Practice Some More

Quite a few people immediately took a dislike to Zhao Han's attitude.

Yang Wuji, Wu Hai, Yang Zilan, Yu Qiuyue, and the others all had a poor first impression of Zhao Han.

Only the fourth disciple, Liu Dali, was too honest to pick up on it.

The kid was arrogant and didn't show much respect for others.

He stood ramrod straight without even bending his back. Was that how someone was supposed to act when seeking a master?

Everyone who had come to seek instruction before had looked honored beyond belief, their faces alight with joy and their manner full of respect.

Some had even bowed down, wishing they could knock their heads on the ground a thousand times.

This was an enormous opportunity. How could Zhao Han look so indifferent?

"Zhao Yan, tell us where you're from, why you came to Blackwater County, and why you want to learn martial arts at my Mad Saber Martial Arts School." Yang Wuji had little interest in Zhao Han and asked casually.

He had already decided he would fob Zhao Han off with some excuse in a moment.

If he didn't know to respect his master, he didn't deserve to become one of my disciples.

Zhao Han blinked. So this is an interrogation. He immediately answered:

"This disciple is a farmer from Ji County, on the border of Liang Prefecture. The Rebel army has been running amok everywhere, looting grain, so I had no choice but to flee Ji County. In the end, I wound up in Blackwater County."

"On the way, I saw a lot and realized I had to learn martial arts. That's why I wanted to train my body and build up my strength, so I could protect myself in these chaotic times!"

"And the saber is king of all weapons. It's simple and practical, better suited to a rough fellow like me. That's why I joined the Mad Saber Martial Arts School."

Seeing Zhao Han finish speaking with neither arrogance nor deference, and with sound reasoning, Yang Wuji's impression of him improved considerably.

At least, Zhao Han's explanation showed that he had received an education and was a man of culture. He wasn't a simpleton like Liu Dali, nor was he merely a rough fellow.

But Yang Wuji still had no intention of taking Zhao Han on as a disciple.

It was good to have the ambition to pursue martial arts. Innate Divine Strength and a willingness to fight were major points in his favor.

But, more importantly, he needed to be quick-witted, and respecting his master was paramount. Otherwise... there was nothing to discuss!

"How are you progressing with the Mad Saber Nine Forms?" Yang Wuji asked.

"I haven't mastered the first form yet. I can only swing through the moves."

Mastery meant finishing the first level and getting ready to train the second.

"That won't do... I understand your situation now. You may leave. Practice some more, and I'll test you next month. If you meet the standard, I'll take you on as a disciple."

"Yes, this disciple will take his leave!"

Zhao Han turned and walked away, his expression calm and not the slightest bit disappointed. Everyone present was displeased all over again.

As if becoming Yang Wuji's disciple didn't matter much to him?

Yang Wuji waved a hand. "That's enough. You may all leave."

"Yes, Master!"

After leaving the main hall, Zhao Han couldn't have cared less.

He was far stronger than Yang Wuji. He couldn't bring himself to show Yang Wuji and his senior brothers and sisters a great deal of respect, much less kneel and bow to become his disciple.

The little Mad Saber Martial Arts School was just a convenient place for Zhao Han to live and keep a low profile. He hadn't really come to seek a master.

If the system had been the one he needed to kowtow to, Zhao Han would have bowed without hesitation. It was his benefactor, after all.

A mere Muscle Refining Realm martial artist who hadn't taught him a single move—who did he think he was?

As they walked along, Yu Qiuyue glanced at Liang Feng and snapped, "Senior Brother Liang, that Zhao fellow has no idea how to behave. I'm going to teach him a lesson."

"Junior Brother Zhao has a bit of Innate Divine Strength. It's natural for him to be proud. I don't think there's any need," Liang Feng said, shaking his head.

Zhao Han was comparable to someone in the Skin Refining Realm. If Liang Feng introduced him to others, he could earn a cut, too. There was no need to offend him.

The school's business wasn't limited to collecting tuition and teaching martial arts. More of it came from arranging work and building good relations with various powers.

Liang Feng himself, for instance, had a nominal position at several shops, protecting them from gang harassment.

Yu Qiuyue gritted her teeth and snapped, "Hmph! I just can't stand that look on his face."

Zhao Han had beaten her into a swollen-faced mess before. When she got home, her two older sisters had teased her for days, and even the servants had gossiped about her behind her back.

It had left her humiliated, with a load of anger bottled up inside. Today, Zhao Han's attitude had landed right in her crosshairs.

"Junior Sister Yu, when you practice martial arts, you should keep a calm mind. Don't hurt yourself over petty people and trivial matters."

"Look at Junior Brother Dong. He loved to fight. Maybe he offended someone, and that's why..." Liang Feng gave her a knowing, mysterious smile, then drew his saber and began practicing.

"Uh... Senior Brother Liang, you..." Yu Qiuyue's pupils contracted. She hadn't expected Liang Feng to bring up Dong Qiang out of nowhere.

Liang Feng seemed to know something. Smiling, he said, "Junior Sister Yu, Heaven sees all. I'm very sorry about Junior Brother Dong's death. I'm sure you are, too."

Yu Qiuyue's voice dropped. "Senior Brother Liang, if you have something to say, say it plainly. Don't beat around the bush."

"Heh. Junior Brother Dong and I were close. The day he went out, he happened to let me know."

"And that night, he never came back!"

"Then they found his body!"

"Besides me and Senior Brother, Junior Brother Dong was close to no one but you, Junior Sister Yu. He was pursuing you so relentlessly, too. I think he must have gone out with you that day!"

As Liang Feng kept laying out his deductions, Yu Qiuyue's expression grew darker and darker.

"You killed Junior Brother Dong, didn't you?" Liang Feng's final words struck straight at Yu Qiuyue.

"No, I didn't!"

Liang Feng sneered. "Heh. If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it. That look on your face has already given everything away, Junior Sister Yu."

Yu Qiuyue's face turned deathly pale.

"Junior Sister Yu, you know what I'm like. If you want to keep this from getting out, then this much..." He rubbed his fingers together, making his intentions clear. He wanted hush money.

"Twenty taels of silver. Not a coin less."

Yu Qiuyue looked dejected. "I understand. I'll give it to you tomorrow."

"Junior Sister Yu knows how to behave!" Liang Feng smiled and turned to leave, looking as though he had Yu Qiuyue right where he wanted her.

Yu Qiuyue left the central courtyard with a despondent look. She headed to the front courtyard, intending to take out her frustration on Zhao Han, but saw Yang Zilan with a bow and arrows, talking to him.

"Junior Brother Zhao, I can see that you like archery, too. If you want to practice with a bow in the future, I can bring you along."

"I've joined a professional archery group. It's made up of young Martial Artists from Blackwater County who all enjoy archery."

"Also, you have Innate Divine Strength and strength comparable to someone in the Skin Refining Realm. If you're short on money, tell me. I can recommend a suitable job for you. Practicing archery with me will also let you meet more people who can help you."

"Thank you for looking out for me, Senior Sister Yang. I'm deeply grateful!" Zhao Han clasped his hands in thanks.

"Don't mention it. But for now, make sure you practice your martial arts this month. My father will test you next month. If you can master the first form of the Mad Saber Nine Forms, he might take you on as a disciple."

"Then I can introduce you as my junior brother when I take you out. I won't have to tell people you're still an apprentice who hasn't even reached the Skin Refining Realm."

"Also, you need to rein in your temper."