7: The outline of the martial arts world

The night was deep, and all was silent. Qin Feng sat cross-legged on the hard wooden bed, not sleeping, but quietly waiting for the arrival of the zi hour. Although his internal injuries had not yet fully healed, the warm current of the remaining qi and blood pill in his body was still slowly circulating, keeping his spirits relatively high.

When the moment arrived, the System interface lit up on time.

[Would you like to refresh today's intelligence?]

"Refresh." Qin Feng thought with anticipation. This was the seventh day, and according to the rules, there was bound to be one piece of yellow-grade intelligence or higher!

Light swirled, and four pieces of information appeared one after another. The first two still emitted the familiar white light, but the third one actually radiated a striking yellow glow! The fourth piece was an additional piece of white common-knowledge intelligence regarding the foundations of the world.

[(White) Zhao Lie, the leader of the Fierce Tiger Gang in the city, successfully recruited the notorious bandit "River-Crossing Dragon" Cao Kun, who had drifted into the city area this evening, making him a gold-medal fighter for the Gang. The Fierce Tiger Gang's influence has grown even stronger.]

[(White) At the entrance of Osmanthus Lane in the south of the city, Zhang Fugui, the owner of Zhang's Tailor Shop, accidentally dropped his purse into a stone crack under the third willow tree at the lane entrance while returning home drunk half a quarter-hour ago. The purse contains important money and items. It must be picked up within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn; otherwise, it will be found and taken by a wandering beggar by chance.]

[(Yellow) Beneath the old locust tree in the southeast corner of the courtyard of the Ai Family, who sell steamed buns in the west of the city, a sealed wooden box is buried two feet deep. Inside is a transcript of the "Mystic Pole Sword Manual" left by their grandfather, and a Medium Grade Profound Rank weapon, the "Azure Edge Sword."]

[(White) Mainstream Martial Artist Rank divisions in this world: Mortal, Martial Apprentice, Martial Artist, Martial Master, Grand Martial Master, Martial King, Martial Emperor, Martial Saint, Martial God... Cultivation Techniques, Martial Skills, Medicinal Pills, weapons, and so on are usually categorized into four Ranks: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. Each Rank is further divided into Low, Medium, High, and Top Grade.]

Hiss—

Despite being prepared, Qin Feng could not help but feel his mind tremble when the contents of the yellow intelligence and that piece of basic common-knowledge intelligence entered his mind.

The Fierce Tiger Gang annexing a notorious bandit and expanding their power was of little importance to him. The tailor losing his purse was just a bit of small fortune delivered to his door.

But beneath the Ai Family's bun shop, there were actually a sword manual and a Medium Grade Profound Rank weapon buried! Yellow intelligence was indeed extraordinary! The "Mystic Pole Sword Manual: Qingfeng Sword Art" and the Medium Grade Profound Rank Azure Edge Sword! For a Mortal like him who craved power but couldn't even find the door, this was undoubtedly a huge temptation! This was practically a starting resource tailor-made for him!

And that intelligence regarding the Martial Artist Ranks and item grades seemed to push open a heavy door before him, allowing him to glimpse the magnificent outline beneath the tip of the iceberg of this vast world. Above Mortals, there were actually eight great Realms! Cultivation Techniques and weapons were also divided into Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow! The Martial Artist he had encountered before was probably only at the lowest "Martial Artist" Realm, yet a casual strike had brought him to the brink of death. Then what kind of world-destroying power would a Martial Master, a Grand Martial Master, or even the Martial Kings and Martial Emperors above them possess?

After the excitement came a calm weighing of options.

The Ai Family... although they were just a small household selling buns, they were still a proper Family with a courtyard and a house. How could he, an outsider, break in and dig up something buried by their ancestors? How would that be any different from a bandit? What if he reported it to the authorities? That would be even more absurd. Not to mention whether the government would believe him, once leaked, how could this sword manual and precious sword still fall to him? They would likely be swallowed up by the various forces in the city until not even crumbs remained.

"I can only look for an opportunity..." Qin Feng suppressed the heat in his heart and etched the information about the Ai Family's hidden treasure deep into his mind, waiting for the right moment. This yellow intelligence had no time limit, which was a blessing in disguise.

Right now, the most urgent thing was that piece of white intelligence—Tailor Zhang's purse! The time of an incense stick would pass in the blink of an eye!

