Start with everyday skills and grind your way to immortality.

Chapter 90 Departure

After successfully infiltrating the city, Chen Qian did not linger at all.

They deliberately chose secluded alleyways where no one was around, and sneaked back to that familiar, dilapidated courtyard.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, the familiar creaking sound was still there, but instead of the warm smell of my sister-in-law cooking, a cold and desolate feeling greeted me.

The courtyard was quiet, and the shadow of the old locust tree stretched obliquely on the ground, appearing particularly lonely.

Chen Qian pushed open the door to the main room.

The interior was still neatly furnished, with the tables, chairs and benches in their original places, and even the teapot on the table was still there.

But it also accumulates a thin layer of dust.

"They're gone—they're all gone."

Looking at the empty room, Chen Qian felt a sense of relief.

Weiyuan Escort Agency has an excellent reputation. Since there were no signs of fighting or looting in the house, it means that the elder brother, sister-in-law, and Xiaoyu left calmly and safely.

As long as I get out of this murky water, even if life is tough, it's better than losing my life.

He stopped feeling sad, quickly went to the bedroom, pried open a floor tile at the foot of the bed, and then climbed up the roof beam and groped around for a while.

Before long, he tucked a thick stack of silver notes and a few ingots of silver into his pocket.

Then he drew a bucket of well water and thoroughly rinsed himself from head to toe.

The cool well water washed over my skin, carrying away the stench and blood of the underground tomb, as well as my exhaustion.

She changed into a clean blue long gown and tied her hair up in a bun.

Looking at the scholar with delicate features and deep, cold eyes reflected in the water, Chen Qian felt as if he had been transported to another world.

That sickly boy, who was worried about a few coins, eventually died that night.

"It's time to go."

Chen Qian took one last look at the small courtyard where he had lived for so long, then turned to leave.

However, just as he turned around, his auditory perception stirred slightly.

Someone is behind me.

There was no murderous intent, only the sound of light and hesitant footsteps.

Chen Qian suddenly turned around.

At the entrance of the courtyard, a small, thin figure stood timidly, carrying a bamboo basket in her hand.

"Aqing?"

Chen Qian loosened his grip slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

The girl was dressed in a faded coarse cloth dress, and her hair was tied up with a wooden hairpin.

She looked even thinner than she had a few days ago, with sunken eyes and an indescribable haggardness.

Upon seeing Chen Qian, her previously dim eyes suddenly lit up with joy, and she exclaimed, "Brother Chen! Is it really you who's back?"

She walked in quickly, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes: "A couple of days ago I saw the escort agency's car take your family away, I thought—I thought you had all moved away. Just now, I heard the sound of water in the yard as I passed by, so I wondered if a thief had broken in, but I never expected—"

"I came back to get something."

Chen Qian looked at the lonely and pitiful girl in front of him and sighed inwardly.

Since Zhang the butcher and her mother died, this girl has been completely homeless.

"And you? What are your plans for the future?" Chen Qian asked casually.

The light in Aqing's eyes dimmed instantly.

She lowered her head, looking at her toes, her voice barely audible: "I don't really have any plans—those distant relatives came, saying they'd help with the funeral arrangements, but actually they wanted to divide up the house and all the money we had. They think I'm bad luck, and I can't stay here any longer."

Aqing then gave a bitter smile: "I'm going back to my old home in the countryside. There are two dilapidated thatched houses there. I can grow some land and make a living."

Chen Qian nodded upon hearing this.

In this world, relatives are often wolves that devour people. For an orphan girl to guard her family's property is like carrying gold bricks through a bustling city. To be able to leave unscathed is already a stroke of good fortune amidst misfortune.

and----

The fact that Zhao Feng and Wang Tong died in the tomb will inevitably cause a stir sooner or later.

When that time comes, Linjiang County will definitely undergo a major purge, and as a key figure, I will certainly be thoroughly investigated.

If Aqing stays here, and someone finds out that she and I had some connection, she might suffer an undeserved disaster.

