《Versatile Martial Master》


 Chapter 1 - Madam, your hairstyle is a bit dangerous

    "Little Feng, look what I have here, the game activator for ''The Grand Martial World''! You''ve always wanted this, right? Today is your nineteenth birthday, so Auntie is giving it to you."


    "Mom! You''re so biased! I''ve always wanted the game activator for ''The Grand Martial World'', but you never bought it for me, yet you got it for Lin Feng!"


    "Oh, Little Feng is still young, and he just recovered from an illness. It''s his coming-of-age ceremony, so as his sister, you should let him have it."


    "Then for my birthday next month, can you buy me one too?"


    "This activator is too expensive. Right now, I only have enough money to buy one."


    "Hmph! Mom, you''re just playing favorites!"


    In a three-story villa on the outskirts of Mingjiang City, a woman''s voice echoed from an upstairs bedroom.


    Inside the bedroom stood three women, all gathered around the bed, each holding a gift, looking at the delicate young man lying there, seemingly celebrating his birthday.


    The young man appeared to have just recovered from a serious illness, his face pale and spiritless, but his eyes were exceptionally clear and bright.


    The young man''s name was Lin Feng, a pitiful child who lost his parents six years ago. Fortunately, his mother''s best friend, Yu Meixiang, took him in.


    ***


    For six years, Yu Meixiang treated him exceptionally well, even better than her own two daughters.


    Lin Feng, however, had a timid and self-deprecating nature, suffering from long-term bullying at school. He thought enduring three years would bring relief.


    Unexpectedly, when Yu Meixiang came to school to bring him clothes, she caught the attention of the blonde school bully.


    The bully threatened him to lure Yu Meixiang out for drinks at night.


    Though Lin Feng was timid, he would rather die than comply.


    The bully, enraged, beat him severely, not realizing he had gone too far and killed him.


    The Lin Feng alive now actually had a different soul. The soul''s owner was also named Lin Feng.


    He was a retired mercenary from Earth, who, while traveling in the USA, accidentally killed a robber during a mugging.


    Though it was self-defense, the American police unjustly accused him of murder and wanted to imprison him for life.


    Being a rebellious and independent person, Lin Feng chose to fight back when he realized they wanted him dead.


    First, he killed a police officer, then seized his gun, emptied the magazine, and took down the police station. He then drove a police car into a military camp, stole an armed tank, and wreaked havoc across the USA, turning it into a real-life ''Grand Theft Auto'', causing chaos and forcing the military to intervene.


    In the end, he was shot down in a one-against-hundred exchange, but after his death, his soul attached to another Lin Feng.


    From the original Lin Feng''s memories, he learned that he had been reborn in a parallel world!


    This place was neither Earth nor China.


    This planet was called Mysterious Star, with technology and civilization similar to Earth. The country Lin Feng was in was called the Dragon Kingdom.


    However, this planet had an additional virtual game, a game world with a Wuxia civilization background, named ''The Grand Martial World''.


    No one knew how this world came to be, nor who created the game.


    All that was known was that ten years ago, this virtual game suddenly existed.


    On Mysterious Star, one is considered an adult at nineteen, and everyone can enter this world using an activator after turning nineteen.


    Once inside, the world is much like an online game, where you become a player, start monster hunting, complete tasks, level up, treasure hunt, battle, and grow.


    It seems like just a game, but it holds great mysteries, as it can synchronize game data with the real body!This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    This means that weapons, elixirs, secret manuals, and internal strength obtained in the game can be brought into reality!


    This is why the entire human race on Mysterious Star is obsessed with it!


    Because as long as you develop well in ''The Grand Martial World'' and become a martial arts master, you can not only possess martial arts skills but also cure many severe illnesses.


    Most importantly, the higher your martial arts skills, the longer your lifespan.


    It strengthens the body, prolongs life, and grants a superhuman physique, a temptation that attracts everyone!


    But unlike other games, in ''The Grand Martial World'', each player has only one life.


    If a player dies inside, they are forcibly logged out. Although the body doesn''t die, they can never enter the game again.


    Many people die shortly after entering the game, gaining almost nothing.


    Thus, the game is also called ''One Life'', and how far you can grow with one life depends entirely on yourself.


    What surprised Lin Feng the most was that the Wuxia stories in ''The Grand Martial World'' were actually from classic Wuxia novels on Earth!


    For instance, there was Zhang Sanfeng from Wudang Mountain, Xie Xun the Golden-Haired Lion King, Qiao Feng the Beggar Sect Leader, Dongfang Bubai the Sun Moon Holy Cult Leader, Lu Xiaofeng with the Lingxi Finger, and Li Xunhuan the Little Li Flying Dagger.


    These game characters were unknown to the players on Mysterious Star, only that they were all incredibly powerful and not to be provoked.


    ***


    "Little Feng, are you still feeling unwell? Do you need to see a doctor?"


    As Lin Feng was lost in thought, a soft hand gently touched his forehead.


    Lin Feng snapped back to reality, looking at the woman gazing at him with concern.


    The woman appeared to be in her thirties, with delicate features. Though she had aged a bit, time seemed to have been kind to her, leaving no marks on her face but instead bestowing her with an indescribable charm, her skin like jade, her eyes full of emotion.


    Her figure was voluptuous, well-maintained despite having two children, though her side ponytail hairstyle seemed a bit out of place to Lin Feng. Madam, your hairstyle is a bit dangerous...


    This was Yu Meixiang, his mother''s best friend, who had taken the initiative to adopt and care for Lin Feng.


    From the original owner''s memories, Lin Feng knew that this boy secretly had a crush on Yu Meixiang, and not just her, but also the two beautiful girls behind her.


    However, this boy was too timid to ever express it, keeping it all hidden in his heart.


    "Damn, did I transmigrate into a hentai world..."


    Lin Feng couldn''t help but wonder, as the plot and setting were too similar to those hentai comics, with the blonde school bully and the side ponytail madam... he dared not think further...


    However, Yu Meixiang''s concern made Lin Feng, who had never experienced familial affection, feel a long-lost warmth.


    Not wanting her to worry any longer, he opened his mouth and said, "Aunt Meixiang, I''m fine, just really happy to see this gift."


    Yu Meixiang chuckled, affectionately ruffling his short hair, saying, "You, don''t ever get into fights impulsively, okay? Nowadays, many people are martial arts masters, and they don''t hold back. Your small frame can''t take even a single hit."


    "I understand."


    "That''s good, you''re such a good boy. Little Feng, you should rest now. Auntie has to go to the store. If you need anything, just tell your two sisters. They''ll take care of you."


    "Okay."


    Only then did Yu Meixiang feel at ease, giving a few more instructions to her two daughters before leaving in a hurry.


    With Yu Meixiang gone, only Lin Feng and the two beautiful girls remained in the bedroom.


    These two were named Fang Zhiqiu and Fang Hanshuang. Zhiqiu was the younger sister, and Hanshuang the elder, with just a year between them.


    Though they were sisters, they didn''t look alike. Fang Zhiqiu was petite and delicate, with a baby face, cherry lips, and a curvy figure, a youthful beauty with a childlike appearance.


    Fang Hanshuang, on the other hand, was tall with impossibly long legs, a slim waist like a bee, perfectly proportioned, exuding a commanding presence like a queen.


    Their personalities were also vastly different, with the younger sister being lively and cheerful, while the elder was cold as frost.


    Besides Lin Feng, the outsider, the household consisted of just the three women, as their father had also passed away young.


    "Here, this is for you, a gift."


    Fang Zhiqiu handed Lin Feng the bag she brought.


    Lin Feng curiously took it and found a pair of shoes inside.


    "I spent the last of my allowance to buy these for you. How''s that for sincerity?"


    Lin Feng smiled slightly and said, "Thank you, Sister Zhiqiu."


    "Hehe, no need to be so formal. How about this, let''s swap gifts? You give me the activator?"


    Before Lin Feng could respond, Fang Zhiqiu received a flick on the forehead from Fang Hanshuang.


    "Ouch! Fang Hanshuang, what are you doing? That hurts!"


    "Hmph, do you really have the nerve to ask for the gift Mom gave Lin Feng?"


    "I was just joking, you emotionless block, hmph!!!"


    Fang Hanshuang didn''t continue bickering and instead handed Lin Feng the gift she prepared, an electric shaver.


    "You''re in your adolescence now, and your beard is starting to grow. It''s best to shave this fuzz off, or it''ll look awkward. You should also pay attention to your appearance in the future."


    Fang Hanshuang spoke in a calm tone, as if genuinely advising a younger sibling.


    Lin Feng didn''t mind and still thanked her.


    Fang Hanshuang nodded and then prepared to leave.


    "You keep an eye on him. I''m going back to my room to read."


    "Hey, hey, hey, why do I have to stay here? Mom clearly said we should take care of him together."


    "Because I''m older than you." Fang Hanshuang said, not looking back as she left.


    "Where are you bigger than me? Mine are clearly bigger!"


    Fang Zhiqiu protested, puffing out her impressive chest, but unfortunately, Fang Hanshuang didn''t see it.


    Despite her words, Fang Zhiqiu stayed in Lin Feng''s room, sitting idly by his bed, her eyes fixed on the box beside Lin Feng''s pillow.


    The item in the box was the activator for ''The Grand Martial World''.


    When ''The Grand Martial World'' first appeared, many free activators were distributed.


    Unfortunately, they stopped distributing them five years ago, and now activators can only be obtained within the game.


    Activators are scattered randomly throughout the game, and only those with a bit of luck can find them. Players who find activators can bring them out to sell or gift.


    Although the number of activators isn''t small, it''s still insufficient for the population of Mysterious Star, leading to high prices that rise every year.


    Currently, an activator on the market costs at least 200,000 Dragon Coins, equivalent to a year''s income for an average family.


    Yu Meixiang''s husband was a small business owner before he passed, leaving some savings and a three-story house.


    Yu Meixiang herself runs a small beauty salon, with a decent income.


    But taking out 200,000 at once isn''t easy, which is why Fang Zhiqiu and Fang Hanshuang, at 20 and 22, have never played ''The Grand Martial World''.


    The original Lin Feng always wanted this activator, and Yu Meixiang, not buying it for her daughters but for him first, showed how much she cared for him.


    Lin Feng silently decided that, having inherited this body, he would also protect this family, cherishing the rare familial bond, to honor the original owner.

 Chapter 2 - The Grand Martial World

    "Lin Feng, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and start playing. Don''t worry, I won''t steal your activator."


    Wait, have you checked out those online guides? Do you know how to play once you''re in?


    For the past twenty years, the experience summarized by generations of players is that when playing ''The Grand Martial World,'' you must play it safe!


    Once you enter, new players will be transported to the first instance map called ''Seven Heroes Town.'' It''s the beginner map in ''The Grand Martial World'' and the friendliest one. The NPCs inside aren''t too strong, making it a great place for novices to develop. However, after reaching level thirty, you''ll be forced to leave, so you need to accumulate as much advantage as possible in the beginner map.


    Seven Heroes Town doesn''t have any sects, it''s just an ordinary small town with few martial artists. Once you''re in, leave quickly and head to places like Songshan, Wudang, or Shaolin to learn martial arts. Although these sects are only third or second rate on this map, a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse, and it''s enough for your early development. If you play it safe for two or three years, you can achieve something.


    If you''re rejected everywhere, you can go to the Dragon Gate Escort Agency and apply to be an escort, though you might have to start as an apprentice, taking it step by step. Or try your luck at Department Six in the Capital City to see if you can become a constable.


    Remember, wherever you go, don''t cause trouble. Joining any sect or the Imperial Court is fine, but start as a disciple, do tasks, practice, and find a master. Never fight or compete for treasures. In short, avoid anything dangerous, play it safe, and act cowardly if needed. Just think of yourself as a turtle, got it?"


    Fang Zhiqiu rambled on, seemingly more enthusiastic than Lin Feng, even though she wasn''t the one playing.


    Lin Feng didn''t rush to take out the activator. Instead, he curiously asked, "Sister Zhiqiu, do you know who the strongest player is right now?"


    "Of course I know. I''m like Dr. Know-it-all when it comes to ''The Grand Martial World.'' There''s nothing I don''t know."


    Fang Zhiqiu boasted proudly, then said, "Currently, the strongest player should be Chen Qunsheng. He''s a veteran player who hasn''t died in seven years. His latest level announced online is 82, and his strength has reached the Innate Expert realm.


    You know how powerful an Innate Expert is, right? The strength levels in ''The Grand Martial World'' are divided into Third Rate, Second Rate, First Rate, Innate, Peerless, Grandmaster, and Great Grandmaster. An Innate Expert is an absolute powerhouse!


    He appeared on a show before, demonstrating his strength. With his Mighty Vajra Palm, he lightly tapped on a thick marble slab, and it crumbled into powder. His lightness skill is also exceptional, and his signature move, Crossing the River on a Reed, is a world-class spectacle.


    You wouldn''t believe how many people want to become Chen Qunsheng''s disciples. Last year, he even participated in the Olympics. If the Olympic Committee didn''t limit participants to one event each, he could have won all the gold medals by himself. Now, he earns millions just by appearing on shows or doing commercials, even more popular than top celebrities.


    The most enviable thing is that Innate Experts generally live to around 150 years old. Even if Chen Qunsheng dies in the game, he can still enjoy life in reality until 150, with twice the lifespan of others. Plus, he''s financially free, able to do whatever he wants. It''s truly enviable."


    Seeing the envy in Fang Zhiqiu''s eyes, Lin Feng couldn''t help but smile and curiously asked, "How does he play the game?"


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "He mentioned it on a show before. He plays it safe! He joined Shaolin, starting as a menial disciple, diligently practicing every day. It took him two years to become a formal disciple. Later, he was noticed by the head of the Arhat Hall and became a personal disciple. For seven years, unless his master sent him down the mountain, he wouldn''t go anywhere. Even when doing tasks, he avoided people and retreated from danger, always being polite to everyone. That''s how he''s survived so long."


    Lin Feng was speechless after hearing this. That''s playing it safe to the extreme.


    But this method, though clumsy, indeed minimizes risk.


    After all, in this game, you only have one life. If you cause trouble everywhere and encounter a master who kills you, you''ll be done with ''The Grand Martial World.''


    "Sigh, after telling you all this, I want to play ''The Grand Martial World'' even more now. It''s so frustrating. You stay here, I''m going back to my room to watch some videos of ''The Grand Martial World.'' If you have any questions, just ask me."


    Fang Zhiqiu left the bedroom in frustration, afraid she might actually snatch Lin Feng''s activator if she stayed any longer.


    Once she left, Lin Feng was alone in the bedroom.


    He didn''t rush to play the game but struggled to sit up, feeling weak and a dull pain in his chest.


    He lifted his shirt and looked down, seeing his chest wrapped in thick plaster, indicating he had suffered a significant injury.


    Just then, his phone on the bedside table rang. Lin Feng picked it up and saw an unfamiliar number, but it looked oddly familiar.


    He answered the call, and a smug voice came through.


    "Hey Lin, how''s it going? I heard you''re not dead yet. Looks like I went too easy on you last time."


    Lin Feng immediately recognized the voice as Zhang Yong, the blond school bully who had been tormenting him for a long time.


    After he was beaten, Zhang Yong acted as if nothing had happened and faced no consequences.


    Although Yu Meixiang reported it to the police, there were no surveillance cameras where Lin Feng was attacked.


    Without evidence, and given that the bully''s family had some connections, the police were dismissive, saying they needed to investigate.


    But now, half a month had passed since Lin Feng was hospitalized and returned home, and there was still no progress from the police. Instead, Zhang Yong called again to harass Lin Feng.


    Little did he know, Lin Feng was no longer the same Lin Feng as before.


    "What do you want to say?" Lin Feng''s tone was calm, seemingly devoid of any emotion.


    Zhang Yong didn''t notice anything unusual and continued to taunt, "I''m giving you one last chance. Get your pretty godmother to come out, and as long as you do that, I''ll make sure you have a comfortable life at school. Otherwise, next time I make a move, it won''t be so gentle."


    "Alright, I agree, but let''s wait until I''m healed."


    Lin Feng replied calmly, agreeing to Zhang Yong''s demand.


    Zhang Yong didn''t expect Lin Feng to agree so easily, but he didn''t doubt it.


    He was too familiar with Lin Feng''s cowardly nature and assumed he was scared into submission this time.


    "Hahaha, that''s more like it. I''ll wait for you to heal. Then find an excuse to get your godmother out at night. Don''t worry, I won''t harm her, just want to ''play'' a little. It''s settled then. If you dare trick me, I''ll make sure your fate is ten times worse than now!"


    Lin Feng tossed the phone aside, revealing a mocking smile. In his mind, Zhang Yong was already a dead man.


    His approach was always the same: either do nothing or go all out. Any enemy of his would be dealt with ruthlessly!


    But now wasn''t the right time. His body was too weak, still in a state of severe injury.


    Moreover, the school bully Zhang Yong was a year older than him and also a player of ''The Grand Martial World.'' Although he was just an unranked player, not even reaching third rate, he couldn''t be underestimated.


    Unranked players might seem weak in the game, but in reality, they were stronger than typical elite soldiers.


    Even the strongest soldiers in reality couldn''t compare to those with internal strength. Plus, they knew martial arts moves, and a casual strike could far surpass ordinary people.


    Especially with his current weakling body, thinking of a counterattack was a pipe dream, unless he used a gun.


    With this in mind, Lin Feng turned his gaze to the activator box.


    Since he could gain strength from the game, the problem became much simpler.


    Without further hesitation, he picked up the box and opened the packaging. Inside was a quaint wooden box. Opening the lid, he found a brass coin lying quietly inside.


    Lin Feng picked up the coin, examining it. It was engraved with the words ''The Grand Martial World'' on one side and ''Activator'' on the other.


    Besides the coin, there was a simple instruction manual inside, stating: Just hold the coin in your hand for fifteen seconds to bind and activate it.


    Once activated, the coin would disappear, and a coin pattern would appear on the palm, serving as the key to entering the game.


    As long as you were in a stationary state, placing the other hand on the coin pattern for fifteen seconds would allow you to enter the game, making it even more convenient than those gaming helmets.

 Chapter 3 - New to the game

    Lin Feng followed the instructions in the manual and held the ancient coin in his left hand.


    Fifteen seconds later, the ancient coin vanished as expected.


    Then, a pattern appeared on his palm, as if it were a tattoo.


    This pattern wouldn''t wash off. As long as the player didn''t die in the game, it would remain. Conversely, if they died, the pattern would disappear permanently.


    Lin Feng lay down, raised his right hand, and pressed it onto the pattern. As soon as fifteen seconds passed, he fell into a deep sleep!


    And his consciousness had already arrived in a completely unknown world!


    "Welcome to the world of ''The Grand Martial World.'' Here, you will experience the purest martial arts world. We hope you can live an exciting life in this world!"


    "Character confirmation: Male, nineteen years old. Please name your game character."


    Lin Feng thought for a moment and said, "Lin Yanfeng."


    Fang Zhiqiu had advised him that it was best not to use his real name in the game, as it could easily lead to being doxxed.


    "Name confirmed! Please choose your period hairstyle!"


    Lin Feng then saw a series of hairstyle options based on his face.


    There were options like a bald head, the Qing Dynasty''s rat tail, Bu Jingyun''s afro, Nie Feng''s half-loose hair, Guo Jing''s classic tied hair, and the Mongolian braided hairstyle, among others.


    Lin Feng chose the most normal tied hairstyle. He could also choose the color, but he didn''t want to dye his hair yellow or green, so he went with the most normal black hair.


    "Image confirmed. The system will now detect your physical attributes... Please wait!"


    "Attribute detection complete! Now transporting you to Seven Heroes Town! Young hero, embark on your journey through the martial world!"


    As soon as the voice finished, the scene before Lin Feng''s eyes flashed, and he found himself in an ancient town.


    He looked down at his attire, a simple coarse cloth outfit, unarmed.


    He clenched his fist and felt an incredibly real sense of strength in his palm, no different from reality.


    The bustling game buildings around him were also indistinguishable from reality, and this sense of realism left Lin Feng in awe.


    This virtual game was too realistic, far surpassing the latest AI and VR technology on Earth. Who on earth could have created such advanced technology?


    The game''s background was all derived from Earth''s wuxia novels.


    This couldn''t help but make Lin Feng wonder if it was future technology from Earth that had accidentally ended up in a parallel world.


    Of course, he could only speculate and had no way to find evidence.


    Since he was here, he might as well enjoy it. This game allowed people to continuously grow stronger and become martial arts masters, which he was quite looking forward to.


    As a mercenary, Lin Feng never played games, but he was obsessed with martial arts and had always been committed to becoming a top mercenary in the world.


    Unfortunately, no matter how much he trained on Earth, he was just an ordinary mortal.


    Unlike here, where one could become a martial arts master.


    Legendary internal energy, lightness skills, hidden weapons, and cultivation methods¡ªhe would soon experience them firsthand, and just thinking about it made him a bit excited.


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Although Lin Feng had never played games, he had seen others play, and Fang Zhiqiu had explained many game strategies to him, so he just had to follow them.


    First, he chose to open his attribute interface. Each player''s attribute interface was divided into two types: the talent interface and the combat interface.


    Talent Interface:


    [Player: Lin Yanfeng]


    [Innate Talent: 51/Mediocre]


    [Grace: 64/Acceptable]


    [Comprehension: 75/Excellent]


    [Fortune: 60/Minor Luck]


    [Charisma: 85/Graceful]


    Innate talent was necessary for body cultivation martial arts, whether it was fist techniques, leg techniques, palm techniques, etc., all required innate talent for practice.


    Grace was needed for mental cultivation martial arts, such as various internal energies and arcane techniques.


    Comprehension was required for weapon martial arts, like swords, spears, and staffs, which required comprehension talent to learn.


    As for fortune and charisma, they were easy to understand.


    After reviewing his talent interface, Lin Feng was a bit speechless. It was said that all attributes in "The Grand Martial World" were determined based on the player''s physical talents.


    The maximum talent attribute was 100 points, and most people ranged between 50 and 70. Above 70 was considered excellent talent, and the higher the number, the higher your martial arts talent.


    Players with higher talent were more likely to be accepted into major sects, as experts were willing to take them as disciples. Conversely, those with lower talent were less desirable and could only join minor sects.


    Lin Feng''s talent interface could be described as average.


    If he wanted to join a first-rate sect, it was basically impossible, as no expert would want to waste their energy on someone as mediocre as him.


    Of course, there were ways around it, such as finding various elixirs and treasures to increase talent points or cultivation methods that could transform one''s physique.


    Alternatively, completing tasks for others could also allow entry into sects.


    But currently, Lin Feng had nothing, so he temporarily ignored his talent and opened the second page, the combat interface.


    After reviewing it, he finally felt relieved.


    Combat Interface:


    [Player: Lin Yanfeng]


    [Level: 0]


    [Experience: 0/100]


    [Strength: Unranked]


    [Reputation: Unknown Nobody]


    [Vitality: 100/100]


    [Internal Strength: 0/0]


    [Physique: 5]


    [Force: 5]


    [Defense: 4]


    [Agility: 7]


    [Martial Arts: None]


    [Lightness Skill: None]


    [Internal Energy: None]


    [Equipment: None]


    Physique represented vitality and internal strength, force represented attack and damage values, defense and agility represented resistance and speed, respectively.


    Ordinary people''s combat talent attributes were generally around 10 points, determined by the game system''s scan of your physique.


    Lin Feng''s body was weak and frail, standing at 1.75 meters and barely weighing 100 pounds, even less than many girls.


    This also resulted in his combat attributes being pitifully low, completely weak and fragile, akin to Lin Daiyu''s physique.


    With such physical attributes, even Lin Feng couldn''t bear to look at himself. Not to mention martial artists, even in a regular gym, he''d be called a weakling.


    "Sigh, a disastrous start."


    Lin Feng sighed, feeling that the path of joining a sect was out of reach, at least for now. No expert would want to take him in.


    However, Lin Feng also knew that this game had a high degree of freedom, and players didn''t necessarily have to join a sect.


    Self-cultivation, seeking fortuitous encounters, and being a wanderer were also viable paths, provided you could find those encounters.


    Other players would rather join third-rate gangs or private forces than be wanderers.


    The reason was that being a wanderer was too risky, with no backing, no sect, and all cultivation resources had to be obtained by oneself, which was extremely difficult.


    If you encountered competition or were targeted by evildoers, the chances of being killed were high.


    Many players had chosen this path before, but most didn''t last long before dying. The longest a wanderer player had survived was only half a year.


    So, with the experience of predecessors, the path of a wanderer had long been labeled as "high mortality rate," and no one dared to try it lightly.


    After all, this game only had one life. Taking such a big risk, once you died, you could never return to "The Grand Martial World." It was better to play it safe.


    But Lin Feng wasn''t afraid. He was familiar with the game''s background story and knew the locations of various fortuitous encounters. If he didn''t dare to venture out, wouldn''t he be wasting his golden finger?


    With the opportunity to defy fate, even if the risk was high, it was definitely worth taking!


    Having figured this out, Lin Feng decided to temporarily abandon the path of joining forces and chose to be a wanderer player!


    ***


    At this moment, he stood at the entrance of Seven Heroes Town.


    The town wasn''t large, but it had everything one could need, including various shops, restaurants, trading firms, cloth shops, rice shops, and blacksmith shops.


    The town''s streets were wide and straight, and although they were dirt roads, they were compacted and smooth. Rows of weeping willows lined the roads, with vendors and peddlers resting or selling their wares under the trees. The bustling scene was lively and vibrant.


    Among these people were many NPCs from the game, as well as many who were clearly real players, most of whom were heading out of town.


    Many players stood at the town entrance, shouting:


    "Anyone want to team up to go to Wudang Mountain? It''s safer to travel with a companion!"


    "Looking for a few third-rate experts to escort me to Mount Heng Sect, 5000 silver per person, unlimited spots!"


    "This damn Seven Heroes Town is full of commoners. I''ve been wandering here for three days, only completed a few ordinary tasks, and earned some loose silver. What a waste of time!"


    "I heard there''s a branch of Dragon Gate Escort Agency nearby. Anyone want to join me for an escort mission?"


    "Cuiwei Mountain wolf hunting mission, anyone want to team up? Must be at least level 10, preferably with some martial arts skills!"


    "Ugh, it''s my first time playing this game. Any expert brothers willing to guide me? We could even be a couple in-game, and I''m open to meeting offline nationwide (blushing)~"

 Chapter 4 - Bullying honest people

    Lin Feng glanced briefly at the entrance of the town before losing interest and walked straight in.


    All the players assumed that Seven Heroes Town was full of ordinary people, but only he, who had watched "My Own Swordsman," knew that there were quite a few renowned figures here.


    The Young Mistress of Dragon Gate Escort Agency, Tong Xiangyu; the Saint of Thieves, Bai Zhantang; Hero Guo''s daughter, Guo Furong; the Hero of Guanzhong, L¨¹ Qinghou; the Sect Leader of Mount Heng Sect, Mo Xiaobei; and the disciple of the God of Cookery from the Capital City, Li Dazui.


    These characters were all famous figures, although Tong Xiangyu, L¨¹ Qinghou, Mo Xiaobei, and Li Dazui didn''t know martial arts.


    However, the Saint of Thieves, Bai Zhantang, and Guo Furong were quite skilled.


    Even though their martial arts weren''t particularly impressive, in this level 30 novice map, they were already rare experts.


    After all, this was just a novice map, and those so-called experts from prestigious sects might not be as formidable as them.


    Of course, there were also true experts, like Gongsun Wulong and Hero Guo.


    But they were elusive, and Lin Feng didn''t know where to find them. It was better to look for opportunities nearby in Seven Heroes Town.


    As he pondered, Lin Feng had already reached the center of the town when a robust voice called out beside him.


    "Sir, come in and have a bite. Our head chef, Li Dazui, is a culinary master. Once you try our food, you''ll never forget it!"


    Following the voice, Lin Feng saw a long-haired man in a long gown with a white vest standing at the entrance of a shop named "Tongfu Inn," enthusiastically shouting to attract customers.


    The man appeared to be in his thirties, handsome, yet he was humbly bowing and scraping at the door to attract customers. Judging by his expression, he didn''t seem to feel the least bit humiliated; on the contrary, he seemed to enjoy it.


    With just one glance, Lin Feng immediately recognized who he was: White Jade Soup, now known as Bai Zhantang, the retired Saint of Thieves.


    He had come here precisely for this person.


    Seeing a customer approaching, the man''s smile grew even brighter.


    "Sir, are you here to stay or to dine?"


    To the man''s surprise, Lin Feng was neither here to stay nor to dine.


    "Brother, could we have a word in private?"


    Bai Zhantang looked at Lin Feng with a puzzled expression but still moved to a corner.


    Several passing players saw Lin Feng talking with Bai Zhantang and burst into mocking laughter.


    "This guy is obviously new here, wasting time talking to a mere waiter."


    "Yeah, he clearly doesn''t read the game guides. He thinks he can get a quest just because someone looks impressive."Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    "I thought the same before, asked for ages, and got no quest."


    "You''re lucky. Some players even joined Tongfu Inn without pay, thinking it was a quest, only to find out after more than a month that the biggest task here was doing chores, and without pay, haha."


    "Forget him, let''s hurry to Eighteen Mile Village. Constable Xing is issuing quests there. If we''re late, there won''t be any left."


    ***


    Lin Feng ignored the ridicule behind him, his clear eyes revealing the cunning of an old fox, making Bai Zhantang a bit uneasy.


    "Little brother, if you have something to say, just say it. If not, I''ll get back to work."


    Lin Feng, unhurried, spoke softly with a faint smile, "I never expected the famous Saint of Thieves to hide his identity here and willingly work as a waiter."


    Bai Zhantang''s heart skipped a beat, a flash of shock and fear in his eyes.


    "What nonsense are you talking about? How could I be the Saint of Thieves? I''m just a waiter. How could the Saint of Thieves do this kind of work? You''re overthinking it, little brother."


    "Oh, really? Then I''ll just go to the yamen and have a chat with Magistrate Lou about whether you''re the Saint of Thieves."


    With that, Lin Feng turned to leave, and Bai Zhantang immediately grabbed him.


    "Little brother, where did you get this information? Who exactly are you?"


    Lin Feng remained calm on the surface, but inside, he was confident of his victory.


    In this world, besides him, no player knew Bai Zhantang''s true identity.


    No one would ever associate him with the Saint of Thieves, so Bai Zhantang could always calmly hide his identity.


    But Lin Feng, a transmigrator familiar with the identities of everyone in "My Own Swordsman," only needed to reveal his identity, and the guilty Bai Zhantang would naturally panic, for he truly was the Saint of Thieves.


    Clearing his throat, Lin Feng stared intently at Bai Zhantang and sighed, "You want to know who I am? I can only tell you, I come from the Capital City, Department Six."


    "Ha! Don''t try to fool me. You''re just a kid who can''t even catch a chicken, claiming to be from Department Six in the Capital City. Who would believe that?"


    Bai Zhantang wasn''t easily deceived. He could tell at a glance that Lin Feng had no internal energy, clearly just an ordinary person.


    Lin Feng wasn''t in a hurry, instead, he chuckled, "Do I have to know martial arts to be from Department Six? Can''t my father be from Department Six?"


    "Your father?" Bai Zhantang was taken aback.


    "That''s right, my father took over the Saint of Thieves case. I''m helping him find clues. I never expected to find you here."


    "Haha, how can you be sure I''m the Saint of Thieves? Even your father wouldn''t know how you figured it out!"


    "Oh, someone from the Capital City told me."


    "Who?"


    "Zhan! Hong! Ling!"


    What!


    Bai Zhantang''s eyes widened, stunned. He could no longer afford to doubt.


    After all, Lin Feng mentioning Zhan Hongling indicated he was indeed from Department Six in the Capital City. Moreover, if Zhan Hongling told him such things, this kid''s father must have an extraordinary identity!


    "Who... who is your father?" Bai Zhantang asked, trembling.


    Lin Feng smiled smugly, pretending to be mysterious, "You want to know? He''s currently in Eighteen Mile Village. Don''t worry, I''ll call him over, and you''ll know his identity when you see him."


    "No! No, no, no! Brother, no, Young Hero! Young Master! Young Lord!"


    Bai Zhantang was almost in tears, holding Lin Feng''s hand and begging for mercy.


    "Young Hero, please don''t arrest me. I''ve long retired from the martial world and turned over a new leaf. I haven''t been the Saint of Thieves for many years. Please, for the sake of my reformation, spare me this once!"


    "What''s going on, Zhantang? What happened?"


    "Old Bai, what''s wrong? Why are you almost crying?"


    "You don''t need to act pitiful to attract customers. Our inn isn''t about to close down, is it?"


    Hearing the commotion outside, several people walked out of the inn, curiously asking.


    Lin Feng''s gaze swept over them, instantly recognizing their identities.


    Guo Furong, Li Dazui, Tong Xiangyu, Scholar L¨¹.


    There was no mistaking them; their features were too distinctive and easy to recognize. Besides, the online game guides also had information about them, making it hard not to recognize them.


    Seeing everyone asking, Bai Zhantang, like finding a lifeline, whispered to them, "He knows I''m the Saint of Thieves. His father is from Department Six, here to arrest me. Boss, save me."


    Ah!


    The group was instantly shocked, while Lin Feng continued to maintain an enigmatic demeanor, his expression even more arrogant.


    He dared to threaten Bai Zhantang, a martial arts expert, because he knew Bai Zhantang''s temperament and character. He wouldn''t kill him.


    Moreover, they were now wary of his ''father,'' so they wouldn''t make a move.


    This was the advantage of knowing the plot. Of course, this method was only suitable for dealing with good people. If it were a villain, he wouldn''t dare to threaten like this; he would have been chopped into pieces long ago.


    His current behavior was essentially bullying an honest person.


    Though it was somewhat shameless.


    But to quickly obtain martial arts secret manuals, this was the fastest way. Otherwise, why would anyone teach him martial arts for no reason?

 Chapter 5 - Two books of Profound Grade Martial Arts obtained!

    "Young hero, please come inside and let''s talk it over."


    Tong Xiangyu, worried that Lin Feng might call for help, quickly tried to get on his good side, pulling him into the inn.


    Lin Feng didn''t refuse, swaggering into the inn.


    Tong Xiangyu then had someone close the door and announced that they were closing for the day.


    The customers still eating inside sensed something was off, quickly got up, and left without paying, as if it was muscle memory, leaving the passersby outside puzzled.


    Tong Xiangyu respectfully invited Lin Feng to sit down for a chat, and Guo Furong brought over a cup of fine tea.


    Lin Feng calmly took a sip from the cup and smacked his lips, "Not bad tea."


    "Hehe, this is top-grade Longjing tea. If you like it, I have half a pound more in the store. You can take it home and enjoy it slowly," Tong Xiangyu said with a smile.


    Lin Feng feigned disdain, slamming the cup on the table, "Do you take me for a three-year-old? You think a bit of tea can block my father''s path to promotion?"


    Tong Xiangyu''s eyes lit up at Lin Feng''s words, sensing there might be a chance here.


    "Young hero, you''ve misunderstood. This tea is just a small token. As for Zhantang''s identity, as long as you keep it a secret, you can have whatever you want. Please wait a moment."


    With that, Tong Xiangyu hurried upstairs and soon came down with a bundle, placing it in front of Lin Feng.


    "This is all my savings, over five hundred taels. If you''re still not satisfied, I have some antiques in the store you can take as well."


    Lin Feng glanced at the bag full of silver, pushing it away with disdain, "Do you think I''m a country bumpkin who''s never seen money? This amount is nothing in the Capital City. My family earns ten times this amount just from kickbacks."


    "Ten times? Five thousand taels? You''re trying to kill me..." Tong Xiangyu cried.


    "Kid! Don''t be too greedy! Five thousand taels, why don''t you just rob us!" Li Dazui shouted angrily.


    Scholar L¨¹ couldn''t help but scold, "Confucius once said, the hypocritical are the thieves of virtue, rotten wood cannot be carved, and a wall of dung cannot be plastered!"


    Faced with everyone''s scolding, Lin Feng remained calm and indifferent, which only fueled their anger further.


    Guo Furong slammed the table and shouted, "Old Bai, why don''t we just kill this kid and destroy the evidence?"


    "I agree, I''ll get a kitchen knife and chop him up for easy disposal."


    Li Dazui immediately played along, pretending to head to the kitchen.


    "Too much blood from dismembering, better to cremate him, that way the evidence is destroyed." Scholar L¨¹ agreed.


    "I agree, let''s do it."


    "Hahaha..."


    Faced with their threats, Lin Feng laughed heartily, his laughter wild and unrestrained.


    "You can still laugh when you''re about to die?" Scholar L¨¹ was surprised.


    Lin Feng crossed his legs leisurely, "Kill me? Sure, plenty of people outside saw me enter this inn. My father is just at Eighteen Mile Village. If you kill me, let''s see if he doesn''t come knocking. Oh, and I forgot to mention, I reported to Magistrate Lou before coming here."Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    Everyone immediately deflated, realizing that intimidation wouldn''t work.


    "Enough! I''ll go with you, just don''t involve them. I did it, and I''ll take responsibility."


    Bai Zhantang made his decision, with a sense of facing death unflinchingly.


    "Old Bai~ you can''t go, I can''t live without you~" Tong Xiangyu cried.


    "Old Bai, you can''t go with him, you''ll be doomed forever."


    "Old Bai..."


    The inn was filled with wailing, and Bai Zhantang regretted ever becoming a thief.


    Seeing the atmosphere was right, Lin Feng decided to drop the act and lay his cards on the table.


    "If you want me to let him go, it''s not impossible."


    "Really? What are your conditions? Just say it, as long as we can do it, we won''t hesitate!"


    Tong Xiangyu immediately expressed her willingness to fight for Bai Zhantang as long as there was a glimmer of hope.


    Feeling it was about time, Lin Feng stopped pretending.


    "I want your ''Sunflower Acupoint Striking Hand'' and ''Treading on Snow Without a Trace.''"


    Everyone was a bit surprised, including Bai Zhantang.


    "Brother, why do you want my martial arts?"


    "To practice martial arts, of course."


    "Your father is with Department Six, there''s plenty of martial arts there, why come to me?"


    The clever Bai Zhantang was suspicious again.


    Lin Feng thought it wouldn''t be that simple, so he had to keep up the act.


    "To be honest, I''ve been weak and sickly since childhood, with poor innate talent. The doctor said I can''t practice martial arts, not fit for it, so my father never taught me and forbade me from practicing."


    "Then why are you asking for my martial arts?" Bai Zhantang asked, puzzled.


    Lin Feng shrugged, "I can''t help it, my ambitions are high. I aspire to be a Great Hero. My father won''t let me learn, so I have to learn secretly, which is why I''m asking you."


    Bai Zhantang fell into deep thought. Although Lin Feng''s reason seemed reasonable, he still felt something was off.


    Tong Xiangyu, however, didn''t think much of it, pulling Bai Zhantang aside to persuade him quietly, "Zhantang, just pass your martial arts to him. It''s not like you''ll lose anything. You''ve retired from the martial world anyway, it doesn''t matter if he learns."


    "Yeah, Old Bai, he''s not asking for your internal strength, just two martial arts manuals. Your life is more important."


    "I agree, with his poor innate talent, he probably won''t be able to learn them anyway."


    Everyone suggested Bai Zhantang agree.


    Bai Zhantang thought it over and realized it was just two manuals, and it was worth it for his freedom.


    "Fine! I agree, but remember, if you break your promise and leak this, my Sunflower Sect is not to be trifled with!"


    Bai Zhantang finally agreed, went back to his room, and retrieved two manuals, tossing them in front of Lin Feng.


    Lin Feng suppressed his excitement and calmly picked them up to read.


    [Martial Arts Manual: Sunflower Acupoint Striking Hand (Mid Profound Grade)]


    [Martial Arts Origin: Fingers like the wind, swift as lightning, one of the Sunflower Sect''s signature martial arts, capable of sealing acupoints to control the enemy]


    [Martial Arts Description: Control time depends on the enemy''s strength. The weaker the enemy, the longer the control. Mastery allows acupoint striking from a distance and can cause internal injuries]


    [Martial Arts Effect: Basic Force +120 points, initial control time up to 10 seconds.]


    [Martial Arts Consumption: 70 internal strength per use, 20-second cooldown]


    [Learning Requirement: Innate Talent above 45 points]


    [Martial Arts Manual: Treading on Snow Without a Trace (High Profound Grade)]


    [Martial Arts Origin: Invisible and traceless, one of the Sunflower Sect''s signature martial arts, capable of moving silently and scaling walls]


    [Martial Arts Description: Greatly enhances movement speed, leaves no trace, can leap twenty Chinese feet off the ground, and land safely from fifty Chinese feet]


    [Martial Arts Effect: Basic Agility +175 points, greatly enhances initial speed and jumping ability]


    [Martial Arts Consumption: 20 internal strength per second, no cooldown]


    [Learning Requirement: Innate Talent above 50 points]


    In "The Grand Martial World," martial arts manuals are divided into five grades: Common, Yellow, Profound, Earth, and Heaven, each with three levels: upper, middle, and lower.


    Most players in their lifetime only learn Common or Yellow grade martial arts, with very few able to learn Profound grade.


    Those who learn Earth grade are already renowned strong players.


    As for Heaven grade, no one has achieved it yet.


    Even the strongest player, Chen Qunsheng''s signature skills, Crossing the River on a Reed and Mighty Vajra Palm, are only Earth grade.


    Yet Lin Feng, a novice player, obtained two Profound grade manuals on his first day. If word got out, players worldwide would be insanely jealous.


    "Not bad, not bad. A man''s word is his bond. I''ll keep your identity a secret, and I''ll tell my father not to come to Seven Heroes Town."


    After reading the manuals, Lin Feng happily stashed them away.


    Hearing this, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Then we won''t see you off, take care."


    Bai Zhantang still wore a cold expression, directly issuing an eviction order.


    Lin Feng had threatened him and taken his martial arts manuals through such despicable means, no one would give him a friendly face.


    Fortunately, Lin Feng had thick skin and didn''t mind.


    With his weakling talent, if he wanted to become a martial arts master, he had to use some tricks.


    He cupped his hands to everyone and prepared to leave.


    But before he left, his gaze fell on Guo Furong.


    This woman also had a good martial art, but how should he trick her...

 Chapter 6 - Common Enemy

    "Ah, you must be the daughter of Hero Guo. I''ve heard so much about you."


    Lin Feng didn''t leave but instead turned his attention to Guo Furong.


    Guo Furong glared at him and said, "So what if I am? Are you going to call your dad to come and catch me? I could have my dad crush you in an instant!"


    Lin Feng squinted and smiled, "You''ve got it wrong. My dad and your dad are colleagues. How could I dare to touch you?"


    "Bah! My dad wouldn''t stoop to being colleagues with your dad. You''re so young yet full of schemes and tricks. You must have learned them from your dad."


    As Guo Furong spoke, she suddenly thought of something and asked suspiciously, "Wait a minute, if your dad is my dad''s colleague, why have I never seen you before? What''s your name?"


    Lin Feng thought to himself, "Oops, I almost forgot that Guo Furong''s dad is also part of Department Six."


    His mind raced, and he quickly came up with a story, "My dad was recently promoted by the Emperor. He was originally a deputy commander in the Royal Guards. It''s normal that you haven''t seen me. Recently, the Night Pearl was stolen from the palace, and the Emperor was furious, demanding a thorough investigation. Department Six couldn''t find any leads, and with many unsolved cases over the years, the Emperor was disappointed and ordered a reorganization, so my dad joined Department Six."


    Having watched many wuxia period dramas, Lin Feng was adept at crafting stories, making them sound plausible.


    This explanation dispelled Guo Furong and the others'' doubts. After all, Department Six indeed had many unsolved cases, and they only managed to catch Gongsun Wulong and Ji Wuming with their help.


    It was reasonable for the Emperor to be dissatisfied with Department Six.


    Lin Feng''s claim that his dad came from the Royal Guards made sense too, as the Royal Guards were known for their ruthless methods and lack of scruples, acting as the Imperial Court''s lackeys.


    Lin Feng''s behavior was just like theirs, so it was plausible he learned it from the Royal Guards.


    Guo Furong, somewhat worried, asked, "What about my dad? He hasn''t been punished, has he?"


    "No, he hasn''t. Haven''t you seen your dad?"


    "No, I haven''t seen him since I left. I don''t even know how he''s doing now."


    Guo Furong showed a look of longing, not realizing that her words played right into Lin Feng''s hands.


    Since Guo Furong hadn''t seen her dad, it meant Hero Guo hadn''t arrived at Tongfu Inn yet, so Lin Feng could act without restraint.


    Feigning generosity, Lin Feng said, "I see. When I return to Department Six, I''ll visit Hero Guo and let him know how you''re doing."


    "What? What are you going to tell him?" Guo Furong was startled.


    "Of course, your current situation, your address, like how you''re working as a servant at the inn, waking up earlier than the chickens and sleeping later than the dogs, and even being deceived by a pedantic scholar..."


    "Shut up! You can''t say that! If you do, I''ll fight you to the death!"


    Guo Furong, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, was most worried about this. If her dad found out how miserable she was, he''d definitely come to take her back.


    Lin Feng, with a look of good intentions, said, "Oh, your father misses you too. I''m just doing a good deed. Well then, I''ll be off."This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    As he spoke, Lin Feng started to leave, but Guo Furong immediately rushed forward to stop him.


    "Tell me, what will it take for you not to spill the beans about me?"


    Lin Feng showed a conspiratorial smile and said, "I''ve admired Hero Guo for a long time and have always wanted to learn his ''Raging Waves Palm.'' I wonder if I have that honor?"


    Guo Furong gritted her teeth, almost unable to resist slapping Lin Feng to death.


    But for the greater good, she hesitated for a long time and finally nodded reluctantly.


    "Fine, you can have it! But if you break your promise, I''ll hunt you down to the Capital City and tear you to pieces!"


    After saying this, Guo Furong turned and went back to her room. Shortly after, she returned with a secret manual and tossed it to Lin Feng.


    [Martial Arts Manual: Mountain-Crushing Strike (Yellow Grade, Lower)]


    [Martial Arts Origin: The first move of Raging Waves Palm, one of Hero Guo''s signature martial arts, capable of splitting boulders with a palm strike]


    [Martial Arts Description: Raging Waves Palm consists of nine moves. Mastering all of them equates to Earth Grade martial arts, with each subsequent move being more powerful]


    [Martial Arts Effect: Basic Force +30 points, Basic Damage 400 points]


    [Martial Arts Consumption: 50 points of Internal Strength per use, 5-second cooldown]


    [Learning Requirement: Innate Talent of 30 points or higher required to learn]


    After reviewing it, Lin Feng was not satisfied and said, "Why is there only the first move?"


    "Obviously, I only know the first move and have only learned the first move, so that''s all there is," Guo Furong retorted coldly.


    "What about the other eight moves?"


    "Obviously, they''re with my dad. If you have the guts, go ask him for them. Not to discourage you, but with your physique and talent, you can only learn the first move."


    Faced with Guo Furong''s sarcasm, Lin Feng wasn''t angry. Getting the entire Raging Waves Palm was unrealistic; Earth Grade martial arts weren''t so easily obtained.


    Today''s gains were already substantial, and one shouldn''t be too greedy.


    "Alright, I''ll keep your secret. Farewell, everyone. Until we meet again in the martial world." Lin Feng cupped his hands, saying polite words.


    "Who wants to see you again? Best if we never see you for the rest of our lives!"


    "Exactly, you want to roam the martial world as a great hero? Just don''t die young!"


    "Hope you trip up in the martial world!"


    "We''ll be waiting to see when the Martial World Gazette publishes your scandals and jokes, haha!"


    Everyone sent Lin Feng off with ''friendly'' blessings. Clearly, Lin Feng had become the public enemy of Tongfu Inn.


    [Ding! Li Dazui''s dislike for you increased by 10 points! Current relationship: Disdain!]


    [Ding! Tong Xiangyu''s dislike for you increased by 20 points! Current relationship: Dislike!]


    [Ding! L¨¹ Qinghou''s dislike for you increased by 25 points! Current relationship: Dislike!]


    [Ding! Bai Zhantang''s dislike for you increased by 30 points! Current relationship: Loathe!]


    [Ding! Guo Furong''s dislike for you increased by 40 points! Current relationship: Loathe!]


    Seeing these messages, Lin Feng couldn''t help but laugh bitterly, though it was within his expectations.


    In "The Grand Martial World," NPCs'' favorability towards players is divided into unfamiliar, friendly, close, like, infatuated, and united. The better the relationship, the more benefits you get.


    Of course, besides favorability, there''s also dislike, divided into disdain, dislike, loathe, hatred, and extreme hatred. The worse the relationship, the worse your life becomes.


    Favorability is extremely hard to increase, but dislike is quite simple. If it reaches the hatred level, the other party will genuinely try to kill you.


    Although he achieved his goal this way, he also thoroughly offended everyone at Tongfu Inn.


    The only thing to do now was to leave quickly.


    After leaving Tongfu Inn, Lin Feng immediately learned all three secret manuals to prevent any unforeseen complications.


    Fortunately, the talent requirements for these three martial arts weren''t high, and Lin Feng''s talent barely met the standards, so he learned them successfully.


    [Ding! Congratulations on learning Profound Grade, Intermediate Martial Arts: Sunflower Acupoint Striking Hand! Basic Force +120 points!]


    [Ding! Congratulations on learning Profound Grade, Superior Lightness Skill: Treading on Snow Without a Trace! Basic Agility +175 points!]


    [Ding! Congratulations on learning Yellow Grade, Lower Martial Arts: Mountain-Crushing Strike! Basic Force +30 points!]


    After mastering them, Lin Feng immediately checked his combat attributes.


    [Player: Lin Yanfeng]


    [Level: 0]


    [Experience: 0/100]


    [Strength: Unranked]


    [Reputation: Unknown Nobody]


    [Vitality: 100/100]


    [Internal Strength: 0/0]


    [Physique: 5]


    [Force: 155]


    [Defense: 4]


    [Agility: 182]


    [Martial Arts: Profound Grade, Intermediate ¡¤ Sunflower Acupoint Striking Hand (Beginner), Yellow Grade, Lower ¡¤ Mountain-Crushing Strike (Beginner)]


    [Lightness Skill: Profound Grade, Superior ¡¤ Treading on Snow Without a Trace (Beginner)]


    [Internal Energy: None]


    [Equipment: None]

 Chapter 7 - Shortcut to Human Evolution

    After reviewing his attribute panel, Lin Feng immediately felt like he had transformed from a Husky into a wolf king.


    His strength and agility values were off the charts! Even higher than those of a typical level 30 player!


    Unfortunately, he currently had no internal strength and couldn''t perform any of the three martial arts techniques.


    Lin Feng decided that his next step was to level up.


    Leveling up wasn''t difficult; you could gain experience points by taking on quests, hunting monsters, or even going into seclusion in a sect.


    Lin Feng wasn''t in a rush to hunt monsters; instead, he wandered around Seven Heroes Town, running to any place where quests were available.


    However, quests in Seven Heroes Town were indeed scarce. With too many players and too few quests, any task issued by an NPC would be snatched up immediately.


    By the end of the day, Lin Feng had only managed to pick up three quests, all of which were simple ones.


    [Local Quest]: The tailor shop needs snake skins


    [Quest Difficulty]: Simple


    [Quest Content]: Requires ten snake skins


    [Quest Reward]: Experience +70 points, 300 copper coins


    [Local Quest]: The herbal medicine shop needs snake gallbladders


    [Quest Difficulty]: Simple


    [Quest Content]: Requires collecting ten snake gallbladders


    [Quest Reward]: Experience +50 points, 150 copper coins


    [Local Quest]: Courier task


    [Quest Difficulty]: Simple


    [Quest Content]: Deliver a letter to Zuo Family Village


    [Quest Reward]: Experience +100 points, 200 copper coins


    In "The Grand Martial World," quests are divided into five difficulty levels: simple, normal, hard, extremely hard, and nightmare.


    These local quests offered very little experience, but at low levels, they were barely acceptable, and by completing many of them, one could quickly level up.


    By this time, it was already dark, and going out at night was too dangerous.


    To be safe, Lin Feng decided to stay in Seven Heroes Town for the night and continue tomorrow.


    He didn''t even consider staying at the town''s only inn, and even if they were willing to do business, he had no money...


    With no other choice, Lin Feng could only squat in a corner at the entrance of the yamen to sleep for the night, as it was the safest place he could find to rest.


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    Just as he was falling asleep, the game prompted: [Do you wish to temporarily leave the game?]


    The time in "The Grand Martial World" was exactly opposite to reality; nighttime in reality equaled daytime in the game. Players only needed to play the game at night and work during the day.


    This way, players could perfectly balance gaming and work without worrying about staying up late, fully immersing themselves in both the game and real life.


    Lin Feng entered the game during the real-world night, so now it was daytime on the second day.


    Upon waking up, Lin Feng was shocked to find that his injuries had healed significantly. The pain in his chest, which had been persistent under the plaster, had almost disappeared.


    Moreover, his body felt full of strength, and even a casual swing of his arm could generate a gust of wind.


    Lin Feng tried bending down, reaching out with one hand to grab the edge of the bed. With just a light exertion, he easily lifted the four to five hundred-pound solid wood bed.


    And Lin Feng felt he hadn''t used much strength. He then freed his other hand, lifting the entire bed.


    This astonishing strength left him dumbfounded.


    "Is this the power gained from the game? It can even quickly heal injuries and restore health; this is insane."


    Recalling his agility attribute, Lin Feng tried running inside the room.


    Bang!


    A dull thud sounded as Lin Feng clutched his forehead, grimacing.


    It turned out the room was too small, and he couldn''t stop in time due to his speed, causing him to crash into the wall.


    Despite the collision, Lin Feng didn''t mind at all; instead, he was overjoyed.


    "Damn, getting stronger is this easy? Just playing a game for one night, and I''ve become like this. No wonder people on Mysterious Star are so obsessed with ''The Grand Martial World.'' It''s practically the fastest path to human evolution. Genetic modification and scientific body strengthening are nothing compared to this!"


    Initially skeptical of the game''s evolutionary theory, Lin Feng was now a firm believer after experiencing the changes in his body.


    At the same time, a desire surged within him¡ªa desire to become even stronger! The sensation of rapidly surpassing human limits was simply too wonderful.


    It was like a fitness fanatic discovering a side-effect-free steroid they could inject at will, a cheat-like thrill that could attract all fitness enthusiasts.


    As a former mercenary and martial arts enthusiast, how could Lin Feng resist the temptation to become a martial arts master?


    He immediately decided to use "The Grand Martial World" to fulfill his lifelong martial arts dream and become the peerless master depicted in novels.


    After calming his emotions, Lin Feng went out to wash up, just in time to meet Yu Meixiang bringing breakfast upstairs.


    "Oh! Little Feng, why are you up? Go back and lie down; you shouldn''t be out of bed yet."


