"Uncle, how does your body feel? Are you... are you okay?" Han An Nuong said so nervously.
Tran Mac shook his head, then suddenly smiled, "Sister-in-law, I have good news to tell you."
Han An Nuong: "?"
"Sister-in-law, I've entered the ranks."
Tran Mac had no intention of hiding it from Han An Nuong. Firstly, a martial artist and an ordinary person were naturally different; the two of them spent their days and nights together, so he couldn't hide it from her.
Secondly, telling Han An Nuong herself that he was a martial artist could also put her mind at ease, so she wouldn't have to worry and be scared in the future.
Thirdly, it was to show off a little.
This was a joyous occasion; Tran Mac definitely had to find someone to share his joy with.
Han An Nuong didn't understand at first. Furthermore, as a simple village woman, martial artists were too distant for her; she fundamentally hadn't thought in that direction. She said in surprise, "Who entered the ranks?"
"..."
"Sister-in-law, I've become a martial artist!" Tran Mac gripped Han An Nuong's shoulders, saying excitedly.
This time, Han An Nuong finally understood. Although she hadn't had contact with martial artists, she had still heard of them. She said in shock, "Really?"
"Sister-in-law, how could I deceive you?"
Tran Mac said, his eyes sweeping around the room. Besides some tables, there was nothing good to lift. Finally, his gaze shifted to Han An Nuong. He said, "Sister-in-law, forgive my offense."
Finished speaking, he grabbed the back of Han An Nuong's clothes with one hand and lifted her up with one arm.
"Uncle! Ah..." Han An Nuong, unprepared, immediately let out a startled cry.
After Tran Mac put her down, Han An Nuong's face was flushed red, her eyes wide, covering her mouth, both joyful and scared: "Then isn't Uncle the same as those masters in the county town?"
Han An Nuong had heard people say that those masters in the county town, who wore millions around their waists, and also the County Magistrate, were martial artists.
Now my uncle has also become a master...
Tran Mac nodded lightly.
"No wonder Uncle's appetite has been so large these days. I even thought Uncle had fallen ill." Han An Nuong had heard that to become a martial artist, the first thing was to eat a lot; she had forgotten the rest.
After a good while, Han An Nuong's mood also became agitated, extremely joyful: "If Mother-in-law and Dai Lang were still here and knew Uncle had become a martial artist, they would definitely be very happy."
Tran Mac didn't interrupt, letting Han An Nuong vent her joyful emotions. After she calmed down, he said, "Sister-in-law, when that Vuong Ma Tu comes down from the mountain, the humiliation he brought upon our family, new grudges and old hatreds, I will settle it all with him."
Tran Mac was a common man, petty-minded; if he had a grudge, he had to repay it.
"Uncle, if not... forget it. They have many people, you are only one person; you'll be at a disadvantage." Han An Nuong was still worried.
"No! This grudge must be avenged! Sister-in-law, don't try to persuade me either," Tran Mac said with a serious face.
Before becoming a martial artist, he already wanted revenge. It was just that knowing the other side had many people, he temporarily endured it.
Now that he had become a martial artist, if he still endured, then he wouldn't have become a martial artist in vain.
As for whether it would expose the fact that he was a martial artist?
Tran Mac hadn't even thought of hiding it.
When a person's situation is relatively dangerous, you must appropriately display your strength. Only then can you avoid some unnecessary trouble and some ill-intentioned people.
This was what his father taught him, his father's lifelong summarized experience.
Han An Nuong, seeing she couldn't persuade him, her eyes looked at Tran Mac's soaking wet clothes:
"Aiya, Uncle! Quickly go change your clothes! They're all wet! Don't catch a cold!"
"Mm."
In the room, Tran Mac took off his wet clothes. Immediately after, he discovered the muscles on his arms had bulged a bit more than before. Pinching them, they were also firmer.
He rolled up his trouser legs; his thighs were also the same.
Tran Mac's eyes lit up slightly.
...
Afternoon.
In the courtyard.
[Number of swings +1, Thien Hop Saber Technique has broken through, Demon-Breaking Saber Technique experience +1.]
