Inside a hospital in Yi'an District.
Yang Wu was chatting with Luo Feng, who had just woken up.
"Brother Yang, thank you so much for today!" Luo Feng said sincerely after finally calming his parents.
"We're brothers—no need for thanks." Yang Wu replied calmly, though a thought crossed his mind: Even if I wanted to help you again, I probably won't get the chance.
"Mm!" Luo Feng grinned.
"Ah Feng! Ah Feng!"
A voice called out from afar.
Yang Wu turned and saw someone rushing toward them—it was Luo Feng's close friend, Wei Wen.
Seeing Wei Wen drenched in sweat, Yang Wu couldn't help but feel a trace of emotion.
Luo Feng had always been popular at school. Many classmates sought his advice on martial arts. But now that he had been hospitalized, aside from his family, only Wei Wen had rushed over in such concern.
No wonder Wei Wen would eventually become an immortal god.
As for Yang Wu… his friendship with Luo Feng carried certain ulterior motives.
Still, for the sake of immortality, there was nothing shameful about that.
"Wei Wen's here. You two catch up—I should get back to work."
Yang Wu knew Luo Feng was still thinking about applying to a military academy, but he chose not to bring it up. There was no need to interfere right now.
"Brother Yang, thank you again! I'll treat you to dinner in a few days!" Luo Feng said.
"Alright. I'll be waiting."
After exchanging a few words with Wei Wen and greeting Luo Feng's family, Yang Wu took his leave.
---
"From today onward, once I pass the martial artist assessment, I can finally relax."
Walking down the street, Yang Wu was already mapping out his future.
In truth, he had already met the basic physical requirements of a martial artist. The only reason he failed the previous assessment was his speed.
Next month? Passing was practically guaranteed.
Once he became a martial artist, he could secure a much better job within the base city.
As for the wilderness…
Let someone else take that risk.
Without a cheat-like advantage, his cultivation speed simply couldn't keep up with Luo Feng's meteoric rise.
Becoming close friends with Luo Feng was like buying insurance for his future. Now, all he had to do was wait for the benefits to mature.
After all, if he died in the wilderness, there would be no second chances.
Even with resurrection or time reversal, one's lifespan wasn't infinite.
Lost in thought, Yang Wu continued walking at a steady pace. Within a dozen minutes, he arrived at a well-known bar in Yi'an District.
"Hello, Brother Yang!"
"Brother Yang!"
He nodded slightly as he passed the two bodyguards at the entrance and stepped inside.
Watching him go, one of the taller guards sighed with envy.
"Brother Yang really has it easy. Comes here every night and earns tens of thousands a month."
"Heh. If you could take down six advanced martial arts trainees by yourself, you'd have the same待遇," the other guard replied with a grin.
"If I had that kind of strength, I wouldn't be working here. I'd attach myself to a powerful family—much safer than this," the tall guard said with a self-deprecating laugh.
"You're dreaming. Out of a thousand people, maybe one becomes an advanced trainee. Someone like Brother Yang—who's practically a martial artist—is even rarer."
"Yeah… I heard he's already close to meeting martial artist standards. Do you think he'll still work here after he passes?"
"Who knows? But if it were me, I'd head straight to the wilderness. Kill one monster and earn millions—that's the life."
"Exactly! Once you're a martial artist, it's all luxury and freedom."
The tall guard clenched his fists. "One day, I'll become one too."
---
Though Yang Wu had already entered the bar, his near–martial artist physique allowed him to hear everything clearly.
A life of luxury… millions per kill?
He shook his head inwardly.
That was how ordinary people imagined martial artists.
Reality was far harsher.
Millions per monster? That applied only to Beast General–level creatures. As for the Beast Soldier–level monsters that ordinary warriors could handle, their materials were worth only a few thousand.
A low-level warrior might spend an entire year in the wilderness and earn just a few hundred thousand.
And the mortality rate?
Terrifying.
Even the preliminary practical assessment for aspiring martial artists had a casualty rate exceeding 30%.
In the wilderness, it was even worse.
Even War God–level experts could fall—let alone ordinary warriors.
Every trip outside the base city was a gamble with death.
Every return… a rebirth.
As for Luo Feng's journey?
That was an exception.
A once-in-an-era anomaly.
Yang Wu had once believed he might become the second such legend.
Now, he understood—
He was just one of countless ordinary people.
---
"Ah Wu, you're here!"
A middle-aged man in a tailored suit approached. It was the bar owner, Wang Zijin.
"Brother Wang." Yang Wu nodded respectfully.
Though Wang Zijin's personal strength wasn't impressive, he belonged to the Wang family. Even as a collateral member, he held significant influence in Yangzhou City, with assets exceeding 100 million.
Yang Wu worked under him.
"I heard you took the martial artist assessment recently—and almost passed?" Wang Zijin asked with interest.
"Yes. Strength and reaction speed met the standard, but my speed fell short. I only reached 24.8 meters per second."
The requirement was 25 m/s.
"So close? You'll definitely pass next time!" Wang Zijin said decisively. "How about this—you take the next month off. Focus on training. I'll still pay your salary."
Yang Wu immediately shook his head. "I can't accept that."
He kept work and personal matters strictly separate.
"It's nothing—just a small expense," Wang Zijin said with a smile. Then, more seriously: "If you feel uneasy about it… how about joining the Wang family after you become a full martial artist?"
There it was—the real intention.
Recruitment.
An ordinary warrior wasn't much to the Wang family as a whole—but to Wang Zijin personally, it was a valuable asset.
Especially someone like Yang Wu, who had connections within the martial artist circle.
"Brother Wang… I'll need some time to think about it," Yang Wu replied carefully.
If he truly intended to stay within the base city, joining the Wang family wouldn't be a bad choice.
At the very least, Wang Zijin was trustworthy.
"Of course. Take your time," Wang Zijin said with a smile. "Let me know whenever you decide."
With that, he turned and left.
After all, he hadn't come to the bar for business today—
He had come specifically for Yang Wu.
And now that he had said his piece, there was no need to linger.
___________________________
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