    Lin Feng shook his head and said, "Aunt Meixiang, I''m fine. I can get out of bed now, as long as I don''t engage in strenuous exercise. Besides, I''ve been lying down for more than half a month; if I keep lying down, my limbs will degenerate."


    Yu Meixiang checked him carefully and, seeing that he seemed fine, felt relieved.


    "Alright, some movement is good. You''ve been lacking exercise, so you should move around more. Hurry and wash up, then come downstairs for breakfast. I made your favorite yam and pork rib congee and egg-stuffed pancakes."


    "Okay, I''ll be right there."


    Yu Meixiang went downstairs satisfied, reminding him to call Fang Zhiqiu for breakfast on her way out.


    Lin Feng agreed, washed up, and then went to Fang Zhiqiu''s room.


    Fang Zhiqiu''s room was next to his, while her older sister, Fang Hanshuang, lived on the third floor.


    He knocked on the door, and when no one responded, he tried turning the doorknob. Finding it unlocked, he opened the door and walked in.


    Unexpectedly, Lin Feng saw something he shouldn''t have.


    Fang Zhiqiu lay on the bed in a bold ''´ó'' shape, her quilt kicked to the floor.


    It was summer, and despite the air conditioning, it was still a bit warm.


    Fang Zhiqiu was wearing a cool set of cartoon bear pajamas, the bear pattern on her chest stretched taut by her impressive figure.


    It was hard to imagine that this petite girl had such an impressive asset, like a slender branch bearing abundant fruit.


    The most shocking part was that she wasn''t wearing pants!


    She wasn''t wearing pajama pants, only a pair of pink shorts, revealing her slightly chubby, snow-white thighs to Lin Feng. Her shorts were also somewhat sheer...


    Lin Feng was shocked and quickly turned to leave the room, quietly closing the door behind him as if nothing had happened.


    "Thank goodness I wasn''t caught; otherwise, it would have been bad."


    Lin Feng patted his chest in relief. Although he was no longer a virgin and had dated enough girlfriends to form a reinforced company, from various countries and with all three skin tones, he had never done anything as sleazy as peeping. When he looked, it was always openly.


    But honestly, compared to Fang Zhiqiu, his past girlfriends were lacking.


    Even Fang Hanshuang and Yu Meixiang, the mother-daughter duo, had top-notch looks and figures, ahem...


    After calming himself, Lin Feng resumed knocking on the door until he woke the girl, leaving a message about breakfast before heading downstairs.


    Downstairs, Fang Hanshuang was already eating, and Yu Meixiang promptly served him freshly made pork rib congee.


    "Little Feng, eat up. It''s just been reheated; I didn''t want it to get cold and lose its taste. There''s also egg-stuffed pancakes and shumai, all your favorites."


    Listening to Yu Meixiang, Lin Feng felt a warmth in his heart.


    In his previous life, he was an orphan, wandering the world and constantly facing death. Even dating was like fast food; he had never experienced such care.


    Now, he envied this world''s Lin Feng a bit. Although he had lost his parents, he still had someone like Yu Meixiang who cared for him deeply.


    No wonder this Lin Feng, timid and weak as he was, would risk his life for Yu Meixiang.

 Chapter 8 - Change

    Lin Feng sat down silently and began gulping down the porridge. The taste was on par with many top chefs he had experienced before. He always ate like a whirlwind, leaving Yu Meixiang and Fang Hanshuang astonished by his eating style.


    Previously, Lin Feng ate politely, taking small bites, and his appetite was small¡ªhalf a bowl of rice would fill him up. But the Lin Feng before them now finished a bowl of porridge in just a few minutes and ate four or five pancakes and eggs. His appetite truly shocked the mother and daughter.


    Noticing their gazes, Lin Feng looked up and smiled sheepishly, "I was too hungry, and Aunt Meixiang''s cooking is just too good. I got a bit carried away..."


    Yu Meixiang chuckled, affectionately reaching out to touch Lin Feng''s face, "It''s okay. Auntie is happy to see you eat well. You usually eat too little. A man should eat like this; only by eating more can you have strength. Auntie loves watching you eat like this!"


    "Alright, then I won''t hold back."


    Lin Feng then resumed eating voraciously. Watching Lin Feng''s eating show, Fang Hanshuang and Yu Meixiang couldn''t help but eat more than usual themselves.


    "Mom, what are we having today? I''m so hungry."


    Fang Zhiqiu came downstairs late, only to find the table with just leftovers, looking bewildered.


    "Mom, where''s my breakfast?"


    "Little Feng had an especially good appetite today. The usual amount I make wasn''t enough. Who told you to come down late? Now there''s nothing left."


    "What? Am I going to starve?"


    Fang Zhiqiu looked aggrieved, her big eyes watery and pitiful. But Yu Meixiang wasn''t buying it, getting up to clear the table while saying, "Skipping one breakfast won''t kill you. There''s bread and milk in the fridge, make do with that. I have to go to the store, no time to cook for you."


    "Mom, am I really your biological daughter?"


    "No, you were a freebie with a toilet seat from the supermarket."


    "Hmph! I''m so mad! You only care about Lin Feng. He''s your real son, and I''m adopted. I''m not eating!"


    Fang Zhiqiu turned and went upstairs in a huff, not forgetting to glare at Lin Feng on her way.


    Yu Meixiang''s face changed, about to scold Fang Zhiqiu, knowing Lin Feng was a sensitive child and fearing he might overthink.


    "Zhiqiu talks like that, Little Feng, don''t take it to heart."


    Unexpectedly, Lin Feng just smiled, "It''s okay, Aunt Meixiang. I understand Sister Zhiqiu''s temper. She''s very good to me. How could I be upset?"


    "That''s good. Oh, it''s getting late. Auntie has to go to the store. Hanshuang, tidy up the table. Don''t let Little Feng do it; he''s just recovered and shouldn''t be working."


    After speaking, Yu Meixiang hurriedly drove to the store.


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Fang Hanshuang quietly got up to clean, and Lin Feng helped her.


    "Mom said you''re a patient; you don''t need to work. Go upstairs and rest."


    Though her words were kind, Fang Hanshuang''s tone was cold and commanding.


    Lin Feng understood this elder sister''s personality¡ªalways aloof, speaking little, and a bit solitary. Even if she cared, she would never show it.


    If it were the old Lin Feng, he might have felt rejected by Fang Hanshuang and retreated to his room, feeling emo.


    But now, Lin Feng wasn''t so sensitive.


    "It''s okay, Sister Hanshuang. Auntie said I should move around more. Besides, cleaning the table isn''t tiring."


    As Lin Feng spoke, he had already finished tidying up and went to the kitchen. Opening the fridge, he took out two eggs and found some noodles, lit the stove, and started cooking.


    Fang Hanshuang was taken aback, "You''re still not full?"


    Without turning around, Lin Feng replied, "No, Sister Zhiqiu didn''t have breakfast. I ate her share, so I''ll make her some noodles."


    Fang Hanshuang nodded and went upstairs, feeling something was off about Lin Feng today.


    What was off...


    The old Lin Feng was always timid and cautious, but today he seemed like a calm and confident man. This sudden change in demeanor puzzled Fang Hanshuang.


    "Did losing a fight hurt his pride, making him determined to change? That''s not bad, knowing shame and then courage, a bit manly."


    Fang Hanshuang silently evaluated.


    Meanwhile, Lin Feng quickly prepared a bowl of plain noodles and brought it to Fang Zhiqiu''s room.


    He thought she might still be angry, but she was wearing headphones, shouting at her computer, "He''s out of health! Go, go! If we kill him, we win, haha!"


    Lin Feng shook his head, smiling, and placed the noodles on her desk.


    The aroma soon caught her attention. Fang Zhiqiu looked up, saw Lin Feng, and then the noodles on the table.


    "Did Mom make this?"


    "I made it. Auntie already went to the store."


    "You made it?" Fang Zhiqiu was surprised, then sniffed the noodles again, "You can cook noodles this fragrant? I know your skills."


    Saying this, Fang Zhiqiu picked up chopsticks and tasted it, immediately showing an expression of amazement.


    "Wow! These noodles are delicious!"


    Ignoring the game on her computer, she started slurping the noodles.


    After finishing, Lin Feng picked up the bowl, ready to go downstairs.


    "Lin Feng, why are you suddenly being so nice to me?"


    Lin Feng chuckled, "I ate your breakfast and didn''t want you to go hungry."


    "No way, you must want something from me. Let me guess, you must have a problem in ''The Grand Martial World'' and want my advice, right?"


    "Uh, no, don''t guess."


    "Impossible, your gaming talent is so bad. In other games, you always needed me to carry you. Can you handle ''The Grand Martial World''?"


    "Not bad."


    "Oh? Then tell me, what level are you?"


    "Ahem... Level 0."


    "Hahaha... And you said you could handle it. Playing a whole day and still level 0, you''re too noob! Even an average player can reach level two or three after a couple of quests."


    Lin Feng''s response earned him Fang Zhiqiu''s merciless laughter.


    "Come on, tell me, what''s the problem? I''m known as Dr. Know-it-all in the martial world. Just ask me."


    Fang Zhiqiu looked smug, ready to be asked for help.


    To her surprise, Lin Feng calmly picked up the bowl, "I really don''t have a problem."


    With that, he left, leaving Fang Zhiqiu behind, pouting, "Fine! Let''s see how long you can last without asking me!"


    Back in his room, Lin Feng opened his computer and started browsing information about ''The Grand Martial World'' online.


    He wanted to know if those fortuitous encounters had been discovered by others over the past twenty years.


    But after searching, he found no players had encountered any earth-shattering encounters.


    There were many minor encounters, like a player finding a mid-tier Earth-level fist technique, ''Seven Injuries Fist,'' in a cave.


    Others learned mid-tier Earth-level finger techniques, ''Flicking Finger Skill,'' from Peach Blossom Island, and some learned high-tier Earth-level mental techniques, ''Primordial Unity Skill,'' from Cheng Kun of the Ming Cult.


    Lin Feng also searched for ''Nine Yang Divine Skill,'' ''Nine Yin Manual,'' ''Muscle-Tendon Change Classic,'' ''Six Meridians Divine Sword,'' etc., but found nothing, no information at all.


    After reading, he felt relieved. These martial arts must be Heaven-level and likely haven''t been obtained by any players yet.


    "I need to reach level 30 quickly to leave Seven Heroes Town. Good things need to be grabbed fast, just in case other transmigrators get ahead."


    Though Lin Feng thought this was unlikely, he was always cautious and thorough in his actions.


    Finally, after enduring until evening, Lin Feng had dinner and hurried back to his room, lying down and pressing the ancient coin mark in his palm, entering ''The Grand Martial World'' once more.

 Chapter 9 - Yamen Task

    At this moment in "The Grand Martial World," the sky was just beginning to lighten. Lin Feng was about to leave the yamen when he saw a bailiff posting a task notice on the bulletin board at the entrance.


    [Yamen Task]: Suppress Bandits at Cuiwei Mountain


    [Task Difficulty]: Normal


    [Task Content]: Assist the yamen in besieging the bandits at Cuiwei Mountain at noon tomorrow.


    [Task Reward]: Kill one bandit for a reward of one tael of silver; kill five for an additional reward of a Common Grade martial art or equipment x1; kill ten...


    Without a second thought, Lin Feng immediately accepted the task. It was rare to encounter such a lucrative task, so of course, he wouldn''t let it slip by.


    Since the task wouldn''t start until tomorrow, he had a whole day to prepare, which was plenty of time.


    After making preparations, Lin Feng left Seven Heroes Town and headed towards the outskirts. In ancient times, the outskirts were mostly forests and wilderness, making it easy to find herbs and animals.


    He didn''t have a weapon, but "The Grand Martial World" wasn''t as rigid as other games. Even without cold weapons, players could freely find other items to substitute.


    For example, stones, wooden sticks, and so on could all serve as weapons.


    Although Lin Feng knew martial arts, he couldn''t perform them without internal strength.


    It was best to have a weapon at hand; he couldn''t just go barehanded to catch rabbits, as that wouldn''t be very heroic.


    After searching for a while, he broke off a tree branch to use as a weapon and continued his journey into the wilderness.


    He hadn''t gone far when he heard a rustling in a bush. Approaching quietly, Lin Feng discovered it wasn''t a snake but a wild rabbit.


    Following the principle of plucking a feather from a passing goose, Lin Feng swung his stick at the rabbit, but the nimble creature jumped away, causing him to miss.


    "Hey!" Lin Feng exclaimed, thinking the rabbit would flee, but unexpectedly, it boldly leaped at him and bit his leg.


    "-10!"


    Lin Feng suffered from his lack of gaming experience. Who would have thought that even rabbits in the game would attack people? Otherwise, he would have dodged it.


    A top-tier mercenary getting bitten by a rabbit? Unacceptable.


    Lin Feng swung the branch at the rabbit''s body, and to his surprise, the sturdy branch pierced right through the rabbit.


    "-1530!"


    "Killed Wild Rabbit x1! Experience +5 points!"


    The rabbit died instantly. With only 50 health points, it owed Lin Feng dozens of lives.


    Lin Feng was a bit shocked by the damage he dealt. A casual swing of the stick resulted in such high damage.


    But then he remembered his current Force was 155 points, which made sense. What novice player had such monstrous strength?


    Forget rabbits; he could easily kill a grown man with a casual hit.


    The rabbit''s experience was negligible, but rabbit meat was quite tasty. Lin Feng collected its body and hung it at his waist, planning to use it as today''s meal.


    In "The Grand Martial World," everyone needed to eat, drink, and sleep. If you went too long without food, your condition would worsen, greatly limiting your strength.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Lin Feng hadn''t eaten or drunk anything all day yesterday. If he didn''t soon, he feared he''d become a player who starved or died of thirst.


    There''s also the matter of loot rates. In "The Grand Martial World," ordinary animals had extremely low drop rates. Even if they did drop something, it would only be copper coins or Common Grade items.


    Only boss-level or rare animals had higher drop rates.


    Continuing forward, snakes were relatively easy to find in the wild. Lin Feng soon spotted one and didn''t give it a chance to strike first.


    "-1505!"


    "Killed Venomous Snake x1! Experience +10 points!"


    With a light swing, it was another instant kill.


    Lin Feng had already adapted to this. This was the attribute boost brought by advanced martial arts. If he relied solely on leveling up for attribute points, it would take forever to achieve such damage.


    After collecting the snake''s body, with his absurd damage, all the snakes, insects, and rodents he encountered were no match for his normal attacks, all falling in one hit.


    ***


    After spending an hour, Lin Feng finally gathered ten venomous snakes.


    His level had already risen to level two.


    Each time players leveled up, their four combat attributes would automatically increase by 1 point, and they would receive 10 free attribute points to distribute.


    Upon reaching the level 10 threshold, players would also receive 10 talent points to distribute freely.


    Talent points and attribute points were different. Talent points enhanced talents, while attribute points enhanced combat.


    Seeing that his Force and Agility had both surpassed 100, Lin Feng decided not to add more for now.


    Only his Physique and Defense were pitifully low at 5/4 points, so he chose to evenly distribute the 10 points between these two attributes.


    Don''t underestimate Physique and Defense; this game only gives you one life.


    Physique increases Vitality and Internal Strength. Each point added increases Vitality by 10 and Internal Strength by 5. It may seem small, but over time, it accumulates, and eventually, your Internal Strength will become profound.


    Defense is also crucial. In expert duels, many rounds of back-and-forth are needed. If you die after taking a couple of hits, what''s the point of fighting?


    That''s why players tend to play cautiously. Many even focus solely on defensive martial arts, running away if they can''t win.


    There''s no other way; with only one life, dying means permanently exiting the game. Who dares to be reckless?


    Lin Feng also valued defense. He planned to seek out defensive or Physique-enhancing martial arts manuals once he left the novice area.


    For example, the Golden Bell Shield and Iron Cloth from the Shaolin Temple, the Dragon and Elephant''s Horrible Power from the Golden Wheel Monk, or the Invincible Vajra Skill from the world''s number one Cheng Shi Fei, and so on.


    Unfortunately, acquiring these cultivation methods wasn''t simple, but he knew an easy way to obtain a defensive martial art of at least Earth Grade.


    After completing the snake-killing task, Lin Feng headed back to Seven Heroes Town to hand in the snake skin and gall tasks at the tailor shop and herbal medicine shop.


    "Experience +120 points! Congratulations on reaching level 3, all combat attributes +1 point, reward of 10 free attribute points."


    Once again, he allocated all 10 points to Physique and Defense.


    Lin Feng''s attribute interface had improved significantly.


    [Player: Lin Yanfeng]


    [Level: 3]


    [Experience: 0/300]


    [Strength: Unranked]


    [Reputation: Unknown Nobody]


    [Vitality: 370/370]


    [Internal Strength: 85/85]


    [Physique: 17]


    [Force: 155]


    [Defense: 14]


    [Agility: 182]


    [Martial Arts: Profound Grade Medium ¡¤ Sunflower Acupoint Striking Hand (Beginner), Yellow Grade Lower ¡¤ Mountain-Crushing Strike (Beginner)]


    [Lightness Skill: Profound Grade Upper ¡¤ Treading on Snow Without a Trace (Beginner)]


    [Internal Energy: None]


    [Equipment: None]


    Now, Lin Feng had enough Internal Strength to perform martial arts, but he didn''t try them casually. After all, Internal Strength recovered very slowly.


    Elixirs to restore Internal Strength were expensive, and in times of such poverty, he needed to save wherever possible. If normal attacks could solve the problem, he wouldn''t waste skills.


    Next, there was still a delivery task to complete.


    Lin Feng first went to the station in Seven Heroes Town to pick up the letter. After confirming the direction to Zuo Family Village, he set off on foot.


    Seven Heroes Town was seventy li from Zuo Family Village, which would take an ordinary person most of the day to reach.


    But Lin Feng was different; his Agility was as high as 182 points!


    This speed was several times that of ordinary players. Even without using Treading on Snow Without a Trace, he could run as fast as a horse.


    Lin Feng sprinted along the official road, overtaking ordinary horses and leaving them behind, drawing shocked looks from nearby players.


    "Wow! Who''s that, running so fast?"


    "His Agility must be at least 100 points."


    "He must have learned a Yellow Grade lightness skill."


    "Wow, using lightness skill just for travel, that''s extravagant."


    "Damn, I spent half a month''s wages on a horse to do deliveries, and it''s not even as fast as this guy?"


    Lin Feng ignored the onlookers'' opinions, immersed in his superhuman physique.


    If he returned to Earth with this speed to compete in the Olympics, Bolt would cry to his coach, saying he wanted to switch to academics.


    ***


    In less than an hour, Lin Feng arrived at Zuo Family Village.


    "Delivery from Seven Heroes Town! Please sign."


    Lin Feng entered the station, handed over the letter, and received a notification from the game.


    "Experience +100 points, Copper Coin +200 wen."


    After delivering the letter, Lin Feng didn''t rush back to Seven Heroes Town. Instead, he sold all the game he had hunted that day in Zuo Family Village, earning over 500 wen in copper coins.


    Including the rewards from the three tasks, Lin Feng now had about a thousand wen in copper coins, equivalent to one tael of silver.

 Chapter 10 - Cuiwei Mountain

    In "The Grand Martial World," the currency exchange rate is set at 1 tael of silver equaling 1000 wen, and 1 tael of gold equaling 10 taels of silver.


    In comparison to real-world currency, 1 wen of copper coin is equivalent to 10 yuan, as many players find themselves short on money within the game.


    Items can be brought out of the game, but real-world items cannot be brought in, keeping the exchange rate consistently high.


    Lin Feng didn''t return to Seven Heroes Town, as the only inn there surely wouldn''t do business with him.


    Sleeping on the streets isn''t suitable either, and he might get caught by Bai Zhantang and the others, which would blow his cover.


    Since he has money now, he decided to stay at Zuo Family Village, and perhaps find some tasks to take on.


    Unfortunately, Zuo Family Village is much poorer than Seven Heroes Town. After searching for a while, Lin Feng found only a delivery task to Seven Heroes Town from a local courier station.


    After accepting the task, it was getting late, so he decided to stay overnight at the inn in Zuo Family Village before setting off.


    That evening, he ordered a few dishes and a pot of wine at the inn, enjoying his meal.


    The game experience is quite immersive, even allowing for a clear sense of taste.


    Although these ancient dishes can''t compare to modern ones in flavor, they boast authentic, toxin-free, pollution-free ingredients, fresh and purely organic without any technological additives.


    Moreover, you can indulge in exotic delicacies here without concerns about protected species¡ªtigers, pandas, pangolins, you can try them all if you have the money.


    Many players regret not tasting these protected animals after dying and quitting the game.


    Lin Feng has a keen interest in food, so he''s quite willing to try various delicacies in this game.


    After eating his fill, he rested at the inn for the night, spending less than 100 wen in total, which was quite cheap.


    ***


    The next day, Lin Feng left Zuo Family Village early, as there was a bandit extermination mission he couldn''t miss.


    Within half an hour, he returned to Seven Heroes Town.


    It was still early before noon, so Lin Feng decided to purchase some supplies.


    He completed the courier task first, then headed to the tailor shop in town to buy a backpack. This game doesn''t have fantastical items like storage rings; everything is carried in bags and backpacks.


    Of course, some bags, like the Cloth Sack Monk''s Qiankun Bag in "Heavenly Sword," are somewhat similar to storage rings, capable of holding objects several times their size, but such treasures are certainly not found in small places like this.


    Lin Feng glanced around and saw the shop sold only three types of cloth bags.


    [Ordinary Cloth Bag: Common Grade, Lower]


    [Capacity: 30 jin]


    [Price: 150 wen]


    [Exquisite Cloth Bag: Common Grade, Medium]


    [Capacity: 50 jin]


    [Price: 300 wen]


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    [Brocade Pouch: Common Grade, Upper]


    [Capacity: 100 jin]


    [Price: 500 wen]


    Lin Feng casually chose an Exquisite Cloth Bag; the Brocade Pouch was too expensive and unnecessary. Who knows, there might be Yellow Grade bags in the bandit camp, and fifty jin capacity was sufficient.


    After buying the bag, Lin Feng went to the blacksmith shop to select a common weapon; having a weapon is better than none.


    But after seeing the weapon prices at the blacksmith shop, he reconsidered.


    [Ordinary Long Knife: Common Grade, Lower, Force +8, 1 tael of silver]


    [Ordinary Long Sword: Common Grade, Lower, Force +5, 850 wen]


    [Ordinary Long Spear: Common Grade, Lower, Force +6, Attack Range +2, 1.4 taels of silver]


    These prices were surprisingly high, and Lin Feng only had over 400 wen left, making it unaffordable.


    As he was about to leave, he noticed a basket on the ground filled with incomplete ironware.


    Curious, he asked about these iron items.


    "They''re all defective weapons. If you want one, I''ll sell it to you for 200 wen."


    Lin Feng was intrigued. He didn''t have any martial arts skills related to weapons, so he was just buying one for better combat. Punching with bare hands is definitely slower than using a weapon.


    So even a defective one would do, and this broken knife added 3 points to Force, which was better than nothing.


    He immediately picked a broken knife, paid for it, and then went to a dry rations shop to buy some food and water.


    With everything ready, Lin Feng patiently waited at the yamen entrance.


    A large crowd of players gathered at the yamen entrance, all waiting to join the bandit extermination, and the numbers kept growing. People were talking loudly, and some even started fighting.


    By noon, a group of soldiers emerged from the yamen.


    Leading them were Constable Xing and his apprentice, Yan Xiaoliu.


    Lin Feng was relieved that Bai Zhantang and the others weren''t there; otherwise, it would have been awkward if he was recognized.


    Constable Xing, leading a team for the first time, was imposing and authoritative as he shouted at the players below, "Quiet down!"


    Seeing little effect, he shouted again, "Anyone who keeps making noise will be disqualified!"


    This time, the crowd fell silent.


    Constable Xing was pleased with the result and began a brief motivational speech in an official tone. Then, with a command, all the soldiers set off in unison, heading towards Cuiwei Mountain.


    Thousands of players also surged forward, following the soldiers to eliminate the mountain bandits.


    Although normally few players dared to participate in such dangerous activities as bandit extermination, fearing accidental death, this time, with the yamen''s backing, everyone felt it was quite safe, so all who could come did.


    Lin Feng also followed the main group, but he stayed at the back, neither hurried nor slow.


    While others were eager to rush ahead, fearing they wouldn''t get a chance to kill bandits, he deliberately slowed his pace. Even though he could easily overtake everyone in a few steps, he chose not to.


    Moreover, he kept observing the surroundings of the road ahead, ready to escape at the first sign of trouble.


    The martial world is dangerous, and constant vigilance is crucial. As a former mercenary, he knew this better than anyone.


    However, as they proceeded, everyone remained safe, and no danger occurred.


    This made many players even more eager to eliminate the bandits and claim rewards. Some even ran ahead of the soldiers, claiming to scout the path, but in reality, they just wanted to grab the kills early.


    After more than an hour of trekking, they finally reached the foot of Cuiwei Mountain.


    Cuiwei Mountain is located forty li north of Seven Heroes Town. Its proximity to the official road and its accessibility make it a frequent hideout for bandits who rob passing merchants and travelers.


    This bandit extermination wasn''t just initiated by Seven Heroes Town alone. Magistrate Lou had coordinated with the yamen from nearby towns and villages, dispatching troops to join forces in the operation.


    Otherwise, the limited manpower of Seven Heroes Town wouldn''t suffice.


    "Constable Xing, we''ve been traveling for a long time. Let''s rest a bit before heading up the mountain," a constable suggested to Constable Xing.


    However, Constable Xing dismissed the idea, his eyes filled with a desire for merit.


    "No! The art of war emphasizes swift and decisive action. Magistrate Lou is waiting for our good news. We must not disappoint him. Keep moving!"


    With that, Constable Xing waved his hand, and the group continued their relentless march up Cuiwei Mountain.


    Cuiwei Mountain is lush with trees, steep rocks, and surrounded by poisonous snakes and fierce beasts. Only a few narrow paths, trampled by generations of herbalists, are passable.


    Fortunately, Constable Xing wasn''t unreasonable enough to make everyone take the same path. Instead, he divided the forces to ascend the mountain, planning to encircle and annihilate the bandits.


    The players also split into several groups, heading up the mountain from different directions. Lin Feng chose a path with the fewest people and the most difficult terrain, but he still stayed at the back.


    It was the height of summer, and the scorching sun made the mountain unbearably hot.


    The higher they climbed, the hotter it got. Even on the mountain path, snakes, insects, rats, and ants frequently appeared, and stepping on one was like hitting the jackpot for the unlucky.


    Despite the challenging conditions, the players'' desire for mission rewards was unstoppable.


    Each bandit was worth a tael of silver, and with the soldiers leading the charge, where else could you find such an opportunity on a novice map?


    Lin Feng was drenched in sweat, taking the steepest and narrowest rocky path. Only about thirty people chose this route.


    Although Lin Feng had high agility, he didn''t want to be the vanguard and maintained a steady pace at the back.


    Alongside him was a chubby guy, seemingly a newcomer, panting heavily after every few steps.


    "Wow! I think I''ve seen you online. Are you from the Elite Center?"


    "You''ve got sharp eyes, my friend. Yes, I''m indeed a member of the Elite Center."


    "Awesome! Lucky day, running into a pro team, hahaha."


    "Got someone to rely on! We''re set!"


    "Oh my gosh, isn''t this Sister Yu of North City? Kuai Xiaoyu, right? I''ve watched her stream before. She soloed a dozen wolves on a novice map. So impressive."


    "I heard that was staged, though. Apparently, there were teammates nearby throwing hidden weapons to help her (whispering)."

 Chapter 11 - Sister Yu of North City

    Lin Feng noticed the players ahead suddenly start discussing something, which made him a bit curious. He hadn''t heard of the Elite Center before.


    At this moment, the chubby guy next to him seemed to catch wind of the conversation and became excited as well.


    "Sister Yu of the Elite Center is here? I really want to go up and ask for an autograph, but damn, my agility is too low. I can''t catch up with her even if I tried."


    The chubby guy was both excited and regretful.


    Lin Feng couldn''t help but ask, "Buddy, what''s this Elite Center thing?"


    The chubby guy looked at Lin Feng with disdain and said, "I say, little brother, you dare to play ''The Grand Martial World'' without even knowing this? Your family must be rich to let you waste a few hundred thousand on an activator."


    Lin Feng wasn''t angry; instead, he humbly asked, "I really don''t know. Can you tell me about it?"


    The chubby guy, feeling pleased, said, "Alright, since I''m in a good mood today, I''ll give you a little lesson. The Elite Center is a guild founded by Boss Chen Qunsheng. It''s full of expert players, led by Boss Chen himself. The players range from Third Rate to Prenatal Realm, and their strength is generally much higher than players of the same level."


    "Sister Yu just joined recently. She''s only been playing for a little over a month and is already at quasi-Third Rate strength. Look at her build¡ªmy god, she''s more robust than a strong man. She''s practically born to practice martial arts. I feel like she could punch right through my fat layer."


    After hearing this, Lin Feng finally understood and lost interest.


    Unexpectedly, the chubby guy got carried away and continued to talk enthusiastically.


    "This guild has a lot of benefits. Experts help each other out, team up, share insights and experiences, and they can trade rare items internally. Those who get into the Elite Center are the cream of the crop. Even if they die and exit the game, they can become coaches in real life, guiding newbies or even teaching classes online. Countless players dream of getting in, but the threshold is so high that only those who pass rigorous assessments can enter."


    "In short, kid, you''re like me¡ªlucky this time. Just latch onto a big shot, and by picking up some scraps, you can make a fortune."


    Lin Feng just smiled and stopped talking.


    Meanwhile, the line ahead had already come to a halt, with everyone gathering around a woman in the center.


    This woman was tall and burly, with a fierce look on her face, larger than an average strong man. She walked with a powerful stride, making it hard to believe she was a woman.


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    Seeing everyone gathered around her, she looked satisfied and proud. She waved her hand and shouted in a rough voice.


    "Everyone, since you''ve recognized me, I won''t pretend anymore. I''m revealing myself¡ªI''m Sister Yu of North City!"


    Whoa!!!


    The crowd grew even more excited.


    Sister Yu''s vanity was greatly satisfied, and she continued, "This time, I''m taking a few of my fans to do a mission. You''re lucky to run into me. From now on, follow my command. All actions are based on my words. This way, I can ensure your safety to the greatest extent and help everyone kill more mountain bandits for rewards. How about it?"


    "Good!"


    "Of course!"


    "Couldn''t ask for more!"


    "We''ll follow Sister Yu!"


    "I''ll go wherever Sister Yu tells me to. I''m a die-hard fan of Sister Yu. She always says her fans are her family."


    ...


    More than thirty players agreed, and even those who hesitated went along with the majority.


    Seeing this, Sister Yu smiled with satisfaction and immediately switched to leadership mode.


    "Alright, family, we''ve chosen the longest and hardest path, so we need to speed up. Don''t dawdle, or we won''t even get to drink the soup, let alone eat the meat."


    Hearing this, everyone obediently put more effort into climbing the mountain.


    Only Lin Feng and the chubby guy continued to move leisurely at the back.


    Seeing the two being so laid-back, Sister Yu got angry. Used to being bossy, she immediately pointed at them and scolded.


    "Are you two turtles? So young and moving so slowly. My old man at home, who''s over fifty, has more energy than you two. Hurry up and catch up!"


    Lin Feng remained expressionless and didn''t respond, maintaining his original pace.


    The chubby guy, on the other hand, looked bitter and quickly explained, "Sister Yu, my agility is too low. I put all my points into defense, so I''m a bit slow."


    "You''re stupid. Putting all your points into defense means you can''t even run from experts. You''ll just stand there and get beaten to death," Sister Yu mocked.


    Though scolded, the chubby guy didn''t dare talk back and could only smile apologetically, "Yes, yes, Sister Yu''s understanding of the game is high. I''ll add to agility next time I level up."


    "That''s more like it," Sister Yu said, then looked at Lin Feng and sneered, "Kid, did you also put all your points into defense? You don''t look like you have any defense at all, more like a rolling pin."


    Hahaha...


    Everyone laughed out loud.


    Lin Feng calmly replied, "I didn''t ask you to wait for me. Where I put my points has nothing to do with you, does it?"


    This made Sister Yu instantly furious, "You think I don''t know you''re trying to leech experience and kills from the back? Since I''m the leader, you have to listen to me!"


    "When did I acknowledge you as the leader? When did I agree to act with you?"


    "Oh, this little brat dares to talk back to me, huh."


    Sister Yu was fuming. If it weren''t for the presence of so many players, she would''ve already taken action to kick him out of the game.


    "Fine, since you don''t want to team up with me, then don''t follow us up the mountain. That chubby guy is with you, right? Remember, everyone, if these two dare to follow us up the mountain, give them a good beating!"


    "No problem, I hate people who don''t follow orders and try to leech assists. No way!"


    "Making Sister Yu unhappy is like making my elders unhappy. I won''t stand for it!"


    "This little kid is weak but has a strong ego. He''ll be crying when he encounters mountain bandits."


    "No worries, I''ll keep an eye on them. If they dare follow, I''ll take them out with one strike."


    ...


    More than thirty people united against Lin Feng, pointing and even hurling insults at him without mercy.


    The chubby guy next to Lin Feng wasn''t spared either, caught in the crossfire.


    Sister Yu waved her hand and led the group to speed up, leaving the two far behind.


    Lin Feng didn''t care at all, but the chubby guy looked as if the sky had fallen.


    "I''m not with him, Sister Yu! Sister Yu, I''m also your family. I even bought the stuff you promoted. Sister Yu, don''t leave me behind..."


    But no matter how the chubby guy shouted, Sister Yu ignored him and disappeared with the group from his sight.


    "Damn it! It''s all your fault!"


    The chubby guy immediately blamed Lin Feng.


    He glared at Lin Feng, cursing, "Are you crazy? Why did you have to piss off Sister Yu? Now look, we''ve lost our big shot, and we''re abandoned. If we run into a bunch of mountain bandits, we''re dead!"


    Lin Feng just laughed and replied, "Is that so? You can just go back now, and then there won''t be any problem."


    "Damn, I worked hard to come here for the mission, and now you want me to go back without doing it? What a waste of a day!"


    The chubby guy was furious, wishing he could punch Lin Feng right then and there.


    After thinking about it, he realized quitting now would be a loss, so he mustered all his strength and rushed up the mountain.


    "I''m going after Sister Yu. If I say some nice words, she''ll definitely forgive me. You just wait to be chopped up by mountain bandits."


    With that, he left Lin Feng behind and sprinted up the mountain.


    Watching his plump figure struggle up the mountain, Lin Feng couldn''t help but chuckle. This chubby guy had potential to be a brave sheep.

 Chapter 12 - Ambushed

    Seeing that he was abandoned and left alone, Lin Feng wasn''t in a hurry. He maintained his previous pace as he walked up the mountain, not forgetting to eat and drink along the way to replenish his energy and hydration.


    Just as he was nearing the mountain peak, loud noises erupted from the top, but the source wasn''t from Lin Feng''s path; it came from different directions. The sound was thunderous, like a storm or an earthquake.


    Then, screams echoed from afar.


    Such strange commotion puzzled Lin Feng. He didn''t believe it was a battle between mountain bandits and soldiers. It would take some formidable experts to cause such chaos.


    This was a Wuxia game, not a Xuanhuan game. How could novice map mountain bandits have such capabilities? He guessed it was probably a trap.


    When he reached the mountain peak, a mountain stronghold stood ahead.


    At the gate, massive boulders were crashing down like meteors, smashing into the crowd below!


    Wherever the boulders rolled, they left behind a mess of mud and crushed flesh, like a worker painting a wall, leaving a long streak of red with each stroke.


    At this moment, Sister Yu''s group of players stood frozen, watching the scene unfold, feeling chills down their spines and their bodies cold.


    They were thankful they chose a path that was easily overlooked and were trailing behind the main group. If they had rushed into the stronghold earlier, they might have ended up like the others.


    "Good thing we chose this path that no one takes and arrived late, or else we''d be in trouble."


    "Such despicable mountain bandits! They actually moved so many boulders up the mountain."


    "Oh my Buddha~ One stone and a group of people are gone."


    "These mountain bandits were clearly prepared."


    "It''s terrifying, we could die at any moment. Maybe we should retreat while we still can."


    ...


    As a player from the Elite Center, Sister Yu was experienced and knowledgeable. She sneered, "This little ambush scares you like this? Look at you, so timid."


    "Sister Yu, isn''t this terrifying enough? It feels like going there is a death sentence," a player said fearfully.


    Sister Yu laughed disdainfully, "That''s only for ordinary people. As long as you have a high enough Movement Technique and Agility, these stones are easy to dodge. Look closely, many people have dodged them."


    Everyone quickly looked and realized it was true.


    In the paths of the rolling stones, many figures were swiftly dodging, some even jumping higher than the boulders with ease.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Seeing this, everyone felt much more at ease.


    "So, Sister Yu, what do we do now?"


    Sister Yu leisurely took a sip of water and said, "No rush. There can''t be many boulders left in the stronghold. Once they''re gone, that''s when the real fight begins. Then we''ll attack from the side. Everyone, keep your formation and don''t scatter. As long as we don''t encounter a large group of bandits, we can handle the small groups."


    "Listen to Sister Yu." Everyone nodded in full agreement.


    "Great idea, Sister Yu! You''re awesome! You''re the best!"


    A voice came from behind, and when they turned around, they saw it was the chubby player they had abandoned earlier, and they all showed disdain.


    "Sister Yu, Sister Yu, I don''t know that guy. I''ve always been on your side. I even scolded him earlier. Please forgive me and let me join you. I promise to support you in the future."


    The chubby guy shamelessly approached, begging earnestly.


    Sister Yu''s lips curled into a smug smile, pretending to be generous, "Alright, since you have a good attitude, you can follow us. But that guy..."


    She glanced back at Lin Feng, who was also observing the stronghold and chose not to make a move.


    "Sister Yu, that guy really wants to follow us."


    "Hmph, that brat says he won''t follow, but he''s always where we are."


    "Sister Yu, just say the word, and I''ll chase him away."


    "If he doesn''t leave, just kill him. He''s annoying."


    ...


    Sister Yu pretended to be kind, "Forget it, forget it, he''s just a kid. Let''s not bother with him."


    Then she sneered at Lin Feng, "Hey kid, if you admit your mistake now and shout ''Sister Yu, I''m sorry'' three times, I''ll let you join us. How about it?"


    Lin Feng looked at her as if she were an idiot, then walked to the other side, continuing to observe the stronghold.


    Sister Yu could no longer hold back her anger and instructed, "Remember, if that kid dares to come over or follow us, just kill him!"


    Outside the stronghold, the rolling stones had been exhausted, and the noise subsided, leaving only a scene of devastation and rivers of blood.


    Many players and soldiers lay in pools of blood, and this ambush had indeed dealt a heavy blow to everyone''s morale.


    Many surviving players were terrified, fearing permanent death and quitting the game, and they fled down the mountain.


    The vast army of thousands was shattered in an instant.


    Only two or three hundred players and soldiers remained.


    But before they could catch their breath, the stronghold gates suddenly opened, and a large group of mountain bandits charged out.


    They wielded weapons, fierce and menacing, like a pack of hungry wolves pouncing on everyone.


    "Brothers! Kill these bastards! Show them the might of our Black Wind Stronghold!"


    "Dare to mess with us, let them see how many eyes the King of Hell has!"


    "Kill all the men, keep the women for our enjoyment tonight!"


    "Listen up, the Chief said whoever kills the most today will become the Fourth Chief! Enjoy the Chief''s privileges!"


    "Charge!"


    ...


    Hundreds of mountain bandits rushed out of the gates, clashing with the remaining soldiers and players.


    The sound of weapons clashing and screams filled the air.


    Such a brutal scene left many novice players terrified, their faces pale.


    "The opportunity is here! Brothers, follow Sister Yu!"


    With Sister Yu''s command, wielding two large axes, she led over thirty players into the fray.


    She truly lived up to her reputation as an elite player, showing her skills as she charged at a mountain bandit, raising her axe before he could react, delivering a powerful strike.


    Thud!


    The sharp axe blade and her formidable force severed the bandit''s arm on the spot.


    The bandit screamed in agony, but before he could finish, Sister Yu''s other axe swiftly slit his throat.


    Seeing Sister Yu''s prowess, the others felt the mountain bandits were not so terrifying, shouting to bolster their courage as they charged into the crowd.


    In no time, the entire mountain top was engulfed in battle.


    Lin Feng had already gripped his broken blade.


    He was no longer moving slowly. To him, these mountain bandits were walking sources of Experience and money, and he needed to seize them quickly.


    He no longer held back his speed, darting like a meteor past Sister Yu and the others, rushing into the battlefield ahead.


    At that moment, two mountain bandits were heading towards Sister Yu''s group. Seeing Lin Feng, a young boy, running so fast, they decided to deal with him first.


    Sister Yu and her group had just finished off a few bandits and were about to advance when they saw Lin Feng somehow ahead of them.


    When they saw the two bandits charging at Lin Feng, they all wore gloating smiles.


    "Hahaha, that kid ran ahead to steal kills, now he''s in trouble."


    "This kid seems new to the game, with all white gear and a broken blade. He probably isn''t even level 5, facing two level 10+ bandits, what a joke."


    "I''m just waiting to see him get killed and rage quit."


    "Don''t say that, the kid might cry, hehe."


    "Serves him right for not listening to Sister Yu!"


    Sister Yu also smiled, ready to watch Lin Feng''s misfortune.


    The chubby guy beside her, eager to please, loudly mocked Lin Feng.


    "Kid, let''s see how you die. Sister Yu was kind to you, but you didn''t appreciate it. Ungrateful brat, wasting a hundred thousand activation tokens, serves you right!"


    Sister Yu was delighted by his words, finding the chubby guy more pleasing to the eye.


    Lin Feng naturally heard the taunts behind him, but he didn''t care at all. To be precise, he didn''t even consider them human.


    Not dealing with them was simply because he was busy, but that didn''t mean he wouldn''t hold a grudge.

 Chapter 13 - Kill a thief as one would kill a chicken

    "Kid, watch out for the blade!"


    At that moment, a mountain bandit swung his long knife viciously at Lin Feng.


    Facing the bandit''s blade, Lin Feng easily dodged to the side using his basic agility.


    Then, he reversed his grip on the knife handle, using the broken blade as a dagger, and with the help of inertia, he precisely slit the bandit''s throat!


    These were his instinctive combat moves; he always killed swiftly, aiming directly for the most vulnerable parts of the body.


    Splat!


    "Critical hit! -1130x200%!"


    "You have killed a mountain bandit, gaining 300 experience points! Reputation in the martial world +1!"


    As the blade of the broken knife sliced through the throat, the bandit''s windpipe made a gushing sound.


    A large amount of blood spurted out, and the bandit stared wide-eyed before collapsing to the ground, dead.


    "Congratulations, you have leveled up to level 4, all combat attribute points +1, and you receive 10 free attribute points."


    Unbelievable!


    Killing a mountain bandit was as easy as squashing an ant.


    Even Lin Feng was a bit stunned. Are mountain bandits... really this weak? How is it no different from killing a rabbit...


    He was dumbfounded, and so was the remaining bandit beside him.


    The two locked eyes, both seeing the word ''confused'' in each other''s gaze.


    "What are you worried about?"


    Lin Feng, snapping back to reality, asked with a smile.


    Just as the bandit was about to answer, Lin Feng''s broken knife had already pierced his heart.


    "Weak point attack! -1060x150%!"


    "You have killed a mountain bandit, gaining 300 experience points! Reputation in the martial world +1!"


    The two mountain bandits just ''dropped dead.''


    Behind him, Sister Yu and the others were wide-eyed in disbelief, especially the chubby guy, whose round eyes seemed about to pop out.


    "What did I just see? An illusion?"


    "Impossible, was he facing a bot?"


    "Does this game even have bots? No, it''s real!"


    "Damn, one strike per bandit? What kind of damage is this! Ridiculous!"


    "Sister Yu, what do you think?"


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    Caught off guard, Sister Yu''s face turned a bit unpleasant. She hadn''t expected this seemingly ordinary guy to be a wolf in sheep''s clothing.


    But she quickly regained her composure. Instantly killing mountain bandits by hitting their vital points was something she could do too, so she wasn''t too surprised.


    She spoke to calm everyone down: "It''s nothing extraordinary. This kid has some skills and happened to land critical hits, which is why those two bandits were instantly killed. If your force is high enough, you can do it too."


    Everyone felt a bit better after that, but the chubby guy was the most uncomfortable. He never expected Lin Feng to be such a skilled player.


    Had he known, he wouldn''t have had to shamelessly cling to Sister Yu. Teaming up with this guy would have been better, and he would have gained more experience than with Sister Yu.


    But now, it was too late to say anything. He could only fully support Sister Yu and even started to suggest, "Sister Yu, it looks like the bandit dropped something. Should we go grab it?"


    Sister Yu noticed the glow on the bandit''s corpse, indicating a drop of equipment, and was tempted.


    However, she was concerned about her image. With so many people around, it would damage her reputation as an Elite Center player to snatch a newbie player''s loot.


    Moreover, she was live streaming at the moment, with tens of thousands of viewers watching, so she couldn''t bring herself to do it.


    "You chubby guy, you''re really wicked, wanting to steal what someone else earned. How despicable. How could my team have someone like you? Get out, kick him out."


    Sister Yu righteously kicked the chubby guy out.


    Meanwhile, Lin Feng also noticed the glow on the bandit''s corpse and immediately bent down to search.


    Sure enough, he found a basic blade technique manual and a brand-new long knife on the bandit''s body.


    [Blade Technique]: Basic Blade Technique (Common Grade, Low)


    [Details]: Master basic knife skills


    [Effect]: Blade speed +10%, blade damage +7%


    [Consumption]: Each slash consumes 2 points of internal strength


    [Condition]: Requires innate talent of 15 points or more to learn


    ...


    [Weapon]: Ordinary Long Knife


    [Quality]: Common Grade, Low


    [Effect]: Force +8


    ...


    Seeing this, Lin Feng decisively swapped the broken knife for the long knife and learned the basic blade technique.


    Even though it was just a basic blade technique, it was better to learn it than not. Increasing blade speed and damage was very practical.


    This secret manual would cost several taels of silver on the market.


    He then checked the previous bandit''s corpse, but unfortunately, it only dropped three hundred copper coins.


    In The Grand Martial World, both animals and humans have drop rates. If a humanoid NPC dies, no matter how much equipment they have, if it doesn''t drop, you can''t take it; it will disappear automatically.


    Lin Feng was already lucky to get something from the second bandit he killed.


    Having learned the blade technique, Lin Feng took a moment to check the attributes of the two bandits.


    [Mountain Bandit: Dog Left] [Mountain Bandit: Iron Egg]


    [Strength: Unranked] [Strength: Unranked]


    [Level: 13] [Level: 15]


    [Vitality: 0/600] [Vitality: 0/700]


    [Internal Strength: 250/250] [Internal Strength: 300/300]


    [Physique: 50] [Physique: 60]


    [Force: 55] [Force: 55]


    [Defense: 45] [Defense: 52]


    [Agility: 45] [Agility: 57]


    [Weapon: Ordinary Long Knife] [Weapon: Ordinary Long Sword]


    [Martial Arts: Basic Blade Technique] [Martial Arts: Basic Swordsmanship]


    Seeing these bandits'' attributes, Lin Feng''s eyes lit up with excitement.


    These small fry were no match for him, so he wouldn''t hold back.


    The hundreds of mountain bandits before him were like a feast.


    Lin Feng no longer held back, charging into the crowd with his knife, prioritizing isolated or scattered bandits, allowing him to fight one-on-one and quickly finish the battle.


    At this moment, the area outside the mountain stronghold was a battlefield, with everyone fighting fiercely, and no one noticed Lin Feng, the lone player.


    Moreover, with his superior Profound Grade Lightness Skill, Treading Snow to Seek Plum Blossoms, perfect for ambushes, no one could detect him sneaking around.


    Lin Feng''s gaze swept across the area, immediately locking onto three nearby bandits.


    These three bandits were entangled with two players, both of whom were girls and quite beautiful.


    The two female players were fighting three bandits, with one of them, a girl in green, showing decent skill, managing to fend off two bandits with ease.


    The other, a girl in white, was a complete novice, only able to scream when attacked, wildly swinging her sword.


    Her attacks were so ineffective that the bandits feared catching a cold from the wind her sword stirred up, so they hesitated to approach.


    "Xiao Junjun, help me, I can''t hold on much longer."


    "My boss, you''re at least level 20, and so are they. Stop acting like a newbie and use your sword to attack them."


    "I''m scared, I''m afraid of dying. These bandits are so fierce and ugly, it''s terrifying, sob sob."


    "Sigh~ I shouldn''t have agreed to bring you here. You really can''t help at all."


    "How can you talk to your boss like that? I''ll dock your pay."


    "Let''s survive this first. If we die here, our dreams of longevity and heroism will be over."


    "But I really can''t hold on..."


    "I told you to hire some experts to play with us, but you, the stingy one, wouldn''t listen. Now I can''t do anything, sigh."


    ....


    Just as the girl in white was about to be hacked to death by the bandits, a shadow suddenly appeared behind the bandits.


    A flash of cold light, and the bandit''s head flew off, rolling to the ground.


    "I''m not dead? Thank goodness, I''m really not dead. Thank you, big brother, you''re so kind, sob sob~"


    The girl in white, saved from the brink of death, clutched her chest, which was almost bursting out of her top, feeling immensely grateful and quickly expressing her sincere thanks to her savior.


    However, the person seemed indifferent to her, immediately targeting the two bandits in front of the girl in green after finishing off one.


    "Hey, I don''t need your help, you can leave..."


    Before she could finish her sentence, the two bandits had already fallen, becoming ghosts.


    The girl was about to curse but found that the person had already left gracefully.


    "Damn! This guy stole my kills!" The girl was both angry and annoyed.


    Unexpectedly, the girl in white spoke up for him: "He clearly came to save us. How can you speak to our benefactor like that?"


    "Please, those two bandits were almost dead. A few more moves and I could have killed them. Isn''t he stealing my kills?"


    "He saved me, so what if he took your kills? You can''t repay kindness with ingratitude, Xiao Junjun. I almost died."


    "Boss, why are you siding with an outsider? Are you Yang Bailao?"


    "I''m being fair, not biased. Insulting your boss will cost you your bonus this month."


    "I..."

 Chapter 14 - Battle the Three Bosses

    On the other side, Lin Feng was on a rampage, darting around and swinging his blade at any mountain bandit he encountered, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake.


    He didn''t care if he was stealing kills; as long as someone was isolated and there was an opportunity, he would strike without hesitation and then flee.


    Despite many players cursing him and even threatening to take him down, Lin Feng remained unfazed. He wasn''t going to be polite in such a situation.


    In less than half an incense stick''s time, Lin Feng had slain over a dozen mountain bandits, his experience skyrocketing from level four to level nine!


    He didn''t even have time to check his own attribute interface; he just kept his head down and continued the fight!


    However, his reckless slaughter finally drew the attention of the mountain bandit leaders.


    "This kid has killed over a dozen of our brothers. Third Chief, take him out! Second Chief, deal with that woman who''s even stronger than you."


    On the stockade wall, three men whispered among themselves.


    Soon, two of them leaped down and quickly moved in different directions.


    Just as Lin Feng was about to finish off another unlucky bandit, a gust of wind came from behind him.


    Years of dealing with death made him instinctively abandon the bandit in front of him and leap aside.


    Boom!


    He had just dodged when a powerful palm wind swept past where he had been standing.


    The unfortunate bandit took the hit instead, his chest struck by the palm, sending him flying ten meters away. He twitched twice before falling silent.


    Lin Feng frowned slightly, his gaze wary as he assessed the attacker.


    This man was also dressed as a mountain bandit, but his clothing was of a higher quality than that of ordinary bandits, and there was a ''Three'' embroidered on his chest.


    The attacker was also staring at Lin Feng, seemingly surprised that Lin Feng had managed to dodge his strike.


    "Kid, you''ve killed over a dozen of my brothers. Leave your life here now!"


    Without further ado, the man pushed off with his foot, his body shooting toward Lin Feng like a cannonball.


    Lin Feng didn''t flinch, thrusting his blade fiercely toward the man''s heart.


    However, just as the blade was about to pierce his heart, the man slapped Lin Feng''s wrist, redirecting the blade.


    "Iron Mountain Lean!"


    Using his entire body''s strength, the man charged forward, his shoulder like a heavy hammer, slamming into Lin Feng.


    It was Lin Feng''s first time facing such a martial world expert, and he had no experience, unable to dodge in time and taking the full brunt of the hit.


    In an instant, Lin Feng felt as if he had been struck by a rampaging bull, a suffocating pain radiating from his internal organs, leaving his mind momentarily blank.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    He was sent flying several meters, and if not for a tree trunk behind him, he might have landed headfirst.


    "-590!"


    "You''ve been attacked! You can check the opponent''s attribute interface!"


    Lin Feng spat out a mouthful of blood, a blood-red number floating above his head.


    He kept his eyes fixed on the attacker, ready to defend against another strike.


    He also silently thanked his luck for having reached level nine, with nearly 800 in his health bar; otherwise, he might have been killed in one blow.


    Lin Feng quickly checked the opponent''s attributes and found that he was indeed a formidable opponent.


    [Third Chief: Wang Yong]


    [Strength: Quasi-Third Rate]


    [Level: 25]


    [Vitality: 1600/1600]


    [Internal Strength: 750/750]


    [Physique: 130]


    [Force: 100]


    [Defense: 115]


    [Agility: 105]


    [Martial Arts: Yellow Grade Lower Iron Mountain Lean (Major Achievement), Common Grade Upper Arhat Fist (Major Achievement), Basic Long Fist]


    [Movement Technique: Basic Lightness Skill]


    ...


    As expected of the third strongest in the Black Wind Stronghold, his strength had reached quasi-third rate, with over a thousand in his health bar and combat attributes all exceeding a hundred.


    Moreover, he had martial arts skills, making Lin Feng feel pressure for the first time.


    However, Lin Feng didn''t panic. He calmed his breath and quickly adjusted to his optimal state.


    Wang Yong wasn''t in a hurry; he even started recruiting directly.


    "Kid, I see you have some skills. If you''re willing to switch sides and join our Black Wind Stronghold now, I can overlook the past and even recommend you to the Chief. With your skills, becoming the Fourth Chief in the future wouldn''t be a problem."


    Lin Feng gave him a thumbs up and said, "You''re really dedicated, recruiting for your company even now. If I were your boss, I''d give you a bonus."


    Wang Yong, thinking there was a chance, continued to persuade, "What''s wrong with joining our Black Wind Stronghold? You can do whatever you want. If you need money, you rob; if you want women, you take them. Why not live such a godly life?"


    Lin Feng chuckled, "You''re making me tempted, but unfortunately, I prefer to keep everything to myself. Money and women, I like to have them all to myself, hehe."