Tran Mac: "Hmm?"
[Name: Tran Mac.]
[Age: 16.]
[Cultivation Technique: Nourishing Blood Technique (Minor Accomplishment 0/500)]
[Realm: Skin Refining (Ninth Grade).]
[Strength: 38+21.]
[Skill: Demon-Breaking Saber Technique (Elementary 1/50000)]
"Thien Hop Saber Technique turned into Demon-Breaking Saber Technique?" Tran Mac frowned.
Is this what breakthrough means?
This is advancing to a higher stage...
Although Tran Mac didn't quite understand, he was very excited in his heart. This meant his strength bonus from [Saber] could still increase.
[Number of swings +1, Demon-Breaking Saber Technique experience +1,]
[...]
Tran Mac continuously swung the saber for one shichen (two hours). His whole body was drenched in sweat. However, even now, besides panting, he didn't feel particularly tired, and even the arm continuously swinging the saber didn't feel sore.
Very obviously, after becoming a martial artist, his physical fitness had improved greatly.
In the skill column, Demon-Breaking Saber Technique reached (Elementary 3300/50000).
After taking a breather, Tran Mac continued to wield it for another shichen.
This time, he finally felt tired, his arm also somewhat strengthless. He wanted to eat, and the speed of his saber swings also slowed down a lot.
Demon-Breaking Saber Technique (Elementary 5430/50000).
Han An Nuong had already started making dinner. Tran Mac went to the kitchen, grabbed a piece of meat, sat at the kitchen doorway gnawing on it while recovering his stamina.
The sky gradually darkened, but Tran Mac still hadn't seen Vuong Ma Tu and his group return.
After finishing dinner, the sky was already dark.
Those who went up the mountain from the village today, still not a single one had returned.
Their family members were already calling their names towards Dai Trach Mountain.
"Uncle, could something have happened to them?" Han An Nuong said.
"Not clear. Let's rest early."
This weather was very cold; Tran Mac also didn't intend to stubbornly wait for Vuong Ma Tu to return.
...
Not long after Tran Mac took off his clothes and lay down, a clamor came from outside.
Looking, it should be Vuong Ma Tu and his group returning.
In this midwinter, everyone knew, once lying down, they wouldn't want to get up. Tran Mac clenched his fists under the quilt, but finally relaxed them.
Dealing with it tomorrow is the same.
...
The next day, just as the sky brightened, his biological clock rang as usual.
Tran Mac turned over and got up, put on his clothes, picked up the wood-chopping knife, removed the handle, and tied both to his waist belt. He didn't even brush his teeth before going out the door.
As soon as he went out, Tran Mac saw Han An Nuong frantically running back, still rubbing her eyes. Seeing him, she immediately stopped, hurriedly lowered her hands, and turned her head away.
Tran Mac, seeing her expression wasn't right, went over to look, found her eyes were somewhat red; obviously, she had cried.
Tran Mac's temper flared up: "Sister-in-law, who bullied you?"
Hearing this, Han An Nuong's hand movements paused slightly, then she shook her head.
Seeing this, Tran Mac raised his voice, "Sister-in-law, don't be afraid! I'm here!"
Han An Nuong pursed her lips, said shyly.
Han An Nuong had a habit: if there were clothes to wash in the house, she would take them to the riverside to wash at the crack of dawn the next day.
This morning, while she was washing clothes, she happened to encounter Vuong Hi, Luu Nhi Cau, and their group skinning a wild boar by the riverside.
So this group of ruffians started teasing Han An Nuong.
The nearby villagers didn't care.
Vuong Hi even wanted to get handsy.
Scared, Han An Nuong didn't even want her clothes anymore and just ran back.
"Good, good, good..."
A cold glint flashed in Tran Mac's eyes. He ordered, "Sister-in-law, wait a moment. I'll be right back."
Hearing the anger in his voice, Han An Nuong quickly grabbed his arm: "Uncle, don't be impulsive! It's not good if a life is lost!"
"Sister-in-law, rest assured, I know my limits."..