Three months had passed in a blur of arrows, pelts, and careful savings. Chen Mo sat cross-legged in his hut, counting the stacks of silver in front of him. Twenty-one taels gleamed softly in the lantern light—twenty accumulated from his relentless hunting and one extra as the village’s reward for the tiger he helped fell months ago. The numbers made him nod quietly; it was more than enough to fund a trip to the county city, yet not so much as to draw unnecessary attention.

  Glancing briefly at his panel, he saw his archery skill firmly at 500/500—perfection. His progress in literacy had advanced steadily as well, thanks to Old Mu’s lessons, and while he was far from a scholar, he now considered himself capable of reading and writing with confidence. Today, he planned to visit Old Mu one last time—not for lessons, but to deliver a gift and politely inform the old man he would pause the sessions for now.

  As he walked toward Old Mu’s yard, Chen Mo carefully adjusted the bundle in his hands—a fresh pheasant from today’s hunt and a small pouch of coins to cover the week’s lessons. The old man emerged from his simple home, eyes lighting up at the sight of the pheasant. Despite his years as a scholar, the wrinkles on his hands and the patched robe reminded Chen Mo how modest his life had become.

  “Ah, Chen Mo,” Old Mu greeted warmly, his gaze lingering on the pheasant. “You’ve grown, and yet you still think of bringing gifts. Sit, sit. How fares your progress?”

  Chen Mo bowed slightly, placing the pheasant before him. “Old Master, I’ve learned steadily these past months. Though I am far from a scholar, I can now read and write. Thanks to your guidance, I can at least be called literate.”

  Old Mu chuckled softly, nodding approvingly. “Not a scholar, perhaps, but more than many manage in a lifetime. You have diligence and patience—rare qualities these days. We shall pause for now, yes? You’ve earned the rest.”

  Chen Mo smiled respectfully. “Yes, Master. I will continue reviewing what I learned each night, but I shall pause formal lessons. Your teachings have carried me far already.”

  The old man waved his hand, still smiling. “Very good. Keep that discipline, and one day you may achieve more than even I could imagine.”

  As Chen Mo stepped out of Old Mu’s yard, the evening breeze carried the faint scent of smoke and earth. His mind was already shifting toward the next task: visiting the village chief. Along the narrow path, he caught sight of a familiar figure lingering in the shadows—Chen Gou, hunched and avoiding his gaze as usual.

  Chen Mo allowed himself a faint smile, noting the boy’s familiar hesitation. Perhaps he still fears me more than he dares to show, he thought, amusement flickering behind his calm exterior. Without breaking stride, he continued toward the chief’s yard, ignoring the small, muttered curses that followed him in Chen Gou’s wake.

  The village seemed quieter than usual as he walked, the lanterns casting long, stretching shadows across the uneven path. Chen Mo adjusted the bundle of coins and gifts at his side, mentally preparing for the conversation ahead. Today, he would discuss his desire to visit the county city—not as a hunter delivering goods, but as someone seeking a brief reprieve from the past months’ relentless grind. His tone would be respectful, his demeanor calm, yet his mind was already calculating the possibilities this trip could open for him.

  Chen Mo approached Chief Young’s yard and bowed slightly, the weight of respect clear in his posture. “Chief, may I trouble you for a moment?” he asked, his voice calm and steady.

  Chief Young looked up from his work, a knowing glint in his eyes. “Chen Mo, come in. You’ve grown steadily these past months. Tell me, what brings you here today?”

  Chen Mo carefully placed the gift on the table—a small bundle of dried meat and a pouch of coins. “Chief, the past few months of hunting and daily routine have been productive. I was hoping… that I might accompany you to the county city tomorrow during the weekly delivery. I wish to observe, learn the city’s ways, and perhaps rest briefly from the usual tasks.” He avoided mentioning martial arts, keeping his tone neutral and courteous.

  Chief Young studied him quietly for a moment, then a slight smile appeared. “Ah… I see. You’ve saved well over these months, haven’t you?”

