Leaving the City

"You're hired."

"Tomorrow morning at 7 a.m., Jinling City's East Gate!"

"Don't bring anything—combat suits will be issued on-site."

Jiangnan Martial University was quick to respond, replying within minutes.

To Lu Xuan's surprise, they even provided specialized combat suits.

That saved him an expense.

Combat suits.

Essential for wilderness logistics, typically a set of Mechanical Exoskeleton armor.

Renting one cost at least 2,000 Federal Coins.

Official teams really were better.

A martial artist's logistics crew was an extremely dangerous job.

One misstep and you'd end up as monster chow, especially for an ordinary person like Chu Hang—though he wasn't quite ordinary anymore.

Caution was key.

He'd never fought monsters with his telekinesis, so he couldn't gauge his own strength.

Slow and steady wins the race.

Besides, combat suits covered defense, offense, and close combat.

Even martial artists needed gear.

"Guess I can buy my little sister a few more pieces of meat now."

Lu Xuan stretched, riding the excitement as he got up to exercise.

Saving a bit of money was enough for him.

What could he do? Reality wasn't a novel.

No matter the world, daily necessities were enough to give ordinary folks a headache. If you wanted to be the protagonist, first learn to be a regular person.

Of course, a regular person still needed a strong enough body.

Jokingly put, there was an online saying: "Everything else can be lacking, but your body can't—because when the beast tide comes, all you need is to outrun the others." So even though Lu Xuan wasn't a martial artist, he worked out every day after coming home, keeping his body full of vitality.

He'd barely done a few sets of exercises.

Creak—the door pushed open, and a tall girl in a tracksuit with a ponytail walked in.

"Bro!"

It was Lu Xuan's sister, Lu Ying.

Her face was youthful, but carried a calmness—or rather, aloofness—rare among her peers.

That coldness, however, melted away the moment she saw Lu Xuan, replaced by a bright, clever smile as she bounced into the house, tossed her bag aside, and flopped onto the sofa.

"Back already?"

Lu Xuan finished his workout, grabbed some Low-level Monster meat from the fridge, and set it in front of Lu Ying.

"Your teacher told me."

A hint of pride crossed Lu Xuan's face: "Your blood vitality's over 900—you've got a shot at breaking through to martial artist before the exam. Starting today, one meal of monster meat every day!"

"Wow, really!?"

Lu Ying leaned in, sniffing the pungent, blood-rich monster meat, her eyes lighting up. "Wow, it really is monster meat!"

The girl jumped up excitedly, spinning Lu Xuan around.

"Best brother ever!"

"Love you, bro!"

"Eat up." Lu Xuan reached out and ruffled her hair, smiling.

"Finish it all—no wasting."

"From now on, when my little sister gets into one of the Four Top Martial Schools, I'll have all the bragging rights thanks to you!"

Monster meat lost its vitality fast.

Best to eat it within twenty-four hours of buying it.

"Don't worry, bro!" Lu Ying grinned, grabbing two sets of knife and fork.

"Bro, you eat too. My classmate said monster meat is the best for boosting blood vitality. You're supposed to cut it into pieces with the knife and fork, chew slowly, and feel the vitality..."

Even Low-level Monster meat cost 1,000 Federal Coins per pound.

Even working in the monster cleanup warehouse, Lu Xuan had never bought any.

His sister had never tasted it either.

No choice. Too expensive.

But now that his own little sister was about to break through to martial artist, he had to buy it even if it was a luxury.

"Big Bro just had a piece."

Lu Xuan stepped back, afraid his sweat smell would affect his sister, and smiled: "Otherwise, why do you think I'd bother working out for no reason?"

"Is that so?"

Lu Ying shot him a suspicious look, but couldn't tell anything.

Only a martial artist could observe someone else's blood and qi at a glance.

She couldn't do it yet.

Instead, she felt like her big bro today was a bit different.

More energetic.

Whatever, eating meat was what mattered.

