Entering the City

This world has martial artists.

Qin Fang knew this from the original owner's memories.

For instance, in Jingping County, where the original owner lived, there were dozens of martial arts halls, both large and small.

True martial artists were different from ordinary people even in their official identification... they were entered into the "Martial Registry."

And Great Yu valued martial arts above all else.

Those martial artists who were truly "registered" enjoyed status and treatment vastly different from the common folk.

To say nothing of anything else...

The mere fact that they could travel the world without government oversight was enough to make ordinary people green with envy.

Having fully inherited the original owner's memories, Qin Fang naturally knew that... nine out of ten youths in Great Yu dreamed of becoming martial artists.

This was the reason for the abundance of martial arts halls.

However, practicing martial arts was clearly not something one could just decide to do.

As the saying goes, literature is for the poor, but martial arts are for the rich.

Practicing martial arts first required money.

It wasn't just the massive amount of food needed for nourishment during training; the tuition fees alone were a small fortune.

The original owner had also wanted to practice, but even at the cheapest martial arts hall in Jingping County, the annual tuition was ten taels of silver.

The original owner's family didn't have that kind of spare cash...

Thinking of the original owner's family.

Qin Fang fell silent for a moment.

The original owner naturally had parents and relatives.

It was just that during a riot among the refugees, they had been separated by the panicked crowd, and the original owner had been trampled into unconsciousness in the process.

By the time he woke up, he was a different person.

Naturally, his family could no longer be found.

Qin Fang had previously tried to search for them among the refugees, holding onto the hope that there was strength in numbers... but he had failed.

Now, more than three months had passed, and the refugees had split up and regrouped many times; he didn't know if the original owner's family was still alive, or where they had gone...

Exhaling softly, Qin Fang stopped dwelling on it and stepped forward, wanting a bowl of rice porridge as well.

The True Martial Fist Hall had set up three large iron cauldrons, with a sturdy man in his thirties maintaining order as a dense crowd of refugees swarmed around them.

"Everyone, please don't rush. We have prepared plenty of food. Please line up in an orderly fashion; there is enough for everyone."

"I would like to inform you all that we are from the True Martial Fist Hall in True Martial County. The True Martial Fist Hall is the largest hall in True Martial County, and Master Chen is a powerful martial artist who has been entered into the Martial Registry. If any of you have thoughts of practicing martial arts, you might as well consider our True Martial Fist Hall..."

He took the opportunity to promote the True Martial Fist Hall.

Many among the refugees were gulping down their porridge, but upon hearing this, some were clearly tempted and asked, "What are the requirements to join the True Martial Fist Hall? Can I join?"

"As the largest hall in True Martial County, we naturally have certain entry thresholds. After all, once you enter our doors, you are fellow disciples, and we must be responsible for you. But the resources of the hall are limited, so the True Martial Fist Hall cannot accept everyone who wishes to join."

"There are two ways to enter. First, naturally, is by paying tuition. If you pay one hundred taels of silver, you can become a disciple of our True Martial Fist Hall. Our True Martial Fist Hall has been established in True Martial County for many years and has extensive connections. If you are willing to join, our True Martial Fist Hall will step in to help you re-register in True Martial County, so you will no longer suffer the hardships of displacement."

"Second is through merit-based admission. Anyone under the age of sixteen who passes the internal assessment of our True Martial Fist Hall does not need to pay tuition and can join us! However, the test is somewhat difficult. But as long as you pass, you can practice martial arts for free! We will also arrange your registration in True Martial County, and even provide food and lodging, ensuring you have no worries about clothing or meals..."

The sturdy man answered loudly with a smile.

Many people on the spot showed clear signs of being tempted.

Three or four months of life as a refugee had made this group desperately crave stability.

Qin Fang also held his bowl, listening while he drank.

He was tempted as well.

Practicing martial arts...

He thought of his golden finger.

He licked his lips.

...This golden finger of his seemed to be tailor-made for practicing martial arts!

According to the original owner's memories, powerful martial artists were terrifying beings capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks with their bare hands!

In his previous life, that would basically be a superhero!

It was a pity that after obtaining the golden finger, he had been fleeing for his life and had neither the time nor the energy to study it carefully.

Now that he seemed able to settle down in True Martial County for a while... perhaps he could consider practicing martial arts.

His eyes flickered.

Having been among the refugees since he arrived, and having experienced many bloody struggles he had never encountered in his previous life... Qin Fang had deeply realized the importance of individual martial prowess in this world!

However...

"Two conditions..."

He pursed his lips.

The first requirement was a tuition fee of one hundred taels of silver.

The second was to pass an assessment.

Regrettably, he could not participate in the assessment. His identification clearly stated he was already eighteen, while the other party only accepted those under sixteen.

As for the tuition...

He drank his porridge in silence.

After downing two more large bowls and finally feeling unable to consume any more, he set the bowl down. He glanced at the many people who were tempted to follow True Martial Fist Hall to take the assessment, then stood up and headed toward the settlement area.

He passed several more porridge distribution points, all run by the powerful factions of True Martial County, among which there were more than a dozen martial arts halls.

It was evident that the influence of martial artists in this world was truly extraordinary.

Finally, Qin Fang arrived at the settlement for refugees.

It was a massive plaza that had clearly been cleared only recently. A large number of refugees were gathered there, sitting on the ground and making a clamorous noise.

A pungent odor permeated the air... a crowd of refugees who hadn't bathed in months. The stench of sweat, urine, and blood rushed straight to the crown of his head. Many of the men responsible for patrolling couldn't help but cover their noses, and the glances they occasionally cast toward the refugees were clearly filled with disgust.

But Qin Fang was already used to it.

He glanced at the sturdy men standing guard near the plaza, let out a soft breath, and found a spot to sit down.

Only then did he heave a long sigh of relief.

He then looked at his feet... the soles of his straw sandals had holes in them. He carefully took off his shoes, and in the process, tore open the wounds that had stuck to the soles, feeling a sharp sting of pain.

Yet, he gritted his teeth and removed the shoes. Looking at his feet, he saw blisters everywhere, with some areas even festering, the flesh matted with black mud—a shocking sight.

I need to find a way to treat this...

Qin Fang thought to himself.

However, it certainly wouldn't be possible today.

He would deal with it when the sun rose.

After being well-fed, a wave of intense exhaustion surged over him like a tide. He forced himself to stay alert and look around... in the distance, sturdy men carrying torches were constantly patrolling, guarding against any unrest among the refugees.

As for the refugees, after eating, they were clearly exhausted as well. Even though the open-air plaza had no shelter, many were already snoring like thunder, fast asleep.

It should be safe.

He tightened his tattered clothes around him, clutched his rough walking stick, and quickly drifted into a deep sleep...

In a hazy state, he didn't know how much time had passed. While half-asleep, Qin Fang suddenly sensed someone rummaging through his body.

Qin Fang jolted, his eyes snapping open. His right hand reached for his waist almost by instinct. Before he could even see who was touching him, the dagger at his waist was already in his hand. With a smooth and rapid motion, he gripped the blade and thrust it upward at an angle.

"Holy shit!"

A cry of alarm rang out; the person beside him was clearly startled and scrambled backward.

As the person retreated, Qin Fang finally had the time to quickly scan his surroundings.

But then he froze, and the dagger he had thrust out stopped in mid-air.

Several sturdy men were surrounding Qin Fang, looking at him with expressions of shock. One of them had stumbled back several steps in a panic, his face a mask of horror and fury.

"You ruffian, have you gone mad?!"

After regaining his composure, the man cursed loudly.