Something's Wrong, You Kid Actually Got In

The eldest Young Master Lu killed a variant snake demon?

Fang Shuwen had a vague impression of the name.

In the original owner's memories, this Young Master Lu was the youngest son of the Xikou warlord, Governor Lu, and a well-known figure in Xikou County.

Unlike the typical sons of wealthy families, this eldest Young Master Lu had no interest in tobacco or alcohol, being obsessed instead with the martial path.

When Fang Shuwen was learning boxing at the martial arts hall, this Young Master Lu had been the hall's head senior disciple.

He had long since achieved the three sounds of bone-cracking, stepping into the Mingjin level.

Later, it was rumored that his father, Governor Lu, had spent a fortune to invite a great master of Anjin from Shenghai to take him on as a disciple.

He had rarely been seen in Xikou County over the past two years.

Unexpectedly, upon his return, he had accomplished such a major feat.

Slaying a variant snake demon!

Fang Shuwen squeezed into the crowd, his gaze landing on the notice.

The notice was issued by the County Public Security Bureau, red background with black text, the wording concise:

"On the night of April 21st, a serpentine variant appeared in Big Willow Village, west of the city. Over a zhang in length, it devoured livestock and injured three villagers."

"Fortunately, the eldest son of the Lu family, Lu Mingyuan, wielded his sword to eliminate the evil, slaying the snake beneath the old willow at the village entrance. This is hereby announced for commendation, in the hope that the county citizens will take this as an example, practice martial arts to strengthen the body, and jointly resist demons and evil. Public Security Bureau of Xikou County, Jiangnan Province, Great Flame New Kingdom."

A bright red official seal was stamped at the bottom of the notice.

Fang Shuwen's gaze, however, did not linger on the laudatory text.

His eyes were fixed tightly on the two characters "variant," his mind racing.

Yesterday, that piece of miscellaneous jade was identified by the panel as "variant energy," which activated his golden finger.

Now, a "variant snake demon" had appeared.

Were these two "variants" the same concept?

If they were...

Did that not mean that slaying a variant would grant variant energy?

Fang Shuwen's heart rate quickened.

But then, he felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head.

A variant snake demon!

He had only just entered the martial path; how could he possibly defeat such a thing!

The martial arts instructor had once spoken of demons and evil; even the weakest among them required a martial artist who had achieved the three sounds of bone-cracking, entered Mingjin, and possessed surging blood and qi to handle.

For an ordinary person to kill a demon, they would need to use firearms and possess sufficient firepower.

"So, while it seems I have a direction now, in reality, it's useless!"

Fang Shuwen felt somewhat speechless.

Even if a variant demon were standing in front of him right now, he couldn't beat it.

However, Upon second thought, Fang Shuwen suddenly had an idea.

He couldn't beat a variant, but once a variant was killed, how was the carcass handled?

If he could get involved in that process, perhaps there would be an opportunity.

"I need to find someone to ask about this."

Fang Shuwen pondered.

Among the original owner's acquaintances, the only one who could dig up such information would be the young master Guo Ziming.

This Young Master Guo's family were the vice-presidents of the county chamber of commerce, and they had dealings with people from all walks of life.

He himself was a person who loved to join in the excitement; whenever there was any fresh news in Xikou County, he was always the first to know.

It was just that...

Thinking of the miserable things the original owner had done as a lackey for Guo Ziming, Fang Shuwen felt disgusted.

But at the moment, he couldn't care about that; face was not as important as skill points.

Having made up his mind, Fang Shuwen turned and walked toward Wenxuan Pavilion.

Wenxuan Pavilion was located on the most prosperous street in Xikou, near the Prok concession, and was a three-story building that combined Chinese and Western styles.

The green brick walls were paired with Western-style arched windows, two Roman columns stood at the entrance, and the three gilded characters "Wenxuan Pavilion" on the signboard shone brightly in the sunlight.

A black Ford car was parked on each side of the main entrance, their polished bodies reflecting the street scene and drawing glances from passersby.

