The Evil Bandits Attack

Dining Courtyard.

Wu Ming still habitually ate all three meals a day at the Seven Martial Alliance. The food here could not be called exceptionally tasty, but it was affordable, and there was basically no skimping—however many taels of meat were promised, that was how many taels were served.

Sitting in a corner of the courtyard, Wu Ming put the last piece of Bull Demon Meat into his mouth. This kind of demon meat was incredibly tough. Even when cooked, it had to be chewed over and over before it could barely be crushed. Yet once swallowed and slightly digested, he could feel the abundant Blood Qi within turn into a warm current that nourished his body.

In a few days, I can buy another packet of nourishing medicinal powder.

Wu Ming calculated silently.

The human body had limits to both its digestive ability and its capacity to endure, so the Blood Qi one could refine was similarly limited. Meat could be eaten until one was full every day, while medicinal tea could be drunk at most twice daily; any more than that would have no effect. As for nourishing medicinal powders, it was generally best to use them once every half month to once a month.

Nourishing medicinal powders had the strongest effects, but as the saying went, medicine was poison in three parts. Using such powders repeatedly within a short period was more than the human body could bear, so a period of easing and recovery was always required.

He swallowed the last mouthful of rice.

Wu Ming glanced at the sky, rose to his feet, and left the Dining Courtyard, preparing to return to Chen's Apothecary.

However, just as he left the Dining Courtyard and reached the front courtyard of the Seven Martial Alliance Outer Hall, he unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance.

His brother-in-law Xu Tong's elder brother, Xu Hao.

Wu Ming had joined the Seven Martial Alliance for some time now, but he had never encountered Xu Hao. The main reason was that Xu Hao belonged to Return Mountain Hall, one of the Seven Martial Alliance's Inner Halls. He generally did not work in the Outer Hall, and like Wu Ming, he rarely returned to Xu Village.

Xu Hao was carrying a bundle on his back, bulging full as though it contained quite a few things. He noticed Wu Ming as well and gave him a slight nod.

"Wu Ming."

"I heard long ago that you had successfully forged your blood and entered the Seven Martial Alliance. But I have been busy with affairs lately and never came to look for you."

Back when Wu Yu had married Xu Tong, his attitude toward Wu Ming had been rather indifferent. Only for Wu Yu's sake had he been willing, in his spare time, to offer Wu Ming a few pointers and help him seek out a livelihood in the city.

But Wu Ming had unexpectedly succeeded in forging his blood before turning eighteen, leaping straight out of the common rabble at the bottom. He no longer needed Xu Hao's support, which slightly surprised Xu Hao and naturally changed his attitude toward Wu Ming.

He was a disciple of the Seven Martial Alliance Inner Hall, and in a few more years, he had hopes of reaching Third Blood Forging. Once he took that step, he would be able to establish a residence in the city. By then, he could hardly be expected to handle every trivial matter personally. Wu Ming, as the younger brother of his younger brother's wife, was ultimately someone trustworthy. If Wu Ming could reach Second Blood Forging in the future, he would be able to handle many matters for him.

"Elder Brother."

Wu Ming returned the greeting.

After giving a slight nod, Xu Hao took out a dark strip of meat from the bundle on his back and tossed it to Wu Ming. "This is Bull Demon Meat. Its nourishing effect far surpasses ordinary meat. I bought some this time to take back and nourish my second brother's Blood Qi, helping him make a try at blood forging. Since I happened to run into you here, I'll give you a share as well."

Xu Hao did not know much about Wu Ming's circumstances. He only knew that Wu Ming had recently entered Blood Forging and joined the Seven Martial Alliance Outer Hall. Though becoming a martial artist meant he need not worry about survival, he was likely still extremely strapped for resources. Since they had happened to meet, it was only natural for Xu Hao, as the elder brother, to offer him some support. Besides, Wu Ming had indeed shown a little talent by becoming a martial artist.

Unlike his younger brother Xu Tong, whom he had already supported with no small amount of resources, yet who had never managed to forge his blood successfully.

