Chapter 17: Gifting a Blade (Please follow, bookmark, and vote with monthly tickets and recommendation votes)

Su Mu was a complete novice when it came to martial arts cultivation.

His practice of the Wave-Subduing Saber technique was a process of groping in the dark; no one had ever offered him any guidance.

When he fought the Third Leader of Black Dragon Fortress last night, he realized that the opponent's strength far exceeded that of an ordinary person, which was likely related to this Body Tempering Method.

"Body Tempering Method... Hmm, you certainly haven't studied it."

Sun Dachao said, "The 'Martial Artists' we usually speak of are those who have entered the threshold of Body Tempering. There are four stages of Body Tempering: Skin, Flesh, Tendon, and Bone.

'Body Tempering Method' is just a general term. Tempering the skin, tempering the flesh, tempering the tendons, and tempering the bones—they are all part of the Body Tempering Method."

"Among the four outer cities of Wuling, there are very few factions capable of passing down a Body Tempering Method, and our Hunter Gang is one of them."

Sun Dachao spoke with a hint of pride. "So, what do you say? Do you want to join the Hunter Gang?

With your hunting skills, plus my help, I am confident I can get you to learn the Body Tempering Method.

If this were any other faction, you would have to serve them for at least four or five years before you even had a chance to learn it."

Su Mu's heart stirred slightly.

The path of a constable was difficult to walk; should he switch paths?

However, joining a gang didn't seem to have much of a future; even the leader of the Hunter Gang was a commoner.

Just as Su Mu was hesitating, a sudden, urgent knocking sounded at the door.

Sun Dachao gave Su Mu a meaningful look before walking to the door and pulling it open.

"Hall Master, why are you here?"

A signature smile appeared on Sun Dachao's face as he bowed slightly.

"A new mission. There is a hunter named Su Mu. Constable Xing specifically named him. Find him and deliver him to the South City Bureau."

The Hall Master did not enter, giving his orders directly from outside. "I remember he is under your jurisdiction. Go find him."

With that, the Hall Master hurried away.

The smile on Sun Dachao's face gradually froze. He slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Su Mu, his eyes filled with helplessness.

"How about... before anyone finds out, you just run away secretly?"

Sun Dachao's face showed a look of internal struggle as he spoke hesitantly.

"If I run, what happens to you?"

Su Mu said, somewhat surprised.

"If you run, what can I do? Failing to find someone isn't exactly a capital crime," Sun Dachao said.

"Master Sun, I appreciate your kindness," Su Mu said, shaking his head. "But I cannot run."

He had finally managed to obtain residency in Wuling City; if he fled, he would become a vagrant once again.

"You brat—"

Sun Dachao grew anxious. "Do you know the consequences of staying?

The South City Bureau will surely force you to attack Black Dragon Fortress. Do you think attacking the fortress is like hunting?

People die!"

"I know," Su Mu sighed. "But if I run, the South City Bureau won't let me go either. Rather than becoming a wanted criminal, it's better to stay and take a gamble. What if I succeed?"

"How many people gamble on a 'what if'? How many actually win?" Sun Dachao countered.

Su Mu smiled but said nothing.

Sun Dachao stared at Su Mu for a long while before finally waving his hand.

"Fine, fine. Your stubbornness is just like mine when I was young. Young man, you won't know when to turn back until you've hit your head bloody," Sun Dachao said irritably.

"I have no choice," Su Mu said, cupping his hands toward Sun Dachao. "Regardless, thank you for everything today, Master Sun. If I can make it back alive..."

"Bah! Bah!"

Sun Dachao spat twice. "Don't talk nonsense. And you don't need to thank me; I'm helping you for my own sake. If you climb to a high position, you might be able to promote and look after me."

Su Mu knew this, but regardless of Sun Dachao's motives, his kindness was genuine.

"Forget it, there's no use talking about it now," Sun Dachao said, waving his hand. "Go on then."

Su Mu cupped his hands and stepped out.

Just as he reached the doorway, he heard Sun Dachao call out from behind him.

"Wait!"

Su Mu stopped and looked back, his expression puzzled.

He saw Sun Dachao walk quickly into the room and emerge a moment later, holding a long saber in its scabbard.

"This saber was used by me when I was roaming the martial world in my youth. Although it's not some divine weapon that cuts through iron like butter, I spent a lot of silver on it back then."

Sun Dachao came up to Su Mu, looking at the saber in his hand with reluctance. "It's yours."

"This—"

Su Mu was full of surprise.

After he started practicing the saber, he had thought about buying one.

But after asking the price, he had immediately given up.

A wood-cutting knife would suffice for now.

A decent saber cost at least ten taels of silver; even the cheapest ones were seven or eight taels.

With his current wealth, he was not worthy of a saber.

Su Mu hadn't expected Sun Dachao to actually give him one.

To be honest, although Sun Dachao was usually friendly, the two of them didn't have a particularly deep friendship.

The fact that Sun Dachao helped him today was already unexpected; now he was even giving him a saber.

If he didn't know that he had nothing worth coveting, Su Mu would have truly suspected an ulterior motive.

"Master Sun, this is too valuable—"

Su Mu was deeply tempted and spoke with hesitation.

"Just take it," Sun Dachao said. "It's useless in my hands anyway. You're going to attack Black Dragon Fortress; this saber is much more useful than that wood-cutting knife of yours."

He shoved the saber into Su Mu's arms and, as if fearing he might regret it, turned around and walked back into the house.

As he walked, he waved his hand over his shoulder toward Su Mu.

"Don't be indecisive like a woman. Get lost."

*Bang!*

The door slammed shut.

Su Mu's expression was somewhat complex. He silently strapped the saber to his waist, cupped his hands toward the room, and then turned to walk out.

The blade was equipped; once he stepped out, he would be in the martial world.

***

"Su Mu, right? I heard people say you are the best hunter in the South City?"

At the South City Bureau, Constable Xing sat behind a desk, sizing Su Mu up as he spoke slowly.

His body was wrapped in bandages, and he appeared exhausted, but his eyes were like those of a hawk—sharp and ruthless.

After leaving Sun Dachao's residence, Su Mu had come straight to the South City Bureau.

Since there was no avoiding it, he decided to face it head-on.

After reporting his name, he was brought directly before Xing Zhaofu.

At this moment, how could Su Mu not understand?

The matter from last night was not yet settled; Xing Zhaofu still did not want to let him go.

"Yes," Su Mu said slowly, looking at Xing Zhaofu.

His answer caused Xing Zhaofu to pause slightly, feeling somewhat surprised.

The timid peasant from last night—why did he feel like a completely different person today?

He actually sensed a certain confidence and edge in him, the kind usually found in the children of great families in the Inner City.

*It must be my imagination!*

Xing Zhaofu shook his head, thinking his injuries were so severe that his mind was playing tricks on him.

"Quite the bold tone," Xing Zhaofu said coldly. "Do you know the consequences of lying in front of this constable?"

"I do not know what kind of lying you are referring to, sir," Su Mu said deeply. "I only know that I am indeed the best hunter in the South City. I have never seen anyone with better skills than mine."

"Getting even more spirited, are we?"

Xing Zhaofu sneered. "We shall see if you are the real deal. If you truly are the best hunter in the South City, I will reward you handsomely. If not—"

"If not, I will submit to your disposal," Su Mu said.

"But if I can prove that I am the best hunter in the South City, then I have one request, which I hope you will grant."

"Negotiating terms with me?"

Xing Zhaofu's face turned cold. "If it were according to my usual temperament, I would have had people beat you to death by now. However, since the South City Bureau is currently in need of manpower, I will overlook your insolence. Speak, what is it you want?"