Seeing his sister eat the meat, Lu Xuan finally spoke: "Little sis, Big Bro might have to go to the Satellite City for a few days with the martial artists clearing monster warehouses—short as a day or two, long as a week. I've ordered seven days' worth of monster meat for you, remember to eat it. And if you have time, go check on Mom and Dad."

One base city, multiple satellite cities.

Jinling Base City had twenty-four Satellite Cities, with martial artists coming and going daily to transport monster corpses and other resources.

Lu Ying paused mid-bite, worried: "It won't be dangerous, will it?"

"Relax, the transport team takes a special route. Danger level is zero."

"Still, be careful!"

Lu Ying urged.

The next day.

6:00 AM.

Lu Ying got up for school, carrying the monster meat Lu Xuan had ordered, and pouted:

"Big Bro, you're the best!"

"Today I'm gonna let my classmates know my breakfast is monster meat too."

The girl bounced out the door.

Lu Xuan glanced through the window—once his sister met someone, her face went back to deadpan.

"Whew~"

Looking at the clock on the wall, Lu Xuan let out a heavy breath: "Little sis, I won't let the wrong thing happen to us!"

Pulling his thoughts together, he shouldered his backpack and left.

Jinling City East Gate.

By the time Lu Xuan arrived, quite a few Jiangnan Martial University students had already gathered. They were about his age, radiating waves of blood and qi that gave off an immense oppressive pressure.

That was the natural pressure of a martial artist.

Like a tiger—just standing there without moving made people hesitate to get close.

Strong enough to be terrifying.

Of course, that was for the old Lu Xuan.

The current Lu Xuan didn't feel any pressure at all. Instead, he found these people full of openings. He shook his head and walked forward.

"Hello, I'm here for the job."

The staff member was an old man with white hair, lying in a rocking chair. He glanced at Lu Xuan's ID and widened his eyes slightly:

"Dropped out at this young age?"

"Poor aptitude."

Lu Xuan shrugged.

If his blood and qi value had been above 900 during high school, why would he have dropped out to work? Even if he had no money, the country would have supported him through martial university.

Too bad, Lu Xuan wasn't Long Aotian—just a roadside extra.

"Ever been to the wilderness?" the old man asked.

Lu Xuan answered honestly: "First time."

Hearing that, the old man pointed to a tech-looking box set up nearby and said:

"I'd suggest picking a ranged combat suit. Just collect some corpses from the back. Don't think about getting close to fight alongside the martial artists for corpse retrieval—tender bones break easy."

"..."

Lu Xuan said a quick thanks, bent down, and picked up the Melee Combat Suit.

The Melee Combat Suit offered stronger defense and greater agility—perfect for him to go find the opportunity mentioned in the Future Mail.

As long as he got that opportunity and became a martial artist, all his problems would be solved.

Besides, he hadn't received any new emails so far, which was enough to prove his choice was right for now.

Just go for it.

"Kid, you've got some guts!"

Lu Xuan had just lifted the case and was about to put on the suit when a few sarcastic voices came from beside him.

He turned his head.

Several students in Jiangnan Martial University uniforms walked over, sizing him up with a light snort:

"Anyone would think you're a martial artist!"

"Just turned eighteen, right? Your blood energy isn't even 700, and you dare pick melee logistics? Aren't you afraid of becoming monster chow?"

Their faces were full of cynicism and disdain.

"..." Lu Xuan looked up, unflinching under their gaze, and asked, "Is there a rule saying an eighteen-year-old can't be a melee logistics worker?"

He was used to this kind of mockery.

Ever since martial artists appeared, they'd been a cut above the rest, and sneering at ordinary people was just routine.

"Of course not!"

The lead youth grinned, exchanged a glance with the two beside him, and laughed:

"We actually like logistics guys with guts like you. Let me formally introduce myself—I'm Xu Long, class monitor of Class 2, Jiangnan Martial University. I'm giving you a chance to join our squad. We'll split half the monster hunting profits with you. Interested?"

