Rusty Saber

Three shichen?

But Fang Yue and the others had six shichen, didn't they? Twice as much as him!

Shi Wuliao was furious. He wanted to argue with Lin Ling, but was afraid that if he really angered him, Lin Ling would deduct even this small benefit.

So people who weren't on the Guard Team got their benefits exploited? Damn it!

Shi Wuliao forced down his anger. Three extra shichen was better than nothing. Maybe they'd run into something strange while on night patrol. There were extra rewards for reporting information, too.

The six of them had accepted the mission and were about to leave when Fang Yue suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, Captain Lin, could you give me a saber?"

"A saber? Chen Mu taught you saber techniques?" Lin Ling asked in surprise.

"Yeah, a little."

"A little? Then you haven't learned them yet. But no matter, I'm generous."

Lin Ling went inside, rummaged around, then tossed a saber down at Fang Yue's feet.

"Here. This one's for you."

Fang Yue picked it up and saw that it was somewhat rusty.

It looked similar to a goose-feather saber. The blade was straight, with a curved tip and a back edge.

But the blade was covered in rust. It looked like no one had used it in a long time.

Fang Yue looked at it with distaste.

"Captain Lin, can I get a different saber?"

"A different saber?" Lin Ling gave Fang Yue a strange look. "Don't regret it. Let me tell you, this saber has quite a history. It was one of Chen Mu's weapons, discarded when he replaced his saber after breaking through to a new realm. Plenty of people would love to get their hands on it, but never get the chance."

Hearing that, Fang Yue quickly tucked the saber away.

"I was just kidding! I'll take it. Even the gods couldn't stop me!"

"..."

Fang Yue turned to leave with the saber...

"Wait!"

Lin Ling suddenly called out to him. He stroked his chin and grinned. "I've heard you refugees call yourselves players. You're all short-lived, with a Lifespan of just twelve shichen. If I didn't give you a mission today and kept you stuck here, wouldn't you be done for?"

The others might have been done for, but Fang Yue wouldn't.

He still had eight days of Lifespan. It wasn't that urgent yet—though training really did consume Lifespan at an alarming rate.

Unaware of what Fang Yue was thinking, Lin Ling continued with a smug grin. "Don't make that face. I just wanted to tell you that I helped you today, so you'd better remember my kindness. Got it?"

Fang Yue couldn't help rolling his eyes.

...Are you a child? You want people to remember your favors? And here I was wondering why he was telling me all this.

Outwardly, he remained respectful. "I'll always remember your kindness, Captain Lin."

"Good. As long as you understand. Go on patrol."

"Yes, sir."

Fang Yue led the way out, and the other five hurried after him.

As soon as they left the guard post, the five of them stared eagerly at the saber in Fang Yue's hand.

"Brother Ye, are you willing to part with that saber?"

"Brother Ye, that's clearly a treasured saber. Can I have a look?"

"Brother Ye, a saber is a vicious weapon. It doesn't suit someone of your stature. I think the longsword I'm carrying would match you better. How about we trade?"

Do you think I'm an idiot?!

Fang Yue was speechless.

"Not for sale. Get lost."

Ignoring the ones pestering him, Fang Yue happily inspected the rusty saber.

"Name: Embroidered Saber."

"Grade: Mortal Grade Low-tier."

"Restrictions: None."

"Sharpness: 1 point [Rusty]."

"Durability: 2/3 [Neglected]."

"Description: A saber covered in rust."

"Note: Surely no one would really use this saber to hit someone? The professional team is ready at the village entrance, and the banquet has been laid out. Please hurry up and get here, Your Corpse-ship!"

...Wait, that's not right.

Why was this saber different from what I'd imagined?

Fang Yue was baffled, his gaze lingering on [Rusty] and [Neglected].

"Rusty: The weapon has rusted, reducing its Sharpness."

"Neglected: The weapon has gone unmaintained for years, reducing its maximum Durability."

...A piece of junk!

Fang Yue was sure of it: this was a garbage saber! Lin Ling had wanted to get him killed!

So not every weapon discarded by a powerful expert was any good. More likely, the weapon had been replaced because it had been completely worn out.

He ran his hand over the blade. Even through its cold material, he could tell it had once been well made. It must have been a good saber in its day, but time spared no one.

If he found a blacksmith to maintain and repair it, maybe he could make it usable?

But repairing weapons didn't come cheap.

Fang Yue glanced at the fifty coins in his pocket, feeling uncertain.

In a world overrun by the strange, weapons and other equipment were incredibly valuable. Maintenance and repairs were expensive, too.

Seeing that Fang Yue wasn't responding, the others realized they had no chance of buying the weapon and immediately changed tactics.

"Brother Ye, that saber's clearly got great Sharpness. A treasured saber for a hero—perfect!"

"Brother Ye, we're counting on you to protect us tonight!"

Among the five, only Niu Niu showed a little restraint.

"Brother Ye, how much Force do you have now? After the instructor's training, I've gone from three points to 3.7. I'll be a main force tonight, too! I won't hold you back."

Me? I've got one point of Force, and I'm badly injured and suffering from qi deviation. I'm the one who needs you to protect me.

Fang Yue didn't answer. He followed the night patrol route, leading the way.

But because of his injured body, he could only walk slowly.

The others saw this and assumed Fang Yue was pretending to be a master.

But after only a few steps, Fang Yue's body suddenly trembled, and his slow, unsteady steps became firm.

He had only been a few steps ahead of them, but then he suddenly picked up speed and easily widened the distance.

The others didn't notice the change. Only Niu Niu paused, sensing that something about Fang Yue had changed in that instant, though he couldn't put his finger on what.

He looked up at the darkening sky, then silently followed behind Fang Yue.

Fang Yue really had changed.

Because... dusk had faded, and night had fallen!

Just then, as the sun on the horizon finally sank below the mountains and the last light disappeared, Fang Yue heard the system notification.

"System Notification: Night has fallen. Talent [Night's Breath] effect has switched."

His body trembled, and a refreshing sensation surged through him, spreading to his limbs. It felt unbelievably good.

"System Notification: Congratulations, you have recovered from your Injured state."

It's back... I can feel it. My strength is back!

I said I'd get back the attributes I lost. Not even the sun could stop me!

He opened his status panel.

"Name: Night Dawn."

"Realm: Postnatal Third-rate."

"Status: Meridian Disorder (Mild), Normal."

"Health: 200/200."

"Internal Force Value: 25/25."

"Force: 32 (+20)."

"Resistance: 32 (+20)."

"Talent: Night's Breath (Human Grade High Rank)."

"Skills: Analysis Pupil (Human-grade Low-tier), Spark Saber Technique Level 1 (Postnatal Third-rate), Spark Heart Method Level 1 (Postnatal Third-rate)."

"Lifespan: 8 days, 8 shichen."

My youth is back!

Fang Yue couldn't help smiling, but the smile had barely appeared when it suddenly froze.