Horizons

Inside the wooden shelter, Wang Que's table was discussing things in low voices.

"The Wild Village brothers are dead."

"The person they followed that day was Li Mu..."

"I heard Manager Leng and Instructor Zhao Meng determined that the injuries were likely caused by a newly promoted servant who had trained in swordsmanship for a year. Li Mu couldn't have done it."

"Most likely, they ran into some accident and provoked a servant. Should we say they were unlucky, or that Li Mu was lucky... I lost half a tael of silver because of this."

Wang Que glanced at Li Mu, who was quietly eating.

The reward money had been handed out so suddenly that he had only had time to urge them on once.

These people had all improved considerably under Wang Que's guidance and trusted him deeply.

Besides, the reward money they snatched was not all meant as payment for Wang Que's guidance. They got some to spend themselves, so naturally they hit it off at once.

Nearly ten people had split into several groups and watched five targets.

Yesterday, aside from the two Wild Village brothers, everyone else had returned. Li Mu had even eaten well.

At the time, Wang Que had vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

But he had never expected the two brothers to die.

"Brother Que..." The others looked at Wang Que.

"What? Even if it really had something to do with Li Mu, are we supposed to avenge two fools? Taking care of Li Mu wouldn't be a problem, but what if he really knows some servant... You've seen the consequences. This matter is over. We've taken the silver we were meant to take. Behave yourselves for the next few days and practice your swordsmanship properly..."

Wang Que lowered his head and ate his meat without looking up, though his expression was somewhat grim.

Before long, the entire wooden shelter was abuzz with discussion.

News of the Wild Village brothers' deaths and Zhao Tuo's warning had already spread.

Many people became far more respectful toward the servants.

They feared that one careless move would earn them the charge of "defying a superior" and get them beaten to death.

The servants led by Zhao Tuo enjoyed the flattery, and satisfied smiles appeared on their faces.

Especially since there were quite a few fairly attractive young women among them. Though hunger had left them sallow and emaciated, there was still the occasional fine grain...

"Woodhead, look at how comfortable Zhao Tuo and the others have it. Being a servant at the manor really comes with plenty of benefits."

Watching the servants occasionally reach out to fondle the women, only to receive coquettish rebukes, Hui Zhen could not help sighing.

"I heard Zhao Tuo is Instructor Zhao Meng's younger brother. The two brothers are deeply trusted and valued by Manager Leng..."

Ahead, the female slaves being teased by the servants gave bashful yet angry little laughs, but did not dare dodge away. Some even feigned reluctance while inviting more.

They had not been this brazen before.

But after what happened to the Wild Village brothers, the female slaves had become much more fearful. The servants, too, saw their status as having risen and grew bolder.

Li Mu glanced at Zhao Tuo.

[Zhao Tuo, Vitality and Blood 19.9, Spirit 5.0, Swordsmanship Talent 33.5]

"The instructor's younger brother."

"His vitality and blood are three times mine. I still have a long way to go before reaching that level..."

The servants whom the slaves dared not offend were all like Zhao Tuo, with vitality and blood between 15 and 20.

Even if they were merely insignificant servants of Hidden Sword Manor.

Once one achieved something in swordsmanship and raised one's vitality and blood into the double digits, one surpassed thousands upon thousands in Azure River County.

Status, flattery, money, women—everything came at the stretch of a hand.

Hui Zhen sighed to himself. "Still, there are some rules here to restrain them, so they won't go too far. The manor needs female slaves to work as well, so these women have it a little better. Outside? In times of chaos, the weak can only submit. There are even fewer bottom lines..."

He had left the temple and fled from famine all the way here, so he had seen plenty.

Li Mu naturally had memories of such chaos from the body's original owner, but he did not feel as strongly about it.

"Life and death are fated; wealth and honor are decreed by Heaven. All we can do is practice our swords well and climb upward." Li Mu spoke calmly.

"Woodhead, this little monk has noticed that you've become more and more clear-minded." Hui Zhen looked at Li Mu.

The scene of facing off against the Wild Village brothers flashed through Li Mu's mind, and he smiled. "The times have forced it upon me."

"Yes, the times have forced it upon us..." Hui Zhen's eyes flickered. Suddenly, he said with utmost seriousness, "Brother Li, I'll have to trouble you to give me more guidance from today onward. As long as this little monk can stay, I'll give you both months' wages."

"Fine."

Li Mu said no more.

It was not because he coveted Hui Zhen's meager wages.

He had mainly noticed that the fire of hatred in the little monk's eyes had never stopped burning.

Clearly, the little monk had never forgotten the bandits who burned down his temple and killed his master.

The little monk was a decent person, and Li Mu did not mind giving him a few pointers.

Four days later.

The one-month deadline had finally arrived.

Starting with Cao A-Man, ten people in succession displayed the beginner-level sword force of Rain Thorn.

Li Mu and Hui Zhen were naturally among them.

Having judged the timing, Li Mu chose to reveal himself after the sixth person. Such talent counted as above average and did not stand out.

Meanwhile, Hui Zhen had clung to Li Mu for guidance these past few days. Other than when he was working, he was practically always practicing swordsmanship, especially diligently.

In truth, on the nights when Li Mu had secretly practiced his swordsmanship, Hui Zhen had also been training at the martial arts ground, but he had been too embarrassed to disturb Li Mu.

However, as the deadline drew near and entry proved difficult, he still could not help troubling Li Mu.

