The "BANG" from earlier came from the firework Jiang Che had set off when he threw the lime.

He had dared to tangle with the flower thief for two reasons. First, his opponent was poisoned, and his strength would slowly wane over time.

Second, he was waiting for backup.

The only thing he hadn’t anticipated was that this flower thief actually possessed a Secret Technique allowing for a temporary breakthrough.

Fortunately, he had always been cautious. He was wearing his Nail Spike Leather Armor and had his Iron Body Skills as a foundation, so he hadn’t been seriously injured.

Liu Hai nodded and, without another word, gave chase.

Jiang Che hurried after him.

Young Master Zhang had used a Secret Technique to temporarily break through to the Iron Skin Realm, and his stamina was now clearly failing.

Combined with the Paralyzing Poison he’d been hit with earlier, his speed dropped drastically. It wasn’t long before Liu Hai caught up to him.

Knowing he was no match, he stopped resisting and surrendered without a fight.

Chief Liu snorted coldly and tied him up with a rope.

Just then, Jiang Che arrived and explained what had happened.

Remembering that Miss Shao was still in the bushes,

the two men marched the flower thief over. Sure enough, they found Miss Shao sitting on the ground.

She was slowly recovering, but she still lacked the strength to stand.

After confirming the details, Liu Hai verified that Jiang Che’s account was accurate and breathed a sigh of relief.

The Shao Family was one of the Five Great Noble Families. If this flower thief had succeeded today, his career as Chief Constable would be over!

Even his direct superior, the County Captain, would have been demoted!

One had to understand that the Five Great Noble Families held their exalted status because every single one of them had powerful backers in high places!

In the eyes of the Noble Families, local officials like them were practically no different from commoners.

At this thought, Liu Hai looked at Jiang Che with a complex expression.

This young man had single-handedly saved everyone in the Government Office, from the highest-ranking to the lowest!

He clapped Jiang Che on the shoulder and said with feeling,

"Little Brother Jiang, I never imagined you could hold your own against a Stone Skin Realm criminal like that! A true young hero. I’m impressed!"

Liu Hai’s expression was earnest, his tone filled with sincerity.

He had initially looked down on Jiang Che because of his weak Qi Blood.

He never expected Jiang Che could actually hold off someone so much stronger than himself!

Looking at the man’s palm, he could even see that Jiang Che had managed to wound him!

Someone at the Early-stage of the Bull Skin Realm tangling with an opponent at the Mid-stage of the Stone Skin Realm!

The man had even used a Secret Technique at one point to break through to the Pseudo Iron Skin Realm!

It was simply astounding. He had no idea how Jiang Che had managed it!

But everyone had their secrets, and Liu Hai knew better than to ask.

Regardless, the young man had incredible potential and was worth keeping an eye on!

"You’re too kind! If Chief Liu hadn’t arrived when he did, I might have been killed on the spot!" Jiang Che said, a wave of lingering fear washing over him.

’I was too impulsive,’ he thought. ’I got cocky!’

’Just because I have trump cards like Heart Stream and Omen, I went and did something so risky.’

’I can’t ever be this reckless again!’

’Besides, I’ve realized my own strength is still far too lacking.’

’To think some random flower thief could be this strong.’

’I’ve really underestimated the Martial Artists of this world.’

He made a silent vow. ’I’m not taking any more missions until I reach the Stone Skin Realm.’

After all, in his previous life, he was the type of gamer who would farm resources until he was the strongest player on the map before emerging to dominate the field.

"Oh, right, Chief Liu," Jiang Che added. "Um... could you help me keep my true strength under wraps?"

He had revealed too many of his trump cards this time for the sake of a Qi Replenishing Pill.

And Jiang Che would be hard-pressed to explain the origins of his Talent from the system panel or his Qinggong.

Especially after receiving the Qi Replenishing Pill, he would surely become a target of jealousy.

If someone started targeting him because of it, he would be in great danger.

Having lived two lives, Jiang Che understood the saying: the tree that stands tallest in the forest is the first to be brought down by the wind.

It was best to keep a low profile until he was powerful enough to stand on his own.

That way, if he did encounter an enemy, they would likely fail from underestimating him.

His life was far more important than superficial fame!

Liu Hai gave Jiang Che a long, deep look, then nodded.

"Don’t worry, Little Brother Jiang. I know how to handle this."

He was already shocked by Jiang Che’s potential, but seeing him remain so humble and composed made him even more pleased.

Just then, Miss Shao, having finally recovered most of her strength, managed to stand up.

Despite the terrible ordeal, she quickly regained her usual graceful composure.

"Young Master Jiang, thank you for saving me. I’m so sorry I didn’t trust you before," Miss Shao said apologetically.

"You’re too kind, Miss Shao. It was no trouble at all," Jiang Che said with a smile.

"My name is Shao Shiliu. You can call me Shiliu."

