Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Each With Their Own Difficulties

As Li Zimei’s soft voice echoed, Xu Xiaohui’s eyes involuntarily widened as she looked at Xu Qing.

She couldn’t be blamed for not recognizing him. The Xu Qing in her memory was a dirty scavenger boy covered in dirt.

But the person standing at the door to the private room right now had a slender and tall figure. His long black hair casually draped over his shoulders, revealing an indescribable elegance. Moreover, his face was enough to captivate anyone’s attention.

It was a peerlessly beautiful face.

His distinct face looked as if it had been sculpted by a master craftsman. Beneath a pair of sword-like eyebrows were two slender, cold eyes that held a dark and deep gaze. The radiance that he inadvertently gave off, along with the powerful spiritual energy fluctuations coming from his body, made him impossible to ignore.

“It’s me.” Xu Qing nodded.

Xu Xiaohui’s pretty face blushed a little. She picked up a glass of wine and drank it down to conceal the fluctuations in her heart.

At the side, Zhou Qingpeng laughed and stepped forward to welcome him.

“Junior Brother Xu Qing, come and sit down.”

Xu Qing politely cupped his fists and sat at the side, sweeping his gaze over the other three. Compared to the coldness and cruelty of the rest of the sect, it was clear that these three disciples in front of him still had some warmth remaining.

However, it was also clear that the environment of the sect had changed them. Although Zhou Qingpeng had a smiling face, Xu Qing could still see the fatigue hidden behind his expression.

Moreover, his body showed obvious signs of the vicissitudes of life. Only after experiencing certain things would this kind of growth become clear.

As for Xu Xiaohui, Xu Qing couldn’t clearly describe her changes. He only felt that she seemed more and more similar to those women in the feather tents at the scavenger camp.

Only Li Zimei hadn’t changed much. However, along with her reserved and self-conscious demeanor, she also contained more vigilance and caution in her gaze. It seemed as if anyone who appeared nearby would make her wary.

Time slowly passed. As everyone conversed, although Xu Qing was mostly silent, the atmosphere in the room still became lively. After all, the time they had spent in the sect was still too short.

However, most of the liveliness came from Zhou Qingpeng and Xu Xiaohui chatting and laughing. Like Xu Qing, Li Zimei chose to remain silent. She looked at Xu Qing from time to time with an expression that seemed to contain feelings of inferiority.

Soon, Zhou Qingpeng had drunk a few more glasses of wine and spoke emotionally.

“Actually, before I entered the sect, I more or less knew some things. However, only after I entered did I understand that hearing and experiencing are two different things. In Seven Blood Pupils… it’s too difficult to live a good life. If we’re just a little careless, we might die.”

“You guys probably feel the same… Junior Brother Xu Qing, which department are you working in? I’m part of the Coast Defense Department. Xiaohui is also very capable. In such a short period of time, she managed to purchase a magic boat and was sent to the Dispatch Department.”

When Xu Xiaohui heard this, her smile was a little complicated as she nodded.

“I’m in the Homicide Department,” Xu Qing said softly. The atmosphere here felt a little uncomfortable. It was a sharp contrast to the coldness and cruelty of everyone outside.

“The Homicide Department?” Xu Xiaohui’s eyes lit up again.

At the side, Li Zimei’s eyes revealed a bit of envy. Compared to Xu Xiaohui, although she was no longer dressed like a dirty scavenger, she was still very ordinary. Thus, she lowered her head even more.

To her, out of the four people from the same batch, three of them already had a magic boat. Only she was still the most common ordinary disciple. Sitting there, she felt a lot of pressure.

“Junior Brother Xu Qing, so you actually wen to the Homicide Department. A few days ago, your Homicide Department pulled off a huge operation. Thousands of Night Dove members’ heads were hung on the city walls. These days, everyone’s been talking about it. Right, back then during the entrance test, you had Qi and Blood Form a Shadow. With your strength, did you also participate in that operation?”

When Zhou Qingpeng heard where Xu Qing was working, his expression changed slightly. Back then, when he saw Xu Qing at the pharmacy, he had sensed powerful spiritual energy fluctuations coming from him. Now, he sensed that Xu Qing seemed even stronger, so he decided to probe a little further.

“Well, that sort of large-scale mission is extremely risky. Junior Brother Xu Qing, although you’re a strong body refiner, it’s magic arts that are the mightiest at the end of the day. For newcomers like us who have just entered the sect, the most important thing is to work hard to survive and cultivate. There will be plenty of opportunities for us to prove ourselves in the future.”

Xu Qing could see through Zhou Qingpeng’s probe at a glance. Actually, he felt that these three people from the same batch all had good natures and didn’t have many bad intentions. This was another reason why he was willing to come here besides his desire for the Ghost Desire Limulus.

Thus, he just nodded and didn’t say anything.

“The Seventh Peak’s Homicide Department is the same as our Coast Defense Department. There are many fierce people there. Oh right, Junior Brother Xu Qing, I heard that your Homicide Department gave rise to a remarkable character in that operation.”

