After the new year started, things slowly eased back to normal.
It was cold in spring, and the ice on the river had not completely melted. The herb gatherers of Peace Town carried their herb baskets into the mountain and began their new year's work.
In the depths of the forest, the ice and snow on the wooden roof slowly melted, forming a few puddles of water on the ground. Unknown water bugs were running around in the puddles.
Under the eaves, a small stove was burning, and the tea was gurgling. Jiang Ming was lying on the bamboo chair with his arms and legs spread out. His eyes were slightly closed, and he was humming a song from his previous life.
He had originally wanted to stay in town for a few more days, but he did not expect that just after the new year, many strangers would come to Peace Town, and they would wander around all day long in a mysterious manner.
Jiang Ming was too lazy to inquire about it. He handed the house over to Ah Fei to take care of. He carried the herb basket and went into the mountain. Every day, he practiced martial arts and drank tea leisurely and at ease.
He had almost finished studying the prescription of the secret medicine for practicing martial arts that he had obtained. However, there were a few medicinal herbs that were not available in the mountain, and the medicinal stew that was brewed was always a bit lacking.
"But it's still much better than a chaotic stew. Drinking a bowl of this medicinal stew daily has strengthened my blood Qi. It's more than three to five times stronger than when I first became a martial artist. I'm only one step away from becoming a third-class martial artist. It's time to go to the prefecture to learn martial arts." Jiang Ming let out a long breath and stood up from the chair. There was no point in staying here any longer.
Master Zhou had been wandering in the unranked realm for his whole life, but he had never been able to cross the threshold. Now, he had fallen ill.
Jiang Ming walked into the pharmacy, which was almost empty. Most of the herbs had been carried to the medicine market to be sold.
There were only some rare herbs left, which were more expensive. Jiang Ming stuffed them all into the herb basket and prepared to bring them to the city to sell to the medicine shops. The price would be four or five times higher than the purchase price in the medicine market.
As for the fine for selling it outside Peace Town, he did not care at all. In any case, he did not plan to go back to being an herb gatherer in the short term.
Jiang Ming took out the money bag from under the bed and weighed it in his hand.
With the money he had earned from picking herbs for the past six months and the two unexpected fortunes, Jiang Ming had accumulated almost two hundred taels of silver. This was more than enough for him to live comfortably for a year.
* * *
The next morning, cold fog filled the air, and the moon hung high in the sky.
"Bunny, we'll meet again if fate allows it!" Jiang Ming put a white rabbit back into the mountain and waved his hand.
During the winter, the wild animals in the mountains were dormant, but his fourth rabbit had survived until now.
The rabbit unwillingly arched its forelimbs and bowed, then disappeared into the forest.
Jiang Ming also left with his herb basket on his back. He did not return to Peace Town but directly entered the prefecture.
He found a medicine shop and sold all the herbs in his basket. He earned more than twenty taels of silver and then went straight to Tiger Hunting Village.
"Master Zhou's Tiger Subduing Fist was learned from here. If I want to continue learning, this is the most suitable place."
At the entrance of Tiger Hunting Village, the door was wide open. Two strong men with vigorous blood Qi stood casually at the door, but they were like two fierce tigers, making people not dare approach casually.
Jiang Ming, carrying his luggage, slowly walked to the two and cupped his hands slightly, "The herb gatherer of Peace Town, Jiang Ming, has come to ask for a way out."
"Let's go in," A muscular man raised his eyebrows and said indifferently.
The beginning of spring was the time for all the major forces to recruit people, and Tiger Hunting Village was no exception. Many people had come to sign up these few days, waiting for the entrance examination.
After passing through two dark and thick doors, Jiang Ming, led by a servant, passed through the front yard, garden, and other places and finally came to a practice square paved with marble.
At this time, there were already more than ten people of different ages gathered in the square. Among them, there was even a dark-skinned woman. She had thick bones and a steady gaze. One look and one could tell that she had practiced martial arts.
In front of these people, a few people in uniform were fighting.
To be more precise, seven or eight people with wooden knives and sticks were besieging a bare-chested man. The man had a face full of stubble and was eight feet tall. He attacked with his bare hands in all directions like a fierce tiger, suppressing the seven or eight people.
The wooden knives and sticks hit the burly man's body and made a creaking sound. One of the disciples used too much force, and the wooden stick broke into two.
"Did you see that? The second-class martial artist, Guan Feng, is the most powerful hunter in our village!" The servant said to Jiang Ming with pride, "If you're lucky enough to pass the test, remember to bow to Lord Guan Feng when you see him in the future, understand?"
"I know, I know, " Jiang Ming said quickly, but he was smiling in his heart.
Guan Feng's strength was obviously far superior to those few people. If he really attacked, he would probably be able to send a large number of them flying with a single slap. At this time, he deliberately showed off his strength in such a way, obviously to show these outsiders his power.
"Alright, it's almost seven!" Guan Feng seemed to have just noticed Jiang Ming and the others. He ordered, "Close the door and begin today's assessment."
The servant quickly left. Guan Feng turned his head and stared at Jiang Ming and the others.
His body was still exuding heat. No matter who his eyes swept across, they would make the other person's body tense up, as if a fierce tiger was staring at them.
"I know that everyone has come here to join Tiger Hunting Village!" Guan Feng finished his assessment and said. "I believe everyone has heard of the rules of this manor. We won't accept your money. If you can't pass the assessment, even if you give us money, we won't accept you! And if you pass the assessment, you will be a member of the Tiger Hunting Village from now on, and you will share the honor and disgrace together! No matter where you are bullied in Great Cloud City, you can come to me. I will definitely stand up for you and seek justice!"
The square was filled with enthusiastic cheers. Everyone was excited and could not wait to join the Tiger Hunting Village.
Jiang Ming also appreciated it. This method was much better than those martial arts dojos in the city, which had a tuition fee of ten taels of silver a month.
However, he was afraid that he would not have an easy time passing the Tiger Hunting Village's assessment.
Soon, they were brought to a narrow side alley.
The alley was several feet wide and dozens of feet long. It was filled with wooden dummies for practicing martial arts. The strange thing was that the bottoms of the dummies were thick and long, and they were intertwined with the other wooden dummies.
"This is our wooden tiger array. Every hunter, including me, has to practice this array every day! The faster you pass, the higher your status will be here!" Guan Feng said. "If you pass it within one incense stick, you can pass the assessment and join our village. If you pass it within half an incense stick, you can join the hunters. You can become a head hunter after passing the assessment in ten breaths!"
Such a simple and brutal assessment method instantly caused everyone's breathing to quicken, and they became excited.
There was no need to play tricks or use connections. As long as one had enough strength, one would have the corresponding benefits and status. The seemingly simple rules were enough to move anyone.