    Wang Yong''s face turned dark, "So you''re not planning to join us? So young and already so greedy and domineering. In that case, I''ll take your life and see how you can keep everything to yourself."


    With that, Wang Yong stopped wasting time with Lin Feng and leaped toward him again.


    Lin Feng decisively threw his long blade, forcing Wang Yong to dodge to avoid being hit by the blade.


    This played right into Lin Feng''s hands. He pushed off the tree, using the momentum to shoot himself like a bullet, simultaneously executing Treading Snow to Seek Plum Blossoms!


    The moment he used his lightness skill, Lin Feng felt his body become incredibly light, and his speed increased significantly!


    In just an instant, he was in front of Wang Yong, who hadn''t even reacted.


    Lin Feng raised his palm and transformed it into fingers, channeling internal strength between them, his fingers swift as the wind and sharp as lightning!


    "Sunflower Acupoint Striking Hand!"


    He tapped Wang Yong''s chest twice with his fingers.


    Wang Yong was instantly immobilized, only his eyes showing a look of shock.


    "The enemy is immobilized, unable to move, duration: 6 seconds."


    Lin Feng was very satisfied with this acupoint striking technique. Although it didn''t deal damage, it could easily control the enemy, making it incredibly useful.


    With Wang Yong immobilized, Lin Feng didn''t hesitate, taking advantage of the situation to finish him off.


    Lin Feng transformed his fingers into a fist, gathering strength and aiming directly at Wang Yong''s temple!


    As a mercenary, he knew all too well which parts of the human body were the most vulnerable.


    Boom!


    With a dull thud, Wang Yong flew out like a kite with a broken string.


    "Critical hit! -430x200%!"


    That punch took half of Wang Yong''s life, but the intense pain also brought him out of the immobilized state.


    In this game, control skills could be prematurely ended by the damage the enemy received or their own internal strength resistance.


    If acupoint striking could control someone for over ten seconds, even a pig could take down a boss.


    After getting up, Wang Yong''s head was still buzzing, and everything he saw was a blur. He staggered a couple of steps, regulating his breath to temporarily recover.


    "What kind of martial arts is that?"


    Wang Yong stared at Lin Feng in disbelief. The techniques Lin Feng had just displayed were completely beyond his understanding.


    Having only ever seen Yellow Grade martial arts in his life, he couldn''t comprehend the power of Profound Grade martial arts.


    "I''ll tell you after you''re dead."


    Lin Feng chuckled, then stepped forward again, his speed still astonishing Wang Yong.


    Seeing Lin Feng appear like a ghost once more, Wang Yong had no choice but to suppress his panic, grit his teeth, and use his internal strength to repeat his move.


    "Iron Mountain Lean!"


    But this time, Lin Feng easily dodged his move with a leap.


    Before Wang Yong could react, Lin Feng seized the initiative, swinging his palms in a circular motion, generating a fierce wind, the palm wind carrying the force of a Mountain-Crushing Strike!


    "Mountain-Crushing Strike!"


    Smack!


    Lin Feng''s palms struck Wang Yong''s chest with great force, sending him flying, unexpectedly killing him outright.


    "-830!"


    "You have slain a quasi-third rate expert x1! Experience +1000 points! Martial World Reputation +10 points!"


    Lin Feng was momentarily stunned, not expecting to kill him with that strike. He had intended to extract some useful information.


    "Congratulations on reaching level 10, all combat attributes +1, rewarded with 10 free attribute points and 10 free talent points!"


    Lin Feng thought to himself that he finally got his talent points and could improve his talent values.


    He immediately opened his talent interface.


    [Player: Lin Yanfeng]


    [Innate Talent: 51/Mediocre]


    [Spiritual Grace: 64/Excellent]


    [Comprehension: 75/Excellent]


    [Fortune: 60/Minor Luck]


    [Charisma: 85/Graceful]


    This innate talent was so poor that even a dog would shake its head. In the future, he might not meet the requirements to learn some high-grade martial arts.


    The other four attributes were decent, with no immediate need for improvement, so Lin Feng allocated all 10 talent points to his innate talent.


    After reaching level 10, his combat interface also received a minor upgrade.

 Chapter 15 - Rivers and Lakes Sin Value

    ```


    [Player: Lin Yanfeng]


    [Level: 10]


    [Experience: 850/1000]


    [Strength: Unranked]


    [Reputation: 23 (Newcomer)]


    [Vitality: 260/850]


    [Internal Strength: 240/375]


    [Physique: 75]


    [Force: 173]


    [Defense: 74]


    [Agility: 192]


    [Martial Arts: Profound Grade Medium ¡¤ Sunflower Acupoint Striking Hand (Beginner), Yellow Grade Lower ¡¤ Mountain-Crushing Strike (Beginner), Basic Blade Technique (Beginner)]


    [Lightness Skill: Profound Grade Upper ¡¤ Treading on Snow Without a Trace (Beginner)]


    [Internal Energy: None]


    [Equipment: Ordinary Long Blade]


    ...


    Lin Feng was quite satisfied with this interface.


    Thanks to the increased force and agility from the Profound Grade Martial Arts, he could allocate all attribute points to physique and defense, making him both resilient and powerful.


    The only concern was the current low vitality. In this game, leveling up doesn''t restore health, so he had to rely on elixirs or meditation to recover slowly.


    Lin Feng didn''t have any elixirs on him and couldn''t rest for now, so he had to be extra cautious.


    Putting away the interface, Lin Feng noticed a glimmer under the Third-in-Command''s corpse.


    He immediately bent down to grab it, but just then, a long sword stabbed toward his back.


    Lin Feng smirked as if he had anticipated this, lightly stepping aside to easily dodge the harmless attack.


    "You... knew all along?"


    The sword-wielding person stood still, panic flashing in his eyes.


    Lin Feng gave him a faint smile and said, "Even a three-year-old could spot your sneak attack."


    The man quickly laughed it off, saying, "Misunderstanding, buddy, it''s all a misunderstanding. We''re friends, don''t take it to heart. I''ll leave now, right away."


    As he spoke, he retreated hastily. Lin Feng watched him mockingly and said, "You were the one cursing me the most earlier, and now you try to ambush me to steal my gear, and you call it a misunderstanding?"The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    This person was the chubby player from before, who had been following Lin Feng after being kicked out of the team by Sister Yu. Seeing Lin Feng''s skills, he regretted siding with the wrong team.


    But when he saw Lin Feng heavily injured after fighting the Third-in-Command, the chubby guy had a sinister idea, hoping to play the role of the mantis stalking the cicada.


    Little did he know, Lin Feng had already noticed him but chose not to expose him.


    "Buddy... big brother, spare me, please..."


    Before the chubby guy could finish, Lin Feng punched him to death.


    "Killed ordinary player x1, experience +250 points, Jianghu Sin Value +10!"


    "Congratulations on reaching level 11, all combat attributes +2 points, reward of 10 free attribute points."


    Starting from level 11, the automatically increased attribute points rose from 1 to 2, but the freely distributable attribute points remained at 10, which never changed.


    What intrigued Lin Feng was the Sin Value. He wasn''t sure what the Jianghu Sin Value was, but he didn''t have time to find out now; he needed to kill more mountain bandits quickly.


    After the chubby guy''s death, he contributed his only long sword to Lin Feng, who unceremoniously tossed it into his backpack to sell later.


    With the chubby guy dealt with, Lin Feng turned his attention to the loot from the Third-in-Command. After rummaging for a while, he found two items: a martial arts manual and a pair of black cloth boots.


    [Martial Skill]: Iron Mountain Lean (Yellow Grade Lower)


    [Source]: One of the signature martial arts from a mysterious Grandmaster surnamed Cai, the move is fierce, combining hardness and softness, and works better with basketball effects.


    [Description]: Uses shoulder strength and internal energy to concentrate all power into a shoulder strike against the enemy.


    [Effect]: Force +15 points, Damage +200 points, can temporarily knock back enemies and interrupt their actions.


    [Consumption]: 55 points of internal energy per use, 5-second cooldown.


    [Condition]: Requires innate talent of 25 points or higher to learn.


    ....


    [Equipment: Black Cloth Boots]


    [Quality: Common Grade Upper]


    [Effect: Agility +9 points]


    ....


    Looking at these items, Lin Feng first put on the boots, breaking through the 200 agility mark!


    But when he saw the strange martial skill, he couldn''t help but think of a certain founder of the Kun school from his previous life on Blue Star...


    After hesitating for a moment, he decided to learn it anyway; as long as it was useful, it didn''t matter.


    The skill had low damage, but its ability to knock back enemies and interrupt actions was quite practical.


    After learning Iron Mountain Lean, his force reached exactly 200 points.


    This figure was something even a level 30 might not achieve.


    In addition, Lin Feng found a gold ingot weighing three taels from the Third-in-Command, equivalent to thirty taels of silver! He struck it rich!


    With his strength slightly improved again, Lin Feng felt more confident. He retrieved his long blade and charged toward the mountain stronghold once more.


    However, outside the stronghold, the battle had reached a fever pitch.


    Corpses littered the ground, with players, soldiers, and mountain bandits suffering heavy casualties.


    Both sides had less than a hundred people left.


    The mountain bandits outside were still resisting desperately, especially with the Chief and Second-in-Command joining the fray, boosting the morale of the other bandits.


    The soldiers and players were under immense pressure, as these two BOSS-level figures could easily take down anyone they encountered.


    Fortunately, Constable Xing and several other constables were holding off the Chief for now.


    The Second-in-Command was also being held off by a player-led team, led by none other than Sister Yu of North City.


    At this moment, Sister Yu was fiercely battling the Second-in-Command, Zeng Tiejun. Her level was nearly thirty, making her a formidable opponent. With over thirty teammates, they were pushing Zeng Tiejun back, causing him frequent setbacks.


    "Guys, don''t rush. Listen to my command. When this BOSS has 500 health left, everyone back off. Be careful of his ultimate move; I''ll cover you."


    Sister Yu, while catching her breath and taking medicine on the side, didn''t forget to command the entire situation.


    Everyone agreed, praising Sister Yu for being so considerate and righteous, always caring for her teammates.


    Seeing her health bar almost fully restored, Sister Yu shouted again, charging at the Second-in-Command with a storm of palm strikes.


    Her palm technique, called Eight Trigrams Wandering Dragon Palm, was a Yellow Grade Upper martial art with great power, growing stronger with each battle.


    Seeing Zeng Tiejun''s health drop to just over 500, Sister Yu shouted, "Back off, be careful, don''t die at the moment of victory; it would be too regrettable."


    Everyone quickly retreated, not wanting to die, as death meant quitting the game for good.


    Seeing herself alone with Zeng Tiejun, Sister Yu put on a look of selfless sacrifice.


    In reality, she was laughing inside. These fools, she was just afraid of them stealing her kill and loot, a bunch of idiots, haha!


    The team mechanism in The Grand Martial World was quite unique.


    While everyone in the team would gain experience, the one who landed the final blow would get most of it.


    This experience was about 60%, with the remaining 40% distributed among the other teammates.


    Besides the experience, Sister Yu sent them away to be the first to grab the loot.


    The Second-in-Command was the second strongest BOSS of Black Wind Stronghold, sure to drop equipment, and she wouldn''t let anyone else touch it, dream on!


    To secure the loot, she even turned off her livestream earlier to prevent her ''family'' from seeing and affecting her ''glorious'' image.


    Once she got the loot and experience, her level would reach 30, allowing her to leave the novice map. Just thinking about it made Sister Yu incredibly happy.


    "Damn it, I''ll fight you to the death!"


    Zeng Tiejun, knowing he was doomed, turned his rage into a final burst of strength, charging at Sister Yu.


    Seeing Zeng Tiejun suddenly go berserk, the other players were even more convinced by Sister Yu''s words.


    Some were even moved to tears.


    Sister Yu was too kind, sobbing, they''d be her family for life!


    Seeing Zeng Tiejun charging, Sister Yu mustered all her strength, bracing herself to meet him.


    After another ten rounds of fighting, Zeng Tiejun''s internal energy was depleted, leaving him weak and defenseless.


    Sister Yu was overjoyed and delivered the final palm strike to Zeng Tiejun''s forehead!


    But just then, Old Six appeared!

 Chapter 16 - This is clearly not a human, but an evil spirit!

    Sister Yu''s palm strike hadn''t yet reached the Second-in-Command''s forehead when a long blade pierced through his back.


    The blade tip emerged quietly like a bamboo shoot sprouting from the mud.


    Sister Yu was stunned, and so were all the players.


    Where did this blade tip come from?


    Could it be that the Second-in-Command had a demonic blade planted inside him?


    However, when everyone noticed the figure behind the Second-in-Command, they suddenly understood.


    "Damn! There''s an ambush!"


    "Someone''s stealing the BOSS!"


    "Sneak attack! No martial ethics! This young man!"


    "Who''s so bold?"


    ...


    Sister Yu of North City also reacted, her face turning a deep purple, her eyes like a fierce beast ready to devour, terrifyingly frightening.


    When she saw who it was, she couldn''t care less about her image and started cursing.


    "You little brat! #%£¤%£¤% you damn! £¤#£¤%% you little bastard ***...."


    A torrent of curses, extremely high in maternal references.


    As for Lin Feng, the instigator, he didn''t mind at all.


    "Killed a quasi-third-rate expert x1, rewarded with 1800 experience points! Jianghu Reputation +10 points!"


    "Congratulations on reaching level 12! All combat attribute points +2! Rewarded with 10 free attribute points!"


    The joy of leveling up is truly exhilarating!


    Since Lin Feng wasn''t teamed up with Sister Yu, it counted as him solo killing the BOSS, and he got all the experience.


    But Lin Feng didn''t forget about the loot. BOSSes always have good stuff, and he couldn''t miss it.


    Sure enough, under the Second-in-Command''s corpse, something was shining. Lin Feng quickly grabbed it, and the first item he got was a jade pendant.


    Lin Feng''s breathing quickened. Accessories are rare in The Grand Martial World; they can add extra attributes and don''t take up space, making them highly coveted.


    But he didn''t have time to examine it closely and quickly went for the next item.


    Seeing Lin Feng not only steal her BOSS but also openly loot the equipment, Sister Yu''s anger erupted like a volcano.


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    "Die for me!!!!"


    Sister Yu, in a rage, struck out, aiming a palm at Lin Feng''s head, intending to smash him into pulp!


    "Treading Snow to Seek Plum Blossoms!"


    Lin Feng decisively abandoned looting the corpse, tapped his feet, and leaped away lightly like a rabbit.


    Sister Yu''s palm hit empty air, but she didn''t relent and attacked Lin Feng again.


    She was actually already severely injured, and Lin Feng wasn''t weak. In a rational situation, she wouldn''t continue fighting but would call her teammates to gang up on him.


    But her anger clouded her judgment, and she didn''t care about her condition, only wanting Lin Feng''s life.


    Seeing this, Lin Feng sneered and said, "Looks like you''re really mad. In that case, let me help you cool off and maybe cure your internet addiction."


    With that, Lin Feng''s eyes filled with killing intent, and he used his lightness skill to appear in front of Sister Yu in the blink of an eye.


    Sister Yu''s heart skipped a beat, and her overheated brain finally cooled down a bit.


    She realized she had made the grave mistake of underestimating her opponent, and the aura of death enveloped her.


    She hurriedly changed her tone, "Let''s talk this out, you can have the equipment, I don''t want it, just don''t..."


    But before she could finish, Lin Feng''s blade had already slashed across her throat.


    "Critical hit! -480x200%!"


    "You killed a player x1, experience +1200 points, Jianghu Sin Value +10."


    "Congratulations on reaching level 13! All combat attribute points +2! Rewarded with 10 free attribute points!"


    Sister Yu of North City clutched her neck, eyes wide open, filled with unwillingness and hatred, and eventually fell.


    After dealing with Sister Yu, Lin Feng acted as if he had done something trivial and continued to loot the Third-in-Command''s corpse.


    At this moment, more than thirty of Sister Yu''s teammates began to shout angrily.


    "Shameless! Even Sister Yu, who was so kind, got killed! Is he even human?"


    "Sister Yu worked hard to help us level up, only to be ambushed by this scoundrel. I will avenge Sister Yu!"


    "Revenge! Yes, we must take revenge, don''t let him take all the loot!"


    "We have so many people, we can''t be afraid of just him, we can overwhelm him!"


    ....


    It''s unclear if they were genuinely standing up for Sister Yu or just jealous of Lin Feng looting the treasure.


    Under the crowd''s righteous indignation, someone finally took the lead to attack, and soon everyone followed suit, intending to surround Lin Feng.


    Lin Feng once again abandoned looting, didn''t waste words, and charged with his blade!


    He was like a tiger among sheep, relying on his high agility and lightness skill, moving like a dragon among the crowd, and players fell one by one wherever he passed.


    "You killed a player x1, experience +850 points, Jianghu Sin Value +10."


    "Congratulations on reaching level 14!"


    "You killed a player x1, experience +500 points, Jianghu Sin Value +10."


    "You killed a player x1, experience +450 points, Jianghu Sin Value +10."


    "Congratulations on reaching level 15!"


    "You killed a player..."


    ....


    In one go, Lin Feng took down twelve players and returned to the center, standing there boldly.


    He slung the nearly blunted long blade over his shoulder, his hair disheveled, eyes bloodshot, face covered in blood with a crazed yet chilling smile, like a demon from hell.


    At this moment, all the surviving players had retreated several meters away, not daring to approach, each looking at Lin Feng as if he were a demon incarnate.


    Lin Feng scanned the crowd with his gaze, holding his blade with a wicked smile, and asked, "Who else wants to avenge your ''good family member''? If you do, come on up!"


    His voice was arrogant and disdainful, like a god looking down on ants, filled with an aura of aggression and slaughter.


    "I''ll count to three, and if you don''t scram, you''ll all leave your lives here."


    Lin Feng held up three fingers and began to count down.


    This time, the remaining players were completely terrified, turning and running away.


    Fight? Fight what? This isn''t a person; it''s a god of death.


    This isn''t a pure online game where you can revive after dying; the cost of death here is unbearable for anyone.


    Before Lin Feng finished counting to three, everyone had already fled.


    Seeing everyone leave, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Damn, he was really about to collapse.


    In the previous charge, he had actually taken many hits, and if his defense hadn''t been high enough, he would have been dead by now.


    Fortunately, apart from Sister Yu of North City, the rest of the players were ordinary, and many attacks couldn''t break his defense, allowing Lin Feng to survive with over two hundred health, making seven advances and retreats.


    But now, he had less than a hundred health left, and his internal strength was nearly depleted.


    If those people had really gone crazy and charged at him, he would have had no choice but to run.


    Luckily, he was skilled in psychological tactics, using his acting and words to break the players'' mental defenses.


    This is what they call the supreme strategy of attacking the mind!


    Even so, Lin Feng didn''t dare to stay long, fearing that players from other places would come to take advantage of the situation.


    Ignoring his injuries, he quickly looted all the Third-in-Command''s spoils, obtaining three items: a jade pendant, two bottles of elixirs, and a pair of gloves.


    Without time to examine them, Lin Feng moved to Sister Yu''s corpse, which also had good items for him, a golden secret manual, and several taels of silver.


    He didn''t bother with the other players'' corpses, as they were just ordinary players with trivial gains, not worth it. Better to leave quickly!


    Just as Lin Feng left, two figures emerged from the woods not far away.


    "Boss, why didn''t you let me go up and kill him? It was such a good opportunity. I''m sure he was just bluffing, at the end of his strength."


    "Xiao Junjun, how can you harm my savior?"


    "Come on, he''s no good guy! Look at him, killing and looting, acting like a madman. I''d believe it if you said he''s a real-life psychopath!"


    "That doesn''t matter; he saved me, and we can''t repay kindness with enmity."


    "My dear boss, he didn''t save you; he just wanted to snatch the mountain bandit kill from you!"


    "No matter, he saved me, and that''s a fact. You can''t kill him; that''s an order. Besides, didn''t you think he looked a bit cool just now?"


    "Boss, you''re beyond saving..."

 Chapter 17 - Make a small fortune

    Lin Feng sprinted all the way until he reached a forest far from the mountain stronghold.


    He picked a dead tree trunk, hollowed it out with his blade, and crawled inside before daring to sit down and catch his breath.


    Looking at his current state, he realized he had narrowly escaped danger.


    [Player: Lin Yanfeng]


    [Level: 18]


    [Experience: 420/3600]


    [Strength: Unranked]


    [Reputation: 35 (Slightly Known)]


    [Infamy: 140 (Notorious)]


    [Vitality: 95/1410]


    [Internal Strength: 55/655]


    [Physique: 131]


    [Force: 212]


    [Defense: 130]


    [Agility: 215]


    [Martial Arts: Profound Grade Intermediate ¡¤ Sunflower Acupoint Striking Hand (Beginner), Yellow Grade Lower ¡¤ Mountain-Crushing Strike (Beginner), Basic Blade Technique (Beginner), Yellow Grade Lower ¡¤ Iron Mountain Lean (Beginner)]


    [Lightness Skill: Profound Grade Superior ¡¤ Treading on Snow Without a Trace (Beginner)]


    [Internal Energy: None]


    [Equipment: Ordinary Long Blade, Black Cloth Boots]


    ...


    His vitality and internal strength were nearly depleted, and he was at risk of being killed by even a minor expert.


    Lin Feng was filled with regret, realizing he shouldn''t have played so recklessly. The thrill of killing had gotten to his head.


    It felt like he had returned to the state of mind he had on the battlefield between Russia and Ukraine, where he was a killing machine.


    He needed to control himself in the future to avoid losing his sanity and putting himself in danger.


    After resting for a while, Lin Feng began to inventory his recent loot.


    First, he took out the secret manual dropped by Sister Yu of North City.


    [Martial Arts]: Eight Trigrams Wandering Dragon Palm (Yellow Grade Superior)


    [Description]: From the Two Elements come the Four Symbols, and from the Four Symbols come the Eight Trigrams. This palm technique is unpredictable and full of mysteries, growing more powerful the longer the battle lasts.


    [Effect]: Base Force +65 points, can deliver a total of 1200 points of base damage within 30 seconds of continuous strikes.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    [Consumption]: Consumes 20 points of internal strength per second.


    [Requirement]: Can only be learned by those with an Innate Talent of 40 points or higher.


    ...


    What a treasure!


    Lin Feng immediately recognized the value of this palm technique, which was far superior to the Mountain-Crushing Strike.


    He learned it without hesitation!


    Next, Lin Feng focused on the jade pendant.


    This jade pendant was entirely emerald green, crystal clear, shaped like a venomous fang, with tassels hanging below, emitting a faint golden glow.


    In "The Grand Martial World," equipment is divided into five grades: Heaven, Earth, Profound, Yellow, and Common, corresponding to the colors red, purple, blue, gold, and white.


    This was clearly a Yellow Grade jade pendant.


    [Accessory: Green Snake Jade Pendant]


    [Grade: Yellow Grade Superior]


    [Effect: Evasion +2%, Defense +20, Poison Resistance +10%]


    This jade pendant made Lin Feng feel like he had struck gold, as it increased both defense and evasion.


    Especially the poison resistance, which was extremely practical.


    In wuxia novels, there are many experts skilled in using poison, like Golden Flower Granny, Li Mochou, Yin Li, Ouyang Feng, and others.


    Using poison is a common combat technique in wuxia. Some powerful individuals, despite their strength, often fall victim to poison.


    Yang Guo and Little Dragon Girl were once poisoned by the Love Flower.


    The Six Major Sects'' experts couldn''t withstand Zhao Min''s Ten Fragrance Soft Tendon Powder.


    Ren Woxing controlled his subordinates with the Three Corpse Brain Pill, and so on.


    Many players also frequently fall victim to poison, and some even choose to learn poison techniques, following the principle of "if you can''t beat them, join them."


    Poison resistance and anti-poison equipment or cultivation methods are rare and valuable on the market. Lin Feng saw a Common Grade item with 2% poison resistance sell for a sky-high price of ten thousand yesterday online.


    Lin Feng feared being poisoned one day, and this jade pendant might save his life at a critical moment.


    He put on the jade pendant and then looked at the next item, a pair of leather gloves.


    [Equipment: Rhinoceros Skin Gloves]


    [Grade: Yellow Grade Intermediate]


    [Effect: Force +22, Fist and Palm Technique Damage +7%, Attack Speed +10%]


    Another great item!


    Lin Feng put them on without hesitation.


    In "The Grand Martial World," there are no fixed professions.


    You can arm yourself to the teeth if you want.


    You can also learn various martial arts.


    Blades, spears, staves, fists, palms, legs, and feet¡ªeighteen types of martial arts are yours to learn.


    Lin Feng naturally wouldn''t pass up on items that increase combat power.


    Finally, there were the two bottles of elixirs.


    [Elixir: Blood Restoration Pill*5]


    [Grade: Common Grade]


    [Effect: Restores 300 points of vitality within 10 minutes after consumption, non-stackable]


    ...


    [Elixir: Qi Condensation Pill*5]


    [Grade: Common Grade]


    [Effect: Restores 150 points of internal strength within 10 minutes after consumption, non-stackable]


    Not bad, not bad. These elixirs came just in time.


    Lin Feng, who was feeling exhausted, found these elixirs to be a timely solution to his urgent needs. He immediately took out two pills and swallowed them.


    Soon, he felt a warm flow of energy within him, and his vitality and internal strength began to recover slowly.


    Ten minutes later, Lin Feng checked his vitality, which had recovered to around four hundred.


    He didn''t plan to fully recover, as that would waste too much time.


    With this amount of health, as long as he didn''t act recklessly, he wouldn''t be in much danger.


    He wanted to quickly return to the mountain stronghold to see if the fight was over. If not, he could still take down a few more mountain bandits.


    Lin Feng didn''t want to stay in the novice map for too long, as the real treasures and great opportunities were in other maps.


    He wanted to explore them early and claim them before others did.


    So he didn''t want to miss this excellent opportunity to level up.


    With this in mind, Lin Feng slipped out of the tree hollow and quickly returned to the mountain stronghold.


    Unfortunately, by the time he arrived, the battle was already nearing its end.


    With the deaths of the Third-in-Command and the Second-in-Command, the mountain bandits had lost their will to fight and were being killed one by one. Even those who tried to escape were relentlessly pursued by players.


    The entire Black Wind Stronghold had been almost completely cleared.


    Outside the stronghold, only the Chief, Huang Ting, was still struggling to hold on.


    Although he was a third-rate expert, he was now just a trapped beast, surrounded by five captains. Magistrate Lou had even sent a similarly ranked expert to assist.


    With dozens of players watching eagerly, Huang Ting had no chance of escape.


    "Huang Ting! You''re at the end of your rope. I advise you to surrender now. You were once a hero in capturing bandits. If you surrender voluntarily, the Imperial Court might spare your life."


    "Hah! No hero can atone for the crimes I''ve committed. At worst, I''ll die. If you want to capture me, it''s not going to happen!"


    "Stubborn fool, don''t blame us then!"


    The captains, having lost hope of capturing him alive, were now determined to kill.


    Seeing that Huang Ting was doomed, the surrounding players'' eyes gleamed with greed.


    This was the biggest boss of the Black Wind Stronghold. Whoever landed the final blow would be richly rewarded.


    Moreover, the biggest boss was bound to drop treasures, and they couldn''t bear to leave.


    Lin Feng saw the boss surrounded so tightly that even if he used Treading Snow to Seek Plum Blossoms, he wouldn''t be able to get a piece of the action.


    He sighed, shook his head, and decided to give up on this slim chance.


    With the captains and the Imperial Court''s third-rate expert present, other players had no chance of stealing the kill. Players were rewarded for killing bandits, and so were the soldiers.


    The captains wouldn''t miss such a great opportunity to earn merit, so Lin Feng knew that other players would be wasting their efforts.


    He no longer held any hope for the boss but became interested in the stronghold.


    Perhaps he could sneak in while no one was watching and see if there were any treasures left.


    Determined, Lin Feng used his lightness skill and quickly reached the stronghold''s wall.


    The stronghold''s gate was wide open, and all the bandits had been dealt with, leaving no guards.


    Lin Feng slipped into the stronghold without any obstacles.


    Unfortunately, he wasn''t the only clever one. Once inside, he found that there were already a dozen players with the same idea.


    They had also given up on the boss and rushed to loot the stronghold.


    The stronghold''s warehouse, dormitories, and other places had already been ransacked and cleaned out, leaving Lin Feng empty-handed.

 Chapter 18 - Escort Guo Qiangwei

    "Damn, this Black Wind Stronghold is really poor this time. Most of it is just food and ordinary weapons, hardly any money."


    "Tell me about it. Last year, I read online that this place was loaded. Someone found a Profound Grade sword and sold it for over five million."


    "Black Wind Stronghold''s annual event, and although it''s been poor in the past, it''s never been this bad. The veteran players all said there''d at least be Yellow Grade items. Where are they? It''s all a scam!"


    "Well, be content. At least there''s some gain. How about the dungeon? Freeing those captured civilians can earn some reputation. Every little bit counts."


    ...


    Hearing their discussion, Lin Feng lowered the sword he had raised.


    He wanted to clarify that he absolutely had no intention of killing and looting. Absolutely not!


    Upon hearing that no one had gone to the dungeon yet, Lin Feng decisively rushed over, getting there before everyone else, despite the sneers and mockery from the other players.


    "This idiot, coming in last and still so eager."


    "Does this guy really think there''s something good in the dungeon? Haha."


    "Every year, the dungeon is just about rescuing civilians. Saving ten people only adds 1 point of reputation."


    "Forget it, let him go alone. That brat runs faster than a rabbit. By the time we catch up, there won''t be many people left."


    "True, let''s go. If other players come in and get jealous, it won''t be good if they snatch our stuff."


    ...


    The stronghold wasn''t large, and it didn''t take Lin Feng long to find the so-called dungeon.


    The dungeon was dim and damp, with faint silhouettes of a dozen or so people inside.


    With so few people, even rescuing all of them wouldn''t add up to two points of reputation. No wonder those players gave up.


    But Lin Feng, with the typical Chinese attitude of "since I''m here, might as well," entered the dungeon. The keys to the cells were conveniently placed at the entrance.


    He picked up the keys and began trying them on each cell door.


    With each door he opened, a few ragged, emaciated people would come out and bow in thanks.


    "Thank you, Benefactor~"


    "Thank you, Benefactor~"


    "Thank you, Benefactor~"


    Lin Feng didn''t think much of it and urged them to leave quickly.


    When he reached the last cell, he unlocked it as usual and was about to leave.


    But as he turned, he heard a bright and melodious voice.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Thank you, Benefactor, for saving me~"


    Lin Feng turned back in confusion, only to find a young girl in blue standing before him, her face streaked with tears, looking pitiful.


    She seemed to have been captured not long ago, as her clothes were relatively clean, though she was clearly frightened, looking at Lin Feng with apprehension.


    Lin Feng, who never played games, didn''t realize she might be an NPC. He simply told her to leave quickly and turned to go.


    If other players saw this, they''d probably call Lin Feng an idiot.


    This girl was clearly different from the others, likely an important character.


    But to Lin Feng, a gaming novice, he didn''t understand any of this.


    In his past life as a mercenary, he wandered from place to place, constantly involved in battles.


    He avoided using electronic devices to prevent tracking, and in his spare time, he enjoyed reading wuxia novels or cookbooks to pass the time, or occasionally indulging in some hentai comics...


    His gaming knowledge came entirely from Fang Zhiqiu, which is why he couldn''t see anything amiss.


    Seeing Lin Feng leave so nonchalantly, the girl was momentarily stunned but quickly limped after him.


    Once outside the dungeon, the girl called out to Lin Feng, "Benefactor, please wait."


    Lin Feng turned back and asked, "Is there something else?"


    "Could you take me to my sister? I''m too scared to go alone," the girl pleaded.


    Lin Feng finally realized there might be a quest involved.


    "Where''s your sister, and what''s her name?"


    The girl answered truthfully, "My sister''s name is Guo Furong, and she lives at the Tongfu Inn in Seven Heroes Town."


    Lin Feng''s eyelid twitched as he asked again, "What''s your sister''s name?"


    The girl replied nervously, "Guo... Guo Furong. Why, Benefactor?"


    "And what''s your name?"


    "Guo Qiangwei."


    Lin Feng suddenly understood. So this girl was indeed Guo Furong''s sister.


    Guo Furong did have a sister by that name.


    Looking at Guo Qiangwei, Lin Feng hesitated for a moment before agreeing, "Alright, I''ll take you back."


    "Really? That''s great! Thank you, Benefactor. I''ll never forget your kindness! I''ll make sure my sister properly thanks you when we get back."


    Seeing Lin Feng agree, Guo Qiangwei was overjoyed and moved closer to him, as if it made her feel safer.


    Lin Feng received a notification.


    [Hidden Quest]: Escort Guo Qiangwei safely back to Tongfu Inn


    [Quest Difficulty]: Easy


    [Quest Reward]: Unknown


    Seeing the quest description, Lin Feng felt a bit disappointed. He didn''t expect the quest to be of easy difficulty, which meant the reward probably wouldn''t be anything special.


    But since he had already accepted it, and he was heading back anyway, taking someone along wouldn''t be much trouble.


    "Let''s go, I''ll take you to your sister."


    Lin Feng was even a bit hopeful. After helping Guo Furong so much, surely she wouldn''t still dislike him, right? Maybe she''d even give him the second move of the Raging Waves Palm?


    "Mm-hmm, you''re really nice, Benefactor."


    Guo Qiangwei nodded happily and followed Lin Feng out of the stronghold.


    As soon as they emerged, Lin Feng saw the Chief being executed on the spot by experts from the Imperial Court.


    The players watching were disappointed, having gained nothing, and left one after another.


    Some, realizing too late, rushed towards the stronghold.


    Lin Feng felt a bit regretful. He had actually wanted to spar with a third-rate expert, but it seemed that wouldn''t happen this time.


    The two of them descended the mountain, only to find that Guo Qiangwei had twisted her ankle, making it difficult for her to walk, let alone go down the mountain.


    "Benefactor, could you... carry me down the mountain?" Guo Qiangwei asked shyly.


    Lin Feng, eager to get back quickly, crouched down without hesitation.


    Guo Qiangwei happily climbed onto his back.


    With her on his back, Lin Feng took off at top speed down the mountain.


    By the time they reached Seven Heroes Town, it was already dark. Fortunately, he was fast; other players probably wouldn''t arrive until midnight.


    Lin Feng headed straight for Tongfu Inn, where Bai Zhantang was still energetically trying to attract customers at the entrance.


    Thinking it was just another visitor, Bai Zhantang''s smile vanished when he recognized Lin Feng, and he started shooing him away disdainfully.


    "You brat, what are you doing here again? Get lost, I don''t want to see you."


    Lin Feng chuckled and said, "You may not want to see me, but I''m sure Guo Furong does."


    Bai Zhantang scoffed, "Ha, what nonsense are you spouting? Little Guo curses you every day, wishing she could crush you. See you? You must be dreaming."


    Lin Feng teased, "What if I told you I rescued her sister from Black Wind Stronghold? Do you think she''d want to see me then?"


    Bai Zhantang was skeptical at first, but then he noticed the girl next to Lin Feng, who bore a resemblance to Guo Furong.


    "Hello, I''m looking for my sister, Guo Furong. Is she here?"


    Bai Zhantang began to believe him and hurried inside to ask around.


    In no time, Guo Furong rushed out, and upon seeing Guo Qiangwei, she was overwhelmed with emotion and hugged her sister tightly.


    The reunion of the sisters drew Tong Xiangyu and the others out to watch the scene.


    Guo Furong asked her sister for details, and upon learning that she had been captured by mountain bandits and rescued by Lin Feng, her expression turned a bit complicated.


    "Ahem... thanks."


    Lin Feng, however, pushed his luck, "You think a simple thank you is enough?"


    "What more do you want?" Guo Furong asked through gritted teeth.


    At this point, Tong Xiangyu stepped forward and said, "How about this? You saved Little Guo''s sister, so on her behalf, I thank you. From now on, you can come and go freely at the inn, and your meals and lodging will be free. Is that enough?"


    Lin Feng was taken aback. He hadn''t expected this kind of reward...


    He had intended to ask for the second move of the Raging Waves Palm, but ended up with a lifetime membership at the inn instead.


    But considering the quest was of easy difficulty, getting a martial arts skill for simply escorting someone down a mountain seemed unlikely.


    After all, he had just stumbled upon Guo Qiangwei by chance, and this reward was already quite decent.


    Lin Feng could only accept it, then swaggered into the inn.


    "Since I''m tired and hungry, bring me some of your best dishes and prepare a top-notch room for me. I need a good meal and a good night''s sleep."


    Though reluctant, the others had no choice but to comply.


    And so, Lin Feng enjoyed a hearty meal at Tongfu Inn.


    As night fell, he went upstairs to rest, planning to visit the yamen for his reward the next day.

 Chapter 19 - This bean is old

    After exiting the game, the sky had already brightened.


    Lin Feng got up from the bed and found that not only had his injuries healed, but he also seemed to have grown taller and stronger. Moreover, he felt the power within his body was several times stronger than the day before!


    With just a gentle exertion of force, the plaster on his body shattered completely.


    What surprised Lin Feng the most was the sensation of a warm current flowing through his dantian, a feeling he had never experienced before.


    He tried to circulate his internal strength, gathering it in his palm. Then, he grabbed a porcelain cup on the table and squeezed it hard. The cup quickly deformed in his hand, crushed into a lump.


    Lin Feng could also feel that he could now perform any martial arts he had learned in the game.


    To confirm this, he walked to the window and then pushed off with his feet.


    He jumped from the second floor, five to six meters high, landing smoothly without making a sound.


    Lin Feng then quickly moved forward to the wall and leaped high.


    He astonishingly bounced back to the second floor in one jump.


    This ignited his playful spirit, and with a light step on the wall, he jumped several meters high again, effortlessly reaching the third floor.


    At this moment, on the third-floor balcony, Sister Fang Hanshuang was changing clothes in her bedroom.


    Lin Feng saw everything clearly.


    Unaware of this, Fang Hanshuang continued changing clothes, oblivious to the world.


    Lin Feng silently cursed and quickly ducked his head, descending back to the second floor, and swiftly rolled back to his room.


    Having been reborn for just two days, he kept seeing things he shouldn''t.


    If Aunt Meixiang found out, she would probably kick him out...


    Luckily, he wasn''t discovered. Lin Feng reminded himself to be more careful in the future, then pretended nothing happened and went out to wash up.


    When Yu Meixiang saw Lin Feng coming downstairs and noticed the changes in him, she wasn''t surprised.


    After all, The Grand Martial World had been running for ten years, and the fact that the game could change players'' physiques and heal injuries was already well-known, so she didn''t make a fuss.


    "Little Feng, you seem taller and stronger. Auntie didn''t buy the wrong thing after all; this activator is really helpful for you. You were too skinny before."


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Lin Feng replied with a smile, "Thank you, Auntie. I''m all healed now."


    "So fast? I thought it would take at least ten days to half a month."


    "Auntie, you''ve been so good to me, I don''t even know how to thank you."


    Yu Meixiang''s beautiful eyes glinted as she said, "What are you saying? No need to be so formal with Auntie. You''re part of the family. Even though you''re not my son, I''ve always treated you like one. No more formalities, okay?"


    Lin Feng scratched his head awkwardly and smiled, "I understand."


    "That''s more like it. Hurry and get ready for breakfast. I made braised noodles with green beans and egg-stuffed pancakes, all your favorites."


    "Okay, I''ll go call Sister Zhiqiu and Sister Hanshuang."


    Lin Feng went upstairs to call them. He had just woken Fang Zhiqiu when he saw Fang Hanshuang already coming down.


    Even in simple home clothes, Fang Hanshuang''s great figure couldn''t be hidden, especially her long legs and waist-to-hip ratio, easily surpassing top models.


    Lin Feng subconsciously thought of the scene he had just seen, feeling a bit regretful. If he had known, he would have taken a few more glances...


    "Morning."


    Fang Hanshuang, unaware of Lin Feng''s indecent thoughts, greeted him lightly and went downstairs.


    Click!


    Fang Zhiqiu''s door opened, and she, still sleepy-eyed, looked at Lin Feng with a mischievous gaze.


    "Sister Zhiqiu, what''s up?"


    Lin Feng felt a bit guilty under her gaze. Could she have discovered him peeking on the third floor?


    "Are you holding back and came to find me?"


    Fang Zhiqiu''s words made Lin Feng''s brain freeze.


    "How did you know... Oh no, why would you say that?"


    Lin Feng stammered in response.


    Fang Zhiqiu''s next words made him realize he had misunderstood.


    "You can''t survive in the game anymore, right? Couldn''t resist coming to me, Dr. Know-it-all, for help?"


    Lin Feng quickly caught on and nodded, "Yeah, I have a question about the game to ask you."


    "I knew it. You little newbie would come to me sooner or later for help. Since you''re so sincere, I''ll reluctantly help you. What trouble did you encounter?"


    Fang Zhiqiu crossed her arms and leaned against the door, exuding the aura of a profound master, waiting for Lin Feng to humbly ask for guidance.


    Lin Feng knew he had to satisfy this girl''s vanity, so he asked, "Do you know the Elite Center?"


    Fang Zhiqiu immediately nodded, "Of course, the strongest guild founded by Boss Chen Qunsheng. Why? You want to join? Don''t dream about it."


    Lin Feng just smiled and said, "No problem then, let''s go down for breakfast."


    Fang Zhiqiu was puzzled. This guy just asked such a pointless question?


    At the dining table, the four of them gathered for breakfast. Lin Feng still devoured his food as if he hadn''t eaten in days.


    The three women were used to it, especially Yu Meixiang, who loved watching Lin Feng eat.


    "Mom, these green beans are a bit tough," Fang Zhiqiu criticized Yu Meixiang''s cooking.


    Yu Meixiang felt a bit embarrassed and was about to say she''d pay attention next time, but Lin Feng picked up a chopstick full of green beans and ate them with relish.


    "These beans aren''t tough at all; they''re amazing!"


    His words made Yu Meixiang smile broadly.


    "Flatterer!" Fang Zhiqiu said, exasperated.


    "Little Feng, now that you''ve grown taller, your old clothes might not fit. Since Auntie''s shop is closed today, let''s go to the mall and buy you some new clothes."


    "Sure."


    Lin Feng didn''t refuse, mainly because his clothes were indeed a bit small now, and he knew Yu Meixiang didn''t like him being too polite.


    As expected, Yu Meixiang was very pleased with Lin Feng''s response and lovingly gave him more green beans.


    Fang Zhiqiu watched Lin Feng being favored by her mom, feeling so jealous that her lips pouted high enough to hang a bottle.


    Yu Meixiang didn''t forget about the two of them, "Zhiqiu, Hanshuang, want to come along?"


    "It''s the weekend; I have to stay home and write my thesis," Fang Hanshuang calmly declined.


    Fang Zhiqiu initially wanted to go out, but her jealousy left her in no mood for shopping. She sulkily said, "You take your precious godson. I''m not going; I''ll go back to my room to play games, hmph~"


    Seeing this, Yu Meixiang didn''t insist.


    After breakfast, she drove the car out of the yard, a simple family car.


    Lin Feng sat in the passenger seat, and they headed towards the city center.


    On the way, Yu Meixiang asked Lin Feng, "Little Feng, is The Grand Martial World fun? Is anyone bullying you?"


    Lin Feng found it amusing. Aunt Meixiang really treated him like a three-year-old...


    "It''s quite fun, and no one''s bullying me. I''m the one bullying others."


    Yu Meixiang smiled, "That''s good. But remember, while playing games is fine, you also need to study. Now that you''re healed, go back to school after this weekend. You''ve been resting for more than half a month, and if you don''t go back, you''ll fall behind in your studies. This year is your senior year, very important."


    Lin Feng nodded, "Okay, Auntie, I''ll go back to school next Monday."


    "Such a good boy."


    Yu Meixiang was delighted and handed Lin Feng a stack of cash.


    "Take this pocket money, but don''t tell your sisters, or they''ll say I''m playing favorites."


    Holding the money, Lin Feng looked at Yu Meixiang''s profile as she drove, feeling as if she was radiating maternal love. For a moment, he wanted to hug her and call her mom.


    In his previous life, no one had ever cared for him like this, making Lin Feng, who had never experienced maternal love, feel so warm and happy.


    "Auntie, once I earn money from the game, I''ll buy an activator for you and Sister Zhiqiu. Then we can all play The Grand Martial World together."


    "I don''t need it. I''m terrible at games. It would be a waste of money for Auntie," Yu Meixiang quickly declined.


    Lin Feng didn''t insist, but he had already made up his mind.


    The two chatted and laughed all the way to the mall in the city center.

 Chapter 20 - Become a pretty boy

    Yu Meixiang parked the car and took Lin Feng into the mall for shopping.


    She moved back and forth between men''s clothing stores, asking Lin Feng to try on anything she found appealing.


    If the clothes looked good on him, she would buy them without hesitation.


    Even if some clothes were quite expensive, she didn''t bat an eye.


    Before long, Lin Feng was carrying seven or eight bags, with everything from clothes and pants to shoes and even underwear.


    "Auntie, there''s no need to buy more. We have plenty already."


    "It''s not enough. Your current clothes are unwearable and need replacing. These few sets are far from enough. Don''t worry about Auntie running out of money; I can afford it."


    Ignoring Lin Feng''s protests, Yu Meixiang energetically continued shopping with him.


    They shopped from a little past nine in the morning until almost noon.


    By then, Lin Feng was holding dozens of shopping bags.


    If it weren''t for his now enhanced physical condition, he would have been exhausted just from a single morning.


    Yu Meixiang, however, remained in high spirits. After having lunch at the mall, they headed to another shopping center.


    Lin Feng calculated that Yu Meixiang had spent over fifty or sixty thousand just in one morning.


    Many store clerks cast surprised glances their way, whispering among themselves.


    Lin Feng''s hearing had improved significantly, allowing him to clearly hear their conversations.


    "This beautiful woman bought so much for that handsome young guy."


    "Probably a kept man, being pampered."


    "I think so too. I''m so envious of this guy. Why can''t I meet such a rich woman?"


    "Damn, I''m not worse than that guy. Why don''t I get such luck?"


    Hearing the gossip, Lin Feng was speechless. Since when did he become a kept man?


    Though, being a kept man... didn''t seem too bad...


    Another afternoon passed, and Yu Meixiang finally felt tired, struggling a bit as she walked.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Lin Feng kindly offered, "Auntie, if you''re tired, lean on me."


    Yu Meixiang didn''t refuse, naturally linking her arm with Lin Feng''s.


    "Let''s browse over there. If there aren''t any nice clothes, we''ll head home."


    Lin Feng chuckled wryly, "Auntie, there''s really no need to buy more. You don''t know, but I''ve become the mall''s biggest kept man. They''re all whispering that you''re a rich woman pampering me."


    Yu Meixiang''s face turned red with embarrassment. "Those people are talking nonsense. What''s wrong with me buying clothes for my godson? Does it have to be a rich woman pampering a kept man to buy things?"


    "Yes, yes, but others don''t know that. So, maybe we should just head back."


    "Don''t mind what others think. Let''s shop a little longer, just a bit more, okay?"


    Yu Meixiang even unconsciously acted coy.


    Lin Feng couldn''t refuse her and reluctantly agreed.


    Yu Meixiang also realized her tone just now seemed a bit off...


    "Boss Yu~"


    Just as Yu Meixiang was caught in her own thoughts, a voice caught her attention.


    A plump, luxuriously dressed middle-aged woman approached them with a man in a suit.


    The fat woman exclaimed in surprise, "It really is you, Boss Yu. What a coincidence to run into you here."


    Yu Meixiang didn''t seem to like the woman much but greeted her with a smile.


    "Sister Liu, it''s you. How do you have time to be here?"


    "Oh, my husband brought me out to shop for some jewelry. Didn''t expect to meet someone I know, haha."


    "So that''s it. Your husband treats you well."


    "Haha, not really. My husband does spoil me, makes money, and lets me spend it."


    The fat woman laughed smugly, unaware that the man beside her was staring at Yu Meixiang with a look of desire and greed.


    Yu Meixiang noticed the man''s blatant gaze, which made her uncomfortable, but she pretended not to see it for the sake of appearances.


    The fat woman, oblivious, continued to boast about her wonderful life, occasionally making snide remarks about Yu Meixiang being a widow with no one to love her.


    Lin Feng, having had enough, snapped at the man in the suit, "Hey, Sun Tzu, still looking? Is it nice?"


    The man immediately averted his gaze, his face tense and guilty. "What are you talking about? What was I looking at? Don''t slander a good person!"


    Yu Meixiang didn''t expect the two to start arguing suddenly and quickly tugged on Lin Feng''s sleeve, signaling him to stop.


    She knew Lin Feng was standing up for her, and she had long been uncomfortable with the man''s gaze.


    The fat woman then turned her attention to Lin Feng, puzzled. "Boss Yu, this is...?"


    "Oh, this is my..." Yu Meixiang was about to answer.


    But before she could finish, Lin Feng wrapped his arm around her waist, interrupting, "I''m her boyfriend. Got a problem with that?"


    Yu Meixiang was stunned, her beautiful eyes momentarily lost and bewildered.


    The fat woman was also taken aback, but seeing the two so sweet together, with Yu Meixiang''s hand always holding his arm, she believed it.


    To be honest, after Lin Feng''s physical enhancement, he had grown taller and more muscular.


    Tall and lean, his features were delicate yet mature, his gaze steady and experienced. His words and actions carried an air of dominance.


    This was completely different from his previous image as a frail high school student.


    Such an image was more than enough to be a young boyfriend.


    The fat woman felt a pang of jealousy. Damn, this kept man was of such high quality. Why couldn''t she meet someone so handsome at KTV?


    She forced a smile and teased, "Boss Yu, you''ve been hiding this well. You never mentioned having a boyfriend, not fair."


    "This..."


    Yu Meixiang blushed, wanting to explain but unable to find the words.


    After all, the woman had been mocking her for being a widow with no one to love her. Though she pretended not to care, she was a bit angry inside.


    Now, suddenly having a ''boyfriend'' to slap the woman''s face felt surprisingly satisfying...


    So she went along with it, holding Lin Feng''s arm even more intimately, saying, "We haven''t been dating long, so Director Liu wouldn''t know."


    "Hehe, then I''ll definitely visit when I have time. You two carry on, we''ll be off."


    The fat woman, unable to gain any satisfaction, excused herself and left with her man.


    After they left, Yu Meixiang breathed a sigh of relief.


    The next second, she let go of Lin Feng''s hand as if shocked, stammering to say something.


    Lin Feng, understanding, said, "Aunt Meixiang, don''t take it to heart. I just acted to counter that fat woman''s words."


    Since Lin Feng put it that way, Yu Meixiang couldn''t bring herself to say anything more. She awkwardly said it was fine and continued walking.


    However, during the rest of their shopping, Yu Meixiang was clearly distracted, lost in thought. Seeing this, Lin Feng suggested they head home, and she didn''t refuse.


    By the time they returned home, it was already evening. Yu Meixiang had recovered from the earlier incident. She helped Lin Feng carry the clothes upstairs and then went down to make dinner.


    At night, the whole family was asleep.


    Only Yu Meixiang lay in her bedroom, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she recalled the scene at the mall, a smile involuntarily forming on her lips.


    But after a while, she looked at the photo of her late husband on the bedside table and quickly dismissed the thought, finally falling asleep late into the night...


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 Chapter 21 - Nationwide manhunt for Lin Feng!

    In a luxurious private villa in North City, a woman''s furious roars echoed.


    "Family members, take a good look at this disgusting beast who ambushed and stole my boss, then killed me."


    "I hereby announce a server-wide bounty on this kid named Lin Yanfeng. Whoever can force him to quit the game will receive a reward of 500,000 Dragon Coins. Sister Yu promises and delivers!"


    "I''ve already contacted the Elite Center for a server-wide bounty on his head. He must be made to quit the game just like me!"


    "If I can''t play ''The Grand Martial World,'' neither can this kid!"


    ...


    In the live stream, the woman was none other than Sister Yu of North City in the game.


    Due to being killed by Lin Feng, she was permanently banned from the game.


    At this moment, she was filled with hatred, wishing she could cut Lin Feng into a thousand pieces.


    If she knew Lin Feng''s real address and name, she might have already gone offline to hunt him down.


    The tens of thousands of viewers in the live stream, seeing the game video sent by Sister Yu, were all indignant, cursing Lin Feng.


    Sister Yu took the opportunity to sell some fake goods, and seeing the sales skyrocket, her mood improved slightly.


    At this moment, someone connected to the live stream, and seeing it was an acquaintance, Sister Yu immediately began to play the victim.


    "Captain Niu, I was ambushed by a scoundrel, you have to avenge me!"


    As soon as this acquaintance appeared, the entire live stream room erupted.


    Because this person was none other than Niu Jianfei, one of the veteran experts of the Elite Center.


    His strength had reached the level of a first-rate expert, and he was one of Chen Qunsheng''s trusted subordinates, holding a high position in the Elite Center as one of the seven elders.


    Sister Yu was a member under Niu Jianfei, and since she was out, Niu Jianfei naturally came to comfort her.


    Niu Jianfei comforted her after entering, "I saw the video, it''s indeed not your fault, but you were too careless, insisting on facing Zeng Tiejun alone."


    Sister Yu hurriedly defended herself, "I was afraid other players would be too fragile and get killed instantly, so I told them to retreat while I held the line. I was holding on well until an insidious scoundrel showed up, sigh."


    Niu Jianfei knew her little schemes but didn''t expose them.


    "There''s nothing to be done, this game often has issues when you''re careless. Now that you can''t play, what''s your plan?"


    Sister Yu consoled herself, "It''s okay, even though I can''t play, my old man can. I''ll teach him all my game resources and techniques, and I''ll also start classes to teach novice players many game skills every day."If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "That''s good. As for revenge, don''t worry, I''ve already got the brothers in the novice area looking for him. Once they find him, they''ll take the opportunity to take him down for you."


    "Thank you, boss! You''re the best!"


    ...


    With Sister Yu of North City''s promotion, Lin Feng''s game name quickly spread online.


    Terms like treacherous scoundrel, despicable, shameless, ambusher, and thief were all associated with Lin Feng.


    Many of Sister Yu''s loyal fans vowed to dig three feet deep to find and eliminate Lin Feng.


    Lin Yanfeng''s name also gained some online fame.


    But Lin Feng himself was completely unaware.


    At this moment, he was comfortably getting up from a premium room at Tongfu Inn, having Li Dazui prepare breakfast for him. After eating his fill, he headed to the Yamen to collect his reward.


    Outside the Yamen, many players were queuing up to receive tasks.


    "Du Tian, killed 2 mountain bandits, rewarded with 2 taels of silver."


    "Yi Wushu, killed 3 mountain bandits, rewarded with 3 taels of silver."


    "Li Wangshan, killed 5 mountain bandits, rewarded with 5 taels of silver and one piece of common-grade equipment!"


    "Gao Qiqiang, killed 7 mountain bandits, rewarded with 7 taels of silver and one piece of medium-grade common equipment!"