The sudden shift in attitude made Lu Xuan raise an eyebrow.

His gut told him these guys were definitely up to no good.

Just as he was about to refuse—

"Xu Long, what do you think you're doing?!"

A crisp voice broke the tense atmosphere. Everyone looked over to see a girl in a JK skirt, her fair long legs bouncing as she ran up and shouted at the youth in front of Lu Xuan:

"You'd better drop whatever scheme you're cooking up, or don't blame me for reporting your dirty deeds to the teacher!"

The youth named Xu Long's face darkened.

"Xu Xin, don't you dare spout nonsense and slander me!"

"Hmph, whether it's nonsense or not, you know damn well."

"You... fine, fine, fine!"

He shot her a glare, then smirked at Lu Xuan before turning and leaving with his group.

What a mess... Lu Xuan sighed helplessly. He'd somehow gotten on a martial artist's bad side for no reason.

He shook his head and didn't dwell on it.

Just as he was about to put on the suit, a jade-like hand reached out to him.

"Hi, I'm Xu Xin, class monitor of Class 6, Jiangnan Martial University."

"You look pretty young—probably having a tough time at home, or you wouldn't risk being a logistics guy for a martial artist squad. Our class happens to be short a few people. How about you join Class 6 and help us handle the monster corpses?"

"This..."

Lu Xuan hesitated.

His original plan was to sneak out of the city, break away from the team, and find the opportunity on his own.

Then become a martial artist and come back to make money at Jiangnan Martial University.

Seeing his hesitation, Xu Xin smiled: "Don't worry. Our Class 6 might not be as strong as Class 2, but we'd never treat our logistics people the way they do."

"Alright, I'll go with your class!"

Lu Xuan agreed readily and followed Xu Xin toward the Class 6 team.

It was only then that he learned Jiangnan Martial University held a Freshman Advancement Training every year, meant to test the students' strength.

And the advancement conditions were based on class units—the more resources a class gathered during the training, the better their treatment after advancing.

That was why people like Xu Long specifically targeted young logistics workers.

These were usually people whose families had hit hard times and desperately needed money. If they agreed to help lure monsters, they'd get huge compensation—but whether they'd survive was another story.

No wonder... Lu Xuan nodded and asked:

"Doesn't the school do anything about this kind of thing?"

"Those people took Xu Long's money, got their hands tied by him, and signed voluntary waivers—the school can't do anything about it."

Xu Xin sighed helplessly. "I was just afraid he'd threaten you. I happened to run into you, so I gave you a hand."

"Thank you!"

Lu Xuan smiled in reply, but sighed inwardly.

The world was harsh, and people's hearts were hard to fathom.

Next came the logistics assignment.

Class 6 had 20 students total, with 100 logistics personnel—40 driving heavy transport trucks, and the other 60 following the martial arts students to collect corpses up close and mark positions.

Before long.

The Jiangnan Martial University freshmen had all assembled.

The teacher gave a few words of encouragement, explained the training rules, and the entire group headed out of the city.

"Prepare to move out!"

Xu Xin directed the Class 6 students. Just as everyone was about to leave, a jeering voice called them to a halt.

"Ooh~"

"Class beauty Xu!"

Xu Xin stopped and turned her head toward the voice. Lu Xuan also looked over.

There was Xu Long, the same one they'd just argued with, swaggering over with a sneer.

"Class beauty Xu, your class only has you as an Intermediate Martial Artist. Don't go too deep into Ruins City—there are plenty of monsters there. Don't let your whole crew get wiped out!"

"Worry about yourself!"

Xu Xin snorted.

Xu Long spread his hands and chuckled. He walked up to Lu Xuan and said in a low voice:

"Kid, I know you're desperate for money. Sticking with a bunch of low-level Martial Artists won't get you much. I've got a big score lined up. If you want in, come find me anytime."