Bai Yu was left speechless.

He had been extremely cautious, not daring to show any sign of wealth.

He even only dared to sell ten packets of Essence-Nourishing Powder, for just a few taels of silver.

Yet, he still got targeted.

Are people really that desperate these days?

Bai Yu changed his route several times, only to find that the two men were still following him.

Confirming he was indeed being tailed, he started to sprint.

The two men behind him also gave chase relentlessly.

The two were dumbfounded; how could this kid run so fast?

One of the skinny ones complained, "Third Brother, is it worth it to keep chasing like this?"

"It's just a few taels of silver, and we got ripped off by Old Diao for a broken book."

The chubby one beside him said in a deep voice, "Stop with the nonsense, just chase."

"We can only gamble now. If he has a pill recipe on him, we'll hit the jackpot and pay off the debt to the Black Wolf Gang."

"If there's no recipe, and Old One-Eye Zuo comes to collect, we'll really lose our limbs."

It turned out these two were notorious thieves, one named Mao San, the other Gou Si, both first-rank martial artists.

Normally, they wouldn't risk it for just a couple of taels of silver.

But a few days ago, they had a bad streak at the gambling house and impulsively took out a high-interest loan from the Black Wolf Gang.

That kind of loan is like sucking the marrow from your bones; once you owe it, you can never pay it back.

This forced the two to gamble, hoping to get a pill recipe from Bai Yu and clear their debt in one go.

In reality, nine out of ten people selling medicine don't have a pill recipe.

But Mao San and Gou Si couldn't care less; they had to take the gamble.

Thinking of the Black Wolf Gang's methods, they both shivered and quickened their pace.

Mao San encouraged Gou Si, "Relax, Old Four. I can see this kid is a greenhorn."

"He didn't even bring any weapons. We can take him down easily."

Suddenly, they saw the figure ahead duck behind a large tree and disappear.

Mao San and Gou Si panicked, grabbed their weapons, and rushed over.

When they reached the tree, they found Bai Yu was nowhere to be seen.

Just as they were about to search, they heard the sound of a stone rolling from behind a small mound.

Mao San and Gou Si exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming, and rushed towards the mound.

Mao San held a long knife, while Gou Si gripped a dagger.

At that moment, a black shadow flew down from the big tree behind them—it was Bai Yu!

Bai Yu wielded a machete, slashing horizontally.

Soul Severing Blade Technique, one slash to decapitate!

The blade flashed, and Mao San's head flew high, blood spurting out.

Gou Si was shocked, leaping forward, turning mid-air, and throwing several throwing knives.

Three knives formed a triangle, aiming straight for Bai Yu's head and chest.

Bai Yu leaned back, dodging the knives.

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Thud, thud, thud—the knives embedded themselves in the tree behind him.

Taking advantage of Bai Yu's dodge, Gou Si charged with his dagger.

But at that moment, a black dog leaped from behind the mound, knocking Gou Si to the ground.

Just as Gou Si was about to fight back, Bai Yu caught up, swung the machete, and severed Gou Si's arm.

With another slash, Gou Si's head rolled away.

Bai Yu struck twice more to ensure they were dead, then let out a long breath.

A real life-and-death fight was truly exhilarating.

Fortunately, Bai Yu had planned ahead and was prepared for bandits.

He had already scouted the area, hiding the machete in the tree and having Old Mo ambush behind the mound.

Old Mo's strength now rivaled the peak of Stage One Flesh Refining.

With the cooperation of man and dog, killing Mao San and Gou Si was a breeze.

Bai Yu said to Old Mo, "The second rule of the Gou Path: the world is dangerous, always play the fool to catch the tiger."

"A true master of the Gou Path always keeps several trump cards."

Old Mo came over, eyes full of admiration.

Though it was a real dog, it couldn't outwit Bai Yu.

Old Mo wagged its tail rapidly, rubbing against Bai Yu's leg for praise.

Bai Yu chuckled, patting Old Mo's head, "Little Blackie, you did great."

This was the tacit understanding between Bai Yu and Old Mo; they never used their real names outside.

Bai Yu went by Cai Kun, and Old Mo by Little Blackie.

No matter what, it was an extra layer of security.

Bai Yu calmed his mind and quickly searched the two bodies.

He found a tael of silver and a few dozen copper coins.

Bai Yu spat, "So poor and still robbing? Don't they know how to earn money?"

"What a loss, what a loss."

But at least Mao San's steel blade looked decent, likely made of Ten Training Steel, worth a few taels on the black market.

Bai Yu also took Gou Si's dagger and three throwing knives, all made of Ten Training Steel.

Especially the throwing knives, coated with purple poison.

If they hit, it would be game over.

Finally, Bai Yu found a medicine bottle in Gou Si's arms.

Opening it, a pungent smell hit him.

No doubt, it was poison.

Bai Yu couldn't help but feel grateful.

Luckily, he was well-prepared with several trump cards; otherwise, Gou Si might have really gotten him.

Bai Yu cleaned up the battlefield and left quickly with Old Mo.

Back at the charity mortuary, he carefully checked the day's gains.

Selling Essence-Nourishing Powder earned him three taels, half of which bought a Fragmented Five Spirit Fist tome.

Killing the two robbers yielded one tael and forty-three copper coins.

Plus, a Ten Training Steel blade, a dagger, and three throwing knives.

And a bottle of Red-Crested Crane Poison, deadly upon contact with blood.

On the black market, these items would cost at least ten taels of silver.

Despite the haul, Bai Yu was not satisfied.

He said to Old Mo, "Old Mo, unless absolutely necessary, never risk your life for these worldly possessions."

"As long as you live long enough, money and cultivation techniques will come eventually; it's not worth the risk."

"A hundred years from now, ten taels of silver will be nothing to us."

Old Mo: "Woof woof woo~"

Bai Yu patted Old Mo's head and began to read the Fragmented Five Spirit Fist tome.

It depicted small figures mimicking five spirit beasts throwing punches.

As he memorized the tome, his attribute panel changed.

[Cultivation Technique: Five Elements Fist (Practice Makes Perfect), Fragmented Five Spirit Fist (Not Yet Initiated).]

[Compatibility 97%, can be fused.]

[Fusion Cost: 100 Life Experience.]

Without hesitation, Bai Yu invested 100 Life Experience into the Record of World Burials.

Immediately, shadowy figures appeared in his mind, practicing martial arts.

Eventually, the Five Elements Fist and Fragmented Five Spirit Fist fused, forming a new fist technique.

In addition to the original five styles, it included four health-preserving moves.

[Four Symbols Five Elements Fist, Yellow Rank Middle Grade.]

Bai Yu beamed with joy, having acquired a Yellow Rank Middle Grade cultivation technique!

Even on the black market, such a technique would cost over twenty taels of silver.

Bai Yu had spent only a mere three coins, a huge profit.

Moreover, the Four Symbols Five Elements Fist inherited the proficiency of the Five Elements Fist.

Excited, Bai Yu practiced the Four Symbols Five Elements Fist on the spot.

The result delighted him greatly.