Bab 39: Auntie, Take Care on Your Way
Editor: Henyee Translations
The middle-aged woman glared at Xu Zhong and scolded him sharply.
"Why are you jumping around like that? Don't you realize how disruptive it is? My son is studying, you know! Can you be a more considerate neighbor?"
This woman lived in the apartment below Xu Zhong's.
At this moment, the auntie noticed the blood on Xu Zhong's face and clothes.
These stains were remnants from the E-rank martial artist he had killed earlier, and he hadn't had a chance to change his clothes yet.
However, in the auntie's eyes, this scene was far from pleasant.
Moreover, Xu Zhong had just finished his vigorous exercise, and his expression might have seemed a bit fierce.
(It's worth noting that some university students participating in a thousand-meter competition wore similarly intense expressions.)
Xu Zhong felt that his actions might have disrupted her son's studies. He felt apologetic and began, "Auntie, I'm sorry. I…"
The middle-aged woman suddenly took a few steps backward, her voice trembling as she stammered, "Um, you don't need to apologize. I was just kidding with you. Go on, continue your… exercise."
She recalled her husband's cautioning words about the presence of martial artists in this world who didn't hesitate to kill. They could dismember you if they disagreed with you.
The auntie forced a smile and continued to retreat, eventually reaching the elevator. Upon realizing it was too slow, she frantically pushed the button, apologizing. She then opted for the emergency exit door, sprinting away.
The speed at which she disappeared from view was no less impressive than an E-rank martial artist.
"Uh, well, this…" Xu Zhong stood there dumbfounded. It finally dawned on him that he still had traces of blood on his body, and it seemed he had frightened the neighbor.
Auntie, take care on your way!
"Sigh. Guess I should avoid practicing jumps indoors. The Primal Chaos Body Formula is more suitable for indoor training."
He closed the door and chuckled to himself. He proceeded to click around on a small website to start his cultivation.
After an hour of intensive exercise, Xu Zhong sensed his vitality had increased again. His physical condition had improved significantly, and his body had expelled many impurities due to the transformation.
However, he knew that his sister might return home today, so he needed to clean up the scene properly to avoid misunderstandings.
Yes, it seemed she had misunderstood.
No, she had misunderstood, but not entirely.
Her assumptions about his new profession were somewhat off the mark.
Or perhaps more than somewhat off the mark…
Just as Xu Zhong prepared to take a shower, he suddenly felt his legs weaken, his body ache, and his head throb with pain.
It was reminiscent of the symptoms of anemia.
In his previous life, Xu Zhong, as an office worker, would occasionally experience similar sensations when he stood up from his computer for extended periods. Following a colleague's advice, he sought medical attention and discovered that these were signs of anemia.
But he had taken the blood-replenishing pill this time, so why was he still anemic?
Xu Zhong suddenly realized that his vitality had increased significantly today. It was possible that one or two blood-replenishing pills weren't sufficient to replenish his energy.
He walked over to the refrigerator and noticed a surplus of ingredients from his previous shopping trip.
However, these ingredients couldn't effectively restore his depleted energy.
After giving it some thought, Xu Zhong decided to go online to investigate the dietary preferences of martial artists.
He couldn't help but be surprised as he read the information.
The most recommended supplements were black chicken with white Phoenix pills, and donkey-hide gelatin.
Didn't women typically consume these black chicken with white phoenix pills and donkey-hide gelatin?
After a moment's consideration, Xu Zhong decided to try it.
He walked downstairs to a nearby pharmacy, hoping to find Chinese medicine to replenish his vitality.
The pharmacy was run by a middle-aged woman who couldn't help but express concern upon seeing Xu Zhong's pallid, tired appearance.
With an understanding smile, she inquired if he had stayed up all night or perhaps watched something he shouldn't have.
Of course, she didn't press for more details.
After purchasing some ginseng and gelatin, known for their vitality-boosting properties, Xu Zhong returned home.
He proceeded to boil water, preparing a sachet of gelatin and brewing a pot of ginseng slices.
These remedies were highly influential for vitality replenishment.
With a single gulp, Xu Zhong ingested the medicine.
The warm elixir had a delightfully sweet flavor and soon permeated his body, dispelling his anemia.
While consuming the medicinal concoctions, Xu Zhong pondered, "In the future, I must learn to act within my capabilities, especially when practicing the Primal Chaos Body Formula. I worry it might backfire on me one day."
After regaining strength, Xu Zhong returned to his room.
He tidied up the aftermath of the earlier skirmish, disposing of the used tissues in the trash bin. He entered the bathroom, locked the door, and resumed his shower.
…
Approximately ten minutes later, he heard a woman's melodious voice.
"Eh, where is he? Where is he?"
At that moment, the front door opened.
The familiar way the door swung open and the recognizable voice left no room for doubt.
It was his sister, Xu Yun'er.
Xu Zhong intended to conclude his shower and check on her quickly. However, just as he was about to do so, he heard Xu Yun'er's voice raise in exclamation.
"Xu Zhong, you heartless! I came all this way to see you, but where are you? Did you lie to me? What police station? I thought something terrible had happened to you."
Her tone sounded like she was scolding him and harboring a sense of complaint.
It was almost as if she were saying:
"I came here to find you, and you disappeared on me?"
However, Xu Zhong was equally baffled. Did she think he was joking with her?
She was already working as a Nighthawk. She could have just acquired directly about if what he said was true.
"Why are you shouting? I'm taking a shower…" Xu Zhong responded.
Xu Yun'er walked over to the bathroom door and exclaimed with irritation, "Xu Zhong, why are you taking a shower all the time? Are you secretly up to something naughty again?"
Xu Zhong chuckled and replied, "Taking a bath will make my skin smooth and glossy. It'll make me irresistible to girls."
"Ugh, shameless! Come out if you have the guts, and let's settle this one-on-one!"
Another one-on-one challenge?
Was she having fun torturing him?
Whether she believed it or not, he would threaten her with a big stick or even impale her with a giant sword!
"Fine, if that's what you want. Do you think I'm scared of you?" Xu Zhong accepted the challenge, eager to gauge his current combat abilities.
Facing a peak D-rank martial artist, he no longer worried about accidentally hurting his sister.
Though victory might be elusive, he wouldn't suffer as terribly as he did two days prior.
After a while, Xu Zhong pushed open the door and, with his hair still damp, said irritably, "Sister, you're at the age for marriage now. You might scare off potential suitors by always shouting and bickering like this!"
Xu Yun'er glanced at Xu Zhong, hands on her hips, and snorted. "If I can't find a husband, so be it! I've looked after you for so long. If you want to repay me in the future, why not consider being my caregiver, dear little brother? Gratitude and responsibility, you should know!"
-- Hadiah diterima