Four months after the ambush, a healthy youth lay in wait within a bush. In that time Zhu Xi's arm had healed completely without any scarring. It had completely healed within the first month, but Zhu Xi did not dare show it. Recovery abilities that strong thoroughly defied logic and Zhu Xi couldn't risk it. So, he spent an additional three months in bed "recovering," and surprisingly in that time the Wolf-Claw gang hadn't acted. No attack, threats, or anything, it was complete silence.

Whatever their stance was on the matter, Zhu Xi would deal with it. In that time Zhu Xi had concluded that he needed to learn to kill. All of his current combat experience was from sparring with Jung Go, and that knowledge gap stood out during the ambush. Morally, Zhu Xi was conflicted about the idea, but realistically he knew it was necessary. Thankfully, a suggestion from Senior Brother Cheng solved this conundrum. Go hunt wild beasts in the forest beyond the city walls and collect medical herbs on the side. The day after the suggestion, Zhu Xi had set out for the forest after purchasing some information from the local apothecary on herbs.

Currently, Zhu Xi crouched in a bush as his eyes scanned for any wild beasts hidden in the flora. Tall stalks of bamboo grew in a clearing, this bamboo differed from Earth's kind. It was earthly yellow and stocky, and the stalks were lined with small spikes that if pricked could numb the affected area. Zhu Xi had set his sights on this herb because it could sell for good coin. But the real money maker was the fruit it sprouted at the top of the stalks. The fruits stopped many common poisons that cause paralysis, a natural cure.

Zhu Xi hid with bated breath until he felt certain no beasts were lurking in the area. An hour of observation led to this conclusion and Zhu Xi didn't want to wait any longer. Taking deep breaths, Zhu Xi rushed to the bamboo herb alert and ready for a hidden attack from behind. Once he got to the bamboo it was a simple matter of reaching for the lowest-hanging fruit. Upon touching the fruit, a yellow flash struck out from the bamboo stalk.

Fangs dug into Zhu Xi's outstretched hand before he could even react. It was a camouflaged snake! Zhu Xi's other hand clasped onto the snake's neck and crushed it. The snake was earthy yellow in color just like the bamboo tree. Two more streaks of yellow flashed by Zhu Xi's peripheral. However, Zhu Xi could only kill them after they had bitten him. Disgruntled, Zhu Xi backed away from the bamboo with the fruit in hand. The information he paid the apothecary for this herb hadn't mentioned of snakes. Just as Zhu Xi was hesitating about grabbing more of the fruit his palm suddenly went slack. It was numb and attempts to move it were unsuccessful. The snakes had poisoned him!

Zhu Xi retreated back to the bush before he fell when his legs went slack. Zhu Xi hit the ground face first and the fruit escaped his grasp. He tried to wrench any control over his limbs, but Zhu Xi could only control his facial expressions. That control also left moments later. An expressionless Zhu Xi lay beside the bush, the side of his face hugging the ground. Zhu Xi's eyes were fierce and unyielding, but it was useless. His breathing got shallower and shallower until it just stopped. Zhu Xi had died.

Hours passed as Zhu Xi's corpse remained there on the ground. The moon took over the sky and nightly critters exited their dens. A centipede crawled to Zhu Xi's corpse inspecting him with its antennas. The centipede bit onto Zhu Xi's neck with its mandible, blood seeped out slowly at first. The slow trickle turned into a torrent when the centipede's mandible dug deep enough to break one of Zhu Xi's arteries. Minutes pass as great amounts of blood pooled by the corpse and the centipede feasted. A larger critter attracted by the scent of blood approached Zhu Xi's corpse. The creature had sharp teeth, claws, and most notably a bushy tail, it was a squirrel. The monstrous squirrel the size of a dog warily sniffed Zhu Xi.

