Seen through

"...Junior Brother, you were willing to risk a night raid on the Longle Gambling House for your friend. Though you acted rashly, that spirit deserves praise, so...Junior Brother? Are you listening?"

Wu Xin had been explaining the sect's rules at length in the Martial Arts Hall while praising Lin Hao's earlier actions. But when she turned around, she found him staring blankly at the Infantry Armor, his eyes also lingering on the Meteoric Iron Spear hanging on the wall.

She called to him twice from behind, but got no response.

Smack!

Wu Xin gave Lin Hao a whack on the head, snapping him out of his daze. Seeing his Senior Sister's unfriendly gaze, he remembered those thrusts of her Emei Daggers and hurriedly explained,

"Senior Sister, you know I'm interested in old objects that embody a legacy. I feel I can sense our predecessors' convictions and heritage in them. They strengthen my resolve to practice martial arts and bolster my will!"

His words brought a suspicious look to Wu Xin's eyes. Still, he had bought several old training implements at the first opportunity back then, which did show his fondness for such things.

While Wu Xin hesitated, Lin Hao grabbed her hand and asked with shining eyes,

"Senior Sister, is there any way I could get these two treasures from Master?"

Then Lin Hao paused and squeezed her palm.

"Senior Sister, haven't you developed any calluses? Xiao Wen already has a few."

Wu Xin's palm felt springy and remarkably smooth.

Although Zhao Xiaowen did not practice with any particular weapon and wore a thumb ring to protect herself while practicing archery, he could still feel traces of calluses between her fingers. He did not notice them during ordinary touches, but they became obvious when he grasped the sensitive areas.

Yet Wu Xin, who should have trained much longer, had none?

If there was some useful method or skin care product, Lin Hao wanted to buy some for Zhao Xiaowen too.

Wu Xin pulled her hand free, rose onto her toes, and knocked him on the head again. Giving him an exasperated sidelong look, she said,

"The fine control of hidden force can even stimulate the internal organs. What's removing a few calluses and scars? I had plenty during my bright force stage too. When I first started using the Emei Daggers, I even accidentally cut my face. Though some Martial Masters who practice body-hardening arts might actually thicken the skin on their hands."

As she spoke, Wu Xin drew her Emei Daggers and began twirling them.

"But what I want is precision and dexterity."

Lin Hao nodded at that, then repeated his earlier question.

"So, Senior Sister, do you think I have a chance of getting those two things?"

"Getting what?"

Just then, Wu Deshui's voice came from the rear hall, and he walked out with Liu Tong.

Wu Deshui, who had changed into a fresh tunic, stood in sharp contrast to the burly Liu Tong behind him.

"Master..."

Having spotted Wu Deshui, Lin Hao decided not to hide his intentions. He repeated what he had said earlier, but his deeper understanding of the equipment's attributes allowed him to add something.

"I don't know why, but when I look at this Infantry Armor, I can sense it being bathed in enemy blood on the battlefield. I can feel that fearless spirit of charging forward. And though this Meteoric Iron Spear looks rusty and dusty, I can also see scenes of its many owners bravely slaying their enemies..."

Here, Lin Hao paused before saying solemnly,

"I feel this is a legacy..."

Wu Deshui seemed taken aback by his words. He fell silent, lost in memories, but Liu Tong beside him had already begun speaking in his usual blunt manner.

"Junior Brother, there's something you don't know. This Infantry Armor might look imposing, but it's really only suited to large battlefields, where it protects against stray arrows and scrapes from the chaotic surroundings. If Martial Masters like us put on armor to fight experts, it would actually hinder our agility. If we failed to dodge a move we could otherwise have avoided, we'd be worse off. It's only useful for bullying the weak..."

No sooner had Liu Tong finished than his vision spun. With a casual turn of his hand, Wu Deshui flipped him onto the floor.

Thud!

Lin Hao could even feel the floor shake. Despite Liu Tong's sturdy physique, the fall left him thoroughly dazed.

"If you don't know how to speak, keep your mouth shut."

After scolding Liu Tong and making him get up and stand obediently with the aggrieved air of a wronged wife, Wu Deshui gave Lin Hao a somewhat complicated look.

"Ah, a legacy..."

With that, he waved a hand at Liu Tong and Wu Xin.

"You two step out for now. I'd like a word alone with Hao."

"Oh."

Liu Tong answered, while Wu Xin, though surprised, also withdrew. Before leaving, she cast Lin Hao one last curious glance.

She wondered what could make her father send even her away. After all, she had been the one to quietly tell him about the destruction of the Beggar Gang.

Once the two had left, Wu Deshui approached the Infantry Armor and stroked his old companion with his palm.

"Have you had any contact with the Yanhuang Trade Association?"

The question made Lin Hao's heart jolt, but he soon felt some relief.

University Town had already been in this world for over half a year and had made quite a name for itself. Its people would certainly be doing everything they could to collect equipment with attributes. Even if they kept a low profile, they could not prevent every leak!

Every piece of equipment with attributes did indeed have its own story. His master was an expert in transforming force, had good sources of information, and owned old objects like these himself. It hardly seemed strange that he might have heard something.

His actions had been far too obvious...

