Morning light rose again, the crescent moon ascended once more.

In the cycle of dawn and dusk, another week passed.

In a certain courtyard of the outer sect.

Amid the morning mist, two figures moved like ghosts, exchanging blows back and forth.

Fist against fist, foot against foot—the morning mist was even shattered by the two surges of vigor, twisting into a whirl.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

In a series of violent explosive sounds, the two figures finally halted.

Xiangzi retreated several steps in succession, nearly crashing into the thick courtyard wall before steadying his footing.

Across from him, Zhao Mu smiled: “Xiangzi, want to go again?”

These past few days, at Xiangzi’s repeated requests, Zhao Mu would always spare an hour in the morning to spar with him.

Xiangzi shook his arms, casually pulled over a stool to sit, and laughed: “Forget it, forget it… I can’t beat you anyway.”

Zhao Mu chuckled heartily, though inwardly he was secretly stunned.

Can’t beat me?

This kid actually thinks he could?

A martial artist who had only entered the ninth rank for a little over ten days could already trade blows evenly with him, a ninth-rank great accomplishment realm cultivator. If others knew, their jaws would drop in shock!

What shocked Zhao Mu even more was that in just a few days, this big fellow’s Three Forms Stance and Jade Ring Steps had advanced by leaps and bounds, becoming purer with each passing day.

Such terrifying progress was truly unheard of.

Even Senior Brother Wan, who had single-handedly suppressed all martial artists of his generation in Forty-Nine City upon first entering the ninth rank, likely hadn’t made such horrifying gains.

If not for witnessing it firsthand and feeling it personally, Zhao Mu could scarcely imagine it.

And that was saying something—but this kid’s overwhelmingly powerful qi and blood was no less than his own ninth-rank great accomplishment realm.

If not for Xiangzi’s skin membrane and muscles-bones still insufficiently tempered, and his fist-foot techniques lacking a bit of polish, Zhao Mu might not even be able to defeat him!

Truly a monster!

Only now did Zhao Mu finally understand why the extremely aloof Senior Brother Lin had gone against his nature to personally recommend this foolish big oaf.

Thinking of this, Zhao Mu walked to Xiangzi’s side and said gravely: “Feng Family Village is a mix of dragons and snakes. Once you’re there, Xiangzi, don’t act recklessly just because you’re from Baolin Martial Hall. You must stay calm.”

“I asked a few senior brothers and inquired around. They all say that place borders Little Blue Garment Ridge and is extremely dangerous. Demonic beasts even frequently descend the mountain to devour people.”

“Moreover, Feng Family Village doesn’t follow the king’s law—only clan rules. They’re united like an iron plate; outsiders can’t interfere.”

“That’s not all. Most importantly, Feng Family Village is near the Three Lands and Nine Strongholds. Horse bandits come and go like the wind, ferocious beyond measure, and they wield gunpowder firearms. If you get entangled, escaping won’t be easy. In past years, senior brothers have even lost their lives from a moment’s carelessness. You must be on guard!”

Zhao Mu spoke solemnly; clearly, he had expended some favors to gather this information.

Xiangzi felt a warmth in his heart—since Liu Tang had gone far to Shen City, few had shown him such care.

“Rest assured, Senior Brother Zhao. Once I’m in Feng Family Village, I’ll naturally keep my tail between my legs, mind nothing, muddle through these six months, collect my full monthly stipend, and obediently return to the martial hall.”

Though he knew this kid was just comforting him, Zhao Mu still felt a bit relieved.

But then he thought: This silly big oaf full of strange ideas—if he doesn’t scam others, that’s already good. Who could fool him?

Zhao Mu laughed heartily, stood up, and assumed a stance: “Rested enough? Come on, let’s practice more. With your thick skin and flesh, you’re a rare punching bag!”

Xiangzi grinned, stood up, and struck a fist frame Zhao Mu had never seen: “Heh, Brother Zhao talks big. Looks like… I’ll have to show some real skill too!”

The vigorous wind rose again.

The figures of the two Bright Force martial artists tangled once more.

—

Zhao Mu left.

As the apprentice instructor, sparing an hour each day to spar with Xiangzi was already no small feat.

