Chapter Two: The Century-Old Snow Ginseng

"Ah!"

As soon as Qin Feng took a step forward, a cry of agony escaped his lips and he fell heavily to the ground. The power within him had increased so greatly that he was yet to fully familiarize himself with it; though he intended only a small step, the force he exerted was enough to match a running leap.

The result was an overwhelming use of strength—his muscles tore, skin split, and fresh blood oozed from the cracks, a searing pain flooding his entire body.

Lying on the ground, Qin Feng broke into a cold sweat and dared not move.

"This... this recovery?"

He felt the pain gradually recede, and when he looked at his legs, his eyes widened in astonishment. The lacerated skin was healing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"My former body never possessed such regenerative power. Could it be that after my soul took over this corpse, my flesh underwent some change?"

Though surprised, Qin Feng was soon elated. With such resilience, his survival in this perilous world was greatly assured! He even suspected that the wound that had once pierced his chest was healed by this newfound regenerative power, triggered by his soul crossing over.

"I wonder if this recovery is strong enough to regrow a severed limb, or even survive a beheading!"

Qin Feng pondered, but he would never dare test such a dangerous theory.

Two hours later, all pain had faded. He took a deep breath, slowly rose to his feet, and began making his way toward Xuanzhou City. Even as he tread with utmost caution, his overwhelming strength still caused his body to ache with each step.

His lips twitched as he endured the pain, inching forward. According to the memories of his predecessor, the city was only five li from this mountain peak.

...

"Let's go, we need to leave quickly. I never imagined Chen Xuanhao would care so much about Qin Feng that he'd mobilize the entire Xuanhai Martial Hall to search for him!"

"When we killed Qin Feng, we must have left some traces. If Chen Xuanhao finds out, we'll be in trouble!"

Liu Xuan, a long blade at his waist, scanned the surroundings warily as he whispered.

"Yes. Let's hurry. Once we're far from Xuanzhou, even if Chen Xuanhao learns the truth, he can't do anything to us," replied Chen Dong, his face marred by a long, savage scar, urging Liu Xuan forward in a low voice.

"Is that Qin Feng?"

"He's not dead?"

Liu Xuan, quickening his pace and surveying the area, caught sight of Qin Feng struggling along and was struck with shock.

"It's him!"

"But... he was clearly dead!"

"A sword pierced his chest—a mortal wound. It's impossible he survived!"

Chen Dong, hearing Liu Xuan's words, looked over swiftly. When he recognized Qin Feng, his face froze in disbelief.

"Never mind that! If he's not dead, we'll finish the job now."

A ferocious grin twisted Liu Xuan's face as he drew his blade and strode toward Qin Feng.

"You're right! Let's make sure this time!"

Chen Dong also gripped his blade, his eyes cold and brimming with murderous intent, and advanced quickly.

"It's them!"

Seeing Chen Dong and Liu Xuan approaching, weapons drawn, fear surged in Qin Feng's heart, pounding wildly in his chest. This terror was part memory from his body's former owner, part his own. In his past life, Qin Feng had lived in peaceful times—never had he witnessed such violence.

"He wants to kill me!"

"He wants to kill me!"

"He wants to kill me!"

"Ah!"

"If someone tries to kill me, I'll kill them first!"

"Yes! If someone wants to kill me, I'll kill them!"

"Kill!"

Qin Feng muttered under his breath, as if hypnotizing himself. Within seconds, his fear vanished. With a roar, he charged at Chen Dong and Liu Xuan.

Like a tiger descending the mountain, Qin Feng unleashed his full strength, surging forward with breathtaking speed and ferocity.

Liu Xuan was stunned by the sudden charge.

"That speed!"

He barely had time to react, his blade just beginning to descend, before Qin Feng—his power now several times greater than before—collided with him like a mad bull, sending him flying.

Liu Xuan felt as though he'd been struck by a rampaging beast—he was hurled through the air, his body wracked with excruciating pain.

Gasping, Liu Xuan tried to rise, but his bones were shattered, blood spilling from his lips as he collapsed, completely limp.

"Kill!"

Seeing Liu Xuan fall, Chen Dong was terrified, but his savagery prevailed. As Qin Feng charged, Chen Dong swung his blade in a sweeping arc.

But with his strength and speed skyrocketing, Qin Feng sidestepped the blow and drove his fist directly into Chen Dong's chest.

A brittle crack resounded as Chen Dong's chest caved in, and he was flung away like a discarded shell.

He coughed violently, blood spraying from his mouth, and with a final shudder, died.

"Ah! The pain!"

With the threat eliminated, Qin Feng relaxed. At once, the agony from his torn muscles and skin overwhelmed him, and he cried out in anguish.

"What power—killing the two of them was like breaking dry twigs!"

"But I must quickly strengthen my body, or I'll die of pain before anyone else can kill me!"

It was a full hour before Qin Feng recovered enough to rise. Cautiously, he approached the bodies of Chen Dong and Liu Xuan.

"They tried to kill me, so I killed them. I did nothing wrong!"

"Yes! I did nothing wrong!"

As he looked upon their corpses, especially Liu Xuan's battered body, his stomach churned. Forcing down his nausea, he muttered to himself.

After a moment, he composed himself and began to search their bodies. He recalled how heroes in novels would loot their defeated enemies for treasures.

Who knew if these two had anything of value?

From Liu Xuan and Chen Dong, Qin Feng found three silver notes, each worth one hundred taels—a total of three hundred taels—and a tightly wrapped brocade box.

He pocketed the silver notes first. Three hundred taels was a fortune here—after all, a single copper coin could buy two steamed buns, equivalent to a yuan in his previous life. A thousand copper coins made a single silver tael; three hundred taels was like three hundred thousand yuan.

"And this?"

"A hundred-year snow ginseng!"

Opening the brocade box, Qin Feng's eyes widened in shock. Inside was a centuries-old snow ginseng root.

Snow ginseng could boost a martial artist's vitality—even ordinary ginseng was highly effective, let alone one a hundred years old.

Such a treasure was worth at least three thousand taels of silver, and was priceless—a true rarity.