touchnovel Chapter 16 Satisfying
Chapter 16 Satisfying
Fortunately, they had a slight advantage.
After glancing at Tan Ming's head, which remained lifeless, Jiang Qi checked that the two men surnamed Bao were indeed dead before searching for the spoils of war.
Soon, he found loose silver coins totaling more than twenty-two taels, a packet of bone-corroding powder, and a so-called "blood spirit pill" on the Bao brothers, the purpose of which he did not know.
I wrapped the poison and the Blood Elixir separately, intending to study them later.
Then, he weighed the twenty-two taels of silver in his hand...it was quite heavy.
Jiang Qi couldn't help but feel emotional.
Even a plumber might not be able to save that much money in five years.
Indeed, the speed at which martial artists can make money is unimaginable to ordinary people.
After making some minor adjustments to the scene and removing his own traces, Jiang Qi left.
......
Upon returning to the water workshop, the first thing to do is to go to the well and use the [Leaving Water] skill.
The well water rippled slightly, and soon the medicinal powder that Tan Ming had added was separated out.
With a little examination, it becomes clear that the powder is a laxative.
It seems the Green Water Gang knew that this well supplied water to several streets, so they didn't dare to go too far.
With the well water secured, the night's events were essentially over, so I returned to the water room.
When I lay down, it was almost dawn.
That night, they killed two people and obtained more than twenty taels of silver.
Despite seemingly having reaped considerable rewards, Jiang Qi felt little joy, instead focusing on reviewing the night's battle.
"Although I have achieved some mastery of the 'Wind-Breaking Blade,' the quality of my blade is ordinary, and I cannot fully unleash its power. When I was defending against Bao and Xiong, the blade almost broke. So I need to get a better blade."
"I clearly had the upper hand in terms of breath and blood pressure, but I couldn't finish the fight quickly. I let those two men surnamed Bao hold out for more than ten rounds, which increased the risk considerably. I still lack practical experience and my adaptability in battle is insufficient..."
......
Early morning, at the waterworks.
Jiang Qi was drawing water from the well when he saw Guo Meng stride in, his face showing a complex expression, a mixture of anger and a hint of satisfaction.
"Damn it! You traitor!" Guo Meng shouted angrily.
"What's wrong, Brother Guo?" Jiang Qi pretended to know everything.
"That bastard Tan Ming is colluding with the Green Water Gang!"
Guo Meng kicked out and overturned the wooden bucket that Tan Ming often used.
The wooden barrel tumbled over, just like Tan Ming's head last night.
Jiang Qi put down his work and asked in astonishment, "Colluding with the Green Water Gang? Isn't Brother Tan practicing martial arts at the martial arts school?"
"Practice my ass!" Guo Meng spat. "He was found dead in an abandoned house this morning, along with the Green Water Gang's 'Twin Killers,' Bao Wei and Bao Cheng!"
Mentioning these two, Guo Meng's face flashed with pleasure again: "Bao Wei and Bao Cheng are both skilled at cultivating their own qi and blood. They work together seamlessly and are quite famous in several streets of the West City. Several of my Ironclad Gang brothers have fallen at their hands."
This time, I wonder which hero killed him; it's truly gratifying!
It's a pity I didn't see it with my own eyes, otherwise I would have definitely toasted this hero a few bowls of wine and thanked him on behalf of my brothers!
Jiang Qi cooperated, revealing an expression of amazement.
Guo Meng sighed a few times, then frowned again: "That bastard Tan Ming deserved to die, but now the water store is short one person. The Qingshui Gang has been causing trouble everywhere lately, and the gang is short-handed..."
"And then there's Master Qin of the Liefeng Hall. Starting next month, his water usage will increase, especially the morning water at 3 AM every day. It must be delivered on time. The two of us definitely won't be able to handle it."
Jiang Qi's mind stirred slightly.
Qin Lie, the leader of the Fierce Wind Hall, is the fifth among the seven leaders of the Ironclad Gang. He is a master in the late stage of the Blood Refining Realm and is said to be not far from the perfect realm of blood and qi as fine as mercury.
A few days ago, he severely damaged a leader of the Qingshui Gang and seized a bustling street for the Ironclad Gang. Now he is very influential and holds a high position within the gang.
"The gang definitely won't send anyone," Guo Meng continued. "Brother Jiang, you've been at the waterworks longer than me, could you perhaps recruit some waterworkers from outside?"
