Vol. 1 - Chapter 72 - Apprenticeship and a Silhouette

Hearing Sun Sheng’s words, Nan Yiyun nearly passed out from rage.

“You! You brat! A rotten piece of wood cannot be carved!”

Sun Sheng completely ignored him, turning around and leaving without hesitation.

He wasn’t stupid—he had already figured out that this old beggar was no ordinary man.

“Kid!”

Nan Yiyun saw that Sun Sheng was really about to leave without looking back and hurriedly called out.

Taking a deep breath, he leaped a full ten feet into the air and landed directly in front of Sun Sheng.

A sharp glint flashed in Sun Sheng’s eyes. He curled his fist with a mocking smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“What? You wanna get punched?”

Nan Yiyun straightened up, his face serious.

“Kid, I like your style. Take me as your master. I’ll teach you top-tier martial arts!”

Sun Sheng didn’t even think about it—he just rolled his eyes and stepped around Nan Yiyun.

“No thanks! I already have a master.”

Hearing this, Nan Yiyun’s eyes widened. He grabbed Sun Sheng’s arm.

“Damn it, do I have to beg you to accept me as your master?”

Sun Sheng had just started exerting force to break free when an immense strength surged from the old beggar’s grip, locking him in place like an iron vice.

Fury ignited in Sun Sheng’s eyes. He immediately swung his left fist, landing a direct punch to Nan Yiyun’s eye socket.

“You old bastard, let go of me!”

The punch left Nan Yiyun momentarily stunned.

His body trembled with rage, his teeth grinding audibly.

He had roamed the martial world for decades, always the one beating others down, bullying them—when had he ever been the one getting bullied?

“Who’s your master? Say the name. If he’s stronger than me, I’ll turn around and leave.”

Nan Yiyun was so pissed he even forgot his own principles, unknowingly using internal force on Sun Sheng.

Sun Sheng sneered. “My master is Li Da.”

“Li Da? Who’s that?”

“A fisherman from Nanhe.”

Nan Yiyun froze at the answer, his face instantly turning red.

White steam seemed to rise from his forehead.

“Damn it! A stinking fisherman?!”

Sun Sheng smirked coldly. “So what if he’s a fisherman? At least I’ll have a way to make a living. Now let go of me, or I won’t be polite.”

His voice was sharp, full of warning.

“You! You—”

Nan Yiyun nearly jumped in frustration.

As a grandmaster, he had countless people lining up to beg him for apprenticeship.

And now, when he finally found a disciple he liked, the brat dared to compare him to a fisherman?

A fisherman?!

That was nothing! Not even worthy of carrying his shoes!

Nan Yiyun trembled all over.

Just as he was about to explode, his gaze shifted toward the woods south of town.

In the distance, seven fast horses burst out from the dense forest.

Three women and four men rode them, galloping swiftly toward Yuhang County.

Wherever they passed, birds scattered in fright, and even the cicadas fell silent.

Nan Yiyun glanced at the seven riders and let out a disdainful snort.

They were too focused on their journey to notice him and Sun Sheng.

Sun Sheng followed his gaze.

The distance was a bit too far, so all he could make out were their silhouettes.

Among them, one petite female figure caught his attention.

Just from her back, he could tell—she was definitely not bad-looking.

He clicked his tongue twice.

“Stop staring. They’re all assassins.”

Nan Yiyun’s anger had mostly dissipated thanks to the distraction.

Sun Sheng shot him a sideways glance.

Nan Yiyun saw that look and immediately felt his temper flaring up again.

“What do you even know?!”

“Let me go already!”

Sun Sheng yanked his arm, but it was still held firmly.

Nan Yiyun huffed. “You don’t know a damn thing. Those seven are rushing through the forest, scaring birds and silencing insects—that’s the killing aura leaking off them.”

“Six of them are second-rank experts, and one is third-rank. They’re most likely remnants of the Fengyu Tower, with blood on their hands.”

“If someone like you provoked them, you wouldn’t even know how you died.”

Nan Yiyun spat the words out impatiently.