He no longer hesitated and immediately got up, darting out of the door as silently as a vigorous leopard, blending into the night and heading straight for Osmanthus Lane in the south of the city. With his injuries greatly improved and days of exercise, his speed was much faster than before.

Under the moonlight, Osmanthus Lane was quiet and deserted. He quickly found the third willow tree, crouched down, and as expected, felt a bulging silk purse in the crack of a loose large stone by the tree roots!

It felt heavy in his hand! He didn't have time to look closely, quickly stuffed it into his robe, looked around to ensure no one was watching, and immediately returned the way he came.

Returning to his small room and closing the door, he finally took out the purse. The material of the purse was good, with the character "Zhang" embroidered on it in silk thread. Opening the drawstring and looking inside, Qin Feng's breathing quickened slightly.

Inside was a glint of yellow and white! At a rough glance, there were actually over a dozen gold coins, dozens of silver coins, and many copper coins! This Tailor Zhang had quite a substantial Family fortune, or rather, this might be the payment or savings he had just collected.

Early the next morning, the sky was bright.

After washing up, Qin Feng carried the purse and went to Zhang's Tailor Shop in the south of the city.

The shop had just opened. A slightly plump middle-aged man with dark circles under his eyes and a distressed face was tidying up the shop; it was the tailor, Zhang Fugui. His wife was scolding him from the side, her voice shrill: "...You dead ghost! Drink, drink, drink! Why don't you just drink yourself to death! What are you going to do now that the money is lost! We can't go on like this!"

Zhang Fugui hung his head and sighed, not daring to talk back.

Qin Feng walked in, took out the purse embroidered with the character "Zhang," and said, "Excuse me, are you Manager Zhang? I passed by Osmanthus Lane last night and found this. It looks like it might belong to you."

Zhang Fugui looked up abruptly, his eyes widening the moment he saw the purse in Qin Feng's hand. He snatched it away, opened it, and saw that not a single cent was missing! His lips trembled with excitement: "Yes! It's mine! Young man, thank you so much! Thank you! You've saved my life!" His wife also leaned in to look, her face immediately breaking into a smile. She thanked Qin Feng repeatedly, and her gaze toward Zhang Fugui softened considerably.

"It was just a small effort, Manager Zhang. No need to be so polite," Qin Feng smiled.

"I must thank you! I definitely must!" Zhang Fugui gripped the purse tightly, like a long-lost treasure. He looked at Qin Feng and said sincerely, "Young man, you are truly a good person! Tell you what, I, Old Zhang, don't have much to offer, but let me give you a set of clothes! You choose the fabric yourself, and the style is up to you. Consider it a small token of my gratitude!"

Qin Feng couldn't refuse, and seeing Zhang Fugui's determined attitude, he stopped being polite. He thought for a moment and pointed to a set of navy blue clothes hanging nearby, made of sturdy material with a loose and clean-cut style. "I'll take this set then; it's convenient for movement."

Zhang Fugui looked and smiled, "You must want to practice martial arts, don't you, young man? This 'Martial Attire' is indeed suitable." As he nimbly wrapped the clothes and handed them to Qin Feng, he kindly added, "It's a good thing to want to practice martial arts. In our Star South City, there's the 'Zhenyuan Martial Arts Hall' in the east of the city; the hall master is an expert at the Peak of the Martial Artist Realm. Several Gangs in the south and north, like the Fierce Tiger Gang and Black Snake Gang, also frequently recruit people, though they are a mixed bag. The City Lord's Mansion occasionally recruits guards and soldiers, but the requirements are high; you must at least be in the Martial Artist Realm. Those great families, like the Lin Family and Wang Family, recruit guards and servants; the threshold is lower, but you must at least be a Martial Apprentice to have a chance..."

Qin Feng listened intently; this was all valuable local information. He took the clothes and thanked him again: "Thank you for the information, Manager Zhang."

"No need for formalities. If you ever need clothes made in the future, just come find Old Zhang!" Zhang Fugui promised, patting his chest.

Leaving the tailor shop and holding the newly acquired Martial Attire, Qin Feng walked through the bustling streets, gaining a bit more understanding of this world. The path of a Martial Artist seemed to be right before him—martial arts halls, Gangs, the government, families... every path, however, was inseparable from the threshold of strength.