"You could call us people from the same homeland. I've heard of them and admired them from afar for a long time, but I haven't really had much contact with them."

His master had already asked. Some things did not require proof, and Lin Hao had not lied.

"When I went to the county town to hunt those Outworld Demons, there was something unusual about those little fiends too. They seemed to perform differently depending on the weapons they used. You're...not with them, are you?"

Wu Deshui sounded casual, but the hairs on Lin Hao's back stood on end. An overwhelming sense of danger rose in his heart, as though some savage beast had fixed its gaze on him. Even breathing became difficult!

His seemingly refined master appeared to have turned into a fierce, striped tiger!

Even the air behind him seemed to distort, countless black and white lines faintly outlining a vicious tiger that might pounce and kill him at any moment!

Lin Hao answered firmly and gravely,

"Absolutely not! The Outworld Demons are our mortal enemies. Neither side will rest until the other is dead."

The oppressive atmosphere abruptly dispersed, and a smile appeared on Wu Deshui's face.

"I thought as much. Someone has already tested the Yanhuang Trade Association and confirmed there were no problems.

"But they're caught too deep in that maelstrom. There's no guarantee someone won't smear them for personal gain. The viciousness of the power struggles above is far beyond your imagination, so keeping some distance from the Yanhuang Trade Association does have its benefits."

After speaking, Wu Deshui sighed, leaped up, and took the Meteoric Iron Spear off the wall, gently stroking it in his hands.

The scattered patches of rust along its surface and the dark red of its tip told of everything the spear had weathered.

"A legacy truly must not be broken...Take it. I hope it will shine again in your hands."

Whoosh-clang!

The Meteoric Iron Spear planted itself in front of Lin Hao, radiating an intangible pressure.

"Thank you for your gift, Master!"

Lin Hao solemnly bowed with his hands clasped in thanks.

"Though you should keep some distance from the Yanhuang Trade Association, if you can get your hands on anything good, don't forget to show a little respect to this old master of yours."

Wu Deshui smiled easily, then beckoned to Lin Hao.

"Come. Let me see how much of our predecessors' spirit you've inherited..."

Watching his master beckon, Lin Hao was briefly dumbfounded. That was all it took to get through this?

Then he realized one major advantage of living in a feudal era.

People were remarkably accepting of all sorts of supernatural oddities!

You're not even going to ask for details?

"Uh, well..."

"Xin told me you have innate superhuman strength and exceptional comprehension. Come, let me first see just how strong you are."

As he spoke, Wu Deshui lifted one side of his tunic, revealing abdominal muscles like steel bars, then pointed at his stomach.

"Come on. Hit me here with everything you've got."

Seeing this, Lin Hao could not help looking troubled. This...

Seemingly noticing his hesitation, Wu Deshui paused, then burst out laughing.

"You little rascal! Don't tell me you think you could hurt your master? What is transforming force?

"Not even a feather can rest on me, nor a fly alight. I can release force from any part of my body. Even with your innate superhuman strength, as long as you're still at bright force, you can't hope to hurt me in the slightest. I'll neutralize and redirect all your power."

Hearing Wu Deshui's words, Lin Hao relaxed a little. He had been considering going without an enchantment, or holding back and choosing a lighter one.

But since his master had said that, there should not be much of a problem!

After all, even his Senior Sister could block the heavy strike of his Single Stone Lock. His master wanted to see what he could do, so he should not disappoint him!

But there's no need to use the stone lock. The Wrought-Iron Staff's weight should be about right, and that's only one-handed...

Lin Hao switched his equipment, then took a Crouching Tiger Fist stance.

"Master, here I come."

"Mm."

"Hah!"

Lin Hao launched forward into a bow stance, power surging from his rooted feet like a rising dragon. He twisted all his strength into one unified force and unleashed the simplest basic move of the Crouching Tiger Fist, Tiger Bursting from the Cage, driving it hard into Wu Deshui's abdomen.

Wu Deshui's steel-like abdominal muscles instantly softened, rippling like a sheet of dough before the undulations spread throughout his body.

His previously relaxed expression changed abruptly. His eyes widened, and he gave a low grunt.

His entire body seemed about to float off the ground-rip!

Wu Deshui's cloth shoes suddenly split apart. His toes clung to the floor like suction cups, while his heels seemed to have lifted clear of it.

His whole body began sliding backward. Only after he had moved a meter did he press both hands down and slam his heels back onto the floor with a dull impact that sent a tremor through the ground.

"Good!"

Wu Deshui uttered that single word. His bones and joints cracked as he straightened, completely dissipating the force, though a little cold sweat had appeared at his temples.

He had been overconfident and allowed the punch to land squarely. Worse, that punch had unexpectedly succeeded in activating a measure of hidden force!

He had never imagined the young man's "innate superhuman strength" could reach such a level. If transforming force had not been so extraordinarily subtle, he would have nearly made a fool of himself!

He sighed inwardly.

I'm getting old. These old bones can't take this kind of punishment...

Then Wu Deshui beckoned again, his face expressionless.

"Now it's your master's turn to give you a few pointers."

"Thank you, Master."

Lin Hao faintly sensed danger, but could not quite put his finger on it...