Rules

"This guy was way too poor," Chen Yiming sighed.

These were the spoils he had found on Tang Zhenfeng.

Tens of thousands in cash, a little dried food, a bottle of water, and a small porcelain vial.

It made sense not to carry much cash; it was only spending money. But this man was an expert who had undergone five Body Metamorphoses. Aside from a pile of pills in the vial that Chen Yiming couldn't identify, he had nothing valuable.

Chen Yiming looked at the greatsword on the ground and had a vague idea why.

Tang Zhenfeng had been injured in full view of everyone, yet no one but Chen Yiming had shown any interest in him.

After searching Tang Zhenfeng, he dragged the body into a nearby courtyard.

The house's doors and windows were broken. Clearly, no one had lived there for a long time.

Chen Yiming picked a patch of soil once used to grow flowers and dug a large pit with the greatsword.

After burying the body, he retraced his steps and covered the bloodstains along the way with dirt.

Now, unless someone sent a professional detective to investigate, it might be a long time before anyone discovered that Tang Zhenfeng was missing.

Chen Yiming checked once more to make sure he had missed nothing, wrapped the greatsword in a piece of cloth, and went straight home instead of returning to watch Zheng Qiming.

Early the next morning, at the East City Branch of the Praying Mantis Snake Sword Academy.

A group of students had gathered to discuss the explosive news from the night before.

"Last night, Zheng Qiming of the Zheng Family fought more than a dozen powerful opponents on his own. He killed until no one dared attack him. I heard it was a bloodbath."

"Why do you think so many people rushed to get involved? If you ask me, the Zheng Family set the whole thing up to give Zheng Qiming some experience."

"The Li Family really got the worst of it. Their family's Sword Manual was gone just like that. They might even decline because of it."

"I'm sure there's a conspiracy here. Otherwise, why did everything line up so neatly? The moment trouble struck the Li Family, they sought protection from the Zheng Family."

Chen Yiming practiced swordsmanship alone in a corner, splitting his attention as he listened to the students talk.

Judging by their discussion, Zheng Qiming had fought his way out of the encirclement last night and returned safely to the Zheng Family. That much he could confirm was true.

The other news might not match the facts. Details could change as stories passed from person to person, so he couldn't believe all of it.

The morning training class was about to begin.

Zhang Youde walked in and headed straight for Chen Yiming.

"Junior Brother Chen, when did you leave last night? I wanted to find somewhere to celebrate with you," Zhang Youde said.

"I got bored, so I left," Chen Yiming said.

He offered no details about his departure. The more he said, the more likely he was to slip up.

"Fair enough. That level is still beyond us. I watched for ages and couldn't make much sense of it," Zhang Youde said with a laugh. "But Zheng Qiming really is impressive. He beat every opponent in just a few moves."

"Has the matter with the shops been settled?" Chen Yiming asked.

He had steered the conversation elsewhere.

"It's taken care of. I couldn't find you last night, so I went straight back to the Manor to handle it. My eldest uncle has undergone six Body Metamorphoses, the same level the Li Family had before their troubles. How would the other party dare go back on their word?" Zhang Youde replied.

Chen Yiming understood at once.

All that talk about people doing Zhang Youde a favor because he was a talented student and a member of the Zhang Family's younger generation had been an excuse. What mattered was the Zhang Family's expert who had undergone six Body Metamorphoses.

"I see. How should we handle the three shops from now on?" Chen Yiming asked.

"I'm thinking of setting up a company and putting the shops under its name. What do you think?" Zhang Youde asked.

"No objections," Chen Yiming said with a nod.

"Then it's settled. If we work together again, we can do it through that company," Zhang Youde added.

Now that the two were partners, the minor friction between them over Hu Shixin naturally faded away.

Chen Yiming also needed to venture beyond the academy and make more friends in the martial arts world.

Zhang Youde felt the same way.

During the midday break, Wang Bowen took Chen Yiming to the library at the Praying Mantis Snake Sword Academy's headquarters.

The library was a small, separate room on the third floor, guarded by a dedicated attendant. Only Core Disciples were allowed inside to consult its materials.

It held a vast collection of notes on the experiences of the academy's predecessors, the Praying Mantis Snake Sword Academy's most precious resource.

On the way, Wang Bowen explained the library's rules to Chen Yiming.

"You can enter the library four times a month, for up to three hours each time," Wang Bowen said.

"There's a limit on visits and time?" Chen Yiming asked in surprise.

"It's mainly to stop disciples from relying too much on their predecessors' experience," Wang Bowen explained. "No two paths in martial arts are exactly alike. If you consult the records every time you run into a problem, what will you do when you face one the academy's predecessors never encountered?"

"I understand," Chen Yiming said.

In martial arts, other people's experience could only serve as a reference. In the end, he had to rely on himself.

After entering the headquarters, the two went straight to the library.

"Granny Wei, this is Chen Yiming, a Provisional Core Disciple," Wang Bowen said.

"I know. Go on in," Granny Wei said after glancing at Chen Yiming.

It was Chen Yiming's first visit. He followed Wang Bowen and didn't dare speak out of turn.

After signing the register, the two entered the library.

The library was divided into two rooms. The one on the left held the academy predecessors' notes and books on various subjects, while the one on the right held martial arts manuals.

Wang Bowen took Chen Yiming into the left-hand room first.

Only one female disciple was inside, consulting the materials. She paid no attention to them.

"The books in this room are free to read. When you have time, you can come look through them and fill in any gaps in your martial arts knowledge," Wang Bowen said quietly.

Chen Yiming nodded.

Next, Wang Bowen took Chen Yiming to the right-hand room.

"The martial arts manuals aren't like the books over there. What you see on the shelves are only introductions. You have to pay to read the actual manuals," Wang Bowen said with a smile, pointing at the shelves.

Chen Yiming picked up a few of the thin booklets and flipped through them.

Sure enough, they contained only brief descriptions of the martial arts.

"The prices aren't high. This is to stop some disciples from taking on more than they can handle. Generally, one or two other disciplines is the limit," Wang Bowen continued.

"I'll remember that, Senior Brother," Chen Yiming said with a nod.

"Take a look if you're interested. I'll wait for you outside," Wang Bowen said with a smile.

Once Wang Bowen left, Chen Yiming stared at the various martial arts on the shelves, his eyes gleaming.

To ensure students focused on Mantis Snake Swordsmanship and built a solid foundation through their first three Body Metamorphoses, the academy did not allow anyone who wasn't a Core Disciple into the library.

Despite how close they were, Wang Bowen had never told Chen Yiming about this.

Waterdrop Sword, ten million.

Thunderclap Movement, seven million.

Scarlet Sun Saber, nine million.

Cloud-Treading Step, twelve million.

That's way too expensive, Chen Yiming groaned inwardly.

For the academy's Core Disciples, who had undergone at least three Body Metamorphoses, those prices weren't high. But Chen Yiming couldn't afford them right now.