The man was named Shi Yong. He practiced the Eagle Claw Technique, capable of splitting stone and rending wood, and possessed a pair of piercing eyes that could distinguish the finest details.
He had originally been a bandit chief in the mountains, gathering several hundred men under his banner to plunder the villagers.
After robbing a wealthy clan's merchant caravan, he had been surrounded by government troops. Nearly all his followers had been killed or wounded, and he himself had been thrown into prison.
Hua Shouren had admired his courage and strength, pardoned his crimes, and recruited him into his service.
Hua Shouren had several other men like Shi Yong at his side, all martial artists who had attained force mastery.
Guo Wei was no exception. Several force-mastery martial artists protected him at all times.
Besides unaffiliated martial artists recruited from the martial world, there were also experts raised within their own clans. With the realm in turmoil, these great clans all understood the importance of military strength.
They sought strength in numbers without overlooking powerful individuals.
Wealthy clans such as the Guo Family and Hua Family not only trained martial artists within their own ranks, but also sent exceptionally gifted offspring to major sects. This allowed them to forge connections and goodwill while learning superior martial arts.
But mastering one's blood and qi was a difficult hurdle. Besides talent and temperament, it also required a little luck.
Thus, even with their abundant resources, great clans could not turn everyone into a success. They had to look to the martial world and draw capable fighters into their service.
Ordinarily, Hua Shouren maintained a veneer of courtesy toward Shi Yong. Now, with grief gnawing at his heart, he merely regarded Shi Yong with indifferent eyes.
Shi Yong's heart lurched. He knew