Even in Blue Star, practicing martial arts was a bitter and tiring affair.
Lu Li, filled with immense passion, sweated profusely as he trained throughout the day.
The next day, the soreness in his body was indescribable—moving a single finger would leave him in pain for a long time, and he nearly couldn't get out of bed.
Yet, contrary to that, his spirit was exceptionally rejuvenated.
It was only 5 in the morning, yet Lu Li was wide awake, his mind extremely active.
He closed his eyes to visualize the "Serenity Meditation Diagram," and within a minute, he succeeded, and he could barely keep the image stable within his Sea of Consciousness.
It was clear his spirit had grown stronger.
Lu Li couldn't help but feel deeply moved, "If only martial arts cultivation was as simple as this."
Unlike the exhausting training of martial arts, Refining God only required lighting an incense and channeling one's spirit into the magic treasure by inhaling the fragrance.
The difficulty of the two was truly worlds apart.
Lu Li endured the pain and stood up, his posture awkward as he walked out the door.
By then, the courtyard was bathed in bright sunshine, and birds chirped merrily.
Xiao Cha was already practicing her fist technique.
Today's movements were different from usual, large and wide, and her two pink arms whipped out continuously, creating a sequence of cracking sounds.
Sometimes when she moved broadly, a glimpse of her fair, rosy waist would show, revealing the seductive lines of her toned midriff.
Seeing Lu Li coming, Xiao Cha flashed her small white teeth and said,
"Wow, you actually came. I thought you wouldn't last!"
"How could I let down Master Xiao Cha's teaching?"
Smiling, Lu Li replied and started practicing with his arms circled, setting his stance.
...
"Lu Li, which country did you come back from?"
"Moxico."
"Oh, I've heard of it; it's a country on the America Continent. Why did you come back?"
"To travel."
...
During their rest, the two would chat.
Lu Li increasingly felt that the two worlds were extremely similar, with identical countries.
After several rounds of practice, Lu Li was about to ask why he hadn't seen Wanqing.
As if by telepathy, the next second, Wanqing appeared at the entrance of the medical hall, holding a bag of herbs.
She was followed by about ten children, also carrying large and small bags of herbs.
Lu Li curiously asked, "What's this all about?"
Xiao Cha answered, "Wanqing took on a job processing herbs. She thought it'd be good to include Tong Shao and the others, teaching them a skill to earn their keep."
Tong Shao was the beggar they had encountered on the street earlier.
The thin and pale children, under Wanqing's guidance, selected the herbs, each studying seriously.
However, the sun was really harsh, making Wanqing's face turn red and sweaty, the sweat glistening as it slid down her smooth neck.
Not wanting to see the girl suffer, Lu Li frowned and said, "Why take on such a task in this scorching heat?"
Scratching her head, Xiao Cha explained, "Wanqing also wants to earn more money... It's not good to always depend on you."
"Ah, there's no need to be so formal."
Lu Li instantly understood the situation and walked over to where Wanqing was.
The children, seeing him approach, showed none of the innocence they should have, instead lowering their heads in fear.
Only the little girl known as "Tong Shao," with her hair tied in a ponytail, boldly sized him up.
Lu Li smiled warmly, then said,
"Sister Wanqing, I have some spare wealth, enough for cultivation. Don't overwork yourself."
Wanqing, having tucked her sweaty strands of hair behind her ear, softly said,
"I already owe Young Master Lu a lot, let me help as much as I can."
Lu Li couldn't disregard the girl's good intentions and instead persuaded,
"Then focus more on your cultivation. There are some things I still need to consult you about."
"Mm, I understand." Wanqing smiled and nodded.
Lu Li nodded and turned to leave, continuing his martial arts practice.
He had just left, when Tong Shao started chattering:
"Sister Wanqing, who is that? Is he your sweetheart? He's really handsome and seems very fond of you..."
Wanqing rubbed her little head and just smiled without saying anything.
Afterwards, Tong Shao's big round eyes kept stealing glances at Lu Li.
