Li Bufan arrived at the familiar side gate of Lin Manor. After announcing himself, he was quickly led to the training ground where the West Courtyard guards drilled. It was early morning, and the cold had yet to recede. Quite a few guards were already on the field, shouting as they practiced their fists and sparred, their exhaled white vapor gathering into a haze.
Coach Qin still stood in the center of the grounds like an iron tower, his gaze sweeping over the men like lightning as he occasionally barked out rough reprimands or guidance. When he saw Li Bufan approaching—particularly the conspicuous cloth bundle on his back and the smaller package in his hand—a barely perceptible smile appeared on his rugged face.
"Coach." Li Bufan stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Mm, you're back? You look to be in good spirits. Seems you didn't end up feeding the wolves in the mountains." Coach Qin looked him over from head to toe. His tone remained gruff, but held little reproach. "How was the harvest?"
Li Bufan removed the cloth bundle from his back and opened it, revealing three ordinary Snow Fox pelts and two rare pelts with silver fur on their foreheads. He also set the quiver containing twenty imitation Armor-piercing Arrows to one side.
"I did not fail your trust," Li Bufan said in a low voice. "I hunted three Snow Foxes and two Silver-Crowned Snow Foxes. Also... Coach, the Armor-piercing Arrows you lent me suffered considerable losses when I encountered fierce beasts in the mountains, and I was unable to bring them all back. I feel deeply uneasy, fearing I may have caused you trouble. I went to a blacksmith's shop and had twenty replacements made. I hope you will inspect them."
His words were half true and half false. They explained both his gains and the matter of the arrows, and his attitude was sincere.
Coach Qin's gaze swept over the five exceptionally fine fox pelts, lingering especially on the two Silver-Crowned Snow Fox pelts. Surprise and satisfaction flashed in his eyes. He casually picked up one of the imitation Armor-piercing Arrows, weighed it in his hand, then examined the workmanship of its arrowhead before nodding.
"Hmph. At least you've got some sense." Coach Qin tossed the arrow back into the quiver and waved dismissively. "Don't keep such a trivial matter on your mind. Guards train with weapons and arrows; losses are perfectly normal. The manor has its own allotted quota. No one will make a fuss over twenty arrows. Besides..."
His tone shifted as his gaze fell once more upon the Silver-Crowned Snow Fox pelts, carrying a hint of amusement. "For a brat like you to hunt Silver-Crowned Snow Foxes—and two of them at that—that takes more than luck. And you even had spare money to imitate these costly Armor-piercing Arrows... Looks like your gains from this trip into the mountains went far beyond these few pelts."
Li Bufan's heart tightened slightly. Knowing he could not fool this seasoned coach, he could only answer vaguely, "I was indeed fortunate enough to obtain some materials from fierce beasts and exchanged them for a little silver."
Coach Qin laughed heartily and did not probe any further. Everyone had their own opportunities and secrets. He pushed the pelts aside, and suddenly his eyes sharpened. The lazy air around him abruptly changed, like a sleeping lion awakening, as an invisible pressure descended upon Li Bufan.
"Enough nonsense! Let me see how much you've improved after rolling around in those mountains!" Coach Qin's voice boomed like a great bell. He suddenly stepped forward and shouted, "Come, throw a punch! Hit me with all your strength!"
Li Bufan froze for a moment, then hastily said, "I would not dare raise a hand against you, Coach!"
"Cut the damn nonsense! Twisting and squirming like a woman! If I tell you to hit me, then hit me! Keep babbling, and I'll beat you up first!" Coach Qin glared and roared impatiently, his fierce and valiant aura fully unleashed.
Li Bufan knew the coach meant to test him, so he no longer declined. He drew a deep breath, and his gaze instantly grew focused. His blood and qi silently circulated within him as the power of the Spirit Ape Muscle Tempering Technique spread through his limbs and bones.
"Then... forgive this offense!"
Before his words had faded, Li Bufan activated the Spirit Monkey Three Leaps footwork. His body shot forward like an arrow released from the bowstring, his right fist clenched as his bones gave off faint explosive cracks. Blood and qi surged through him, gathering at the edge of his fist! He did not use the flashy Nameless Fist Technique, but instead threw the simplest, most direct Mighty Ox Fist straight punch. Yet the power contained within it far surpassed what it had been half a month ago!
The fist wind howled, even kicking up dust from the ground and displaying the peerless ferocity of that blow! Li Bufan had held back twenty percent of his strength, using only eighty percent, yet he was confident that even an ordinary warrior at the Initial Muscle Tempering stage would not dare receive it head-on!
Yet before this swift and fierce punch, Coach Qin neither dodged nor retreated. Instead, delight burst from his eyes. Just as Li Bufan's fist was about to strike him, that large hand of his, broad as a cattail fan, casually reached out and grabbed!
