Azure Edge Sword Manual."

On the right was a sheathed longsword. The scabbard was dark green, simple and unadorned, its specific material indistinguishable. He reached out and grasped the hilt, which felt cool to the touch. With a slight effort, he drew the blade an inch.

"Zheng..."

A clear sword hum, like a Dragon's cry, quietly rang out. The exposed blade was like a pool of autumn water, clear and cold, emitting a faint green glow and a piercing chill. Near the guard, two small ancient seal characters were carved—Qin Feng.

Profound Rank Medium Grade treasure sword, Qin Feng sword!

And the matching "Azure Edge Sword Manual"!

After many twists and turns, this Opportunity originating from the golden intelligence was finally presented fully before him!

Qin Feng took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with determination and fervor. His path as a Martial Artist would officially set sail from this moment!