Mad Saber Martial Arts School

Leaving the clothing store, Zhao Han asked for directions to the East Gate and headed straight there.

Arriving at the East Gate, he made further inquiries and learned that the beast-selling stalls were located in the alley ahead, so he ventured deeper into it.

"Hey kid, don't you know this is Poisonous Snake Gang territory? Pay up to enter."

The moment Zhao Han stepped inside, three Poisonous Snake Gang members who had been lurking nearby sprang out, reaching out their hands for money.

"Poisonous Snake Gang territory? Money?"

Zhao Han gave a light chuckle. This was like a flood washing over the Dragon King's temple—a case of mistaken identity.

"Is this enough?"

He casually executed a Snake-Style Deft Hand, displaying it with exquisite precision.

"Th-this..." The three were instantly dumbfounded.

This man was clearly an Elite Gang Member of the Poisonous Snake Gang; otherwise, he couldn't have performed the Snake-Style Deft Hand so flawlessly.

"Sir, our apologies, our apologies! We had no eyes to see. I'll punish myself with three slaps."

"Slap! Slap! Slap!"

Each of them slapped their own face three times as a self-imposed punishment.

"Enough. I want to buy a python. Is there any sold here?" Zhao Han asked.

The three, well-informed, quickly explained:

"A python? No, no, no. Only small snakes are sold here. If anyone ever has a python to sell, the Gang Leader sends people to buy it up immediately."

Zhao Han asked, "The Gang Leader buys them up? Is he that desperate for pythons?"

"Don't you know? Word is the Gang Leader practices a very powerful martial art. Small snakes are useless to him; he needs pythons."

The gang member was a bit puzzled—this was common knowledge. How could an Elite Gang Member of the Poisonous Snake Gang not know?

But he still answered honestly.

"I see. Then it looks like there's no hope here." Zhao Han turned and left.

If even the local snakes didn't know, then naturally there were no pythons here.

He'd have to wait until he could go into the forest himself to hunt one.

But that would have to wait until he reached the Muscle Refining Realm, which depended on the Black Wolf Fist.

"Take care, sir! We won't see you off. Come again next time!"

The three were relieved to have dodged a bullet. This Elite Gang Member had a good temper. If it had been someone else, tsk tsk...

A charge of insubordination, and they'd be in for it.

At best, they'd lose their money; at worst, they'd get their legs broken.

An Elite Gang Member of the Skin Refining Realm and an ordinary gang member were two completely different classes. Even killing them wouldn't be excessive.

"First, find a place to stay, preferably one where I can also train."

Around noon, Zhao Han ate some food from his space and wandered aimlessly down the street, looking around.

"Fierce Tiger Escort Agency is hiring Escort Runners and Escort Guards. Those with some skill can apply as Escort Runners—monthly pay five hundred coppers plus commission. Skin Refining Warriors can be Escort Guards—monthly pay two taels of silver with higher commission!"

"The Xu Family is hiring guards and a Guard Captain. Guards get four hundred coppers a month; the Guard Captain gets one tael five mace of silver a month."

"Hiring porters for heavy labor. Work from six in the morning to eight at night, thirty days. Includes two meals and housing. One month, three hundred coppers."

There were many hiring notices on the street, and anything related to "martial arts" generally offered "high pay."

Porters, waiters, handymen, day laborers—all were hard, tiring work with little pay.

"Mad Saber Martial Arts School is recruiting apprentices. Tuition is three taels of silver a month. No strict requirements. Free training, includes room and board. Those who reach the Skin Refining Realm can be recommended for high-paying jobs."

"Also hiring handymen. Handymen get room and board plus one hundred coppers a month."

"Martial arts school!"

Zhao Han's eyes lit up at the mention of a martial arts school.

A martial arts school was great—room and board included, and he could learn martial arts. Zhao Han was just short of martial arts techniques.

Throughout Blackwater County, while unclassified martial arts were a dime a dozen, classified martial arts were all controlled by various powers. Without connections, there was no way to get them.