    "Xu An, killed..."


    The bailiff announced each player''s achievements as he distributed the rewards.


    This gave the players who participated in the bandit suppression a great sense of satisfaction, as if they were a cut above the rest.


    The other onlooking players cast envious and jealous glances.


    "Damn, I shouldn''t have run away back then."


    "Who wouldn''t say so? I was scared and ran off yesterday too."


    "Just killing a couple of mountain bandits is worth my savings for months. This is the importance of seizing an opportunity!"


    "Forget it, if you die, it''s a huge loss. Boss Chen said, the greater the profit, the greater the risk. The safest way is to play it safe!"


    "True, but watching them get rewards is more painful than being killed."


    ...


    When it was Lin Feng''s turn, the bailiff, seeing it was him, announced in an admiring tone.


    "Lin Yanfeng, killed 18 mountain bandits, killed Third-in-Command Wang Yong, killed Second-in-Command Zeng Tiejun, the greatest contributor to this bandit suppression mission. Magistrate Lou has decided to reward Young Hero Lin with ten taels of gold, one piece of yellow-grade equipment, and one yellow-grade martial arts book as encouragement!"


    As soon as these words were spoken, the previously noisy Yamen square fell silent.


    It took several seconds for everyone to react, and they began asking those around them if they had heard wrong.


    "Ten taels of gold? Damn, this kid hit the jackpot!"


    "The money is one thing, but the yellow-grade equipment and martial arts are the key. How can a regular mission have such good rewards?"


    "It''s unfair, why does this kid get all the good stuff!"


    "Lin Yanfeng, that name sounds familiar... Oh, I remember now, this is the guy who ambushed and stole monsters, and killed Sister Yu of North City!"


    "Sister Yu said there''s a 500,000 Dragon Coin bounty on him."


    "A walking 500,000? I''m tempted, should we do it?"


    ...


    Listening to the discussions around him, Lin Feng immediately understood that Sister Yu had put a bounty on him, 500,000 Dragon Coins, quite wealthy indeed.


    However, he wasn''t too afraid. In his past life, the number of people who wanted him dead was countless, and he never took it seriously. If they weren''t convinced, he''d fight them.


    In reality, he was like this, let alone in a game.


    Lin Feng calmly accepted all the rewards handed to him by the bailiff, ten taels of gold in hand, feeling quite pleased.


    His total assets now approached fifteen taels of gold, equivalent to 150 taels of silver, making him a small fortune.


    Besides, Lin Feng focused on the other two rewards. First, the martial arts book, which turned out to be a blade technique of yellow grade.


    [Blade Technique]: Thunderbolt Blade Technique (Yellow Grade Lower)


    [Effect]: Basic Force +30 points, within the first 10 seconds, each strike can deal an additional 300 points of damage, after which the power reduces to 150 points.


    [Consumption]: Consumes 30 points of internal strength per second, cooldown time 60 seconds.


    [Condition]: Requires a comprehension of 30 points or above to learn.


    This blade technique had both obvious strengths and weaknesses, strong at the start and weak later.


    However, for fast-paced battles, this blade technique was quite effective, so Lin Feng naturally learned it without hesitation.


    The yellow-grade equipment was also a thoughtful gift from the Yamen¡ªa saber!


    [Weapon]: Bandit-Slaying Saber


    [Grade]: Yellow Grade Lower


    [Effect]: Force +45, Blade Technique Damage +5%, triggers an additional 200 points of bleeding effect after hitting the same enemy three times.


    Lin Feng was quite satisfied with these two rewards, it was his first time receiving a matching set of treasures, very considerate, five-star rating.


    "Thank you."


    "Young Hero Lin, no need to be polite. Magistrate Lou greatly admires you and has asked me to invite you to the Yamen at noon for a meeting."


    The bailiff was also very courteous, even a bit admiring.


    After all, being able to kill two mountain bandit leaders, such a person was definitely a master, no wonder the magistrate valued him.


    Hearing that Magistrate Lou wanted to meet him, Lin Feng was quite surprised.


    He didn''t expect that killing two leaders would earn him a personal meeting with Magistrate Lou.


    "No problem, I''ll be there on time."


    Lin Feng agreed and then turned to leave.


    As soon as he left, quite a few ''tails'' followed him.


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 Chapter 22 - Magistrate Lous Commission

    Lin Feng walked slowly down the road.


    He knew someone was following him, but he wasn''t in a hurry. Instead, he continued to pretend as if nothing was wrong.


    Before long, two people couldn''t hold back and launched a sneak attack from behind.


    The two drew their weapons and fiercely stabbed at Lin Feng''s back.


    It was as if Lin Feng had eyes on the back of his head; he accelerated and dodged their attack.


    Just as he was about to retaliate, Constable Xing and Yan Xiaoliu appeared.


    "What are you doing!"


    Constable Xing''s shout interrupted Lin Feng and left the two attackers stunned and at a loss.


    "You two are quite bold, daring to attack someone in broad daylight! And targeting Young Hero Lin, the hero who helped us fight the bandits. Xiaoliu, cuff them and take them back to the yamen for a thorough interrogation. Let''s see if they''re remnants of the mountain bandits!"


    Yan Xiaoliu immediately took out handcuffs and restrained the two on the spot, ignoring their pleas and attempts to talk their way out.


    "Young Hero Lin, are you alright?"


    Constable Xing approached Lin Feng, his attitude completely different from before.


    Lin Feng hadn''t expected such courtesy, but he quickly realized that Constable Xing was probably trying to curry favor with him.


    He was happy to make friends with Constable Xing and immediately clasped his hands in thanks, "Thank you, Constable Xing, for upholding justice."


    "Protecting the people is my duty, Young Hero Lin. No need to thank me. Besides, you killed two leaders yesterday, which was a great help to us. We haven''t even thanked you yet."


    "All in the name of eliminating evil for the people, no need for thanks."


    "Well said! Young Hero Lin, such noble awareness! Admirable!"


    [Ding! Constable Xing''s favorability towards you has increased by 20 points! Current relationship: Friendly!]


    Seeing the relationship improve so quickly, Lin Feng grew curious and pointed to the two cuffed players, asking, "Constable Xing, what will happen to these two?"


    "They''ll naturally be imprisoned. Attacking someone on the street with intent to rob and kill warrants thirty lashes and a prison term of six months to two years according to the law!"


    Lin Feng was pleased and immediately requested, "That''s great, Constable Xing, don''t let them off lightly."


    "Since Young Hero Lin says so, there''s no problem. Two years, for sure!"Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Constable Xing''s words made the two players'' faces turn pale, as if they had lost their parents.


    In The Grand Martial World, if you''re sentenced to prison, it''s real; not a minute less.


    Unless you have the ability to defeat the jailer and escape, you''ll have to hope for a general amnesty or find a powerful backer to rescue you.


    Otherwise, you''ll just have to sit tight in prison.


    Hearing they would be locked up for two years, the two almost cried, desperately begging Lin Feng for mercy, even kneeling.


    Two years! For players like them with no background or strength, it meant being sidelined for two years.


    Who would want to log in just to watch the scenery from prison? They might as well sleep.


    Lin Feng didn''t even blink at their pleas, let alone intervene.


    And so, the two were taken away by Yan Xiaoliu.


    The other players who had been watching from nearby were relieved. Luckily, they hadn''t acted, or they would have ended up like those two buddies.


    Being locked up for two years on the novice map... that''s too tragic...


    This also made other players who were planning to ambush Lin Feng reconsider, at least while he was still in Seven Heroes Town.


    To thank Constable Xing, Lin Feng took him to Tongfu Inn and ordered a table full of dishes. The two drank and exchanged compliments, becoming sworn brothers by the end of the meal.


    "Little brother, if you ever need my help in Seven Heroes Town, just let me know. And when you meet Magistrate Lou, put in a good word for me, will you?"


    "Rest assured, big brother. It''s a small favor, and I''ll definitely praise you in front of Magistrate Lou."


    "Haha, that''s great. Well, I have official duties to attend to, so I''ll take my leave. Let''s keep in touch."


    After Constable Xing left, Lin Feng checked the time, surprised that their meal had lasted almost an hour.


    It was almost noon, so he got up to head to the yamen, with Guo Qiangwei following him out.


    "Big Brother Lin, where are you going? Take me with you?"


    Before Lin Feng could answer, Guo Furong had already rushed out.


    "Guo Qiangwei, who told you to talk to him? Come back with me right now."


    "Sister, what are you doing? This is Big Brother Lin, he saved me. How can you treat my benefactor like this?"


    "I can''t explain it to you, but this guy is no good. Stay away from him and come back with me."


    And so, Guo Qiangwei was forcibly dragged back by Guo Furong, leaving Lin Feng feeling both amused and helpless.


    It seemed their prejudice against him hadn''t diminished at all.


    Upon arriving at the yamen, the bailiffs on duty greeted him with smiles and respectfully led him inside.


    The players still following Lin Feng were envious. They wanted to enter the yamen too, but were chased away whenever they got close.


    If they caused a scene, they risked being charged with disrupting the court and getting a beating.


    Led by the bailiff, Lin Feng arrived at the yamen''s meeting hall. As soon as he sat down, someone brought him tea and snacks, asking him to wait a moment.


    Before long, a slightly chubby man in official robes entered the hall, smiling, "You must be Lin Yanfeng. A hero at such a young age."


    Lin Feng stood up to return the greeting, and they exchanged pleasantries.


    But after only a few words, Magistrate Lou''s tone suddenly turned sharp and serious.


    "I heard that during the bandit suppression on Cuiwei Mountain, you not only killed many bandits but also several righteous fighters involved in the operation?"


    "Do you realize this is considered wanton killing of innocents, and by law, you should be imprisoned and executed after the autumn harvest?"


    Lin Feng''s heart skipped a beat, never expecting Magistrate Lou to know about this.


    His mind raced, ready to take Magistrate Lou hostage and escape Seven Heroes Town if necessary.


    Prison was not an option, nor was execution.


    At worst, he''d go on a killing spree, fighting to the bitter end like in his previous life.


    However, Magistrate Lou didn''t order his arrest. Instead, he calmly said, "You don''t need to worry. If I wanted to arrest you, I wouldn''t be giving you a reward."


    "What does the County Magistrate mean by this?"


    Magistrate Lou smiled, took a sip of tea, and replied, "You didn''t commit the crime in Seven Heroes Town; it was a martial world conflict. Those righteous fighters you killed weren''t from this town. I can choose to see it or not."


    Lin Feng instantly understood; this guy was likely using it as leverage to get him to do something.


    "County Magistrate, just say what you need. As long as I can do it."


    "Haha, talking to a smart person is easy."


    Magistrate Lou then whispered, "I need you to do something for me: find out where the missing official silver from the yamen has gone."


    "Investigate the silver?" Lin Feng was puzzled.


    Magistrate Lou sighed and said, "This month, the yamen''s treasury has been repeatedly robbed of official silver, with losses exceeding three thousand taels. I want you to find out who did it and bring them to justice."


    "Why doesn''t the County Magistrate have the constables investigate?" Lin Feng was curious.


    "Sigh, it''s all for the sake of my political record. If I inform the constables, it will surely be reported. Right now, the Imperial Court is evaluating officials. If they find out about this, the Prefect will think I''m incompetent, and the position I have my eye on will be out of reach."


    "Moreover, I secretly had my trusted aides investigate before. This time, the thieves left no trace. Even if I send the constables, they''re unlikely to find anything."


    "Today, I''ve already handed out so much silver as rewards. The yamen is out of money. If I don''t catch the culprit and recover the silver soon, I''ll have no choice but to report it."


    [Ding! Hidden quest in Seven Heroes Town triggered! Investigate the missing official silver! Accept?]


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 Chapter 23 - On the Temptation of the Immunity Medal for Lao Bai

    **[Yamen Task]: Magistrate Lou''s Entrustment**


    **[Task Content]: Retrieve the stolen official silver and capture the thief within five days.**


    **[Task Difficulty]: Hard**


    **[Task Reward]: Government Identity Token*1, Custom Government Equipment*1 set, Jianghu Reputation +500 points**


    Seeing the task details, Lin Feng knew it was going to be challenging.


    After all, retrieving the official silver within five days and capturing the culprit was undoubtedly a daunting task.


    But he also understood that if he didn''t accept, Magistrate Lou would arrest him for murder.


    He had no choice unless he wanted to escape the control of the Imperial Court and develop in the wild, but that was the last resort.


    "Alright, I''ll take it."


    "Very well, I await your good news."


    Leaving the yamen, Lin Feng pondered continuously on how to find the official silver.


    But he quickly had an idea, which was to ask Bai Zhantang for help.


    As the Saint of Thieves, he had a natural insight and expertise in dealing with thieves.


    But would Bai Zhantang be willing to help him?


    "No way! Brat, you''re dreaming if you think I''ll help you! I''d rather die than help you!"


    Sure enough, as soon as Lin Feng returned to the inn and made the request, Bai Zhantang mercilessly refused.


    "What conditions do you have? You can state them." Lin Feng was still unwilling to give up.


    Bai Zhantang''s attitude remained unchanged: "Nothing you say will make me help you."


    "Helping me is also helping the yamen. I''m doing a good deed. Think about it."


    "Heh, helping others, sure, but helping you, no way. Don''t think you can threaten me with your status. If you push me, I''ll take you down first and then go on the run."


    Bai Zhantang even started humming a tune happily.


    Lin Feng was amused and frustrated, not expecting to have caused him such psychological harm.


    "Brother Bai, please help Big Brother Lin. He''s doing this to catch the thief and benefit the people."


    Guo Qiangwei, although aware of Lin Feng''s past actions, still had a favorable impression of him.


    Strangely, she seemed to like him even more, proving that women are indeed mysterious creatures.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Unfortunately, Guo Qiangwei''s words had no effect. Bai Zhantang was determined not to help, and even Tong Xiangyu''s persuasion was useless.


    Others merely watched coldly, some even gloating at Lin Feng''s predicament.


    Bai Zhantang was convinced that Lin Feng couldn''t hold anything over him anymore, and his singing grew louder, "Waves in the waves~~"


    Lin Feng wasn''t discouraged by this.


    He then presented an irresistible temptation to Bai Zhantang.


    "If you help me with this task, I''ll give you a pardon token, so you won''t have to worry about your identity anymore."


    Bai Zhantang, who had been singing, suddenly stopped, but the next second, he burst into laughter.


    "Brat, aren''t you afraid of spraining your back with such big talk? How could you possibly get a pardon token?"


    Lin Feng didn''t forget his previous bluffing and said seriously, "I can''t get a death exemption token, but a pardon token is entirely possible. Don''t forget, Department Six has that authority. If you don''t believe me, you can ask Little Guo. Her father also has the power to issue pardon tokens."


    Bai Zhantang immediately looked at Guo Furong.


    Guo Furong nodded unexpectedly, "You know about this?"


    "Little Guo, is he telling the truth?"


    "Uh, it''s true. My father does have that authority, but there''s only one token available each year, and the criminal can''t have committed heinous crimes like murder or arson."


    "Oh my, why didn''t you say so earlier? Little Guo, can you ask your father to issue one for me?"


    "What are you thinking? My father doesn''t even know where I am. How could I dare to provoke him? Besides, do you want my father to know your identity?"


    "This..."


    Bai Zhantang was momentarily speechless, then looked at Lin Feng, "Are you sure you can get it?"


    "I can definitely get you a pardon token."


    Lin Feng''s tone was firm.


    Though his promise seemed like an empty check, he knew exactly what the other party wanted.


    If Lin Feng offered him Heaven Grade martial arts, divine weapons, or a fortune in gold and silver, Bai Zhantang would scoff.


    But mention a pardon token, and his eyes would light up with excitement.


    Having watched "My Own Swordsman," Lin Feng knew how much Bai Zhantang treasured the pardon token once he got it, even valuing it more than Tong Xiangyu.


    Lin Feng''s words hit him right in the heart.


    Strike where it hurts, catch the adulterer in the act.


    "The Grand Martial World" was different from ordinary online games, which were rigid and mechanical. Its charm lay in its realism, not necessarily completing objectives through repetitive tasks.


    You could use any means to achieve your goals.


    Because every NPC here had flesh, blood, and thoughts.


    Grasping the opponent''s weaknesses and desires, even getting something for nothing wasn''t impossible.


    Didn''t Lin Feng previously bluff his way to two Profound Grade secret manuals with just his words?


    "Why should I trust you? What if you go back on your word?"


    Bai Zhantang was still uneasy.


    Though he hadn''t agreed yet, Lin Feng knew he was more than halfway to success. This was the advantage of knowing the plot, heh heh heh~


    "First, my father now has power comparable to Hero Guo, so he has the capability. Second, helping me is also helping the people and the yamen, so you won''t lose out. Third, with your lightness skill and abilities, if I go back on my word, you can always hunt me down."


    Lin Feng added, "Imagine, once you have the pardon token, you''ll no longer live in fear, worrying about being imprisoned and unable to give Shopkeeper Tong happiness. You can boldly pursue her, live together until old age, and retire from the martial world as a couple of immortals. Wouldn''t that be wonderful?"


    These words completely broke down Bai Zhantang''s inner defenses. Wasn''t this the life he had always dreamed of?


    Moreover, Lin Feng was right. Helping him was also doing a good deed for the people, and even if Lin Feng broke his promise, he wouldn''t lose anything.


    Besides, if he bet correctly, he could live worry-free from then on!


    "Alright, I''ll help you this time!"


    Hearing this, Lin Feng responded happily, "This is the wisest choice you''ll ever make. I, Lin, guarantee you''ll get the pardon token."


    He said Bai Zhantang would definitely get it because he knew the subsequent plot.


    Bai Sanniang would ask for the token for her son, so his words weren''t wrong, though it had nothing to do with him...


    Night fell.


    Lin Feng and Bai Zhantang appeared in the yamen''s storeroom.


    Lin Feng''s ability to freely enter and exit the yamen, even the storeroom, made Bai Zhantang more convinced of his strong background, boosting his confidence in getting the pardon token.


    **[Ding! Bai Zhantang''s dislike for you -20 points! Current relationship: -10 Disdain!]**


    Lin Feng almost laughed out loud at this unexpected effect.


    Old Bai, oh Old Bai, handling you is a piece of cake.


    "So, did you find anything?"


    After Bai Zhantang''s search, he bit his finger, furrowed his brows, pondered for a moment, then suddenly relaxed.


    "This storeroom has no traces of thieves, the locks are intact, there''s no tunnel, and the roof shows no signs of tampering. It''s highly likely an inside job, maybe a thief crying ''stop thief.''"


    "Are you sure?" Lin Feng was skeptical.


    Bai Zhantang sneered, "Don''t doubt my expertise. Besides, this isn''t anything new. Years ago, I set my sights on a Nine Dragons Cup at a general''s residence, left a note saying I''d steal it, but before I even went, the cup was already stolen."


    "Later, I found out the general himself hid the cup and falsely claimed I stole it, reporting it to the Imperial Court and demanding compensation. I was wrongfully blamed."


    "You didn''t defend yourself?" Lin Feng asked amusedly.


    Bai Zhantang rolled his eyes, "I''m a thief, he''s a general. How could I defend myself? Would the court believe him or me? I''d probably end up in the dungeon if I showed up."


    "No worries, you only steal. At most, you''d be jailed for thirty to fifty years."


    "Get lost!"


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 Chapter 24 - Infamous Bandit

    Under Bai Zhantang''s investigation, it was basically confirmed that this was an inside job.


    "Do you think it could be Magistrate Lou himself who stole it?" Bai Zhantang speculated.


    Lin Feng denied it, "No, he''s obsessed with power, not money. He wouldn''t jeopardize his career for such a small amount."


    "That''s true. Magistrate Lou has always had a good reputation, upright and honest, not the type to do such a thing."


    Lin Feng thought for a moment and said, "I think it must be either the bailiff or the steward guarding the place. Tomorrow, I''ll ask Magistrate Lou who has free access to the warehouse. Whoever does is the most suspicious."


    The next day, Lin Feng went to Magistrate Lou to explain the situation.


    Magistrate Lou was shocked upon hearing it and immediately sent people to arrest his advisor.


    Because only he and the advisor had the keys to the warehouse.


    The advisor confessed shortly after being caught, admitting it was his doing.


    Just when Lin Feng thought the task was easily completed, the advisor tearfully revealed that he was coerced, only responsible for opening the door, while someone else stole the government silver.


    "It was a group of vicious men, over a dozen of them, all skilled in martial arts and fierce-looking. I didn''t want to agree, but they kidnapped my young son and threatened to kill him if I didn''t help. I had no choice."


    Magistrate Lou was furious, slamming the table as he stood up, "How outrageous, daring to threaten an official! I will make them pay!"


    Then he shifted the responsibility to Lin Feng, "Young Hero Lin, I entrust this matter to you. Please capture all five of them, dead or alive. Of course, I''ll arrange a team of bailiffs to assist you in retrieving the silver. Remember, you have four days left."


    Lin Feng was speechless, this guy really didn''t leave any room for negotiation, five days meant five days.


    For the reward, Lin Feng could only pinch his nose and agree.


    Back at the inn, Lin Feng discussed the matter of catching the thieves with Bai Zhantang.


    "Haven''t I already helped you find out? Why do I still have to help you catch the thieves? Besides, the thieves have already run off, where are we supposed to catch them?" Bai Zhantang said reluctantly.


    "Do you still want the immunity token or not?"


    "Catch them! Even if they run to the ends of the earth, I''ll go with you to bring them back!"


    As long as he heard about the immunity token, Bai Zhantang had no bottom line.


    Lin Feng thought for a moment and said, "Catching them isn''t difficult. The advisor can contact them, but these people are scattered. The advisor can only contact one of them. We can use this to our advantage, have him send a message to the thieves saying that another large batch of government silver has arrived at the yamen. If they''re greedy, they''ll regroup and act again. If not, we''ll take them down one by one."This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "Alright, don''t forget to get me that immunity token once it''s done!"


    Bai Zhantang reminded.


    The plan was quickly set in motion, with the advisor spreading the message.


    Then a team of bailiffs pushed a dozen empty boxes, pretending they were a new batch of government silver, escorting them back to the yamen.


    This way, the thieves would likely believe it.


    Lin Feng and Bai Zhantang began staking out outside the warehouse every night.


    On the first and second nights, there was no sign of the thieves.


    Until the third night, Bai Zhantang, who was resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.


    "Kid, they''re here."


    Lin Feng immediately perked up, his Bandit-Slaying Saber already in hand.


    The two lay on the rooftop, watching as over a dozen shadows climbed over the yamen wall and approached the warehouse to open the door.


    "Move!"


    Lin Feng shouted.


    In an instant, the pitch-black courtyard was brightly lit.


    Over thirty constables appeared throughout the courtyard, surrounding the group of black-clothed men, led by Constable Xing.


    "Hahaha, another chance to earn merit. Young Hero Lin is really something, not forgetting me when there''s a good opportunity."


    Old Xing laughed and shouted for them to drop their weapons and surrender.


    "Damn, we''ve been tricked, it''s a trap!"


    "That damn advisor, I''ll kill his whole family when I get back!"


    "Stop talking, let''s get out of here first."


    "Brothers, fight our way out, meet at the usual place."


    The leader finished speaking and suddenly made a move, flicking his left hand as a steel needle shot out from his fingertips, hitting a constable between the eyes and killing him instantly.


    "It''s a hidden weapon!"


    Bai Zhantang frowned, his expression turning serious.


    "Are they strong opponents?"


    It was Lin Feng''s first time seeing martial arts involving hidden weapons, having only read about them in novels before.


    "Very strong. To shoot a steel needle with internal strength and such precision, either their internal strength is extremely powerful, or they''re highly skilled in hidden weapon techniques."


    Before he could think further, the dozen or so black-clothed men all made their moves.


    Each one was agile, their actions swift and powerful, clearly all trained fighters.


    In just a few rounds, seven or eight constables were already down.


    "We have to help, or they''ll all die here."


    Without waiting for Lin Feng''s orders, Bai Zhantang jumped down to join the battle.


    Lin Feng didn''t hesitate either, leaping down with his saber, catching a black-clothed man off guard and decapitating him with a single strike!


    "Critical hit! -2520x200%! Decapitation!"


    "You killed Infamous Bandit x1, rewarded with 500 experience points, Jianghu reputation +5 points."


    Seeing the notification, Lin Feng realized these people weren''t just thieves, but Infamous Bandits!


    No wonder the task difficulty was marked as hard.


    These dozen or so Infamous Bandits would be difficult to handle even for a typical third-rate expert.


    Fortunately, he had Bai Zhantang, a master, to assist.


    And Bai Zhantang was indeed holding off three men by himself, the Saint of Thieves'' strength was not to be underestimated.


    Taking advantage of this, Lin Feng transformed into a killing god, charging into the crowd, his saber rising and falling, each strike taking down an enemy.


    With the Bandit-Slaying Saber and Thunderbolt Blade Technique, his force reached a high of 352 points.


    This damage was enough to deal with these unranked enemies, taking them down with a single strike!


    However, Lin Feng didn''t forget his low defense, so he didn''t dare to be too reckless, opting for sneak attacks whenever possible instead of direct confrontations.


    With his and Bai Zhantang''s involvement, Constable Xing and his men felt less pressure, and the battle was no longer one-sided.


    Lin Feng killed another, making it the fourth to die by his hand.


    There were seventeen Infamous Bandits in total, about ten of whom were unranked, while the remaining seven were skilled fighters.


    Lin Feng first picked off the weaklings, taking them down one by one. Just as he was about to target a third, a ring-headed saber came whistling towards him.


    Fortunately, he reacted quickly, dodging it with a stumble.


    The attacker was a burly man, his arms under his black clothes as thick as tree trunks, radiating explosive power.


    Seeing Lin Feng dodge his attack, the burly man was surprised.


    "Kid, you''ve killed several of our men, leave your life here."


    The burly man said in a muffled voice, then charged like a fierce tiger.


    As he approached, the ring-headed saber in his hand hummed, aiming to take Lin Feng''s head.


    Confident in his own strength, Lin Feng wasn''t intimidated, countering with a slash!


    Clang!


    The two weapons clashed, sparks flying, the sound of metal against metal sharp and deadly.


    The burly man was sent flying, his face full of shock, staring at Lin Feng in disbelief.


    This seemingly frail-looking kid had more strength than him? Impossible!


    Lin Feng wasn''t feeling great either, though his strength surpassed his opponent''s, his arm was still numb from the impact.


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 Chapter 25 - Born Seven Brothers

    He took a moment to check the opponent''s attributes.


    [Infamous Bandit: Tiansheng Wu]


    [Strength: Quasi Third Rate]


    [Level: 28]


    [Vitality: 3650/3800]


    [Internal Strength: 730/825]


    [Physique: 180]


    [Force: 165]


    [Defense: 140]


    [Agility: 131]


    [Weapon: Ring-hilted Saber]


    [Martial Arts: Mountain-Cleaving Blade Technique (Common - Lower), Earth Slash (Common - Middle)]


    [Internal Energy: Strong Blood Sutra (Yellow - Middle)]


    [Lightness Skill: Basic Lightness Skill]


    Very strong!


    The Tiansheng Wu before him was much stronger than Wang Yong, whom he had slain earlier.


    Especially his vitality, nearly four thousand, almost three times that of Lin Feng.


    This was likely due to his internal energy cultivation.


    Internal energy mainly trains the physique and directly increases vitality, which is why martial arts experts must master a powerful internal energy technique.


    High vitality and deep internal strength are essential attributes for a master.


    After understanding the opponent''s general strength, Lin Feng became more cautious.


    After all, he hadn''t learned any internal energy techniques, and if he wasn''t careful, taking one or two hits could be fatal.


    Lin Feng had to ensure he could take down this big guy without sustaining much damage.


    With this in mind, Lin Feng adjusted his breathing and struck first, his figure darting out like a ghost, heading straight for Tiansheng Wu.


    Tiansheng Wu didn''t expect Lin Feng to be not only powerful but also incredibly fast.


    "How is this possible? This kid''s aura clearly doesn''t even reach quasi third rate?"


    Tiansheng Wu was shocked, but there was no time to think as Lin Feng was already upon him, forcing him to focus entirely on the fight.


    The two clashed again, their blades colliding in mid-air, each clash accompanied by a metallic roar and flying sparks.


    "Mountain-Cleaving Blade Technique!"


    Tiansheng Wu shouted, and the power of his long saber instantly increased by several degrees.


    Lin Feng merely sneered; common-grade blade techniques were nothing to him.


    "Thunderbolt Blade Technique!"You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    He immediately unleashed his trump card.


    With the Thunderbolt Blade Technique, Lin Feng felt his hand tremble with excitement as he gripped the saber, the Bandit-Slaying Saber seemed to sense the power, transforming into a blade light!


    With just one strike, it seemed capable of tearing through iron and stone.


    Tiansheng Wu wanted to withstand it, but as the blade fell, his ring-hilted saber let out a mournful cry, a crack appearing on the blade.


    Before he could catch his breath, Lin Feng''s second strike had already fallen!


    The Thunderbolt Blade Technique was strongest in the first three strikes!


    Tiansheng Wu dared not take it head-on, forced to raise his saber to block again, only to find his weapon couldn''t withstand it any longer and shattered with a sound!


    Seeing his treasured saber destroyed, Tiansheng Wu turned pale with fear, hurriedly trying to retreat.


    But Lin Feng''s third strike seemed to require no pause.


    Slash!


    Tiansheng Wu''s shoulder was hit, the blade leaving a massive gash, blood gushing out.


    "-2320!"


    Ah! Tiansheng Wu cried out in pain, but fear overwhelmed the pain!


    Lin Feng''s monstrous damage, one strike taking half his life, who could withstand that?


    Terrified of dying, Tiansheng Wu panicked, losing his will to fight, instinctively wanting to run to his brothers for protection.


    "Big brother, save me..."


    "Weak Point Attack! -2320x150%! Executed!"


    But how could Lin Feng let him get away, chasing him down and stabbing from behind, the blade tip piercing through Tiansheng Wu''s spine, emerging from his chest.


    "You killed a quasi third rate expert x1, gained 1500 experience points, and 40 points of martial reputation!"


    "Congratulations on reaching level 19, all combat attributes +2 points, awarded 10 free attribute points."


    Tiansheng Wu''s eyes widened in disbelief as he fell.


    "Old Wu!!!"


    The leader, still entangled with Bai Zhantang, wanted to rush to help at the first sign of Tiansheng Wu''s plea, but turning back, he witnessed a scene that filled him with grief.


    The others also realized Tiansheng Wu''s death.


    "Fifth Brother!"


    "Fifth Brother!"


    "Damn officials, give me back my brother''s life!!!"


    Seeing a sworn brother fall, the remaining six experts went berserk, their attacks becoming even more vicious.


    The leader was about to avenge Old Wu, but Bai Zhantang stubbornly held him back.


    "Big brother, you don''t need to act, why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, I''ll go with Sixth Brother to kill him!"


    Two black-clothed men stepped forward.


    The leader warned, "Sixth Brother, Seventh Brother, be careful, this kid might have some skills."


    "Hmph! Big brother, you''re overestimating him, this scoundrel must have caught Fifth Brother off guard, watch how I skin him alive to honor Fifth Brother''s spirit!"


    With that, the two charged at Lin Feng.


    Bai Zhantang couldn''t help but warn, "Kid, be careful!"


    "Just worry about yourself."


    Lin Feng remained calm, his eyes sharp as a sword, the Bandit-Slaying Saber in his hand once again exuding a bloodthirsty desire.


    The two black-clothed men quickly approached, both wielding short swords, working in perfect harmony, their speed incredibly fast, reaching him in the blink of an eye.


    Cold light flickered, the sword edges gleaming.


    Lin Feng didn''t rush to strike, instead relying on slashes to repel their combined attack, then retreated several meters to create distance.


    The two, eager for revenge, refused to give Lin Feng a chance to breathe, immediately closing in again with their swords.


    Lin Feng blocked with his saber, but the combined force of the two pushed him back several steps, his expression unchanged, still choosing to avoid fighting.


    Seeing him only running away, the two became more convinced that this kid had no real skills, immediately lowering their guard.


    One of them attacked even more recklessly, rushing in ahead of his partner.


    Lin Feng seized the opportunity, like a long-dormant viper suddenly striking, ducking under the opponent''s sword edge while gripping the saber hilt with both hands, thrusting with all his might!


    The move was so fast that even the partner behind couldn''t catch up in time.


    Thud!


    The sharp blade mercilessly pierced through the black-clothed man''s chest, the force almost burying the hilt.


    "Weak Point Attack! -2955x150%! Executed!"


    "You killed a quasi third rate expert x1, gained 900 experience points, and 20 points of martial reputation!"


    Though this man''s strength was also quasi third rate, he was far inferior to Tiansheng Wu, and without internal energy cultivation, his vitality was less than two thousand, falling to Lin Feng''s single strike.


    "Brother!!! You scoundrel, I''ll kill you!"


    The man behind, seeing his own brother brutally killed, was filled with grief and rage, losing all reason, charging at Lin Feng with his sword.


    But Lin Feng had no time to retrieve his saber, decisively abandoning it.


    Yet he remained unusually calm, his gaze fixed on the opponent''s movements.


    As the man''s sword was about to fall, Lin Feng seized the moment, channeling all his strength into his shoulder, ramming into the opponent!


    "Iron Mountain Lean!"


    Bang!


    The man was sent flying by the immense force, and before he could steady himself, Lin Feng flashed forward, punching him in the throat!


    A cracking sound came from the throat, the man bleeding from all seven orifices as he fell dead.


    The swift and clean resolution of the two men greatly boosted the morale of all the bailiffs.


    "Well done, Young Hero Lin!"


    "Young Hero Lin is mighty!"


    "My goodness, Young Brother Lin is so cool~~"


    The officials were elated, but the infamous bandits were now furious.


    "Sixth Brother, Seventh Brother!!!"


    The leader, now completely enraged, disregarded Bai Zhantang''s attacks, trading injury for injury, pushing Bai Zhantang back with a palm strike, then charging directly at Lin Feng.


    Injured, he became even more brutal, killing bailiffs with his bare hands as he advanced.


    But he merely tossed aside the heart, his target solely Lin Feng.


    "Kid, run!"


    Bai Zhantang, realizing the danger, urgently called for Lin Feng to flee, knowing Lin Feng had lightness skill, and could still escape.


    "Run? Ha!"


    The leader sneered, and before Lin Feng could act, he suddenly shot several steel needles from his hand!


    The steel needles were incredibly fast, almost invisible even in daylight, and now in the dark, they were completely undetectable, only faintly audible as they pierced the air.


    Lin Feng was on high alert, unable to see the steel needles'' direction, relying solely on instinct to dodge.


    He successfully avoided two, but one needle still pierced his arm.


    "-1080!"


    "You''ve been attacked! You can view the opponent''s attribute interface!"


    The steel needle''s force was immense, piercing through his entire arm, even embedding into the wall behind.


    Lin Feng felt a chill down his spine, a wave of fear washing over him.


    His current vitality was only 1500 points; if the needle had struck his head or other vital areas, triggering a critical hit, he would have died instantly.


    To make matters worse, Lin Feng suddenly felt a wave of dizziness.


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 Chapter 26 - Fight Third Rate Experts!

    "You have been poisoned!"


    "Poisoned: Lose 10 health points per second! Lasts for 60 seconds!"


    "Due to your toxin antibodies, health loss reduced to 7 points."


    Upon receiving this notification, Lin Feng realized that the steel needle was also poisoned!


    This was truly a case of misfortune never coming alone.


    Just the poison alone could cost him over 400 health points.


    His total health was 1,500, and he had already lost 1,000 from the stab earlier. Wasn''t he doomed to die now?


    Lin Feng felt a bit panicked. He had previously researched online that there were generally three ways to deal with poisoning in "The Grand Martial World."


    The first was to use internal energy to control the spread of the toxin, and those with profound internal energy could even eliminate or expel the toxin, which was quite effective.


    But the premise was that the toxin wasn''t strong and didn''t last long; otherwise, no matter how deep your internal energy was, you couldn''t withstand it. Moreover, this method required full concentration without any distractions.


    Lin Feng was still in battle, so he couldn''t afford to be distracted to detoxify.


    The second method was rather grim: stopping the spread of the toxin through bloodletting or amputation, but your severed limb wouldn''t regenerate afterward. This was the most extreme method, and generally, no one would use it.


    The last method was to rely on medication for detoxification, such as detoxification elixirs or specific herbal baths, or using poison to counteract poison, which could also neutralize the toxin.


    But at the moment, Lin Feng couldn''t use any of these methods.


    Amputation? He feared that cutting off his hand would cause more blood loss than the pain from the poison needle...


    Fortunately, Lin Feng wasn''t without options. He quickly took out the remaining Blood Restoration Pills and stuffed the last three into his mouth.


    This was a desperate measure, relying on the restored health to offset the health loss from the poison.


    However, the healing time required ten minutes, and he could only ensure that he wouldn''t take any more damage afterward; otherwise, even the elixirs might not save him.


    Lin Feng took a deep breath. Having hovered on the brink of life and death countless times, his mindset was as steady as an old dog, and he didn''t panic.


    If he panicked every time he encountered danger, he would have died eight hundred times as a top mercenary.


    On the contrary, this extreme sense of impending death stimulated all his organs and nerves into a state of hyperactivity, with adrenaline surging.


    Lin Feng steadied his mind and quickly glanced at the opponent''s attribute interface. What he saw was astonishing.


    [Infamous Bandit: Tiansheng Yi]


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    [Strength: Third Rate Expert]


    [Level: 35]


    [Vitality: 5750/6500]


    [Internal Strength: 1825/2500]


    [Physique: 240]


    [Force: 265]


    [Defense: 215]


    [Agility: 220]


    [Hidden Weapon: Flying Needle Technique (Mysterious¡¤Intermediate)]


    [Martial Arts: Cold Yin Arrow Palm (Yellow¡¤Upper), Minor Grappling Hand (Yellow¡¤Intermediate), Poison Sand Palm (Yellow¡¤Lower), Iron Broom Leg Technique (Common¡¤Intermediate)... Total of seven martial arts]


    [Internal Energy: Pure Yang Heart Sutra (Yellow¡¤Upper), Breathing Technique (Yellow¡¤Lower)]


    [Lightness Skill: Light Body Technique (Common¡¤Upper), Flying on Grass (Yellow¡¤Lower)]


    ...


    This was definitely the strongest enemy Lin Feng had encountered so far, excluding Bai Zhantang.


    He was almost certain that this Tiansheng Yi was much stronger than the Chief of the Black Wind Stronghold.


    Lin Feng couldn''t help but recall his previous regret of not having fought a Third Rate Expert on Cuiwei Mountain, and now it had come true so quickly, and the opponent was absurdly strong.


    No time for regrets, Tiansheng Yi was already closing in.


    Lin Feng didn''t dare to be careless and activated Treading on Snow Without a Trace in advance, maximizing his speed and movement technique.


    However, Tiansheng Yi''s lightness skill was also not weak. Although his lightness skill manual wasn''t as strong as Lin Feng''s, his attributes were high, and his agility was on par with Lin Feng''s.


    "Kid, do you think you can escape now? Go to hell!"


    With a low shout from Tiansheng Yi, his figure moved like lightning, and he struck with a fierce palm wind as he closed in on Lin Feng.


    Lin Feng didn''t dare to take it head-on and immediately dodged, but the opponent seemed to have anticipated this, and a hidden arrow shot out from his sleeve!


    Lin Feng''s eyes narrowed, and he could only rely on rolling on the ground to dodge. Although the posture was ungraceful, he managed to evade.


    He guessed that this must be the opponent''s ''Cold Yin Arrow Palm,'' damn it, so insidious!


    Lin Feng sprang to his feet, fully alert, knowing that running away was futile. He decided to stop running and channeled his internal energy into his palms, ready to fight fire with fire.


    The two exchanged palm techniques, engaging in several moves within a few breaths.


    Lin Feng''s Eight Trigrams Wandering Dragon Palm was all about sustained combat, so he wasn''t afraid and fought closely with Tiansheng Yi.


    Tiansheng Yi realized that his palm technique was inferior to the opponent''s. He initially thought that without a weapon, he could easily take down Lin Feng, but he didn''t expect him to be a palm technique expert.


    After a few more rounds, Tiansheng Yi''s palm technique showed signs of defeat, being pushed back by Lin Feng.


    Bang! Bang!


    "-1450!"


    "-1520!"


    With two consecutive hits, Lin Feng completely took control of the rhythm.


    Tiansheng Yi, in pain, wanted to give up the palm fight and create distance.


    His strongest skill wasn''t in hand-to-hand combat but in hidden weapons!


    As long as he could create distance, he was confident he could easily take Lin Feng down.


    But Lin Feng seemed to see through his intentions, sticking to him like a snake, not giving him any space to use hidden weapons.


    Tiansheng Yi was now frustrated.


    Want to retreat? Lin Feng was like a sticky plaster.


    Use lightness skill? Lin Feng''s lightness skill was even better, catching up in an instant.


    It was like a ranged class being stuck by a melee class, the most frustrating thing for a ranged player, unable to showcase their skills and getting beaten.


    Seeing himself getting hit continuously, Tiansheng Yi was furious.


    His right palm suddenly glowed with a golden hue, moving several times faster than before.


    "Poison Sand Palm!"


    As Tiansheng Yi struck, the palm wind carried a golden dust cloud.


    Lin Feng''s instincts told him that he couldn''t take this hit.


    He regretfully abandoned the fight and quickly retreated.


    Tiansheng Yi wasn''t angry when the palm missed, instead showing a mocking smile.


    "You''re already dead."


    As he spoke, Tiansheng Yi had already grabbed three steel needles from his waist and hurled them with internal energy!


    The steel needles vanished into the night, leaving only three faint sounds of breaking through the air.


    Faced with the same situation as before, Lin Feng knew he absolutely couldn''t get hit.


    At this moment, he noticed with his peripheral vision that there was a black-clothed person''s corpse right under his feet.


    Thinking quickly, he kicked the corpse into the air.


    The corpse blocked in front of him, and the three steel needles pierced through it.


    Although the needles still had power to continue flying, their speed was significantly reduced.


    Lin Feng was able to track the needle''s trajectory and successfully dodged!


    Tiansheng Yi''s expression froze, clearly not expecting Lin Feng to dodge in such a manner.


    This only fueled his killing intent. Without hesitation, he pulled out more steel needles.


    But Lin Feng had already moved to the side as Tiansheng Yi was drawing his needles, because...


    There was another corpse in this spot.


    Tiansheng Yi shot four steel needles this time, but Lin Feng repeated his trick, kicking the corpse at his feet towards Tiansheng Yi.


    The corpse flew through the air, catching all the steel needles. Although the needles pierced through, the corpse greatly reduced their kinetic energy.


    This allowed Lin Feng to detect their flight path and easily dodge, while simultaneously looking for the next corpse.


    Tiansheng Yi''s face turned dark, refusing to believe it, he kept pulling out and shooting steel needles.


    Lin Feng, as if playing soccer, kept kicking the corpses on the ground towards the opponent. For a moment, the corpses seemed to come back to life, flying through the air.


    Lin Feng wasn''t worried about running out of ''corpses.'' After all, so many people had died, and the courtyard was full of them.


    Whether it was the black-clothed people or the soldiers'' corpses, Lin Feng kicked them all without hesitation.


    He wouldn''t feel any qualms just because they were soldiers'' corpses.


    As long as it was useful, even if it were Magistrate Lou''s corpse, he''d do a Ronaldo-style bicycle kick.


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 Chapter 27 - 7-0 record can be verified!

    In the courtyard, others were locked in fierce combat, weapons clashing, blood and flesh mixing, the battle raging intensely.


    Only Lin Feng and Tiansheng Yi were engaged in a bizarre fight of their own.


    One was throwing hidden weapons, the other kicking corpses.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Thud thud thud!


    The bodies and flying needles created a discordant symphony in the courtyard.


    The scene was almost comical and amusing.


    Tiansheng Yi''s brothers looked on in confusion at their leader, wondering what kind of tactic this was.


    "Is this even possible?"


    Bai Zhantang was also dumbfounded.


    He had thought Lin Feng was certainly doomed, feeling a bit regretful.


    But in the next second, Lin Feng surprised him greatly¡ªno, it was more of a shock.


    Lin Feng appeared relaxed, while Tiansheng Yi was fuming with rage.


    He reached for his waist again, only to find he had run out of steel needles...


    Seeing that his opponent wasn''t attacking anymore, Lin Feng guessed he was out of ''bullets'' and immediately taunted him.


    "Didn''t bring enough steel needles, huh? Why not carry a few hundred more? This amount isn''t enough. Why don''t you go back and get more? I''ll wait here for you."


    As the notorious leader of infamous bandits, Tiansheng Yi had never been mocked like this by a young upstart.


    His anger reached its peak, and he roared, "Even without hidden weapons, I''ll tear you to pieces!"


    [Ding! Tiansheng Yi''s hatred towards you increased by 100 points! Current relationship: Extreme Hatred! No retreat, no surrender!]


    Lin Feng heard this notification and was not worried but rather delighted.


    The angrier the opponent, the more likely they were to lose their composure and reveal weaknesses!


    Sure enough, in his fury, Tiansheng Yi disregarded the use of hidden weapons and charged at Lin Feng again.


    Lin Feng had already retrieved his Bandit-Slaying Saber, and as the blade whirled, he unleashed the Thunderbolt Blade Technique once more!


    Tiansheng Yi, unarmed, dared not meet the blade with his bare body and had to keep dodging.


    But the Thunderbolt Blade Technique was no joke; the first two strikes missed, but the third landed squarely on Tiansheng Yi''s shoulder.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "-1690!"


    Tiansheng Yi was a tough character; despite the pain, he grabbed Lin Feng''s saber hilt with both hands.


    "Small Seizing Hand!"


    Seeing the situation turn against him, Lin Feng decisively let go of the saber, handing it to his opponent.


    Tiansheng Yi pulled the blade from his shoulder and, turning the tables, swung it at Lin Feng.


    But he knew nothing of blade techniques, his movements stiff and uncoordinated.


    Lin Feng dodged skillfully, not letting him touch even a corner of his clothes.


    Taking the opportunity, Lin Feng used the Eight Trigrams Wandering Dragon Palm again, leaving Tiansheng Yi dizzy and disoriented.


    Realizing the saber was a hindrance, Tiansheng Yi angrily discarded it.


    By now, Tiansheng Yi had completely lost his composure and calm.


    Pain, humiliation, and the death of his brothers had stripped him of his former expert demeanor.


    His only thought was to kill Lin Feng.


    But such frantic, wild punches were of no use against Lin Feng.


    Lin Feng only needed to keep dodging, using the Eight Trigrams Wandering Dragon Palm to pull and counterattack whenever Tiansheng Yi exposed a large opening.


    In this way, one side was frantically attacking with zero accuracy, while the other remained calm, striking with precision and a 100% hit rate.


    With such a disparity, Tiansheng Yi, a third-rate expert, couldn''t win a single move against Lin Feng.


    Finally, Lin Feng seized the moment, leaping up and striking Tiansheng Yi''s head with a palm.


    "Critical hit! -1400x200%! Palm kill!"


    "You killed a third-rate expert x1, rewarded with 3000 experience points, Jianghu reputation +100 points!"


    "Congratulations on reaching level 20, all combat attributes +2 points, rewarded with 10 free attribute points and 10 free talent points!"


    Tiansheng Yi died with disbelief in his eyes, unwillingly collapsing.


    With Tiansheng Yi''s death, the once fiercely fought courtyard fell silent.


    After a few moments, the silence was broken by a mournful cry.


    "Big brother!!!!"


    All the black-clothed men were in deep sorrow, especially the remaining three experts, who rushed forward regardless, embracing Tiansheng Yi''s body, crying loudly.


    "Big brother! We seven brothers grew up together in the orphanage, vowing to live and die together. How could you leave us first!"


    "Second brother! We must avenge big brother!"


    "Yes! Revenge!"


    The three, eyes bloodshot, laid Tiansheng Yi down and immediately searched for Lin Feng.


    By this time, Lin Feng had already slipped over to Bai Zhantang, even retrieving his Bandit-Slaying Saber.


    "Old Bai, you have to protect me."


    Bai Zhantang was still in shock.


    He never expected Lin Feng, who wasn''t even a quasi-third-rate, to single-handedly counter-kill Tiansheng Yi, a third-rate expert.


    Now, Tiansheng Yi''s brothers were charging, and without time to think, Bai Zhantang resumed fighting.


    But the three didn''t care about Bai Zhantang at all.


    "I''ll hold him off, second and third brothers, go avenge that kid!"


    Tiansheng Si risked everything to hold Bai Zhantang back.


    The other two rushed straight at Lin Feng.


    Seeing this, Lin Feng couldn''t help but curse, "Fing hell, they''re like a pack of mad dogs!"


    Killing one turned the others into maniacs, relentless in their pursuit.


    Facing such enemies was a headache, but fortunately, he had Bai Zhantang, a master, to back him up.


    Otherwise, relying on his own strength, he would have been in grave danger.


    As the two charged, Lin Feng decided to go all out. He retreated quickly, popping a Qi Condensation Pill to restore his internal strength.


    Meanwhile, he continued to taunt and provoke the two.


    "Your big brother was slaughtered by me. Do you think you two can be my match? Your big brother''s head exploded like a watermelon when I hit him. Do you want to follow in his footsteps?"


    Tiansheng San couldn''t bear it any longer and attacked first, rushing ahead. Tiansheng Er tried to stop him, but it was too late.


    Lin Feng smiled slightly, a victorious grin on his lips, and as Tiansheng San approached, he struck first with lightning speed, successfully hitting the opponent''s pressure point.


    Without hesitation, Lin Feng slashed at Tiansheng San''s neck!


    "No!!!"


    Tiansheng Er charged forward desperately, but it was too late!


    Tiansheng San''s head flew high, landing heavily, blood gushing from his neck.


    These two had been fighting Bai Zhantang for a long time and were already injured. Lin Feng''s single strike was too much for him, and he died on the spot!


    "Killed a quasi-third-rate expert x1, experience +1500 points, Jianghu reputation +30 points."


    "You bastard! I''ll kill you!!"


    Tiansheng Er went completely berserk, his longsword slashing towards Lin Feng''s head with thunderous force.


    Lin Feng ducked just in time, narrowly avoiding the strike, losing only half a lock of hair.


    Tiansheng Er missed and attacked again.


    But Lin Feng wouldn''t let him have his way. Activating Treading on Snow Without a Trace, he leaped into the air, bringing his saber down with full force!


    Tiansheng Er raised his sword to block, but his longsword couldn''t withstand Lin Feng''s immense force and broke in two.


    Even after breaking the sword, Lin Feng''s saber continued its momentum, severing Tiansheng Er''s arm.


    Weaponless and with a severed arm, Tiansheng Er was no match for him. In less than three moves, Lin Feng killed him too.


    "Killed a third-rate expert x1, experience +2500 points, Jianghu reputation +80 points!"


    "Congratulations on reaching level 21, all combat attributes +3 points, rewarded with 10 free attribute points!"


    After dealing with the two, Lin Feng set his sights on the last one, Tiansheng Si.


    At that moment, Tiansheng Si was immobilized by Bai Zhantang''s pressure point strike.


    Without hesitation, Lin Feng rushed over. Bai Zhantang tried to stop him, but Lin Feng didn''t listen and finished him with a single strike!


    "Killed a quasi-third-rate expert x1, experience +1300 points, Jianghu reputation +20 points!"


    Thus, all seven of the Tiansheng brothers perished at Lin Feng''s hands!


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 Chapter 28 - Yamen Consultant!

    "You were a bit too ruthless; there was no need to kill them. They were already subdued, handing them over to the authorities would have sufficed."


    Bai Zhantang pushed Lin Feng away, scolding him for being too heartless.


    After all, he was just the Saint of Thieves and had never killed anyone, so he felt a bit uneasy.


    Lin Feng chuckled and retorted, "You feel sympathy for their brotherly bond, but why don''t you think about those poor bailiffs they killed?"


    Bai Zhantang was momentarily speechless, looking at the ground littered with soldiers'' corpses, a wave of guilt and a deep sense of weariness towards the martial world surged in his heart.


    Lin Feng continued, "Do you think leaving one of them alive is merciful after the other six are dead? Wrong, it would only make him suffer more. The best way is to reunite him with his brothers."


    Bai Zhantang remained silent, knowing Lin Feng was right, yet unable to agree.


    After a long pause, he sighed, "Perhaps this is why I want to retire from the martial world; it''s not suitable for me."


    With the death of the Seven Brothers, the remaining infamous bandits lost their will to fight, surrendering or being killed.


    Lin Feng, while bending down to clean the battlefield, responded to Bai Zhantang without looking up.


    "You think the martial world isn''t for you because you haven''t truly fought with people, experienced life and death. If you had, you might not say that."


    "You''re wrong. Some people are just not suited for the martial world. I can''t even bear to kill a chicken, let alone a person. My martial arts may be good, but I can never be like you. Mercy doesn''t get you far in the martial world."


    "You''re right about that. Being merciful to enemies is being cruel to yourself. Survival in the martial world follows the law of the jungle."


    Bai Zhantang shook his head with a bitter smile, watching Lin Feng rummage through the bloody loot as if nothing had happened, feeling a sense of admiration.


    "You truly are suited for the martial world. Perhaps we were wrong about you before. Maybe you''ll make a name for yourself in the martial world."


    Lin Feng turned back with a smile, "Thanks, brother."


    Bai Zhantang said nothing more, only reminding Lin Feng not to forget his promise before disappearing from the courtyard.


    He didn''t need any credit or reward.


    After this incident, Bai Zhantang distanced himself even more from the martial world, wanting only to live a peaceful life with Shopkeeper Tong.


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Lin Feng, on the other hand, unceremoniously searched through the bodies of the Seven Brothers.


    To his surprise, the spoils were abundant, enough to fill his 50-pound backpack to the brim!


    "Young Hero Lin, Magistrate Lou is here!"


    Not long after the battle ended, Magistrate Lou arrived with his men, his heart pounding at the sight of the corpses scattered across the courtyard.


    Constable Xing recounted the battle''s brutality, leaving Magistrate Lou in a cold sweat.


    If Lin Feng hadn''t been there today, his men would likely have perished, and even he, the magistrate, might have faced dire consequences.


    "Thank you, Young Hero Lin. I knew you could do it. Haha, you''ve done a great service for Seven Heroes Town!"


    Magistrate Lou beamed with a smile.


    Lin Feng unceremoniously extended his hand, "Can you fulfill your promise now? Or do I have to help you find the stolen silver first?"


    "Of course not. I''ll interrogate the surrendered bandits, and we''ll find out soon enough. No need for you to worry, and I''ve already prepared something for you."


    With that, Magistrate Lou''s men presented a token and a set of clothes.


    Lin Feng first took the token.


    [Seven Heroes Town Yamen Consultant]: An officially certified token from the Imperial Court, Charisma +5 points, Reputation +200 points. Holding this token upgrades the attitude of Han officials on any map to friendly, allows for special handling of minor matters, and provides numerous conveniences such as waiving entry fees to unimportant towns.


