On the next morning, as the first sliver of dawn appeared in the eastern sky and the roosters crowed, Xiongfeng Manor was already blowing its imposing wind.
Many martial artists had already begun their training.
And the sound of Big Head Wang, who had returned from his morning practice, pushing open the door woke up Zhang San, who was fast asleep.
"It's so early——"
Zhang San stretched and sat up, not expecting Big Head Wang to go out to practice so early.
Everyone is striving to become stronger!
Indeed, there are no weak martial artists, only the lazy ones.
"I didn't sleep very well last night, Zhang... uh… Zhang Er, you were snoring, weren't you?"
Zhang San looked at Big Head Wang, unable to hide the look in his eyes that wanted to cut someone.
Unless the other person was completely oblivious.
"It was because it rained last night."
Zhang San immediately applied what he had learned; the previous night, he dreamt of studying the art of deception for eight years with an unknown old man.
Not knowing whether the dreams were real or not, he decided to use Big Head Wang to test it.
"And there was thunder too, especially loud. I was worried you would catch a cold, so I covered you with a blanket twice, which is why I didn't sleep well myself. Otherwise, how could I wake up so late?"
Big Head Wang looked at Zhang San and had a moment of realization as he slapped his thigh.
"No wonder I felt a bit cold sleeping last night! Zhang Er, thank you!"
"I am Zhang San, no need to be polite."
Big Head Wang realized once again he hadn't remembered Zhang San's name, gritted his teeth internally, determined to commit it to memory.
"But... I didn't see any water on the ground outside this morning!" Big Head Wang said, puzzled by Zhang San's words.
Zhang San replied while getting dressed, "Autumn rain falls as swiftly as thunder, it dries up just as quickly!"
Big Head Wang felt there was some logic to that and didn't dwell on the issue of last night's rain anymore.
Seizing the opportunity, Zhang San asked in a seemingly nonchalant tone, "Big Head Wang, what realm are you in, and what Cultivation Technique do you practice?"
"I've just reached the Perfect stage of the Primordial Qi Realm, now I'm at the first stage of the True Core Realm—Yin and Yang Harmony. This Yin and Yang stuff... I really don't get it!"
"The name of the Cultivation Technique... it seems to be called something like Brave Cavalry Technique..."
Big Head Wang tried hard to remember, but couldn't come up with the exact name of the Cultivation Technique he had been practicing.
Zhang San initially thought that if Big Head Wang's Cultivation Technique was good, he would learn it from him; sharing a room made it convenient to exchange ideas.
But judging by the names that involved words like 'visit brothels,' 'prostitutes,' and 'attack'...
Tsk tsk tsk...
Zhang San seriously doubted whether Big Head Wang truly didn't understand Yin and Yang.
Look at you, understanding it really well!
After both of them had packed up and freshened up, they went to have breakfast.
At the dining hall, after getting their food, Big Head Wang brought Zhang San to sit opposite an old man.
Zhang San had already noticed this old man.
Because in the dining hall, seven or eight martial artists were all dressed in black, with a red 'Martial' character embroidered on their clothes.
But this old man was the only one in a blue coarse cloth Taoist robe, his face wearing a kind smile, his eyes bright and spirited, radiating the aura of an immortal who has transcended the mundane world.
Zhang San had always thought that the phrase "youthful despite old age" could only describe a young-looking old person.
Today was the first time he felt it could also be used to describe someone elderly.
"Zhang San pays respect to Senior Xu..."
Zhang San introduced himself briefly, then stated his request, hoping Senior Xu could give him some advice on how to exchange his merit points for a Cultivation Technique that suited him.
"Just call me Xu, we are colleagues at the Town Martial Office, there's no need for titles of seniority. However..."
Xu lowered his voice and said, "Choosing a Cultivation Technique depends on what you're good at and what you like. But in the Town Martial Office, you don't actually need to use up merit points to exchange for one. After all, who doesn't have a Cultivation Technique? If you want to learn, and you're interested in someone else's technique, I'll negotiate for you, have them gift you the technique. That's all there is to it."
Zhang San's eyes widened in disbelief, unable to trust his own ears.
In all those novels from his past life, wasn't there constant strife over seizing Secret Manuals?
Yet here in his own experience, it turned out to be as easy as just showing your face?
"Senior Xu, wouldn't that be owing too big a favor?"
Xu smiled and shook his head, "Everyone has their own Cultivation Techniques. Teaching you doesn't affect them in any way. On the contrary, your strength increases, which makes it safer for everyone when we go on missions together."
"We are all one family in the Town Martial Office; we would be thrilled if you could advance from the Primordial Qi Realm to the True Core Realm in ten days!"
"By helping you succeed, we are also helping ourselves."
Zhang San pondered carefully, initially finding the Town Martial Office rather lackluster, but whether it was Sister Ling's mysterious moves, or rooming with Big Head Wang who was not so bright... everyone was strong, and everyone was getting stronger. It's fine to strive for improvement on one's own, but tripping others up and engaging in malicious competition was utterly pointless.
