So Many Experts Hidden Within the Residence

Over the next few days.

Mo Chen continued to rise full of energy in the mornings to chop firewood, then secretly practice martial arts at night.

After several days, Mo Chen discovered that the Lu Residence's guards seemed to know only two martial arts sets.

One was Fierce Tiger Fist, and the other was White Snake Nine Transformations Palm.

Thus, Mo Chen practiced only these two sets, studying them carefully.

As he continued practicing martial arts and eavesdropping, he gradually gained some understanding of martial cultivation realms.

The initial stage of martial practice was that of an unranked martial artist. At this stage, practitioners were only somewhat stronger than ordinary people.

Once an external cultivation technique reached mastery, and one's strength, muscles, and force were united as one, one would enter the first level of the Body Tempering Realm: Flesh Tempering!

At that point, one's strength reached that of an ox, and one's fists weighed a thousand jin!

After that came Skin Tempering, Tendon Tempering, Bone Tempering, and Blood Tempering. Every stage was a challenge to the limits of every aspect of one's body.

"The Body Tempering Realm has five levels. I haven't even reached the threshold of the first level, Flesh Tempering!"

Mo Chen pondered inwardly as he chopped firewood in the woodshed.

Now, his daily firewood-chopping task was no longer a problem for him.

He could complete it easily and leisurely, even leaving himself enough energy to slack off a little and ponder other matters.

That day.

At dusk.

As soon as Mo Chen and the other three returned from Cloud Deer Mountain with firewood, they heard the Chore Servant Courtyard buzzing with discussion and cries of alarm.

Out of curiosity, all four set down their firewood carts and gathered around.

"Hey, brothers, what are you talking about?"

Mo Chen nudged a chore servant in charge of procurement and asked curiously.

The Procurement Office servant turned around. Seeing Mo Chen and the others, he said gravely, "Haven't you heard? The county magistrate's residence was robbed last night. Not only did the thief steal the magistrate's valuables, he also killed two people."

"Damn! He killed two people?"

Shi Yong and Li Dayong were instantly startled. "Hurry, tell us! Did they catch the thief?"

The procurement servant shook his head. "It'd be great if they had. The entire county was put on alert today, and the county magistrate was beside himself with rage. He ordered that the thief be caught within three days."

Only then did Mo Chen and the other three realize what was going on.

"So that's why! I was wondering why the city gates were being searched so strictly today, and why there were so many constables patrolling the streets... So that was it!"

After hearing this, Mo Chen understood at once and promptly put the matter out of his mind, turning to unload the firewood.

Anyone daring to provoke a court official probably would not meet a good end.

After unloading the firewood.

Mo Chen washed up briefly, then went to ask the stern-faced Steward Liu for leave.

"You want to take two days off?"

Liu Yuan sat beside the tea table, sipping tea unhurriedly as he asked in a cold, mocking tone.

Behind him stood a voluptuous woman, smiling sweetly at Mo Chen as she continuously kneaded Liu Yuan's shoulders.

Some time ago, Mo Chen had heard the servants gossiping.

They said that this woman had originally been Feng Niang, the First Madam's personal maid. Since she was getting older, she had been assigned to the widowed Liu Yuan as his wife.

Recently, Liu Yuan often could not get out of bed in the mornings, and Feng Niang was the greatest contributor to that.

The servants were immensely grateful to her. They all wished Feng Niang would drain every last drop out of that Liu fellow in bed, so they could have more chances to slack off.

Mo Chen bent at the waist, not daring to raise his head for another look. "Steward, the day after tomorrow is my father's death anniversary. I want to go home and burn some paper offerings."

In the original owner's memories, his father had died two years ago. As for why he had entered the Lu Residence, it had been his eldest uncle's decision. He had sent him into the Lu Residence so he could have steady work and a full meal to eat.

Liu Yuan showed no reaction upon hearing Mo Chen's words.

But Feng Niang behind him let out a coquettish giggle. "This child is quite filial. He'll surely be someone useful in the future."

Keeping his head lowered, Mo Chen hurriedly clasped his fists. "Steward, if you ever have any orders, this boy will brave mountains of blades and seas of fire without hesitation!"

It was just a couple of flattering lines. What Earthling didn't know how to throw out a few?

Yet when Liu Yuan heard Mo Chen say, "brave mountains of blades and seas of fire without hesitation," a flicker of surprise flashed through his eyes.

He apparently had not expected such words to come from the mouth of a poor boy who had never attended school.

Thus, he gave a half-smile and said sinisterly, "Fine. Since it's your father's death anniversary, go the day after tomorrow!"

"Thank you, Steward!"

Mo Chen's heart relaxed. He quickly clasped his fists in thanks and withdrew from the room.

It was not until he returned to the Chore Servant Courtyard.

That Mo Chen suddenly realized that he had unknowingly broken out in a cold sweat.

"Damn it! Those two are way too good at hiding themselves!"

Just moments ago, after entering Liu Yuan's room, he had actually discovered two first-rank weapons hidden in the shadows!

One dagger was on Feng Niang's thigh, while a saber was concealed beneath the bottom panel of a cabinet.

[Willow Leaf Dagger]

[Rank: First Rank]

[A fruit knife casually forged by a famous craftsman, unfortunately lost outside...]

[Requirements: None.]

[Attributes: Sharpness, food poison testing!]

[Cold Pool Refined Steel Saber]

[Rank: First Rank]

[Made from hundredfold-refined steel quenched with Cold Pool water, producing an extraordinary effect.]

[Requirements: Bone Tempering Realm, beginner proficiency in any saber technique.]

[Attributes: Cuts iron like mud, Strength bonus 120%]

As Mo Chen thought of the attributes of those two first-rank weapons, his heart roiled like storm-tossed waves, and he was utterly shocked.

"Steward Liu and Feng Niang actually have first-rank weapons. Could it be that they both know martial arts?"

Anyone who could afford a first-rank weapon could never be an ordinary person.

Just now, he had stood before the two of them without daring to lift his head, afraid they would notice something unusual about him.

Fortunately, he had done his best to control his emotions and muddled through.

"Who would've thought it? Such a small wealthy household actually hides so many experts."

Mo Chen clicked his tongue as longing arose in him for that dagger and saber.

Not to mention the Cold Pool Refined Steel Saber, which could cut iron like mud and increased strength.

Even that first-rank dagger was an exceptional little treasure.

It could test food for poison. It was absolutely a supreme tool for roaming the martial world and surviving in the wilderness.

"Little Five, I have urgent business at home the day after tomorrow. Lend me the one tael of silver you saved up. I'll repay you principal and interest in a month."

During dinner, after thinking it over and over, Mo Chen finally asked Little Five.

He had already taken two days off, so he could use the leave to hunt some prey in the mountains and sell it for money.

"Brother Mo, take it! I'm an orphan, so I don't have much use for money for now."

Without another word, Little Five handed over the scattered silver he had painstakingly saved for an entire year.

"Good brother! I definitely won't treat you unfairly."

Mo Chen gratefully slung an arm around Little Five's shoulders and accepted the silver.

After dinner.

Mo Chen went to find Wu Hongbing, the person in charge of the Procurement Office.

Wu Hongbing was Steward Liu's biological nephew. Relying on Steward Liu's status, he had secured himself a cushy position in the Lu Residence's Procurement Office.

Aside from skimming silver from the daily purchases, he also partnered with thugs outside the residence to lend usury money.

Previously, Mo Chen had never had any dealings with this man.

Now, pressed by his difficulty in making money, he thought of him.