Settling Karma, Beast-Blood Body Bathing

Pang Long's courtyard.

The moment Li Xian stepped through the door, he saw Pang Long bent over a desk, writing. He thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, rubbed them, then opened them again—only to find the same scene before him.

"Commander Pang, what refined mood has taken you today?"

Li Xian joked.

Pang Long snapped back to his senses. Seeing Li Xian arrive, he burst into laughter and beckoned him over.

"Li Xian, come take a look. How's this notice?"

The notice's handwriting was firm and rugged, its brushwork bold and unrestrained. Its horizontal strokes, vertical strokes, flicks, and presses lacked finesse and elegance, all blunt and straightforward. The writing reflected the man; it suited Pang Long well enough.

Li Xian examined it briefly, then was startled.

The handwriting was ordinary, yet it contained attainments in martial arts. Every stroke seemed to blend several different martial techniques together.

Pang Long was deliberately showing off.

After reading the notice, Li Xian asked curiously, "We're recruiting new house guards?"

"Yes." Pang Long sighed, picked up the notice, and held it at a brightly lit angle. The more he looked, the more satisfied he became.

"Quite a few house guards have been killed or wounded recently. We have no choice but to recruit more."

"This afternoon, post the notice at Qingning County's market."

"There should be plenty of applicants."

The notice was simple and clear: fifteen house guards were needed, applicants had to possess a foundation in martial arts and be under twenty years old. The monthly wage was one hundred and fifty coins, and those with a full year of attendance could receive one basic martial art...

Li Xian said, "There definitely won't be a shortage of applicants. With terms like these, even martial academy disciples will be tempted."

"Of