Indeed, there's a gap between novels and reality.
"But Senior Xu, I have no clue about what kind of cultivation technique suits me the best. Do you have any good recommendations?"
Although Xu always insisted that Zhang San call him just Xu, Zhang San was very polite and would consistently address him as Senior Xu.
Combined with Xu's naturally warm personality, he felt that Zhang San's gaze was sincere and trustworthy, so he directly told Zhang San his top choice.
"I have an old friend whose temperament is a bit eccentric, and though his cultivation methods are numerous and varied, his mastery of techniques is unfathomably deep. After breakfast, I'll take you to see him. If he's willing to impart a cultivation technique to you, then you've hit the jackpot!"
Zhang San was once again overwhelmed with gratitude and showered Xu with praises, making him beam with happiness.
After having breakfast, Zhang San followed Xu to Wei's room.
"Wei, I brought you back some steamed buns. Also, I have a newcomer to introduce to you who just transferred here yesterday—his name is Zhang San."
"Zhang San, this is the Senior Wei I mentioned to you."
Wei frowned when he heard there was a new transfer, clearly not keen on interacting with outsiders.
But by then, Zhang San had already stepped into the room.
The moment Zhang San laid eyes on Wei, he was stunned.
His gaze filled with shock, then erupted into ecstatic joy, and eventually, his eyes reddened and tears welled up.
"Uncle! Uncle, I knew you weren't dead! Oh Uncle—"
As he spoke, Zhang San lunged forward and clung to Wei's legs.
He babbled on about how much he'd missed his uncle and how he knew his uncle couldn't have died so easily.
Wei was totally flabbergasted by Zhang San's exclamations.
"You're called Zhang San, and I'm surnamed Wei. I'm your uncle?!"
Hearing this, Zhang San wiped his tears and looked up, completely bewildered.
"Impossible, uncle, you must be joking with me! You've been holding me since I was a child, I can't possibly misrecognize you! Although I've lost my memory, I still dreamed of you last night! Oh uncle, how I've missed you..."
Wei felt like the kid was trying to cozy up to him, but with all the snot and tears, especially his reaction when he first saw Wei, it seemed far from an act.
Could it be that he and his deceased uncle looked exactly alike?
"Kid, I don't have any brothers or sisters, you've got the wrong person. Spit it out, what do you want? Xu wouldn't bring you here just to introduce you, right?"
Wei, feeling there must be something more to it, turned to look at Xu, knowing all too well Xu's overly kind nature...
Xu, unable to hide anything from Wei, got straight to the point.
"Zhang San hasn't yet entered the Primordial Qi Realm, and is looking for a high-grade technique to cultivate. I was thinking maybe you..."
Wei immediately grasped the situation before Xu could finish.
Even if Zhang San seemed genuine, Wei could tell from Xu's words that this was all an act in front of him!
What the hell kind of person is this?!
An Apprentice Warrior is supposed to have basic strength requirements, yet this one joins the Town Martial Office without even knowing how to refine Qi and participates in an ambush of Demon Sect followers. Something doesn't add up here.
And he's such a good actor...
Wei was somewhat reluctant to deal with Zhang San and was even tempted to kick him out.
"Although you're not my uncle, you look exactly like him, and I felt an instant kinship when I saw you for the first time."
"I lost my memory due to injuries sustained when ambushing Demon Cult Followers, but the only thing I remembered was you, uncle!"
Wei quickly helped Zhang San, who was clenching his legs, to his feet and said with earnestness, "It's a pity, but I'm not your uncle!"
"I understand."
Zhang San said, his expression filled with dejection. Xu at his side couldn't help but feel a tinge of sorrow.
Seeing that Zhang San was no longer insisting, Wei felt a bit more at ease.
Thump!
Suddenly, Zhang San knelt down on the ground.
"Honorable uncle above, please accept your nephew's bow! Senior Wei, from now on, I'm your grand-nephew. I'll make sure to take good care of you in your old age..."
Woosh—
Before Zhang San could finish, Wei tossed a secret manual on the ground and transformed into a gust of wind, disappearing from the spot.
Zhang San, looking at the cultivation manual lying before him, was utterly perplexed.
He thought to himself: Is Old Wei socially anxious? Why is he so averse to interacting with me?
Although Wei had left, his voice resonated in the room from an unknown source.
"Zhang San, I'm giving you the manual. I'm not your uncle, so stop calling me that!"
Xu chuckled to himself.
Over the years, many had sought Wei out, hoping to learn something from him, but Wei had never agreed to teach anyone, not even a single move.
And yet, to Zhang San alone, he had directly gifted a secret manual.
It seemed that these two indeed had some destiny between them!
Maybe with a little matchmaking, they could develop a nephew-uncle relationship, and when Wei grows old, he'd have someone to express filial piety at his bedside.