Survivors

Zhang Yuan watched the two Fast Boats vanish into the Reed Marshes, his gaze turning cold.

He knew very well that this was not over.

Back when Zhang Yuan had followed Sun Bo to learn the craft of fishing, he had come to the River Bend Area many times and caught quite a few fish.

He had encountered no obstacles during that time.

Now, Chao Bao had suddenly appeared and immediately demanded that he get out of these waters.

His purpose was clearly to monopolize the fishing grounds!

The question was, if Chao Bao was merely an ordinary Outer Hall member, where had he gotten the nerve to act like this?

Zhang Yuan concluded that the other man had someone backing him.

But understanding that was one thing; Zhang Yuan would never leave so easily.

There were few people fishing in the River Bend Area, its fishing resources were relatively abundant, and he could even hook large softshell turtles here.

Zhang Yuan needed sacrifices to obtain Source Essence, money to buy medicinal herbs, and enough to support his family.

If he gave way today, someone else would come bully him tomorrow. Could he keep retreating again and again?

In the end, strength was what spoke!

Zhang Yuan withdrew his gaze, grabbed the landing net, and fished out the old turtle he had placed in the livewell earlier.

Holding the large turtle as it struggled desperately, he raised his blade and brought it down, killing it on the spot.

Sacrifice!

In an instant, the old turtle worth more than ten taels of silver turned to ash.

Source Essence +1.9

What surprised Zhang Yuan was that this six- or seven-pound turtle had yielded nearly two points of Source Essence.

It was even better than sending off an Entry-Level Martial Artist!

Originally, Zhang Yuan had planned to sell it. But now that he had new trouble on his hands and needed to further increase his strength for self-protection, he had sacrificed it despite the pain.

As it turned out, he had made the right choice.

How could a mere dozen taels of silver compare to so much precious Source Essence!

Without hesitation, Zhang Yuan fed all of it into the Divine Nest again.

Since it was still early, he picked up the fishing net lying at the bow and began casting it in the river bend.

Other than the small miscellaneous fish, which he threw away, he sacrificed every fish he caught to feed the Divine Nest and speed up its upgrade.

By the time Zhang Yuan returned to the dock, the livewell was completely empty.

Not a single fish remained.

He tied up the mooring rope, then went to find Chen Zhize.

He recounted his encounter with Chao Bao to the Outer Hall incense master from beginning to end.

After hearing him out, Chen Zhize frowned deeply. "This Chao Bao is getting more and more outrageous. The river bend isn't his family's property, yet he wants to claim it for himself. He has no shame at all!"

"You don't need to pay him any attention."

Chen Zhize said seriously to Zhang Yuan, "That fellow has no real ability. He's only throwing his weight around because of his uncle's little bit of influence!"

Chao Bao's uncle was none other than Chao Hongjie, one of the Outer Hall incense masters. Chao Hongjie also had a good relationship with Qi Hong, the Inner Hall's deputy hall master, which was why Chao Bao acted so arrogantly in the Outer Hall.

Chao Bao had been handling business elsewhere for some time and had only returned to Linhe a few days ago.

"The gang has its rules. As long as you conduct yourself properly, there's no need to fear such petty, scheming vermin!"

When Chen Zhize spoke of Chao Bao and Chao Hongjie, his words carried deep disdain.

Zhang Yuan nodded. "I understand."

Just as he had guessed before, Chao Bao really did have connections!

"Good that you understand."

Chen Zhize patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "Zhang Yuan, what martial artists value most is cultivation. With strength, you have everything. So put more of your time and energy into training."

After a pause, the incense master added, "If money is tight, I can lend you some silver."

"Thank you, Brother. If I need it, I'll definitely speak up."

After bidding Chen Zhize farewell, Zhang Yuan went to Whale Fortress again.

The moment he saw Dong Yuanwei, the Battle Hall Instructor asked, "Did you offend Chao Hongjie?"

Zhang Yuan was slightly taken aback, then immediately understood.

