Minor Accomplishment

"Yes, this disciple understands."

Qin Fang spoke respectfully and sincerely. "Master first pulled this disciple back from the gates of hell, then rescued this disciple in a moment of crisis, and even gave this disciple a place to stay. Such kindness weighs as heavily as a mountain... Master has already done more than enough for this disciple. How could this disciple dare trouble Master any further?"

Qin Fang's words made Elder Wu glance at him repeatedly. He waved his hands and said, "Enough, enough... Mm, it's good that you understand..."

Clearly, Qin Fang's sudden declaration had left Elder Wu somewhat unaccustomed to it.

After saying that, he turned around and looked about. Then he noticed that more roof tiles had fallen away. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Do you still have any relatives alive?"

Qin Fang shook his head. "I don't know. During my flight, there was a large-scale conflict among the refugees. This disciple was injured and lost consciousness in the clash. When I woke, I had been separated from my family. Now... I don't even know whether they are alive or dead."

Elder Wu subconsciously turned to look at him. After a moment of silence, he said, "Fortune favors the good. Don't worry too much. First live well, then speak of the rest."

"Yes."

After another brief silence, Elder Wu suddenly asked, "Mm... where is your Identity Plate?"

Qin Fang froze for a moment, then took the Identity Plate from his chest and respectfully handed it to Elder Wu.

Elder Wu accepted it, looked it over, then tucked it into his sleeve. "I'll handle your identity arrangements. Stay here and recover in peace... Mm, you can start eating some meat now."

There had been no meat among the supplies Elder Wu had brought before. It was not because he was unwilling to give it, but because Qin Fang had been unable to eat overly greasy food at the time.

Months of hunger and thirst had already left his stomach frail beyond measure. On top of that, he had only just recovered from severe injuries, and his body had been weak to the extreme. If he had been given rich, greasy food then, it would only have increased the burden on his body and might even have caused it to collapse completely.

He could only be nourished first with light food, allowing his body to adjust and recover slowly on its own.

Now that he had mostly recovered, he could naturally begin eating some meat and gradually nurse his body back to health.

At the mention of meat, Qin Fang subconsciously looked toward the pork piled off to one side and could not help swallowing.

"Mm, that will do for now. Focus on recovering. Don't eat too much of this meat at first—just a little each time, then slowly return to a normal amount... I'll be leaving now. I'll come again in a couple of days."

After saying that, Elder Wu rose and walked toward the courtyard gate.

Qin Fang hurriedly escorted him to the gate, only returning inside after Elder Wu told him to, while Elder Wu clasped his hands behind his back and slowly departed.

After seeing Elder Wu off, Qin Fang shut the courtyard gate and finally let out a long breath.

His eyes flickered.

Becoming Elder Wu's disciple was something he had never anticipated.

But without a doubt... for him as he was now, taking Elder Wu as his master brought a hundred benefits and not a single harm.

Still, he had to admit... his reasons for becoming a disciple were largely driven by self-interest.

Elder Wu held an extraordinary position in True Martial and had an extensive network of connections. Having such a backer would clearly be better than anything for Qin Fang.

But...

Self-interest was self-interest.

His gratitude was real as well.

Elder Wu had already done more than enough for him. Naturally, he would remember this kindness.

It was simply that, at present, he truly could not help Elder Wu with anything. He could only keep it in his heart for now and repay it someday.

Then he could no longer restrain himself. Hugging that half slab of pork, he ran into the kitchen.

It had been far too long since he had eaten meat. He had long been unable to wait.

The supplies Elder Wu had brought last time included salt and other seasonings. Qin Fang quickly lit the fire and set water to boil.

He also knew that his body could not handle food that was too greasy right now, so he only cut off a small portion.

Most of the pork Elder Wu had brought was pork belly. He planned to make a small bowl of braised pork.

Elder Wu had also bought some scallions, ginger, and other seasonings, just enough for use.

And so...

An hour later, a bowl of fragrant, glistening braised pork was ready.

The staple food was a whole steamer basket of cornmeal buns.

Qin Fang's mouth watered madly. Unable to endure any longer, he picked up a piece of braised pork and put it into his mouth...

The braised pork was tender and soft. One bite filled his mouth with oil, yet it was rich without being greasy.

An unprecedented sense of satisfaction spread through his heart.

Qin Fang could not even stop himself from groaning...

It hadn't been easy!

The first bite of meat in this life!

He wolfed down three huge chunks in succession before finally starting on the staple food.

In the end, he cleaned out the small bowl of braised pork completely.

Then...

Qin Fang was stuffed.

He sat on the courtyard steps, half reclining there...

With oil in his belly, the feeling was vastly different.

This time, he truly felt "full," rather than merely stuffing his stomach with grass while receiving barely any energy.

His entire body felt warm.

There was a kind of "satisfaction."

After sitting for a while, Qin Fang finally let out a light breath and stood.

"After eating meat, I feel much stronger. Since that's the case... today, I'll cultivate Hidden Weapons to Minor Accomplishment."

Qin Fang retrieved the Flying Darts and began today's training.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Thud, thud, thud!

He was gradually getting used to the complete concentration required for training. Little by little, the numbers on the Panel began to jump upward...

Hidden Weapons (Flying Darts) (Initiation Stage): 488/500

Hidden Weapons (Flying Darts) (Initiation Stage): 489/500

He improved steadily.

Without realizing it, an entire afternoon passed.

The text on the Panel had reached "499."

Just one more point, and he would break through the Initiation Stage and reach Minor Accomplishment!

Qin Fang glanced at it, and a ripple stirred in his heart. There was a trace of anticipation.

But he quickly focused wholeheartedly again.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

He did not know how many more times he threw.

The text on the Panel suddenly jumped from 499.

It became...

1.

Hidden Weapons (Flying Darts) (Minor Accomplishment Stage): 1/1000!

The next moment, Qin Fang's consciousness suddenly swayed slightly. Immediately afterward, a feeling of divine inspiration descended upon him.

Flying darts did not have to be thrown in only this one way. At different times, different methods could be used to launch them.

As for aiming, it was an even more indescribable feeling. It was not merely using one's eyes to aim... aiming with the eyes alone easily led to errors.

Different ways of holding a dart could also affect the force with which it was launched to a certain degree... Some grips sent the dart flying with greater power and faster speed...

This series of thoughts flashed through his mind in the blink of an eye.

Leaving him rooted to the spot in a daze.

It took him quite a while before he recovered.

Then he stared intensely at the target five meters away.

The next instant, he hooked a dart in his right hand. Without making any great movement, he flicked his wrist, and his right middle finger suddenly snapped forward!

If it had merely been a simple flick powered by his middle finger, then without question, the force would have been very weak.

But in the process, he added a twist of the wrist and a whipping motion.

This way, it was no longer merely the strength of his fingers... The strength of his entire arm naturally gathered together and acted upon the dart.

In an instant, the dart flew out.

Whoosh!

Thud!

The dart embedded itself firmly in the bullseye.

And this method of launching it was undoubtedly far more concealed than before!

Hidden Weapons, Hidden Weapons...

Why were they called "Hidden Weapons" rather than "Open Weapons"?

A sharp gleam appeared in Qin Fang's eyes.