Martial Apprentice, Old Dan

The calm surface of the pond rippled, circles spreading one after another, as a limp, grass-like Weird floated up.

It drifted on the water, seemingly unaware of the three people on the shore. From its tangled grassy body, clusters of grass grew, expanded, and spread continuously.

Soon, it covered one corner of the pond.

"Ah, a Weird!"

Meng Sheng and Qian Peng jolted in fright, turned around, and ran, without any regard for Shan Renhu or Jiang Yan.

This was a habit they had developed—ordinary people facing a Weird should never entertain any unrealistic thoughts. Just run. As long as you run faster than others, you survive.

Jiang Yan wanted to run too, but he kept his eyes fixed on Shan Renhu. After the grass-like Weird appeared, Shan Renhu sat there calmly, showing no sign of getting up. Only then did Jiang Yan suppress his urge to flee.

Still, he stared intently at the grass-like Weird, ready to bolt the moment something went wrong.

"Not bad. Spotting the Weird right away—that's a good habit. When you're on patrol, you must always stay alert to changes around you."

From the moment the grass-like Weird appeared, Shan Renhu had been closely watching the three newcomers' reactions. So far, this tall, thin young man had sharp observation skills.

What was even rarer was that, after seeing Shan Renhu make no move, he could curb his fear and stay put. It wasn't boldness—it was a calm mind.

With that kind of temperament, he wouldn't panic in danger, and his chances of survival would be higher.

A flicker of approval passed through Shan Renhu's eyes as he warned, "I didn't run because I'm sure I know this Weird better than you do. I didn't move because I can either handle it or I know its habits well enough to keep myself safe."

"As for you, you should have run. What I can handle, you might not be able to. I can protect myself, but I might not be able to protect you."

"If it were dangerous, I'd run faster than you for sure. I've already touched that threshold of sensing Qi. Once I cross it, I'll be a Martial Apprentice."

Saying all this was already speaking more deeply than their acquaintance warranted.

Jiang Yan nodded slightly and cupped his hands toward Shan Renhu.

"Thank you, Brother Shan."

Shan Renhu waved a hand and looked at the pond. By now, the grass-like Weird had slowly shrunk and was sinking back into the water.

"This kind of Weird is called Submerged Grass. It's a mild type of Sha. It usually hides in ponds, eating small fish and shrimp. It won't attack people—of course, as long as you don't provoke it."

Jiang Yan stared at the pond, which had returned to its calm state, thought for a moment, and said, "Brother Shan, are you free tonight? I'd like to treat you to a meal."

Seeing the blatant look on Jiang Yan's face—an obvious attempt to get closer—Shan Renhu was taken aback.

He thought this kid was still a green youth, but it turned out he knew a few tricks too.

With that thought, Shan Renhu smiled. "I'm free, but the Patrol Team provides meals."

Jiang Yan: "..."

Just then, Meng Sheng and Fei Shan's figures appeared in the distance, growing closer. Shan Renhu said slowly, "Brother Jiang, those two aren't Martial Apprentices, but they've definitely trained before. They probably tested their own aptitude back in their villages. Every year, people from outside are selected to join the Dahe Gang based on their martial talent, but these outsiders might have already verified their aptitude in their home villages before coming, even practiced martial arts techniques."

"This is common. The Dahe Gang knows it too, but it doesn't matter—as long as they work diligently for the gang. But for you, it's not good news. When danger comes, they might not be able to beat a Weird, but they'll definitely outrun you..."

He could tell that although Jiang Yan was tall, his lower body was weak—he didn't look like he'd trained.

Shan Renhu didn't say the rest, but Jiang Yan understood: the slow runner dies first.

Jiang Yan watched Meng Sheng and Fei Shan approaching, his expression serious.

In his mind, he softly uttered, Martial Arts Modifier.

Instantly, the ability panel appeared.

Character: Jiang Yan

Martial Arts: Chopping Iron Four Forms: Improve (Available) Deduce (No)

Weird Value: 5

Jiang Yan broke into a bright, sunny smile.

He said softly, "Thank you, Brother Shan. I'll train hard and practice diligently."

Too bad I wanted to rely on my own hard work to advance to Martial Apprentice, but time won't wait for me.

Improve, Chopping Iron Four Forms, he thought in his heart.

The ability panel blurred for a moment, then quickly sharpened.

Character: Jiang Yan

Martial Arts: Chopping Iron Four Forms: First Form Mastery.

Improve (Available) Deduce (No)

Weird Value: 4

An overwhelming sense of power surged from deep within him. His heart beat strong and forceful, every muscle fiber in his body coiling tight like steel wire, brimming with terrifying explosive force.

Even his once-thin chest had become somewhat thicker.

It was as if he had broken through the limits of his own life. Everything before his eyes felt different—the afternoon sunlight, the clear green water, the earthy scent of soil.

His right hand, resting on the sword hilt, trembled slightly. Countless basic sword techniques and the standard movements for drawing and striking merged into one, as if he had immersed himself in sword forms for years.

In that moment, he was confident that even his straight thrust would be more precise than Tang Long's.

What surprised him even more was that, inside his Dantian, a faint, barely perceptible stream of Qi swirled. Every pore on his body opened wide, as if his entire being could breathe.

Chopping Iron First Form reached great completion; qi sense was born.

Martial Apprentice.

No matter how hard Shan Renhu racked his brain, he could never have imagined that in such a short instant, the youth beside him had already shed his old self, advanced to Martial Apprentice, and reached the realm he had yearned for day and night over the past year.

Meng Sheng and Qian Peng walked over, their faces burning with shame. That morning, Tang Long had said the Patrol Team must not abandon teammates and flee alone, yet the two of them had made that very mistake in the afternoon.

Neither was stupid; recalling that Shan Renhu hadn't even moved, they realized the grass-like Weird must have been problematic.

But at the time, when they saw the Weird, their minds were seized, and fleeing was pure bodily instinct.

"Brother Shan, sorry for the embarrassment."

Meng Sheng bowed deeply, expressing his apology.

Shan Renhu's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Running away wasn't wrong, and I won't blame you for it. But Captain Tang said you have to listen to me. Do you think there are no Weirds elsewhere? Running around cluelessly like you two just makes it more likely you'll run into danger."

"In the Patrol Team, insight and calm are sometimes more important than physical strength."

The two lowered their heads, carefully pondering Shan Renhu's words.

After a long while, the two accompanied him with much talk, and only then did Shan Renhu's expression ease.

The four of them walked from one end of the pond to the other. Seeing another small team not far off, with the two groups close by, Shan Renhu waved a distant greeting but made no move to approach.

Time passed quickly. The sky was filled with red clouds as Shan Renhu led the three back.

"On normal days, this is the Patrol Team's routine work—one team patrols a short stretch. If a problem arises, send a signal, and everyone works together to solve it."

"Our Patrol Team has good treatment, but the danger is high too. Once you encounter a Weird, there's a chance you'll lose your life."

"Some of Yuyang Village's villagers envy the Patrol Team's high pay and join up; few others ever sign on."

"It's only us poor bastards who fled here from elsewhere, unwilling to be commoners for life, lucky enough to have the talent for martial arts, who choose to join the Dahe Gang to train, and then join the Patrol Team, hoping one day to become true martial artists and rise above the crowd."

Shan Renhu wasn't lying; he truly was earnest and meticulous in teaching the three.

Much later, Jiang Yan realized in comparison that Old Shan really was his benefactor in the starting village.

The setting sun stretched the four figures long, and finally Shan Renhu summed it up: "Everything we have now, we earned by risking our lives against Weirds."

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