Through his interactions with many homeowners, Gu Mu began to feel a long-lost warmth from them that he hadn't experienced since his family was lost.
The kindness and affability of these ordinary people eased his constant, burning hatred. They showed him that not everyone was cruel.
Unconsciously, Gu Mu changed. He was no longer the bitter and resentful young man he once was, and smiles slowly began to appear on his face. His heart was lighter.
As his inner turmoil lessened, Gu Mu gradually became more cheerful and open.
"Senior, are you doing this to change my character? To make me let go of my hatred?" Finally, one day, Gu Mu couldn't help but ask, his voice full of realization.
Xu Ning was surprised. "What do you mean by 'doing this'? How? Changing what aspect of your character? I'm just having you do errands."
Gu Mu was also bewildered. "You know, making me steal things, then work for others, experience human warmth, and let go of some of my hatred. It's been a lesson."
Xu Ning was speechless. "I'm just greedy, and I don't want to spend money to buy things. Of course I'll make you steal! As long as you don't get caught, that's fine. If you do get caught, you'll have to work for others. It's simple economics."
Gu Mu was stunned, his mouth agape for a long time. Indeed, he had thought too highly of his senior. His motives were far simpler than he imagined.
At this moment, Xu Ning pointed ahead. "Kid, there's a place called Moonshadow Manor up ahead. They grow a fruit called Snow Glow Fruit there. Go get some for me to try. I've heard they're delicious."
Gu Mu was dumbfounded. "Senior, aren't there martial arts masters inside? How dare I steal from them? They'll catch me for sure."
Xu Ning glared at him. "Are you going or not? If you're not going, don't follow me. I have no use for a coward."
Gu Mu was dumbfounded again, and finally had no choice but to grit his teeth and nod. "Senior, I'll go, I'll go, okay? Just don't leave me."
Xu Ning waved his hand. "Go!"
Gu Mu had no choice but to speed up and head towards the manor, his heart pounding.
However, he was indeed just an ordinary person with no martial arts skill. He was quickly caught by the manor's guards.
Just as he was about to be beaten, a voice suddenly came from inside the manor, carrying across the grounds. "Li Xunbei has come to pay his respects to the master of Moonshadow Manor! Please forgive my disciple's rudeness."
As soon as the words were spoken, Xu Ning flew over with his long axe, landing right next to Gu Mu in an instant.
"So it's the famous young hero Li Xunbei! I'm sorry for not welcoming you properly!" The manor master's voice came at the same time, warm and welcoming.
Xu Ning glared at Gu Mu. "Come here! Why don't you come in openly? Why did you have to sneak in like a thief? You shame me."
Gu Mu was dumbfounded. Didn't you tell me to come in and steal fruit? How is this my fault?
The people from Moon Shadow Manor who had captured Gu Mu were also dumbfounded. They released him immediately, confused.
Soon, a middle-aged man with a dignified face strode over, cupping his hands as he walked. "Young Hero Li's name is renowned far and wide across the martial world. It's a pleasure to finally meet you today! I have heard much of your deeds."
Xu Ning returned the greeting. "Manor Lord, you're too kind. I've come here today to challenge you, as is my custom. I'm sure you know my rules."
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The Manor Lord nodded gravely. "Of course I know. Everyone knows the rules of the wandering swordsman. However, I also know I'm no match for Young Hero Li. How about this? I'm willing to hand over my cultivation technique, but I need an equivalent technique in exchange. This sparring can end here without violence."
Xu Ning pondered. He had many cultivation techniques, but similarly, he had promised not to pass them on without permission when he acquired them. His word was his bond.
If he were to agree to the exchange, regardless of whether the exchanged technique was a secret he had promised to keep, his years of accumulated rules and reputation would crumble. He couldn't do that.
Xu Ning immediately shook his head. "Master, this is definitely not acceptable. Let's stick to the rules as we agreed. A challenge is a challenge."
Ultimately, the Master had no choice but to accept the challenge. But within moments, he was stunned and defeated by Xu Ning's three powerful blows. He didn't stand a chance.
Although the Master was unwilling, he obediently handed over the technique, knowing he had lost fair and square.