“It seems that there’s a new expert in your Homicide Department’s Black Division. I don’t know his name, but I heard that he actually killed an enemy chief at the peak of Qi Condensation. He was the only one to achieve such a feat in the operation who wasn’t a captain. He must have cultivated the Sea Transforming Scripture to the peak, or else he wouldn’t have been able to kill that enemy chief. I hear that he’s sure to get promoted now.”

Zhou Qingpeng sighed with emotion, and his eyes were full of admiration. These words were no longer probing, instead full of praise and envy.

In fact, in Zhou Qingpeng’s mind, this matter couldn’t possibly have anything to do with Xu Qing. Although Xu Qing’s body refinement was very strong, reaching the level of Qi and Blood Form a Shadow, Zhou Qingpeng had already realized how much stronger the spells of the Sea Transforming Scripture were. Cultivators of the Sea Transforming Scripture could easily kill any body refiner, especially in the Homicide Department where there were many experts.

Although he had sensed that Xu Qing’s spiritual energy fluctuations were very strong when they met in the pharmacy back then, he still didn’t think that Xu Qing could stand out in the Homicide Department full of experts and kill a Night Dove chief at the peak of Qi Condensation.

“I’ve also heard about this incident. There have been a lot of rumors about Black Division Team Six going around these few days.” Xu Xiaohui at the side brought more dishes over to Zhou Qingpeng and Xu Qing as she spoke with a smile.

Over the past few days, the disciples from the various departments of the Seventh Peak had indeed been discussing the Homicide Department’s operation against Night Dove, particularly discussing the figures who managed to stand out in the operation.

Xu Qing was a little surprised. He had been putting all his attention towards finding a chance to kill that merfolk youth these days, so he hadn’t heard much about these things. This was the first time he had heard the rumors flying around, and also the first he heard of being promoted.

“Ah, it’s all unrelated to us. For us… just surviving is the most important thing.”

Zhou Qingpeng sighed and touched his leg. There was a scar there that hadn’t completely healed. He looked up at the reticent Xu Qing and suddenly spoke in earnest.

“Junior Brother Xu Qing, you can’t be all alone all the time. You need to change your disposition; learn to be a little flexible, and give some presents to your superiors. That way, you’ll have a layer of protection and be able to live better.”

Xu Qing simply nodded. He wasn’t good with words and didn’t know what to say, so he spent most of the meal just listening to the others talk. Zhou Qingpeng also slowly regained the energy he’d had back before they entered the sect. From time to time, he would laugh and lift his glass, and the atmosphere slowly improved.

After a while, Zhou Qingpeng had clearly drunk too much and began to show off.

For example, he talked about how he had a good relationship with his current superior in the Coast Guard Department. He also talked about how he’d made many friends in the department, received gifts and benefits from so-and-so, and he even took the initiative to offer Xu Xiaohui help in widening her social circle.

Of course, he didn’t forget to continue to urge Xu Qing to change his disposition. He also mentioned to Li Zimei that he could ask the Coast Defense Department if they needed more workers and would recommend her if she wanted.

“My boss has promised me that as long as I get good results, he will introduce me to Senior Brother Ding Xiaohai. You guys know about Senior Brother Ding, right? He’s known as the number one Qi Condensation cultivator in our Seventh Peak.” Zhou Qingpeng seemed very proud of himself. Xu Xiaohui also smiled and flattered him at the side, causing the atmosphere in the private room to become increasingly harmonious.

Xu Qing also smiled and raised his glass in congratulations.

He didn’t hate Zhou Qingpeng. Everyone had their own way of living. Since Xu Xiaohui was able to obtain the magic boat so quickly, she must have her own skills as well. As for Li Zimei, Xu Qing wasn’t good at communicating, but he felt that since she could recognize him at first glance, her observation skills must be extremely sharp.

The meal lasted for almost two hours.

After three rounds of drinking, it was already late at night outside. Zhou Qingpeng continued to get more and more drunk, and everyone eventually finished eating. During this period of time, Zhou Qingpeng had passed Xu Qing the two Ghost Desire Limuli, waving his hand before Xu Qing could take out any money.

“My family is well off. A small matter like this can be regarded as a gift between friends.”

Xu Qing looked at the bag that contained the Ghost Desire Limuli and saw the sincerity on Zhou Qingpeng’s face. After some thought, he didn’t insist on paying and cupped his fists in gratitude.

After the four of them walked out of the private room and arrived at the entrance of the restaurant, Zhou Qingpeng looked at Xu Qing and smiled.

“Right, Junior Brother Xu Qing, I’m in the Coast Guard Department’s Earth[1] Division. Which division of the Homicide Department are you from? Later on, we should all communicate with each other more and meet up to reminisce about the past. We’re all from the same batch, so we should stick together. In this cold and indifferent sect, we’re the ones that each of us can trust the most. All of us should move forward together.”

Xu Qing nodded.

“I’m in the Black Division.”

“Black Division? That’s the same division as that fierce character. He’s in Black Division Team Six. Brother Xu Qing, which team are you in?” When Zhou Qingpeng heard this, he sobered up a little. Xu Xiaohui at the side was also surprised.