When it was time for a break, she eagerly brought over a can of water.
"Thank you."
Lu Li politely expressed his thanks, then took it and drank.
Seeing how gentle he was, Tong Shao blinked her innocent eyes and blurted out nonstop:
"My name's Tong Shao~ What's yours~ You're so fair~ Are you a young master from a wealthy family?"
"My name is Lu Li, just an ordinary person."
The little girl was lively and cute, and Lu Li was about to reach out to pinch her pigtail...
But she was very vigilant and ran off covering her braid with her hand.
Xiao Cha laughed from the side: "This little lass slips away like a slippery monkey, and she talks fast too. She seems to really like you."
Lu Li flashed a faint smile, suddenly feeling that life in the Otherworld was actually quite nice.
But just then, two burly men suddenly entered through the clinic's main door.
Both were dressed in tight clothing, faces covered with stubble, strong and brawny, but their expressions were unexpectedly sinister, staring at people like hungry wolves.
As soon as the children saw them, they immediately showed expressions of fear, even the lively Tong Shao curled up into a ball.
Xiao Cha immediately sprang forward, pointing at their noses and scolded:
"Wang Wen! Wang Wu! You two human traffickers dare to come here, looking for death?"
~~~~~~~~~~
Human trafficker is another term for human trafficker.
These two brothers, eyeing a group of children and Wanqing, showed a thick look of greed!
Their demeanor was no different from the Black Gang in Moxico, as if all the world's bullies had the same disgusting faces.
Lu Li silently stood by Xiao Cha.
At that moment, Wang Wen said with a faux smile:
"Officer Luo Xunbu, cool down, you still aren't in the Refining Realm, and murder demands life~"
"I'd rather break with you beast! It would spare the children from your harm!"
Xiao Cha's pretty face turned icy cold, her hand moved to her waist and suddenly drew out a nine-section whip!
With a flick of her arm, the whip turned into a silver dragon and burst out with a loud "snap"!
Wang Wen's face changed slightly, showing a hint of fear, but he quickly composed himself and arrogantly said:
"Just so Officer Luo knows, we're here on behalf of 'Yahang' for legitimate business!"
Wang Wen took out a document from his chest and continued, "The gear factory is hiring child workers, any beggars here want to go?"
Occasionally, human traffickers would do something akin to labor dispatch.
Xiao Cha coldly took the paper and glanced at it, and indeed it was a recruitment advertisement asking for child workers, no pay, but food and accommodation provided.
In these times, employing child labor was very common, some as young as five or six years entering factories.
But Xiao Cha didn't trust the people before her.
She crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it in Wang Wen's face, sneering:
"Those who want to go, I'll let them apply at the match factory themselves, you can leave now."
Seeing Xiao Cha touched and looked at the paper, the two brothers facially displayed a barely noticeable joy.
Wang Wen even feigned indignation, "Officer Luo, that's not very honorable..."
"Not honorable? Still better than ending up in the Bitter Cave Brothel because of you." Xiao Cha coolly said:
"Do so many immoral things, be careful one day your ancestral grave gets dug up."
Upon hearing this, Wang Wu, who had been silent the whole time, his face showed a fierce look, and his hand reached towards his waist.
Wang Wen quickly held back his brother, mockingly said: "Fine, Officer Luo is busy, we'll meet again some other time."
The two turned and left, but just before leaving, Wang Wu fixed his gaze on Wanqing for quite a while.
After the two human traffickers left, many children showed restless expressions:
"I can have full meals if I work at the gear factory!"
Tong Shao blurted out, "Forget it, I've heard the machines there eat people~"
A child echoed the sentiment, "My cousin went there, and he lost a hand!"
...
A group of children chatted spiritedly while three adults gathered to discuss.
Lu Li asked, "Who were those two men?"
Xiao Cha said coldly, "Those two beasts are 'official intermediaries,' appointed brokers by the government, with Martial Arts Cultivation at the Bone Forger Realm."
