I have a composite mirror

Chapter 2 Observing Qi

Gu Shenyan took out a money pouch from his pocket, weighed it in his hand, and tossed it directly to the boatman:

"The money is here, let's check it."

The boatman took the money bag, quickly counted the money on his fingers, and his smile widened:

"That's enough! I'll install it for you right away!"

He deftly put the spirit fish and the ten barracudas into two buckets, and then stuffed some seaweed in, afraid that the God of Wealth might not be satisfied.

Gu Shenyan took the bucket of water, but he was secretly making plans in his mind.

In my past life, I disliked the games I wanted to play because they were too grindy, so I suddenly had the idea to ask my friend Lao Zhang from the computer science department to write a script for me to play.

When I woke up the next day, there was a crude modding tool in my phone. Who knew... this thing would actually travel through time with me.

Because it was written casually by the other party, its functions are extremely rudimentary.

This spirit fish, plus those ten pike...

If we consider the modifier that I recently awakened.

Once you gather three fish of the same species, they can merge into one, giving birth to a higher-quality spiritual creature.

"Young master, let's go," the burly man said in a low voice.

Gu Shenyan nodded, picked up the bucket, and turned to leave.

The surrounding vendors and customers made way for them, their eyes filled with awe.

A boy of about ten years old, accompanied by a martial artist who can control qi, is clearly someone you can't afford to offend.

As they left the fish market, the burly man skillfully pulled over a rickshaw.

He grinned, a憨厚 smile appearing on his square face, a stark contrast to the coldness he had displayed when facing strangers.

"Young master, please get in the car."

I'm quite skilled at pulling the cart; it's like I'm back to my old trade.

"Brother Quan, let's not bring up the past anymore."

Gu Shenyan got into the rickshaw and carefully placed the bucket at his feet:

"Your skills now far surpass those of that coachman from back then. I was blind to your talent back then, and almost buried your potential."

"Young Master, you're being too polite," Shi Quan said in a low voice, pulling on the handlebars.

"If it weren't for your discerning eye, young master, I'd still be pulling a rickshaw on the street. How could I be where I am today?"

The rickshaw slowly drove out of the port area, and the scenery on both sides gradually changed.

At first, you can still see some Western-style buildings, with blue bricks and red tiles, and bright doors and windows.

That was the foreign concession, and also the most prosperous part of the city.

Further ahead, you'll find the local markets and shops, which, while not as grand as those in the concessions, are still quite clean and respectable.

"Brother Quan," he suddenly said.

"Young Master," Shi Quan replied.

"What do you think of what the boat captain said about the water monkeys?"

Shi Quan pondered for a moment and replied:

"In my opinion, such evil spirits are a disaster for ordinary people, but an opportunity for us warriors."

I've heard my master say that to break through to the realm above Martial Master, one needs the blood of a demon as a catalyst.

Gu Shenyan didn't reply, but just looked out the car window at the port that was gradually receding into the distance.

"If only we could obtain the essence and blood of the water monkey..." Shi Quan suddenly said, his tone filled with longing:

"Maybe I can go even further."

"There will be an opportunity," Gu Shenyan said softly.

The rickshaw drove across a stone bridge, and the outline of the martial arts school could already be seen in the distance.

It was a rather large mansion, with blue bricks and gray tiles. Although not luxurious, it was still respectable.

A plaque hangs at the entrance, bearing the four large characters "Crane Style Boxing Hall".

Gu Shenyan picked up the bucket and got out of the car.

………………

Behind the Crane Style Boxing Hall, there is a separate courtyard.

That was the residence of the second young lady of the Gu family. Apart from the servants, few people usually set foot there.

In the small courtyard, it was so quiet that you could hear the petals falling to the ground.

The crabapple trees on both sides were in full bloom, but no one had pruned them. Their branches and leaves stretched out freely, giving them a touch of wildness.

But this wild charm now seems somewhat desolate.

Although the house is large, the areas that are truly well cared for are becoming fewer and fewer each year.

Gu Shenyan carried the bucket through the corridor. Some morning dew had settled on the bluestone slabs, and his footsteps made a soft, pattering sound as he walked on them.

Shi Quan followed three steps behind, and said in a deep voice:

"Is Young Master going to see the Second Miss?"

"Um."

"Then I'll stand guard outside the door."

Shi Quan chuckled, "Young Master and Second Miss have a deep sibling bond; it's not appropriate for outsiders to disturb them."

The second young lady, Gu Shenwei, is fifteen years old this year, only one year younger than the young master, but she rarely even leaves the courtyard once a year.

Not for any other reason than that she was born with a disability.

The girl's left leg was half a length shorter than her right leg, causing her to walk with a limp, which was quite unsightly.

Even worse, he had been plagued by urinary tract infections since childhood, coughing up blood every few days, and no matter how many famous doctors he consulted, they were helpless.

The neighbors all said in private that this second young lady probably wouldn't live past eighteen.

But the young master never complained.

I remember a year ago, the young master was a sickly man who could be blown away by the wind, and he needed to rest for half a day after walking just a few steps.

Yet he still had to go to his sister's room three times a day to tell her about what he had seen and heard outside, and to keep her company and relieve her boredom.

At that time, the people in the household said that both brother and sister were destined to die young, and that neither of them would outlive the other.

Who knew that fate would play such a cruel trick?

A year has passed, and the young master has not only recovered from his illness, but has also started practicing health-preserving exercises, and his complexion is getting better day by day.

However, the second young lady's health was deteriorating.

Thinking of this, Shi Quan couldn't help but sigh.

He stood five feet away from the door of the side room and did not go in.

These siblings probably shouldn't let outsiders hear what they're saying.

Gu Shenyan gently knocked on the door.

"Weiwei, it's me."

A soft female voice came from inside the door: "Brother? Come in quickly."

The door opened, then closed again.

Shi Quan stood outside the door, guarding it like an iron tower.

A faint scent of medicine wafted through the room.

The lingering smell of the medicine, brewed for many years, has seeped into the cracks of the wood and bricks, and it just won't dissipate.

The window was half-open, and afternoon sunlight streamed in through the carved window lattice.

Beside the bed, a slender figure leaned against a soft pillow.

Gu Shenwei is fifteen years old this year.

If judged solely on her appearance, she was extremely beautiful—a delicate, fragile beauty.

Her skin was as white as snow, her eyebrows and features were exquisite, but her eyes were dark and bright, like cold stars in a winter night.

The girl wore a plain white dress with a light blue jacket over it. Her hair was simply tied up in a bun, with a few stray strands hanging down by her temples.

Her lower body was covered by a thin blanket, concealing the disability that prevented her from walking like a normal girl.

"My brother is back."

Her voice was soft, but it carried a hint of laughter.

That smile was so bright that it seemed to brighten the whole room, and even the smell of medicine seemed less bitter.

Gu Shenyan placed the bucket on the small table beside the bed and sat down next to her:

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Weiwei."

"Did you buy it?"

"Thanks to you." Gu Shenyan opened one of the bucket lids, revealing the shimmering silver spirit fish:

If it weren't for my sister's preemptive "sight" of the spirit fish's aura...

How could I possibly intercept the fish before the boat captain took them to the big market to sell at a high price?