Xu Qing looked at Zhou Qingpeng and Xu Xiaohui, as well as Li Zimei, who was staring at him. He hesitated.

“I’m also in Team Six…”

Zhou Qingpeng’s eyes widened. He was stunned.

A look of disbelief appeared on Xu Xiaohui’s face as she asked in surprise.

“He’s in the same division and team as that fierce character? I think I heard that that fierce character’s surname is also Xu…”

Before she could even finish speaking, no matter how slow Xu Xiaohui’s reactions were, she still thought of something and was instantly struck dumb.

“It seems that each team only has about 20 people…” Zhou Qingpeng said in a low voice. At this moment, he was completely sober.

Li Zimei’s gaze as she looked at Xu Qing was filled with shock and realization. In fact, when she had seen Xu Qing earlier, she keenly sensed that there was a smell of blood on him that still hadn’t dissipated.

The surrounding atmosphere instantly fell silent. After a long while, Zhou Qingpeng laughed and cupped his fists toward Xu Qing to hide the horror in his heart.

As for Xu Xiaohui, she had a dazed look on her face. She looked at Xu Qing as if wanting to say something, but she didn’t open her mouth in the end.

Soon, everyone left in a hurry, each lost in thought.

Once Zhou Qingpeng left, his body suddenly jolted. The disbelief in his eyes gave way to anticipation, and he immediately took out his identity token to ask around. He wanted to know how many people in the Black Division’s Team Six were surnamed Xu…

Xu Qing glanced at the departing figures of his fellow disciples from the same batch and turned around to disappear into the night. However, after taking a few steps, he seemed to have noticed something and turned back to look at the restaurant.

There was a small and skinny figure at the entrance of the restaurant. She seemed to be discussing something with the a staff member who looked a little impatient.

“No matter what, you’re still a disciple of the sect. Don’t make things difficult for me. The food you guys were eating earlier has already been collected. If you wanted to pack up the leftovers, you should have said so earlier.”

This small and skinny figure was none other than Li Zimei. She had returned after leaving, and her expression was somewhat bitter as she listened to the staff member’s words.

When Xu Qing saw this scene, he fell silent before walking over. As he approached, Li Zimei immediately detected it and turned her head to look at him. Her face instantly flushed red before turning pale. An overwhelming feeling of self-consciousness made her body tremble faintly as she stood there.

“It shouldn’t have been collected so quickly, right?” Xu Qing walked over and looked at the staff member as he spoke calmly.

The staff member glanced at Xu Qing. He had seen many sect disciples in this restaurant before and intuitively felt that this fellow wasn’t someone to be trifled with. Thus, his attitude become more respectful.

“It shouldn’t have been collected yet.” With that, the staff member hurriedly entered the restaurant. Soon, he exited again with a packed box in his hand which he then passed to Li Zimei.

Li Zimei expressed her gratitude in a quiet voice and stood there in a reserved manner. The reason why she had first left before coming back was because she didn’t want the others to see her. Now, she bit her lip so hard that it seemed like she was about to bleed.

“It’s fine. Food shouldn’t be wasted. When I was young, I ate other people’s leftovers very often. Sometimes, I even had to fight with other people to snatch those leftovers.” Xu Qing spoke calmly.

Li Zimei lifted her head and looked at Xu Qing. She opened her mouth to speak, but in the end, she couldn’t utter a word. Under the light of the moon, a gust of wind blew and lifted Li Zimei’s hair, revealing a deep scar on her neck that was usually covered up.

Looking at Li Zimei, Xu Qing suddenly thought of the little girl from the scavenger camp. He also sensed the dense heterogeneity on Li Zimei’s body.

Although the disciples without a magic boat could be said to have low incomes, that was only compared to those with magic boats.

If you compared them with ordinary civilians, their incomes were still very high. Thus, Li Zimei normally shouldn’t be in such a state. The only reason for this sort of thing to happen was that she was using all her income to exchange for contribution points so that she could buy a magic boat and was thus extremely frugal with every scrap of money.

Xu Qing fell silent for a moment before taking out a few White Pills that he’d refined and placing them in Li Zimei’s hands.

“Good luck. I hope to see the day you purchase a magic boat.”

With that, Xu Qing turned and left.

Everyone had their own way of life. He couldn’t help too much, and everything would be up to her in the end.

Li Zimei stared blankly at Xu Qing’s receding back. After a long time, she lowered her head to look at the White Pills in her hand, and an indescribable warmth emerged from the depths of her heart. In this cold world, in this cruel sect, this was the first time that such warmth had appeared.

She fell silent for a long time. When she lifted her head again, her eyes contained deep gratitude.

She was grateful for the White Pills he had given her, but she was even more grateful for his words of encouragement.

Her pride made her need no sympathy and reject any pity, but she still needed this sort of encouragement.

“Thank you. I will definitely buy a magic boat!”

[1] The “Earth” here is not the same as the one from the Homicide Department’s Earth Division, 地 (di). Instead, it’s 坤 (kun), which is the eighth of the Eight Trigrams.

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