    This token was quite useful, applicable beyond the novice map, and Lin Feng was very satisfied.


    Then he looked at the set of clothes, surprised to find it was a complete Bandit Suppression set, consisting of four pieces of equipment.


    Lin Feng thought to himself that the task was worth it, as the reward matched the risk.


    "Ding! You have collected all 5 pieces of the Bandit Suppression set. Wearing them will upgrade all equipment by one grade. If any piece is removed or lost, all equipment will revert to its original attributes."


    Lin Feng unceremoniously equipped all the items.


    [Bandit Suppression Saber]: Yellow Grade Medium, Force +60, Blade Technique Damage +8%, triggers an additional 600-point bleeding effect after hitting the same enemy three times.


    [Bandit Suppression Armor]: Yellow Grade Medium, Defense +55 points, Weak Point Protection +25%.


    [Bandit Suppression Boots]: Yellow Grade Low, Agility +55 points, Evasion +8%.


    [Bandit Suppression Belt]: Yellow Grade Low, Vitality +500 points, Health Recovery Speed +8%.


    [Bandit Suppression Bracers]: Yellow Grade Low, Internal Strength +200 points, Energy Recovery Speed +8%.


    A complete set of Yellow Grade Medium equipment, Lin Feng nodded in satisfaction.


    Magistrate Lou smiled, "Young Hero Lin, wearing this, you look impressive and extraordinary. This Bandit Suppression set is the best equipment in our yamen. Are you satisfied?"


    "Not bad, thank you, Magistrate. Since there''s nothing else, I''ll take my leave. You can take these bandits to claim your reward."


    "Hahaha, a win-win for both of us. Congratulations to us both."


    Lin Feng didn''t linger, turning to leave. To be cautious, he specifically asked Magistrate Lou to send a team to escort him.


    Not for any other reason, just to prevent those ''rat-like players'' outside from ambushing him.


    Magistrate Lou agreed without hesitation to this small request.


    Thus, Lin Feng returned to Tongfu Inn under the escort of a team of officers.


    "Why are you back so late? Hey, that outfit looks quite imposing."


    Bai Zhantang teased him with a smile upon his return.


    Unknowingly, his previous aversion to Lin Feng had completely vanished, and Lin Feng even checked to find that Bai Zhantang''s attitude towards him had improved to friendly.


    This was quite unexpected for him.


    "Had a chat with Magistrate Lou, you know how officials love to ramble."


    "Alright, stop showing off. You reek of blood, and your face is covered in it. Go wash up quietly, everyone else is asleep, don''t wake them."


    "No problem, you should get some rest too."


    Lin Feng headed straight upstairs, stopping at the staircase to turn back and say to Bai Zhantang, "Brother Bai, thanks for this time."


    Bai Zhantang smiled knowingly, waving his hand, "Alright, I wasn''t just helping you. I was also doing my part to rid the world of evil, and, for my token."


    Lin Feng nodded and was about to leave when Bai Zhantang added, "You''re not such a bad person, actually."


    Lin Feng didn''t respond to this, heading straight to his room.


    As soon as he left, Tong Xiangyu and the others sneaked out from the kitchen.


    "Old Bai, did he really kill seven infamous bandits by himself?" [Tong Xiangyu covering her mouth]


    "Is that kid really that powerful? Doesn''t that make him more impressive than me, the Hero of Guanzhong?" [Scholar L¨¹, unconvinced]


    "Oh my god, one against seven, what does that even mean? How did he do it? Did he rely on the three martial arts we taught him?" [Guo Furong, shocked]


    "I scolded him before, will he hold a grudge and come after me too..." [Li Dazui, scared]


    "He''s that strong? Can I ask him to teach me martial arts?" [Mo Xiaobei, hopeful]


    "I told you Big Brother Lin is a good person, fighting evil and protecting the people, that''s a true hero! And, he looks even more handsome in that outfit~~" [Guo Qiangwei, lovestruck]


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 Chapter 29 - Qigong and Flying Needle Technique

    In the room, Lin Feng sat on the bed, looking at the pile of loot spread across it, feeling a bit smug.


    It was like someone who suddenly got rich overnight, enjoying the feeling of lying on a bed full of money.


    Those infamous bandits had dropped a total of fifteen items for him, seven of which were common grade, consisting of ordinary weapons, equipment, or elixirs.


    The remaining eight were the real treasures, with seven yellow grade items and one profound grade item!


    [Weapon: Azure Edge Bow]: Lower Yellow Grade, Force +40 points, Penetration Damage +10%


    [Weapon: Meteor Hammer]: Lower Yellow Grade, Force +60 points, hitting an enemy causes an additional 100 points of shock damage


    [Equipment: Black Gold Armor]: Medium Yellow Grade, Defense +80 points, Vitality +300 points, Damage Immunity +6%


    [Archery: Hundred Steps Through Yang]: Medium Yellow Grade, can hit an enemy from a hundred steps away after use, Hit Rate +100%, and causes 500 points of skill damage, Cooldown Time 100 seconds


    Requirement: Comprehension above 51 points to learn


    Consumption: Each use consumes 80 points of internal strength


    [Leg Technique: Twelve Paths Tan Leg]: Medium Yellow Grade, Force +65 points, Agility +30 points, after use, the leg technique is fierce and swift, flexible and powerful, each hit on an enemy causes 200 points of skill damage, and hitting weak points or vital areas can trigger knockback and paralysis effects.


    Requirement: Innate Talent above 53 points to learn


    Consumption: Consumes 20 points of internal strength per second


    [Secret Technique: Qi Observation Technique]: Upper Yellow Grade, Internal Strength +300 points, after use, can view opponent''s information at any time, and has a 20% chance to find the opponent''s flaw or hidden ailment, this skill is only useful against second-rate or lower experts, Cooldown 24 hours.


    Requirement: Charisma above 60 points to learn


    Consumption: Each use consumes 100 points of internal strength


    [Hidden Weapon: Flying Needle Technique]: Medium Profound Grade, Force +100 points, using flying needles as weapons, can cause 500 points of skill damage to enemies at short distances, and the needles can be coated with various toxins for even more significant damage, no cooldown time.


    Requirement: Comprehension above 62 points to learn


    Consumption: Each needle throw consumes 50 points of internal strength


    ...


    Each of these seven pieces of loot was incredibly useful, especially the last few secret manuals and martial arts, which piqued Lin Feng''s interest greatly.


    First was the Twelve Paths Tan Leg. Lin Feng had learned both fist and palm techniques, but not leg techniques.


    This leg technique perfectly filled his gap, allowing him to use both hands and feet in close combat.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    It would be best to learn Iron Head Technique later, so he could use his head to smash people, then learn Iron Butt Technique to bump people with his rear, and finally see if there was an Iron Rod Technique, just for women...


    Lin Feng first learned the leg technique, but unexpectedly, a game notification sounded.


    "Ding! Your yellow grade martial arts have reached the maximum base attribute increase of 300 points. Learning other yellow grade martial arts will no longer increase attributes."


    Lin Feng wasn''t surprised, as he had previously found out online that the attribute increase from any martial arts learned by players had a limit.


    For example, the total attribute increase from yellow grade martial arts was only 300 points, and anything beyond that wouldn''t count.


    Common grade martial arts had a maximum of 100 points, profound grade was 1000 points, earth grade seemed to have 3000 points, and as for heaven grade, no one had learned it yet.


    This limitation was quite reasonable, as without it, many players would rely on a large number of low-grade martial arts to boost their attributes.


    With this restriction, players couldn''t rely on quantity to win; quality was the key!


    After learning the leg technique, Lin Feng also mastered the Qi Observation Technique and Flying Needle Technique.


    As for archery, Lin Feng decided not to learn it for now, as yellow grade no longer increased attributes, and learning it would be a waste, especially since he had the Flying Needle Technique and didn''t need a bow.


    He already had plans for the Azure Edge Bow and archery.


    The reason for his plan was entirely because of...


    The Activator!


    Lin Feng took out an ancient coin with the words "The Grand Martial World" from his pocket.


    This was also dropped from the corpse of an ordinary infamous bandit just now.


    This thing was so small it was hard to find, and if Lin Feng hadn''t searched carefully, he wouldn''t have discovered it.


    This activator could be extracted and given to anyone in his family.


    It was Lin Feng''s first time using the extraction function.


    The method was simple: open the extraction interface and drag the item you want to extract into it.


    He could extract equipment, items, silver, jewels, etc., except for living things or corpses. Anything that could fit in his backpack could be extracted into reality.


    It''s worth noting that once you choose to extract an item into reality, you can never bring it back into the game.


    In other words, once it''s in the real world, it will disappear from the game completely.


    Without further ado, Lin Feng dragged the ancient coin into the interface and confirmed the selection, and the coin disappeared.


    [Ding! Extraction successful! Please go to the Mingjiang City game extraction point in 24 hours to retrieve your item. You must go in person to collect it!]


    The only troublesome part was that, unlike strength, which could be directly transmitted, all extracted items had to be collected at a designated location.


    It was similar to a courier station, but without delivery service, requiring self-collection.


    After sending off the ancient coin, Lin Feng put on the Black Gold Armor from the three pieces of equipment.


    He had no interest in the Meteor Hammer; only a fool would use that thing.


    With this, Lin Feng''s attributes saw a significant boost!


    [Player: Lin Yanfeng]


    [Level: 21] [Innate Talent: 71/Mediocre]


    [Experience: 420/1900] [Charisma: 64/Excellent]


    [Strength: Unranked] [Comprehension: 75/Excellent]


    [Wealth: 15 taels of gold] [Fortune: 60/Minor Luck]


    [Reputation: 1060 (New Martial World Star)] [Charm: 87/Graceful]


    [Evil: 140 (Infamous)]


    [Vitality: 480/2430]


    [Internal Strength: 190/1265]


    [Physique: 153]


    [Force: 520]


    [Defense: 307]


    [Agility: 287]


    [Martial Arts: Profound Grade¡¤Sunflower Acupoint Striking Hand (Beginner), Lower Yellow Grade¡¤Iron Mountain Lean (Beginner)]


    [Hidden Weapon: Profound Grade¡¤Flying Needle Technique (Beginner)]


    [Palm Technique: Lower Yellow Grade¡¤Mountain-Crushing Strike (Beginner), Upper Yellow Grade¡¤Eight Trigrams Wandering Dragon Palm (Beginner)]


    [Blade Technique: Basic Blade Technique (Beginner), Lower Yellow Grade¡¤Thunderbolt Blade Technique (Beginner)]


    [Lightness Skill: Upper Profound Grade¡¤Treading on Snow Without a Trace (Beginner)]


    [Internal Energy: None]


    [Equipment: Medium Yellow Grade¡¤Bandit-Slaying Set, Medium Yellow Grade¡¤Black Gold Armor]


    With this attribute interface, Lin Feng could now walk around this novice map with ease.


    Except for first-rate experts like Gongsun Wulong and Hero Guo, no one else was his match.


    Even Bai Zhantang might not be able to defeat him now, and he feared third-rate experts even less.


    "Only 9 levels left to leave the novice map, I need to keep pushing."


    Lin Feng hadn''t forgotten his goal; he wanted to seize better opportunities and fortune early on, to prevent others from getting ahead.


    Feeling satisfied, he took a few elixirs to slowly recover his vitality and internal strength, then closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.


    [Do you want to exit the game? Yes!]


    Returning to reality, Lin Feng glanced at the alarm clock by his bed; it was already Wednesday, past one in the afternoon.


    On the desk was a note with a message from Yu Meixiang, saying that the food was in the warmer and asking him to eat as soon as he got up.


    Lin Feng smiled wryly; he had been staying up to catch infamous bandits, reversing his sleep schedule, sleeping during the day and acting at night, which made Yu Meixiang quite worried.


    He had promised to go to school on Monday, but it was already Wednesday.


    Fortunately, Yu Meixiang was very understanding and didn''t rush him or blame him, only reminding him to make sure he didn''t go hungry while playing games.


    So Lin Feng would get up at night to cook some instant noodles or something.


    He put the note away and then left the bedroom, finding the house empty, with only him there.


    Fang Zhiqiu and Fang Hanshuang had gone back to school.


    They were both attending university in Mingjiang City, so they would only return on Friday nights.


    Lin Feng decided to go pick up the activator tomorrow.


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 Chapter 30 - Rivers and Lakes Trading Network

    By now, it was already afternoon, and Lin Feng definitely wasn''t going to make it to school today.


    After washing up and grabbing a bite to eat, he returned to his room, turned on his computer, and searched for The Grand Martial World market trading site.


    Clicking in, he was greeted by a dazzling array of game items and their prices.


    The website was very well-organized, categorizing different types of game items, and allowing users to freely search for what they wanted.


    The trading site boasted over ten billion registered users, with around a billion online daily.


    Such numbers were unimaginable on Earth.


    Lin Feng casually clicked on the weapon category, and the variety of weapons and their exorbitant prices were blinding.


    For instance, a lower Yellow Grade sword was priced at 150,000 Dragon Coins, while a medium Yellow Grade saber was marked at 180,000.


    There were also spears, maces, hammers, bows, and various other cold weapons available.


    The highest grade available was Profound Grade, but these were extremely rare.


    There were a dozen Profound Grade weapons for sale, but their prices were outrageous.


    [Profound Grade Lower ¡¤ Greedy Wolf Blood Spear]: Starting price 5 million Dragon Coins + a set of West Hua City school district housing.


    Seller Old Dream Star''s note: "I got this three years ago. Although I''ve retired, I couldn''t bear to sell it. Now that my child needs to go to school, I''m selling it. Don''t bother if you''re offering less."


    [Profound Grade Medium ¡¤ Heartless Sword]: Asking for 100 taels of gold + three Yellow Grade lightness skills or Profound Grade martial arts.


    Seller Melancholy Prince''s note: "I only want game currency, not Dragon Coins. I don''t lack money. If you don''t have lightness skills, Yellow Grade martial arts will do."


    [Profound Grade Medium: Sea Splitting Blade]: Asking for 30 million Dragon Coins + a villa in a first-tier city.


    Seller Underworld Emperor''s note: "I retired recently to enjoy life. This blade has been with me for over three years and is extremely handy. Miss it, and you''ll regret it."


    ...


    Seeing these weapon prices, Lin Feng shook his head repeatedly, feeling like it was daylight robbery.


    Of course, the fact that these items remained on the trading site indicated that the prices were indeed inflated; otherwise, wealthy buyers would have snapped them up instantly.


    However, Lin Feng noticed from many transaction records that the average price of Profound Grade weapons was only about 10-20% less than these.


    It probably wouldn''t be long before some rich person bought them.


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    Besides weapons, Lin Feng also glanced at the prices of cultivation methods and elixirs, which were even more outrageous.


    It made Lin Feng feel inferior. Are there really so many rich people on Mysterious Star?


    Since he couldn''t afford them anyway, he didn''t bother looking further and instead focused on activators.


    Activators could be purchased directly from the trading market.


    Lin Feng currently had assets worth fifteen taels of gold, equivalent to 1.5 million Dragon Coins, which was enough to buy two more activators.


    He had promised to play the game with Yu Meixiang and the others, and he wouldn''t go back on his word.


    Moreover, buying them early would allow him to guide them before he reached level 30, preventing them from getting stuck on the novice map.


    There were plenty of activators on the market, with tens of thousands available for sale.


    But hoping for a bargain was unrealistic; no one was foolish.


    Activators were becoming increasingly hard to find, with their numbers dwindling, while players continued to join the game generation after generation.


    This kept the demand for activators high. Last year, the average price was 150,000 Dragon Coins, but this year it had risen to 200,000.


    Many game merchants who hoarded activators made a fortune.


    Lin Feng glanced at the current activator prices, which had risen significantly.


    The minimum price was now 250,000 Dragon Coins.


    This posed a dilemma for Lin Feng, as he hadn''t yet converted his game currency into Dragon Coins.


    Converting game currency to Dragon Coins was actually simple. Players had established banks in the game, all founded by national banks, making them very reliable.


    The problem was that the bank for novice map players wasn''t in Seven Heroes Town but in the Capital City.


    This was because everyone considered Seven Heroes Town to be an ordinary civilian town, and players were unwilling to stay there long, so banks had no interest in it.


    In the early days, banks did set up there, but with few players and weak defenses, they were often robbed by thieves and mountain bandits.


    Over time, all the banks left.


    If Lin Feng wanted to exchange money now, he either had to go to the Capital City or try his luck with players in Seven Heroes Town, but the risk of being scammed was too high.


    After pondering for a moment, Lin Feng decided not to buy for now and to exchange money when he had a chance to visit the Capital City.


    Closing the trading site, Lin Feng continued to search online for map information about The Grand Martial World.


    He was getting closer to level 30, and sooner or later, he would have to leave the novice map, so he needed to check out the other maps.


    The novice map was a special map for new players, and once you left it, you could randomly choose another map to go to.


    Currently, The Grand Martial World had seven major maps.


    [Tianlong Map], [Divine Eagle Map], [Under Heaven Map], [Smiling Proud Map], [Peerless Map], [Heavenly Sword Map], [Linked City Map]


    Players could choose any of these seven maps freely, with no level restrictions, and could travel between them at will.


    Seeing these seven maps, Lin Feng couldn''t help but smile confidently. He had read these novels many times in his past life and knew the plots inside out.


    As long as those fortuitous encounters hadn''t been taken, he was confident he could find them all.


    Moreover, Lin Feng noticed that these maps actually included plots from other wuxia novels.


    For instance, in [Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils], characters like Lu Xiaofeng appeared, while in [The Return of the Condor Heroes], characters like Chu Liuxiang and Yuan Chengzhi showed up, and [The First Under Heaven] even featured characters like Wei Xiaobao and Chen Jinnan.


    Lin Feng speculated that these map names were just general labels, each containing plots from other novels, making them a mixed bag.


    What surprised Lin Feng the most was that, according to players'' experiences over the past ten years, these maps had appeared one after another over the decade.


    This suggested that more maps might appear in the future.


    Lin Feng couldn''t help but wonder if there would be fantasy wuxia maps in the future.


    For example, Wind and Cloud, Ode to Gallantry, Water Moon Immortal Realm, Legend of Great Tang¡¯s Twin Dragons, and so on.


    These wuxia novels had extremely high power levels, almost reaching fantasy levels. If NPCs from these novels were included, they would definitely outclass those in the first seven maps.


    But these were just Lin Feng''s speculations. For now, he needed to decide which map to prioritize for finding opportunities.


    Each of the seven maps had powerful opportunities that could make someone soar to great heights. Lin Feng hadn''t made a final decision yet, but he had a good idea.


    Besides this, Lin Feng also browsed various information and news about The Grand Martial World online.


    Even after ten years, The Grand Martial World remained the most obsessed and pursued topic among humans on Mysterious Star, unmatched in traffic.


    Top celebrities, football, basketball¡ªnone of them could compare to it.


    Whether in-game or out, anything related to The Grand Martial World attracted a lot of attention.


    Over the past decade, The Grand Martial World had garnered over 70% of fans on Mysterious Star, with 40% of global internet topics revolving around it.


    Even national governments collaborated to organize various events and activities.


    For example, the ''Mysterious Star Supreme'' held every four years, the ''Martial Arts Tournament'' every three years, the ''Huashan Sword Debate'' every two years, and the ''Newcomer Championship'' every year.


    These were all offline competitions organized by national governments, attracting countless attention and viewership each year.


    Even the Olympics had long included The Grand Martial World as a competition event, with ten detailed events listed.


    There were swordsmanship competitions, blade technique competitions, fist technique competitions... and even lightness skill competitions, internal strength competitions, and more.


    In total, there were ten events, meaning ten gold medals, and it''s said that countries are discussing adding two more events for the next edition.


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 Chapter 31 - Yu Meixiang is in trouble!

    The official scene is like this, and the private sector is even more so.


    As long as you achieve something in "The Grand Martial World," you can easily live a life of comfort and ease.


    Teams created by various capitalists wave large sums of money, begging you to join them.


    A large number of wealthy bosses will hire you at high salaries to play games with them, and they have to cater to your mood.


    Even if you retire from the game, they will spend a fortune to hire you as a bodyguard or package you into a successful person.


    And those in the entertainment industry will treat you like a hot commodity, inviting you to act in movies, appear on shows, shoot commercials, and so on.


    The media will clamor for your news, paparazzi will hound you like a superstar, and your every move could become a focal point.


    Just like a few years ago when Chen Qunsheng had a real-life romance, the entire Mysterious Star buzzed about it for half a year, with countless female fans claiming they had lost the will to live, and some even resorting to extreme measures.


    The girl Chen Qunsheng dated was subjected to all sorts of online exposure, with every detail of her life dug up.


    In the end, unable to withstand the overwhelming public pressure, the girl jumped to her death, and Chen Qunsheng dared not publicly disclose any relationships again.


    Of course, when facing such immense pressure, you also gain immense wealth and popularity.


    In other words, as long as you succeed in "The Grand Martial World," you can reach the pinnacle in both the game and reality!


    Lin Feng only realized the allure of "The Grand Martial World" after reading these news stories.


    But thinking about it, it makes sense. A miraculous creation that surpasses modern technology by over a hundred years, rapidly evolving human genes, curing diseases, strengthening the body, and prolonging life.


    You can even bring items and elixirs from the game into reality.


    Such benefits would surely be embraced on Earth as well.


    Lin Feng browsed through the news and unknowingly, it was already evening.


    Seeing that Yu Meixiang hadn''t returned yet, Lin Feng found it strange.


    Usually, her shop closes at five, and Yu Meixiang is always home before six to cook.


    Why hadn''t she returned by almost seven today?


    Curious, Lin Feng picked up his phone to call, only to find it had been off for days due to disuse.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Lin Feng never liked electronic devices like phones, as they were easy to track, so he seldom used them.


    He assumed Yu Meixiang was working overtime.


    To prevent her from coming home hungry and busy, Lin Feng quickly made some food, packed it, and prepared to personally deliver it to Yu Meixiang.


    Yu Meixiang''s beauty salon was only five or six kilometers away, a ten-minute drive, but Lin Feng didn''t have a car. There was a bicycle at home, though.


    But now, with his powerful internal strength and lightness skill, Lin Feng had no use for a bicycle. With a single step, he accelerated like a fully-powered motorcycle, racing down the road!


    Passersby turned their heads in amazement, discussing among themselves.


    "Wow, that speed is faster than a car."


    "Definitely a third-rate expert, maybe even second-rate!"


    "I haven''t heard of any experts around here."


    "So cool, I dream of having his strength."


    "Sigh, I''ve been playing for over a year and I''m still an unranked player, my agility hasn''t even reached 100."


    ...


    Lin Feng sprinted all the way and reached his destination in just two minutes.


    During the process, not a drop of soup spilled from the lunchbox.


    Of course, compared to Takumi Fujiwara, he was still a bit lacking.


    Dongxing Commercial Street was a somewhat deserted shopping street.


    Due to its remote location and insufficient foot traffic, business was poor, and many shops had closed.


    Based on the previous owner''s memory, Lin Feng arrived at a shop called ''Beauty Salon.''


    The shop was still open, and Lin Feng assumed Yu Meixiang was working overtime, planning to leave after delivering the food. However, the staff informed him that Yu Meixiang had left work long ago.


    Hearing the staff say Yu Meixiang had left work, Lin Feng sensed something was amiss.


    In his memory, Yu Meixiang was very family-oriented, especially in the evenings when she would come straight home after work.


    "Sister, did she mention anything when she left?" Lin Feng asked the female staff member.


    The staff member replied truthfully, "A former customer of the shop came to invite her for dinner. Sister Yu didn''t want to go, but the person insisted, so she reluctantly drove off."


    Lin Feng frowned slightly and asked, "Do you know where they went for dinner?"


    "Uh, the customer mentioned something about Mingyu Restaurant, not far from here, a high-end Western restaurant."


    "Sister, do you know the approximate location?"


    "Yes, just head west along this road, past the Binhe Avenue intersection, not far on the left. It''s about a ten-minute drive."


    "Thank you, sister. I''ll have your boss give you a raise tomorrow."


    With that, Lin Feng sprinted towards Mingyu Restaurant.


    Following the staff member''s directions, he quickly found Mingyu Restaurant.


    "Hello, sir, are you here to dine?"


    "Oh, I''m looking for someone. Did two women come into this restaurant, one of them very beautiful?"


    "Uh, I''m not sure. Every female guest in our restaurant is beautiful."


    The manager''s tactful response left Lin Feng speechless.


    To find Yu Meixiang quickly, Lin Feng disregarded any disturbances and searched the restaurant, even opening private rooms one by one.


    The manager repeatedly tried to stop him, but Lin Feng ignored him.


    Helpless, the manager called security to escort Lin Feng out.


    At that moment, Lin Feng pushed open a private room door. The guests had already left, and only a server was inside cleaning up.


    Lin Feng was about to move on to the next room when he caught sight of a white coat in the corner of his eye.


    The coat looked familiar, and Lin Feng rushed in to pick it up and sniff it.


    He immediately confirmed it was Yu Meixiang''s coat, as the scent matched hers exactly.


    He took the coat to the manager and said, "Where did the guests at this table go?"


    The manager, already angered by Lin Feng''s actions, replied rudely, "Sir, you''re disturbing our guests. Please leave!"


    Lin Feng lost his patience and casually flicked a chopstick at the wall, piercing the cement wall deeply.


    This display immediately caught the attention of the manager and security, who realized Lin Feng was a martial arts expert.


    They weren''t entirely intimidated by his strength but understood that any expert from "The Grand Martial World" was not an ordinary person.


    He could be a millionaire influencer, a favored guest of wealthy merchants, or even a local official''s favorite.


    Such people were best left unprovoked.


    The shrewd manager quickly changed his attitude.


    "Please wait a moment, sir. I''ll have the restaurant check."


    "Thank you. Could you also show me the surveillance footage?"


    The manager promptly complied, leading Lin Feng to the front desk to review the footage.


    Soon, the surveillance footage of the guests in the private room was pulled up, showing three people, one of whom was Yu Meixiang.


    Lin Feng immediately recognized the other two as the middle-aged couple they had run into while shopping with Yu Meixiang.


    "Do you have footage of them leaving?" Lin Feng asked again.


    "Yes! I''ll check it for you right away."


    The manager operated the system, and the footage showed the three of them leaving the private room ten minutes ago.


    As they left, Yu Meixiang appeared to be drunk, supported by the fat woman as they walked out.


    The man, with an excited stride, rushed to the front desk to pay, his expression lecherous and eager.


    After settling the bill, the couple quickly left the restaurant with Yu Meixiang.


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 Chapter 32 - Rescue people urgently

    Lin Feng watched the surveillance footage, his expression calm and his eyes sharp as a knife.


    He asked, "You have the phone number of the person who paid, right?"


    "Yes, we do." The manager seemed to understand what was happening and was very cooperative.


    "Call them and say they left some clothes behind. Try to find out where they are. Can you do that?"


    "Shouldn''t be a problem."


    "Great, thanks. I owe you one."


    Hearing this, the manager''s eyes lit up. A favor from a master of the martial world? That''s a rare opportunity!


    He immediately patted his chest and assured, "Don''t worry, sir. Leave it to me."


    With that, the manager dialed the number. The other party hung up at first, but he called again, and this time they answered, though their tone was clearly impatient.


    "Who is this? Why are you calling?"


    "Hello, sir. You left a coat at the store."


    "Don''t want it..."


    The man initially refused, but seemed to be persuaded by a woman whispering to him.


    "We need it, it could leave evidence."


    The man immediately changed his tune, "Wait, can I come pick it up myself later?"


    "Uh, sir, our store is about to close, so we can''t wait that long. We can deliver it to you."


    "Is that so? Alright, Purple Maple Hotel. Call me when you arrive, and I''ll have my wife come down to get it."


    "Okay, sir."


    Just as the manager was about to hang up, Lin Feng whispered to him, "Keep talking to him, help me buy some time. I owe you big."


    The manager gave an OK gesture and continued chatting, "There''s one more thing, sir."


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    "Damn it, you''re annoying. Spit it out!"


    "Do you want to buy an excavator?"


    "What?"


    "Well, our restaurant is having a special promotion. You can get a discount on an excavator with a meal, only 99% of the price."


    "You crazy! No, I don''t want it!"


    ...


    While the manager was awkwardly chatting, Lin Feng had already left the store, taking the manager''s phone with him.


    In just two minutes, Lin Feng arrived at the Purple Maple Hotel.


    He had called the woman in advance, so as soon as he got downstairs, he saw Sister Liu coming down, mistaking him for a delivery person with the coat.


    "That was quick, give it to me. And what''s wrong with your manager? Kept trying to sell me excavators, Gatling guns, and... I''ll definitely file a complaint tomorrow!"


    The fat woman reached for the coat, but Lin Feng grabbed her wrist and twisted it painfully!


    The sudden pain made the fat woman scream.


    "Which room is she in? You have three seconds. If you''re late by one second, I''ll break all your limbs!"


    Lin Feng''s eyes were cold as he stared at the woman, gripping her other wrist.


    Terrified, the woman recognized him as the pretty boy from the mall earlier.


    Seeing his terrifying gaze, a wave of fear washed over her.


    She didn''t dare hesitate and quickly gave the room number: "8118."


    Without another word, Lin Feng twisted her other wrist.


    If not for the public setting, he would have killed her already.


    The woman fainted from the pain, and the surrounding guests and hotel security were too scared to move.


    Lin Feng tossed her aside and quickly went upstairs to room 8118.


    Inside, a man''s cursing could be heard.


    "Damn that manager for wasting my time. Just wait, I''ll shut your store down tomorrow!"


    The man then chuckled lewdly, "What a beauty, a real stunner. You think you can escape after being drugged with ''Love Fragrance''? I spent over 300,000 Dragon Coins to buy this top-grade aphrodisiac from a gaming expert. Once you wake up, you''ll be burning with desire. I''m going to enjoy this."


    Just as he finished speaking, the solid wooden door suddenly collapsed with a crash, shaking the entire hotel.


    The man inside trembled in fear and instinctively turned around, seeing a tall figure entering.


    "Who... who are you? Get out! I''ve called the police."


    Seeing someone break in, the man hurriedly put on his clothes and tried to intimidate Lin Feng.


    Lin Feng entered the room, glanced at the still-sleeping Yu Meixiang, her clothes intact, confirming she hadn''t been harmed, and then turned his attention to the man.


    He stepped forward, grabbed the man''s jaw, and with a light twist, dislocated it.


    As the man tried to scream for help, Lin Feng reached out.


    His fingers, like iron hooks, clamped onto the man''s lips and teeth, then pulled hard!


    A chilling sound echoed as Lin Feng tore out a row of the man''s teeth, along with a large chunk of his lips, blood and tendons attached.


    Blood gushed from the man''s mouth, the torn flesh bleeding profusely.


    Despite the gruesome scene, Lin Feng remained unfazed, not even blinking.


    Then he grabbed the man''s lower lip and teeth again, tearing them off like wallpaper.


    The excruciating pain made the man roll his eyes and faint from the agony.


    Lin Feng calmly tossed the man aside, then stomped on his groin, grinding his shoe as if extinguishing a cigarette.


    Soon, blood soaked the man''s crotch.


    Even if he recovered, he''d never be with a woman again.


    By now, the hotel''s security had arrived at the room.


    Seeing the blood-soaked scene, teeth scattered on the floor, and the man''s torn mouth, the guards turned pale, their stomachs churning.


    Lin Feng calmly washed his hands in the bathroom, then told the guards outside, "What are you standing there for? Someone attempted rape. Call the police."


    "Oh, okay..."


    The guards quickly called the police.


    Lin Feng then approached the bed, observing Yu Meixiang''s condition. She seemed about to wake up.


    As the drug''s effects kicked in, Yu Meixiang''s face turned red at an alarming rate.


    Knowing there wasn''t time to get home, Lin Feng picked her up and asked the guards for an empty room next door, locking the door behind them.


    He took Yu Meixiang to the bathroom, intending to cool her down with cold water.


    But the water had no effect, and instead, Yu Meixiang woke up early.


    "Hot... so hot..."


    Yu Meixiang''s delicate forehead furrowed, her eyes shifting between discomfort and daze, her face flushed, her sheep-fat jade-like skin covered in a rosy hue.


    Feeling uncomfortable, she instinctively reached to undress.


    Lin Feng realized the cold water wasn''t working, so he carried Yu Meixiang to the bed.


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 Chapter 33 - I should have said it earlier!

    "Forget patience, let''s just go for it!"


    This was just a fleeting thought in Lin Feng''s mind.


    If it were any other man witnessing this scene, he might have already been overwhelmed by desire.


    But Lin Feng didn''t take advantage of the situation; he had enough self-control for that.


    Even though his body did react strongly.


    However, Lin Feng could never do something so beastly to Yu Meixiang.


    She treated him like her own son, and if he took advantage of her, he would be worse than a beast. How could he face her when she woke up?


    To prevent Yu Meixiang from continuing to undress, Lin Feng quickly used the Sunflower Acupoint Striking Hand to temporarily immobilize her.


    Then, mimicking a scene from a wuxia novel, he lifted Yu Meixiang, placing her in a cross-legged position, while he sat behind her on the bed.


    "I wonder if this will work. If not, I''ll have to resort to the worst-case scenario."


    Lin Feng placed his palms on Yu Meixiang''s back and then channeled his internal energy from his dantian into her body!


    Yu Meixiang let out a soft moan, and sweat quickly appeared on her body.


    The sweat carried a faint, intoxicating fragrance. Seeing this, Lin Feng was delighted; his method was working.


    He immediately continued to transfer his internal energy.


    After a few minutes, the scent completely disappeared, and the flush on Yu Meixiang''s body faded. Only then did Lin Feng release his hands.


    At this moment, he was somewhat exhausted, his body collapsing in fatigue.


    Even though Lin Feng had strong combat power, he was still just an unranked player and hadn''t learned internal energy techniques, so his internal energy was limited.


    He had already used a lot of energy traveling today, and transferring internal energy required even more.


    Transferring internal energy was a tough task, consuming energy several times over.


    If you had a hundred points of internal energy, you might only be able to transfer less than ten points into someone else.


    So this left Lin Feng completely drained.


    Without support, Yu Meixiang also collapsed, and the two ended up in an ambiguous embrace.


    Lin Feng was about to get up to avoid any misunderstanding when Yu Meixiang woke up.


    As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Lin Feng''s face right in front of her.


    She was stunned at first, then looked down to find herself barely clothed, her pants missing, and her face turned pale with shock. She quickly broke free from Lin Feng''s embrace and hid under the covers.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Before Lin Feng could explain, he heard Yu Meixiang''s sobbing and a soul-searching question from under the covers.


    "Little Feng, I''m your aunt, how could you do this to me..."


    Lin Feng smiled wryly, struggling to sit up, and explained, "Aunt Meixiang, you''ve got it wrong. I was here to save you. You were drugged, and I was helping you detoxify."


    Yu Meixiang stopped crying and slowly peeked out from under the covers, her tear-streaked face emerging.


    "What did you say?"


    Lin Feng patiently explained, and Yu Meixiang recalled that she had indeed been dining at Mingyu Restaurant.


    Originally, it was just her and Liu Yanhong. Liu Yanhong insisted she drink a little wine, and unable to refuse, she took a small sip.


    Unexpectedly, after drinking, she lost consciousness.


    Now, hearing Lin Feng''s account, she realized how dangerous her situation had been.


    "I... I wasn''t..."


    Yu Meixiang anxiously doubted herself, repeatedly checking her body.


    Lin Feng smiled and reassured her, "No, when I arrived, the man hadn''t touched you yet. Don''t worry, Aunt, you weren''t violated."


    Yu Meixiang''s face instantly turned red, embarrassed by the young man''s words, and she wanted to hide under the covers again.


    "Police, open the door!"


    At this moment, there was a knock on the door. Lin Feng immediately got up and handed Yu Meixiang her clothes, saying, "Aunt, put these on first. The police are here."


    "Okay."


    Yu Meixiang took the clothes, and when she saw the purple bra in Lin Feng''s hand, she was so embarrassed she wished she could disappear into the ground.


    Lin Feng didn''t mind, placing the clothes beside her, then adjusted his state and went to open the door.


    Once Yu Meixiang was dressed, he opened the door.


    Several police officers stood outside. Seeing Lin Feng, they asked, "Did you injure the person?"


    "Yes."


    "Alright, you''ll need to come with us to the station."


    "I was helping you catch a criminal. Someone tried to drug and assault her, and I was just doing a good deed."


    "Without evidence, you''ll need to come with us to the station."


    "Alright," Lin Feng agreed.


    At this point, Yu Meixiang hurried out, crying to the police, "This is my child, Officer. I was drugged, and my child saved me. Please don''t arrest the wrong person."


    "Don''t worry, we won''t wrong a good person. The couple has been sent to the hospital for emergency treatment. Your child was quite ruthless; one had both hands broken, and the other''s teeth were ripped out. They''ll be disabled for life. The situation is serious, and we need to wait for them to wake up to investigate further."


    Yu Meixiang wanted to say more, but Lin Feng held her hand, comforting her, "Aunt, I''ll be fine. There are witnesses and evidence. Don''t worry."


    Yu Meixiang nodded and insisted, "Aunt will stay with you."


    The two of them followed the police downstairs and left, getting into a police car and heading to the station.


    "You said you got from Mingyu Restaurant to Purple Maple Hotel in two minutes?"


    "Yes."


    "You''ve played The Grand Martial World, right?"


    "That''s right."


    "No wonder, you''re quite skilled for your age, but you were a bit too harsh."


    "I just wanted to protect my family, nothing else."


    "You''re quite clever. Don''t worry, in Dragon Kingdom, there''s no such thing as excessive defense. As long as it''s confirmed the other party committed a serious crime, even if you kill them, you''ll be fine."


    "You should have said so earlier. If I had known..."


    "If you had known, what?"


    "Uh, nothing."


    "You kid."


    With Lin Feng''s careful explanation, the police didn''t make things difficult for him.


    Moreover, Lin Feng was a player of The Grand Martial World and quite skilled, so the police treated him with respect and courtesy.


    Soon, they finished recording his statement, but they still needed to investigate and gather evidence.


    Lin Feng had to stay at the station.


    Yu Meixiang, being the victim, could have left, but she stayed by Lin Feng''s side.


    Unexpectedly, they didn''t wait long for news of Liu Yanhong and her husband waking up, but instead, a special witness arrived.


    "I''m the manager of Mingyu Restaurant. My surname is Zhu, and I''m here to testify for this gentleman."


    "Really? Do you have any evidence?"


    "Yes, we have surveillance footage in our restaurant that proves this lady was unconscious when she was taken away. Also, we found the unfinished bottle of red wine they drank. You can take it for testing."


    "Great, your evidence is very helpful. We might not need to wait for the suspects to wake up to close the case."


    The police took the red wine for testing.


    Lin Feng also thanked the manager.


    "Thank you, Manager Zhu. You''ve helped me twice now. I owe you two favors. If you ever need anything, as long as I can help, I will."


    The manager chuckled, "It was just a small effort. It''s an honor to help Mr. Lin. I''ve always admired martial arts masters, and today, I finally got to meet one and make a friend. I should be thanking you."


    Lin Feng looked at the man in front of him. He was in his thirties, quite thin, and seemed shrewd.


    But the most noticeable feature was his large ears, twice the size of an average person''s. His ears, combined with his appearance, gave off a comical vibe.


    "Manager Zhu, you''re too kind. My name is Lin Feng. You helped me a lot today. If you need anything, just let me know."


    "Haha, no need to be so formal. As long as Brother Lin is willing to be my friend, I''m satisfied."


    "Of course, I''d be happy to be friends with Brother Zhu."


    Lin Feng said, offering his phone number and telling him to contact him anytime.


    Manager Zhu happily saved the number and, being considerate, prepared to leave without further interruption.


    "By the way, Manager Zhu, I don''t know your real name yet."


    Lin Feng called out to him.


    Manager Zhu turned back, a bit embarrassed, and said, "Real name... it''s not necessary."


    Hearing this, Lin Feng became even more curious, "Among friends, shouldn''t we at least know each other''s names?"


    Manager Zhu realized he couldn''t hide it, so he awkwardly said, "Zhu... Zhu Bajie."


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 Chapter 34 - A cup of wine to dissolve enmity

    Pfft~


    The one who burst into laughter was Yu Meixiang.


    Realizing it was impolite to mock someone''s name, she quickly hid behind Lin Feng, her face flushed, and repeatedly apologized.


    Zhu Bajie seemed accustomed to it and said nonchalantly, "It''s okay, sis-in-law. Everyone laughs when they hear my name. I think it''s nice that my name can bring joy to others."


    There was nothing wrong with Zhu Bajie''s words.


    However, the way he addressed her made Yu Meixiang''s already red cheeks turn into a blazing sunset.


    Even Lin Feng felt a bit awkward. What kind of eyes did this guy have to think they were a couple?


    "Brother Zhu, she''s my elder, okay?"


    Zhu Bajie was visibly surprised and said, "Huh? No way, your elder is this young and pretty? Weren''t you rescuing your girlfriend today?"


    Yu Meixiang''s head was almost buried in her chest at this point, but she couldn''t help but secretly smile as she lowered her head.


    Lin Feng had to explain the situation, and only then did Zhu Bajie realize his mistake and hurriedly apologized.


    Lin Feng didn''t mind and saw him off.


    The police''s test results wouldn''t be available until the next day, so Lin Feng was destined to spend the night at the police station.


    Originally, Lin Feng was supposed to sleep in the detention room, but the officers were kind enough not to put him in there, allowing him to stay on a bench in the lobby instead.


    When Yu Meixiang heard that Lin Feng was going to sleep in the lobby, she felt distressed and immediately went home to bring him a blanket and dinner.


    Lin Feng didn''t mind sleeping in the lobby at all; his physique didn''t require a blanket. However, he couldn''t refuse Yu Meixiang''s insistence, so he let her do as she wished.


    Seeing Yu Meixiang laying out the blanket and bringing him cotton shoes, Lin Feng felt a warmth in his heart as he happily ate his dumplings.


    "Auntie, you must be hungry too, right? Join me for dinner."


    "No, I''ve already had dinner."


    "You haven''t eaten anything. You just had a sip of wine and passed out. You''ve been busy with me until now without eating anything. Come on, Auntie, open your mouth."


    Lin Feng picked up a dumpling and brought it to Yu Meixiang''s mouth. With only one pair of chopsticks, there was no other way.


    Yu Meixiang shyly glanced around, and seeing no one was paying attention, she opened her mouth and ate it.


    And so, in the police station lobby, they fed each other and finished a box of dumplings.


    After eating, Yu Meixiang wanted to stay and keep watch, but Lin Feng persuaded her to go home.Stolen story; please report.


    Lin Feng wrapped himself in the blanket and fell asleep in the police station lobby.


    In reality, he had already entered the game.


    Tongfu Inn.


    Lin Feng woke up in the guest room once again; it was already noon in the game.


    He went downstairs and saw the inn bustling with customers. Shopkeeper Tong and the others were just about to have lunch, and Li Dazui had prepared a large table of delicious dishes.


    Seeing there was no space in the inn, Lin Feng thought of having lunch but decided against it, planning to grab something to eat outside instead.


    "Big Brother Lin, you haven''t had lunch yet, right? Join us!"


    Guo Qiangwei warmly invited him.


    Lin Feng knew that aside from Guo Qiangwei, the others didn''t really like him, and he didn''t want to force himself into their meal and ruin their appetite.


    He opened his mouth to politely decline, but Tong Xiangyu spoke up as well.


    "Young Hero Lin, if you don''t mind, join us for a meal."


    Guo Furong also chimed in, "Come down and have a bite."


    "Yes, Young Hero Lin, come and try today''s delicious dishes."


    Seeing everyone inviting him to eat, Lin Feng was a bit surprised and glanced at Bai Zhantang.


    Bai Zhantang immediately shrugged and said, "This is everyone''s idea, not mine."


    Tong Xiangyu then smiled and explained, "You''re now a hero of the Imperial Court, capturing bandits and infamous criminals. You''ve done so many good deeds. Let''s forget our past grievances, shall we?"


    Seeing the sincerity on everyone''s faces, Lin Feng realized that their dislike for him had vanished overnight, and their relationships had become friendly.


    "Thank you, then I won''t stand on ceremony."


    Lin Feng didn''t hesitate and joined them at the table.


    For a moment, there was one more person at the elmwood table.


    "Everyone''s here, let''s eat!" Tong Xiangyu clapped her hands.


    "With such a sumptuous meal today, Xiangyu, how about some wine?" Bai Zhantang winked.


    Tong Xiangyu rolled her eyes at him indulgently and said, "If Zhantang wants to drink, then everyone can have a little. Pour the wine, pour me some too."


    Li Dazui laughed, "Haha, the shopkeeper is generous. Old Bai, let''s have a drink today!"


    "I want some too!"


    "Xiao Bei, you''re too young to drink. Have some bayberry juice instead."


    ...


    The group chattered away, the atmosphere at the dining table lively, warm, and full of love.


    Bai Zhantang raised his wine bowl but didn''t drink with Li Dazui and the others first; instead, he looked at Lin Feng.


    "Shall we?"


    Lin Feng chuckled, raised his wine bowl, and clinked it with Bai Zhantang''s, sincerely addressing everyone.


    "Brother Bai, I was indeed wrong before. I apologize to everyone."


    Bai Zhantang laughed, "You''re too clever, clinking glasses with me but apologizing to everyone. It doesn''t count unless you drink a bowl with each person."


    Tong Xiangyu immediately stopped him, "Young Hero Lin is still young. Why make him drink so much? Don''t mind him."


    Bai Zhantang chuckled and patted Lin Feng''s shoulder, "The shopkeeper is speaking up for you, so let''s skip the drinks."


    "Old Bai, didn''t you dislike this kid the most? Why don''t you dislike him now?" Li Dazui teased.


    Bai Zhantang replied straightforwardly, "At first, I definitely didn''t like him. But then I realized that even though he learned my martial arts, he uses them to uphold justice, which I admire. Besides, we went through life and death together last night. The past is long gone."


    Guo Furong also generously stated, "Old Bai is right. As long as you don''t do evil, it''s fine if you learned the skills. Come on, Young Hero Lin, let''s have a drink!"


    Lin Feng readily raised his bowl and drank, his boldness making everyone feel he was quite likable.


    Tong Xiangyu also raised her cup and clinked it with Lin Feng''s, smiling, "Young Hero Lin, join us for meals every day from now on. It''s livelier with more people."


    Lin Feng, however, felt a bit embarrassed and said, "I''m afraid I can''t. I''m planning to head to the Capital City tomorrow."


    "Ah, you''re going back to the Capital?" Tong Xiangyu was surprised.


    Lin Feng nodded, "Yes, I''m going to the Capital City and then out to explore."


    "Will you come back?"


    "Probably not," Lin Feng replied.


    The previously cheerful atmosphere among the group immediately dampened.


    Bai Zhantang seemed to have expected it and said, "I guessed you wouldn''t be content to stay in this small place like us. You''re young, it''s time to explore."


    "Roaming the world with a sword, venturing into the martial world, it''s every martial artist''s dream."


    Guo Furong sighed and then quickly added, "Lin Feng, if you go back, can you take my sister with you?"


    Lin Feng glanced at Guo Qiangwei. It wasn''t a difficult task, so he readily agreed.


    "Great! Finally, I can send her back with peace of mind. Thanks."


    After speaking, Guo Furong took out a secret manual from her bosom and handed it to Lin Feng.


    Lin Feng took it with curiosity and found it was the second form of the Raging Waves Palm.


    [Palm Technique: Raging Waves]: Yellow Grade mid-level martial arts, Force +50 points, second form of the Raging Waves Palm, can deal 500 skill damage to enemies after execution, cooldown time 10 seconds.


    Consumption: 60 points of internal strength per use


    Requirement: Must have mastered the first form to learn.


    Lin Feng looked up and asked with a smile, "Didn''t you say there was only the first form?"


    "Can''t I trick you? Actually, I''ve only learned two forms, and I haven''t practiced the second one yet."


    Guo Furong smiled proudly and generously said, "Consider the second form as your reward for taking my sister home. As for the other forms, it depends on whether you can handle my father."


    Lin Feng put away the manual and immediately cupped his fists, "Thank you."


    "No need to be polite. If you really make a name for yourself in the future, don''t forget to advertise the Raging Waves Palm of my Guo family in the martial world."


    "And don''t favor the Sunflower Sect over us!"


    "Consider it done."


    Lin Feng responded, and everyone shared a laugh, as if all past grievances and entanglements vanished in that laughter.


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 Chapter 35 - Prisoner Rescue Plan

    The journey to the Capital City is over eight hundred miles, and even with Lin Feng''s high agility, it''s impossible to walk the whole way on foot.


    Such a journey would be too exhausting, especially with a young lady in tow; they definitely needed a horse.


    Guo Furong and the others asked Lin Feng to leave the next day so they could prepare a travel pack for Guo Qiangwei, including food, water, and other supplies.


    Lin Feng didn''t refuse, as he also needed to purchase some items.


    Moreover, it was almost dawn in the real world, and he was still sleeping at the police station, ready to be disturbed at any moment.


    While Lin Feng was buying supplies at a shop in Seven Heroes Town, Mo Xiaobei suddenly rushed over.


    She shouted urgently, "Big Brother Lin, come back to the inn quickly, Brother Bai is planning a jailbreak!"


    "What? Is that really happening?"


    Lin Feng was quite surprised; he didn''t remember this plot in "My Own Swordsman."


    "Let''s go back first and talk."


    To find out what was going on, Lin Feng immediately returned to the inn with Mo Xiaobei.


    "Enter through the backyard; the inn is closed today," Mo Xiaobei said.


    Lin Feng followed her through the backyard into the inn, only to find everyone gathered there.


    Bai Zhantang was sitting by a stone, biting his finger, looking conflicted.


    Everyone else was frowning and anxious.


    "No way! I absolutely disagree with you breaking into prison!"


    "Xiangyu, you think I want to do this? If I don''t, that person will expose my identity."


    "Let him expose it; he has no evidence. How can he prove you''re the Saint of Thieves?"


    "But why would a perfectly fine bandit falsely accuse me for no reason? And he''s Ji Wuming''s disciple. With that identity, the yamen will definitely list me as a prime suspect, especially since I revealed my martial arts last night."


    "But you can''t break into prison; that''s a capital offense."


    "Then what do you suggest?"


    "I... how about we run? Let''s escape now, the farther the better."


    "Nonsense, running away would only prove I''m the Saint of Thieves. The Imperial Court would issue a nationwide manhunt. Where could we possibly escape to?"


    ...Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Bai Zhantang and Tong Xiangyu argued endlessly, neither convincing the other.


    Lin Feng''s arrival seemed to be a lifeline for everyone.


    "Young Hero Lin, it''s great you''re here. Your father works for Department Six, right? Get him to send an immunity token for Zhantang!"


    Lin Feng smiled bitterly; he didn''t have a father in Department Six...


    Admitting the truth now would only cause more panic.


    He made an excuse, "Even if I could persuade my father, going to the Capital City and back for the token would take at least ten days. Do you think Brother Bai can wait that long?"


    "That seems true, but what should we do?" Tong Xiangyu was so anxious she was about to cry.


    "What exactly happened? Can you tell me first?" Lin Feng asked.


    Everyone immediately explained the situation.


    It turned out that not long ago, Constable Xing had come to find Bai Zhantang, saying that a bandit who surrendered yesterday kept shouting to see Old Bai in the cell.


    Thinking it was the wish of a dying man, and assuming Old Bai had subdued them, Constable Xing didn''t think much of it and let Bai Zhantang visit the cell.


    Unexpectedly, after chatting with the bandit for a while, Bai Zhantang returned looking distraught.


    He later decided to break into prison because the bandit was Ji Wuming''s disciple!


    The bandit knew Bai Zhantang''s identity.


    So he wanted to threaten Bai Zhantang to break him out, or else he would expose his identity.


    Bai Zhantang was at a loss and, after much thought, decided to break into prison.


    After hearing this, Lin Feng was silent for a moment before saying, "If that''s the case, then we indeed need to break into prison."


    "Are you crazy? Breaking into prison is a capital offense!" Li Dazui said fearfully.


    Lin Feng replied, "If we don''t get caught, there''s no problem. I''ll go with Brother Bai. We both have lightness skills. Sneaking in at night, knocking out the jailer, and freeing him isn''t too difficult."


    Hearing this, Bai Zhantang gained a lot of confidence.


    "That''s right, with Lin Feng and me, there won''t be any issues. It''s the only option we have."


    Tong Xiangyu realized it was useless to persuade them further; indeed, this was the only path left.


    Seeing the worried and fearful faces of the inn''s people, Lin Feng had to reassure them.


    "Let''s get through this first. Once Brother Bai has the immunity token, even if his identity is exposed, it won''t be a problem."


    "Alright! Young Hero Lin, we''ll rely on you."


    Tong Xiangyu felt much relieved.


    As night fell, Bai Zhantang was about to set off but was stopped by Lin Feng.


    "Wait!" Lin Feng suddenly called out to him.


    "What is it?"


    "Uh, the moon is full tonight, easy to get exposed. Let''s wait a bit. I''ll go rest for a while."


    After saying this, Lin Feng hurried upstairs, leaving everyone puzzled.


    In reality, Lin Feng didn''t want to rest; it was already daylight, and the police were calling him.


    He needed to handle things quickly and get back home to log in, so he wouldn''t be disturbed.


    As soon as he left the game, Lin Feng saw Yu Meixiang sitting beside him.


    The police, seeing him awake, joked, "You''re quite carefree, playing games when such a big thing happened."


    Lin Feng rubbed his face and said, "A clear conscience fears no accusation."


    "You''re quite calm, not bad, not bad, a true martial arts expert."


    Lin Feng didn''t want to waste time; he needed to get home and break into prison with Bai Zhantang.


    "Are the test results out?"


    "They''re out. The wine bottle indeed contained a sedative. You acted heroically, so no charges will be pressed against you."


    "What about those two scoundrels? How are they being dealt with?" Lin Feng asked.


    "Don''t worry, attempted drugging is a serious crime. In the past decade, many unscrupulous players in Mysterious Star have used in-game sedatives to harm others. Our country''s laws have been focusing on this behavior for years. One of them is an accomplice, with a minimum sentence of three years, and the other is the main perpetrator, with a minimum sentence of seven years."


    "That''s great. Can I leave now?"


    "Go ahead. If we don''t release you, your godmother is ready to hire a lawyer to sue us. She stayed up all night sitting next to you."


    The police joked.


    Lin Feng looked at Yu Meixiang in surprise and said, "Auntie, didn''t I tell you to go home and rest?"


    Yu Meixiang replied sheepishly, "Auntie couldn''t sleep, so I came back to wait for the results."


    "You sat here all night?"


    "Yes, it''s fine."


    Lin Feng felt helpless, but more than that, he was touched and concerned.


    He immediately took Yu Meixiang''s hand and said, "Auntie, let''s go home and rest."