This place was nominally a teahouse and bookstore, but in reality, it was a clubhouse for the wealthy of Xikou County to pass the time.

The first floor was for drinking tea and discussing business, while the second floor was for playing mahjong and pai gow.

The third floor, it is said, is home to some rather romantic and illicit affairs.

Fang Shuwen walked up to the entrance, but before he could even step onto the stairs, he was blocked by an attendant wearing a black double-breasted wool coat.

"We aren't hiring help here; go find work elsewhere."

Fang Shuwen couldn't be bothered to argue with him and said, "I'm looking for someone. I'm looking for Young Master Guo Ziming; I'm his classmate."

The attendant gave him a suspicious look but didn't say anything more. Instead, he beckoned to another attendant dressed in the same uniform nearby.

After whispering a few words, the other man hurried inside.

He waited for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, but no one came out.

The attendant at the door had initially stood by with forced patience.

But after waiting for a long time without anyone appearing, he began to lose his composure.

He cast a sidelong glance at the washed-out gray cloth gown Fang Shuwen was wearing and let out a scoff through his nose.

"Are you playing me, kid? Get lost, don't be an eyesore here!"

Fang Shuwen explained, "I really am Guo Ziming's classmate. Please, wait a little longer."

"Wait, wait, wait—wait for your mother?"

The attendant completely lost his patience and reached out to shove his shoulder.

"Get out of here, don't block the entrance and offend our distinguished guests!"

However, before that hand could even touch Fang Shuwen, a black lacquered cane suddenly shot out from the side, striking the attendant's wrist with unerring precision.

"Ouch!"

The attendant recoiled in pain, ready to lash out, but the moment he looked up and saw who it was, his expression changed instantly.

An old man in a green robe had appeared at the entrance, though no one had noticed when.

The old man leaned on his cane with one hand and kept the other behind his back, his eyes fixed coldly on the attendant.

He looked exactly like a patriarch who had just stepped out of a grand, noble estate.

The old man was quite tall, and he looked down at the attendant at the door: "This is my guest. What, do you intend to stop him?"

"Lord Zheng, how could you say such a thing? How would I dare to stop your guest! Please, come in, please!"

The attendant immediately bowed and scraped, carefully offering his apologies.

Fang Shuwen also recognized the man and was slightly stunned.

It was the very same old man in the green robe who had lost to him at chess yesterday.

Judging by the attendant's attitude, this old man's status was truly extraordinary.

Lord Zheng!

Could he be from the Xikou Zheng Family?

Before Fang Shuwen could even process this, the old man in the green robe grabbed his hand and began pulling him inside, saying:

"Kid, I was just fretting over how to find you, and here you are, delivering yourself to my doorstep."

"Come, come, come, hurry inside with me. I went back yesterday and learned a few new moves; I'll definitely beat you today!"

Fang Shuwen was caught between laughter and tears: "Old sir, I'm here to find someone today, not to play chess."

"Find someone? What's the point of finding someone? Nothing is more important than chess!" the old man declared.

Fang Shuwen was dragged along by the old man, feeling both amused and helpless.

This old man's addiction to chess was even worse than the internet-addicted youths of his past life.

But in an instant, he snapped back to reality.

He was looking for information on how to handle exotic materials precisely for the sake of exotic energy and skill points.

And that piece of impure jade from yesterday—wasn't it lost to him by this very old man in the green robe?

Therefore, asking Guo Ziming for information...

How could that be clearer or more direct than asking the source himself, this old man?

He was ignoring a living, breathing lead right in front of him to go beg that playboy Guo Ziming; wasn't that like holding a golden rice bowl and begging for scraps?

Fang Shuwen cursed himself for being a fool. He stopped resisting and prepared to follow Zheng Yuanpei up to the third floor.

But at that moment, Zheng Yuanpei suddenly turned back to look at Fang Shuwen.

"Eh? That's not right. You kid... you've actually entered the threshold of martial arts!"