Xiangzi naturally etched this favor in his heart.

With this ninth-rank great accomplishment realm martial artist accompanying him in practice, Xiangzi had finally smoothly mastered two new techniques.

【Profession: Martial Artist】

【Age: Eighteen】

【Realm: Ninth Rank (Entry)】

【Martial Dao Techniques: Three Forms Stance (Entry), Jade Ring Steps (Entry), Five Tigers Gate-Breaking Spear (Great Accomplishment), Mind-Intent Six Harmonies Fist (Entry)】

【Body Tempering Techniques: Iron Shirt Thirteen Tensions (Minor Accomplishment), Dragon Muscle Tiger Bone Art (Minor Accomplishment)】

【Active Skill: Blood-Burning Art】

【Skill Note: Violently burn qi and blood in a short time, greatly enhancing skin membrane and muscles-bones simultaneously. Afterward, fall into extreme exhaustion. Use with caution.】

Among them, Three Forms Stance proficiency was 27/100; Jade Ring Steps was 12/100; Mind-Intent Six Harmonies Fist was 11/100.

Stance work was the foundation of all methods—whether footwork, fist techniques, or spear arts, none could do without it. Thus, stance progress was the swiftest.

This week, Xiangzi had been single-minded: practicing fist techniques, footwork, and spear arts in the morning; skin-grinding and bone-tempering at night.

His schedule was packed full, so the amplification of various techniques naturally came quickly.

And the lavish treatment of a Wind Justice Courtyard disciple left Xiangzi clicking his tongue in amazement.

Though the nominal stipend was only 50 silver dollars.

Each month, he received four portions of superior qi and blood broth, two Skin-Grinding Pills, two Marrow-Replenishing Pills—these precious broths and medicines alone would cost at least 200 silver dollars outside.

Even ordinary wealthy households couldn’t offer such treatment.

One must know, back at Harmony Rickshaw Yard, Liu Tang—as one of Fourth Master Liu’s adopted sons and the head of security—had treatment far inferior to Xiangzi’s now.

No wonder the outer sect disciples of Baolin Martial Hall all yearned to enter Wind Justice Courtyard.

—

Xiangzi returned to his room and packed his luggage.

Luggage, he said—really just a single bundle.

The journey wasn’t far, but transportation in this region was inconvenient. Even with a small train midway, a round trip from Feng Family Village to the martial hall would take several days.

If one factored in horse bandits and demonic beasts along the way, it would be even less easy.

As he stepped out, Xiangzi couldn’t help glancing back—this room could be considered his first home in this world.

He had just gained a home, yet now he had to leave for half a year.

But with the miscellaneous courtyard disciples around, he didn’t need to worry about the room going untended.

The moment he opened the door,

Several young lads stood outside—Qi Ruiliang had brought Jiang Wangshui and Xu Xiaoliu.

Xiangzi smiled: “Today, I’m treating. To Deyun Tower.”

The lads beamed with joy.

“Oh, right—haven’t congratulated Brother Qi yet. This morning, you also entered the ninth rank,” Xiangzi cupped his fists with a laugh.

Having passed the ninth-rank life-and-death barrier, Qi Ruiliang had originally been quite delighted.

But these past few days apart, he found this big fellow had gained an additional aura of restrained divine splendor. Especially those eyes—even now filled with laughter, they couldn’t hide their piercing sharpness.

Even this young master Qi, who always thought highly of himself, couldn’t help sighing:

“Don’t tease me. Hearing that from your mouth just feels so awkward.”

“Today at Deyun Tower, I must slaughter you properly to vent my frustration.”

Jiang Wangshui and Xu Xiaoliu’s eyes lit up at once, chiming in: “Eat Brother Xiang bankrupt!”

Xiangzi didn’t mind, only laughing heartily.

—

The sunlight was gentle, the early summer breeze carrying an intoxicating coolness.

Today happened to be a rest day; few people were in Baolin Martial Hall.

As the four young lads walked shoulder-to-shoulder out of the outer sect, they chanced upon Chen Hai.

Seeing Xiangzi, Chen Hai smiled warmly and greeted him.