To be in that trade, they definitely have a protector backing them, as well as martial arts skills, which made them quite difficult to deal with.
Wanqing spoke with a sense of superiority, "It's obvious that the brokers are targeting these children, what should we do..."
"Don't worry, I will ensure the children are safe!" Xiao Cha flicked her Nine-section Whip, confident as she spoke,
"Those two are no match for me, they wouldn't dare cause any trouble!"
The Nine-section Whip was the source of Xiao Cha's confidence.
The whip, a formidable and concealable weapon, caught Lu Li's intrigued look.
Xiao Cha noticed his interest, but since the whip techniques were family secrets, they were not to be taught to outsiders.
Pretending not to see his interest, she continued, "I'm about to advance to the Refining Internal Organs stage! Then I will definitely kill those two beasts!"
Hearing this, Tong Shao yelled from a distance, "A refining organs martial artist killing is not illegal, but there's a fine, and you don't have any money~"
"Hey, you little brat~"
Xiao Cha cursed playfully, yet suddenly felt dizzy.
Strong people often overestimate their physical condition, she shook her head slightly but paid it no more attention.
Little did she know, the Wang brothers had not gone far after leaving the clinic.
At that moment, Wang Wu asked eagerly, "Brother, did it work?"
"It worked! That little bitch is clueless~"
Wang Wen unfolded the recruitment flyer, and an ominous red "Nightmare" character appeared on the back of the paper!
He expressed a pained look, "The Jiushan Sect's 'Nightmare Curse,' it cost 100 silver coins!"
Wang Wu was ecstatic, "That bitch has been a thorn on this street for years, ruining so many of our plans! I must kill her!"
~~~~~~~~~~~
On the clinic's side,
By evening, Wanqing was busy distributing food to the children, who then left one by one.
Only Tong Shao stayed to help until he was the last to leave.
The courtyard turned quiet until suddenly, Tong Shao's alarmed shout broke the silence:
"Sister Xiao Cha, what's wrong with you! Someone come quickly!"
Lu Li, resting in his room, was the first to rush over.
He found Xiao Cha collapsed on the ground, motionless, yet her eyes were frantically moving?
Soon, Wanqing came and quickly checked Xiao Cha's pulse.
Her face was puzzled; Xiao Cha seemed normal, but strangely, only her eyes could move.
After a moment's thought, Wanqing suddenly pinched Xiao Cha's "Among the People" acupoint.
Under the intense stimulation, Xiao Cha finally spoke, "I'm cursed..."
She only managed a few words before losing her ability to speak again.
The so-called "Nightmare" is akin to sleep paralysis, where one is awake but cannot move.
Tong Shao exclaimed, "Someone is using evil magic to harm people!"
Wanqing's expression turned stern, knowing without a doubt who was responsible.
She quickly instructed, "Tong Shao, you must hurry to the neighbors and ask for help! Be quick!"
Realizing the severity, Tong Shao darted off like a frightened rabbit.
Lu Li lifted Xiao Cha in a princess carry and gently placed her on the bed in the east wing.
Then he swiftly returned to his own room in the west wing, fetched his backpack with a handgun, and pulled out an M1911.
This pistol, nearly a century old and tested in many large-scale wars, was a classic deadly weapon.
Lu Li pulled back the slide, removed the magazine, thoroughly inspected it, and then holstered the gun at his waist.
Just as he finished, he heard Tong Shao running back, sobbing.
"Waaah, they won't come! They say they are honest peasants and don't want to get involved with unlawful matters!"
Upon hearing this, Wanqing's face turned pale.
The neighbors had received many benefits from the clinic, but when it mattered most, not one came to help!
Just then, someone forcefully kicked open the main door of the clinic.
Wang Wen and Wang Wu, two brothers, came over with no intention of giving their prey even a moment to catch their breath!
~~~~~~~~
Two human traffickers swaggered into the central courtyard.
Wang Wu lewdly said, "Is Doctor Mo here? Come out and treat me~"
Xiao Cha was incredibly anxious, her eyes wide with urgency.
