I'll write a manual called the Sunflower Manual, and the entire martial arts world will turn in

The pages of this book are yellowed and the paper is rough. It is clearly not a formally published martial arts manual, but more like a handwritten copy of killing techniques by a rogue from the martial arts world.

The title page contained no grand pronouncements of martial virtue, only a line of crooked, blood-written characters:

"Every strike is a fatal blow, every move deadly. No fancy moves, just killing..."

After reading it through, Xie An had a general understanding of this throat-sealing dagger.

In short, this is an assassin's memoir written by a martial arts assassin who is accustomed to using a dagger.

It mainly describes the experience of killing and the skills of stabbing with a dagger, and doesn't even mention martial arts.

But... it's very practical!

According to the essence of the throat-sealing dagger:

There are three most effective methods of assassination: slitting the throat, piercing the heart, and piercing the brain.

The movements should be small, fast, and forceful...

In summary, it can be summed up in eight words: surprise attack, one-hit kill!

The practice method is also very simple: repeat it thousands of times, and the true meaning will become clear.

If one were to master the Throat-Sealing Dagger technique to perfection, one could simply brush past someone on the street, and with a slight flick of the finger, the dagger could pierce through their head, heart, and throat.

It is an extremely deadly technique that is impossible to defend against in the martial arts world.

"As expected of a work handwritten by a wandering swordsman, it's perfect for me."

Xie An immediately took out the double-edged dagger he had bought from Zhang Wei's blacksmith shop, and even made a makeshift scarecrow with it. Then, he slashed the scarecrow's neck fiercely...

"Brother, breakfast is ready."

Xie An only stopped when Xie Yu came to call him for dinner.

After breakfast, Xie An and Xie Yu went out together to Yongsheng Martial Arts School.

Xie Yu, worried about Zhao Hu, said, "Brother, the Mid-Autumn Festival is in five days. Why don't we go and visit Brother Zhao Hu's parents?"

Xie An nodded: "That's only right. We'll buy some rice and meat and go visit them."

"Um."

Upon arriving at Yongsheng Martial Arts School, Xie An began practicing martial arts in a methodical manner.

Although Xie An had finished practicing the hammer stance, he wasn't in a hurry to tell others. Mainly because the progress was just too incredible…

Others take half a year to master the hammer stance, and I've only had it for a few days?

It would scare people to death if they told anyone.

Xie An planned to postpone the discussion for a few days.

Moreover, they didn't have enough money to buy medicine and supplements.

That noon, Xie An had lunch in the dining hall. He then helped clear the dishes and clean up.

The martial arts school is short-staffed, so they give apprentices the opportunity to work part-time while studying. Washing dishes earns five copper coins.

Xie An was short of money, so naturally he didn't care about saving face.

"Xie An, I heard that Instructor Zhan promoted you from a laborer in the backyard?" Wei Dian, who was washing dishes nearby, chimed in.

Wei Dian was considered one of the most talented apprentices in the group, and he practiced martial arts extremely diligently. However, due to his family's poverty, he couldn't afford medicine or supplements, and his diet was poor, which resulted in poor progress in his martial arts training.

Otherwise, I wouldn't be here working part-time to support myself.

The two had been washing dishes together for the past few days and had become quite familiar with each other.

Xie An nodded: "Yes. I'm fortunate to have received Instructor Zhan's favor, which gave me the opportunity to practice martial arts in the front courtyard."

Although Xie An was treated like a commodity by Liu He, he was still very grateful to Zhan Ping in his heart. If it weren't for Zhan Ping's discerning eye, using a bone-strengthening pill to recruit him, he would have been truly grateful.

I didn't even have the opportunity to learn martial arts.

While washing the dishes, Wei Dian said, "You're the first person to climb up from the backyard. You do have some talent. However, the competition in the front yard is much greater than in the backyard. It's almost impossible to stand out here. Unless..."

Wei Dian paused, seemingly wanting to say something but stopping himself, then turned to look at Xie An, as if weighing something.

Seeing that Xie An didn't intend to ask any further questions, Wei Dian gritted his teeth and said, "We wash dishes together, so we're both down on our luck. I might as well give you some pointers. If you want to get ahead in the front yard, you need resources."

Xie An was taken aback. "Resources?"

"That's right. It's useless to rely on your own hard work and training; you need to gain the appreciation and investment of a benefactor. Do you think those who train their skin rely on hard work? No, they all rely on supplements. For example, Qi and Blood Powder, one dose costs two taels of silver, but it can greatly accelerate the progress of martial arts."

Xie An vaguely understood something.

Just then, a voice came from behind.

"Wei Dian, come with me."

It was Pang Tong who spoke.

Upon seeing Pang Tong, Wei Dian immediately changed his expression, greeting him like a grandson seeing his father. Then the two left, chatting and laughing.

Xie An watched Wei Dian's departing figure, "His so-called benefactor is Pang Tong..."

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

This day happened to be the Mid-Autumn Festival.

