Seeing Zhao Lin staring blankly, Zhu Huaishan thought he didn’t understand and patiently explained, "The tree that stands tallest in the forest is the one the wind will surely destroy. A martial artist’s jealousy can sometimes be even more ferocious than an ordinary person’s."

"Many geniuses are killed or crippled before they have a chance to mature, their lives cut short. It’s a common story, and you must guard against it!"

"Furthermore, if word of you reaching the Bone Training Stage reaches the bandits’ ears, they’ll worry about you growing stronger and will surely go to even greater lengths to harm you."

"Only when you reach the Qi Realm and have the ability to protect yourself will you no longer need to worry so much about this."

A warmth spread through Zhao Lin’s heart. He said in a low voice, "I understand, Master. I will heed your teachings."

Zhu Huaishan nodded. The more he looked at Zhao Lin, the more he liked what he saw.

’Since he’s such a promising talent, I can’t let him perish before his time.’

"You’re living on Shuncheng Street now? Are there any issues with safety?"

Zhao Lin answered truthfully, "I’m worried about assassination attempts by the bandits, so I’m rebuilding my house. In the meantime, I go outside the city at night to find a hidden place to rest."

"Outside the city?"

Zhu Huaishan was shocked. "You still dare to leave the city?"

Zhao Lin feigned a relaxed tone. "You may not know this, Master, but I’m very fast. Even bandits on horseback can’t catch me."

"I had no idea you were capable of that..."

Zhu Huaishan was astonished. It was one thing for Zhao Lin to be strong and fast, but to be able to outrun a horse was something he had never imagined.

"No matter how fast you run, hiding here and there is no long-term solution."

Zhu Huaishan frowned in thought for a moment, then said, "A few years ago, I did the County Registrar a favor. He owes me one."

"I’ll go find him and get you a nominal post as a constable at the county yamen. You can sleep in the constables’ quarters at night under the pretext of being on watch. That place is absolutely safe. No matter how bold the bandits are, they wouldn’t dare attack the yamen."

A favor from the County Registrar was a rare thing, and Zhu Huaishan had been reluctant to use it. But to protect Zhao Lin, he decided to cash it in.

This way, he wouldn’t endanger the other members of the Liuhe Sect, and it would also solve Zhao Lin’s safety problem.

"Sleep at the yamen?"

Zhao Lin hadn’t expected such a maneuver and couldn’t help but sigh in admiration at his master’s shrewdness.

He worried every day about where to spend the night.

Though he always managed to escape the bandits’ pursuit, he knew he couldn’t keep pushing his luck. He might succeed a hundred times, but a single failure would cost him his life.

’It would be amazing to have a safe place to rest.’

"Master, you’ve been so thoughtful. I am endlessly grateful. However, I also have a friend from my hometown whose situation is the same as mine..."

"Then I’ll mention him as well."

Zhu Huaishan waved his hand. "Go back and practice for now. I’m going out for a bit to take care of this."

As Zhao Lin acknowledged and turned to leave, Zhu Huaishan called out to him again.

"Oh, right. You just broke through, so don’t train too strenuously. Just do some light exercises to loosen up."

Zhao Lin returned to the front courtyard. A few inner disciples had also heard the news and came one after another to congratulate him.

Yuan Cheng clapped Zhao Lin hard on the shoulder. "I never would’ve thought... I really didn’t. I thought even at your pace, you wouldn’t reach the Bone Training Stage until the end of the year at the earliest. Turns out I underestimated you."

Zhao Lin said humbly, "I owe my success today to you, Senior Yuan."

After joining the Liuhe Sect, it was Yuan Cheng who had taught him his martial arts and Fist Skill. Though his senior by title, Yuan Cheng had effectively served as half a master to him.

"Bone Training at sixteen! Forget anywhere else, you’re the only one in all of Qinghe County!"

"May you reach the Qi Realm soon, Junior Brother Zhao..."

First Senior Brother Gao Yuan and a few other disciples also came forward to offer their congratulations.

Amidst the voices of praise, Zhao Lin noticed that Fifth Senior Brother Chu Liu was the only one missing from the crowd.

He had a good idea why.

Chu Liu was arrogant and had always considered himself a genius. Zhao Lin’s breakthrough had shattered his "record," and he probably found it hard to accept.