The movement was so fast that Li Bufan could not see its trajectory at all!
Bang!
A dull thud rang out! Li Bufan felt as though his fist had struck an indestructible iron anvil. All his surging force vanished in an instant like a clay ox sinking into the sea! His wrist was firmly clamped by an immense yet gentle force, leaving him unable to advance or retreat!
Feeling the dense, solid force in his palm, far beyond the Skin Tempering Realm, Coach Qin was first slightly stunned. Then disbelief appeared on his face, swiftly turning into enormous delight. He abruptly released Li Bufan's hand and let out earth-shaking laughter:
"Hahaha! Good! Good! Good lad!"
His laughter echoed across the training ground, making the guards practicing nearby turn their heads and look over curiously.
Coach Qin slapped Li Bufan's shoulder hard enough to make his body sway. Had he not broken through, that slap might well have knocked him apart. Coach Qin's face was full of approval. "Good heavens! How long has it been? You actually crossed that threshold and broke through to Muscle Tempering! And your foundation is so solid! Your blood and qi are vigorous, your force fierce and powerful! Good! This is truly excellent!"
He was genuinely happy. As a coach, seeing such a talented and persevering seedling under his command rise above the rest was itself something gratifying. What was more, Li Bufan had completed his breakthrough right under his watch, relying on a hunt that could barely be called a mission. It proved his eye for talent all the more.
Li Bufan felt somewhat embarrassed by the praise and quickly said modestly, "You overpraise me, Coach. I merely broke through by luck. My foundation is still shallow, and I must cultivate diligently."
"Luck? There's no such abundance of luck on the martial path!" Coach Qin waved a hand, cutting off his modesty. "Strength is strength! If you broke through in the mountains, that was your own ability and fortune! Mm... Muscle Tempering. Not bad, truly not bad..."
He stroked his chin and looked Li Bufan up and down. Light flickered in his eyes, as if he were calculating something.
"Since you've entered Muscle Tempering, you're no longer an ordinary newcomer." After pondering for a moment, Coach Qin said, "These Silver-Crowned Snow Fox pelts of yours are worth quite a bit. Hand them over to the manor, and they are enough to earn you merit. By the manor's rules, merit deserves reward. Your cultivation is sufficient now as well... How about this? I'll report it to the higher-ups and see whether an exception can be made to promote you directly to Second-Class Guard, without requiring an assessment. What do you say?"
Second-Class Guard!
Li Bufan's heart stirred. It meant higher monthly pay, more stable resources, and opportunities to access higher-level martial arts of the Lin Family! It was undoubtedly what he needed most at present.
He immediately cupped his fists and bowed deeply. "Thank you for your support and cultivation, Coach!"
"Don't thank me so soon. Whether it works out still depends on what those above decide." Though Coach Qin said that, there was a measure of confidence on his face. "But it shouldn't be a problem. Stay home and wait for news these next few days. Once there's good news, I'll send someone to notify you."
"Yes! I will obey your instructions, Coach!" Li Bufan forcibly suppressed the excitement in his heart.
After giving him a few more instructions, Li Bufan took his leave.
After Li Bufan left, Coach Qin carried the heavy bundle of pelts and strode steadily through the layers of courtyards in Lin Manor until he arrived outside a study in the inner manor called Tingxue Pavilion. This was where the young lady, Lin Zhiyan, usually handled family affairs. Master Lin was still away on a journey, and the major and minor affairs of the Huaiyuan Lin Family were now mostly decided by this young lady, who was young yet possessed exceptional methods.
After a maid announced him, Coach Qin was led inside. The study was elegantly furnished. A brazier dispersed the winter chill, but could not dispel the faintly aloof atmosphere. Lin Zhiyan sat behind her desk, her eyes lowered as she reviewed an account book. Her slender fingers occasionally flicked across an abacus, so swiftly that they dazzled the eye.
"Young Lady." Coach Qin stopped and bowed respectfully.
Lin Zhiyan did not immediately raise her head. She merely gave a soft "Mm," while the crisp clatter of abacus beads sounded especially clear in the silent study. A moment later, she closed the account book. Only then did those cool, clear eyes turn to Coach Qin, naturally falling upon the conspicuous bundle in his hand.
"Coach Qin, what brings you here at this hour?" Her voice was calm, betraying no emotion.
Coach Qin stepped forward and set the bundle on a low table beside the desk. He carefully untied it, revealing the five well-preserved fox pelts within. The two Silver-Crowned Snow Fox pelts in particular, their silver sheen flowing across them, appeared ever more precious and striking beneath the study's gentle light.
