Fireworks Temporarily Warm

Wang Quan moved stealthily through the night, his Shadow Step making him almost blend into the shadows. He specifically targeted areas with dense Corpse Qi, and scattered members of the Corpse Tribe fell one after another under his blade. System prompts sounded intermittently in his mind, but after killing seven or eight, only six yielded Skill Points, totaling 6 points. Two kills elicited no reaction, suggesting they weren't even the lowest-grade Walking Corpses. He wasted no more time and returned to the team.

In the latter half of the night, the team encountered three more waves of scattered Corpse Tribe members. Wang Quan personally took action, his blade flashing, and added another 3 points. With a total of 9 Skill Points acquired, he suppressed the urge to immediately level up, needing to find a place of absolute safety.

As dawn broke, the team, dragging their exhaustion, returned to the Garrison. The training grounds were filled with the mingled scent of blood and sweat. Commander Chen, hunched over, was taking roll call. When he reached Wang Quan's team, Wang Quan stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said in a deep voice, "Commander Chen, we patrolled the eastern sector last night and encountered eleven waves of the Corpse Tribe. Their numbers have increased abnormally. All have been cleared."

Commander Chen raised an eyelid, his cloudy gaze pausing on Wang Quan's face for a moment. He grunted and said hoarsely, "Understood. A new batch of people will be arriving soon. You'll need to vacate Room Bing-7. You can find your own place to stay now. The surveillance... is temporarily lifted. But you know the rules, don't get any ideas you shouldn't."

Wang Quan cupped his fists. "Understood."

Wei Dayong, standing nearby, overheard and leaned in, whispering, "Brother, since you have nowhere to go, why not stay at my place? It'll be a bit cramped, but it's just adding an extra pair of chopsticks. We can look out for each other, and have a drink to relax when we get back at night."

Wang Quan pondered for a moment. He did need a relatively stable place to cultivate. Although Wei Dayong's home was simple, it was better than the mixed crowd of the barracks and more convenient for gathering information. "Then I'll be intruding on you and Sister Xu, Brother Wei."

"Ah, don't be so formal!" Wei Dayong's dark face broke into a genuine smile as he clapped Wang Quan heartily on the shoulder.

After finishing his duty, Wang Quan packed his meager belongings and followed Wei Dayong through several streets and alleys to a familiar courtyard gate with an old locust tree in front. Wei Dayong banged loudly on the door. "Xingniang! Open up quickly! We're back, and Brother Wang will be staying with us from now on!"

Light footsteps sounded, and the door creaked open. Sister Xu, wearing an apron, poked her head out. She first shot Wei Dayong a chiding glance. "What are you shouting about? The neighbors can all hear you." Then she looked at Wang Quan, a gentle smile appearing on her face. "It's good that Brother Wang is here. Come in quickly, I was just tidying up a room. Make yourself at home, don't be shy."

"Thank you for the trouble, Sister Xu," Wang Quan nodded.

"Daddy!" A little girl with two pigtails and rosy cheeks, like a cheerful little bird, ran out from the house and straight into Wei Dayong's arms.

"Oh, my precious Nannan!" Wei Dayong's weariness and weathered expression instantly vanished, replaced by a smile. He bent down and lifted his daughter high, rubbing his stubbled chin against her soft cheek, making the little girl giggle and push him away with her tiny hands.

"Hello, Brother!" The little girl, in her father's arms, wasn't shy at all. Her big, dark eyes curiously gazed at Wang Quan.

"Girl, say Uncle Wang," Wei Dayong corrected, his face full of doting affection.

"Hello, Uncle Wang!" The little girl was quick to comply, her voice clear.

Wang Quan's expression softened slightly. He managed a somewhat unpracticed smile. "Hello."

The courtyard wasn't large but was kept tidy. Sister Xu efficiently cleared out a side room on the west side that had been used for storage. Though simple, it was furnished with a bed, table, and chairs. The window was bright and clean, a hundred times better than the communal sleeping quarters at the Garrison. Wei Dayong helped move things, muttering, "This table leg is a bit wobbly. I'll find a wooden wedge to secure it tomorrow... The window paper is a bit old. I'll get some new paper to paste up soon... Make do for now, Brother. If you need anything, just tell your sister-in-law, don't be polite!"

At dinner, the table held steaming bowls of coarse grain buns, a plate of pickles, a bowl of stew with visible flecks of oil, and a small plate of thinly sliced preserved meat, clearly an extra dish prepared to welcome Wang Quan. The little girl held her own small bowl, eating with gusto, chattering about the new characters she learned from her mother that day or the games she played with the neighbor's children. Wei Dayong listened with a beaming smile, occasionally giving his daughter bits of meat and pouring Wang Quan some of their homemade, cloudy but warming rice wine.

"Brother, I see your cultivation... has progressed remarkably fast lately," Wei Dayong took a sip of wine, lowering his voice, his face showing admiration and a subtle hint of inquiry. "How long has it been, and your movement technique and swordsmanship are like you've become a different person. It seems you were born to be in the martial arts, with extraordinary talent."