At that moment Zhu Xi's eyes snapped open. His bloodshot eyes met the squirrel's own pair as it froze in fear. A corpse had returned from the dead! The squirrel tripped and ran into a few trees as it scurried away from Zhu Xi and deeper into the forest. Zhu Xi, unconcerned about the beast quickly turned over and puked blood. Sweat dripped from Zhu Xi's brow and into his eyes. The salty tears stung his eyes, but the experience of death remained at the forefront of Zhu Xi's mind.

When Zhu Xi's lungs had shut down, his heart followed shortly after. But, what he had experienced afterward, Zhu Xi likened it to a fever dream. Zhu Xi remembered slipping between being aware and in the next, a blankness. Time did not exist in this blankness, he had no thoughts or ideas, merely a state of perpetual existence with no change. Zhu Xi firmly believed that the only thing that kept him sane was the Immortal Sword's presence. Then slowly his mind was able to sense the passing of time and awareness returned, then Zhu Xi awoke.

Zhu Xi's hands were covered in blood as he pressed the wound in his neck. Zhu Xi no longer felt invincible, the Immortal Sword had barely saved him. It seems the Immortal Sword didn't stop paralytic poisons from taking effect, even if they killed him. What's worse, Zhu Xi suspects that if he loses his sword in that state of death, he might just stay dead. Zhu Xi shook his numb limbs to bring back feeling and to divert attention away from the grim thoughts.

The bush had served as decent cover while he was paralyzed, but the fruit Zhu Xi risked his life for was nowhere in sight. Zhu Xi reprimanded himself for not consuming the fruit when he had the chance, but his greed got the better of him. Even worse, night had descended and the city gates had long closed. The giant walls the city magistrate had constructed weren't just for show. Zhu Xi heard many rumors that nocturnal predators regularly roamed the forest and even posed a threat to Martial Artists. Surprisingly, the lethal hole in his neck was healing quickly despite the continuous bleeding.

A howl in the distance broke Zhu Xi's meandering thoughts. Zhu Xi's eyes strained as he focused on his dark surroundings. The crescent moon's shine illuminated what it could within the undergrowth. As rays of moonlight sparingly cracked through the blackened canopy above. A snarl and crunching leaves alerted Zhu Xi of the position of a wolf. Twisting around, Zhu Xi prepared to fight soaked in blood. It was unlikely he would escape the beast with superior agility and tracking capabilities, so Zhu Xi held his ground.

A cow-sized wolf appeared from the shadows, it stood only a little shorter than Zhu Xi. Despite his shock, he noticed a rapidly approaching blur within his peripherals. This time though, Zhu Xi was ready. He struck the blur, his hardened knuckles smashed into the beast's jaws. Its teeth broke and flew into the night sky as Zhu Xi got a better look at the blur. It was a smaller wolf, around the height of Zhu Xi's waist. It growled at Zhu Xi before retreating into the darkness.

The big wolf, however, remained still and didn't act. Two more wolves on the small side charged out of the forest attempting to catch Zhu Xi unprepared. However, he was ready once more and landed multiple strikes on them before they retreated. Realizing their sneak attacks were useless, they came out from the forest and began circling Zhu Xi. Zhu Xi was able to fend them off quite easily due to their rather predictable patterns of always going for his back.

Then the big wolf barked and something changed. Zhu Xi couldn't determine what it was exactly, but it felt familiar. Just as Zhu Xi twisted to defend from a bite going for his back, the wolf stopped. It was a feint! Paws crunched the leaves behind Zhu Xi as he turned as fast as he could. The second wolf's teeth dug into Zhu Xi's bicep as he slammed his fist into its skull. The beast had let go, but the damage was already done. Zhu Xi grimaced as blood ran down his injured arm once more. The muscle was torn and moving the arm wasn't possible.

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Then it clicked, he was being used as a training object for the wolves. That was why the big wolf hadn't made a move, it was instructing them. There was a genuine possibility of death if they got ahold of him. They would rip him to shreds and Zhu Xi would likely lose his sword in the process. Thoughts of escaping came to mind, but he knew better than to give them an opportunity. A hundred thoughts bubbled within his mind until Zhu Xi created one so utterly insane it might just work.