"In reply to the young lady, I have come to report on the new guard Li Bufan's mountain hunt. These are his gains from this journey." There was a trace of barely perceptible approval in Coach Qin's voice.
Lin Zhiyan's gaze swept over the pelts. When she saw the Silver-Crowned Snow Fox pelts, her eyes stilled faintly for a moment, and her long eyelashes trembled. She was clearly somewhat surprised. She set down the brush in her hand, rose, and approached. Extending a fingertip, she lightly touched the silver fur. It was cool and smooth to the touch; they were undoubtedly genuine.
"Silver-Crowned Snow Foxes... and two of them at that." She murmured softly, a trace of scrutiny in her tone. "Were they all hunted by Li Bufan alone?"
"Absolutely, Young Lady," Coach Qin affirmed. "After returning, he came straight to report to me, and all the pelts are here. Moreover..." He paused, raising his voice slightly with an obvious air of reporting merit. "Not only did this lad hunt these fox pelts, he also happened upon a fortunate opportunity during this mountain trip and successfully broke through to the Muscle Tempering Realm!"
"The Muscle Tempering Realm?" A trace of surprise appeared on Lin Zhiyan's lovely face. She turned fully toward Coach Qin and regarded him directly. "Are you certain? Is this the new guard who led my horse during the Winter Hunt a month ago, then later killed a Snow Fox? I remember that at the time... he had only reached Minor Success in Skin Refining, hadn't he?"
She had a rather deep impression of Li Bufan. It was not merely because of his eye-catching performance and rare quick-wittedness during the Winter Hunt, but also because of his choice at the time—he had given up the more practical cultivation provisions and instead asked her for a copy of the Spirit Ape Muscle Tempering Technique. That choice had seemed somewhat overambitious then, yet it had shown her a trace of ambition unlike that of ordinary people.
"Young Lady, you have an excellent memory. It was indeed him!" Coach Qin said. "Who would have thought that in little more than a month, he would not only break through to the Muscle Tempering Realm, but also bring back these pelts? One can well imagine the perils involved. This lad's tenacity of character and talent are truly rare!"
Lin Zhiyan listened quietly, her eyes flickering slightly as she calculated swiftly in her heart. In just over a month, he had gone from the peak of Minor Success in Skin Refining directly to Muscle Tempering. That speed was quite good. What was more, he had managed to hunt Silver-Crowned Snow Foxes in the mountains. That was certainly not something luck alone could accomplish.
She returned to her desk and lightly tapped her fingertips against its smooth surface, producing rhythmic, soft sounds. The study fell into brief silence.
A moment later, she raised her eyes and looked at Coach Qin. Her cool voice sounded once more. "Coach Qin, have him come here. I wish to see him now."
Hearing this, Coach Qin did not immediately agree. Instead, he cupped his fists and said, "Young Lady, I have already sent him home first. The deadline I gave him was one month, with three Snow Fox pelts as the requirement. Now, not only has he returned early, he has exceeded the requirement with five pelts, two of which are the more valuable Silver-Crowned Snow Foxes. Seeing that he had traveled hard and seemed to be carrying injuries, I allowed him to return home and rest first. What do you think...?"
Lin Zhiyan was slightly taken aback. She had not expected Coach Qin to be so thorough. She pondered for a moment, then nodded. "So that is the case. You did well. He should indeed be allowed to recover properly first."
After thinking briefly, she made her decision. "Then let us do this. When he comes to the manor in three days to report in and collect his reward and new assignment, bring him directly to see me."
"Yes! I understand, Young Lady!" Coach Qin was delighted. He knew the young lady had truly taken an interest in Li Bufan, and hurriedly agreed. "Then regarding his promotion to Second-Class Guard..."
"We shall discuss it after he arrives and I have seen him." Lin Zhiyan's tone returned to calm indifference, yet the meaning of her words was already clear. So long as she found no issue after meeting him, the matter was as good as settled.
"This subordinate obeys!" Coach Qin bowed respectfully, his heart completely at ease. He knew that Li Bufan, that lad, was truly about to leap from carp to dragon this time. So long as he gained the young lady's favor, his future in Lin Manor would naturally be bright and boundless.
"Register these pelts in the storehouse according to the manor's rules, and record the merit under his name." Lin Zhiyan gave one final instruction before picking up the account book again, as though this had merely been an insignificant interlude.
"Yes!" Coach Qin carefully wrapped the pelts, bowed once more, and withdrew from the study.
Once outside, the cold wind blew against him, and Coach Qin felt his spirits rise. He looked back at the elegant Tingxue Pavilion, a smile forming at the corner of his mouth. Li Bufan, Li Bufan, I've won you a heaven-sent opportunity. What happens next will depend on your own fortune, lad!
Before you continue