This curse from the Wang brothers indicated that their scheme involved more than just a few beggars.
Despite her effort, she couldn't utter a word.
Wanqing gently touched her face, took a deep breath, calmed herself, and stepped outside as she coldly said,
"What do you think you're doing! Attacking a government officer, breaking and entering, these are crimes punishable by death by dismemberment!"
Wang Wen, with a mocking smile, said, "Doctor Mo, rest assured, since we brothers dared to come, we've obviously covered our tracks."
Wang Wu's eyes bulged like copper bells as he forcefully swallowed,
"Brother, look at this girl, her curves, how can she be so beautiful! I can't take it anymore!"
He then started unbuckling his belt, his intentions clear without words.
Wang Wen kicked his brother,
"Damn it, she's a 'Shui'er Mei,' worth at least 1000 silver coins! If even a single hair is missing, I'll castrate you!"
Wanqing clenched her fists until they turned pale, her voice trembling, "I'll go with you, just let Xiao Cha go."
Wang Wen, with a face full of mockery, said, "Doctor Mo must be joking, you should know we absolutely despise that bitch."
Wang Wu lewdly said, "I'll go find that bitch. If Shui'er Mei isn't an option, a female patrol officer would be just as good~"
He then headed towards the back house.
But just then, Lu Li came out from the west wing, slowly approaching this way.
Wang Wen spotted him and snorted, "It's that cripple. Doctor Mo, is this your lover?"
Wanqing quickly said, "It has nothing to do with Young Master Lu...Young Master Lu, please leave quickly..."
Wang Wu pulled out a Cow Ear Knife, "Let's kill him, to avoid any trouble."
Wanqing's eyes showed utter despair!
Early-stage Refining God Cultivators lacked means of self-defense, and this gentleman being disabled, he surely wasn't a match for two Bone Forgers.
Xiao Cha thought the same.
She gritted her teeth with veins bulging on her forehead and neck, yet she couldn't move an inch.
But at that moment, suddenly, screams from the Wang brothers were heard, followed by loud explosions!
"Firearms!?"
~~~~~~~~
Lu Li wasn't a sharpshooter, and his gun skills were quite basic; his previous accuracy was due to the close proximity of everyone.
He had to get as close to the target as possible.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly, and he managed to enter the optimal combat range of 15 meters.
And Wang Wu, holding a Cow Ear Knife, charged at him.
A Bone Forger's explosive power was comparable to a sprinter, their movements incredibly swift, beyond the reaction time of any ordinary person.
But Lu Li entered a state of Concentration, and everything in his sight slowed down to 0.7 times the speed, clearly capturing the trajectory of his target.
He swiftly pulled out an M1911 from his waist and, without a second word, fired three shots at the shocked faces of the Wang brothers!
From a distance of 10 meters, at a rapidly moving target, Lu Li aimed for the easier-to-hit torso area.
Wang Wu's chest and abdomen burst open with three bloody holes, and he fell to the ground convulsing, a look of despair on his face as he gasped his last breath.
"Brother!!"
Wang Wen, his eyes filled with fury, screamed madly like a wild boar charging forward with the knife in hand!
Lu Li turned the gun barrel and pulled the trigger, the bullet whistled out amid the roaring noise.
Yet, with adrenaline surging in Wang Wen, numbing his pain and pushing his body to its limits,
he amazingly continued to charge forward even after taking two bullets, his knife dangerously nearing!
Lu Li continued firing, emptying the last two bullets in the gun into the target's shoulder and abdomen.
The M1911's .45acp bullet, with a round and blunt heavy head, released tremendous kinetic energy, offering a high lethality rate.
Even with Wang Wen's Olympic-level physical quality, after the fourth shot, he lost his ability to move.
His steps faltered, and with momentum, he stumbled forward.
Lu Li simply stepped slightly to the side, causing him to fall to the ground.
Wang Wen's body soon formed a small pool of blood, and after a couple of "gurgle" sounds, he was motionless.
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