Mad Saber Martial Arts School

After leaving the Clothing store, Zhao Han asked for directions to the East Gate and headed straight there.

When he reached the East Gate, he asked around again and learned that the shops selling wild animals were in an alley up ahead. He made his way deeper into the alley.

"Hey, kid. Don't you know this is Poisonous Snake Gang territory? You have to pay to come in."

As soon as Zhao Han stepped inside, three members of the Poisonous Snake Gang who had been squatting nearby darted out and held out their hands, demanding money.

"Poisonous Snake Gang territory? Money?"

Zhao Han smiled faintly. Talk about water flooding the Dragon King's temple.

"Is this enough?"

Zhao Han casually demonstrated Snake-Style Deft Hand, executing it with exquisite precision.

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

This man had to be an elite member of the Poisonous Snake Gang. Otherwise, he couldn't have performed Snake-Style Deft Hand so well.

"Sir, we're terribly sorry! We failed to recognize you. I'll punish myself with three slaps."

"Smack! Smack! Smack!"

Each of the three men slapped himself across the face three times to show he was punishing himself.

"That's enough. I'm looking to buy a python. Does anyone sell them in here?" Zhao Han asked.

The three men were well informed, and hurried to explain:

"Pythons? No, no. They only sell little snakes here. Whenever someone has a python for sale, the Gang Leader sends someone to buy it right away."

Zhao Han asked, "The Gang Leader sends someone to buy it? Is he in such desperate need of pythons?"

"You don't know? They say the Gang Leader practices a powerful martial art. Little snakes aren't enough; he needs pythons."

The gang member looked puzzled. Everyone knew this, yet somehow an elite member of the Poisonous Snake Gang didn't.

Still, he answered honestly.

"I see. Then I suppose there's no chance." Zhao Han turned and left.

If even the local toughs didn't know of any, then there probably weren't any pythons here.

He could only wait until some other day and hunt one himself in the woods.

But he'd have to wait until he reached the Muscle Refining Realm. That would depend on Black Wolf Fist.

"Take care, sir! We won't see you out. Come again!"

The three men were relieved to have escaped trouble. This elite member had a good temper. If it had been someone else, tsk...

They would have been in for it for showing disrespect to a superior.

At best, they'd have been forced to pay up and leave. At worst, they'd have been beaten and had their legs broken.

Elite members at the Skin Refining Realm and ordinary gang members were worlds apart. The elites could beat them to death and get away with it.

"First, I need to find somewhere to stay—somewhere I can practice martial arts, too."

It was nearly noon. After eating some food from his spatial storage, Zhao Han wandered aimlessly down the street, looking around.

"Fierce Tiger Escort Agency is hiring runners and escorts! Anyone with a bit of skill can apply as a runner. Five hundred copper coins a month, plus commission. Skin Refining Warriors can work as escorts, earning two taels of silver a month, with even more commission!"

"The Xu Family is hiring guards and a Guard Captain. Guards earn four hundred copper coins a month; the Guard Captain earns one tael and five qian of silver a month."

"Hiring laborers for hauling work. Work from six in the morning until eight at night for thirty days. Two meals and lodging included. Three hundred copper coins a month."

There were plenty of places hiring on the street. Most jobs connected to "martial arts" paid "high wages."

Laborers, shop assistants, odd-job workers, temporary workers, and the like all had grueling, exhausting work for little pay.

"Mad Saber Martial Arts School is recruiting students! Tuition is three taels of silver per month. No strict requirements; practice martial arts freely. Food and lodging included. Those who reach the Skin Refining Realm can be introduced to well-paid work."

"Also hiring odd-job workers. Food and lodging included. One hundred copper coins a month."

"Martial arts school!"

Hearing the words "martial arts school," Zhao Han's eyes lit up.

A martial arts school was perfect. It offered room and board, and he could learn martial arts there. Zhao Han was in sore need of martial arts techniques.