He had no choice but to recount the entire matter from beginning to end once more.

Dong Yuanwei was speechless after listening. "No wonder that fellow was speaking in such a roundabout, sarcastic way, saying I had taught such a fine disciple. So you'd disgraced his nephew, huh?"

He reassured Zhang Yuan, "You did nothing wrong in this matter. If Chao Hongjie keeps nagging about it, I'll speak to Hall Master Zhao."

Zhang Yuan said gratefully, "Sorry to trouble you."

The Hall Master Zhao Dong Yuanwei mentioned was none other than Zhao Jinlan, the Battle Hall's deputy hall master!

The Battle Hall was one of the Raging Whale Gang's powerful halls. Let alone an Outer Hall incense master, if Zhao Jinlan stepped in, she would not be at a disadvantage even against Qi Hong, the Inner Hall's deputy hall master.

And Dong Yuanwei was clearly on Zhao Jinlan's side.

"That's only proper."

Dong Yuanwei said proudly, "You're a disciple of our Battle Hall. If you were bullied by someone from the Outer Hall, both Hall Master Zhao and I would lose face!"

Zhang Yuan felt that he had been quite fortunate.

First, he had earned Chen Zhize's appreciation, then he had become Dong Yuanwei's disciple.

With the help of these two men, he had gained a foothold in the Raging Whale Gang and found support and backing.

Although Zhang Yuan had never used influence to bully others.

With Chen Zhize and Dong Yuanwei behind him, his path in martial arts would undoubtedly be much smoother.

Dong Yuanwei did not spar with Zhang Yuan today, so Zhang Yuan practiced the Wave Cutting Blade and Rippling Steps alone in the training room.

And because the Battle Hall Instructor was not present.

Zhang Yuan activated the Divine Nest host without any concerns.

With the Jade Mantis's "Intermediate Blade Technique Proficiency" enhancement, practicing the Wave Cutting Blade came even more naturally to him. Flashes of inspiration appeared in his mind from time to time, and he comprehended many insights Dong Yuanwei had never taught him.

With the Golden Grasshopper's "Fourfold Agility" enhancement, Zhang Yuan's Rippling Steps allowed him to dart, leap, advance, and retreat with complete freedom. His movement technique grew even more skilled, nimble, and swift.

If the extraordinary abilities from the dual enhancements had not consumed his qi and blood so quickly.

Zhang Yuan truly could have continued practicing like this forever, intoxicated by the wonderful sensation of constant improvement!

It was not until dusk that Zhang Yuan left the Wubao and returned to the County Town.

"Yuan... Yuan Baby?"

When he reached the city gate, a hesitant voice suddenly called out from beside him.

Zhang Yuan turned to look.

He saw a raggedly dressed man squatting by the roadside!

The man looked haggard, and his eyes were filled with uncertainty. "You really are Yuan Baby!"

Zhang Yuan recognized him as well. "Uncle Dawang, why are you here?"

The man was Chen Dawang, a villager from Chen Family Village and Zhang Yuan's neighbor, with only two households between them.

They had never been particularly close, but they would exchange a few words whenever they met in the past.

Zhang Yuan remembered that the man had also joined the mountain-opening road construction.

Yet he had not died in the strange disaster.

He was the first survivor from Chen Family Village Zhang Yuan had seen since that day!

"I... I..."

Chen Dawang opened his mouth, then suddenly burst into tears. "I've suffered so much!"

His hands trembled, and a trace of anger entered his voice. "It's... it's all that Zhang Xiong's fault! To save his own life, he got all of us killed!"

Zhang Xiong!

Zhang Yuan had not heard that name for a long time, much less seen the man.

He had thought that martial master had died at the hands of the strange horrors.

But from what Chen Dawang meant, the man was actually still alive?

Yet what made Zhang Yuan even more curious was how Chen Dawang, an ordinary man, had escaped disaster!

"Uncle Dawang, let's talk somewhere else."