Zhu Xi didn't hesitate and charged at one of the wolves circling him. The unexpected action caught the wolf off guard, but it quickly reacted and dodged. Zhu Xi however ignored it and continued running. The wolves remained tight on his heels and followed him into the clearing. The moon's light illuminated the open field as the canopy didn't extend beyond the forest. At the center of the clearing was the bamboo herb that got him into this mess.

Zhu Xi grinned and leaped onto the stalk of bamboo. With planned movement, he plucked a fruit from atop and took a bite. Not a moment sooner multiple snakes hooked their fangs into Zhu Xi. The barbs on the bamboo sunk into his flesh pumping even more neurotoxins. Zhu Xi felt a little numb, but the fruit was staving off paralysis. Zhu Xi let out a breath of relief as he ate another fruit. It hurt to eat fruit worth its weight in silver so wastefully, but Zhu Xi didn't want to die once more. Wary of being pulled down, Zhu Xi climbed higher and closer to the stalk's center.

The wolves circled around the bamboo stalks cautiously, and one of the more reckless wolves attempted to climb the bamboo. However, a snake bite stopped the wolf in its tracks before it plummeted to the ground. As the other wolves moved to get closer to the bamboo stalk, the bigger wolf howled. The wolves paused when the pack leader appeared. The leader inspected its lackey and tried waking it. However, the wolf had stopped breathing and died within a few minutes. Suddenly, the leader howled and the rest of the pack did so as well.

Zhu Xi watched this scene with disbelief. Were they honoring the dead wolf? The pack leader turned and Zhu Xi met the large wolf's gaze. An unknown mental pressure weighed on Zhu Xi. Zhu Xi challenged it with his own, and the standoff only ended when the wolf turned and left. The pack followed leaving the dead wolf and Zhu Xi alone. Zhu Xi first killed the many snakes still attached to his body. He wondered if they could be made into snake skewers.

Next, Zhu Xi used a spare cloth he brought to grab as many fruits as he could carry. These fruits were worth a few silver each, and there were so many fruits. Zhu Xi lamented that he hadn't bought a backpack before coming out here. With his small clothes, Zhu Xi was only able to pack up five fruits at most. Lastly, Zhu Xi cut off a stalk of dead and dry bamboo with the knife he got from Fang Gao. Zhu Xi hadn't used the knife to fight the wolves because he just didn't know how. All his training so far had been punching, and trying to learn something new during a fight that could result in death was plain stupid. Of course, that wasn't to say Zhu Xi was unwilling to learn how to use a knife in a fight. Just that the timing was unsuitable.

Descending down and out of the bamboo stalks, Zhu Xi scanned the forest's edge. Zhu Xi was skeptical whether the wolves truly left, but as long as he stayed close to the bamboo stalks it didn't really matter. With choppy movements, Zhu Xi began to set up a campfire near the bamboo stalks. Zhu Xi was able to pay one of the local foragers to teach him how to start a fire. The price wasn't cheap, but the guy stayed true to his word and taught Zhu Xi.

A small flame came to life under Zhu Xi's careful ministrations. The flame grew until it was ready to cook some snakes. Zhu Xi sharpened some of the smaller bamboo into skewers and began cooking them beside the fire. During this time Zhu Xi didn't dare nap, so to pass the time he checked his status.

[Name: Zhu Xi

Age: 16

Golden Finger: Sword Immortality(Active)

Martial Arts Techniques: Stone Fist - (Tier 0: 32.9%)]

Chewing on one of the snake skewers, Zhu Xi estimated that the fight with the wolves had gotten him 9 percent. This was because the ambush from Fang Gao and his lackeys last time pushed him up 7 percent. However, the fight with the wolves was drastically more challenging. Zhu Xi guessed that the harder the fight, the more his technique grew. Zhu Xi wasn't sure if this was due to his cheating or if it was just the pressure that caused this leap of growth. However, that didn't matter as the sun had risen and he was out of snake skewers.