A prestigious place like a martial arts school was sure to have classified martial arts.

If he could make a name for himself at the school and earn the Master's attention, getting his hands on classified martial arts would likely be very simple.

"You're it, Mad Saber Martial Arts School. The name alone sounds domineering!"

Zhao Han immediately decided on his destination.

The apprentice recruiter was a young Skin Refining Warrior from the school, already a minor achievement.

It also showed some prestige—having a Skin Refining Warrior handle recruitment meant Mad Saber Martial Arts School had some real capability.

"Senior Brother, here's three taels of silver. I want to sign up to learn martial arts." Zhao Han stepped forward, handed over the silver, and got straight to the point.

Liang Feng had been recruiting all day, but unfortunately, in these chaotic times, prices were soaring, and everyone was looking out for themselves. Ordinary people couldn't bear to part with their money, hoarding every last coin they could.

Those who could afford to spend had better options, and Blackwater County's small population meant the other two martial arts schools were already fighting over students.

Besides, three taels of silver was no small sum; few would grit their teeth and add that burden to themselves.

Finally, a greenhorn showed up.

"Junior Brother, no need to pay just yet. Come with me to Mad Saber Martial Arts School and take a look first. If it suits you, you can decide then."

Liang Feng pushed his hands out, refusing the silver.

Zhao Han was taken aback. He hadn't expected Mad Saber Martial Arts School to have such integrity, letting people see the place before committing.

This considerate? Then I've come to the right place.

"Junior Brother, I'm Liang Feng, the fifth disciple of Mad Saber Martial Arts School. You can call me Senior Brother Liang."

"Senior Brother Liang, my name is Zhao Yan—Zhao from Zhao Zilong of Changshan, Yan from Xiao Yan. Just call me Junior Brother Zhao."

"Zhao Zilong of Changshan? Xiao Yan?" Liang Feng blinked, dumbfounded. Who are these people? Never heard of them.

Zhao Han had tossed out a fake name on a whim to avoid being recognized by the Poisonous Snake Gang.

"Ahem, Junior Brother Zhao, follow me. The school is about two hundred meters from here."

Zhao Han nodded and fell in step. In less than three minutes, they arrived at a tall gate with a large courtyard.

The plaque was old and worn, bearing a few gilded characters—Mad Saber Martial Arts School!

Though far from the luxury of the Poisonous Snake Gang's main sect, it was still a decent estate.

No one stood guard at the entrance, but the gate was slightly ajar. Just inside, an old man sat to the right, dozing off.

Liang Feng teased the old man:

"Old Man Mi, I'm bringing a junior brother to have a look. If it works out, he'll be one of us from now on. You'd better take a good look so you don't mistake him later and block him out when he comes back."

"Wah... got it, got it. I'm old in body but not in mind—I've still got my eyesight. This new lad is quite 'something,' eh."

Old Man Mi yawned, stretched, and showed a hint of irritation at being woken up.

"Let's go, Junior Brother. Old Man Mi's just like that—a bit odd. Don't mind him." Liang Feng smiled and gestured inward.

"Not at all, not at all. Senior Brother Liang, after you."

Watching the two walk away, Old Man Mi furrowed his brow and muttered under his breath:

"A martial artist with faint Ghoul Qi, close to the Muscle Refining Realm, coming to a rundown place like Mad Saber Martial Arts School? Could he be after the Blade Ghoul being raised here, same as me?"

"Hmph, a mere Muscle Refining Realm, too ignorant to know death. If he dares to interfere with the Blade Ghoul's proper growth, I'll crush him like a chick!"

Old Man Mi's eyes flashed with murderous intent, then returned to normal as he went back to dozing.

He wore the look of a decrepit, half-dead old man just coasting through retirement.

Passing through the school's front courtyard, the training ground came into view at the center—all grass, with over thirty apprentices in training uniforms practicing martial arts.