Wang Quan put down his bowl and said calmly, "You flatter me, Brother Wei. It's just a bit of ferocity forced out during life-or-death struggles, plus a little luck."

"Luck is also strength," Wei Dayong waved his hand, his expression becoming more serious. "The Cultivation Method you asked me to inquire about... I haven't forgotten. It's just that truly good things are kept under tight wraps. Most of what circulates on the market is trash or dangerous evil techniques. Give me some more time, and I'll definitely find a reliable one for you."

"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Wei," Wang Quan raised his bowl and toasted him.

After dinner, the little girl actually pulled Wei Dayong to the courtyard to practice. She assumed a wobbly horse stance with great seriousness, her little face flushed red, making "he-ha" sounds as she mimicked movements. Wei Dayong squatted beside her, his eyes narrowed into slits, his face filled with undisguised pride and affection. He occasionally offered guidance, "Straighten your waist! Punch with power! That's right! If my daughter practices like this, she'll definitely be stronger than her dad in the future!"

Sister Xu, while clearing the dishes, chuckled and shook her head. "You just spoil her. Why does a girl need to learn these fighting skills?"

"What's wrong with that? My Wei Dayong's daughter learning some self-defense skills? In this world, having an extra skill means an extra path!" Wei Dayong puffed out his chest, speaking righteously.

Watching the little girl, Wei Lingling, with her flushed face and childish punches and kicks, a red plum blossom-shaped birthmark visible on her hand, Wang Quan's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. He stepped forward, his voice softer than usual, but still with its characteristic brevity. "Your stance is wrong."

Wei Lingling stopped, looked up, her big dark eyes blinking at him with the curiosity and trust unique to children.

Wang Quan stood before her, his posture like a pine tree. "Watch me," he said, then spread his legs, lowered his hips, and naturally assumed the basic starting stance of the Bronze Armor Technique. The movements were not flashy but were as steady as a mountain, exuding an aura of unshakeable fortitude. He didn't circulate his qi and blood, merely demonstrating the moves. His right fist slowly pushed forward, the motion simple and unadorned, but as the fist neared its target without quite reaching it, an extremely brief yet clearly audible popping sound echoed in the air – the sound of speed and power tearing through the air at just the right balance.

"Wow!" Wei Lingling's mouth formed a perfect 'O', and she exclaimed, "Uncle Wang, you're amazing! It made a sound!"

Wei Dayong's eyes lit up. He was knowledgeable and could see the solid foundation and explosive power contained within Wang Quan's simple move; this was no mere show. He quickly said to his daughter, "Lingling, quickly, learn well from Uncle Wang! This is real skill!"

Wang Quan retracted his fist and looked at the little girl. "Want to learn?"

"Yes!" Wei Lingling nodded vigorously, her little face full of excitement.

"Good," Wang Quan crouched down, bringing his gaze level with the little girl's, patiently correcting her movements. "Feet, spread them a bit wider, stand firm. Straighten your waist, don't stick your butt out. Yes, like this." He gently adjusted her shoulders and arms with his hands. "Grip your fist tightly like this. When you punch, the power comes from the soles of your feet, through your waist, and then to your fist."

His explanations were direct and practical, without unnecessary words, yet each hit the crucial points. Wei Lingling, though not fully understanding, learned with extreme seriousness, her little face taut as she tried to imitate Wang Quan's every detail.

Wei Dayong watched from the side, his smile never fading, his eyes full of relief. He rubbed his hands together and whispered to Sister Xu, who had come over, "Look, Brother Wang really has skills, and he's willing to teach. Our daughter is lucky."

Sister Xu wiped her hands with her apron. Looking at the two figures, one large and one small, in the courtyard, a gentle smile also bloomed in her eyes. "Yes, Brother Wang is a genuine person. It's just... his killing aura, won't it be too harsh for teaching a child?"

"A woman's perspective!" Wei Dayong dismissed it. "In this world, learning real skills is more important than anything! A strict teacher is good, a strict teacher produces excellent students! It's better than later... sigh." He didn't finish his sentence, merely sighing, his gaze sweeping past the courtyard wall as if he could see through it to the dangerous darkness outside.

Wang Quan taught earnestly, and the little girl learned with focus. Simple movements were practiced repeatedly. Wang Quan did not lower his standards because of her age; he corrected her mistakes until her movements were roughly standardized. The little girl was so tired her nose was sweating, but she gritted her teeth and didn't complain.

"That's enough for today," Wang Quan stopped when he saw her breathing heavily. "Martial arts practice is not accomplished in a single day; persistence is key. Stand in this stance for the duration of one incense stick each day, and punch a hundred times. Remember?"

"I remember, Uncle Wang!" Wei Lingling answered loudly. Though tired, her little face was brimming with the excitement of learning something new.

"Good child," Wang Quan, uncharacteristically, raised his hand and gently patted the top of the little girl's head. The gesture was a bit stiff but carried a hint of gentleness.