Hiring?
Jiang Qi pondered for a moment and said, "I wonder what requirements Brother Guo has? Martial arts practitioners are hard to find..."
The Ironclad Gang's previous rule was that anyone from the Water Pavilion who had practiced martial arts was eligible.
Guo Meng waved his hand: "No need to practice martial arts, just be quick and nimble and able to work. Monthly salary... one tael per month."
"No need to practice martial arts..." Jiang Qi thought for a moment, "Then it shouldn't be hard to find."
"Yes, thank you for your trouble, Brother Jiang." Guo Meng said, taking out three taels of silver and two packets of tonics. "Here you go."
"What is this?" Jiang Qi asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Even plumbers get a monthly salary, so how can you, a dignified plumber, be shortchanged?" Guo Meng laughed.
The monthly allowance for an ordinary member of the Ironclad Gang was only two taels of silver and a dose of Blood Qi Powder.
But Jiang Qi did a good job, saving Guo Meng a lot of trouble, so he specifically applied to Manager Li to increase Jiang Qi's monthly salary.
"Thank you, Brother Guo." Jiang Qi took the things.
He is currently consuming a great deal of qi and blood tonics, so he won't bother with formalities.
"No need to thank me, we're all brothers." Guo Meng patted Jiang Qi on the shoulder. "I have something to do, I'll be going now."
"Take care, Brother Guo."
After Guo Meng left.
"Three taels of silver, two doses of Blood Qi Powder..."
This Ironclad Gang is quite generous.
Jiang Qi checked the silver and tonic and found nothing wrong, then put them away.
He then walked to the well, picked up a bucket to draw water, and at the same time thought about hiring people.
"I wonder if Xiaoqi would be willing to come back..."
When hiring, he would definitely prioritize people he was familiar with. Xiao Qi was the first person he thought of, followed by the previous group of plumbers, a few of whom were diligent.
......
In the kitchen of Zuixianlou Restaurant, pots and pans clattered together.
Zhao Xiaoqi had just received her monthly wages of eight hundred coins and was all smiles.
"After work, I'll go buy some meat. Mother's health has just improved, so she needs to eat more. I'll also pay back the one tael of silver I owe Qi-ge'er, plus the interest."
"Oh, by the way, Qi-ge'er works hard practicing martial arts, so please take the half-eaten braised duck that Master Liu gave him as a reward to Qi-ge'er as well."
"Zhao Xiaoqi!" Master Liu shouted coldly.
"Master Liu, you were looking for me?" Zhao Xiaoqi turned around quickly.
Chef Liu was a fat cook. He was the one who helped Xiao Qi get into Zuixianlou.
At that moment, Master Liu was staring at Zhao Xiaoqi with a hostile expression: "Take it out!"
"Take...take what?" Zhao Xiaoqi asked blankly.
"Still playing dumb?" a kitchen helper next to Chef Liu sneered. "A jar of 'Three Cups of Wine' is missing from the warehouse. Did you steal it?"
Zhao Xiaoqi's face turned deathly pale instantly: "I didn't... I just went to the storeroom to move soy sauce jars, I didn't steal anything..."
"I saw it with my own eyes." Another kitchen helper said sarcastically, his eyes filled with ill intent, and he sneered inwardly.
"You little brat, you're always working harder than everyone else! You don't know what's good for you!"
"I really didn't steal it!" Zhao Xiaoqi protested vehemently.
"This restaurant doesn't tolerate dishonest people. Get out," Chef Liu said coldly.
Zhao Xiaoqi was both ashamed and angry. Seeing Master Liu's attitude, she knew that saying anything more would be useless, so she had no choice but to leave the restaurant.
But he had only taken a few steps out of the building when a man in brocade robes stepped forward, staring at Zhao Xiaoqi with a strange look: "Young brother, wait a moment..."
......
After finishing his martial arts training for the day, Jiang Qi went to Zuixianlou to find Xiao Qi.
"You're no longer working at the restaurant?"
Jiang Qi's heart sank.
He also went to Xiaoqi's house yesterday, and Xiaoqi said that Zuixianlou was doing a great job.
How can you quit after only one day?
He dared not delay, left the restaurant, and hurried to Xiao Qi's house.
As soon as they reached the alley entrance, they saw Zhao Xiaoqi walking with a pale face and somewhat vacant eyes.