When Xie An arrived at the Yongsheng Martial Arts School's training ground early in the morning, it was already the beginning of Chen Shi (7-9 AM). Most of the students had already arrived and were busy practicing their skills.

Seven or eight older apprentices with mediocre talent left before, and now more than ten new apprentices have arrived. The number has remained at around fifty or sixty. Most of them have completed the Hunyuan stance training and are stuck at the first move of Bajiquan, the "Supporting Hammer" stance.

Very few people can master the hammer-supporting technique.

At this moment, Instructor Zhan Ping had not yet arrived to give the lesson, so the apprentices were free to do as they pleased. Among them, some of the more talented and well-off apprentices formed three circles, with Liu Jiang, Mai Qiuyan, and Pang Tong in the center.

Apprentices born into disadvantaged circumstances and lacking talent could only hide in the corner of the training ground, either working themselves to the bone in their training or gazing enviously at the three circles.

Clearly, this group of apprentices has formed a distinct social circle.

The apprentices, confident in their talent, eagerly tried to integrate themselves into the trio's circle, while the others were excluded.

Xie An was too lazy to bother with any kind of upward social interaction.

So-called social interaction is nothing more than mutual benefit. If you have skills, you will naturally have value, and others will naturally seek you out. If you lack the skills and force yourself to fit in, you will only humiliate yourself.

He went to a corner and practiced the Bajiquan hammer strike once.

Shortly afterward, someone in the crowd exclaimed in surprise.

"Wei Dian is really amazing. He mastered the first move of Bajiquan, 'Supporting Hammer,' in just seven days under the guidance of Senior Brother Pang Tong."

"That's right. Wei Dian was already quite talented. After receiving resources from Senior Brother Pang Tong, his progress has been even more rapid. I heard that Senior Brother Wei Dian also gave him several doses of Qi and Blood Powder, which further accelerated his martial arts progress."

"Wei Dian is also lucky. He was a poor kid just like us. But because he was appreciated by a nobleman, he mastered the hammer-stretching technique in one leap. Next, he will start training his skin, always one step ahead of others."

"I understand now. In this world, besides personal talent and effort, resources are even more important. A dose of Qi and Blood Powder costs two taels of silver. Wei Dian followed Senior Brother Pang Tong and obtained three doses of Qi and Blood Powder within seven days. I could do that too if I had such resources."

"..."

The crowd was too noisy, so Xie An stopped and looked up.

A young man dressed in tattered gray shorts performed a complete set of the "Supporting Hammer" routine, drawing envious glances from many. He then finished his practice, bowed respectfully to Pang Tong, and said, "Many thanks to Senior Brother Pang Tong for your guidance and kindness. Only then could I, Wei Dian, master the Supporting Hammer."

Pang Tong put his hands behind his back, a satisfied look on his face. "You've been quite diligent. I'll take you to see Senior Brother Zhanping later. Now you can prepare to break through the Skin Refining Pass. As for the money for medicine and supplements for breaking through the Skin Refining Pass, I'll lend it to you in advance. Once you break through the Skin Refining Pass, you can come to the small government office and work as a laborer. You can pay me back then."

Pfft!

Overwhelmed with emotion, Wei Dian knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Brother Pang Tong's kindness and virtue are beyond my wildest dreams. I will never forget them in my lifetime."

Pang Tong reached out and helped him up. "We're all fellow disciples, no need for such formalities. It wouldn't be good if Senior Brother Zhanping saw this, so please get up quickly."

Wei Dian then stood up, his face filled with hope for the future.

Liu Jiang and Mai Qiuyan also came over to congratulate Pang Tong at this moment.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Pang Tong, on finding a promising candidate for training in skin techniques."

"It is my senior brother Pang Tong who has a discerning eye."

Pang Tong smiled, but couldn't hide his smugness. "I was just lucky. Junior Brother Liu and Junior Sister Mai will find the talent they need sooner or later."

Xie An didn't join in the fun; he was just about to continue practicing his hammer-strike technique when he suddenly saw Wei Dian step out of the crowd and walk towards him.

Xie An assumed that the other person was reminiscing about their past experience of washing dishes together and had something to say, so he stopped and was about to offer his congratulations.

Unexpectedly, Wei Dian spoke first, his voice neither warm nor cold: "Xie An, I'm about to start training my skin, and we won't have any interaction in the future, so let's not associate with each other."

When he spoke, his eyes were looking elsewhere, avoiding direct eye contact with Xie An. He was afraid of seeing a reflection of his past self.

After saying that, Wei Dian turned and left.

Thinking about the days he used to wash dishes with Xie An, Wei Dian felt very annoyed and wished he could erase that experience. But the past cannot be changed, so he had no choice but to sever ties with Xie An.

Watching Wei Dian's departing figure, Xie An was speechless for a long time.

He suddenly remembered his class reunion in his previous life, where those who were doing well always pretended not to recognize their old classmates who used to eat steamed buns together.

The world has changed, but human nature remains the same.

The problem is, I could easily kill Wei Dian with one punch. Where does this guy get the confidence to be so eager to distance himself? He's far too hasty and impulsive...