Mainly because Li Mu's guidance benefited him more than the instructor's pointers.

Hard work truly paid off. The little monk had entered at the very last moment. When the instructor called his name, he had barely managed to unleash the sword force.

With that, he became the tenth person to enter.

Hui Zhen let out a breath of relief, turned back to give Li Mu a grateful smile, and said, "Woodhead, it was all thanks to you. As promised, two months' wages—forty copper coins. You won't be short a single one!"

"Put it on my tab for now. Just give me an extra piece of braised pork every day." Li Mu waved a hand.

"Works for me!" Hui Zhen laughed.

The two had become like brothers, without so much twisting and turning over such things.

Holding prayer beads in his hand, Hui Zhen looked toward the only two female slaves who had remained and said with a light smile, "Amitabha. I never expected these two female benefactors to enter as well. Judging from their faces, they may have some affinity with you, Woodhead."

Now that he had relaxed, the little monk was in the mood to tease him.

"You lecherous monk..." Li Mu smiled but did not take the bait.

Of the two women Hui Zhen mentioned, one had long hair and the other short hair.

The long-haired one was called Si Xiaoshuang. She was naturally somewhat seductive, cheerful and warm, and had always drawn attention.

The short-haired one was called Meng Ling. Her eyes were large, but she was shallow and dull by nature, making her far less impressive by comparison.

Both had vitality and blood of 5.0 and swordsmanship talent of only 18.0. Their ability to enter was truly the result of hard work.

But going forward, the disadvantages of being women would become increasingly apparent. They might not necessarily pass the assessment.

Li Mu had no interest in either woman.

Women would only slow his sword practice.

"My vitality and blood are at 5.6 now. I've finally surpassed the average..."

Li Mu looked at the Sword Register.

[Vitality and Blood: 5.6↑]

[Dripping Water Swordsmanship: 255/500 (Beginner)]

Over the past few days, with the remaining medicinal effects of the Blood-Nourishing Powder and the nourishment of a daily piece of braised pork, his vitality and blood had increased by 0.1 each day.

As his vitality and blood grew, the number of times he could practice his sword each day had risen to fifteen. His swordsmanship progressed by thirty points a day, a considerable leap.

He had already crossed more than half the distance to the proficient level!

But the disappearance of the words "Medicinal Effects Digesting" also meant that Li Mu's future growth in vitality and blood would slow again...

There was nothing Li Mu could do about that.

"The one-month deadline has arrived. Other than the eleven who entered, everyone else may hand over their sword manuals and leave."

"Wang Que, help me collect them."

At the martial arts ground, the white-clad Instructor Zhao Meng swept his gaze over them and spoke indifferently.

"Yes!" Wang Que worked especially hard, putting on the air of a little squad leader as he repeatedly urged the others to hand over their sword manuals.

"Brother Que, I..."

"Cut the crap! The instructor is watching. Hurry up!"

Someone tried to plead quietly based on the money they had given him, but Wang Que loudly berated him. Left with no choice, the person obediently handed over the sword manual.

Soon, the sword manuals beside them piled into a small mountain, and the large group of youths left the area in deep dejection.

Out of more than a hundred people, only Li Mu and the other eleven remained in the blink of an eye.

Without even looking at the ninety-odd people leaving, Zhao Meng said coolly, "I told you long ago. Without talent, it is as hard as ascending to Heaven! Do not indulge in fantasies about martial cultivation, especially the way of the sword."

"You ten are fortunate. In one month, you finally managed to touch the threshold."

"But let me tell you this: when Manager Leng entered, it took her only three days! And you lot took anywhere from over twenty days to a full month. You are nothing more than a bunch of dullards!"

Everyone's expressions changed.

Entering in three days! Even Li Mu was startled.

With the permanent confirmation granted by Clear Sword Eyes, three days without sleep, and sufficient nutrition, Li Mu believed he could do it as well.

But Manager Leng Shuangyu? She had relied entirely on talent...

Was a green-grade talent as high as 50.0 already this incredible?

Hidden Sword Manor truly had crouching tigers and hidden dragons...

"Before teaching you the cultivation method for proficient-level Dripping Water Swordsmanship, I'll broaden your horizons today."

After crushing everyone's spirits, Zhao Meng abruptly changed the subject.

"There are countless schools and kinds of martial arts under Heaven, but their core principle lies in the two words 'vitality and blood'!"

"The vitality and blood of the human body are the foundation of everything."

"In other words, every martial art was created to break through the shackles of vitality and blood."

"When one's vitality and blood are vigorous, one's strength naturally multiplies, sinews are nourished, bones are tempered, and breath is gathered into force..."

"Our predecessors long ago established that the human body has a total of nine barriers of vitality and blood."

"Break all nine barriers, cleanse the sinews and marrow, and one may be called a 'Grandmaster'!"

Li Mu listened intently, as though a new door had opened before him.

Zhao Meng's gaze swept over them arrogantly. "Your instructor here has already broken through two barriers. In an outside martial arts school, you would have to call me Martial Master Zhao."

"Manager Leng has broken through four barriers. She is the foremost female martial cultivator among the manor's younger generation!"

"And you? You haven't broken through even one barrier! You are the lowest of the low!"

"Only by training Dripping Water Swordsmanship to the proficient level can you accelerate the accumulation of vitality and blood and build momentum to break through the barriers."

"Only after breaking through the first barrier will you truly set foot upon the path of martial arts and earn the title of 'martial artist'!"