Hearing Xiangzi had chosen his training location, Chen Hai showed little emotion on his face. Instead, he assumed a senior brother’s air, earnestly cautioning him about safety and the like.

His words were full of warmth.

This left the lads somewhat stunned: Hadn’t Brother Xiang hammered that Chen Jiang a few days ago? Chen Jiang was even expelled from the martial hall because of it.

Yet Chen Hai seemed utterly unconcerned?

There was even a hint of recruitment in his words.

Only Qi Ruiliang’s expression remained unchanged, waiting several zhang away.

“Then wait for Junior Brother Li to return to the martial hall. This senior brother will host and invite Junior Brother Zhao too. We’ll gather then,” Chen Hai smiled at the end.

Xiangzi also smiled and replied: “All as Senior Brother Chen arranges.”

Watching the lads’ departing backs, the smile on Chen Hai’s lips gradually faded.

This was no coincidence; he had waited in the outer sect for an hour—solely to personally confirm where this young junior brother, who had shaken the entire martial hall with his astonishing talent, would be assigned.

Now, a trace of gloom surfaced on his calm face.

Chose Feng Family Village?

Was this mere coincidence… or deliberate?

—

With Qi Ruiliang along, the entourage was naturally grander.

The Qi family had sent a few servants and even prepared a luxurious carriage.

This was Xiangzi’s second time riding in a carriage.

The first was before entering the martial hall, going to the western city’s floating airship dock to see off Liu Tang and Lin Junqing.

Back then, his future was uncertain; he didn’t even know if he could smoothly become an apprentice. His heart had been full of unease.

Now, as the carriage swayed gently, his state of mind was naturally different.

Yet when the carriage reached Mingshi Lane and he glimpsed the bustling Renshou Street before Chongwen Gate, Xiangzi’s heart still flickered with a momentary trance.

Once past this gate… it would be the southern city.

He subconsciously gripped the short spear in his bundle.

The cold sensation assaulted him, slightly easing that unspoken emotion in his heart.

Seeing Xiangzi’s action, Qi Ruiliang smiled and pulled out an unassuming rattan case from behind:

“Brother Li, you’ve advanced to the ninth rank and are so generous today. We brothers couldn’t be too stingy either. We pooled money for a gift—so you don’t have to lug that tattered bundle on your training journey.”

“If others saw, they’d think us Baolin Martial Hall disciples were all poor wretches.”

Xiangzi smiled and took the case.

The case wasn’t large, looking like ordinary luggage.

Its layered design was quite ingenious, even accounting for weapon storage.

When Xiangzi touched the warm rattan, he paused.

“Good eye, kid,” Qi Ruiliang laughed. “This case looks plain, but the rattan is Black Horn Vine shipped from Chuan City. Tough, durable, impervious to water and fire.”

Xiangzi’s heart jolted slightly.

Black Horn Vine? This was a fine material that grew alongside high-grade wood-element five-colored ore.

Though the rattan case appeared unremarkable, its value was considerable.

Yet Qi Ruiliang spoke of it lightly, even under the name of “pooling money,” simultaneously considering Jiang Wangshui and Xu Xiaoliu. Truly thoughtful.

Xiangzi smiled, accepted it, and cupped his hands.

He slotted the short spear into the case’s holster, then took out various odds and ends from his bundle and arranged them.

Finally, even that old, shabby bundle—Xiangzi folded it neatly and placed it inside.

Qi Ruiliang glanced at the faint bloodstains on the bundle, his brows furrowing. Suddenly recalling what this big fellow had mentioned a few days ago about “a hidden past,” he hesitated but ultimately didn’t ask.

Jiang Wangshui and Xu Xiaoliu, those two silly lads, were excitedly gazing at the street—after all, as youths, these days cooped up in the apprentice compound had truly stifled them.

—

Entering Deyun Tower, a servant immediately led them to a private room.

But at the staircase, Xu Xiaoliu suddenly exclaimed: “Young Master?”

The person seemed to be exchanging pleasantries with someone. Hearing the voice, he turned—a face so handsome it seemed unearthly.

Yet at this moment, that pretty face carried a trace of worry.

