Gratitude

The longer they fought, the more alarmed Zhang Youde became. No matter how he varied the moves of Rainbow Swordsmanship, Chen Yiming always found exactly the right way to counter them.

The students watching had no idea how shaken Zhang Youde felt. It was as though Chen Yiming could see straight through him, even though he had never shown Chen Yiming his family's Rainbow Swordsmanship before.

Chen Yiming had no idea that his casual actions had raised Zhang Youde's opinion of him yet again, setting off a series of events later on.

By now, Chen Yiming could easily divide his attention. Half his mind stayed focused on controlling his body as he fought Zhang Youde, while the other half entered his inner world.

There, two tiny figures fought. One mimicked Zhang Youde, while the other represented Chen Yiming, perfectly recreating their exchange outside.

Every move of Rainbow Swordsmanship was recorded without exception. The tiny figure representing Chen Yiming then analyzed and refined them, allowing Chen Yiming to rapidly master the swordsmanship.

By the time Zhang Youde ran out of moves and began repeating himself, Chen Yiming had already achieved his goal of learning it in secret.

Chen Yiming had also spotted every move Zhang Youde had failed to master and every part he had misunderstood. He could have turned around and taught Zhang Youde Rainbow Swordsmanship himself.

Stockpile supplies and build high walls.

Chen Yiming resisted the urge to turn the tables and give Zhang Youde a lesson with Rainbow Swordsmanship.

They exchanged dozens more moves before Zhang Youde exhausted his strength and retreated to open up some distance. Chen Yiming did not pursue him. To the onlookers, the match appeared to have ended in a draw.

"How did that feel?"

Zhang Youde took several deep breaths in a row, recovering from the slight dizziness brought on by lack of oxygen.

He had given it everything he had and stopped only when his strength ran out.

"Thank you so much. I think I've got a rough idea of how to deal with this kind of technique from now on."

Chen Yiming braced his hands on his knees and gulped down fresh air just as Zhang Youde did.

He had noticed long ago that Zhang Youde was nearing his limit, so he had prepared in advance and made himself look just as exhausted. None of the students watching could tell he was faking it.

His thanks were sincere, too. Zhang Youde had served as a free practice partner and let him learn his family's swordsmanship in secret.

"Those of us who truly walk the path of martial arts can't avoid fighting other people. Experience against different kinds of techniques is crucial. In the Mutual Aid Association, you can spend contribution points to have someone use a specific technique to spar with you."

Zhang Youde explained how the Mutual Aid Association could help Chen Yiming.

"Contribution points?"

Chen Yiming kept his expression neutral.

The benefits aren't much to write home about. They want to use my name, and I'd still have to work to buy what I need.

"That's right. Complete tasks issued by the Mutual Aid Association, and you'll earn both payment and contribution points. Contribution points are the currency that matters for internal trades."

Afraid Chen Yiming might misunderstand, Zhang Youde added:

"Don't worry. Most ordinary tasks involve helping companies affiliated with the Mutual Aid Association. They rarely involve anything at the Apprentice Realm level, so they're not dangerous."

He finished and waited for Chen Yiming's answer with a hopeful look.

"Uh... I've thought it over carefully, and I'd rather not join the Mutual Aid Association. Sorry for taking up so much of your time, Senior Brother Zhang."

Chen Yiming had little interest in the Mutual Aid Association. Rather than drag things out, he refused outright.

Senior Brother Wang had already promised to help him find a job. His younger cousin Chen Shaojie could probably keep bringing in money as well. The only pressing expense was a house, but they could rent for now and save up to buy one later.

Once his family's needs were taken care of, he would rather keep his head down and develop his skills at the martial arts school than get involved with another organization.

"...Won't you think about it for a few more days?"

Unwilling to give up, Zhang Youde asked in a low voice.

He thought highly of Chen Yiming and wanted to strengthen their relationship. To make Chen Yiming part of his network, they needed to have something to offer each other. Otherwise, even a good relationship would fade with time.

"I've already troubled you enough, Senior Brother Zhang. I really have made up my mind."

The afternoon training session was nearly over.

Wang Bowen approached Chen Yiming and handed him a slip of paper with an address written on it:

"This is the address of the Martial Arts Training Center I found for you. You start tonight at eight. It's two hours each evening, Monday through Friday."

Chen Yiming took the slip, read it carefully, memorized the address, then tucked it safely into his pocket.

"Senior Brother Wang, I know swordsmanship, but I've never taught anyone. I don't know where to start."

Chen Yiming voiced his concern.

He had known quite a few teachers in his previous life, so he understood that being good at something did not necessarily mean being good at teaching it.

Compared with his level-one swordsmanship talent, the students at the training center were on an entirely different level. He was bound to run into situations where something he thought required no thought at all left a student completely baffled.

"What's there to worry about? Hard work alone won't get someone far in martial arts. Talent determines how high they can climb. Just teach the standard sword moves. How much they learn is up to them."

Wang Bowen laughed.

A teacher could show someone the way, but cultivation depended on the individual. That had always been true.

Hearing this, Chen Yiming felt reassured.

He knew the importance of talent. After all, his original self had trained for years without accomplishing anything, while he had surpassed others' years of progress in just a few months.

His main concern had been that he might teach poorly and embarrass Senior Brother Wang.

"Senior Brother Wang, Zhang Youde wants me to join an organization called the Mutual Aid Association. I'd like to hear what you think."

Chen Yiming had already asked Wang Bowen for plenty of favors, and the two were becoming close friends. So he went ahead and asked.

"I'm from a Martial Arts Family myself, so of course I know exactly how these things work. But..."

Wang Bowen chuckled and kept Chen Yiming in suspense for a few seconds before continuing:

"Joining an organization like that has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that you can buy cultivation resources directly from within the organization: techniques, Mutated Beast meat, equipment, medicines, and so on.

The disadvantage is that, over time, your ties to them become hard to untangle. Getting in is easy; getting out is another matter. Once you know a fair amount of the organization's internal affairs, they won't want to let you leave for nothing."

In just a few words, Wang Bowen had cut to the heart of it and laid out both the benefits and the drawbacks.

Techniques? Mantis Snake Swordsmanship can take me all the way to the Warrior Realm, so I don't need to switch. A second or third technique would be nice, but it isn't essential. Besides, I can learn techniques in secret. Given enough time, I'm sure to pick up all kinds of swordsmanship.

Mutated Beast meat? Black Boar Meat gives me more than enough energy. As for meat that improves strength, reactions, or speed, I can make up for all of that by allocating talent points.

Equipment and medicines? If I'm shameless enough to ask Senior Brother Wang for help, that probably won't be a problem.

Chen Yiming weighed each point in his mind.

His decision had been right after all. The Mutual Aid Association could not offer him much.