"Good riddance."

Chen Qian said in a deep voice, "Leave Linjiang, the farther the better."

"Mmm." Aqing nodded obediently, giving Chen Qian a deep look. "Brother Chen, are you leaving too?"

"Yes, the journey through the martial world is long and arduous."

Chen Qian smiled and walked outside.

The two walked side by side to the alley entrance.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the old locust tree.

Chen Qian suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Looking at the old locust tree, a strange impulse suddenly welled up in his heart.

Perhaps it was a casual thought before an upcoming journey, or perhaps it was an attempt to test something.

He turned to Ah Qing and pointed to the treetop: "Ah Qing, how about we make a bet?"

"Huh?" Aqing was taken aback.

"Guess how many leaves will fall from this tree in the next ten breaths?"

As Chen Qian spoke, his left hand rapidly made calculations in his sleeve.

Using the Five Elements to generate a hexagram.

For such minute things that are so close at hand, his Five Elements divination has never been wrong, with an accuracy rate of 100%.

At this moment, the wind and water are calm, and the old locust tree is as steady as Mount Tai, not a single leaf will fall.

Aqing blinked, puzzled as to why Chen Qian suddenly had this interest, but she still looked at the tree carefully and casually said, "Three leaves?"

"Three pieces of gold—" Chen Qian was about to shake his head and leave.

However, just as the words "three pieces" were uttered...

"call"

A gentle breeze suddenly swept across the flat ground.

The wind was light, but it just happened to stir a few withered leaves on the branches that were about to fall.

"Shh, shh, shh."

Three withered yellow locust leaves twirled and floated lightly to the ground under the watchful eyes of the two people.

Exactly three pieces, no more, no less.

Chen Qian's expression froze.

He looked at the three fallen leaves on the ground, then at Aqing, who looked completely innocent, and his pupils contracted slightly.

His divination result indicated that no leaves would fall.

Aqing said it was "three".

As it turned out, fate smiled upon her.

He gave a wry smile and shook his head: "It seems that my half-baked skills are no match for your casual remark."

Perhaps this is truly the will of Heaven.

In fact, his initial plan was simply to give her the "Medicinal Herbs" section of his alchemy manual.

For a lonely and helpless country girl, knowing how to identify and collect medicinal herbs would be enough to earn a living and give her a chance to find a peaceful corner in this chaotic world.

But at the moment.

A sense of absurdity and awe suddenly welled up in Chen Qian's heart.

My sudden idea to "make a bet," that so-called "spur-of-the-moment" impulse.

Now that I think about it carefully—could it not have been his original intention at all?

"Fine."

The last trace of hesitation in Chen Qian's heart vanished, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips.

"Since fate has already granted you this opportunity, why should I be stingy with it and play the villain for God?"

Chen Qian was silent for a moment, then reached into his robe and pulled out the "Qingwu Miscellaneous Notes" that he had bought at a high price in the Ghost Market.

He already knew the contents of this book by heart.

However, the book itself records the basic principles of the alchemist lineage.

For ordinary people, this is undoubtedly a real treasure.

"Take it."

Chen Qian handed the note to A Qing.

"Brother Chen, this is—" Aqing was a little flustered and didn't dare to take it.

"It's just a book; it contains some methods."

Without a word, Chen Qian stuffed the book into her bamboo basket, his tone solemn: "This world is chaotic, and life is hard for women. When you get back, you must work hard, and perhaps you can live a better life in the countryside and not be bullied."

"This is your prize."

Ah Qing held the book, her eyes instantly reddening.

Although she didn't know many words, she could feel the weight of those words.

"Thank you—thank you, Brother Chen—"

"No need to thank me, thank God instead."

Chen Qian waved his hand and didn't linger.

"I hope you achieve great things. If fate allows, we'll meet again in the martial world."

Having said that, he turned and strode towards the city gate.

Aqing stood in front of the door, holding a book.

I watched that figure walk further and further away until it disappeared.