Xiangzi paused, then smiled faintly—an old acquaintance, the young master of Detai Rickshaw Yard, Xu Bin.

Seeing Xu Xiaoliu’s dark face, the smile on Xu Bin’s face deepened a bit.

After a few brief exchanges, Xu Bin’s gaze fell on Xiangzi. He first paused slightly… then his body trembled almost imperceptibly!

“Long time no see,” Xiangzi smiled, stepped forward, and grasped Xu Bin’s hand. “Young Master Xu still cuts a fine figure!”

Perhaps Xiangzi’s changed appearance had made Xu Bin hesitant to recognize him.

Only upon hearing the voice did Xu Bin’s hand jerk violently, forcing an extremely strained smile: “Uh… Xiang… Master Xiang?”

Xiangzi smiled and nodded.

Xu Xiaoliu found it curious—Brother Xiang and the young master actually know each other?

This dark-faced youth was straightforward; not noticing anything amiss, he immediately rattled off introductions.

Xu Bin listened, his heart thundering like explosions.

What?

Master Xiang became a ninth-rank martial artist?

And comprehended Bright Force?

Even with his naturally exquisite mind, he was now utterly flustered—in the southern city, everyone believed this former head puller of Harmony Rickshaw Yard had died in the Li family mines!

Suddenly, his expression froze.

Master Xiang and Xu Xiaoliu entered Baolin Martial Hall in the same batch?

Those dates… lined up exactly with Fourth Master Liu’s death?

Thinking of how Harmony and Ma Liu rickshaw yards had recently been searching for someone in Forty-Nine City, Xu Bin shuddered even more!

A chill shot up from his tailbone; the smile on his face became uglier than crying.

“Since he’s Brother Li’s friend, Young Master Xu—if you’re free later, come join us?” Qi Ruiliang smiled, stepping out from behind Xiangzi.

Seeing Qi Ruiliang, Xu Bin’s mind jolted again—this… wasn’t this the third young master of the western city’s Qi family?

Hadn’t he gone to Baolin Martial Hall as an apprentice?

And how was Master Xiang now associated with the western city Qi family?

From this Third Young Master Qi’s tone, he even held Master Xiang in high regard?

Xu Bin hurriedly extended his hand, gripping Qi Ruiliang’s with a flattered expression, though under the surge of emotions… his handsome face still appeared somewhat unnatural.

The group departed; Xu Xiaoliu grinned and waved goodbye to Xu Bin.

Only then did this ever-composed young master of Detai Rickshaw Yard’s mood slightly settle.

Gazing at Xu Xiaoliu’s still excited dark face, Xu Bin couldn’t help but laugh bitterly—this silly kid… probably doesn’t even know what kind of person he’s befriended?

Truly, fools have fool’s luck?

Suddenly, a jolt struck his heart: Since Master Xiang isn’t dead, what does his return here mean?

He was naturally meticulous. The recent incidents with those two southern city families had been major, yet riddled with oddities.

Not to mention the strange deaths of the two rickshaw yard heads, Ma Liu and Fourth Master Liu—just the current southern city situation was inscrutable.

Who could have imagined that Fatty Fan, infamous throughout the southern city for his ruthlessness and cunning, had now become a hot figure?

Never mind anything else—with two major rickshaw yards in his grasp, who else had achieved that in these years?

And now, Fatty Fan’s fat hand was reaching toward the eastern city.

More precisely, it had already reached Detai Rickshaw Yard—eyeing the Four Seas Gambling House line!

For some unknown reason, the enchanting beauty Feng, the proprietress behind Four Seas Gambling House, had—despite years of friendship—shown signs of softening in her words.

This left Xu Bin like an ant on a hot pan, unable to sleep soundly for days—if he lost the Four Seas Gambling House line, Detai Rickshaw Yard would thoroughly lose its foundation.

Thinking of this, Xu Bin’s heart thudded—could Master Xiang have a way?

He gazed at the leisurely ascending Third Young Master Qi and Xiangzi, gritting his teeth hard.

As the old saying goes: Heaven never seals all exits.

Could this chance encounter today be the lifeline Heaven has given me, Xu Bin?