    Yu Meixiang was suddenly grabbed by Lin Feng. Although it was nothing, she felt a bit shy and followed Lin Feng with a flushed face.


    Back home, Yu Meixiang wanted to go to work, but Lin Feng firmly refused.


    "Auntie, you were drugged and didn''t sleep all night. Why go to work? Stay home and rest; don''t go today."


    "I''m fine. If I''m not at the store, I''m afraid the staff can''t handle some demanding customers during beauty treatments," Yu Meixiang continued.


    Unexpectedly, Lin Feng was very firm, saying, "Auntie, you have to listen to me. Your health is more important than work. With my sister not home, it''s my responsibility to take care of you. No matter what you say today, I won''t let you go to the store."


    Yu Meixiang was amused and exasperated, but it was the first time Lin Feng spoke to her in such a tone and even said he would take care of her.


    This made Yu Meixiang chuckle.


    She didn''t take it seriously, just patted Lin Feng''s head and said, "Little Feng, be good. Auntie is really fine. I''ll just go to the store. You stay home and rest."


    With that, she headed for the door.


    But as she reached the door, a pair of strong hands suddenly ''ambushed'' her, lifting her up horizontally.


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 Chapter 36 - Skill proficiency

    "Ah!"


    Yu Meixiang was startled as her body was suddenly lifted off the ground.


    Realizing she was being held in a princess carry, her face flushed red with embarrassment.


    She quickly struggled and said, "Little Feng, what are you doing? Put Auntie down."


    Lin Feng, however, remained unmoved, looking seriously into Yu Meixiang''s eyes. "Auntie, you need to take care of yourself. I said you shouldn''t go, so you shouldn''t go."


    With that, Lin Feng ignored her struggles and carried her all the way to her bedroom.


    Just a moment ago, he was so forceful, but now he gently placed her on the bed and carefully removed her shoes.


    "Auntie, if you run off to the store again, I''ll come and carry you back home just like I did now," Lin Feng ''threatened.''


    Yu Meixiang had no choice but to surrender, agreeing reluctantly, "Alright, alright, Auntie won''t go. I''ll stay home and rest today. Is that okay?"


    She was genuinely worried that he might actually carry her back from the store, which would be utterly embarrassing.


    "That''s more like it, good girl," Lin Feng said, instinctively pinching her cheek.


    The next second, both of them shivered as if struck by electricity.


    Lin Feng quickly withdrew his hand, thinking to himself, "Oh no, I''m so used to coaxing girls in my past life that I did it instinctively. I hope Auntie isn''t mad..."


    He hastily made an excuse, "Auntie, you rest well. I''ll make lunch later and call you when it''s ready. I need to get back to my room; I have tasks to do in the game."


    With that, Lin Feng made a quick escape, leaving Yu Meixiang unsure whether to laugh or be angry...


    Yu Meixiang felt like she barely recognized Lin Feng anymore.


    The old Lin Feng was always obedient and well-behaved, never daring or assertive.


    But now, he exuded confidence and a hint of dominance.


    This new Lin Feng was both unfamiliar and surprising to her, yet she wasn''t angry at all. On the contrary, she felt a little delighted.


    If Lin Feng were a stranger and a bit older, she might actually be tempted...


    "What am I thinking? How shameless!" Yu Meixiang scolded herself, blushing as she covered her head, trying to banish the thought, but it lingered like a spell.


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    It wasn''t until sleepiness overcame her that she finally drifted off.


    At Tongfu Inn, it was almost dawn. Bai Zhantang was pacing anxiously, and when he saw Lin Feng coming downstairs, he quickly urged him.


    "Hurry up, if we delay any longer, it''ll be daylight. How are we supposed to break out the prisoner then? I''ll be the one getting caught."


    Lin Feng nodded, and the two of them donned their night attire and masks, then climbed onto the inn''s roof, using their lightness skills to swiftly head towards the yamen.


    Though both used the same lightness skill, Lin Feng noticed that Bai Zhantang''s mastery was far superior.


    Whether in speed, jumping, or movement, he was far behind.


    Curious, he couldn''t help but ask quietly, "Brother Bai, why is your lightness skill so much better than mine?"


    "Of course, I''ve been practicing it much longer than you have. My skill has reached the level of Transcendence, while you''re just a beginner," Bai Zhantang replied proudly.


    All martial arts have proficiency levels: Beginner, Skilled, Minor Achievement, Major Achievement, and Transcendence.


    The higher the proficiency, the more effective the skill becomes, especially at Transcendence, where it''s several times more powerful than at the Beginner level.


    It''s like the difference between knowing how to shoot and being a sharpshooter.


    Lin Feng continued to ask, "How can I quickly improve my martial arts proficiency?"


    "That''s simple. Practice more, and you''ll naturally improve. Practice makes perfect. Of course, there are faster ways. First, if you have a high innate talent, your proficiency will increase quickly. Second, observe those who are better than you; their techniques and habits can be very helpful," Bai Zhantang patiently explained.


    Lin Feng nodded. He couldn''t do much about innate talent, except allocate points whenever he got them.


    Fortunately, his innate talent was already at 71 points, which was decent. As his level increased, he''d eventually max it out.


    The second method was practical: observing others, learning from their experience. Not bad at all.


    He immediately chose to slow down and follow Bai Zhantang closely to learn.


    Bai Zhantang understood his intentions and didn''t mind, even showing off a bit and offering pointers.


    Lin Feng learned eagerly, feeling he gained a new understanding of the Treading on Snow Without a Trace skill.


    "Congratulations! Your proficiency in [Treading Snow to Seek Plum Blossoms] has reached ''Skilled'' level! Effect +5%!"


    Lin Feng was delighted, not expecting to improve so quickly by learning from others. He decided to seek more guidance from Guo Furong later.


    The two of them leaped across rooftops and soon arrived at the yamen''s prison.


    At the prison gate, two jailers were on guard.


    Bai Zhantang easily snuck over and immobilized them, then led Lin Feng inside.


    Inside the prison, several jailers were dozing off. The two didn''t dare be careless and immobilized them all before starting to search for the keys.


    "Hey, help me, let me out!" a prisoner inside the cell noticed them and began to plead.


    This woke up the other prisoners one by one.


    "Benefactors, please let me go. I''ll serve you for life."


    "I''ll give you my wife, just let me out. If that''s not enough, I''ll throw in my old mother too."


    "If you don''t let me out, I''ll call for help!"


    "Yeah, if I can''t escape, then no one should!"


    ...


    "What do we do?" Bai Zhantang was at a loss. Should they really release them all?


    "We should let them go," Lin Feng quickly decided.


    "Are you crazy? Releasing so many prisoners is asking for trouble."


    Lin Feng explained, "If you only release one person, Magistrate Lou will still suspect, since only you met him. To confuse the trail, we need to release several."


    Bai Zhantang thought it made sense but was worried, "What if they''re serious criminals? Letting them out would endanger society."


    Lin Feng smiled mysteriously and whispered, "Don''t worry, I have a plan. You go find Ji Wuming''s disciple, leave this to me."


    They found the keys, and Bai Zhantang hurried to rescue the person.


    Lin Feng calmly took a set of keys and approached the prisoners.


    "I''ll let you out, but keep quiet. If we''re exposed, we''ll all die."


    The prisoners were immediately excited, nodding repeatedly, promising to be grateful to Lin Feng for life.


    Lin Feng then said, "Escaping prison is a serious crime, punishable by death. Think carefully. If you''re in for a minor offense, I advise against taking the risk. You''ll be out soon anyway. Those with serious charges, follow me."


    Hearing this, many prisoners hesitated. Most were in for minor offenses and felt the risk wasn''t worth it.


    As a result, most gave up on the idea, leaving only four who insisted on leaving.


    Seeing this, Lin Feng unlocked their cell.


    The four were overjoyed, feeling freedom was within reach.


    "We''re still shackled, can you unlock us?" one of the serious offenders asked.


    Lin Feng shook his head, "No time. I saw patrol soldiers approaching when I came. We can''t waste time looking for the shackle keys. Once we''re out, find a locksmith."


    They believed him, even considering Lin Feng a savior, calling him brother.


    Lin Feng played along, exchanging pleasantries until Bai Zhantang brought a prisoner over.


    "All set, those four?"


    "Yes, they''re with us. Let''s move quickly before anything changes."


    Without further ado, Lin Feng led the way, and the four followed like shadows.


    Little did they know they were following a living nightmare...


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 Chapter 37 - They still have to thank us

    A few people escaped from the prison cell, sprinting out of Seven Heroes Town, and continued running without rest for a long time.


    "We can''t go on, we''re exhausted. If we keep running, we''ll drop dead from exhaustion."


    The four prisoners, including Ji Wuming''s disciple, were panting heavily, collapsed on the ground, utterly spent.


    They were still wearing handcuffs and shackles weighing dozens of pounds. How could they not be tired after running for miles?


    "Did you bring the keys? Unlock them," Bai Zhantang said.


    Lin Feng shook his head and replied, "There was no time to find the keys. Let''s find a locksmith in the next town to open them."


    "That works too. If not, we can find an axe and break them."


    Lin Feng then said to Bai Zhantang, "You should head back first. I''ll take them to the next town. I''m sure the yamen has discovered by now and will lock down the town for a search. You should hurry back, or it''ll be over if they find out you''re missing."


    "What about you? Won''t they suspect you too?"


    "I''m a consultant for the yamen. Who would dare suspect me? I can come up with any excuse to cover it up. Don''t worry."


    Bai Zhantang hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly nodded and agreed, "Alright, I''ll go back first to stabilize the situation. You hurry back."


    Watching Bai Zhantang leave, Lin Feng then feigned concern and said to the five, "Brothers, have you rested enough? Let''s move on. Once we reach the next town, I''ll get you five horses, and you can go your separate ways."


    "Thank you, brother, for your righteous rescue. I, Zhang San, will repay you tenfold in the future!"


    "Yes, brother, your great kindness will never be forgotten. I''ll set up a longevity plaque for you!"


    "Thank you, big brother!"


    "Big brother, you''re generous!"


    The group was moved, and one of them was even brought to tears.


    "We''re all people of the martial world. It''s only right to look out for each other. Let''s go."


    Lin Feng urged.


    The five, suspecting nothing, got up and continued on their way.


    But behind them, Lin Feng now held a long knife, a sinister smile appearing beneath his mask, chuckling eerily...


    Swoosh!


    A cold flash, and a prisoner''s head flew off.


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    "Kill serious offender Zhang San, reward: 800 experience points, Jianghu reputation +30!"


    Seeing a head roll to their feet, the remaining four were shocked and quickly turned back, only to find their ''good brother'' Lin Feng charging at them with a knife!


    Before they could react, another was slain by Lin Feng.


    Now, the remaining three were in complete panic.


    "Big... big brother... why are you doing this?"


    Lin Feng chuckled, "You looked too tired from the journey, so I thought I''d send you off quickly."


    With that, he swung his knife again, and another fell.


    "Bastard, you planned to kill us all along, didn''t you!"


    "You''re quite smart."


    "I''ll fight you!"


    The fourth prisoner had some skills, a third-rate expert.


    Unfortunately, bound by chains and exhausted, he was no match for Lin Feng.


    In less than five moves, he was slain on the spot.


    "Kill murderer Wang Mazi, reward: 1500 experience points, Jianghu reputation +70!"


    All four became souls under Lin Feng''s blade.


    Only one remained, Ji Wuming''s disciple.


    But he had already fled into the nearby woods.


    In the pitch-black night, Lin Feng really didn''t know where to find him.


    "Brother, what are you doing? I''m here to save you. We''re both from the Sunflower Sect. The Saint of Thieves is my brother. Why would I harm you? I killed them to prevent them from exposing us. Come out quickly."


    Lin Feng called out along the path, but even so, the guy refused to come out.


    After a fruitless search, he cursed, "Damn it, let that kid get away. Forget it, I better hurry back to report."


    With that, Lin Feng turned and left. Five or six minutes later, a figure sneaked out, patting his chest in relief.


    "Finally escaped from the jaws of death. White Jade Soup, you''re ruthless! When I get out, I''ll expose you!"


    Suddenly, a ghostly voice sounded behind him.


    "White Jade Soup didn''t kill you, why expose him?"


    Zhou Li trembled all over, turning around in terror to find Lin Feng had returned, knife in hand, slowly approaching.


    He immediately wet himself, his pants soaked, and hurriedly knelt, kowtowing repeatedly.


    "Please spare me, I won''t expose him. I beg you, let me live. I''ll give you anything you want."


    Lin Feng didn''t rush to kill him but looked down at him and asked, "You say you''re Ji Wuming''s disciple?"


    "Yes..."


    "Do you have proof?"


    "I do!"


    Zhou Li quickly took off his shoe and pulled out a token from the sole.


    Lin Feng disdainfully lifted it with his knife, seeing the small characters ¡¾Sunflower¡¤Wuming¡¤Zhou Li¡¿engraved on it.


    This token indeed proved he was Ji Wuming''s disciple.


    "Where is the Sunflower Sect now?"


    "The Sunflower Sect disbanded years ago. Everyone went their separate ways."


    "What about your sect leader?"


    "Our sect leader was also captured, held in the Department Six''s prison in the Capital City, named Gongsun Wulong."


    "Do you have any secret codes with Ji Wuming?"


    "Yes."


    "Let me ask you..."


    Lin Feng interrogated him for information, and after asking everything, he had a bold plan in mind.


    Seeing Lin Feng silent, Zhou Li thought he had finally proven his identity and could escape death.


    But when he looked up, he saw the gleaming knife!


    ....


    Seven Heroes Town.


    The prison break had been discovered, and the entire town was under lockdown and search. Teams of officers began leaving Seven Heroes Town to search for the escaped prisoners on various roads.


    Inside Tongfu Inn, everyone was extremely anxious.


    "Why hasn''t Lin Yanfeng returned yet? Could he have... been caught?"


    "Don''t talk nonsense. That kid is as sly as a monkey. How could he be caught? Besides, he''s a yamen consultant. No one would dare suspect him."


    "But..."


    Before the words were finished, cheers from the constables sounded outside: "The prisoners have been caught! It was Young Hero Lin who helped capture them! Withdraw, withdraw!"


    Bai Zhantang and Tong Xiangyu exchanged bewildered looks.


    "Didn''t he help them escape? How did he bring them back?"


    "What is that kid up to? Is he deliberately trying to expose Old Bai?"


    "Yeah, what if that Ji Wuming''s disciple comes back and implicates Old Bai?"


    "Never mind, let''s go see."


    Everyone rushed out of the inn and headed to the yamen, finding it surrounded by people, even Magistrate Lou was present.


    Lin Feng stood in the middle, having already changed out of his night attire into a heroic outfit, looking imposing and righteous.


    He had a cloth sack at his feet, which he tossed to the ground, revealing five heads.


    "Magistrate Lou, I discovered someone trying to break the prisoners out and take them away. I didn''t have time to report to you, so I chased after them. Unexpectedly, the person breaking them out was highly skilled, and I couldn''t stop him. He got away. As for these five, they couldn''t outrun me with their shackles, so they teamed up to attack me, trying to kill me to silence me. Luckily, I had some strength and managed to kill all five, barely escaping with my life."


    Lin Feng spoke earnestly, vividly describing the earlier battle, exaggerating it as much as possible.


    Magistrate Lou, instead of doubting, was moved, repeatedly thanking Lin Feng while holding his hand.


    "Thank goodness for you, Young Hero Lin. If not for your help, I fear I would have lost my position."


    "You''ve risked your life to help me several times. From now on, you''re my good brother, Lou Anmin! You can command the constables of Seven Heroes Town as you wish, as long as it''s not illegal!"


    Lin Feng feigned modesty with Magistrate Lou, noticing Bai Zhantang glaring at him indignantly, he raised an eyebrow at him.


    See, they even have to thank us~


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 Chapter 38 - Ways to delay aging

    "Lin Yanfeng! You''ve killed the innocent again!"


    Inside the inn, Bai Zhantang glared angrily at Lin Feng, who had just returned triumphantly.


    Lin Feng waved his hand dismissively and said, "How have I killed the innocent? Those people I killed, which one of them didn''t deserve it?"


    "You! So you tricked them into going out just to kill them and then claim a reward from the yamen. That''s so deceitful!"


    Lin Feng leisurely sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a sip.


    "If I hadn''t tricked them, do you think they would have let us leave safely? If they had called the officers, none of us would have gotten away."


    "Besides, those four were death row prisoners. If they escaped and committed murder or arson, you, Bai Zhantang, wouldn''t be able to escape responsibility. I killed them, and you should be thanking me."


    Lin Feng''s words left Bai Zhantang unable to argue.


    "Young Hero Lin is right! Zhantang, he did nothing wrong in this matter. Instead, you should be grateful to him," Tong Xiangyu sided with Lin Feng this time.


    "Exactly, Old Bai. They were death row prisoners. If they escaped and caused harm to the people, how could that be allowed? They were destined to die, and Lin Feng killed them to rid the people of a menace."


    "That''s right, they deserved it. They forced you to rescue them, and they got what was coming to them."


    "I also think Young Hero Lin did nothing wrong!"


    Seeing everyone support Lin Feng, Bai Zhantang didn''t relent but instead questioned Lin Feng.


    "What about Zhou Li? Why did you have to kill him too? He''s Ji Wuming''s disciple and a member of the Sunflower Sect, which makes him my fellow disciple. Killing him, wasn''t that going too far?"


    Lin Feng remained calm and said, "Firstly, he was a ticking time bomb, ready to expose you at any moment. I was just eliminating the root to prevent future troubles."


    "Secondly, although he was a disciple of the Sunflower Sect, he committed numerous crimes and became an infamous bandit, deserving death for his sins."


    "Furthermore, with his nature, if he were caught again, he would likely betray you to gain credit and reduce his sentence."


    "At that time, it wouldn''t just be you who''d be implicated, but everyone around you. They''d all be charged with ''knowing and not reporting, harboring a criminal.'' Do you understand?"


    "Was there a problem with me killing him?"


    His words left Bai Zhantang speechless.


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    Everyone else also found Lin Feng''s reasoning sound.


    Although they knew Zhou Li deserved to die, none of them dared to act. They were still very averse to killing.


    Bai Zhantang, even more so, couldn''t bring himself to kill Zhou Li due to their shared past as fellow disciples.


    But Lin Feng was different. He was decisive and ruthless, precisely what this group lacked.


    Thinking this way, Lin Feng seemed like a blessing to them, removing hidden dangers on their behalf.


    "Alright, the matter is settled. Everyone can have a good night''s sleep. If you still resent me, it''s fine. After all, you won''t have to see me after tomorrow," Lin Feng said, then went upstairs to rest.


    The others were left with mixed feelings, especially Bai Zhantang.


    ...


    In a small villa on the outskirts.


    Yu Meixiang, still in her dreams, was drawn by the enticing aroma wafting through the air. Hearing noises from the kitchen, she curiously stepped out of her room and saw Lin Feng busy cooking.


    His knife skills were exquisite, his pan-flipping deft, and he even managed two stoves simultaneously with ease.


    Seeing such a focused and culinary-skilled Lin Feng left Yu Meixiang a bit dazed.


    "Auntie, you''re awake. It''ll be ready soon. Just wait a bit, and you can eat."


    "Little Feng, when did you learn to cook?"


    "Oh, in the game. I picked up a life skill," Lin Feng casually fibbed.


    Thankfully, with "The Grand Martial World," all differences and changes between him and the original could be explained through the game.


    In truth, cooking was his forte in his past life, and many foreign girls had fallen for him because of it.


    Yu Meixiang, without any suspicion, gently chided, "Little Feng, you''re still young. Cooking is something Auntie should do."


    "It''s no problem, Auntie. It''s just cooking. You cook for me every day, so what''s the harm in me cooking for you once in a while? You need to be taken care of too."


    Lin Feng''s casual words filled Yu Meixiang with warmth and happiness, her eyes even reddening a bit.


    Afraid she might cry, Yu Meixiang quickly went to the kitchen to help Lin Feng serve the dishes.


    Soon, the two sat at the dining table for lunch.


    "This is really delicious. Little Feng, your cooking skills are now better than Auntie''s."


    Lin Feng smiled and said, "As long as Auntie likes it. But I still love Auntie''s cooking more."


    "Will you cook for me if Auntie wants to eat in the future?"


    Yu Meixiang asked expectantly, seemingly forgetting she had just told Lin Feng not to cook...


    "Of course, anytime Auntie wants to eat, I''ll cook."


    "Little Feng, you''re such a warm-hearted guy. Your future girlfriend will definitely be super lucky," Yu Meixiang sighed.


    Lin Feng disagreed, "A girlfriend won''t be that lucky. I just want Auntie to be super happy."


    This comment made Yu Meixiang feel a bit strange, but she couldn''t help teasing, "Silly boy, you''ll eventually find a girlfriend. You can''t treat them differently; all girls need to be pampered."


    "By the way, Little Feng, have you dated anyone at school? Or is there a girl you like, or someone who likes you?"


    Seeing Yu Meixiang suddenly gossiping, Lin Feng found it amusing and said, "None at all. I''m not interested in those underage kids."


    "Do you like girls older than you?" Yu Meixiang was surprised.


    Without thinking, Lin Feng nodded and said, "Yeah, what''s the point of talking to little girls? They''re not fully grown, and most have a bad temper, hard to please. Mature women are different, sexy, gentle, and considerate, just like Auntie."


    Yu Meixiang blushed instantly, thinking Little Feng''s taste in partners was quite peculiar.


    Most young boys liked younger, obedient, and sensible girls, but he preferred older ones. Could he even like mature women?


    But she was too embarrassed to ask.


    "You probably haven''t met a girl you truly like. When you do, you''ll think differently. After all, Auntie is getting older, no longer young and beautiful, lacking any allure."


    At this, Yu Meixiang seemed a bit melancholic, even losing her appetite.


    Women fear aging the most. No matter how beautiful, once they age, their charm fades.


    Seeing her worried expression, Lin Feng found it amusing and reassured her, "Auntie, don''t worry. This problem is actually easy to solve."


    "Hmm?"


    Lin Feng explained, "In ''The Grand Martial World,'' there are martial arts and elixirs that can keep you looking young forever, perfectly solving this problem."


    Unexpectedly, Yu Meixiang immediately felt downcast, "There''s no such martial art or elixir. Even though I don''t play, I know some things. If such martial arts existed, the whole world would go crazy. Little Feng, don''t comfort Auntie with kind lies."


    Lin Feng smiled wryly. Just because people didn''t know didn''t mean they didn''t exist; those martial arts and elixirs were just extremely rare and precious.


    As far as he knew, there were several.


    For example, the "Mingyu Skill" from the Flower Palace. Reaching the eighth level could enhance beauty, and the ninth level could even reverse aging and maintain youth.


    Then there''s the "Divine Skill" from the Xiaoyao Sect. After mastering it, Ding Chunqiu transformed from an old man into a young lad.


    And the "Eternal Youth Skill" practiced by Tianshan Tonglao, all capable of preserving youth.


    However, these skills were of high level and extremely difficult to master, so it''s normal for players not to know.


    But it''s not a big deal. When the opportunity arises, Lin Feng will help Yu Meixiang get them.


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 Chapter 39 - The Grand Martial World Office

    "Little Lin, are you saying you really got an activator in the game?"


    Driving through the city streets, Yu Meixiang asked excitedly for the third time.


    After their meal, Lin Feng mentioned he needed to pick something up in the city, and since Yu Meixiang had the day off, she offered to drive him.


    Sitting in the passenger seat, Lin Feng chuckled, "Auntie, you''ve asked this three times already. Yes, you heard right. We''re on our way to collect the item now."


    "Little Feng, you''re amazing! You''ve only been playing this game for a few days and you''ve already made a profit?"


    Yu Meixiang''s eyes sparkled with a hint of admiration.


    "Just lucky," Lin Feng replied humbly.


    Curious, Yu Meixiang asked, "Little Feng, what do you plan to do with the activator? Sell it?"


    "Of course not. I''ll keep it for us. In a few days, I''ll get two more, and then our whole family can play together."


    "What? I don''t need it. Let Zhiqiu and Hanshuang play. I''m too clumsy and would probably get killed quickly. It would be a waste of such an expensive activator."


    Yu Meixiang quickly declined.


    Lin Feng, with an air of certainty, said, "If we''re going to play, we should all play together. Don''t worry, Auntie, I''ll teach you. As long as you''re careful, nothing will happen."


    "I''d rather not. The game only gives you one life, and many people don''t last long. Plus, it requires a lot of energy and money to maintain later on. I don''t want to get involved," Yu Meixiang insisted.


    She wasn''t wrong. Once players exit The Grand Martial World, their strength doesn''t remain constant.


    Whether it''s singing or learning, it''s the same with martial arts. If you don''t advance, you fall behind.


    For instance, if a first-rate expert dies in the game, to maintain their strength, they must train diligently in real life.


    In reality, nurturing a first-rate expert is extremely costly because there are no shortcuts like in the game, where you can level up by defeating monsters.


    In real life, training requires the same dedication as an NPC in the game, progressing step by step, relying on time and resources.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Martial artists have enormous appetites, easily several times that of a normal person. Plus, your dantian''s internal strength is like fuel in a tank; even if you don''t use it, it slowly depletes to maintain basic bodily functions.


    In reality, you have to meditate to recover internal strength, but the speed is too slow, or you can buy internal strength elixirs from the game, which is another huge expense.


    Martial artists in reality are also competitive. If you get into a fight or spar in a ring and get injured, the medical bills are exorbitant.


    Breaking through to a higher realm in reality is even more challenging, taking years or even decades.


    So once you leave The Grand Martial World, you have to keep spending money to maintain your strength, like owning a car that requires annual maintenance, fuel, and repairs.


    Yu Meixiang felt she lacked the confidence and experience, so she didn''t want to waste the expensive activator.


    Lin Feng reassured her, "Don''t worry, Auntie. I''ll be there to guide you. Let me tell you, mastering some martial arts in the game can definitely slow aging and enhance beauty, even if eternal youth is an exaggeration."


    Hearing this, Yu Meixiang was indeed tempted.


    "Really?"


    "Of course. Auntie, you run a beauty salon. The techniques in reality have some effect, but they''re limited. The game''s techniques are far superior. If you master them, when you go out with Sister Zhiqiu, people will say you''re three sisters."


    Yu Meixiang giggled and teased, "You''re just flattering me. Who would believe that we''re three sisters?"


    "I believe it. Auntie, you''re already beautiful and youthful. Any man would be captivated by you. Plus, learning martial arts isn''t just for beauty; it''s also for self-defense. What if a bad guy targets you when I''m not around?"


    Lin Feng''s persuasion finally made Yu Meixiang reconsider playing The Grand Martial World. The promise of slowing aging was too enticing, and the recent incident with the drug had left her shaken.


    Thankfully, Lin Feng was there that time; otherwise, she couldn''t imagine the consequences.


    They drove to the center of Mingjiang City, behind the Armed Police Headquarters.


    There was a vast area here, covering dozens of acres, larger than most universities.


    At the entrance hung a large plaque reading "The Grand Martial World Office - Mingjiang City Branch."


    Indeed, the collection point for The Grand Martial World was set up next to the Armed Police Headquarters.


    Actually, it wasn''t that the collection point was set up here; rather, the Armed Police Department was deliberately located next to the collection point.


    Because, ten years ago, collection points for The Grand Martial World often experienced violent incidents, such as robbing others'' items, group blockades, and even murder.


    Later, collection points were controlled by governments worldwide, heavily guarded to prevent such incidents.


    Many countries also began establishing offices to cultivate experts.


    Don''t underestimate these offices; they play a significant role and are highly valued by the government!


    First, the office protects the game collection point, maintaining order and ensuring the safety of players.


    Second, it has an official trading market, where offline transactions are protected by the government, eliminating the fear of scams.


    Third, the office handles disputes and conflicts between players, forming a Jianghu Action Group, an enforcement team of game experts, to solve player-related cases and bring wrongdoers to justice.


    Fourth, the office identifies hidden experts and potential newcomers, encouraging promising individuals to join official teams, contributing to national competitions.


    Fifth, the office even hosts official sparring arenas to resolve player grudges, preventing them from fighting elsewhere with irreversible consequences. These arenas even include life-and-death duels, where injuries and deaths are accepted.


    In short, anything related to The Grand Martial World is managed by the office.


    These offices have greatly stabilized social order, preventing many competitive players from causing harm to society.


    The government can also quickly identify talent through the office, persuading them to join official ranks to prevent brain drain, thus ensuring control and allowing these talents to contribute to the nation.


    Of course, not all players agree to this. Besides the government, many capitalists also compete for talent, often offering better conditions than the government.


    Because of the attention from both the government and capital, The Grand Martial World has become a household name, attracting countless eyes and traffic.


    This has led to every city''s office being packed daily, bustling like a marketplace, filled with waves of game players.


    In addition, vendors, fans, tourists, and media have become regulars in these areas.


    It''s said that property prices near the office are several times higher than in the average city center.


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 Chapter 40 - Boring arena area

    When Lin Feng and Yu Meixiang drove to the vicinity of the office, they were stuck in traffic for an hour for a mere 500-meter journey, and it took them quite a while to find a parking spot.


    After much difficulty, they finally found a place to park and headed towards the office.


    Outside, it was bustling like a marketplace, with people everywhere.


    The appearance of a stunning woman like Yu Meixiang immediately drew the attention of many men.


    Today, Yu Meixiang had her long, jet-black hair styled in an updo, complementing her delicate, fair oval face.


    Her slender, captivating phoenix eyes, willow-leaf eyebrows, and bright autumn-like eyes all exuded the unique charm of a mature woman.


    Moreover, Yu Meixiang was wearing a well-fitted black business suit that accentuated her graceful curves, voluptuous figure, slender waist, and shapely hips. Especially under the suit, her figure was full and peach-like.


    Before leaving home, she had applied a bit of makeup, making her look even more radiant and stunning today.


    Such a woman could easily capture the souls of countless lustful men wherever she went.


    Yu Meixiang also noticed the unusual gazes around her, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she nervously moved closer to Lin Feng.


    In fact, she usually didn''t dress up much and rarely wore clothes that highlighted her figure.


    But for some reason, knowing she was going out with Lin Feng, she couldn''t help but run back to her bedroom to change into this outfit and put on a bit of makeup to make herself look younger.


    But now, walking in such a crowded place, she began to regret it. The way those men looked at her made her very uncomfortable, as if they wanted to devour her.


    Lin Feng sensed Yu Meixiang''s discomfort and immediately raised his hand to place it on her arm, pulling her closer to him.


    "Auntie, be careful, I''ll protect you."


    Yu Meixiang''s body trembled slightly at first, and her face turned even redder.


    But once she leaned against Lin Feng, she immediately felt a strong sense of security, making her unconsciously lower her guard.


    She could only softly hum in response, obediently holding onto Lin Feng''s arm and walking closely beside him.


    Feeling the exaggerated softness on his arm, Lin Feng smiled bitterly in his heart. Auntie really trusted his self-control, didn''t she? Wasn''t this a test of his resolve?


    However, in front of so many people, he could only suppress his body''s instincts, puff out his chest, lift his head, and sweep his gaze over the crowd with a sense of pride and warning, before swaggering towards the office with Yu Meixiang in tow.


    Upon reaching the office entrance, the order was noticeably better, with many armed police standing guard, and people entering and exiting in an orderly manner, unlike the chaos outside.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    After registering his and Yu Meixiang''s names at the entrance, Lin Feng was allowed to enter.


    Once inside the office, they headed straight for the reception center.


    The office was quite large, with beautiful surroundings, greenery everywhere, and various distinctive buildings.


    Both of them were visiting for the first time, strolling around like tourists.


    Occasionally, they would encounter a few celebrity influencers surrounded by fans, most of whom were there to join in the excitement and gain exposure.


    After walking for a few minutes, a large playground area appeared before Lin Feng''s eyes. It wasn''t just a simple playground; there were numerous arenas set up, with over a hundred open-air stages.


    Outside hung a plaque with the words "The Grand Martial World Arena" in large characters.


    Below it was a note: This arena area is freely available to every player. After registering, you can participate in matches. Except for the life-and-death arena, no other arena is allowed to have fatal fights. Violators will be held legally responsible.


    Lin Feng saw that the arenas were packed with people, with most of them engaged in sparring.


    There were generally three types of people who came here to spar: those purely seeking to improve their combat experience, those challenging for bounties¡ªwhere some wealthy individuals would set up arenas with high rewards to attract people, aiming to discover experts or gain publicity¡ªand those participating in life-and-death matches, using this method to resolve irreconcilable grudges, regardless of life or death.


    This was inevitable because, due to the popularity of "The Grand Martial World," martial arts had been prevalent on Mysterious Star for over a decade, and martial artists tended to have fiery tempers, leading to conflicts.


    Coupled with grudges in reality or in games, disagreements often led to fights, relying on their martial arts skills.


    This resulted in countless fights and brawls on Mysterious Star over the past decade, like mushrooms after rain.


    The authorities of various countries were helpless, as persuasion was ineffective, so they simply stopped trying.


    Since everyone loved fighting, they decided to channel it rather than suppress it, allowing people to fight.


    Subsequently, it was stipulated that martial artists could spar, but only at designated locations and with prior registration.


    However, martial artists were strictly prohibited from bullying ordinary people. If caught, they would be severely punished.


    As long as martial artists registered in advance, life-and-death battles were permissible.


    Many martial artists had killed in reality, with lives on their hands.


    Of course, it wasn''t a free-for-all; they didn''t want anyone becoming a killing spree.


    In the Dragon Kingdom, it was stipulated that each martial artist could only participate in one life-and-death match per year. Other countries allowed one per year, some several, or even more than ten.


    Lin Feng didn''t find these laws on Mysterious Star absurd; in fact, he thought they suited him perfectly.


    He had taken thousands of lives, and killing was ingrained in his bones.


    Now, with these life-and-death arenas, it was exactly to his liking.


    Watching the martial artists sparring on these arenas, Lin Feng felt an itch to join in, eager to participate.


    This was a common trait among martial artists; with skills, they couldn''t resist sparring, partly due to itchy hands and partly to improve themselves.


    "Auntie, shall we go take a look?" Lin Feng said without waiting for a response, pulling Yu Meixiang towards the arena area.


    Although Yu Meixiang was somewhat resistant to such bloody violence, her curiosity overcame her discomfort, and she obediently followed Lin Feng.


    It seemed both of them had forgotten they were still holding each other...


    Upon entering the arena area, Lin Feng discovered it was also divided by levels.


    There were novice arenas for martial artists below third rate, and veteran arenas for second and first-rate experts.


    As for areas stronger than first-rate, there were none for now, as the strongest martial artists on Mysterious Star were innate experts, reportedly numbering in the dozens.


    Chen Qunsheng was among the strongest of these innate experts, but not the only one.


    Lin Feng first went to the novice arena area, finding it already crowded, with people sparring on every stage.


    However, observing their sparring level, Lin Feng couldn''t help but roll his eyes.


    Whether it was their combat skills or the martial arts they displayed, Lin Feng could only say: "Amateur hour."


    "Watch my Arhat Fist!"


    "Watch my Taizu Long Fist!"


    "My Mountain-Cleaving Blade Technique! Hah!"


    ...


    Lin Feng rolled his eyes.


    Most of the people on these arenas only knew some common-grade martial arts, fighting stiffly and mechanically, merely following moves without thought.


    It felt like AI players had infiltrated a high-ranked game, yes, very much like a group of AI players.


    Lin Feng even suspected these people were NPCs in the game...


    The key was that the audience below watched with great interest, cheering continuously, as if they''d never seen such a spectacle.


    Lin Feng shook his head and sighed. Although his strength wasn''t high, having read countless wuxia novels, he knew this wasn''t a real martial arts duel!


    True martial arts masters would counter each other''s moves, agile and ever-changing, swift and fluid, combined with powerful martial arts, creating a scene so grand and exciting that even the words in novels conveyed its magnificence!


    Even the wuxia TV dramas adapted on Earth thirty years ago were a hundred times more exciting!


    Lin Feng really wanted to shout, "Accepting disciples!"


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 Chapter 41 - Bully

    Lin Feng watched the sparring on the arena for a while before losing interest.


    He also visited the veteran arena area and found it equally unimpressive. The players'' techniques were mediocre, and their martial arts were nothing special, offering nothing worth watching.


    Given that "The Grand Martial World" had been around for ten years, it shouldn''t be like this.


    But with only one life in the game, most players played it safe, either forming teams or developing cautiously. Plus, they hadn''t read wuxia novels, so they were clueless about this type of wuxia game.


    They didn''t understand the tropes of wuxia novels or the essence of true martial arts duels, so their skills and foundations weren''t very high.


    Of course, not all players were like this. There were skilled players who had delivered exciting duels, but such instances were rare.


    The true expert players wouldn''t spar casually; they had their pride and reputation to maintain.


    Have you ever seen a billionaire perform for ordinary people without a reason?


    Watching them perform comes at a cost.


    Moreover, Mingjiang City was just a third-tier city, with few experts around. You might not encounter one even if you stayed here for ten days or half a month.


    Lin Feng decided to leave with Yu Meixiang.


    "Lin Feng?"


    Just then, Lin Feng heard someone calling his name.


    He turned to see three girls who looked like students. One of them was slightly attractive, while the other two were plain-looking.


    The three were heavily made up, dressed like the non-mainstream styles on Earth.


    The one who spoke was the slightly attractive girl in the middle.


    She wasn''t sure, just testing the waters by speaking up.


    "Little Feng, it seems they know you," Yu Meixiang kindly reminded Lin Feng when he didn''t respond.


    Lin Feng just gave a light "hmm" and said, "It''s nothing, they''re irrelevant, let''s go."


    Unexpectedly, the girl blocked Lin Feng''s path, looking surprised, "It really is you, Lin the Casanova. How can you say we''re irrelevant? We''re your classmates."Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    "Are you Little Feng''s classmates? What a coincidence, hello," Yu Meixiang greeted them warmly, not thinking much of it upon hearing they were Lin Feng''s classmates.


    However, seeing how beautiful Yu Meixiang was, the girl''s eyes filled with jealousy, and she rudely said, "What''s it to you, ahjumma? Get lost!"


    Yu Meixiang was taken aback and was about to explain her identity when a crisp slap suddenly echoed.


    A clear handprint appeared on the girl''s face, and her cheek quickly swelled visibly.


    All three girls were stunned, including Yu Meixiang.


    The one who struck was Lin Feng!


    "Little Feng, you..."


    Yu Meixiang was clearly confused, seeing Lin Feng suddenly slap a classmate left her at a loss.


    Lin Feng gave her a gentle smile and whispered in her ear, "Auntie, these are the classmates who often bullied me. I was severely injured, largely thanks to them."


    Upon hearing this, Yu Meixiang''s attitude changed 180 degrees. Her brows furrowed, eyes filled with anger, and she said, "Little Feng did well!"


    The girl who was slapped, once she came to her senses, her bewildered expression was instantly replaced with malice.


    "Lin Feng!!! How dare you hit me!!!"


    Lin Feng calmly replied, "Yes, I hit you, what can you do about it?"


    In fact, as soon as these three girls appeared, Lin Feng recognized them as his classmates, Liu Xiaoyan, Han Feifei, and Li Chunxia.


    And the girl he slapped, Han Feifei, was even the class beauty.


    But why did Lin Feng have such a poor attitude towards them? It was because they had constantly bullied the original owner in class.


    Han Feifei was the school bully, often forming cliques to bully the weak.


    Once, the original owner caught Han Feifei and a group of people bullying a girl in the school''s small forest. Disgusted by the behavior, he secretly reported it to a teacher.


    Unexpectedly, the teacher was Han Feifei''s uncle. As a result, his good deed backfired, and he completely offended her.


    To make matters worse, her boyfriend was the school bully Zhang Yong.


    Thus, the original owner endured a year of bullying from both Han Feifei and Zhang Yong.


    When Zhang Yong graduated, the original owner thought he was free, but never expected Yu Meixiang to catch Zhang Yong''s eye while delivering him food.


    This led to the storyline where the original owner was threatened and beaten to death by Zhang Yong.


    Looking back at the original owner''s school life, it was utterly miserable, constantly bullied or on the verge of being bullied.


    The school didn''t care, and with the influence of "The Grand Martial World," fighting was rampant.


    It was like schools on Earth during the ''80s, where kids influenced by gangster movies didn''t study and only wanted to be gang leaders.


    In Lin Feng''s school, the situation was even worse than on Earth.


    With such a history of grievances, Lin Feng showed no mercy and acted decisively, taking some revenge.


    Seeing Lin Feng so calm after hitting her, Han Feifei was on the verge of exploding.


    "Sisters, beat him up! Beat him to death!"


    As soon as she said it, Liu Xiaoyan and Li Chunxia charged at Lin Feng, baring their teeth and claws, looking fierce.


    They were used to bullying Lin Feng and subconsciously thought he was still easy to push around.


    Little did they know, the current Lin Feng was no longer the weak boy who let others bully him, but a vengeful, violent god of death.


    Before the two could get close, Lin Feng raised his hand.


    Smack! Smack!


    Two crisp sounds echoed.


    Liu Xiaoyan and Li Chunxia fell to the ground simultaneously, each with a prominent handprint on their faces, and each spat out a tooth.


    All three girls were stunned, disbelief written on their faces, and the intense pain made them scream instinctively, tears flowing freely.


    This scene drew the attention of the surrounding onlookers, who gathered to watch the spectacle.


    "Feifei, help us, beat him to death!" Li Chunxia cried out.


    Seeing this, Han Feifei glared venomously at Lin Feng and pointed at him, "Just wait, if I don''t finish you today, I''m not Han Feifei!"


    With that, she turned and ran, seemingly to get reinforcements.


    Yu Meixiang, worried, advised Lin Feng, "Little Feng, maybe we should leave."


    Lin Feng wanted to refuse, but seeing Yu Meixiang''s pleading eyes, he eventually agreed to leave.


    In such a public setting, he couldn''t go too far with these three girls, and they were just ordinary people.


    If a Martial Artist attacked ordinary people recklessly, the consequences would be severe.


    He had no evidence to prove they bullied him, and if he hit too hard, the police would surely come after him, and he didn''t want that trouble.


    Just as Lin Feng was about to leave, Liu Xiaoyan grabbed his clothes and snarled, "You think you can leave? No way!"


    Li Chunxia shouted at the top of her lungs, "Feifei, hurry! He''s trying to escape!"


    At that moment, Han Feifei quickly returned, accompanied by a man with dyed yellow hair.


    Seeing this yellow-haired guy appear, Lin Feng suddenly stopped and decided not to leave.


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 Chapter 42 - Life and Death Arena!

    "Who dares to hit my girlfriend!"


    As soon as the blond-haired guy appeared, he wore a fierce expression, pushing aside bystanders to rush in.


    When he saw Lin Feng, his gaze lingered on him for less than a second before being completely captivated by Yu Meixiang standing next to him.


    The naked desire in the blond-haired guy''s eyes almost overflowed as he looked at Yu Meixiang.


    Seeing this, Yu Meixiang quickly stepped back, hiding behind Lin Feng.


    Only then did the blond-haired guy reluctantly withdraw his gaze, turning to Lin Feng with a sinister smile.


    "Lin Feng, your injuries clearly healed, yet you never returned my calls. Your phone was off every time I tried. Feifei told me you haven''t been to school. You''re quite something, trying to play hide and seek with me, huh."


    "You might dodge for a while, but not forever. Today you still ran into me, and you even dared to hit my girlfriend. You''re really tired of living!"


    "I asked you to do one thing, and it''s either windy or rainy. So disobedient. Looks like I didn''t discipline you enough after graduation, and now you''ve grown wings. Today, if I don''t teach you a lesson, you really won''t know the height of the sky or the depth of the earth!"


    This person was none other than Zhang Yong, the school bully who had beaten the original Lin Feng to death.


    Just as Huang Yong was about to make a move, he was stopped by two buddies who had followed him.


    "Yong, don''t be impulsive. There are too many people here. You''re a Martial Artist; injuring someone could have serious consequences."


    "Yeah, Yong, let''s not rush. Follow them and take this kid somewhere secluded like last time. Then you can deal with him however you want."


    Zhang Yong thought this made sense, but just then, Han Feifei suddenly pointed at Lin Feng''s palm and shouted, "Yong, he''s also a Martial Artist! Look at his palm!"


    Everyone immediately looked and indeed saw an ancient coin pattern on Lin Feng''s palm.


    This meant he was a player of The Grand Martial World!


    Zhang Yong was delighted, mocking, "So you''ve been hiding for half a month to play The Grand Martial World, hoping to silently grow stronger and come out for revenge, huh?"


    He laughed loudly, "You''re really overestimating yourself, thinking you can seek revenge after playing for a few days. Do you think this is a movie? Do you think you''re the returning king?"


    His friends laughed heartily, and Han Feifei joined in, though her cheeks hurt terribly when she grinned.


    Lin Feng remained silent, then clenched his fists, trembling slightly, before casting a frustrated look and storming off.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Zhang Yong, afraid he might leave, immediately started provoking him.


    "Oh, what''s this? Aren''t you the returning king? Didn''t you want revenge? Come on, I''m right here. If you''re not satisfied, we can spar in the ring. How about I let you use one hand?"


    "Coward, I knew you didn''t have the guts. At school, you''re just a loser, only fit to carry my shoes. I''ve bullied you for so long, and you don''t even have the courage to challenge me. What a wimp!"


    Lin Feng stopped in his tracks, his fists clenched tighter, his face flushed red, seemingly on the verge of exploding.


    Seeing this, Zhang Yong was secretly pleased and immediately continued to provoke him.


    "Don''t think you can just leave after hitting my girlfriend. You''re a Martial Artist who deliberately hit someone. I can call the police right now, and you''ll be in jail in no time!"


    "Your godmother is right here. Have her come over and kneel to apologize to my girlfriend, or you can come with me to the ring for a fight. You can choose either option."


    "Sigh, looking at your pathetic state, it seems only having your godmother kneel and apologize will work~"


    Lin Feng could no longer hold back, roaring, "Fight it is! If you have the guts, let''s go to the Life and Death Arena!!!"


    With those words, the crowd erupted.


    "Life and Death Arena? Wow! This is serious."


    "It''s obvious this young man has been provoked, full of youthful vigor, and fell into a trap."


    "The Life and Death Arena, haven''t seen one in a year, right?"


    "Yeah, the last Life and Death Arena was during last year''s Spring Festival. I remember it was between two First Rate Martial Artists."


    "That''s right, one First Rate Martial Artist cuckolded the other''s wife, and in retaliation, the latter slept with the former''s mother. They ended up in the Life and Death Arena."


    "In the end, they fought to the death, one died on the spot, and the other was sent to the hospital but didn''t survive."


    ...


    Zhang Yong was also taken aback, not expecting Lin Feng to propose a fight in the Life and Death Arena.


    But he quickly calmed down, believing his bluffing strategy had worked, causing Lin Feng to lose his mind.


    Thinking this, Zhang Yong became even more smug, fearing Lin Feng might back out, he hurriedly said, "Alright, whoever doesn''t show up is a coward. If you have the guts today, come with me now to sign the Life and Death Contract. If you''re just bluffing, have your godmother kneel and apologize, and prepare a table of wine for me as an apology, and we''ll call it even."


    Lin Feng seemed blinded by rage, saying, "Sign it is! If you don''t sign, you''re my son!"


    Zhang Yong gave a sinister smile, "Alright, let''s go!"


    "Go it is!" Lin Feng didn''t hesitate and started walking.


    Yu Meixiang quickly grabbed him, almost in tears.


    "Little Feng, don''t listen to him. Don''t bet with him. Let''s go home. It''s just a slap; it doesn''t matter. Auntie will get you a lawyer. Don''t go to the ring with him."


    Lin Feng seemed not to hear her at all, saying, "I have to fight him in the ring. Auntie, don''t worry."


    With that, he shook off Yu Meixiang''s hand and stubbornly followed Zhang Yong to the arena registration.


    Yu Meixiang was completely panicked, tears streaming down her face.


    But by then, Lin Feng and Zhang Yong had already reached the registration desk for the Life and Death Arena.


    Hearing it was for the Life and Death Arena, the registrar was also shocked, repeatedly confirming.


    After receiving the same answer, he nervously took out a Life and Death Contract.


    "I''ll remind you one last time, once the Life and Death Contract is signed, life and death in the arena are regardless. Even if one party dies, the other will not be held legally responsible. Are you sure you want to sign?"


    "Stop talking nonsense, I''ll go first!"


    Zhang Yong, without hesitation, picked up the pen and swiftly wrote his name on the Life and Death Contract. The registrar confirmed and verified the information, finding no issues.


    "Zhang Yong, from Mingjiang City, 22 years old, Level 40 Third Rate Martial Artist, confirmed!"


    Then it was Lin Feng''s turn.


    Just as Lin Feng was about to take the pen, Yu Meixiang stopped him again, disregarding the impact and criticism, hugging him tightly, crying and begging him to give up.


    "Little Feng, Auntie can''t live without you. You can''t do something so dangerous. You''re still so young. If you die, how will Auntie live? How will I explain to your parents? As long as you don''t go, Auntie will agree to any request you have, okay..."


    Seeing Yu Meixiang crying for him, Lin Feng felt a pang of guilt.


    But today, he had to trick Zhang Yong into taking the bait!


    His earlier acting was all to set the stage for this Life and Death Arena.


    Upon learning about the Life and Death Arena and coincidentally running into Zhang Yong, Lin Feng had already decided to eliminate him in the arena.


    He had considered other methods, but honestly, none were as safe and reliable as this.


    Private fights between Martial Artists were fine, but if it resulted in death, jail time was inevitable.


    Here, killing didn''t require hiding, nor did it carry any responsibility. It was practically tailor-made for him, and even more so for Zhang Yong¡ªa grave.


    What could be more direct and efficient than this?


    Lin Feng was just worried Zhang Yong might back out at the last minute, so he had to keep acting, unable to explain to Yu Meixiang for the time being.


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 Chapter 43 - A gap of nearly 20 levels!

    "Auntie, trust me, I can handle this. Wait for my good news."


    After whispering these words softly into Yu Meixiang''s ear, Lin Feng steeled himself and gently pushed her aside, then decisively signed his name on the Life and Death Contract.


    "Lin Feng, from Mingjiang City, 18 years old, Level 21 Unranked Martial Artist, confirmation complete!"


    As soon as the registrar announced this, the crowd that had gathered to watch gasped in shock.


    "Wow, this guy is only Level 21?"


    "The blond-haired guy is Level 40, almost 20 levels higher! That''s a difference of hundreds of attribute points, right?"


    "They''re not even in the same league. How can he possibly fight?"


    "When I spar with my friend, I''m five levels higher and I still crush him. A 19-level difference is just insurmountable."


    "Exactly, the level difference is most obvious in attribute gaps. From Level 21 to 30, the total attribute points are 180, and from Level 31 to 40, it''s 220. With a 19-level gap, I calculated it to be a total of 402 attribute points. Even if you average it across four combat attributes, that''s a 100-point difference in each!"


    "And that''s just the attribute point difference. A Level 40 martial artist has definitely learned more martial arts than a Level 21. A Level 21 hasn''t even left the novice map, so how could they have any powerful martial arts? At Level 40, you can travel between the seven major maps. Even learning one or two Yellow Grade martial arts is incredible. This life-and-death duel is a foregone conclusion."


    "Didn''t you see? The boy was just provoked and acted impulsively."


    "There''s nothing to see here. It''s going to be a one-sided massacre. That kid is doomed."


    ...


    The crowd buzzed with discussions, as such a large level gap in a life-and-death duel had never been seen in Mingjiang City before.


    It was like a Wuling Hongguang challenging a Koenigsegg¡ªhow could they even compete?


    Many people felt sorry for Lin Feng, some even felt indignant, despising the blond-haired guy''s despicable tactics for tricking a kid into a deadly fight.


    Hearing the crowd''s chatter, Yu Meixiang felt even more distressed, tears streaming down her face.


    Even though Lin Feng had assured her he was confident, she was still worried sick.


    "Young man, are you sure you want to go up against him? It''s not too late to back out now. As long as you haven''t stepped into the arena after signing the Life and Death Contract, you still have a chance to reconsider."If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The registrar kindly reminded Lin Feng, knowing that with his level of strength, he was no match for the opponent. The other side''s strength was clearly far superior, so it would be wise to admit defeat. There''s no shame in it.


    You could regret signing the Life and Death Contract, but the consequence would be that you could never sign one again. But that''s better than risking your life.


    Zhang Yong, fearing Lin Feng might come to his senses and back out, quickly taunted him, "Who was it that said whoever backs out is a grandson? Son, if you want to acknowledge me as your father, that''s fine too. Kneel and apologize, call me ''dad'' ten times, and I might let it go. After all, I know you don''t have a dad, haha. I could reluctantly accept you, and maybe even marry your godmother, and take care of you. How about that?"


    Lin Feng ignored him and said to the registrar, "I have no regrets."


    The registrar sighed, nodded helplessly, and said, "Alright, then you two can go up. I''ll arrange for an ambulance."


    "Thank you, but you should prepare it for him."


    With that, Lin Feng turned and walked towards the arena without looking back.


    Seeing Lin Feng heading to the arena, Zhang Yong''s grin widened. He turned to Han Feifei beside him and said, "Honey, I''m about to avenge you by taking him out!"


    At this moment, a buddy of his placed a backpack on the ground, took out a sharp broadsword, and handed it over.


    "Brother Yong, take the sword!"


    Zhang Yong accepted it without hesitation, his confidence swelling to unprecedented levels.


    The surrounding crowd looked on with disdain. Outclassing someone by 20 levels and still using a weapon¡ªhow shameless!


    In regular arena sparring, real weapons aren''t allowed, as beheading or dismemberment would be too gruesome. However, many martial artists do use weapons.


    So, regular arenas provide wooden weapons to prevent accidental fatalities.


    But the Life and Death Arena is different. Weapons are allowed, but you have to bring your own.


    Zhang Yong hadn''t actually prepared one, but he happened to be picking up a Common Grade broadsword today, intending to use it for self-defense or to collect protection fees with more intimidation.


    Unexpectedly, he ran into Lin Feng, and the sword came in handy. Naturally, he didn''t hesitate to use it.


    Even if others despised him, he didn''t care. He wanted absolute dominance to take down Lin Feng!


    Both of them stepped onto the stage.


    A referee came up to announce the rules and asked Lin Feng, "Do you need a wooden weapon?"


    Lin Feng shook his head, indicating he didn''t need one.


    It wasn''t arrogance; a wooden weapon was useless. The opponent''s sword was real, and it would break instantly in a clash.


    Seeing that Lin Feng didn''t even want a weapon, the referee sighed inwardly. Poor young man, how are you going to fight like this...


    As the referee left the stage, only Lin Feng and Zhang Yong remained on the arena.


    The spectators below were already making their final comments on this seemingly predetermined life-and-death duel.


    "I bet this handsome young guy won''t last more than ten rounds."


    "He won''t even make it to ten rounds. Five rounds, tops."


