Chapter 52: You Look Like an Idiot

Chapter 52: Chapter 52: You Look Like an Idiot

"Heh, now do you realize the gap between us?" Lu Yuan smiled smugly.

"Tch!" Lin Siheng immediately turned his head away. "I’ll surpass you sooner or later! Ten years at most!"

"Mm, I’ll stay right where I am and wait for you," Lu Yuan nodded earnestly.

"You..." Lin Siheng clenched his fists, driven mad with frustration.

"Hehe." Lin Siyao giggled happily beside them. She just loved watching Brother Yuan and her silly younger brother bicker.

[Congratulations to the host for completing the mission. Reward: 2 points of Root Bone and 1000 Experience Points have been credited.]

Lu Yuan felt a surge of joy, though his expression remained calm. Two points of Root Bone, added to his previous eighteen, brought the total to twenty. This equated to a twenty percent enhancement. For example, Lu Yuan’s original physical strength limit at the Ninth Grade Peak was one thousand catties, but now it had become one thousand two hundred catties.

When factoring in the influence on True Qi and Gang Qi, as well as his potential for cultivating Martial Arts, the benefits were even greater. It was the very gap between being ordinary and extraordinary.

As for the 1000 Experience Points, he allocated them all to the Nine Glories of Archery.

[Martial Arts: Cloud-Brushing Hand (Great Success 1000/3000), Nine Glories of Archery (Minor Achievement 1607/3000), Cyan Gang Fist (Perfect), Wind-Breaking Nine Slashes (Perfect)]

Another wave of insights and techniques flooded his mind. With the experience bar over halfway full, Lu Yuan could now essentially execute Five-Star Linked Beads.

His house was too small to practice properly. If he wanted to train, he would have to go to the Demon Suppression Bureau’s training grounds.

"Brother Yuan, we should head back," Lin Siyao said, her smile suddenly fading. It was about time; any later, and her mother would start calling for them.

"Oh, alright."

Lu Yuan escorted the siblings back. As long as the Lin family didn’t move, they lived close enough to see each other whenever they wanted.

Upon returning to the courtyard, Yaoyao approached Lu Yuan, cradling several wooden carvings in her arms. "Young Master, do you think these can be sold for money?"

There were little cats and dogs, as well as fierce beasts like the Yazi and Pixiu. The cats and dogs were adorable, while the Yazi and Pixiu looked vicious and ruthless. Each was about the size of a fist or a palm, remarkably lifelike.

"Yes, they can," Lu Yuan nodded. "But we can’t sell them right now."

"Why not?" Yaoyao asked, utterly baffled. She just wanted to sell them to earn money so she could buy meat and Pills for her young master’s martial arts training.

"It’s not worth it to sell them right now. Wait until your young master here shakes the Jade Capital and becomes world-famous. Then, we can take them out and sell them for one hundred taels of silver each. That’s the way to do it," Lu Yuan said with a laugh.

"Oh," Yaoyao nodded. She wanted to support her young master right now, but since he had spoken, she would do as he said. "Mm, you’re right. I should carve a lot more so we can make even more money in the future."

"Alright, just don’t hurt your hands." Lu Yuan patted Yaoyao’s head, went inside to grab a few things, and then left.

Arriving at the Demon Suppression Bureau’s training grounds, Lu Yuan found Jiang Hongfei practicing alone.

The man merely cast a faint glance at Lu Yuan before resuming his routine. After all, Jiang Hongfei had realized yesterday that no one in their squad was simple, and he seemed to have become the weakest link in actual combat. For someone as proud as him, this was absolutely unacceptable! He was determined to defeat Lu Yuan, defeat Su the Ninth, and defeat everyone else!

Lu Yuan picked up a Strong Bow and began to practice.

SWISH SWISH SWISH!

THWACK THWACK THWACK!

Three-Star Linked Beads!

However, he didn’t aim to actually split the previous arrows. Instead, he deliberately staggered them, focusing solely on his rapid-fire technique. For one, it saved arrows; for another, it concealed his true strength, keeping his trump cards hidden. Striking when the enemy least expected it was often the key to securing a flawless victory and achieving the best results. He didn’t enjoy prolonged, grueling battles...

Next was Four-Star Linked Beads!

Then Five-Star Linked Beads!

Six-Star... He could only manage up to five.