Wu Ming caught the strip of meat and weighed it slightly. It was a full two jin. Two jin of Bull Demon Meat was worth twenty taels of silver. Clearly, only someone like Xu Hao—a Seven Martial Alliance Inner Hall disciple who had long since reached Second Blood Forging—could be so generous.

"Elder Brother, you are too courteous. This Bull Demon Meat is too precious..."

"No need to refuse. Since you have joined the Seven Martial Alliance, I should naturally look after you a little. I simply never had the time before. Mm, I hold some standing in this Outer Hall as well. If you run into any trouble, you may come to Return Mountain Hall and find me."

Xu Hao waved a hand at Wu Ming.

As an Inner Hall member at Second Blood Forging, his status naturally stood far above that of an Outer Hall martial artist. Wu Ming had only just entered Blood Forging and was making a living in the Outer Hall. For a long time to come, he would inevitably have to struggle and claw his way through this place. Giving him a few pointers cost Xu Hao nothing.

Having said that,

without waiting for Wu Ming to respond, Xu Hao left the Outer Hall and strode away.

Watching Xu Hao's departing figure, Wu Ming held the chunk of Bull Demon Meat in his hand, his heart quite calm. This world had always been like this: those in power found many to aid them, while those who had lost power found few. Only by possessing ability oneself could one earn another's high regard. The change in Xu Hao's attitude before and after was simply human nature. There was nothing strange about it.

Only, as he was now, Wu Ming did not have such a great need for this piece of Bull Demon Meat. Still, Xu Hao had given it to him, and he did not mind accepting it. The two families were connected by marriage, after all. Should the Xu Family or Xu Hao encounter any trouble in the future, he would likewise lend them a hand.

After leaving the Seven Martial Alliance, Wu Ming returned to Chen's Apothecary.

The sky gradually darkened.

After resting briefly in the courtyard, he returned to his room.

Tonight, Ma Liu and Hu Yong were responsible for guarding the courtyard. Ma Liu would take the first half of the night, while Hu Yong would take the second. Wu Ming did not need to concern himself with it. But for him now, guarding the courtyard or not made little difference; his need for sleep had already become very low.

On the bed.

Wu Ming laid the Crimson Serpent Spear across his front. He did not lie down, but instead sat cross-legged on the bed, lightly closed his eyes, and silently circulated the "Lin" Formula in his heart. In an instant, all sounds fell silent. He quietly entered meditation, entering a state without self or thought.

As time passed, the sky became completely dark, and the room was swallowed by blackness. Yet to Wu Ming's senses, it was no different from daylight. Every corner of the room was clearly reflected before his eyes.

Besides,

Ma Liu, sitting on a stone stool in the courtyard and guarding the grounds, had even his faint breathing clearly picked up by Wu Ming's senses. Every movement in the entire courtyard, including the low hum of flies and insects, was incomparably distinct in his ears.

Wu Ming's consciousness was incomparably clear, his heart like a deep, secluded pool without the slightest ripple. In this state of "meditation," his mind did not sink into slumber, yet he felt no fatigue whatsoever. Instead, the calmer his heart became, the more abundant his spirit grew.

Who knew how much time passed.

The night gradually deepened.

In the courtyard, Ma Liu sat there idly. After yawning, he felt his body becoming a little stiff, so he lazily rose to his feet, intending to stretch himself a little.

Carrying his Zhanma Blade, he walked a few steps around the courtyard. In the dark gloom, he assumed a basic saber stance, then began moving through it in a proper, methodical fashion. He practiced an entire set of Zhanma Blade techniques, Blood Qi surging around him, and felt greatly refreshed.

At the same time.

Beneath the pitch-black curtain of night, around a dozen figures dressed in black nightwear lurked in the darkness. Each restrained their aura and softened their footsteps until they were nearly imperceptible, stealthily creeping closer and closer to the courtyard.

It was precisely when those dozen or so people reached the street outside the courtyard, separated from its interior by only a single wall, that Wu Ming—who had been sitting in meditation with his eyes closed in the room—suddenly opened his eyes and cast his gaze outside.