In all of Blackwater County, the second-rate martial arts that were beneath the standard were everywhere, but the proper martial arts were controlled by the various powers. Without connections, there was no way to get them.

A prestigious place like a martial arts school was bound to have proper martial arts.

If he could make a name for himself at the school and earn the Master's favor, getting his hands on a proper martial art should be easy.

"That's the place. Mad Saber Martial Arts School—now that's a domineering name!"

Zhao Han immediately decided where to go.

The young Skin Refining Warrior recruiting students was a member of the martial arts school. He'd already achieved a little success.

He also had quite a bit of prestige. Having a Skin Refining Warrior recruit students showed that Mad Saber Martial Arts School had some clout.

"Senior Brother, here are three taels of silver. I'd like to sign up and learn martial arts." Zhao Han stepped forward and held out the silver, getting straight to the point.

Liang Feng had spent the whole day recruiting. But in these troubled times, prices were soaring and everyone was on edge. Ordinary people couldn't bear to spend their money, preferring to save every last coin.

Those who could afford it had better options, and Blackwater County already had a small population. On top of that, two other martial arts schools were competing for students.

Besides, three taels of silver was no small sum. Few people would grit their teeth and take on an extra burden.

At last, a reckless young fool had shown up.

"Junior Brother, no need to pay yet. Come take a look at Mad Saber Martial Arts School with me first. If it seems right, you can decide afterward."

Liang Feng waved his hand, not taking the silver.

Zhao Han was taken aback. He hadn't expected Mad Saber Martial Arts School to have such integrity. They wanted him to see the place first.

How considerate of them. It looked like he'd come to the right place.

"Junior Brother, my name is Liang Feng. I'm 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 as in Zhao Zilong of Changshan, Yan as in Xiao Yan. You can just call me Junior Brother Zhao."

"Zhao Zilong of Changshan? Xiao Yan?" Liang Feng stared at him, dumbfounded. Who were those two? He didn't think he'd ever heard of them.

Zhao Han had casually made up a fake name to fool him, so the Poisonous Snake Gang wouldn't recognize him.

"Ahem. Junior Brother Zhao, come with me. The school is two hundred meters away."

Zhao Han nodded and followed close behind. In less than three minutes, they arrived at a large compound with imposing gates.

The plaque was rather old, with several large gilt characters carved into it: Mad Saber Martial Arts School!

It was nowhere near as lavish as the Poisonous Snake Gang's Main Sect, but it was still the sort of place a wealthy family might live.

There was no one standing guard at the entrance, and the front gate was ajar. Just inside, an old man sat on the right, dozing.

Liang Feng teased the old man:

"Old Man Mi, I've brought a junior brother to take a look. If it suits him, he'll be our junior brother from now on. Take a good look so you don't mistake him for someone else. Wouldn't want you keeping him outside next time he comes back."

"Wha... Ah, yes, yes. I'm old, but my heart's still young. My eyesight's fine. This new young fellow looks 'pretty good.'"

Old Man Mi yawned and stretched, looking a little irritated at having been woken up.

"Come on, Junior Brother. Old Man Mi is always a little peculiar. Don't mind him." Liang Feng said with a smile, gesturing for him to go inside.

"Not at all. Senior Brother Liang, please go first."

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

"One of them has a faint trace of Ghoul Qi and is close to the Muscle Refining Realm. What's a fellow like him doing at this shabby Mad Saber Martial Arts School? Could he be after the Blade Ghoul I'm raising, just like me?"

"Hmph. A mere Muscle Refining Realm warrior who doesn't know his place. If he dares interfere with the Blade Ghoul's normal growth, I'll crush him like a chick!"

Old Man Mi's eyes glinted fiercely. Then he returned to normal and went back to dozing.

He looked like a frail old man, half-dead and all too happy to lie around in his retirement.

They crossed the front courtyard of the martial arts school. In the center stood the Training Ground, covered in grass. More than thirty students in training uniforms were practicing their martial arts.