Armor-Piercing Arrow

Chapter 9: Armor-Piercing Arrow

Not long after setting off, Lin Maoxian and Xiao Zhang arrived outside Pingyang County.

"Who goes there? Halt immediately, or you will be executed without mercy!" Before they even drew near, Lin Maoxian heard a familiar voice from atop the wall.

"It is I. I am the one who left the city a short while ago to help Old Man Sun retrieve his medicine basket." As he spoke, Lin Maoxian held up the basket in his hand.

"Oh, it's you! But who is that with you? Judging by his attire, he doesn't look like an ordinary commoner." Upon seeing Xiao Zhang's outfit, the officer asked.

Lin Maoxian recited the excuse he had prepared: "He also wishes to enter the city to join the army. He encountered Yellow Turban bandits on the road and happened to be saved by me."

"If that is the case, then come on up." The officer said, lowering the basket lift.

Lin Maoxian once again rode the swaying basket back into Pingyang City. Once on the ramparts, he thanked the officer again before leading Xiao Zhang toward the Sun Family Clinic.

Watching Lin Maoxian's retreating back, the officer muttered softly to himself, "I wonder what is going on today? A whole crowd of people has come to the city gates claiming they want to join the army, and the Lord actually said we don't need to interrogate them further, just let them straight into the city. Is he not afraid they might be spies for the Yellow Turban bandits?" Shaking his head, he went back to his duties.

They hadn't walked far before Lin Maoxian brought Xiao Zhang to the Sun Family Clinic. Walking inside, he said, "Old Man Sun, I have fulfilled my mission. I have brought your medicine basket back."

Hearing the voice at the door, Old Man Sun hurried out. Seeing that it was his benefactor returning with the lost basket in hand, he was overjoyed. "Benefactor, the Dilong Grass..."

Knowing what Old Man Sun wanted to ask, Lin Maoxian handed the basket over directly: "Old Man Sun, it is inside. You can rest easy."

"Th-thank you, Benefactor!" Old Man Sun took the basket and looked at the golden medicinal herb inside, tears welling up in his eyes involuntarily. His child was saved.

Understanding Old Man Sun's urgency, Lin Maoxian said directly, "Old Man Sun, you should go and treat your son first."

Old Man Sun handed the basket to his daughter-in-law, who had come out upon hearing the commotion, and said, "Take this herb and the others, boil them with seven bowls of water until only one remains, then give it to Ping'er."

His daughter-in-law took the basket and walked into the inner room.

Seeing his daughter-in-law had gone to boil the medicine, Old Man Sun felt relieved. Noticing the stranger who had followed them in, he asked, "Benefactor! Who is this young brother..."

Fearing trouble regarding Xiao Zhang's identity, Lin Maoxian didn't want to say much, so he replied casually: "Him? A young man I saved on the road who also wants to join the army. He ran into Yellow Turban bandits, and I just happened to rescue him." With that, he dropped the subject.

Seeing that Lin Maoxian didn't want to talk about the stranger, Old Man Sun changed the topic: "Benefactor! Please wait here a moment. This old man will go inside to fetch something." After bowing to Lin Maoxian, he walked into the inner room.

Knowing that Old Man Sun was likely going to retrieve a quest reward, Lin Maoxian turned to Xiao Zhang, who was following behind, and said, "Kid, there's no danger here, so you don't need to wear your armor or carry your blade. Just set those aside."

Seeing Xiao Zhang go off to busy himself, Lin Maoxian took out the two balls of white light from his storage space. After a moment of thought, he decided to save the centurion's loot for last; the best things should always be saved for the end. Although there probably wouldn't be anything amazing, it should at least be better than the elite soldier's drop.

He opened the first ball of light and saw a silver ingot inside.

Ten-Tael Official Silver: This item can be given to plot characters in the ancient world to increase their favor toward the adventurer, or it can be sold to the Space for 1000 Source Points.

"Average." That was Lin Maoxian's assessment of the elite soldier's drop, though gaining 1000 Source Points was quite good—equivalent to two attribute points. As for giving it to a plot character? He wasn't that generous, nor did he believe ten taels would make someone perform a major favor. As for minor matters, Lin Maoxian felt no pressure.

Since the first ball of light didn't yield anything spectacular, Lin Maoxian had to pin his hopes on the second. He had no equipment on his person at all, so he hoped for something useful.

Opening the second ball of light, Lin Maoxian found an item he was exceptionally familiar with: the yellow turban that every Yellow Turban soldier wore on their head.

