Chapter Eleven: The Conditions for Obtaining the Technique

This old man, seeing his young age, was completely trying to fool him as if he were a simpleton. Yang Fan admitted his strength was not yet formidable, but he could now afford to disregard many matters and people. For instance, this town chief.

“Uncle Chun, just the two of us here—tell me, how much did you skim off the top?” Yang Fan stared at him, “Each family gets ten silver taels in compensation. Did you pocket nine hundred ninety taels?”

Yang Chun’s face darkened, a hint of malice flickering over it. “Fan, I’ve worried about this town, worked hard for it, exhausted myself for its welfare—my back aches, my legs are weak, my hair’s gone white, and you dare slander me like this? No parents, no manners.”

Yang Fan abruptly stood, towering over him, his gaze icy. “Say that again if you dare.”

The atmosphere in the main hall grew stifling.

Yang Chun stood up slowly, narrowed his eyes, cold light glinting within them, lips curling into a frosty smile. He picked up a contract, folded it, and tucked it into his breast.

He said, unhurriedly, “Young men, don’t let your temper rule you, or you’ll pay dearly.”

Saying no more, he walked out.

“Yang Chun, have you truly abandoned your conscience?” Yang Fan said coolly, “Most people in this town bear the Yang surname, worship the same ancestral hall.”

Yang Chun paused for a moment, then left the courtyard.

“A commoner’s wrath spills blood within five paces. Who knows how much will be shed this time,” Yang Fan sighed.

Whether it was the house or the attempted deception just now, he saw through it all—Yang Chun was far from a decent man. In fact, he was rotten to the core.

Swindling an orphan.

Ten taels in compensation.

And to a clansman, no less.

How could a person do such a thing?

The night passed uneventfully. The next day, Yang Da Hu arrived early. “Yang Fan, are you ready? Time to go!”

“So early?” Yang Fan glanced eastward; the sun had barely risen, its red glow just peeking over the horizon.

“I’ve found out—it’s not only us, but people from other places too, and they’re using a new facility. It’s just north of town, recently built. Turns out, it was prepared for us,” Yang Da Hu said excitedly.

“Others from elsewhere?” Yang Fan was surprised.

“Yeah, let’s talk as we walk.”

“Alright!”

He left home, locked the door, and the two grabbed a quick bite on the street before heading to the courtyard behind the Hall of Benevolence.

Steward Wang was already waiting there.

Though they’d arrived early, others were even earlier—like Yang Tian.

And Yang Xiang.

Yang Xiang looked at Yang Fan with undisguised disdain.

Yang Fan ignored it, greeted him, then moved closer to Steward Wang. “Uncle Wang, why are people from other places here?”

“You thought we only recruit apprentices from your lot?” Steward Wang was in good spirits, smiling. “The Hall of Benevolence is vast, far beyond what you imagine. The branch here is just one of many. In Jinhua County alone, there are several branches. Other shops have also chosen promising youths and sent them here for unified training. After all, Nanshan Town backs onto the great mountains, rich in resources, and it’s a vital gateway into Misty Mountain.”

“So that means our future prospects could be even brighter?” Yang Fan blinked, excited.

“You’re looking far ahead for your age. This opportunity is rare, so strive hard, seize it, and aim for the top.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Wang—I won’t disgrace our town. By the way, do you know how to obtain martial arts techniques?”

“You really do have some ambition. Don’t rush; once everyone’s assembled, you’ll find out.”

They chatted quietly.

Yang Da Hu glanced at Yang Fan now and then, his expression strange. As his close friend, he knew Yang Fan was no dullard, but now he seemed positively shrewd.

More and more people gathered.

Eventually, all ten were present, including the reserve candidate Jia Xuyang.

Steward Wang led them to the northern courtyard, a newly built facility with dormitories, dining hall, pharmacy, and more—fully equipped.

Yang Fan and the others were brought to a large hall.

Inside, many people were already seated, resembling a classroom from his previous life, though much more rudimentary. They found seats at random.

At the front sat Manager Liu and the white-robed youth from before, along with several others.

Once everyone was present, Manager Liu raised his hand to quell the murmurs.

As he spoke, Yang Fan came to fully understand the situation here.

There were a hundred apprentices in total.

From now on, they would live and eat here, studying herbal identification, memorizing properties, learning to prepare medicinal ingredients, and so forth.

They had only three months. If they failed the final assessment, they would become full-time herb gatherers.

That meant venturing deep into the mountains as gatherers.

The three top performers would be rewarded with martial arts techniques and receive further training to become physicians.

At this, all the youths were fired up with excitement.

To become a physician! Far superior to herbalists—the pinnacle of their ambitions.

But first, they needed to sign a contract.

Yang Fan examined his closely, his expression changing slightly.

“There’s no such thing as a free meal.”

The contract was strict.

Once signed, they would belong to the Hall of Benevolence. Not quite a sale of their freedom, but close.

For example, when gathering herbs, there were quotas to fulfill. Beyond that, as an apprentice, they could keep only ten percent of any extra rewards.

If injured, they would be treated as appropriate.

As for death? The family might receive a consolation payment, but judging from the recent assessments, it would be meager and without any standard.

The only advantage lay in benefits—these would increase according to their rank or position within the Hall.

There was even an example: several former apprentices had risen to become guest elders at the Hall’s headquarters, wielding great authority.

As for leaving?

That was harsh beyond measure.

“Should I press my fingerprint?” Yang Fan hesitated.

If he didn’t join the Hall of Benevolence, how would he obtain martial arts techniques?

Gather and sell herbs in the mountains? The outskirts were picked clean; only the deep mountains held treasures, and though he had some special abilities, what if he encountered a silver eagle, a wildcat, or a swarm of venomous beasts?

Leave Nanshan Town?

That was even worse. The outside world was chaotic, plagued by bandits—he might end up dead at their hands.

“It’s better to stay here. There’s a chance to acquire martial arts techniques; though exploited, at least there’s shelter under a mighty tree. As for leaving in future? Once I’m strong enough, a single contract will be nothing but scrap paper.”

Having resolved his doubts, Yang Fan signed the contract, pressed his fingerprint, and became an official apprentice of the Hall of Benevolence.

The others signed without hesitation.

Manager Liu and the others offered a few words of encouragement, then departed with the white-robed youth, leaving the place in Steward Wang’s care—a fact that pleased Yang Fan, since dealing with a familiar face would make things easier.

In addition, there were teaching herbalists, physicians, cooks, and two guards.

Under Steward Wang’s guidance, the group began to familiarize themselves with the environment.

Kitchen, study, latrine, dormitory, and so on.

“This is the pharmacy, stocked with many herbal specimens. Once you’ve mastered the book knowledge, you’ll work here hands-on.”

Soon Steward Wang led them to the pharmacy.

It was spacious.

Larger than the classroom.

Yang Fan’s eyes flickered, and he activated his “Earth Sense” ability. In the next moment, his eyes lit up.

“This seems to be a promising place.”

Turning, he looked toward the Hall of Benevolence shop on the street, anticipation growing within him.