Xie Jia

Early that morning, in the courtyard, Liang Bo wore a fitted black outfit, strips of cloth wrapped around his fists. He stood before a tree thick enough for two people to encircle, hammering its trunk with punch after heavy punch while his body twisted, turned, and darted about as though he were fighting an opponent.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Dull blows echoed through the courtyard. The bark of the repeatedly battered tree had visibly caved in over a large area, exposing grayish-white wood beneath, while the entire tree shook violently with every strike.

Half an hour later, he finished his practice and stood still, opening his character interface.

Liang Bo—

[Cultivation]: Fourth Rank Martial Artist

[Techniques]: True Martial Canon 10/40

[Martial Skills]: Purple Lightning Blade 20/20 Heavenly Wind Wishful Steps 10/10 Cloud Piercing Palm 1/10 Lion Wrestling Hand 0/10

[Skill Points]: 0

Looking at the proficiency behind Lion Wrestling Hand, Liang Bo gently shook his head, a trace of dissatisfaction appearing on his face.

Although the displayed proficiency was 0, he knew the actual value was not truly zero. It should have been something like zero point something, but the character interface could not display values after the decimal point, so it showed 0.

That was why Lion Wrestling Hand still appeared on the character interface despite displaying 0 proficiency, whereas techniques and martial skills such as Baoyuan Energy disappeared from the interface after their proficiency had been changed to 0. The latter were genuinely at zero; with absolutely no proficiency, they naturally could not be displayed on the character interface.

Of course, that was not what Liang Bo was troubled by. He felt that skill points were still accumulating far too slowly.

Although he had previously devised a way to shift skill points back and forth between techniques and martial skills, saving him quite a few points, cutting expenses could never compare to opening new sources of income.

But there was no use fretting over that problem. He went aside and had Xiao Qing draw a bucket of cold water for him to wipe down with, changed into a clean set of clothes, then sat down to eat breakfast.

Just as he picked up his bowl, Xiao Qing said, "Young Master, the Patriarch just sent someone to ask you to go over."

"The Patriarch? Did he say what it was about?" Liang Bo froze for a moment, setting down his bowl and chopsticks as he asked.

"No. The Patriarch only said that you should go as soon as possible. I saw that you were still practicing, and you were about to finish anyway, so I did not disturb you. But judging from the messenger's expression, it should not be urgent."

Liang Bo nodded lightly. Ever since Patriarch Liang Wen had sent someone to deliver him a Purple Lightning Blade, various members of the family had been trying to ingratiate themselves with him from time to time. They either made small talk or invited him to banquets, leaving Liang Bo thoroughly annoyed. Yet Patriarch Liang Wen had never come looking for him. Now that he had suddenly summoned him, Liang Bo had no idea what it could be for.

He hurriedly finished breakfast, fastened the Purple Lightning Blade at his waist, and strode out.

The moment he entered the reception hall, Liang Bo's gaze was drawn to the two golden invitation cards on the table.

The two cards were rather ordinary in style, no different from the invitation cards people usually sent when hosting guests. However, Liang Bo noticed that they were both made of genuine gold, while the words upon them had been carved from white jade and then affixed to the cards. That extravagance alone was enough to show that these invitations were of extraordinary origin.

After giving them a glance, Liang Bo seemed to understand something. He then bowed to Liang Wen and said, "Patriarch, this nephew has arrived late. I hope the Patriarch will not take offense."

"Sit." Patriarch Liang Wen sat in a grandmaster's chair nearby with his eyes closed in rest. When he saw Liang Bo enter, he casually waved a hand.

"Yes, Patriarch." Liang Bo bowed again and took a seat below him.

Two maidservants entered and served each of them a cup of tea.

"Liang Bo, I heard that after joining the True Martial Sect, you may bring three attendants with you?"

"That is correct."

"Have you decided on the three attendants?"

Liang Wen picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and asked.

Liang Bo did not hide it. "Two have already been decided. One is this nephew's maidservant, Xiao Qing, and the other is this nephew's friend, Zhao Wu. As for the last one, that position remains vacant for now."

Liang Wen nodded. "Your maidservant Xiao Qing and your friend Zhao Wu are both decent choices. However, that girl Xiao Qing is still young and does not understand much. She can handle household chores well enough, but should something important arise, she would find it difficult to be of help. As for your friend Zhao Wu, he is your friend after all. I imagine it would be awkward for you to order him about. Therefore, this old man believes the third person should be someone capable. That way, if you encounter any trifling matters, you can have your attendant handle them."

Liang Bo's heart stirred. Could it be that the Patriarch also wanted the third position?

Ever since word spread that he had become a direct disciple of the True Martial Sect, quite a few people in the family had wanted to become Liang Bo's attendants, or hoped to place their sons and daughters at his side so they could bask in his light and enter the True Martial Sect with him.

But Liang Bo had rejected every one of those requests. Anyone who wanted to become his attendant had to rely either on personal ties or ability, and the people recommended by the family clearly possessed neither.

If the Patriarch made a request now, Liang Bo would be somewhat hesitant. But on second thought, the third attendant position would remain empty otherwise. If the Patriarch truly recommended someone, then so long as that person had sufficient ability, agreeing would be no problem.

With that in mind, Liang Bo nodded and replied, "The Patriarch is correct. It is simply that among the people this nephew knows, there is no one so capable."

Liang Wen smiled. "If you have no suitable candidate, how about this old man recommends one to you?"

"Whom does the Patriarch intend to recommend?"

Liang Wen lightly clapped his hands, and a young man immediately walked in from the courtyard outside.

The young man appeared to be in his twenties. He wore a plain white robe and a white silk headscarf, his black hair hanging to his waist. His features were exceedingly delicate and feminine, and he was even more beautiful than a woman. His skin was so fair that even women would envy it.

With such an appearance, had Liang Bo not seen the man's Adam's apple, he would have thought this person was a woman disguised as a man.

Yet when this person saw Liang Bo, his face showed no expression whatsoever. His gaze was cold and indifferent, as though Liang Bo owed him a vast sum of money.

"This is Xie Jia. His skills are fairly good, and he can be of help to you." Liang Wen did not offer much introduction regarding his background.

"Greetings, Fourth Young Master." Xie Jia nodded at Liang Bo, saying nothing more.

Liang Bo frowned slightly. This fellow looked awfully aloof. Could someone like this truly be used by him?

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "What are you capable of?"

Xie Jia said, "My abilities are mediocre. I have nothing exceptional."

Liang Bo's brow furrowed even more deeply. If he had no ability, what use was there in bringing him along? Was Liang Bo supposed to train him himself?

With that thought, his gaze could not help shifting toward Liang Wen, a trace of confusion appearing in his eyes.