Jasper

While reflecting on today's sword practice and the increasingly obvious effects of the medicinal bath, Matthew adjusted his breathing and casually pulled out his pocket watch to take a look—it was just past four in the afternoon.

This pocket watch, which had cost him thirty gold coins, had nearly depleted a small portion of his savings, shrinking his cash to around sixty gold coins, but he had never regretted it.

In a daily life where most people still had to look up at the sun to estimate the time, the pocket watch anchored a precise sense of order for him.

It was not only a timekeeping tool but also a guarantee of his self-discipline: recording his daily meditation time, sword training, scheduled evening medicinal baths, and the fixed hours spent waiting for Aidan to report... Life was thus clearly divided and kept under control.

Without it, many arrangements that required precise timing—such as the agreed-upon information exchange with Porter, or other matters—would have been rushed or delayed due to errors in estimating the time based on the sky.

He had spent this money without the slightest hesitation.

Moreover, a reserve of sixty gold coins was already quite abundant for him. Based on his frugal lifestyle over the past month and his extremely low average daily expenses, it was enough to cover his basic needs for more than half a year.

What was more, he still kept some other assets—such as that crystal cluster.

Over the past month, Matthew had also gradually found out that such crystal clusters could not be dismissed for the “thirty gold coins” Brody had initially claimed. He did not know if Brody had intentionally deceived him, or if the market prices had simply changed long ago.

Nowadays, any natural crystal cluster on the market with even a hint of magical aura had already seen its price multiply several times. They were rare and precious.

Knowing this, Matthew had even less intention of selling it. Since he was not short of money for the time being, it was better to keep it with him. In the future, whether it was used as hard currency to trade for items or if he actually encountered a critical moment requiring spellcasting materials, it might prove highly useful.

With these thoughts in mind, Matthew bent down to pick up the wooden sword, wiped the sweat from the hilt with a cloth, and then packed the waterskin and other miscellaneous items into his cloth bag.

He pushed open the door and stepped out, intending to leave the training ground, only to catch sight of a figure at the corner of the corridor—it was the very black-haired youth who had been talking to someone in the main hall earlier.

At this moment, the youth was dressed in ordinary casual linen clothes, whispering to several trainees with a warm demeanor that nevertheless carried a subtle hint of recruitment.

This was not the first time Matthew had seen him act this way at the training ground.

Lately, the Blood Hand Gang's power in the outer city had been expanding rapidly. Not only were the low-level thugs becoming increasingly arrogant, but even places like the training ground, which should have remained neutral, were gradually seeing their shadow seep in.

The youth before him had clearly joined the gang officially, and frequently scouted and recruited newcomers here.

The training ground manager turned a blind eye to this, never stepping forward to stop it. Matthew knew very well in his heart that with the Blood Hand Gang's current momentum, the manager likely did not want to invite trouble and preferred to turn a blind eye. However, this was also enough to show the gang's influence over the outer city.

It seems he didn't take the advice of the person beside him... It's just a waste of time. Matthew sighed inwardly. He naturally knew what was going on with the Blood Hand Gang's potion.

As far as he knew, most alchemists in mortal kingdoms were unworthy of their titles. Nine times out of ten, those formulas flying under the banners of “quick results” and “breakthroughs” were merely swindles to cheat people out of their money; before any efficacy could show, the side effects would usually manifest first.

The number of truly accomplished masters capable of concocting stable and highly effective potions could be counted on one hand. Their status was exceptionally honorable, and it was absolutely impossible for them to condescend to work for a minor outer city gang to mix some “Blood-Burning Potion” for them.

As he was thinking, the black-haired youth walked straight up to him. The youth raised his head, his pupils densely bloodshot, and his eyes carried a manic excitement that looked both terrifying and exceptionally frightening.

“I heard you're a newcomer who came to the outer city to practice swordsmanship? You look like you have a decent foundation... Any interest in working with us in the Blood Hand Gang?” The youth took half a step closer, keeping his voice low.

“The gang recently got a batch of good stuff called the ‘Blood-Burning Potion.’ Drinking it can boost your strength by a massive margin. With your skills, it won't take long for you to secure a firm footing in the gang.”

Matthew stopped. Listening to the other party's pitch, his calm gaze swept over him, his heart completely untroubled.

The Blood Hand Gang? These gangs entrenched in the outer city might look fierce, but in reality, they were nothing more than insects trapped in the streets and alleys.

Not to mention that he was currently backed by the Fiery Lion family and associated with inner city nobles like Regg, even relying solely on the longsword in his hand, he had never spared a second glance for these scum who bullied commoners and extorted laborers.

What he actually cared about was the unusual aura radiating from the other party—although this aura clearly boded no good, at least there was a real change! This was not something an ordinary alchemist could accomplish.

The Blood Hand Gang? This is getting a bit interesting. As Matthew pondered, a sudden thought crossed his mind.

Just as Matthew's thoughts were racing, the black-haired youth seemed to grow somewhat irritated by his prolonged scrutiny. His brow furrowed, his throat twitched, and just as he was about to speak up and demand answers—Matthew moved without warning.

He did not draw his sword. Instead, his right fist shot straight out like lightning. His speed was not fast, and his power was kept at around the level of a novice Black Iron Rank.

This punch was completely unremarkable, resembling more of a casual probe intended to verify the conjecture in his heart.

“Bang!” The black-haired youth's expression changed abruptly, but his reaction was extremely swift. He hurriedly crossed his arms in front of his chest to shield himself, taking the punch head-on.

He was shaken back, staggering half a step. His boots scraped against the stone slab with a harsh, grating sound, and his eyes were instantly filled with shock, anger, and horror.

Matthew's sudden strike was powerful, causing a major commotion. Outside the corridor, the voices of the crowd gradually grew noisy.

Those who had originally been training in the open-air practice grounds or walking back and forth along the corridors were drawn by the noise. They stopped in their tracks one after another, casting their gazes toward the corner where Matthew and the black-haired youth stood.

Soon, whispers began to ripple through the crowd.

“Huh? Isn't that Jasper? Didn't he establish a connection with the Blood Hand Gang recently? Someone actually dares to make a move on a member of the Blood Hand Gang?”

“Yeah, but who's that guy facing off against him? He looks very unfamiliar.”

“His face is very unfamiliar, doesn't look like a regular at Grey Rock, but his skills... are not simple.”

“More than just not simple. Ever since Jasper joined the Blood Hand Gang, both his strength and stance have improved significantly. Ordinary people wouldn't dare provoke him casually, yet this young man in front of us could actually suppress Jasper so easily...”

“He's truly bold. Jasper is a member of the Blood Hand Gang now. Didn't he weigh the consequences before striking? Isn't he afraid of the gang looking for trouble with him afterward?”

“Who knows, maybe he has the backing to back it up.”

The murmurs rustled like wind sweeping through the grass. More and more people gathered around, their eyes shifting back and forth between Matthew and Jasper, yet no one stepped forward, let alone spoke up to stop them.

...

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