Shao Shiliu broke into a radiant, graceful smile, her eyes meeting Jiang Che’s directly, without a hint of reservation.

’As expected of a young lady from a Noble Family,’ Jiang Che thought. ’Her confidence and bearing are on a completely different level from ordinary people.’

She continued,

"Young Master Jiang, I can see you are a man of great talent with extraordinary skills.

"The Shao Family is in need of young experts like you. Why don’t you come serve my Shao Family as an Honored Guest Elder?

"I have the authority to offer you a monthly stipend of one hundred silver taels, plus five pounds of Middle-Grade Exotic Beast Meat. What do you say, Young Master Jiang?"

Her voice was calm and confident, as if she had no fear of Jiang Che’s refusal.

’Five pounds of Middle-Grade Exotic Beast Meat!’

Jiang Che was stunned. The Shao Family was incredibly generous!

"But I’m still affiliated with the Escort Agency..." Jiang Che said hesitantly.

"That’s no problem at all," Shao Shiliu said nonchalantly. "Brother Jiang, you can remain affiliated with other organizations. You only need to lend a hand when the Shao Family requires your assistance."

The Shao Family supported hundreds of Guests and had masters in abundance; it was highly unlikely they would often need Jiang Che’s help.

It was simply that she felt Jiang Che had limitless potential, and he had also saved her life.

Therefore, using what were, to the Shao Family, insignificant resources to secure the loyalty of a high-potential Martial Artist was an incredibly shrewd bargain.

Jiang Che nodded. "In that case, I am honored to accept!"

He was in desperate need of Middle-Grade Exotic Beast Meat.

The absorption rate for Low-Grade Exotic Beast Meat was limited.

Simply eating more of it wouldn’t have any effect.

This would be especially true once he broke through to the Stone Skin Realm, when the effects of Low-Grade Exotic Beast Meat would become even more negligible.

As for Middle-Grade Exotic Beast Meat, one could generally only obtain it by allying with a Noble Family like the Shaos, or another major power.

For Jiang Che, this was indeed a golden opportunity.

Otherwise, even if he reached the Stone Skin Realm, there was no guarantee the Five Great Noble Families would even give him the time of day.

After all, his Qi Blood wasn’t particularly abundant compared to others.

And since he couldn’t reveal his true trump cards, he would naturally be underestimated.

"I’ll have my steward send the Honored Guest Elder’s Waist Token to the White Cloud Martial Arts Hall tomorrow."

"Thank you."

Shao Shiliu suddenly blinked, putting on a mysterious air. "By the way, did you know my older brother is also at your Martial Arts Hall?"

Jiang Che thought for a moment. "You don’t mean... Senior Brother Shao Jianbo?"

Shao Shiliu nodded with a smile.

"So you’re Senior Brother Shao’s sister! Forgive my ignorance."

Jiang Che had never actually met this legendary second senior brother.

From the idle chatter of other disciples, he’d heard that this second senior brother possessed unparalleled Talent and was the strongest disciple in the Martial Arts Hall.

He was said to have already reached the Peak of the Iron Skin Realm.

Rumor had it, however, that he had no interest in Martial Arts Training and spent his days traveling and enjoying the scenery, so he was never around.

Despite being the disciple with the best chance of breaking through to the Force Integration Realm, he seemed to have no desire to do so.

Jiang Che could understand. Breaking through to Force Integration was risky; not everyone would choose to take that next step.

Moreover, as a member of the Inner City Shao Family, he was born into wealth and privilege. For him, Martial Arts Training was merely a hobby.

It was nothing like the life of someone from a humble background like Jiang Che, who had to train desperately just to survive.

"Also," Shao Shiliu suddenly recalled, "the fifteenth of next month is my father’s sixtieth birthday. Young Master Jiang, you must honor us with your presence." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Thank you for the invitation. I will be sure to attend! Please send my regards to Master Shao," Jiang Che said, cupping his fist.

Seeing the two getting along so well, Liu Hai laughed and said,

"Congratulations, Little Brother Jiang, on forging such a fine connection."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Liu Hai walked over to the flower thief and stood before him.

"Speak! Who are you, really? Do you have any accomplices?" Liu Hai demanded, his voice low and threatening.

The flower thief sneered, turning his head aside and ignoring him completely.

Liu Hai’s expression turned cold. He raised his hand and slapped the man across the face, sending him sprawling to the ground. The flower thief’s cheek swelled instantly.

"Hm?"

Liu Hai sensed something was wrong. He stepped forward and felt the flower thief’s face. His fingers brushed against something strange, and with a sharp tug, he ripped it off.

It was another Human Skin Mask!

And the flower thief’s true face was anything but handsome.

While not ugly, the man’s features were sinister and grim. On his cheek was a red mark bearing the number "ninety-seven."

Seeing the flower thief’s true face, Liu Hai gasped.

"The Wuxiang Alliance?! You’re one of them!"