Spotting this, Jiang Hongfei couldn’t help but shake his head. He thought, "He’s still chasing after that unrealistic skill..." Lu Yuan going down the wrong path was the perfect opportunity for him to overtake him. He quickly gathered his focus and poured his attention back into his training.

Approaching noon, Lu Yuan headed to the cafeteria for lunch. Unexpectedly, he ran into Sun Jin.

Sun Jin glanced at Lu Yuan, intentionally raising his voice with an added touch of smugness.

"Last night, I killed one Low Tier Eighth Grade, two Middle Tier Eighth Grade, and one High Tier Eighth Grade Martial Artist...

"Heh, those rogue Martial Artists outside actually dare to oppose our Demon Suppression Bureau. They’ve only been around for a few years, yet they overestimate themselves.

"That Low Tier Eighth Grade one was especially reckless. He thought he was so formidable that he actually challenged me. I only needed a single saber strike to finish him off.

"He died without making even the slightest ripple."

"It’s not that they were weak, but that Brother Sun is just too strong. That’s why you handled it so effortlessly. If it were us, we wouldn’t have stood a chance," a man beside him flattered.

"Haha, you flatter me. I’ve just been cultivating for a few more years than you guys..." Sun Jin waved his hand modestly, though he couldn’t resist looking at Lu Yuan again.

He thought, "Kid, you think you can fight me with just that?"

Lu Yuan acted as if he hadn’t seen anything and simply went to get his food. His meal consisted of a lot of meat as usual, and today the quality was even better.

WHOOSH.

Sun Jin suddenly stood up, walked over, and stopped right in front of Lu Yuan. "If you admit defeat and beg for mercy right now—kneeling before everyone—I might consider letting you off and canceling our duel."

"Sorry, but I never learned how to kneel growing up. How about you teach me?" Lu Yuan shot him a mild glance.

Sun Jin’s eyebrows twitched, a vicious gleam appearing in his eyes. "Oh? Is that so? Stand up, and I’ll break your legs."

"You look like a complete idiot," Lu Yuan shook his head. "I suggest you go learn how to bark like a dog right now. You’re definitely going to need it when the time comes."

"You... How bold. All you have is a sharp tongue, completely ignorant of your own limits! When the time comes, I’ll definitely shatter your legs and crush your knees. I’ll make sure you can never stand again, leaving you to kneel forever," Sun Jin leaned down and hissed in a low voice.

"Good suggestion. I know exactly what to do when the time comes now," Lu Yuan said, acting as if he had just been enlightened.

"Hehe," Sun Jin straightened up. "Very well. To be honest, I almost admire your suicidal stubbornness. I hope you can keep up this tough act when the time comes."

"I was born tough. See yourself out." Lu Yuan went back to eating his meal.

"Hmph!" Sun Jin stormed off, his teammates following closely behind.

WHOOSH.

Someone walking by stopped for a moment. "Do you know what kind of Martial Arts Sun Jin cultivates?"

"I have no idea," Lu Yuan shook his head. He hadn’t bothered to investigate.

"I suggest you look into it and prepare in advance so you can counter him," Han Li said before walking away with his food tray.

Lu Yuan pondered for a moment and decided it was indeed necessary. Only by knowing the enemy and knowing himself could he emerge victorious in every battle! Arrogance and carelessness were grand taboos in life! However, there was no need to rush it right this second.

After lunch, Lu Yuan headed to the workshop.

"How are the hidden weapons treating you?" Yan Qing appeared, looking just as unkempt and scruffy as usual. But looking past the mess, he was undeniably a handsome man with sharp, striking facial features and a tall, imposing build.

"They’re great. I love using them, and they’ve been a huge help," Lu Yuan smiled. He had only had them for two days, yet they had already saved him twice.

"Good, as long as they work well." Yan Qing nodded in satisfaction. "Speaking of which, hidden weapons are just a minor path. They won’t be of much use in the grand scheme of things. A Martial Artist still needs to wield a proper weapon. Once your cultivation breaks through to the Seventh Grade, you’ll be able to use Profound Weapons."

[With good luck, you have once again encountered the Master Craftsman Yan Qing. This is destiny at work between you two. The path of cultivation is not limited strictly to the Martial Dao; Weapon-Forging is another viable path. The two complement each other and lead to the Great Dao.]

[Mission Issued: Take the Master Craftsman as your master and learn the art of Weapon-Forging. Reward upon completion: 10 points of Root Bone and 5000 Experience Points.]