The return back to the city was nerve-racking, but he couldn't just hide away in the bamboo stalks forever. Thankfully, the trip was uneventful and he hadn't encountered any wolves along the way. The muscles on his arm had also partially healed. The bones were no longer visible, so only his torn arm muscles were visible now. Zhu Xi got many stares while waiting in line to enter the city, but there was nothing he could do about it. The city guards had also stopped him at the gate for his rather, unique appearance.

"Halt, identify yourself! Why do you look like you've been dunked into a pool of blood." One of the guards spoke with a combination of wariness and authority.

"Zhu Xi, a cleaner of the Rolling Boulder Dojo. I have returned from a night in the forest." A deadpan Zhu Xi answered, but the guards looked at him with uncertainty.

"Do you have anyone who can vouch for your identity?" They still didn't believe him. Was surviving a night in the forest that dangerous?

"Senior Brother Cheng of the Rolling Boulder Dojo," Zhu Xi replied. One of the guards motioned to another guard to get the person mentioned. However before the guard could leave, a voice stopped him.

"I am able to vouch for him," A well-dressed man in flowing robes stepped out of one of the carriages entering the city. It was Zhao Guo, the arranged marriage partner of Xiao Ai from the restaurant.

"Young master," The guards gave a respectful bow to Zhao Guo.

"You look worse for wear, Zhu Xi. Have you considered my offer?" Zhao Guo paid the guards no mind as he asked Zhu Xi with a glint in his eyes. A glint Zhu Xi recognized in himself, avarice. Avarice not directed towards any of Zhu Xi's belongings, but instead Zhu Xi's Martial prowess.

"Not yet, but I still have matters to attend to. May I go?" Zhu Xi didn't have the energy to deal with such matters at the moment.

"Yes, yes. Don't let me hold you back. Just remember the Zhao Family treats those that are capable well." Zhu Xi respectfully nodded and departed, he had his own avarice to deal with.

At the apothecary, bells jingled as Zhu Xi opened the door. Flakes of dried blood occasionally fell off him, but Zhu Xi held a cloth tightly to his chest. It was the fruits he had collected.

"Ay! Stop tracking in all that blood! You are at the wrong place, go to the physician!" The apothecary apprentice at the front desk yelled in anger. Zhu Xi continued till he reached the desk.

"Hey! Do you have ears…" The apprentice spotted the fruit on the desk and had to do a double take.

"Haha, good customer what can I do for you?" The sudden turnaround was no longer unexpected for Zhu Xi.

"Sell,"

"Right away, I'm willing to give you a good deal, 1 silver each?"

"More," These fruits were a rare commodity this time of year, and Zhu Xi capitalized on that.

"But-" Zhu Xi grabbed the fruits, ready to leave. "2 silver each!"

"I need to see more sincerity." He smiled at the apprentice.

"Fine, 2 silver and err, 50-" Zhu Xi gestured higher, "75 copper each?"

"Hmm, you have a deal, only if you tell one thing." The apprentice eagerly nodded.

"Why hadn't you mentioned any snakes when I bought information from you yesterday." Zhu Xi asked with a dark expression. Recognition and shock flashed in the apprentice's eyes.

"I-It's you! Uh, well- The information you bought only pertained to the herbs, not of the beasts in the area. Plus we don't always have up-to-date information on hand." The apprentice slowly gained confidence as he spoke.

"Really?" Nonetheless, Zhu Xi was still annoyed.

"Really! So do we have a deal?"

"3 silver each." A pained expression appeared on the apprentice's face. Zhu Xi looked plainly at the misery with glee.

"Ugh, deal!" The apprentice quickly handed over the money and shooed Zhu Xi out of the store. For some reason, Zhu Xi felt like he got cheated as he returned home. That didn't matter though, the money was more than enough. Zhu Xi grinned, 15 silver was indeed a hefty sum.