Chapter 4: The Last Qiao Family Member
"He's finally dead."
Qiao Mu looked at the body at his feet and let out a sigh of relief.
Going back and forth dying several times, Butcher Zheng was finally worn out.
Repeatedly dying and resurrecting in front of Butcher Zheng, this was no longer something that could be dismissed as "twins."
When Qiao Mu resurrected and reappeared for the fourth time, Butcher Zheng collapsed on the spot.
Of course, anyone who encountered an enemy that couldn't be killed would question their existence.
"Luckily it's me who cheated."
Qiao Mu felt a stir in his heart, and a semi-transparent dialogue box appeared before his eyes.
This Death Assessment: D (courageousness)
Lifespan consumed by death: 0.5 years
Remaining resurrection count for this week: 0/5
Current age: 20
Skill: Long Life Fist (Proficient)
"Only the first death in the first vegetable market and the on who caught the blade for the first time achieved a Death Assessment of C. In the following resurrections, the Death Assessment has been continuously declining."
"By dying five times, my age has increased by five years, and I have gained five years of experience in diligently practicing Long Life Fist."
Qiao Mu tightened his fist.
The five years of dedicated practice in Long Life Fist flashed through his mind.
After five years of continuous training, his Long Life Fist has gone from beginner stage to the proficient stage.
"The Death Assessment of the previous two times, when I died at the hands of Butcher Zheng, was a C. This shows that Butcher Zheng does match the intelligence and is a thoroughly wicked person."
"I fought and died against such an evil person, which is why the Death Assessment reached a C."
"I wonder if there are any additional effects if the Death Assessment reaches a B or an A?"
Qiao Mu paused and thought carefully, suddenly feeling that something was a little off.
"Why does my system feel like a leaderboard for best deaths? I need to seriously think about how to die in an impressive, innovative, and skilled manner in order to receive higher ratings and effects."
He crouched down and searched on Butcher Zheng's body, finally discovering a piece of paper in Butcher Zheng's palm.
The paper was crumpled and had torn marks on it.
Butcher Zheng once tried to send a message using a carrier pigeon, but Qiao Mu came back to life too quickly and kept interrupting him. He didn't have any chance to release the pigeon.
In the end, the secret message ended up in Qiao Mu's hands.
After a quick look, Qiao Mu immediately revealed a look of sudden realization.
On this trip, he finally found what he was looking for.
This Butcher Zheng not only recognized his Long Life Fist, but also, before running away, made a special trip to this dilapidated temple in the deep mountains, attempting to spread the message through carrier pigeons.
"The power behind this Butcher Zheng must be the archenemy of Heyang City's Qiao Family."
Other than this letter, Butcher Zheng had another secret message on him. However, the words on this second secret message were like tadpoles, completely incomprehensible to Qiao Mu.
"Could it be some sort of secret code? If that's the case, this secret code message must be very important if even Butcher Zheng doesn't know its content."
Qiao Mu carefully collected two letters, efficiently managed his own bodies, and then walked away quickly.
………………….
Yan City, outer city district.
Qiao Mu, wearing a straw hat, strolled along the long street of the outer city district paved with blue stone slabs, brushing shoulders with the pedestrians.
There weren't many pedestrians on the long street, and most of them looked tired and walked with their heads down, as if they had worries on their faces.
Compared to the bustling city of River Sun where Butcher Zheng lived, Yan City was actually quite desolate.
Qiao Mu walked into a noodle shop by the street, chose an empty table in a corner, and ordered two bowls of longevity noodles.
Soon, there were footsteps and the sound of a cane behind him, "tap-tap."
A blind girl walked into the noodle shop, holding a cane and closing her eyes.
This blind girl was probably in her early twenties, with beautiful features, long black hair flowing down like a waterfall. Her graceful figure couldn't be hidden even in her coarse clothes, she looked like a character from a painting.
As soon as she walked in, the many customers in the noodle shop couldn't help but lift their heads and their gazes followed her every move.
She often looked away when she saw the blind cane in her hand and the always closed eyes, then sighed and patted her thigh.
Such a pretty girl, too bad she's blind.
The blind girl didn't seem to notice the hustle and bustle inside the noodle shop. She walked confidently to an empty table in the corner and sat down right next to Qiao Mu on the long bench.
She picked up the bowl of longevity noodles on the table and took a bite, asking:
"Why did you order these longevity noodles?"
Qiao Mu replied, "Today is my 20th birthday."
"Your 20th birthday? But I remember you were still quite young…" The blind girl paused for a moment, then said:
"Then I'm 21."
Qiao Mu sneered in his heart, what's the point of comparing ages with him?
Today is his 20th birthday, tomorrow he can celebrate his 30th birthday.
As long as he is willing, not to mention having this little girl call him grandfather, he can even argue with primitive humans through tens of thousands of deaths.
When he was lost in thought, the blind girl furrowed her eyebrows little by little.
"Your voice… doesn't sound right? You're not Qiao Mu?"
Qiao Mu was slightly stunned.
In order to kill Butcher Zheng, he died multiple times, and his physical age jumped from 15 to 20 in an instant. His voice had indeed matured quite a bit.
He was about to come up with an excuse when he saw the blind girl tilt her head slightly, bring her nose close to his chest, and sniff it carefully. The cautious look on her face immediately relaxed.
"It is really you… but why has your voice changed?"
Perhaps due to her blindness, Qiao Canxue's other senses are much more sensitive than ordinary people.
"During the period of voice cracking, you know, all men go through this, it's very reasonable," Qiao Mu casually brushed it off.
"Why did you come back so late this time, and were you going to investigate Butcher Zheng again?" The blind girl's face turned serious.
"I've told you a long time ago, there's no need for you to do it."
Speaking of this, Qiao Canxue's face showed a nostalgic look as she slowly said:
"Since the night that the Qiao family was wiped out half a year ago, my eyes have been restless. It's obviously a sign that the celestial eye is about to open. I am the sole survivor of the Qiao family. The fact that the Martial Saint spared my life is not a coincidence, but rather because I have extraordinary spiritual awareness."
"Why do you need to take action? When my divine eyes open, be it outsiders or Martial Saints, they will all disappear in the blink of an eye!" The blind girl proudly puffed up her chest and said.
Qiao Mu didn't pay attention and continued:
"Can you tell me when you plan to teach me the training methods of the Qiao Family's Long Life Fist in Heyang City?"
The blind girl's name is Qiao Canxue. She is the only orphan of the Qiao Family in Heyang City.
Qiao Mu has no connection to the Qiao Family of Heyang City. He is called Qiao Mu simply because that was his name in his previous life.
"Don't aim too high," Qiao Canxue said seriously. "To develop internal strength, you must first reach the utmost level in 'force training.'"
"The stage of 'force training,' which enhances physical strength and increases internal energy, requires hard work and patience. There are no shortcuts, even with good food, drink, and training under a famous master. It will still take at least five to six years."
As a descendant of the Qiao family, a martial arts clan, Qiao Canxue, although blind, has been exposed to it and has a profound understanding of martial arts theory.
"I feel like I'm almost done with the 'strength training' stage," Qiao Mu stretched his arm, admiring the muscles that had grown an entire circle.
"You're just talking tough," Qiao Canxue didn't believe him at all.
"Come, let me feel your bones and see how much progress you've made."
With that, Qiao Canxue reached out her hand to touch him.