"The name of Swordsman Li is indeed well-deserved. Your skills are extraordinary. However, why doesn't Swordsman Li vie for the position of Alliance Leader? That way, you could simply wait for martial arts masters from all walks of life to come and challenge you, without having to search for them one by one. It would save you much time."
Xu Ning was taken aback. He had considered it, but previously felt the timing wasn't right. The sudden appearance of someone who had defeated the Alliance Leader would be too abrupt and suspicious.
Now that he had some reputation in the martial world, he could indeed challenge the Alliance Leader. Perhaps it was time.
Xu Ning didn't say anything, but instead pulled the Master aside and exchanged a top-tier technique for some Snow Crystal Fruits as a separate transaction.
This cultivation technique was given to him by Meng Yangming and could be passed on to outsiders. It was fair.
"Senior, you clearly know I'm not capable of stealing from a martial arts manor, so why did you still send me?" Gu Mu asked, leading his donkey along the road, still confused.
Xu Ning took a bite of the Snow Crystal Fruit in his hand and glared at him. "How do you know you can't do it if you don't even try? You might surprise yourself."
Gu Mu muttered, "Does it even need trying? I was caught instantly."
Xu Ning thought for a moment. "You really are too useless right now. Here's what we'll do: to make it easier for you to steal things in the future, I'll teach you a cultivation technique for movement. That way you might actually get away."
Upon hearing this, Gu Mu trembled all over and excitedly asked, "Senior, you've agreed to take me as your disciple? You'll really teach me?"
Xu Ning shrugged. "It depends on your aptitude for martial arts. If you're no good, I won't waste my time."
Gu Mu clenched his fist, a smile appearing on his face. "If my martial arts aptitude isn't good, I won't regret it! I'll just be grateful for the chance."
"It's really awful!" Xu Ning threw away the Snow Crystal Fruit's pit and then took out another one and tossed it to Gu Mu. "Here, have this. It might help."
Gu Mu quickly caught it, surprised. "Master, this is a famous fruit in the martial arts world. It can increase physique and accelerate martial arts cultivation. And you just give it to me like this? This is precious."
Xu Ning shrugged. "The problem is it doesn't taste good to me. Too sweet."
As for increasing martial arts cultivation, with Xu Ning's current Grandmaster level, the fruit had no effect at all. It was useless to him.
Gu Mu was speechless at his master's casual attitude, unable to understand some of his actions. He quickly and solemnly put the fruit into his pocket, treasuring it.
After finding a place to rest that night, Xu Ning formally accepted Gu Mu as his disciple in a simple ceremony.
"Gu Mu, you are my first disciple. My master's name was Zhao Datou, your grandmaster. You mustn't forget him. He was a good man."
"Today, I will teach you three martial arts techniques, all passed down to me by your grandmaster. They are the foundation of my skills."
After the apprenticeship ceremony, Xu Ning passed on the Snow Shadow Step, Iron Shirt, and Vajra Indestructible Divine Art to him, the core techniques.
To Xu Ning's surprise, Gu Mu's martial arts aptitude was quite good, much better than his own. He mastered the basics of all three techniques in just one month. It was impressive.
Afterward, Xu Ning gave him all the Snow Crystal Fruits he had received in exchange. Gu Mu was deeply moved, tears welling up in his eyes at his master's generosity.
Xu Ning kept only one fruit pit for himself to plant. He had plans for it.
Xu Ning felt that if he could cultivate this Snow Crystal Fruit to a mortal-level divine grade, it might be helpful for his own martial arts cultivation. It was worth a try.
In the following years, Xu Ning continued to travel the world with Gu Mu, and everything proceeded as usual. Whenever there was an opportunity, Xu Ning would have Gu Mu "acquire" things.
However, what started as petty theft gradually evolved into robbing the rich to help the poor as Gu Mu grew more confident. Sometimes, when they saw injustice, Xu Ning would also have Gu Mu draw his sword to help the helpless.
Through this constant tempering, Gu Mu's character began to settle and mature. Although the hatred in his heart was still there, it no longer had such a great influence on him. He was becoming a true swordsman.
In the blink of an eye, ten years had passed.
Xu Ning brought Gu Mu to Wugong City, the holy land of the martial arts world and the city where the leader of the martial arts alliance resided. It was time for the next step.