Exquisite Yellow Turban Headpiece
[Quality]: Fine
[Level]: Level 1
[Category]: Accessory
[Description]: The yellow turban headpiece is a mandatory item for every Yellow Turban soldier, but this one is different from those of common soldiers. It is awarded to centurions with official status. It is said that this headpiece carries the magical power of the 'Great Sage Teacher' Zhang Jiao, which is why it stands out. Ever since Huang Liu obtained this headpiece, he cherished it dearly, washing it clean every day to show his respect for the 'Great Sage Teacher'.
[Attributes]: Perception +2, Willpower +2
Clear Mind (Passive)---Resistance to all abnormal status effects increased by 10%

Although this wasn't the equipment he wanted most, Lin Maoxian was still very happy. After all, it added 4 attribute points, and if he encountered crowd-control skills, this gear would be very useful. He quickly equipped it and used the Space's ability to hide it, ensuring characters in the plot world couldn't see it. Otherwise, if people saw him wearing a yellow turban, they would surely mistake him for a Yellow Turban soldier.

After equipping the headpiece, Lin Maoxian checked his stats; his Perception and Willpower had both risen to 17, and he had gained the '10% resistance to all abnormal status effects' passive.

Just as Lin Maoxian finished, Old Man Sun walked out holding a box.

"Benefactor, I see you are a martial artist. This was given to my ancestors by a brave warrior as a token of gratitude after receiving medical treatment. It is said to be a manual for archery. My family has practiced medicine for generations and has no use for it, so I present it to you as a token of thanks." Old Man Sun placed the box in front of Lin Maoxian.

Hearing it was an archery manual, Lin Maoxian guessed it was a skill. He took the box and opened it to find an ancient, weathered book. As soon as he touched it, he received a prompt from the Space: "Adventurer, side quest reward received."

Lin Maoxian checked its attributes:

C-Rank Skill: Armor-Piercing Arrow
Level 1 Effect: Armor-Piercing---After using this ability, the adventurer's arrows (limited to arrows only; bullets and the like are ineffective) will ignore the target's armor and skills, calculating only the target's base defense, and deal an additional 10% damage. Using this ability consumes 5 energy points. Skill cooldown: 30 seconds.

It was a good skill, but Lin Maoxian felt he wouldn't use it often. Usually, he fought in close quarters and rarely engaged targets from a distance. Furthermore, he didn't have a bow, and he didn't have any spare skill slots.

Thinking about the lack of skill slots, Lin Maoxian consulted the Space: "Space, can we adventurers use Source Points to strengthen ourselves or buy items while in a plot world?"

"The adventurer's current clearance is Ninth Grade. You may use 500 Source Points to perform any enhancement available within the Space."

Hearing that he could enhance, even if limited to 500 Source Points, Lin Maoxian was pleased. Clearly, with higher clearance, he would be able to spend more. "Space, I want to unlock an empty skill slot."

"Adventurer clearance requirement met. 500 Source Points deducted. Current empty skill slots: 1."

Seeing he now had an empty slot, Lin Maoxian decided to learn Armor-Piercing Arrow when he was alone.

Putting the skill back in the box, Lin Maoxian said to Old Man Sun, who was standing to the side: "Old Man Sun, I should not have asked for a reward, but as you said, I am a martial artist, and I am quite interested in such things. I will accept this with gratitude."

Old Man Sun waved his hand and said, "Not at all. I am relieved that you find it acceptable. If you had refused, I wouldn't have known how to repay you. Benefactor, it is getting late. Why not have a meal in my humble home and stay the night?"

Lin Maoxian tucked the box against his chest and said to Old Man Sun with a hint of embarrassment: "I shouldn't trouble you further, but as you know, I am here in Pingyang County to join the army, and I have no relatives or acquaintances here. Since it is too late to join the army now, I will have to trouble you."

"No trouble, no trouble at all. This old man is delighted. Benefactor and this young brother, please take a seat. I will go bring out some food." After speaking to Lin Maoxian and Xiao Zhang, Old Man Sun turned and headed toward the inner room.

Before long, Old Man Sun returned carrying food. After setting all the dishes on the table, he said to Lin Maoxian: "Benefactor and young brother, please enjoy. I would like to go check on my child. Please forgive my neglect."

"Go, go. Old Man Sun, don't worry about us. We won't stand on ceremony, so please attend to your business." Lin Maoxian watched as Old Man Sun returned to the inner room.

He turned to see Xiao Zhang staring intently at the food on the table. Perhaps out of fear of Lin Maoxian, he didn't dare reach for it, only swallowing his saliva repeatedly. "Kid, all things considered, you've been very cooperative, and I did say I would let you live a good life. Let's start with this meal. Don't just stand there, come and eat. While I can't guarantee you'll eat this well every time, I can certainly ensure you're full."