“What’s that got to do with me? Let me go! Don’t make me use force!”

Sun Sheng was just as hot-tempered and had no patience for this annoying old beggar.

Nan Yiyun jabbed a finger at him twice and then suddenly sneered.

“A few days ago, you drank my Five Aggregates Spirit-Calming Wine. You don’t practice internal martial arts, so all the medicinal power is stuck in your belly.”

“Take a few deep breaths. See if your dantian feels a slight swelling, and if there’s a wave of heat rising from it?”

Hearing this, Sun Sheng’s expression shifted.

Without a word, he took a deep breath, focusing on his dantian.

A moment later, his face paled, his eyes filled with shock.

Nan Yiyun's face twisted into a wicked grin.

In the next instant, Sun Sheng slammed his fist right into Nan Yiyun’s eye socket.

“Ow! What the hell are you doing, kid?!”

Nan Yiyun yelped.

“If I’m gonna die anyway, I might as well get a few punches in on you first, you old bastard!”

Sun Sheng was furious, his teeth clenched, his eyes slightly red.

Nan Yiyun grabbed Sun Sheng’s left hand and said, “Who said you were gonna die?”

Sun Sheng froze.

Nan Yiyun, exasperated, continued, “Your body is full of the wine’s medicinal power. If you train in my martial arts, you’ll progress at twice the speed. In no time, you’ll develop internal energy.”

Hearing this, Sun Sheng’s face turned red.

He had thought he was poisoned.

With a cold snort, he retorted, “Not interested.”

Nan Yiyun’s right hand shot out, clamping around Sun Sheng’s throat.

“Breathe in.”

Sun Sheng had no choice—Nan Yiyun tapped a pressure point, and he instinctively took a deep breath.

Smack!

Nan Yiyun tightened his grip on Sun Sheng’s throat.

Sun Sheng’s face immediately turned red—he couldn’t breathe.

He raised his hands and struck Nan Yiyun’s body, trying to fight back.

But he had no strength left. His blows were weak, barely landing with any force.

After more than ten breaths, Nan Yiyun’s expression shifted slightly, and he finally let go.

Sun Sheng collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, his face flushed, tears and snot streaming down his face.

“You… damn… old bastard… were you trying… to kill me?!”

“Even if… you kill me… I won’t learn from you.”

Sun Sheng wheezed and coughed, as if he had just come back from the brink of death.

Nan Yiyun didn’t respond. His hands trembled slightly, his eyes filled with excitement.

Suddenly, he threw his head back and laughed.

“Hahaha! Excellent! Excellent!”

Sun Sheng took a few more deep breaths to recover.

Hearing Nan Yiyun’s manic laughter, he cursed in his heart.

Madman!

This guy is a total lunatic!

Nan Yiyun crouched down, his gaze intense, staring straight at Sun Sheng.

“Kid, what would it take for you to become my disciple?”

“You’re out of your damn mind!”

Sun Sheng pushed himself off the ground, lifted his chin, and snapped, “Old bastard, if you wanna kill me, just get it over with! Give me a quick death. If I even frown a little, I’ll call you my father!”

By now, Sun Sheng had realized—he’d been targeted by this crazy old man.

Nan Yiyun forced out an awkward smile, trying to soothe him.

“Come on now, no need to get worked up. I… I’ve assessed your potential. You’re the perfect candidate to be my successor. So tell me, do you want treasures from the imperial palace? Or Wudang’s sacred artifacts? If I can get it, I’ll bring it to you.”

Sun Sheng snorted. “Get my ass! Fine, I’ll be your disciple—if you kowtow to me three times first.”

He was beyond furious at this point, feeling the urge to kick this old beggar to death.

The moment the words left his mouth—

Nan Yiyun didn’t hesitate for even a second.

Thud!

He dropped to his knees and knocked his forehead against the ground three times.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Finishing the bows, Nan Yiyun looked up at Sun Sheng, eyes full of anticipation.

“Is that good enough? Can I be your master now?”

Sun Sheng stood there, frozen.

He swallowed hard, muttering,

“Old bastard… you’re actually serious?!”