Regret

Lu Ming's heart tightened, and he was glad he hadn't stayed in the city overnight.

The Red River Restaurant seemed to be near the Li Family Bank. If he'd stayed there, he might well have been caught up in the attack.

He stopped watching the commotion and turned to enter the Military Service Bureau. In his eyes, if there was any place safe from a demon attack, it was here.

Master Wei Jinlin was stingy, but his cultivation was unfathomably deep. Even the heads of the city's three great families dared not act presumptuously in front of him.

Yet just as Lu Ming entered the Military Service Bureau, he heard a shout:

"Stop!"

He looked up to see someone blocking his way. It was Wu San, the tall man with triangular eyes.

Wu San glanced at the bulging package on Lu Ming's back. A greedy look flickered in his eyes, then he sneered.

"Lu Ming, you've been quite the big shot today! A young hero, famous throughout Red Cloud County, with a haul to show for it!

"But you left the Military Service Bureau without permission. Now you've sneaked back while everyone was eating at the Public Kitchen. Do you think nobody noticed?"

Childish. Lu Ming gave him a cool glance. He was in a good mood today, so he wouldn't bother making an issue of it. He walked around Wu San and headed for his own courtyard.

Wu San's face darkened. Then, as if remembering something, he sneered.

"What exactly was buried under that mound in the woods that day? I went to question Li Hu, but he was tougher than I expected. He took a beating and still wouldn't talk.

"I searched the place but found nothing, so I figure it's on you. Whatever that treasure is, I expect I'll find out soon enough."

Lu Ming stopped abruptly and turned to fix Wu San with a sharp stare.

Thinking of how Li Hu had come to visit his courtyard earlier, limping, he suddenly understood.

So Li Hu hadn't tripped while practicing. Wu San had beaten him, trying to force him to reveal the details of the Bone-Unraveling Technique.

And although Wu San had left the woods that day because of Lu Ming's status, he hadn't given up on the treasure buried under that mound.

Li Hu hadn't told him about this, clearly worried that Lu Ming would go after Wu San and get himself into trouble.

Seeing Lu Ming's expression change, Wu San sneered and stepped forward.

"Lu Ming, I'm taking you to Master Wei!"

As he spoke, he moved to seize him. Several people also sprang from the dark corners on either side, ready to help capture Lu Ming.

Just then, a booming shout rang out from the sky:

"Stop!"

Wu San and the others paled and turned around. Master Wei Jinlin descended from above, his piercing gaze sweeping over them.

Everyone hurriedly lowered their heads. Not one dared meet his eyes.

Wu San's expression shifted. He hastily said, "Master Wei, Lu Ming hasn't reached Major Completion in Skin Refining, yet he left the Military Service Bureau without permission. That's a serious offense. I was going to bring him to you for punishment."

Master Wei said coolly, "There's no need. Lu Ming informed me beforehand.

"Besides, he has a talent for finger techniques. Despite having only reached Skin Refining, he passed the Stone Tablet Nine Palace Stakes. He already has the right to come and go freely from the Military Service Bureau."

At those words, Wu San and the others stared at Lu Ming in disbelief.

He'd actually passed the Stone Tablet Nine Palace Stakes and achieved Nine Breaks in One Breath at the Skin Refining level!

How was that possible?

Master Wei paid them no further attention and said to Lu Ming, "You may go."

"Yes. Thank you for stepping in, Master Wei."

Lu Ming gave Wu San a cold look, then strode away. Master Wei also drifted off.

Wu San and the others exchanged bewildered glances.

Wu San turned and saw Shen Jue beckoning to him from beneath a nearby roof. He cupped his hands slightly, then left with the others, each going his own way.

Beneath the eaves, Shen Jue looked troubled, a trace of regret in his eyes.

"I never expected Lu Ming to have a talent for finger techniques as well as lightness skills.