    "Tomorrow''s news in Mingjiang City will be about this: a young man recklessly challenges an opponent 20 levels higher and dies in regret."


    "Though reckless, his courage is commendable. Challenging a Level 40 at Level 21¡ªI wouldn''t have the guts."


    "No kidding, not even in games do many people have the guts to do that."


    "Poor handsome guy''s pretty companion. They should contact the funeral home in advance to collect the body quickly."


    ...


    Click!


    The iron gate of the arena locked, signifying that only one person would leave alive.


    The Life and Death Arena is somewhat similar to the octagon on Earth, with a closed-off stage to prevent escape.


    However, the space is ten times larger than an octagon, allowing martial artists to fully showcase their skills and movement techniques without being constrained by the environment.


    The two stood facing each other from a distance. Zhang Yong held his sword across his chest, looking smug and triumphant.


    "Lin Feng, last time I didn''t finish you off, but today you won''t escape."


    "Tsk tsk, it took quite a bit of effort to trick you up here. Once I finish you, I''ll find a chance to have some fun with your godmother, hehehe~"


    Zhang Yong grinned lewdly, dreaming of getting his hands on Lin Feng''s godmother, a stunning beauty he wouldn''t let slip away.


    "Soon you''ll experience the scene of having your limbs severed by my sword, and finally your neck sliced off. You used to scream when I burned you with a lighter; I wonder if you can handle such a bloody and brutal scene, haha."


    Zhang Yong tried to instill fear, hoping Lin Feng would crumble mentally, making it easier for him to strike.


    But he was surprised to find that Lin Feng, once on stage, was a completely different person.


    On the ground, he was impulsive and easily angered, ready to fight at the slightest provocation.


    But now, on the stage, all those expressions were gone, replaced by a blank face and eyes filled with a deep, murderous intent.


    His gaze was like looking at a dead man, making Zhang Yong inexplicably uneasy.


    Seeing his verbal assault had no effect, Zhang Yong suppressed his unease, stopped talking, and took the initiative to attack with his sword!


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 Chapter 44 - One-sided battle

    Regardless of level or weapon, Zhang Yong had every advantage.


    He even managed to strike first, practically engraving victory on his forehead.


    To everyone watching, there was no way Zhang Yong could lose.


    After all, in their understanding, most players'' martial arts were of Common or Yellow Grade, and the difference between the two wasn''t significant.


    Many believed that martial arts weren''t the most important factor; strong attributes were the key to victory.


    Martial arts and techniques were just fluff; as long as your attributes were high, you could just charge ahead!


    If you were to rank the four combat factors of [Attributes], [Martial Arts], [Techniques], and [Equipment], most players still believed attributes were first, equipment second, and martial arts third.


    Some might argue martial arts were second and equipment third.


    As for combat techniques, they were almost always at the bottom, with many thinking they were optional and didn''t affect the outcome.


    No fancy technique could beat raw power.


    You couldn''t really blame them; they hadn''t seen how vast the sky was for true masters. Like frogs in a well, how could they empathize with eagles soaring in the sky?


    But today, Lin Feng was about to change their perception.


    As Zhang Yong charged forward, gripping his blade, he mercilessly slashed down!


    Lin Feng remained unmoved.


    Everyone shook their heads in pity, thinking Lin Feng was so scared he couldn''t move. Many couldn''t bear to watch and covered their eyes, not wanting to see the bloody scene.


    Outside the arena, Yu Meixiang''s heart was in her throat, her face pale, ready to faint at any moment.


    Yet, just as Zhang Yong''s blade was about to fall, Lin Feng, who had been still, suddenly moved!


    In an instant, he dodged the strike.


    Wow!


    The audience gasped in shock.


    But they didn''t realize this was just the beginning.


    As Zhang Yong''s blade missed, before he could recover and defend, a pair of powerful hands struck his back!


    Bang!


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    Zhang Yong felt a tremendous force hit him, causing him to stumble forward uncontrollably.


    Luckily, his stance was steady, and after a few staggering steps, he barely managed to stabilize himself.


    Feeling the pain from within, it was fortunate that most of his attributes were allocated to defense and physique, so the damage wasn''t fatal.


    Zhang Yong was more shocked than hurt.


    The speed Lin Feng displayed to dodge his strike was several times his own!


    And the force that hit him showed that this kid''s strength was equally high.


    This shattered the initial suspicion that Lin Feng had put all his points into agility. How could a level 20 rookie have such high agility and strength?


    "Go, honey, kill him, and I''ll introduce you to my cousin; she can be your wife too!"


    "Brother Yong, take him down!"


    "Brother Yong, chop him up!"


    ...


    From the sidelines, Han Feifei and the others cheered Zhang Yong on.


    "I don''t believe it!"


    Zhang Yong couldn''t be bothered to think. Being injured by a rookie first was embarrassing, and he needed to regain his face quickly.


    His expression turned serious, and with a fierce look, he swung his long blade again.


    "Force Split the Mountain!"


    With the support of his strong internal strength, the blade whistled through the air, determined to split Lin Feng in two.


    But as quick as it happened, Lin Feng seemed to have already seen through his move. This time, instead of dodging, he charged forward with his body.


    As he got close, he gathered all his strength into his shoulder and slammed into Zhang Yong.


    "Iron Mountain Lean!"


    In an instant, Zhang Yong felt like he''d been hit by a truck, sent flying backward.


    The audience gasped in unison. Using a skill to interrupt an opponent''s skill required perfect timing¡ªtoo early, and it wouldn''t interrupt; too late, and even if it did, you''d still get hit.


    Interrupting an opponent''s skill wasn''t a particularly advanced technique, but it required great courage and decisiveness from the user.


    After all, one mistake, and even unarmed, you could get hurt, let alone when the opponent was armed. No one would try it unless they had absolute confidence in their strength.


    Zhang Yong, once again at a disadvantage, bled from the corner of his mouth.


    His body, repeatedly hit, had already suffered internal injuries.


    Lin Feng''s strength could reach up to 520 points, and even without equipment or weapons, it was at least over 400 points.


    His damage was something the level 40 Zhang Yong couldn''t withstand.


    Zhang Yong was just a minor character, an ordinary player who had leveled up over time.


    He had been playing "The Grand Martial World" for over three years, reaching level 40 through simple daily tasks and accumulated experience.


    He believed in Boss Chen Qunsheng''s words and wanted to replicate his success.


    So, he played very conservatively, staying in a third-rate sect as a servant, lacking both advanced martial arts and combat experience.


    For Lin Feng, dealing with such a human bot was no pressure at all. He could see Zhang Yong''s flaws from the moment he made a move.


    Zhang Yong was still in shock, unable to believe that despite his much higher level, he was completely on the defensive against Lin Feng.


    Impossible!


    Still unwilling to accept it, Zhang Yong spat out a mouthful of blood and charged at Lin Feng with his blade even more frantically.


    Though his strikes seemed deadly, they were just flashy moves, easily dodged by Lin Feng.


    As Lin Feng dodged, he didn''t forget to attack, landing ordinary punches on Zhang Yong. Against such a rookie, he couldn''t be bothered to use more powerful palm techniques.


    Ordinary attacks were just as effective and painful.


    Every punch Lin Feng landed made Zhang Yong grimace in pain, his scalp tingling.


    Finally, after several rounds, Lin Feng seized an opportunity to punch Zhang Yong''s wrist, causing him to drop his blade.


    Lin Feng unceremoniously picked up the blade.


    Without his weapon, Zhang Yong panicked even more.


    The roles reversed, Lin Feng, now armed, didn''t hesitate to slash at Zhang Yong.


    In his panic, Zhang Yong tried to dodge like Lin Feng had earlier.


    However, Lin Feng''s strike was at a tricky angle and extremely fast; Zhang Yong''s agility couldn''t keep up.


    With one slash, a shocking wound appeared on Zhang Yong''s shoulder, blood gushing like a fountain.


    Ah!


    The intense pain made Zhang Yong scream, and his mental defenses crumbled.


    Seeing Lin Feng coldly approaching with the blade again, Zhang Yong retreated while begging for mercy.


    "I surrender... I won''t fight anymore, I surrender..."


    But Lin Feng seemed not to hear, continuing his slow approach.


    Though his pace was slow, the pressure he exuded was enough to terrify Zhang Yong.


    He finally understood that Lin Feng was no longer the person he could bully at will. The angered youth from earlier was just an act to lure him into the Life and Death Arena.


    As Lin Feng closed in, Zhang Yong was scared to tears, turning to run towards the arena''s gate.


    However, the iron gate was already locked. In the Life and Death Arena, only one person could leave alive, and there were no referees to intervene, no matter how the fight went.


    "Open the door! Open the door! I don''t want to fight anymore!!! Help!"


    Zhang Yong desperately pounded on the iron gate, hoping to awaken the referee''s conscience, unaware that interference was not allowed in the Life and Death Arena.


    Han Feifei and the others were already scared stiff. They never expected their idol, Brother Zhang Yong, to be so easily defeated by Lin Feng.


    Now he was running around like a lost dog.


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 Chapter 45 - Repent in the next life!

    Lin Feng''s blade showed no hesitation despite Zhang Yong''s surrender.


    He wasn''t in a hurry to kill; each slash avoided vital points.


    Not lethal, but painful!


    Before long, Zhang Yong was covered in blood, his body a mess of wounds.


    Many watching felt their scalps tingle; this young man was ruthless...


    Even a medical professor would feel inferior watching this precision.


    Initially, Zhang Yong had the strength to flee, but as he lost more blood, he couldn''t even run.


    Seeing death approach, Zhang Yong knelt on the ground, his head banging against the floor repeatedly.


    "Brother Lin, Boss Lin, Father Lin, I truly know my mistake, please spare me, spare me..."


    Lin Feng walked up to him, looking down from above.


    Seeing Lin Feng''s indifferent gaze, Zhang Yong was so terrified he wet himself.


    At this point, he had no thought of resistance, only wanting to beg for mercy.


    "When he was bullied by you like this back then, he also begged for mercy. But what did you do?"


    Lin Feng asked on behalf of the original owner, but Zhang Yong didn''t understand, continuing to cry and beg for forgiveness, his head almost sparking from hitting the floor.


    Lin Feng lost interest, not wanting to drag it out.


    "Repent in your next life."


    With that, he raised his blade and, amidst gasps, decisively swung down!


    Zhang Yong, dead!


    Clang!


    After dealing with Zhang Yong, Lin Feng casually tossed the blade onto the stage and calmly walked towards the iron gate.


    The referee opened the gate, and several staff members immediately rushed in to confirm Zhang Yong''s death.


    After confirmation, the referee announced the result.


    "In this Life and Death Arena, Zhang Yong is dead! His family has been contacted to collect the body, and Lin Feng bears no legal responsibility!"


    The audience was still immersed in the recent battle.


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    A battle with a 20-level difference was expected to be one-sided, and it was¡ªjust not in the way they thought.


    Zhang Yong, at level 40, was slain without resistance.


    It felt like a dream, too unbelievable!


    As for Lin Feng, the protagonist of this battle, he had already disappeared with Yu Meixiang.


    The two walked far from the arena area before slowing their pace.


    Yu Meixiang was still in shock.


    After repeatedly confirming Lin Feng was uninjured, Yu Meixiang couldn''t hold back her emotions.


    She hugged Lin Feng''s head and burst into tears.


    "Little Feng, you scared Auntie to death. If something happened to you, how would I explain it to your parents, to your two sisters? Do you know how sad they''d be?"


    Lin Feng felt deeply guilty and quickly patted Yu Meixiang''s back, sincerely admitting his mistake.


    "Aunt Meixiang, I know I was wrong. I shouldn''t have worried you like this. Please don''t cry. You can hit me or scold me, just don''t cry."


    Saying this, Lin Feng slapped himself twice, and Yu Meixiang hurriedly stopped him, feeling distressed.


    "Auntie isn''t angry, it''s just that this Life and Death Arena is too dangerous. You can''t gamble with your life like this. You''re not alone; you have me, your sisters. You must always think of us, understand?"


    Lin Feng nodded, "I understand, Auntie. I won''t do it again. Today was an accident. Zhang Yong not only bullied me but also had improper thoughts about you. I had to take him down."


    Yu Meixiang was moved by his words and couldn''t help but hug Lin Feng tighter.


    "Little Feng, thank you."


    "Protecting Auntie and my sisters is what I should do. After all, I''m part of the family and the only man."


    Lin Feng said with a smile, but it soon faded.


    He realized he was being hugged too tightly, struggling to breathe.


    Before long, Lin Feng felt the air thinning, dizziness setting in, but he remained silent, preferring suffocation over struggling...


    Fortunately, Yu Meixiang noticed something was wrong and quickly let go, her cheeks flushed as she hurriedly explained it wasn''t intentional.


    Lin Feng thought it was a pity but outwardly acted as if nothing happened.


    "Auntie, let''s go. Let''s take the activator and head home."


    "Okay..."


    Lin Feng led Yu Meixiang to the collection center.


    The collection center was a mushroom-shaped building.


    At the center inside, a mysterious ancient coin hologram floated, like a projector suspended in mid-air.


    Staff surrounded this hologram, establishing a sorting center akin to a courier service.


    Whenever a player came to collect game items, the hologram would project the item, which the staff would then hand over.


    Previously, one could simply come and collect, but due to many thefts and even murders over coveted items, authorities began to regulate the process.


    The collection procedure was simple: queue up, wait your turn, and verify your identity.


    The ancient coin pattern on your palm served as the password; once shown, the hologram would lock onto your game character and the item you needed.


    Of course, staff would also confirm the items being collected, as some prohibited items couldn''t be retrieved.


    For instance, harmful items like drugs or poisons would be confiscated, and weapons required registration.


    Not all collection points were this strict.


    Since the collection points were projections of The Grand Martial World randomly scattered across Mysterious Star, each city had several.


    Most were officially controlled, but some were undiscovered by authorities and used by illegal merchants or black markets for trading prohibited items.


    After waiting for about ten minutes, Lin Feng received the activator he sent from the game.


    The staff kindly packaged it and asked if he wanted to consign it for sale.


    If he agreed, they would list it at the trading center, and he could just wait to collect the money.


    "Would you like to consign it? The current price for an activator has risen to 280,000," the staff inquired.


    "No, thank you."


    Lin Feng declined and then returned home with Yu Meixiang.


    He initially wanted Yu Meixiang to play first, but she refused, insisting he give it to Zhiqiu or Hanshuang first.


    Lin Feng agreed, setting the activator aside until they returned on Friday night.


    By now, it was evening, and while Yu Meixiang cooked, Lin Feng began browsing The Grand Martial World information online.


    Unexpectedly, as soon as he opened the game news, a slew of eye-catching headlines dominated the news.


    "Shocking! An 18-year-old genius emerges in Mingjiang City''s Life and Death Arena, easily defeating an opponent 20 levels higher!"


    "Genius! A level 21 unarmed fighter defeats a level 40 armed martial artist with ease!"


    "Brilliant moves, skill interruption, mysterious movement techniques, every punch landed, and decisive killing¡ªa nineteen-year-old demonstrates what a true master is!"


    "Invincible attributes? Despite a 400-point attribute lead, he was beaten throughout, challenging the strongest attribute theory!"


    "Elite Center''s first-rate expert silently watched the video and expressed a desire to take Lin Feng as a disciple, hoping he would reach out, with the Elite Center''s doors open for him!"


    ...


    These headlines were all due to the video of Lin Feng''s duel with Zhang Yong.


    The battle left netizens astounded and sparked a heated discussion.


    Some said Lin Feng''s attributes seemed off, others claimed Zhang Yong was too weak, some criticized Lin Feng for being too cruel, violating humanity by killing and torturing, while others said Zhang Yong deserved it.


    In short, Lin Feng became famous, and now many knew of the genius boy from the unassuming Mingjiang City who killed someone 20 levels higher.


    This was the first time since the game''s launch that someone had defeated an opponent with such a significant level gap.


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 Chapter 46 - Parting

    The next morning.


    At the entrance of Seven Heroes Town.


    Tong Xiangyu and the others came to bid farewell to Lin Feng and Guo Qiangwei.


    The two were about to head to the Capital City.


    As they parted, Guo Qiangwei cried as she said goodbye to her sister, telling her to take care.


    Everyone else also expressed their gratitude to Lin Feng.


    "Young Hero Lin, thank you for saving Tongfu Inn from danger time and again. Your great kindness is beyond words. If you ever need anything from me, Tong Xiangyu, just say the word."


    "Young Hero Lin, I misjudged you before and offended you. Please don''t take it to heart. I, Li Dazui, wish you a bright future in the Capital City. We''ll be waiting for you to appear in the New Talent Weekly of the Martial World Express."


    "Young Hero Lin, you saved Furong''s sister, which was a great help to me, L¨¹ Qinghou. If you ever need anything, just let me know. Though I''m just a scholar and may not be of much help, I''ll do my best."


    ...


    Lin Feng politely bid farewell to everyone. Although he hadn''t stayed long in Seven Heroes Town, he had grown fond of the place.


    Seven Heroes Town felt like a long-lost home for a wandering martial artist, like a lighthouse for a lost ship.


    It could calm all desires, turn all disputes into jokes, and transform all discontent into sighs.


    This was the charm of Seven Heroes Town, the final resting place for countless martial artists.


    No matter how strong a martial arts master, they would eventually tire of the endless fighting and scheming. Fame, wealth, and power would all become fleeting illusions.


    Just like city elites who, after years of struggle, yearn for the countryside in their old age.


    They dream of having a small plot of land, growing vegetables, walking dogs, feeding chickens, playing cards, and drinking tea with neighbors, and enjoying the company of grandchildren.


    The martial world is the same. Terms like "washing hands in a golden basin" and "retiring from the martial world" are common in all wuxia novels.


    Seven Heroes Town is a microcosm of the martial world.


    Lin Feng seemed to understand why "The Grand Martial World" defined it as a novice map and didn''t allow high-level players to return.


    It''s not just because the map''s low danger level protects novice players, but more of a hint and reminder.


    It implies that ''Seven Heroes Town'' represents the beginning and end of everyone''s martial journey, returning to simplicity, from complexity to simplicity, which is the essence of the martial path.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    At the same time, it reminds every newcomer to the martial world that dreams can be pursued, but regardless of success or failure, simplicity and acceptance are the true essence of the martial world.


    As he bid farewell to everyone, Lin Feng seemed to glimpse his own future.


    Perhaps, after achieving his goals and fulfilling his ambitions, he too would one day return to simplicity...


    Everyone reluctantly said goodbye to Lin Feng, except Bai Zhantang, who seemed troubled by yesterday''s events and remained silent.


    Lin Feng didn''t mind, instead smiling and cupping his hands towards him, then mounted his horse, ready to leave.


    Just then, Constable Xing caught up.


    "Brother Lin! Take care!"


    "Brother Xing, is there something you need?" Lin Feng asked.


    "Brother Lin, since you''re heading to the Capital City, I came to see you off, and Magistrate Lou has a small request."


    "Oh? Please go ahead." Lin Feng didn''t expect to receive an extra task before leaving.


    Constable Xing handed him a letter, saying, "This letter is from Magistrate Lou, asking you to deliver it to his old classmate, now a scholar at the Hanlin Academy, Zhang Pingyuan."


    A simple delivery task, with no reward, but better than nothing.


    Lin Feng took the letter, saying, "No problem, I''ll make sure it gets there."


    After some small talk, Lin Feng bid farewell to everyone and rode off with Guo Qiangwei, gradually leaving Seven Heroes Town behind.


    Just as they were about to disappear at the end of the road, Bai Zhantang suddenly shouted, "Lin Yanfeng!"


    Lin Feng slowed down, slightly turning his body on the horse to look back.


    He saw Bai Zhantang shouting with all his might, "Thank you!!!"


    Lin Feng didn''t respond, just smiled broadly at everyone, then rode off into the distance.


    In the far horizon, the sun was rising, casting golden light on the mountains.


    As the dust rose, Lin Feng''s figure at the end of the road seemed more dazzling than the sunlight.


    Everyone watched him leave in silence.


    After a long while, Scholar L¨¹ couldn''t help but sigh, "This is the image of a young hero in my novels. The world''s heroes are probably no different."


    Bai Zhantang agreed with a smile, "Who would disagree? This kid is even more handsome than I was in my youth."


    Guo Furong smiled wryly, "I understand why my sister admires him so much. If I were her age and single, I might fall for him too."


    Tong Xiangyu laughed, "The person I imagined in my youth looked just like him."


    At this moment, Constable Xing narcissistically stroked his scruffy beard and interjected, "Why do I feel like Brother Lin has a bit of my old self in him, though his looks are still a bit inferior to mine."


    This comment was met with collective eye rolls and merciless laughter.


    Amidst the laughter, the story of Seven Heroes Town came to a complete end with Lin Feng.


    ....


    A day later, Lin Feng and Guo Qiangwei appeared at a post station by the official road a hundred miles away.


    They had traveled all day, both man and horse exhausted. The journey had been smooth, without encountering a single bandit.


    It seemed the recent crackdown on bandits had instilled fear in the thieves within a hundred miles, causing them to either flee or hide, not daring to cause trouble for a while.


    Lin Feng handed the horses over to the post station staff.


    In ancient times, post stations were for official use only, not for civilians.


    But this was no obstacle for Lin Feng. After simply showing his token, the staff courteously let them in.


    "Please prepare two fresh horses, some food and drink, and two rooms."


    Lin Feng said, handing over a piece of silver.


    The staff accepted it with a broad smile and eagerly complied.


    "Big Brother Lin, you''re with the government, you don''t need to pay at post stations. My father says this encourages corruption."


    Guo Qiangwei said innocently.


    Lin Feng chuckled, "No wonder your father is the head constable of Department Six. If everyone could live by your father''s principles, there would be no bad people."


    "What do you mean?" Guo Qiangwei asked, puzzled.


    "It means that neither the martial world nor the officialdom can be entirely pure. The martial world isn''t just about fighting; it''s about human relationships. The officialdom isn''t just about following rules; it''s about adapting. Giving others a little favor beyond orders makes them work harder. This is called balancing kindness and authority."


    Guo Qiangwei scratched her head, pouting, "I still don''t get it."


    "Never mind, you''ll understand in time. Let''s go, we''ve been hungry all day. Let''s eat and rest for the night, and continue our journey tomorrow."


    After eating their fill at the post station, they rested early.


    Since it was still early, Lin Feng wasn''t in a hurry to leave the game. Instead, he went to the post station courtyard to practice martial arts.


    He hadn''t forgotten Bai Zhantang''s advice: to master any martial art, diligent practice is essential. So daily practice had become Lin Feng''s routine.


    Among all his martial arts, only "Treading on Snow Without a Trace" had reached a proficient level; the others were still at the beginner stage.


    If he relied solely on using them in fights, it would take a long time to improve these skills.


    So the simplest and most direct method was to practice whenever he had free time, without using internal strength, just practicing the moves.


    Many players did this, and he couldn''t fall behind.


    Practicing martial arts was tedious, but it was the path every martial arts master had to take to become stronger.


    After going through all his martial arts several times, night had fully fallen, and Lin Feng prepared to go inside to rest.


    However, at that moment, the sound of horses'' hooves came from outside the post station.


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 Chapter 47 - Robber bandit

    Lin Feng hadn''t paid much attention initially, but then he overheard the conversation between the station staff and the people outside.


    "Brother courier, we are from the Dragon Gate Escort Agency. We urgently need to travel, but our horses are exhausted. Could we possibly exchange for a few swift horses at your station? Here''s a small token of appreciation."


    "This... won''t do. The station is for official use only. Civilians are not allowed to use it. You should go to the inn in the next town to change horses."


    "You are really stubborn! We''ve been able to change horses at other stations, but not here? You have no flexibility at all!"


    "No means no. Move along, don''t disturb the officials residing here."


    "So there are government officials staying here temporarily. No wonder. Alright, let''s not disturb them. Brothers, let''s go!"


    As the group prepared to leave, Lin Feng walked over.


    The station courier saw Lin Feng approaching and nervously smiled, "Sir, I''ve never done anything against the rules. It was the other stations that did."


    Lin Feng chuckled, "No worries, I''m not here to hold anyone accountable. Are these people from the Dragon Gate Escort Agency?"


    The courier nodded, "Yes, the Dragon Gate Escort Agency is the largest in the region. Their people often escort goods and sometimes seek help from the station when in urgent need."


    Lin Feng then looked at the group outside.


    There were over ten of them, all wearing the uniform of escort guards, looking seasoned and travel-worn.


    The leader, a burly man with a scar, looked at him warily and asked tentatively, "May I ask who you are?"


    Lin Feng smiled and took out his token, "I am Lin Feng, a consultant for the Seven Heroes Town Yamen."


    "So it''s Young Hero Lin Feng! I''ve heard so much about you!"


    To Lin Feng''s surprise, the scarred man immediately became respectful upon hearing his name.


    Lin Feng was puzzled. It seemed the man genuinely knew of him, not just being polite.


    The scarred man noticed his confusion and explained, "The news of Lin Yanfeng, Young Hero Lin, eradicating bandits at Cuiwei Mountain, killing two leaders, and helping the Imperial Court eliminate the notorious thieves has spread far and wide. Even our chief has heard of it. The Capital''s Martial World Express has also published your deeds. Your name, Young Hero Lin, is now well-known."


    Lin Feng suddenly understood. He recalled that his reputation had surpassed a thousand, which made sense. Having a high reputation had its perks; at least he was recognized everywhere he went.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Like Murong Fu from Gusu, who was recognized everywhere, had fans willingly following him. Lin Feng was starting to experience this feeling, and it wasn''t bad at all.


    "It''s just a bit of fame, nothing worth mentioning. I heard you wanted to change horses?"


    "Yes, we need to deliver something to headquarters quickly. We''re afraid of any changes along the way, so we sought help from the station."


    Hearing this, Lin Feng simply said to the courier, "The people from the Dragon Gate Escort Agency are acquaintances of mine. Could you do me a favor and help them out?"


    The courier, hearing Lin Feng''s request, was more than willing. Changing horses meant earning money, so he readily agreed.


    The scarred man was delighted and repeatedly thanked Lin Feng.


    "I am Wang Defa, from within the region, an escort from the Dragon Gate Escort Agency. Young Hero Lin, your righteous assistance is deeply appreciated by all of us at the agency."


    [Ding! Wang Defa''s favorability towards you +35! Current relationship: Close!]


    Lin Feng didn''t expect such high favorability from someone he had just met. It seemed it wasn''t just because he helped; his high reputation made others willing to befriend him.


    "No need to be so polite, Brother Wang. It''s only right for people in the martial world to help each other, especially when it''s just a small effort."


    Wang Defa nodded with a smile. If he weren''t in a hurry, he would have loved to have a drink and chat with Lin Feng.


    "By the way, you mentioned having connections with the Dragon Gate Escort Agency. Is that true?"


    Lin Feng smiled, "Do you know Tong Xiangyu?"


    "Of course, she''s our Young Mistress. You know her?" Wang Defa asked excitedly.


    Lin Feng nodded, "I''m friends with Shopkeeper Tong. I just said goodbye to her yesterday. It''s quite a coincidence to meet her people today."


    "Hahaha, indeed a coincidence. Our chief often talks about the Young Mistress and mentioned visiting her once things settle down," Wang Defa laughed.


    Lin Feng recalled a storyline from "My Own Swordsman" where Old Master Tong visited the Tongfu Inn. Old Master Tong wanted to take his daughter home, so Tong Xiangyu pretended to marry Bai Zhantang to avoid going back. Later, out of fear, she had Guo Furong take her place, causing a big mix-up.


    Thinking of this, Lin Feng couldn''t help but shake his head and smile.


    It seemed Bai Zhantang was not far from seeing his mother and obtaining the immunity token.


    Wang Defa and Lin Feng chatted briefly before the courier came over to say the horses were ready.


    Though Wang Defa wanted to chat more with Lin Feng, he had to prioritize his mission and bid farewell.


    "Brother Lin, I have urgent matters to attend to. When we meet again, we must drink until we drop!"


    "I understand. Safe travels, Brother Wang."


    "Take care!"


    With that, Wang Defa mounted his horse and hurriedly left.


    Lin Feng returned to his room to rest.


    The night passed uneventfully.


    The next day, Lin Feng and Guo Qiangwei set off again.


    The two continued along the official road towards the Capital City. Along the way, Guo Qiangwei chatted incessantly with Lin Feng.


    She seemed to know that this might be the last time they could see each other after returning to the Capital, so she tried to talk to Lin Feng as much as possible.


    Lin Feng hadn''t expected Guo Qiangwei to have feelings for him.


    Guo Qiangwei''s favorability towards him was as high as 60 points, reaching the level of liking.


    However, Lin Feng only saw her as an NPC and had no inappropriate thoughts towards NPCs.


    He wasn''t Lin Jichen.


    As they were happily chatting, a group of armed bandits suddenly rushed out from the woods on both sides of the road, surrounding them.


    "Hey! This road is mine, and this tree is mine. If you want to pass, leave a toll!"


    A bandit with a headscarf shouted fiercely at the two.


    "Wow, boss, this woman is beautiful. We''re in for a treat today."


    "Take her back to be the Chieftain''s Wife. The boss can have the bridal chamber tonight!"


    "Hahaha, don''t worry. As usual, I''ll have my fun first, then leave her for the brothers. I, Liu Fugui, never waste anything. I''ll eat every grain of rice in my bowl. You can line up and take turns!"


    "Boss is mighty! We swear to follow the boss to the death!"


    The bandits all showed lecherous expressions, and as for Lin Feng, they had already considered him a dead man.


    Guo Qiangwei was terrified and quickly called out to Lin Feng for help, "Big Brother Lin, what do we do..."


    Lin Feng remained calm. They were already over a hundred miles from Seven Heroes Town, and encountering mountain bandits was quite normal.


    He had just used the Qi Observation Technique and found that the highest level among them was only level 20, a bunch of small fry with no combat power.


    Lin Feng couldn''t be bothered to waste words. He drew his long knife, stepped on the saddle, and leaped into the air.


    He lightly stepped on the horse''s back like a dragonfly skimming the water, his figure swooping down towards the bandit leader like a flying swallow.


    Before the leader could react, Lin Feng was already upon him, his long knife slashing down, and a head rolled to the ground!


    The series of actions were smooth and fast as lightning.


    The ''Yuwen'' leader, who had just appeared for less than five seconds, was instantly killed.


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 Chapter 48 - The Charisma of Hidden Weapons!

    "Defeated Mountain Bandit Leader x1, Experience +750 points, Reputation in Jianghu +50 points."


    This bandit gave little experience but awarded 50 reputation points, indicating he had committed numerous heinous acts.


    After dealing with this ''Yuwen Bandit Leader'', Lin Feng didn''t pause and continued to target the others, beginning his harvest!


    "It''s over! We''ve hit a tough one, brothers, run for it!"


    Seeing Lin Feng''s prowess, the other bandits scattered in all directions.


    Guo Qiangwei, realizing these robbers were just a ragtag bunch and with Lin Feng by her side, mustered the courage to dismount and join Lin Feng in fighting the enemies.


    Though Guo Qiangwei was not very strong, she knew some martial arts, and handling a few ordinary bandits was not a problem.


    Together, they managed to take down most of the dozen or so bandits, with only a few lucky ones escaping.


    Noticing that the bandits Guo Qiangwei subdued were only restrained and not killed, Lin Feng ''considerately'' stepped in, ignoring their pleas for mercy, and finished them off, unceremoniously collecting their heads.


    Killing these bandits filled his experience bar, advancing him to level 22!


    "Congratulations on reaching level 22, all combat attributes +3 points, reward of 10 free attribute points."


    Lin Feng smiled with satisfaction and allocated all 10 free points to his physique.


    His defense was already at 310 points, surpassing his agility, which was only 290 points.


    As for force, it was a whopping 523 points, so there was no need to worry about it for the time being.


    However, his physique was only at 176 points, the weakest among his four combat attributes.


    Physique affects vitality and internal strength, making it a crucial combat attribute.


    Lin Feng planned to find a top-tier internal energy technique to enhance his physique as soon as he left the novice map.


    Otherwise, having too little health made him uneasy and restricted his actions.


    He was only eight levels away from reaching the third-rate threshold, and at level 30, he could leave the novice map.


    By then, the sky would be the limit, and he needed to quickly seek opportunities.


    He already had a target in mind for which internal energy technique to pursue first.


    After the battle, Lin Feng checked for loot while casually digging pits to bury the bodies, burning them to ashes like discarding trash.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    In "The Grand Martial World," aside from loot that might randomly disappear based on drop rates, everything else was very realistic. If bodies were left unattended, they would rot and stink.


    Lin Feng did this as a simple precaution to prevent an outbreak of plague.


    "Big Brother Lin... isn''t this a bit too cruel..."


    Guo Qiangwei, seeing Lin Feng''s calm demeanor in handling the bodies and recalling his ruthless killing earlier, covered her mouth, feeling a bit uncomfortable.


    Though she had heard of Lin Feng single-handedly slaying seven infamous bandits, witnessing it firsthand was still hard to accept.


    Like Guo Furong, she had been sheltered and had never seen such a bloody scene.


    Lin Feng, however, was unfazed and said, "Cruel? Imagine what would have happened if they had captured you today. I don''t need to spell it out. Besides, judging by their actions, they''ve done this many times before. They deserved to die."


    "But... there''s the yamen to punish them..."


    "The nearest yamen is at least fifty miles away. We can''t escort them there. For the sake of future travelers, this is the best solution."


    "Alright..."


    Guo Qiangwei knew Lin Feng was right but still felt uneasy. However, the matter was settled, and she said no more.


    After dealing with the mountain bandits, the two continued on their journey.


    Seeing Guo Qiangwei a bit downcast, Lin Feng asked, "Still upset about me killing indiscriminately?"


    "No, Big Brother Lin only killed those who deserved it. I just..."


    "Just think there''s no need for such a massacre?"


    "Yes..."


    Lin Feng chuckled and shook his head, saying, "That''s why you''re not suited for the Jianghu. Remember, to deal with evil, you must use evil. Sympathy and kindness are useless in the Jianghu and will only harm you and those around you."


    Guo Qiangwei pondered, while Lin Feng didn''t bother explaining further. Some could accept this, and some couldn''t.


    He never cared about others'' opinions on his actions. Whether they could accept it was their problem, not his.


    By evening, they were less than thirty miles from the next station and expected to arrive before dark.


    Just as Lin Feng was about to speed up, a commotion unfolded ahead.


    Two groups were fighting fiercely. One group, larger in number, consisted of over thirty black-clothed, masked individuals, while the other, smaller group wore escort uniforms, numbering only a dozen.


    A carriage was caught in the middle of the official road between them.


    Both sides seemed to be fighting over the carriage, with casualties mounting and the battle turning brutal.


    Seeing this, Lin Feng didn''t hesitate and instructed Guo Qiangwei to stay back before riding forward.


    His reason for helping was simple: the escorts seemed to be from Wang Defa''s Dragon Gate Escort Agency.


    A friend in trouble, he naturally wouldn''t stand by.


    Moreover, there might be a quest involved. Having crammed so much game knowledge, he wouldn''t miss this chance.


    Riding to the scene, Lin Feng confirmed the escorts were indeed from the Dragon Gate Escort Agency.


    At that moment, Wang Defa was fighting two black-clothed men. Both were third-rate martial artists, striking ruthlessly with deadly moves.


    Wang Defa, an escort from the agency, was also at the third-rate level, but he was struggling against the two foes.


    Having already killed several black-clothed men, Wang Defa was exhausted and now found it difficult to handle two martial artists of the same level.


    He had taken several hits, with a particularly gruesome wound on his chest, bleeding profusely.


    Due to being outnumbered, many of his brothers had fallen, and if this continued, they would all perish here.


    Lin Feng''s arrival immediately caught the attention of the black-clothed men.


    "Get lost!" one of them shouted harshly.


    Unexpectedly, Lin Feng ignored the warning and continued riding, cutting down the man who tried to stop him with a single strike!


    "Damn, reinforcements!"


    The black-clothed men quickly realized Lin Feng was an enemy, and five of them charged at him.


    Lin Feng paid them no mind, galloping straight toward Wang Defa.


    Wang Defa recognized Lin Feng on horseback.


    Instead of calling for help, he shouted, "Brother Lin, run! You''re no match for them!"


    He had noticed earlier that Lin Feng''s strength wasn''t very high, likely not even reaching the quasi-third-rate level.


    Not wanting Lin Feng to die needlessly, he urged him to flee.


    "Heh, ignorant brat, courting death."


    A third-rate martial artist beside Wang Defa sneered, thinking Lin Feng was overestimating himself.


    But before he could finish, a faint whistling sound cut through the air.


    The next second, a bloody hole appeared on the forehead of the third-rate martial artist!


    A steel needle had pierced his forehead, embedding half an inch into his skull.


    The man stared at Lin Feng in disbelief before collapsing with a thud.


    Wang Defa and the other black-clothed martial artists were shocked, their eyes filled with horror.


    Only Lin Feng appeared excited, eager for more.


    The move he had just used was Tiansheng Yi''s unique hidden weapon, the Flying Needle Technique.


    The Profound Grade Flying Needle Technique dealt incredibly high damage, and since the opponent wasn''t at full health and was hit in the head, Lin Feng took him down with a single needle.


    This was Lin Feng''s first time using the Flying Needle Technique in combat.


    The feeling of taking down an enemy with one needle was exhilarating! Haha!


    He now envied Dongfang Bubai a bit, whose hidden weapon skills were likely unmatched, and the Sunflower Manual was undoubtedly a Heaven Grade martial art.


    Unfortunately, he wouldn''t dare to learn such a thing in his lifetime.


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 Chapter 49 - Escort mission!

    "Killed Flying Crane Sect elite disciple *1, experience +1600 points, Flying Crane Sect hatred value +50 points!"


    Lin Feng didn''t expect the opponent to be from a sect.


    He hadn''t heard of the Flying Crane Sect, likely a third-rate sect on this map.


    He didn''t pay it much mind and once again launched a steel needle.


    However, this time the opponent was alert and quickly dodged.


    Though it missed, it successfully saved Wang Defa.


    "Lin, my younger brother, thank you for saving my life. I will never forget this life-saving grace!"


    Wang Defa felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders and hurriedly took out an elixir to heal his wounds.


    "How can I stand by when a friend is in trouble? Brother Wang, just tell me if there''s anything I can help with."


    Wang Defa didn''t have time for pleasantries and said, "Lin, my younger brother, they''re here to rob the escort. Please help me get rid of these scoundrels. This escort must not fail."


    [Ding! Hidden mission from Dragon Gate Escort Agency triggered! Escort mission! Accept?]


    [Escort Mission]: Help Wang Defa with the escort


    [Mission Content]: Safely escort the goods back to Dragon Gate Escort Agency


    [Mission Difficulty]: Hard


    [Mission Reward]: 20 taels of gold, one Yellow Grade superior martial arts manual, one Yellow Grade superior equipment, one side story trigger condition


    Seeing the mission successfully triggered, Lin Feng fully entered slaughter mode.


    "Brother Wang, be careful yourself. I''ll take care of these small fry."


    With that, Lin Feng used his lightness skill to leap into the air and landed lightly on a tall tree.


    From there, he had a clear view of the entire battlefield.


    Seeing dozens of black-clothed people below, Lin Feng couldn''t help but show a villainous smile.


    Without a word, he reached for the steel needles at his waist.


    He aimed at a black-clothed martial artist still fighting.


    Lin Feng channeled his internal strength, pinched the steel needle with two fingers, and then used his wrist strength to throw the needle!


    The black-clothed martial artist was completely unaware, and the needle pierced his heart.


    "Weak point attack! -4150x150%! Instant kill!"


    The opponent didn''t even understand what happened before he died on the spot.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Lin Feng was very satisfied with the result.


    He continued to pull out needles, aiming and throwing them just like before.


    This was the basic operation of the Flying Needle Technique. Unlike Dongfang Bubai, who could flick embroidery needles with the force of a cannonball with just a finger flick.


    Moreover, Dongfang Bubai didn''t need to touch the needles, only needing to hide them in his sleeve and use internal strength to attach them to his fingertips when needed.


    Not just needles, but the hidden weapon techniques of the Sunflower Manual could use anything, even a drop of water to kill with a flick.


    He could also control the number of hidden weapons at will, without needing to gather strength, shooting whenever he wanted.


    The Flying Needle Technique was different; it had a preparatory action, and after shooting one needle, he had to quickly grab the next.


    Also, the Flying Needle Technique couldn''t handle embroidery needles, only steel needles as substitutes.


    The difference between the two seemed small but was actually vast.


    It''s like comparing the Sunflower Manual to a fully automatic machine gun, while the Flying Needle Technique is just a musket; there''s no comparison in terms of speed and power.


    Moreover, the Sunflower Manual could shoot hundreds or thousands of needles at once, while the Flying Needle Technique could only shoot up to eight needles at a time, and that required both hands.


    To achieve eight needles at once, one must practice it to the level of Transcendence.


    This was something Lin Feng realized after mastering the Flying Needle Technique, understanding how monstrous the Sunflower Manual''s hidden weapon techniques were.


    However, for now, the Flying Needle Technique was still a killing spree in the novice map.


    Using the Flying Needle Technique, Lin Feng hid at the top of the tree, throwing steel needles one by one.


    The steel needles shot into the crowd below like bullets.


    Such small hidden weapons were hard for ordinary martial artists to detect, especially with the dim lighting as night fell.


    Combined with the noisy environment and Lin Feng''s force of over 500, it was a perfect tool for killing without a trace.


    Those below third-rate black-clothed people, if hit by a steel needle, even in ordinary areas, were almost always instantly killed if they hadn''t learned internal energy techniques and had low vitality!


    One by one, the black-clothed people fell dead, dropping like flies.


    Lin Feng''s experience soared rapidly.


    "Killed Flying Crane Sect ordinary disciple *1, experience +600 points, Flying Crane Sect hatred value +10 points!"


    "Killed Flying Crane Sect ordinary disciple *1, experience +600 points, Flying Crane Sect hatred value +10 points!"


    "Killed Flying Crane Sect ordinary disciple *1, experience +600 points, Flying Crane Sect hatred value +10 points!"


    "Killed..."


    "Congratulations on reaching level 23, all combat attributes +3 points, reward 10 free attribute points!"


    "Congratulations, your [Flying Needle Technique] proficiency has reached ''Skilled'' level! Effect +5%! Can control +1 more needle simultaneously!"


    ...


    Lin Feng beamed at the Flying Needle Technique upgrade notification and immediately grabbed two steel needles to throw.


    Thud! Thud!


    Two black-clothed people fell simultaneously.


    Now his killing speed increased even more.


    His steel needles were like the scythe of death, continuously reaping the lives of the black-clothed people below.


    This made the remaining black-clothed people extremely anxious and fearful, losing the will to fight, all scrambling for cover.


    This indirectly broke the balance of the battle, allowing the escorts to gain the upper hand and catch their breath.


    "Damn it, we must kill him! Junior brother, attack with me!"


    The leading black-clothed person saw Lin Feng recklessly killing his fellow sect members and ignored Wang Defa.


    He called his junior brother, also a third-rate martial artist, and the two flew up the tree to quickly eliminate Lin Feng.


    Lin Feng, still immersed in the thrill of rapidly gaining experience, was suddenly interrupted by others. Though reluctant, he had to temporarily stop.


    Seeing the two flying up, Lin Feng shot out two steel needles again.


    Unfortunately, the two were prepared and blocked them with their swords.


    "Kid! Hiding in the shadows using such despicable means, you like hidden weapons, huh? Leave your life here!"


    One black-clothed martial artist rushed in first, thrusting his sword at Lin Feng, while the other followed closely, swinging his sword with a cold gleam.


    The two attacked from front and back, intending to kill Lin Feng on the spot.


    Sensing the danger, Lin Feng didn''t dare be careless. He lightly pushed off with his calf, using the tree branch to propel himself into the air.


    While airborne, Lin Feng abandoned the hidden weapons and drew the Zhenkou Blade from its sheath on his back.


    As he descended, Lin Feng aimed the blade at one of the black-clothed people and slashed down fiercely!


    The opponent hurriedly raised his sword to block.


    Clang!


    A loud clash of metal echoed, and although the black-clothed person''s sword didn''t break, he was like a stone hit by a falling boulder, plummeting straight to the ground.


    Thud!


    Upon hitting the ground, the black-clothed person spat out a mouthful of blood!


    But before he could catch his breath, Lin Feng dove down again, his long blade aiming straight for the man''s heart.


    Lin Feng, head down, his entire body inverted, used all his strength to stab down.


    Luckily, the black-clothed person''s adrenaline surged, allowing him to narrowly roll away at the last moment.


    Lin Feng''s blade tip pierced the ground, almost the entire blade buried in the earth.


    Seeing this, the black-clothed person felt a chill down his spine, knowing that if he had been hit, he would have been skewered...


    Though Lin Feng missed the fatal strike, he wasn''t anxious. He flipped like a hawk, landing steadily, ready to fight again!


    He quickly glanced at the attributes of the two black-clothed people; they were far inferior to Tiansheng Yi, only at Tiansheng Wu''s level.


    They were no match for him.


    The two attacked simultaneously, but Lin Feng didn''t retreat. Instead, he countered with offense, taking the initiative to attack.


    Facing two opponents, Lin Feng didn''t fall behind at all!


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 Chapter 50 - One against four!

    Two black-clothed individuals engaged Lin Feng in close combat, only to realize that this kid wasn''t just skilled with hidden weapons; his blade technique was equally formidable and difficult to handle.


    His strikes were fierce and domineering, and his movement technique was unpredictable and elusive.


    After just a few exchanges, the two found themselves suppressed by Lin Feng.


    "Huang Junior Brother! Zhou Junior Brother! Help us!"


    Realizing they had encountered a tough opponent, the black-clothed individuals didn''t bother with any notions of martial honor and immediately called for reinforcements.


    Soon, two more black-clothed individuals rushed in to support them.


    Wang Defa wanted to help, but he was already heavily injured and was being blocked by other black-clothed individuals, leaving him unable to assist.


    The other escorts were struggling to take care of themselves and couldn''t offer any help either.


    "Lin Younger Brother! Hold on, I''m coming to assist you!"


    Suddenly facing an attack from four people, the tide of battle quickly turned, and Lin Feng found himself at a disadvantage.


    Two fists couldn''t fend off four hands, especially when those four hands were wielding long swords, creating a dazzling array of sword shadows.


    What troubled him the most was that these four seemed to know some kind of sword formation, occupying four positions with seamless coordination, leaving Lin Feng with no room to counterattack.


    Swoosh! Swoosh!


    Unable to dodge, Lin Feng''s arm and chest were struck by swords, bleeding profusely.


    Fortunately, his defense was over 300 points, while the force value of the four opponents was all below 300.


    This meant their normal attacks had little effect on him, only causing superficial injuries.


    However, their swordsmanship damage didn''t care about his basic defense; skill damage still had to be endured, and it was quite painful.


    After taking two more sword hits, Lin Feng had lost nearly a quarter of his health bar.


    Lin Feng knew he couldn''t continue like this; he had to focus on one point and break their encirclement.


    "Thunderbolt Blade Technique!"


    Lin Feng channeled his internal strength and executed the Thunderbolt Blade, first making a feint to temporarily push back two of them.


    He then swiftly turned and struck with a second blade, targeting the weakest of the four.


    This sudden change in tactics caught the quasi-third-rate black-clothed martial artist off guard.


    The blade cleaved his head open on the spot, and his entire body was split in two!This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    In an instant, blood and entrails splattered everywhere, drenching everyone around.


    Such a brutal killing method left them momentarily stunned.


    The scalding blood soaked everyone, yet they felt a chilling cold.


    One black-clothed individual even had his fellow disciple''s bloody intestines draped over his shoulder.


    Lin Feng was the most extreme, covered in blood like a man of blood.


    But he didn''t stop; instead, he swung his blade again!


    The third strike!


    A head flew, and another quasi-third-rate martial artist fell.


    Now only two of the four remained.


    The two third-rate martial artists were terrified by Lin Feng''s brutal methods.


    "Retreat! Retreat!"


    The two didn''t want to fight anymore and turned to flee, but Lin Feng wasn''t about to let two experience monsters escape.


    In his eyes, the demoralized third-rate martial artists were no longer a threat. He chased them down and, without much effort, successfully killed them both.


    Facing four opponents alone and annihilating them, with three of the third-rate martial artists dying by his hand.


    Even so, Lin Feng wasn''t satisfied and continued charging at the other black-clothed individuals with his blade.


    Such ferocious strength scared the last third-rate martial artist into losing the will to fight. After pushing back Wang Defa, he abandoned his comrades and fled without looking back.


    Seeing all four elite disciples defeated, the remaining ordinary disciples had no desire to continue fighting and fled for their lives.


    Meanwhile, the escort agency''s morale soared, and they sounded the horn for a counterattack.


    Before long, the battle subsided.


    The disciples of the Flying Crane Sect suffered heavy casualties, with only a few managing to escape.


    However, more than half of the dozen or so people from the escort agency were also lost, leaving only six survivors, all of whom were injured.


    As soon as the battle ended, Wang Defa rushed to the carriage to check if the cargo was intact.


    After confirming nothing was lost, he breathed a sigh of relief, unable to hold on any longer, and quickly sat down to regulate his breathing and suppress his injuries.


    The other five also hurried to rest, but even while resting, they surrounded the carriage, fearing someone else might come to steal it.


    Lin Feng''s injuries were relatively light, and after taking two Blood Restoration Pills, he began to clean up the battlefield.


    This time, he had killed fifteen enemies, including three third-rate martial artists, three quasi-third-rate, and the rest were unranked.


    The loot was plentiful, but this time he wasn''t so lucky; they were mostly ordinary items, with only two secret manuals and a pair of boots being of Yellow Grade and somewhat decent.


    [Equipment: Antelope Leather Boots]: Yellow Grade, lower tier, Agility +55 points, Evasion +2%, Running Speed +20%


    [Swordsmanship: Flying Crane Swordsmanship]: Yellow Grade, lower tier, Basic Force +35 points, increases sword damage by 10% and sword speed by 12% after use, also adds 4% evasion.


    Consumption: Consumes 15 internal strength points per second.


    Condition: Martial artists with innate talent above 35 points can learn.


    [Swordsmanship: Flying Crane Sword Formation]: Yellow Grade, upper tier, Basic Force +50 points, allows cooperation with teammates who know this formation to trap enemies, increasing damage by 5% for each additional person, up to ten people can perform it simultaneously, causing up to 2000 points of skill damage.


    Consumption: Consumes 40 internal strength points per second.


    Condition: Martial artists with innate talent above 45 points can learn.


    ...


    Lin Feng wasn''t interested in any of these three items. He didn''t need the boots because he had the Suppressing Bandit set, and as for the two sword techniques.


    The Flying Crane Swordsmanship was unremarkable, belonging to the agile swordsmanship category, but its level was too low, with minimal effects, making it dispensable.


    Moreover, Lin Feng wasn''t inclined to use a sword for now; he preferred the feel of a blade, fierce and domineering, which suited his style.


    Besides, his Thunderbolt Blade Technique was far superior to the Flying Crane Swordsmanship.


    Lastly, the sword formation seemed decent, but it required cooperation with others who knew the formation.


    In "The Grand Martial World," NPCs could teach martial arts, and players could too, but the conditions were very stringent.


    To teach martial arts to others, two conditions must be met.


    First, the martial art must reach Transcendence to qualify for teaching.


    Second, a Transmission Box is needed, a special item for players to transmit skills.


    Transmission Boxes also have grades, with Yellow Grade boxes only able to transmit Yellow Grade skills, and they are consumable items.


    The more powerful the martial art, the rarer the Transmission Box needed, with some boxes being more valuable than the martial art itself.


    These two conditions were set to prevent martial arts from becoming rampant in the game, as players could exploit this to take shortcuts.


    Therefore, even if one learned this sword formation, to maximize its effectiveness, one would have to find people from the Flying Crane Sect, making it rather impractical.


    Lin Feng didn''t think much and just tossed these loot items into his backpack, planning to sell them later when he had the chance.


    After he finished cleaning the battlefield, Wang Defa, having somewhat recovered, didn''t continue healing but instead walked directly to Lin Feng and knelt down with a thud.


    The remaining five escorts did the same.


    "Wang Brother, what is this for?" Lin Feng asked.


    Wang Defa solemnly replied, "Thank you, Young Hero Lin, for saving our lives. We owe you our lives, and in the future, if you need anything, we are willing to go through fire and water for you!"


    [Ding! Wang Defa''s attitude towards you has upgraded to: Grateful!]


    [Ding! Zhou Chaoxian''s attitude towards you has upgraded to: Grateful!]


    [Ding! Xiao Yongping''s attitude towards you...]


    Lin Feng hadn''t expected that his assistance for the sake of a mission would earn him the gratitude of six people.


    According to online sources, once you reach this level of attitude, you can command NPCs to work for you, and as long as it''s not too excessive, they''ll be willing to do anything for you.


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 Chapter 51 - Devil-Repelling Sword Manual!

    "Brother Wang, what exactly are you escorting this time that even sects are trying to snatch it?"


    Inside the station, Lin Feng, Guo Qiangwei, and Wang Defa sat together, eating and chatting.


    Everyone was exhausted, and Lin Feng used his privilege to bring them all to the government station for a temporary rest.


    If it were anyone else asking, Wang Defa would have been on guard.


    But since it was Lin Feng, he had no reservations.


    "To be honest, I don''t even know what''s inside."


    Wang Defa said seriously, "I only know that my master values it greatly and has instructed me to ensure its safe delivery without fail."


    "Our master received a commission recently, asking us to transport something from outside the pass to inside. We started with fifty escorts, but by the time we met Brother Lin, only seventeen were left. We encountered several bandit attacks along the way, with many brothers dead or injured. If it weren''t for Brother Lin, we might not have survived."


    Wang Defa said, taking a gloomy sip of wine.


    Lin Feng was surprised. For a small escort agency to attract so many bandits, and even sect disciples disguised as black-clothed people, the item must be extremely valuable.


    He was curious to see what it was but didn''t know how to ask.


    Fortunately, Guo Qiangwei spoke up for him.


    "Brother Wang, what exactly are you escorting? You don''t even know yourselves. What if it gets swapped without your knowledge? I think it''s better to take a look."


    Guo Qiangwei''s words made sense to Wang Defa.


    Although escorts typically wouldn''t check the cargo, given the circumstances, they might face more threats ahead.


    If it really got swapped and he didn''t know what it was, he''d be a fool.


    After some thought, Wang Defa decided to have his men bring the box from the carriage.


    Soon, the box was brought over.


    Everyone looked on curiously, their curiosity piqued.


    Wang Defa took out a key and opened the box, revealing only a ledger and a monk''s portrait.


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    "This... just a ledger and a portrait?"


    Wang Defa panicked, taking the ledger and portrait aside to search the box further.


    He thought the items had been swapped, as something so valuable wouldn''t look like these.


    Everyone else also doubted it and helped search.