  Chen Mo’s lips twitched in the faintest acknowledgment, keeping his composure. “Yes, Chief. Enough to manage the expenses for the trip.”

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  Chief Young nodded, folding his hands. “Very well. I shall allow it. You will accompany me, and I will entrust you to Zhou Heng at the store. He knows your skills and diligence; he will guide you while we handle the deliveries. But listen carefully, Chen Mo… the world beyond our village is not as simple as it seems.”

  Chen Mo inclined his head, signaling attentiveness.

  Chief Young’s tone deepened. “Martial arts… it is not merely skill or talent. Even if you had the fees and the natural ability, without proper backing, a newcomer can easily be swallowed by the politics, the rivalries, the schemes. One wrong move, one misjudgment, and a life can be lost before it even begins. Be careful, boy. Observe, learn, but do not overreach too fast.”

  Chen Mo’s eyes flicked toward the panel briefly, calculating. The path is certain… yet his words are logical. I must be cautious. He bowed slightly. “I understand, Chief. I will remain careful and observe wisely.”

  Chief Young’s expression softened, a rare approval in his gaze. “Good. I trust you, Chen Mo. This city trip may teach you more than months of routine here—if you have the wisdom to use it.”

  Chen Mo walked back along the narrow path, the evening air cool against his skin. The panel glimmered faintly in his mind, a constant reminder of his progress, yet he knew better than to rely on it alone. Being low-key is paramount, he thought, his steps measured. No matter the strength I gain, no matter the skill honed, I cannot draw unnecessary attention. I must be steady, invisible… my safety always comes first.

  He clenched his fists slightly, recalling the bandits and the villagers’ tales of their ruthlessness. Kindness has no place in a world like this. Weak lives are worthless. No one intervenes, no one cares. Even the county ignores those who suffer at the hands of monsters or men with power beyond reckoning.

  His gaze flicked toward the distant village lights, steady and serene, a fragile reminder of normalcy. I can assist, I can hunt, I can survive… but only if I remain cautious. Drawn too far into others’ troubles, and even skill like mine is useless. I must prioritize myself, always.

  The thought settled within him like armor. Strength without discretion is a liability; cleverness without restraint is death. With each step toward his hut, he reaffirmed his approach: Observe, calculate, remain unseen… and let the world unfold on its own.

  That night, back in his hut, Chen Mo methodically reviewed his silver, tallying the coins he had saved over the past months. Twenty-one taels in total, plus the surplus of dried meat and grains—it was more than enough to fund the county trip and still maintain a buffer. Yet his mind was elsewhere. The panel had remained stagnant for weeks; without the proper martial skill to train, his growth had paused. Now, with the county trip imminent, he knew he could no longer wait. Every day counted. Every opportunity to observe, to learn, to find a foothold in the world of martial arts was precious.

  He packed carefully, arranging his hunting gear, his bundles of coins, and rations for the journey. The weight was familiar, comforting even, yet there was a sharpness to his movements—as if this trip might indeed be his last taste of the village’s simple routine.

  Once everything was ready, Chen Mo stepped outside again, heading toward Elder Chen Huang’s modest home. The elder was seated near the doorway, eyes lighting up at the sight of him. “Chen Mo,” he greeted warmly.

  “I came to say goodbye, Elder,” Chen Mo said respectfully, bowing slightly. “I will accompany Chief Young to the county tomorrow. I will return, but I wanted to thank you again for all you have done. It is because of you that I could preserve my life and continue my path.”

  Elder Chen Huang nodded, a faint smile playing across his lips. “You have grown far beyond my expectations, child. Keep your wits about you. The world beyond these walls is vast, and not all who walk it are kind. But with your skill and caution… you will survive.”

  Chen Mo inclined his head, silently absorbing the words. With the farewell said, he returned to his hut, prepared to rest. Tomorrow, he would depart with Chief Young toward the county city, and the path ahead promised new challenges, new opportunities, and the first taste of the wider world beyond the village.