"Fifth Junior Brother is feeling unwell. Don’t mind him, Junior Brother Zhao," Gao Yuan said, trying to smooth things over.

"I won’t."

Zhao Lin said, unconcerned.

It takes all kinds to make a world. Everyone feels jealousy; some just aren’t as obvious about it.

After everyone had dispersed, Zhao Lin moved around the courtyard, loosening his limbs and stabilizing his cultivation.

In the afternoon, Zhu Huaishan returned.

He summoned Zhao Lin to a quiet room, and his first words were, "You killed the key bandit leader, Zhao Feilong? A Qi Realm warrior?"

Zhao Lin knew he couldn’t hide this, so he gave a brief account of the ambush. He omitted the part about using his hearing to get the information, saying only that he had overheard it by chance.

"Truly... incredible!"

Zhu Huaishan sighed with deep emotion.

When the County Registrar had mentioned it, he had thought it was a joke. Only after confirming it several times did he realize it was Zhao Lin’s doing.

He knew full well what it meant for someone at the First Layer of the Power Realm to face off against someone at the Second Layer of the Qi Realm.

Although several of his own disciples were also in the Qi Realm, their combat experience was in no way comparable to that of bandits at the same realm.

His disciples had never even seen real bloodshed, whereas the bandits were hardened killers.

Zhu Huaishan reflected that even if he had taken action himself, he might not have been able to defeat the man.

Although he was in the Blood Realm, his body was failing with age. He could barely maintain his realm, and his strength was long past its peak.

The fist fears the young and strong; that was the principle at play.

Most people, when faced with such a vastly superior enemy, would only think of how to escape. Yet Zhao Lin had done the opposite, plotting a counter-kill.

To have such courage and insight at such a young age made him see Zhao Lin in a new light.

"You should do this sort of thing less in the future. Defeating a stronger opponent is gratifying, but the risk is too great!"

Zhu Huaishan said with a solemn expression.

"Yes, Master," Zhao Lin agreed, but in his heart, he had other plans.

’The bandits are numerous and powerful. Even if I reach the Qi Realm, or even the Blood Realm, I can’t possibly defeat them all by myself.’

’My greatest advantage is my unparalleled speed. If I run into a lone bandit and get an opportunity to strike, I can’t let it pass.’

’By chipping away at them slowly like this, clipping their wings one by one, I’ll eventually be able to eliminate this great threat.’

"Right, the matter of your constable position is settled."

Zhu Huaishan changed the subject to the constable appointment. "The County Registrar has a good impression of you. When he heard it was for you, he agreed at once."

Then his tone shifted. "However, the yamen has its own rules. You can’t just hold a title in name only, so you’ll have to do some work there too."

"You’re at the Bone Training Stage, and you’re from our Liuhe Sect. You won’t have to start as a basic constable. The position they’re giving you is head constable."

"Head constable?"

Zhao Lin hesitated. "Won’t it interfere with my martial arts training?"

"It won’t."

Zhu Huaishan shook his head. "Martial arts training requires a balance of tension and relaxation; you can’t just charge ahead blindly. You just reached the Bone Training Stage, so you don’t need a heavy training load."

"Besides, constables get one day off every five, and they usually get off work early. You can come to the sect to practice anytime. All in all, as long as you have the will to train, it won’t be a hindrance."

"I’ll prepare the pills you need for your daily training in advance."

Hearing this, Zhao Lin felt reassured.

He knew in his heart that his rapid breakthrough was mostly thanks to the Spirit Beast Scroll, which had forcefully transformed his body of average aptitude into a monstrous existence whose strength and speed far surpassed that of an ordinary person.

His own effort was only a small part of it; he was well aware of that fact.

There were many benefits to being a constable. First, he’d have a safe place to live. Second, the status of a constable was the best protection he could ask for.

The dangers he faced weren’t just from outside the city; the bandits also had connections with local gangs.

Although his house on Shuncheng Street would be quite sturdy once repaired, it was easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to defend against an arrow in the back.

If he entered public service and wore the "tiger’s skin" of his office, anyone who wished to harm him would have to think twice.

At this thought, Zhao Lin asked, "So, when should I go?"

A smile appeared on Zhu Huaishan’s face. "There’s no time like the present. Go handle the paperwork now. You can finally get a good night’s sleep tonight, and you can get to know the people there as well."

"Remember, the county yamen is full of hidden masters. Watch what you say and do."