    Only Lin Feng picked up the ledger from the table and started reading.


    The ledger recorded the dealings of an escort agency with various sects, and the agency''s name caught Lin Feng''s eye.


    "Fuwei Escort Agency!"


    To confirm his suspicion, Lin Feng picked up the portrait again.


    Upon opening it, it was indeed just a portrait of an old monk, with the monk''s name, Duyuan, written beside it.


    There was also a poem at the bottom.


    The poem seemed ordinary, but Lin Feng understood it immediately.


    It was an acrostic poem, with the first, second, third, and fourth words of each line forming "Bixie Sword Manual."


    The Fuwei Escort Agency in the ledger and the monk Duyuan in the portrait confirmed to Lin Feng that these were clues to the Bixie Sword Manual.


    He was puzzled, though, as the Bixie Sword Manual was from "Smiling Proud Wanderer," so why were the clues in the novice map?


    If an ordinary person discovered these clues, they''d be ecstatic and eager to find the manual and dominate the martial world.


    But Lin Feng wasn''t interested.


    The Bixie Sword Manual was a derivative of the Sunflower Manual, an ancient and profound martial arts manual created by a eunuch in the imperial palace centuries ago.


    It was originally circulated only in the palace, but later, Yue Su and Cai Zifeng of the Huashan Sect secretly read it. Their differing memories and interpretations led to the division of the Huashan Sword and Qi factions.


    Later, the ancestor of the Fuwei Escort Agency, Lin Yuantu, originally a Shaolin monk named Duyuan, was sent to mediate the Huashan conflict due to the close relationship between Huashan and Shaolin.


    During this time, Duyuan memorized part of the manual and, after leaving the monkhood, created the Bixie Sword Manual based on his understanding.


    His power increased significantly, making the Fuwei Escort Agency renowned in the martial world as the top escort agency.


    The Fuwei ''Express'' company dominated all ''express'' business in the area, surpassing even Shunfeng and Yuantong.


    After Lin Yuantu''s death, his son Lin Zhennan didn''t inherit the manual or learn the Bixie Sword Manual, leading to the agency''s decline into an ordinary escort agency.


    Although "The Grand Martial World" hadn''t revealed information about these manuals, Lin Feng was almost certain that the Sunflower Manual was a heavenly-grade cultivation method.


    As for the Bixie Sword Manual, being a product of the Sunflower Manual, it was unlikely to be heavenly-grade, but definitely possible to be earth-grade.


    Lin Feng wasn''t interested because practicing either the Bixie Sword Manual or the Sunflower Manual required a man to abandon his masculinity.


    Such foolishness was something he would never do.


    Even if practicing in the game didn''t affect reality, practicing these martial arts would gradually make one effeminate.


    Anyone who had seen "Smiling Proud Wanderer" knew that the Huashan lineage, Yue Buqun''s family, all became sisters.


    Lin Feng wouldn''t practice it. He had plenty of heavenly-grade martial arts to learn, so why focus on ''gender-changing'' martial arts?


    Seeing Wang Defa still anxiously searching, Lin Feng could only reassure him that perhaps these two items were important to someone else.


    This calmed Wang Defa''s doubts and unease, as the situation was as it was, and they needed to deliver the items back to the Dragon Gate Escort Agency first.


    The next day, Lin Feng accompanied Wang Defa and his group as they set off again.


    They encountered two more attacks on the way, but Lin Feng''s strength easily resolved them.


    Lin Feng gained a lot of experience, reaching level 24!


    Two days later, they finally arrived at the Dragon Gate Escort Agency!


    The Dragon Gate Escort Agency was also Tong Xiangyu''s home.


    Introduced by Wang Defa, Old Master Tong warmly welcomed Lin Feng and sent a gift.


    Twenty taels of gold, a yellow-grade martial art, and a yellow-grade equipment!


    Lin Feng accepted without hesitation and chatted with Old Master Tong about Shopkeeper Tong''s recent situation.


    Old Master Tong happily mentioned visiting his daughter in Seven Heroes Town in a few days.


    After the small talk, Old Master Tong dismissed everyone, then seriously said to Lin Feng, "Young Hero Lin, there''s something I''d like to ask you. Would you be willing?"


    "Please speak, Old Master Tong."


    Lin Feng remained calm, knowing this was the side quest lead mentioned in the task reward.


    Old Master Tong said, "Could you deliver the escort goods that arrived today to the Fuwei Escort Agency in Fuzhou on behalf of the Dragon Gate Escort Agency?"


    [Ding! Hidden side quest triggered! Escort (Part 2)! Accept?]


    [Escort Task]: Help the Dragon Gate Escort Agency with the escort


    [Task Content]: Escort the goods to the Fuwei Escort Agency


    [Task Difficulty]: Difficult


    [Task Reward]: 50 taels of gold, one yellow-grade fine horse, one side quest lead


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 Chapter 52 - Iron Cloth

    Faced with Old Master Tong''s request, Lin Feng straightforwardly chose to refuse.


    Obviously, going to the Fuwei Escort Agency meant he had to head to the Smiling Proud Map first, which contradicted his plans.


    There aren''t many top-tier martial arts in the Smiling Proud Map, just the Sunflower Manual, the Dugu Nine Swords, and the Muscle-Tendon Change Classic.


    Techniques like Ren Woxing''s Star Absorption Method may seem powerful, but they''re actually trash. The method is incomplete, and the side effects are significant, far inferior to the Divine Skill from Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils.


    Lin Feng wouldn''t even consider the Sunflower Manual, leaving only the Dugu Nine Swords and the Muscle-Tendon Change Classic.


    However, both of these martial arts require joining a sect to have a chance to learn them. You can''t naively think you can sneak into a sect to steal them, can you?


    That''s like lighting a lamp in a latrine.


    As for joining a sect, Lin Feng had thought about it.


    But the problem is that joining a sect comes with too many rules, and his aptitude isn''t great, so whether he could even get in is uncertain.


    It''s important to know that the Huashan and Shaolin in the Smiling Proud Map aren''t third-rate sects like those in My Own Swordsman; they''re first-rate sects with high recruitment standards.


    Moreover, once a player chooses to join a sect, it means they can''t switch to another sect.


    For example, if you join the Shaolin Temple in My Own Swordsman, you''re labeled as part of the Shaolin Sect.


    You can leave the novice map and join the Shaolin Temple in other maps, that''s fine.


    But if you switch allegiance to another sect, you''re considered a Shaolin traitor, despised by the righteous path, and no other righteous sect will accept you unless you turn to the demonic path.


    Additionally, once you join a sect, you can''t do anything against the sect''s rules, or you''ll face consequences.


    Linghu Chong is a prime example; he befriended Tian Boguang and Ren Yingying, was eventually expelled from Huashan, and even pursued by the Huashan Sect.


    This is also the main reason Lin Feng refused to join a sect. He didn''t want to be labeled and set up a persona, nor did he want to follow rules and become an underling to the sect''s bosses.


    His nature is both righteous and evil, never bound by conventions, and he dislikes being ordered around.


    Otherwise, he wouldn''t have become a mercenary on Blue Star. With his skills and combat abilities, many military units would want him, but he values freedom.


    Moreover, Old Master Tong''s task is just one of many, and there will surely be a series of side quests afterward.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Even if Lin Feng completes them, all he would get is the Bixie Sword Manual.


    He wouldn''t practice it anyway.


    If he wanted to, he wouldn''t need to go through so much trouble.


    Knowing the storyline, he could just go to the Fuwei Escort Agency and find the manual, without all the hassle.


    Old Master Tong didn''t expect Lin Feng to refuse, but seeing his firm attitude, he had no choice but to accept it reluctantly.


    Lin Feng is probably the first player in the game to refuse a hidden quest, highlighting his rebellious nature.


    Even though he refused Old Master Tong''s request, the latter still treated him to good food and drink.


    Lin Feng didn''t feel guilty at all; instead, he enjoyed the hospitality with a clear conscience.


    At night, after eating and drinking his fill, Lin Feng was pampered by two pretty maids as he took a comfortable hot bath and prepared to sleep.


    Before going to bed, Lin Feng didn''t forget the rewards from the Escort Agency: a secret manual and a piece of equipment.


    [Martial Arts: Iron Cloth]: Yellow Grade, superior quality, base defense +80 points. When activated, the skin becomes as hard as iron, impervious to blades and bullets, reducing ordinary attack damage by 30%, and reflecting 8% of damage from unarmed attacks back to the opponent, with no cooldown time.


    Consumption: Consumes 100 points of internal strength per second.


    Requirement: Martial artists with an innate talent of 55 points or higher can learn.


    ...


    [Item: Weapon Box]: Can repair the durability of Yellow Grade or lower weapons at any time, ensuring the weapon doesn''t break, rust, or dull, maintaining sharpness, and adding 5% damage. It can restore a total of 3000 durability points before disappearing.


    ...


    Lin Feng didn''t hesitate to learn the Iron Cloth. Although his Yellow Grade martial arts attributes were already maxed out, the 80 points of defense seemed wasted.


    However, the Iron Cloth is still a very practical defensive martial art, reducing ordinary attack damage by 30% and having a reflection effect, which is very helpful in actual combat.


    As for the Weapon Box, it''s a unique item for players in The Grand Martial World, allowing them to repair weapon durability anytime, anywhere.


    In the game, all weapons and equipment have hidden durability, and it''s normal for them to wear down and oxidize over time.


    To deal with this, players often need to visit a weapon shop for maintenance, which takes time and money, with better weapons requiring longer and more expensive maintenance.


    But with the Weapon Box, there''s no need for such hassle, allowing players to maintain their beloved weapons anytime, saving a lot of time.


    Besides the Weapon Box, there''s also an Equipment Box for repairing equipment.


    Lin Feng''s Bandit-Slaying Saber had been used for quite a while, having killed dozens if not a hundred enemies. Although a Yellow Grade saber has much higher durability than a Common Grade one, it still suffers from wear and tear.


    He had planned to find a weapon shop for maintenance, but with the Weapon Box, he didn''t have to worry about it for now.


    Putting away the Weapon Box, Lin Feng finally went to sleep satisfied, logging out of the game.


    Today is already Friday, and both Fang Zhiqiu and Fang Hanshuang will be returning home, and Lin Feng also has to go to school.


    He''s delayed going to school for so long that if he doesn''t go soon, he might get expelled.


    Although Lin Feng is doing well in The Grand Martial World and doesn''t need to go to school, Yu Meixiang always hoped he would go to college, as a promise to Lin Feng''s mother.


    Not wanting to disappoint Yu Meixiang, Lin Feng decided to continue attending school.


    After all, being alone at home during the day is boring, and attending classes isn''t so bad.


    In his past life, he dropped out after middle school and never experienced high school or college life.


    Digging out his high school uniform from the closet, Lin Feng found it no longer fit.


    So he tossed the uniform aside, grabbed his dust-covered backpack that hadn''t been used in over a month, and headed to school alone.


    Mingjiang No. 3 High School.


    Classroom of Grade 12, Class 6.


    "There are only over seventy days left until the college entrance examination, and the National Martial Arts exam is coming up soon. The exam includes physical fitness and martial arts assessments, totaling 300 points. These 300 points might be the only hope for you underachievers to get into college. If your National Martial Arts exam scores are high enough, police academies and armed police schools will open their doors for you, and even some Ivy League and 211 universities might give you special admissions, so this is the most crucial exam!"


    "The teacher here has a tonic called Bear-Snake Oral Liquid, which can strengthen the body and enhance strength. This isn''t an advertisement or a bluff; it''s made from Bear-Snake Pills diluted by a friend of mine from The Grand Martial World."


    "Let me explain: Bear-Snake Pills are great for strengthening the body in the game, but since you are ordinary people, the effects are too strong for your bodies to handle, so it''s diluted a thousand times. My friend is only selling it to you at a low price because of my relationship with him. It''s 10,000 per box with three bottles, and if you buy now, you get a 2% discount. Anyone interested? Raise your hand to sign up now!"


    "Student Hang Dali wants to buy a box? Great! Very good, the teacher is optimistic about you. Come over to register and call your parents for money."


    "Oh? Student Bai Jingjing wants to buy too? And two boxes at that? Haha, very good, Bai Jingjing, you have the right mindset!"


    "Anyone else? One, two, three, get ready to place your orders..."


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 Chapter 53 - Mingjiang No. 3 High School

    In the classroom, the homeroom teacher, Li Hong, was enthusiastically promoting the products she held in her hands to the students.


    Her professional jargon and fluent sales pitch had many students impulsively placing orders.


    Seeing more and more people buying, Li Hong''s smile was harder to suppress than an AK''s recoil.


    A single Bear-Snake Pill cost over half a million, diluted into a thousand bottles, three hundred boxes, selling them all would bring in over three million!


    After deducting costs, she could easily net two million in profit.


    It was sheer profiteering.


    Why bother being a teacher or giving lessons?


    Every year, by relying on such sales, a few teachers would team up with school leaders, casually find a pharmaceutical company outside to collaborate with, and each person could easily earn hundreds of thousands.


    Students all hoped to get into a good university, and hearing that it could strengthen their bodies and help with the National Martial Arts exam, parents were more than willing to pay.


    In reality, if it were a genuine Bear-Snake Pill, it could indeed enhance physical strength, but after being diluted a thousand times, what effect could possibly remain? At most, it was just slightly better than ordinary health supplements.


    As for this, Li Hong couldn''t care less, as long as it made money.


    Just as she was selling fervently, a tall and upright figure appeared at the door, interrupting the sales atmosphere.


    Li Hong was immediately displeased, looked towards the door, and glared, "Who is it? Don''t you know you can''t visit during class? Leave now!"


    But the person completely ignored her words, walking into the classroom on their own.


    Seeing the person carrying a backpack, Li Hong realized it was a student, and upon taking a closer look at his face, she remembered who it was.


    "Lin Feng?"


    Lin Feng simply replied, "It''s me."


    For a moment, the entire classroom fell into an eerie silence.


    Li Hong''s expression instantly shifted from displeasure to amiability, even with a hint of flattery.


    "So it''s Lin Feng, not bad, not bad. The teacher saw your video in the Life and Death Arena, you have potential, talent, and skill, haha, go take your seat."


    The video of Lin Feng, a Level 21 Martial Artist, barehandedly counterattacking and killing Zhang Yong, a Level 40 Martial Artist with a blade, in the Mingjiang Life and Death Arena had already spread online.


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    Although the buzz had diminished over the days, people still talked about it and watched it repeatedly.


    Moreover, netizens quickly uncovered Lin Feng''s identity as a senior student at Mingjiang No. 3 High School.


    This information naturally reached the school soon after.


    Having such an outstanding student in the school was a big deal, and if Lin Feng had the chance to become a first-rate master, the entire school would benefit.


    The school leaders immediately approached Li Hong, instructing her to treat Lin Feng courteously upon his return, focus on nurturing him, and provide any necessary support.


    Li Hong hadn''t forgotten this instruction, so upon seeing Lin Feng return, her attitude was exceptionally proper.


    She behaved this way out of fear that Lin Feng might hold a grudge.


    After all, Lin Feng had approached her several times when he was bullied, but Li Hong dismissed it as minor student squabbles without evidence.


    Now that Lin Feng was back, if he still held a grudge, it would be troublesome, so she acted so diligently.


    Lin Feng''s name was already well-known among the students.


    Many students admired Lin Feng greatly, claiming they would seek him as a mentor or leader upon his return.


    Now, seeing him in person, Lin Feng''s classmates couldn''t contain their excitement, casting adoring looks his way.


    The only ones with a completely different attitude were the three girls sitting in the last row.


    They were Han Feifei, Li Chunxia, and Liu Xiaoyan.


    The three girls turned pale as death upon seeing Lin Feng, their eyes filled with fear and panic.


    They had bullied Lin Feng quite a bit in the past and had witnessed him brutally defeat Zhang Yong in the Life and Death Arena.


    Although Lin Feng hadn''t troubled them afterward, the three were so scared they didn''t dare attend school for several days.


    They thought Lin Feng, being so impressive now, wouldn''t return to school.


    Only then did they dismiss thoughts of transferring or even going abroad to return to class.


    But unexpectedly, Lin Feng appeared before them once again.


    The three felt as if the sky was falling, wishing they could escape right then if not for being in class.


    Sitting in his seat, Lin Feng looked around the classroom and at his classmates, finding it all so novel.


    He hadn''t attended school in years, and now experiencing it again was quite nice.


    "Brother Lin... have you finished your homework? If not, I can do it for you..."


    A timid voice sounded beside him.


    Lin Feng turned to see his deskmate, a short, cute, somewhat timid boy with black-framed glasses.


    "Huang Xiaogui?"


    "It''s me, Brother Lin..."


    Lin Feng remembered, this was his deskmate, also someone frequently bullied at school.


    Both he and the original owner were victims of the school bully, Zhang Yong, who often bullied him alongside the original owner.


    They were kindred spirits, sharing the same plight.


    Huang Xiaogui had it worse; besides Zhang Yong, other classmates also bullied him, extorting protection money because he was wealthy.


    Now, with Lin Feng''s transformation into a gaming genius who defeated Zhang Yong, Huang Xiaogui was both in awe and worried that Lin Feng might bully him after gaining power.


    Seeing Huang Xiaogui''s timid demeanor, Lin Feng couldn''t help but laugh out loud.


    Li Hong, who had resumed selling, was interrupted again. Though displeased, she dared not show it, forcing a smile.


    But Lin Feng kept laughing, making it impossible for her to continue selling.


    "Lin Feng, the teacher is in class, please keep your voice down."


    Li Hong attempted to use her authority as a teacher to suppress him.


    But Lin Feng didn''t care, continuing to joke with Huang Xiaogui.


    "We''re desk mates, no need to be so formal. From now on, I''ll have your back, no one will dare bully you."


    "Really, Brother Lin? You''re so good to me, boohoo, Brother Lin, from now on, I''ll be your most loyal underling!"


    Huang Xiaogui, hearing Lin Feng''s promise to protect him, was so moved he stood up, pounding the desk in excitement.


    Li Hong couldn''t hold back any longer; she might not dare reprimand Lin Feng, but she could certainly reprimand Huang Xiaogui.


    "Huang Xiaogui! You''re disrupting the class with your loud voice, go stand outside as punishment!"


    Huang Xiaogui instinctively shivered, shrinking his neck as he was about to head to the corridor, but Lin Feng pulled him back.


    "What punishment? Didn''t I just say I''d protect you? Who dares make you stand as punishment when I''m here?"


    Huang Xiaogui was almost moved to tears, having been bullied for so long, it was the first time someone stood up for him.


    He now wanted nothing more than to follow Lin Feng''s lead.


    Li Hong, feeling humiliated by Lin Feng''s words, looked displeased, suppressing her anger, "Lin Feng, I''m your teacher, your homeroom teacher, you..."


    But before she could finish, Lin Feng interrupted her mercilessly.


    "What kind of teacher are you? What kind of homeroom teacher? Besides selling snake oil and fleecing students, have you done anything to help them?"


    Lin Feng addressed the students loudly, "Classmates, this Bear-Snake Pill costs just over fifty thousand, diluted into a thousand bottles, sold to you at ten thousand a box. Not only is she profiting off you, but the diluted medicine also has no real effect. I suggest you open your eyes and don''t be deceived, your parents'' money isn''t easy to come by."


    Hearing this, the students believed Lin Feng unconditionally, after all, he was a gaming expert, his words must be true!


    The students immediately lost their urge to buy.


    Some who had just signed up quickly changed their minds, saying they wouldn''t buy.


    Li Hong was completely dumbfounded.


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 Chapter 54 - Greatly satisfying to the people

    Li Hong stormed out of the classroom in anger, leaving the students free to cheer and scream in excitement.


    This was the first time in history that a teacher-student conflict ended with the teacher''s defeat.


    "Brother Lin is awesome!"


    "Brother Lin is so cool!"


    "Brother Lin, I totally admire you."


    "Brother Lin, can I be your underling?"


    ...


    In the classroom, the students gathered around Lin Feng, expressing their admiration.


    If it had been just a regular argument with Li Hong, they wouldn''t have reacted so strongly. Han Feifei and the others often did that.


    The key was that Lin Feng wasn''t afraid of Li Hong''s authority at all. He exposed her true motives with pinpoint accuracy, not only humiliating her but also revealing the truth to everyone, showing they hadn''t been deceived.


    Just for that, the students respected him, not to mention that Lin Feng had recently dared to enter the Life and Death Arena and single-handedly defeated the school bully, Zhang Yong.


    Zhang Yong''s notorious reputation had long spread throughout Mingjiang No. 3 High School. Many students had suffered from his bullying, beatings, and extortion of protection fees.


    When news of Zhang Yong''s death broke, countless students from the school celebrated, and it wouldn''t be an exaggeration to say the whole school rejoiced.


    Now, this master sat right before them, and naturally, the students regarded Lin Feng as a hero.


    Before Lin Feng could speak, Huang Xiaogui stood up sensibly.


    "Quiet, quiet, what kind of person is Brother Lin? How can he respond to all of you at once? I''m his number one underling. If you have any minor issues, just come to me."


    "Brother Gui, I want to hang out with Brother Lin."


    "Yeah, Brother Gui, you''re number one, can I be number two?"


    "I''m here to get Brother Lin''s autograph."


    ...


    Lin Feng watched these youngsters making a ruckus and couldn''t help but shake his head and chuckle. He felt like he had come to the wrong school; none of these kids seemed like they were here to study.


    But such a free school was actually a good thing for him. After all, if he really had to attend classes and study, it might be harder than going to war.


    He was here simply because he was bored at home and didn''t want to let Yu Meixiang down, just passing the time.


    As it was now, he felt it was just fine.


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    At the back, Han Feifei and two other girls were quietly trying to leave the classroom.


    Unexpectedly, they were spotted by the sharp-eyed Huang Xiaogui, who immediately reported to Lin Feng, "Brother Lin, it looks like Han Feifei and the others are trying to run."


    Only then did Lin Feng remember the three girls he hadn''t dealt with yet and turned to look.


    The three, who had just reached the door, felt a gaze on them, turned their heads, and instantly turned pale, too scared to move.


    Although they knew Lin Feng wouldn''t dare do anything in broad daylight, the image of Lin Feng brutally killing Zhang Yong in the Life and Death Arena lingered in their minds.


    When Lin Feng killed Zhang Yong, his expression was as calm as a butcher at a supermarket who had been slaughtering fish for twenty years, not at all like someone killing for the first time.


    For the past few days, they had nightmares every night, dreaming of Lin Feng coming after them with a knife.


    In their minds, his image was now akin to a demon, and just a glance from him left them trembling with fear.


    Huang Xiaogui, ever the sycophant, played his role as an underling, pointing at the three girls and shouting, "Brother Lin is calling you over!"


    Han Feifei and the others didn''t dare resist and nervously shuffled forward.


    Huang Xiaogui felt a surge of satisfaction. Once upon a time, he too was bullied daily by these three female school bullies, and he never imagined he''d have a day to turn the tables.


    He secretly vowed to cling even tighter to Brother Lin''s coattails~


    "Brother... Brother Lin... we were wrong... please forgive us this once."


    "Yeah, Brother Lin, we won''t dare again."


    "Please, be the bigger person and don''t hold it against us women."


    The three girls trembled as they apologized to Lin Feng.


    Lin Feng sized up the three girls and then smirked disdainfully, addressing the other students, "Anyone who''s been bullied by these three, whether male or female, raise your hand so I can see."


    The classroom fell silent, but after a few seconds, a chubby girl mustered the courage to raise her hand.


    "Brother Lin, I''ve been bullied by them a lot. They often called me a chubby girl, put maggots in my food, and even took away the snacks my grandma gave me, boohoo..."


    With someone leading the way, others quickly raised their hands.


    "I''ve also been bullied by them. Han Feifei took a lot of my toys and gifts, and she borrowed my Walkman and never returned it."


    "Me too, Li Chunxia charged me three hundred in protection fees last month. When I didn''t pay, she cornered me in the bathroom and threw sanitary pads at me."


    "Liu Xiaoyan last week..."


    One by one, the students began to raise their hands and voice their grievances, both boys and girls. Nearly half the class had been bullied by them.


    Everyone spoke up, growing more and more indignant, listing the bullying incidents, which were too numerous to count, and it took a full half-hour before they quieted down.


    By this time, Han Feifei and the other two were trembling all over, as if they had lost a loved one.


    They hadn''t realized they had done so many bad things. Now, thinking back, they regretted it deeply, but more than anything, they were afraid.


    When everyone finished speaking, Lin Feng, like a judge, began to pronounce their punishment.


    "Very well, since that''s the case, from today on, you three will take care of all the chores in the class. No objections, right?"


    Lin Feng seemed to be consulting with them, but his tone left no room for negotiation.


    Han Feifei didn''t expect the punishment to be so light. They could completely accept this, so they nodded like chickens pecking at rice.


    However, they didn''t realize this was just the appetizer.


    "Also, starting today, for every protection fee collected or item taken from everyone, you must return it tenfold. I''ll have everyone make a list for you, and you must repay it all within a day. Any problems?"


    The three hesitated for a moment, then nodded obediently again. Though it pained them greatly, they could only pay to avoid further trouble.


    "Furthermore, starting today, you three must help everyone with at least ten tasks a day, whether it''s doing homework, helping with meals, or escorting classmates home. Whatever they need, you must do it. If there''s nothing needed, create something to do. If you don''t complete it, for every task missed, you''ll get a slap, and it resets daily."


    "Lastly, tomorrow morning during the school assembly, you three will go on stage and apologize. Your attitude must be sincere, with tears and all. If you dare to be perfunctory, I''ll have you go up every day to show your faces."


    "For now, that''s all. Any objections?"


    Lin Feng crossed his legs and leisurely asked the three.


    By this time, Han Feifei and the other two were already in tears. These punishments were a hundred times more painful than having the whole class beat them up.


    Lin Feng seemed to see through their thoughts and added, "Don''t even think about running away or transferring schools. If you dare to run, I''ll create all sorts of ''accidents'' for you and your families in places without surveillance, just like Zhang Yong did to me. I''m just returning the favor."


    The three girls turned pale and quickly shook their heads, indicating they wouldn''t dare.


    They had indeed thought about transferring schools and running away, but after hearing this, they didn''t dare anymore and could only accept the punishment obediently.


    Seeing this, Lin Feng finally smiled with satisfaction and waved them off to start working for the class.


    The three girls didn''t dare dawdle and obediently took brooms, mops, and cloths, beginning to busy themselves in the classroom.


    If they happened to bump into a classmate''s desk or chair, they had to apologize immediately, treating them with more respect than their own parents.


    In just a few words, Lin Feng had turned the three female bullies into obedient slaves.


    The stark contrast left the students secretly delighted! It was immensely satisfying!


    Brother Lin was so cool; this eye-for-an-eye revenge was even more refreshing than drinking a cold beverage on a hot summer day!


    At this moment, Lin Feng''s prestige in the class reached an unparalleled level.


    Even if the principal came to speak now, it wouldn''t be as effective as Lin Feng just saying a word.


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 Chapter 55 - If its difficult to handle, then dont handle it!

    As soon as class was over, word seemed to have gotten out somehow, and students from other classes flocked to the outside of Class 6, Grade 12, looking around curiously.


    "It''s Lin Feng! It really is him!"


    "Let me see, is it really the Lin Feng who took down that jerk Zhang Yong?"


    "He''s so handsome, totally my type!"


    "I remember Lin Feng used to be a poor guy who always got bullied. Who would''ve thought he''d turn the tables?"


    "I wonder if he''s taking on students. I just got my parents to buy me an Activator, and I''d love for him to mentor me."


    ...


    Lin Feng, who was dozing off, opened his eyes to see a crowd of students outside the window, all staring at him like he was a panda.


    He was speechless. Did taking down Zhang Yong really turn him into a celebrity?


    It seemed the students at Mingjiang No. 3 High School had long suffered under Zhang Yong''s tyranny, otherwise, they wouldn''t be so excited.


    However, Lin Feng wasn''t interested in this kind of idol treatment and was about to tell everyone to go back.


    Unexpectedly, a dozen or so male students walked into the classroom. Without saying a word, they knelt on one knee and saluted him with clasped fists.


    The lead, a tall guy, spoke up:


    "Brother Feng, we''re from the neighboring Grade 12 classes. We had grudges with Zhang Yong too but couldn''t beat him. You taking him down avenged us, and from now on, we want to acknowledge you as our big brother!"


    The rest shouted in unison, "Brother Feng! Take us in!"


    This left Lin Feng dumbfounded.


    This was like something out of a gangster movie...


    Before he could refuse, another group of male students came in, claiming to be from Grade 11, also wanting to pledge allegiance.


    Then came the Grade 10 students, and even a group of punk-style girls rushed in.


    In no time, the classroom of Class 6, Grade 12, turned into a martial arts alliance meeting, with students pouring in to ask Lin Feng to take them as his underlings.


    There were so many people that there was no room to stand, and eventually, even the students from his own class were pushed out.


    Hundreds, if not thousands, of students surrounded Lin Feng, layer upon layer, all looking at him with eyes full of admiration and worship.


    This phenomenon was a first in the history of Mingjiang No. 3 High School.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Only then did Lin Feng realize the immense influence of "The Grand Martial World."


    Martial arts were in vogue, and everyone worshipped the strong.


    No wonder they said a top player in "The Grand Martial World" had a status higher than any celebrity or tycoon.


    Fortunately, the school leaders arrived in time to disperse the students, allowing Lin Feng to breathe a sigh of relief.


    He was really worried these kids wouldn''t give up until they got what they wanted.


    "Student Lin Feng, come with us to the administration office. The principal wants to have a word with you."


    A school leader cordially invited Lin Feng.


    Lin Feng nodded, "Sure, I have something to discuss with you too."


    With that, he strode out of the classroom, and the school leaders had to hurry to keep up with him.


    This scene further elevated Lin Feng''s status in the students'' eyes, making it unshakable.


    In the administration office, Li Hong was still complaining to the principal about Lin Feng''s "misdeeds."


    Cutting off someone''s financial path was like killing their parents.


    Li Hong''s financial path was gone, so she wouldn''t let it go.


    The principal, though somewhat displeased, only comforted Li Hong with a few words.


    At this moment, Lin Feng arrived and got straight to the point, "What do you need me for?"


    The principal wasn''t angry and smiled at Lin Feng, "Welcome back to school, Lin Feng. If you have any complaints about the school or anything else, feel free to bring them up."


    "Alright," Lin Feng said, pointing at Li Hong, "Our homeroom teacher here doesn''t do any teaching, only sells unlicensed products in class, scamming students out of their money. Principal, how do you plan to handle this?"


    Li Hong''s expression was colorful, glaring at Lin Feng, unable to hold back, "Lin Feng, what''s so great about you? You just took down Zhang Yong, and you''re acting all high and mighty. Even the Second Rate and First Rate experts I know aren''t as arrogant as you!"


    Lin Feng laughed at her evasive response.


    "My arrogance is my own business. Is it illegal to be arrogant? But scamming students for money, that''s your problem."


    Li Hong naturally denied it, her face dark, "Who says I''m scamming students? I''m selling legitimate Bear-Snake Pills for the students'' health and the National Martial Arts exam!"


    "Oh? Diluting a Bear-Snake Pill a thousand times, turning fifty thousand into over three hundred thousand, that''s for the students'' benefit?"


    "You..."


    Li Hong was left speechless.


    Lin Feng didn''t want to waste more words and directly told the principal, "If you can''t deal with this rotten apple, I might consider transferring schools. And I might just find a media outlet to expose your school''s shameless behavior."


    Openly threatening the principal and challenging the teacher.


    Lin Feng wore his "arrogance" on his sleeve. Any talk of strategy, patience, humility, or low profile was nonsense to him.


    Lin Feng just felt that since he came to school, he should get rid of anything he didn''t like. If he couldn''t get rid of it, he''d crush it.


    Why bother with strategy and patience in high school? Isn''t it exhausting?


    Why should a high school student have to pretend to be humble and low-key? Isn''t it fake?


    Straightforward, brainless, as long as it feels good!


    Lin Feng stuck to these principles. Since he came to this school, he had to make himself comfortable first.


    Not forming gangs and cliques was already giving the school face. If the school couldn''t meet his simple demands, then no one would have a good time.


    The principal decisively stated that Li Hong would be suspended and sent home to rest, and he would thoroughly investigate the matter.


    But Lin Feng was still not satisfied and continued, "It''s not just her. I hope the principal can clean up and deal with all the teachers who scam students for money, wipe them out in one go."


    The principal showed a troubled expression, "That''s a bit difficult..."


    Hearing this, Lin Feng remained calm, picked up a cigarette lighter from the principal''s desk, lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said slowly:


    "Difficult, huh? Then don''t bother!"


    With that, Lin Feng flipped the principal''s desk over.


    There was no need to be polite with these profit-driven school leaders.


    Lin Feng would naturally respect genuine teachers, but he already knew that the entire leadership and teaching staff at Mingjiang No. 3 High School were all birds of a feather, just wanting to make money without caring about school discipline.


    Since that was the case, why be polite? Why not do whatever he wanted?


    The huge commotion from Lin Feng flipping the desk startled everyone.


    Wow, a solid wood desk weighing over a thousand pounds, and this kid flipped it with one hand like it was nothing. What kind of monstrous strength was this...


    The principal was both shocked and angry, wanting to say something but held back because of Lin Feng.


    After thinking for a moment, he decided to come clean, "Alright, I agree to your demands and will deal with everything, but you must also agree to one condition."


    Lin Feng chuckled, "That''s more like it. What''s your condition?"


    "Bring back a first-place in the National Martial Arts exam for the school, at least city-wide first, and don''t transfer. No matter how well you do in the game, Mingjiang No. 3 High School will always be your alma mater."


    Lin Feng laughed. The principal was making a good deal, using him as a promotional tool.


    But it was just a small effort. He was already planning to take first place, so he readily agreed.


    "Sure, I''ll add one more condition. I might not attend classes often, so don''t fail me in credits or exams. Give me extra points, and only report good news to my family, not bad. I don''t want my actions at school to upset my family. If she''s unhappy, I''ll make sure none of you are happy."


    With that, Lin Feng turned and left, not looking back as he exited the administration office.


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 Chapter 56 - The New Generation School Bully Lin Feng

    "That''s too much! Principal, are you really going to let a student ride over our teachers like this?"


    "Exactly, Principal. He''s just a game expert, isn''t he? Besides, he hasn''t even reached third-rate strength. Who knows, he might die in the game any day now."


    "Right, with such an arrogant personality, he won''t last long in the game. Are we really going to cut off our financial prospects for a student who doesn''t even have any status?"


    "Principal, you have to understand, if we give up our business, we''ll lose at least tens of millions, and we''ll also have to compensate the pharmaceutical company."


    ...


    In the academic affairs office, all the leaders were indignant.


    They were very displeased with Lin Feng''s arrogance and were urging the principal to retract his agreement to Lin Feng''s conditions and expel him from the school.


    But the principal just smoked silently, not saying a word.


    After finishing a cigarette, he sighed and said, "Do you think I don''t want to get rid of that kid? Do you know how the city education department plans to deal with our No. 3 High School?"


    "They said that due to our school''s years of failing cultural assessments and not having any excellent candidates in the National Martial Arts exam for several years, the city education department is planning a major overhaul of our school''s leadership this year."


    Everyone fell silent.


    Schools in Mysterious Star are actually very competitive. It used to be all about academics, but ten years ago, when The Grand Martial World emerged, martial arts became popular, and schools started to focus on both academics and martial arts.


    Those strong in academics focused on academics, and those strong in martial arts focused on martial arts.


    This is why students at No. 3 High School are so keen on martial arts and often get into fights.


    The Mingjiang City Education Department clearly divided the schools ten years ago, each focusing on their strengths.


    The purpose was to foster healthy competition and select the strongest talents in a competitive environment.


    The city education department aimed to send talents to the provincial education department, which in turn sent them to the central government.


    These talents were being prepared for national competitions, to bring glory to the country.


    It''s similar to athletes, with small places sending talents to bigger places, and bigger places sending them to the central government. Once trained, they would shine in international competitions.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    This step-by-step progression ensures that the central government has a continuous supply of talent.


    The reason why governments worldwide place such importance on this sector, besides the public''s enthusiasm for The Grand Martial World, is that they are keen to unlock its secrets.


    After all, a virtual game that appeared out of nowhere, with technology levels and effects far surpassing Mysterious Star, is something every country wants to claim. But first, they must unlock the game''s mysteries.


    How to unlock it? Scientists are of no help, as the game doesn''t require an internet connection or have a data terminal. Even the best scientists can only stare blankly.


    Since they can''t do it, they rely on players to explore the game continuously.


    Ten years ago, The Grand Martial World had only one map, and now seven have been explored.


    This means that the further they go, the more secrets of the game they can uncover.


    That''s why countries spare no effort in investing heavily to cultivate generation after generation of game experts.


    It can be said that all other sports combined are not as important as The Grand Martial World.


    Mingjiang No. 1 and No. 2 High Schools focus on academics.


    Mingjiang No. 3 and No. 4 High Schools are the breeding grounds for game talents, prioritized by the Mingjiang Education Department.


    However, No. 3 High School hasn''t produced a good talent in four years, and the patience of the higher-ups is wearing thin.


    In contrast, No. 4 High School has been performing exceptionally well, producing talented students every year.


    Especially last year, a senior student named Li Zixiong, whose father was a retired first-rate expert, taught him martial arts from a young age and used various rare herbs to strengthen his body.


    This gave Li Zixiong an extremely high physical fitness even before entering the game, and his combat talent was outstanding.


    After officially entering The Grand Martial World upon reaching adulthood, his talents were almost all above 80 points, with combat attributes all above 9 points.


    Not long after entering the game, he was noticed by the Wudang Sect and was promoted to an inner disciple, now personally taught by an elder, with a bright future ahead.


    In comparison, No. 3 High School was far behind, and the city education department was increasingly disappointed, feeling that the leadership was at fault and preparing for a reshuffle.


    This is why the principal started to amass wealth frantically, feeling that he would be dismissed sooner or later, so he might as well make more money while he can.


    But Lin Feng''s appearance gave him hope.


    If he could continue being the principal, who would want to be dismissed?


    As long as he could continue, he could keep amassing wealth, so Lin Feng became an important bargaining chip for him.


    As long as Lin Feng could meet his requirements, he wouldn''t oppose him ruling the school.


    "Alright, no matter what, let''s wait until the National Martial Arts exam is over this year. During this time, give Lin Feng whatever he wants. Sacrificing some profits now is nothing; we can earn it back later."


    The principal''s words finally calmed everyone down.


    This also meant that Lin Feng had truly become the ''school bully,'' the young dragon slayer who eventually became the evil dragon...


    In the evening, after a day of classes, Lin Feng dragged his tired body home.


    "Auntie, I''m back."


    "Little Feng, you look so tired. Was it from the classes?"


    Yu Meixiang, seeing his exhausted appearance, quickly asked with concern.


    Lin Feng smiled wryly. It wasn''t the classes that tired him out, but the overly enthusiastic students who wore him out mentally and physically.


    After every class, a bunch of students would come over, wanting to acknowledge him as their leader or master, and he couldn''t get rid of them.


    From morning to afternoon, during every break, he was treated like a celebrity.


    Even when he went to the restroom, a group of people followed, with some even exaggeratingly offering to hold the faucet for him...


    Going to the cafeteria to eat, his classmates would stop eating and crowd around to see him.


    Regardless of whether Lin Feng agreed or not, they all called him "boss."


    As the ''victim,'' Lin Feng was passive throughout, agreeing to nothing, yet he still became the recognized ''boss'' of all the students at No. 3 High School, the new generation''s school bully...


    Lin Feng was at a loss for words. As soon as school ended, he dashed home like he was finally free, finding peace at last.


    Fortunately, it was Friday, and with the weekend ahead, he wouldn''t have to endure school for a while.


    "I''m fine, Auntie. What''s for dinner?"


    "Tonight, we''re having sour soup fish and sweet and sour ribs. Your sisters will be back soon. The food will take a while, so why don''t you rest for a bit?"


    Lin Feng shook his head, put down his backpack, rolled up his sleeves, and headed to the kitchen to help.


    Yu Meixiang said it wasn''t necessary, but the smile on her face showed she appreciated it.


    The two busied themselves in the kitchen, looking like a young couple.


    When Fang Zhiqiu and Fang Hanshuang returned, they all sat at the dining table together, enjoying a warm family dinner.


    Watching her three most important children laughing and chatting around her, Yu Meixiang felt like the happiest person in the world.


    If there was anything more she could wish for, it would be to have a husband to make it perfect~


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 Chapter 57 - Fang Hanshuangs concern

    At the dining table, Lin Feng shared the news of obtaining an Activator.


    Fang Zhiqiu and Fang Hanshuang had different reactions.


    The latter was merely surprised, then her expression returned to normal as she continued eating.


    The former was completely different.


    Her chopsticks fell to the ground with a clatter.


    Then she sprang up, rushed to Lin Feng, and grabbed his hand, bombarding him with questions.


    "Really? It''s not April Fools''? You''re not lying to me, right?"


    Lin Feng didn''t answer but instead stood up, took out the box, and placed it in front of Fang Zhiqiu.


    When Fang Zhiqiu opened it and saw it was indeed an Activator, her pale skin quickly flushed with excitement, her emotions overflowing, even to the point of tears.


    Since she was a child, she dreamed of having an Activator when she grew up.


    At nineteen, just last year, she wanted to ask her mom for an Activator, but she knew Lin Feng wanted one too.


    Knowing the family didn''t have much money, Fang Zhiqiu decided to let Lin Feng, her younger brother, have it.


    But in her heart, she wanted it more than anyone.


    Since she was ten, she had been obsessed with the game "The Grand Martial World," longing to experience a different life in the game world.


    Unfortunately, the game required players to be nineteen, so for the past ten years, she spent a lot of time reading game guides, learning about game secrets, and various hidden information.


    She called herself Dr. Know-it-all, not just boasting, but because her knowledge of the game was deeper than many veteran players.


    Even though she had never entered the game, her theoretical knowledge was on par with any player.


    She knew all about the sects, professions, cultivation methods, equipment, weapons, and any publicly available game information by heart.


    She was even a legendary figure in "The Grand Martial World" forums, with many players seeking her advice on game-related issues.


    Forum members thought she was a hidden game master, but only Fang Zhiqiu knew she had never played the game.


    It was purely her love for the game that unknowingly accumulated experience surpassing 99.99% of players.


    Seeing her mom give the Activator to Lin Feng, she was envious but not jealous because she had decided to give it to Lin Feng last year.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    She thought she would have to earn money after graduating to buy an Activator, but unexpectedly, her dream came true early.


    "Can I have this Activator?"


    Fang Zhiqiu asked the three family members, her voice trembling.


    Fang Hanshuang looked up, speechless, and said, "Who do you think would fight you for it? Mom and I aren''t interested in the game, so it''s naturally yours."


    Lin Feng also smiled and said, "See, it''s yours now."


    With the affirmative answer, Fang Zhiqiu couldn''t hold back any longer and threw herself into Lin Feng''s arms, crying tears of joy.


    "Lin Feng, you''re such a good brother. Having you as my brother makes me so happy! Boo hoo~"


    Lin Feng was caught off guard by Fang Zhiqiu''s hug. The petite girl was practically hanging on him, and he had to hold her up to prevent her from falling...


    Especially since her upper body was unusually well-developed, pressing against him, and it was summer, so everyone was dressed lightly. Lin Feng couldn''t help but react.


    To avoid being noticed, he quickly put her down and pretended to complain, "Why are you hanging on me like that? I haven''t even finished my meal."


    For the first time, Fang Zhiqiu didn''t bicker with Lin Feng but instead hugged the Activator box, grinning foolishly. She only put it down to eat when Yu Meixiang ordered her to.


    After dinner, everyone returned to their rooms. Fang Zhiqiu had long gone back to her room, eager to log in.


    Lin Feng, after taking a shower, was also ready to enter the game when Fang Hanshuang walked in with her long legs.


    Seeing him wearing only underwear, Fang Hanshuang''s face turned red, and she averted her eyes, saying, "Why aren''t you wearing clothes?"


    "Come on, Hanshuang, it''s summer, and it''s normal not to wear clothes in your own room. Don''t you also... cough."


    Lin Feng almost let it slip but managed to stop himself in time.


    Fang Hanshuang didn''t think much of it and just urged, "Put something on first, I have something to ask you."


    "Okay."


    Lin Feng reluctantly put on his clothes, and only then did Fang Hanshuang''s expression return to normal.


    "Hanshuang, what''s up?"


    Fang Hanshuang took out her phone, played a video, and placed it in front of Lin Feng, asking, "Is this you?"


    Lin Feng took a look and saw it was the video of him fighting Zhang Yong in the Life and Death Arena. He immediately admitted it.


    Unexpectedly, upon hearing Lin Feng''s confirmation, Fang Hanshuang''s eyes filled with anger, and she raised her hand to slap him.


    However, Lin Feng had anticipated this and easily caught her wrist, stopping her.


    The reason he was prepared was that Fang Hanshuang had always been a strict sister figure to the original Lin Feng, often educating him like an elder.


    Whenever Lin Feng did something wrong, Yu Meixiang would spoil him and never scold or hit him, but Fang Hanshuang wouldn''t hesitate to discipline him.


    So the original Lin Feng always respected and feared Fang Hanshuang, even feeling that she despised him as an outsider.


    But Lin Feng knew that Fang Hanshuang cared about him, just that her way of expressing it was completely different from Yu Meixiang and Fang Zhiqiu.


    "Hanshuang, why are you hitting me?"


    Lin Feng held her hand and asked with a smile.


    Seeing her brother counter her for the first time, Fang Hanshuang felt embarrassed and glared at him, saying, "Now that you have some skills, you won''t let me discipline you?"


    Lin Feng chuckled and said, "Of course you can, but shouldn''t you at least tell me the reason?"


    "Do I need a reason? You went to fight in the Life and Death Arena, disregarding your own safety and worrying the family. Isn''t that enough?"


    Lin Feng smiled wryly and explained the situation.


    "Hanshuang, I was forced into it. Zhang Yong had his eyes on Aunt Meixiang. I was nearly beaten to death for refusing him, and later he threatened to escalate. If I didn''t act, should I have let him harm Aunt Meixiang?"


    Fang Hanshuang was stunned because Lin Feng had never mentioned the reason for his beating.


    Now that Lin Feng explained, Fang Hanshuang realized he was injured by a bully while protecting her mother.


    For a moment, her heart softened, and her anger vanished.


    "Why didn''t you say so earlier?"


    Lin Feng smiled wryly. The original Lin Feng didn''t say anything because he was beaten to the brink of death and couldn''t speak.


    As for himself, he didn''t want them to worry, so he kept it a secret. Now that Zhang Yong was dead, there was no need to hide it.


    "I didn''t want to scare you and create a tense atmosphere."


    "But you were still too impulsive. You were at such a disadvantage in levels, yet you fought him in the Life and Death Arena. What if you lost?" Fang Hanshuang scolded.


    Lin Feng laughed and said, "First, it was a rare opportunity. He wanted to kill me, so he kept provoking me to fight in the Life and Death Arena. He thought he could definitely kill me since I was new to the game. If I waited, he might hesitate, fearing I had some hidden tricks. So I had to seize the chance."


    "Secondly, I was worried about delays. As the saying goes, it''s not the thief you fear, but the thief who covets. If I waited, Zhang Yong might harm Aunt Meixiang in secret, and I''d regret it."


    "And there''s one more important reason."


    Fang Hanshuang couldn''t help but ask, "What''s the most important reason?"


    "Confidence."


    When Lin Feng said these two words, his lips curled into a smile, and his eyes shone like a starry sky.


    The confidence and charisma naturally emanated from him, leaving Fang Hanshuang momentarily dazed.


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 Chapter 58 - Hidden opportunity to marry into the Guo family!

    Capital City.


    At the entrance of the Guo residence.


    After logging in, Lin Feng left the Dragon Gate Escort Agency and traveled day and night with Guo Qiangwei to finally reach their destination.


    "The Second Miss is back! Quick, inform the master and madam!"


    The servant at the door saw Guo Qiangwei and hurried inside to report.


    Soon, a middle-aged couple emerged from the house.


    The man, in his forties, had a broad back and a strong build, with a calm demeanor and a powerful presence, like a towering mountain that commanded respect.


    Lin Feng felt an invisible pressure as soon as he saw the man, especially when the man''s gaze fell on him, as if all his secrets were laid bare.


    "Qiangwei, my dear daughter, you¡¯re finally back. You scared your mother to death. Where did you run off to?"


    The middle-aged woman rushed forward to embrace Guo Qiangwei, expressing her concern.


    Guo Qiangwei briefly recounted her experiences, and upon hearing that their daughter almost became the Chieftain''s Wife at Black Wind Stronghold, the man''s eyes flashed with anger.


    "These bandits are becoming more and more outrageous. The local yamen are shirking their duties, hiding behind the excuse of being far from the Emperor''s reach. It''s time to give them a good shake-up."


    Guo Qiangwei quickly introduced Lin Feng, explaining that he had rescued her and escorted her home.


    Upon hearing this, the woman hurriedly thanked Lin Feng.


    The man''s demeanor also became much friendlier.


    "I am Guo Bujing. Thank you, young friend, for saving my daughter and escorting her home."


    Lin Feng cupped his fists in return, saying, "It was a mere trifle. I''ve long heard of Hero Guo''s great name, and it''s an honor to meet you today."


    Hero Guo chuckled, "Young friend, we are colleagues of sorts. No need to be so formal."


    Guo Qiangwei, curious, asked, "Dad, how do you know he''s your colleague? I haven''t mentioned it yet."


    Hero Guo pointed to the attire Lin Feng was wearing, "Your father¡¯s eyes aren''t failing yet. This outfit is only issued by the government. If he weren''t with the government, he would be a thief who stole official attire, and he wouldn''t dare bring you here."


    Lin Feng took out his token and said, "Hero Guo, you have sharp eyes. However, I can only be considered half a government official."You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Hero Guo recognized Lin Feng''s identity upon seeing the token.


    "Ah, so you''re Lin Yanfeng. The Department Six''s Yamen Daily has already reported your deeds. Magistrate Lou has reported your efforts in suppressing bandits and capturing infamous bandits, calling you a young hero and a model for the people. Seeing you today, it''s no exaggeration."


    Knowing Lin Feng''s achievements and identity, Hero Guo''s attitude became completely amicable.


    Initially, he suspected the young man of trying to use his daughter''s identity to curry favor.


    Now it seemed he had overthought it.


    [Ding! Hero Guo''s favorability towards you has increased by 15 points! Current relationship: Friendly!]


    With his role as a yamen advisor and his heroic deeds, Hero Guo enthusiastically invited Lin Feng into the residence as a guest.


    Lin Feng, eager to learn the later moves of the Raging Waves Palm, was more than willing. After a few polite exchanges, he entered the Guo residence.


    In the dining hall, Hero Guo had a large table of dishes prepared to entertain Lin Feng.


    Lin Feng didn''t hold back, eating heartily and drinking freely, even playing drinking games with Hero Guo.


    Having watched "My Own Swordsman," Lin Feng knew Hero Guo was a straightforward man who enjoyed drinking and disliked formalities and pedantic scholars.


    He catered to Hero Guo''s preferences.


    Sure enough, Hero Guo was even more pleased with Lin Feng''s demeanor, drinking cup after cup.


    After the meal.


    Guo Qiangwei and her mother went to the boudoir to discuss her experiences.


    She didn''t mention Guo Furong, as they had only corresponded by letter after Guo Furong left, promising to keep each other''s secrets.


    Before coming to the capital, she had specifically instructed Lin Feng to keep her sister''s whereabouts confidential.


    Hero Guo invited Lin Feng to his study, where the servants prepared tea, and the two sat down for a leisurely chat.


    "Young friend Lin, why not join the yamen directly? If you lack connections, I can arrange for you to be employed at Department Six in the Capital City. How about it?"


    Faced with an opportunity that would make countless novice players drool, Lin Feng politely declined.


    "I currently have no plans to join the government."


    "Oh? Why not?"


    Hero Guo was puzzled.


    Lin Feng paused for a moment, feigning a pained expression, and sighed, "I''m quite disappointed with the current Imperial Court, so I don''t wish to join."


    This immediately piqued Hero Guo''s interest.


    "Why do you say that? You know I could arrest you for such words."


    Lin Feng knew Hero Guo was merely testing him, so he wasn''t afraid, instead showing a generous demeanor.


    "The court is decadent, the bureaucracy corrupt, and the people''s lives unstable. It''s a fact. Otherwise, why are there so many bandits running rampant? Isn''t it due to the court''s mismanagement and foolish policies? Those civil officials, entrenched in power, are pedantic and stubborn, only good at empty talk. With a weak military and strong civil administration, how can the court be saved? I''d say the same even in front of the Emperor."


    Hero Guo''s eyes lit up with empathy.


    "Well said! Young friend Lin, though a commoner, you care for the people and worry for the ruler from afar. Your righteousness is admirable!"


    [Ding! Hero Guo''s favorability towards you has increased by 10 points! Current favorability: 25 (Close)!]


    Lin Feng was secretly pleased with the system prompt.


    Don''t think gaining favorability is simple. It''s not. The key is that Lin Feng understood Hero Guo''s character and knew what he wanted to hear and see.


    By catering to his preferences and deliberately evoking empathy, the favorability naturally rose quickly.


    If it were another player, they wouldn''t dare say such things. If Hero Guo were a die-hard loyalist to the court, they''d be doomed.


    Only Lin Feng, familiar with the plot and characters, could make a targeted breakthrough.


    The two immediately began a heartfelt discussion about the current state of the court, sometimes sighing, sometimes indignant, like two passionate youths venting their frustrations, eager to sweep away the court''s ills.


    Lin Feng was grateful for having read many historical texts like "Those Ming Dynasty Matters," giving him a decent understanding of ancient court backgrounds.


    "My Own Swordsman" is set in the Ming Dynasty, with the current era being Tianqi, and the Emperor being Ming Xizong Zhu Youjiao.


    By this time, the Ming Dynasty had already declined. After Ming Xizong ascended the throne, he lost patience with state affairs, trusted eunuchs, and supported the eunuch faction, leading to the rapid decline of the Ming Dynasty.


    Moreover, the late stages of any dynasty are more or less the same, with factors like an incompetent emperor, corrupt court, and ineffective governance.


    By discussing these, any capable and honest official would resonate, feeling they''ve found a confidant to confide in.


    Hero Guo felt this way, becoming more and more in tune with Lin Feng, finding him increasingly agreeable.


    He noticed that Guo Qiangwei seemed to have a special attitude towards Lin Feng, so he tentatively asked, "Young friend Lin, would you be willing to marry my daughter?"


    Lin Feng, who had been calmly sipping tea, suddenly choked and coughed violently.


    [Ding! Hidden opportunity triggered: Marry into the Guo family. Do you accept?]


    A great fortune had suddenly fallen upon Lin Feng.


    Completely unexpected, with no preparation whatsoever.


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