"And apparently, even Chu Wufeng couldn't beat him in the ring today, despite taking a Blood Explosion Pill and temporarily breaking through to Major Completion in Skin Refining.

"If I'd seen Li Youning trying to recruit him and not given up so easily, perhaps..."

Although the Li Family had won today's arena match, the impact was limited. Still, a perfect opportunity to crush them decisively had been spoiled by Lu Ming, a disciple of the Military Service Bureau who'd suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Their elders were deeply displeased with the two of them, accusing them of doing nothing at the Military Service Bureau and demanding to know why they hadn't reported any sign of this in advance.

This could hurt their standing in their respective families!

After all, although they were both direct descendants of the Shen and Li families, their families were powerful and prosperous, and competition within them was fierce.

If Lu Ming had been someone Shen Jue had recruited and had fought on the opposite side in the arena match, things would have turned out very differently.

Shen Jue suddenly said, "Brother Chen, do you think I still have a chance if I try to recruit Lu Ming now?"

Chen Jinyang smiled faintly. "Lu Ming sided with the Li Family for nothing more than pills and Qi-Nurturing Powder. If you're willing to pay a high enough price, you can recruit him. But is he worth it?"

Shen Jue asked, "You don't think so?"

"Of course not.

"He killed Chu Wufeng today, one of the Red Snake Gang's most promising young fighters. Do you think Gang Leader Yin will look kindly on him?

"Besides, the matter of the Li Family Bank concerns that person!"

A look of admiration and anticipation came into Shen Jue's eyes.

"That person... when will he arrive?"

"Soon. Within the next few days."

Shen Jue slowly nodded, and said no more about recruiting Lu Ming.

Lu Ming entered the Military Service Bureau and thought it over. Instead of returning to his courtyard, he went to Li Hu's.

"Knock, knock, knock." He rapped on the door.

Footsteps soon sounded inside, and the door opened. Li Hu looked at him in surprise, then hurriedly said, "Senior Brother Lu, you're finally back. Where did you go today? You didn't come to the Martial Arts Arena."

"I told Master Wei in advance. There's no need to worry."

Li Hu let out a long sigh of relief and scratched his head with a sheepish grin.

"That's right. Senior Brother Lu lives in the courtyard district, not with the rest of us."

Lu Ming looked at his leg. "How's your injury?"

"Thanks to the medicine you gave me, Senior Brother Lu, it's almost healed."

Lu Ming took out his last two bottles of medicine and handed them to him.

"Don't hold back on the medicine. Get back to training as soon as you can. The Grand Examination is still nearly two months away. If you work hard, you might still have a chance."

Li Hu said gratefully, "Senior Brother Lu, this..."

"Take them. I have no use for these anymore. The Bone-Unraveling Technique you gave me helped a lot, so don't be polite."

He wasn't lying. The Li Family had given him Sweet Dew Powder, which worked better, and it couldn't be used alongside other topical medicines. He had no use for the medicine anymore.

Li Hu had rather take a beating than reveal anything about the Bone-Unraveling Technique to Wu San. Wu San had even guessed on his own that the item was with Lu Ming.

Since Li Hu was so loyal, Lu Ming ought to do something in return.

Holding the two bottles of medicine, Li Hu thought that he'd given Lu Ming the Bone-Unraveling Technique because Lu Ming had rescued him from Wu San and the other man.

Now Lu Ming had given him medicine several times, and he had nothing to repay him with. He quickly said, "Thank you, Senior Brother Lu. Is there anything I can help you with? Just ask."

"I like martial arts manuals—any kind of martial arts manual. If you can get your hands on some for me, that'd be great."

Lu Ming smiled, then turned and left without giving it another thought.

The Bone-Unraveling Technique had been a one-time thing. He didn't think Li Hu could get him any martial arts manuals; he'd only said it to put him at ease about using the medicine.

Li Hu watched Lu Ming walk away, looking troubled.

Martial arts manuals? That was going to be difficult!

Martial arts manuals all had owners.