Volume 1: Reincarnation Cycle First...

  Wang Jianglong, this dragon that crossed the river, ultimately slunk away with its tail between its legs, leaving behind a banknote and an IOU. The banknote was a standard note from the Yunze National Bank, worth 10,000 knives, while the IOU was for two Heart Cores, due by the end of the year.

  After sending off Wang Jianglong, Wang Yingfu was over the moon, every wrinkle on his face radiating brilliant light. Looking at Lu Buqi's eyes, he seemed even more delighted than when his own son grew up: "The money is yours, take this core back first, I'll send someone to deliver another one later! Besides... Old Bu, instruct the accountant to pay out 10,000 knives..."

  Lu Buji hastily shook his head: "Daguan, Wang Guan's 10,000 knives and heart core I'll take in, but your 10,000 knives..."

  "No need to say more, you deserve it!" Wang Yingfu patted Lu Boyu's shoulder: "You kid, you've made me proud, you've made Guo Town proud, I'm thrilled, haha... Don't mention 10,000 knives, even if it's 100,000 knives, I'd be willing to give them to you!"

  Wang Yingfu was delighted, of course. The thing that originally made him frown and worry had been resolved thanks to Lu Buqi's appearance! Just thinking about Wang Jianglong trying to find a gap to drill into made Wang Yingfu happy. Moreover, he hadn't lost out today either - Lu Buqi had already given him a Heart Core, which wasn't something you could buy with 10,000 knives.

  At noon, Wang Niansheng was supposed to invite Lu Boyi to a big meal to make amends, but Wang Yingfu was overjoyed and insisted that Wang Lishou and Lu Boyi stay at the government office for lunch. The two of them couldn't refuse, so they stayed.

  A small Zeno, however, received an invitation from the great manager who monopolized one side of the power, to have lunch at home. This is unbelievable if it's said out loud, but this is indeed a fact. And after today, it will be destined to spread throughout Guoqu Town along with the news that Wu Ding, the representative of Zhutan Town, was defeated.

  At the dinner table, Wang Yingfu was still enthusiastic, not only personally tearing off lamb legs for Lu Buqi, but also repeatedly encouraging Lu Buqi to practice his martial skills well and prepare for the big election two and a half years later.

  Wu Ding's selection is a talent cultivation mechanism formed by the royal family to promote family development, and this system is not unique. The big states and counties of Yunze country almost all have such systems.

  Those who can participate in the Wu Ding Grand Election are undoubtedly high-potential martial artists, as there is an age limit of twenty years old and below, with a limited number of recommended quotas for each town.

  There is no doubt that Lu Bu's performance today has already made him a seeded player in the next Wuding Grand Election, after all, even if he hasn't made any progress in these two and a half years, it would still be enough for him to shine brightly in the Wuding Grand Election.

  Besides, judging from Lu Buqi's growth rate, is it possible that he won't make any progress in two and a half years? Not to mention Wang Lishou doesn't believe it, even Wang Yingfu doesn't believe it. He had seen Lu Buqi's persistence with his own eyes just six months ago.

  If one performs exceptionally well in the Wu Ding Grand Selection, they will be chosen to be nurtured as a direct descendant of the royal family's martial artist and will be granted the surname Wang. Moreover, as a direct descendant of the royal family's martial artist, the treatment received is astonishing, not only enjoying privileges in many aspects of life but also having nothing to do except for occasional tasks assigned by the master of the house, just needing to focus on cultivating martial arts.

  Compared with the way Wu Ding had expected, this road seemed much better. As for Wang Yingfu's expectation, Lu Bu naturally did not express any objection either.

  It's just that people's fate is so wonderful, when Lu Buqi carried a huge sum of 20,000 knives with Wang Lishou, and in the smiling expression of Guan Jiaolao, he seemed to be thinking.

  "Unbelievable! This morning I brought you to meet the big shot, who would have thought there's such a good thing?" Wang Lishou wrapped his arm around Lu Bodi's shoulder.

  Lu Bu shook his head: "I didn't think..."

  "Just loosening up the muscles, beating two small kids who didn't even open their eyes, not only did I get back the heart core I sent out, but I also made a profit of one heart core and 20,000 knives. This favor is really worth it!" Wang Lishou smacked his lips: "I said you're so generous, always sending out high-level heart cores, could it be that you calculated it carefully and knew he was in a bad mood with Wang Jianglong?"

  Lu Bu sighed bitterly and said: "I wish I had that skill!"

  "Just kidding, but today I got to benefit from you, and had a great time at the steward's house. You know, the mutton at the steward's house is one of a kind! Those are actually mountain goats from Songguo, which are hard to find in Yunze!" Wang Lishou said with a smile, wiping his mouth: "Not bad, huh?"

  "It's great, it's fragrant and tender, and there's no stench!" Lu Qi thought to himself: "It turns out that in this world, people also yearn for imported goods."

  "You didn't disappoint, you really made a scene today! But I've been thinking, what was the name of that last move you used to take down Uncle Wang? It looked like something I'd never seen before..."

  Lu Buqi smiled lightly: "Old Wang, you're beating around the bush, but actually you just want to know this, right?"

  Seeing that his trick had been exposed, Wang Lishou sneered and said: "Heh heh, isn't it because you saw that move was so domineering that your heart itched? How did you manage to grab him with both hands and immobilize such a big living person?"

  "That's called the Tiger and Bear Boxing, it's one of the relatively rare dual-form combination moves in my Five Animals Mimicry Fist." Lu Buqi explained: "When I have a chance later, I'll teach you!"

  Wang Leshou's eyes lit up: "Really? That's great, haha..."

  "But even if you learn it, without 2-3 years of foundation in Huquan and Xiongquan, don't use it recklessly, or you'll end up hurting yourself." As his relationship with Wang Lishou became closer, Lu Buqi spoke more freely: "This is also the reason why I didn't show it to you guys before."

  "I understand, starting tomorrow, I'll join you in your daily morning exercise." Wang Lishou himself had also thought about this move and naturally knew the danger it posed. Unlike Lu Buqi, who could execute it with ease, he would easily put himself in harm's way if he couldn't do it just right.

  Lu Buji nodded slightly, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards: "Old Wang, don't hide anything from me either. Today I heard the big manager say that you're a master blacksmith, and your craftsmanship can't be withheld just because I'm not your apprentice!"

  "That's nothing, a small matter!" Wang Lishou waved his hand and exchanged a smile with Lu Boyi. The two of them walked towards the shop, shoulder to shoulder.

  At the entrance of the blacksmith's shop, Wang Niansheng and Wang Gangqiang sat at the gate of the courtyard with a wooden stump, waiting until the flowers had wilted. However, when they saw the figures of Wang Lishou and Lu Buqi, the flowers bloomed again.

  "Master, didn't you say today was our graduation test? Why is everyone gone so early?" Wang Niansheng looked at Wang Lishou with some gloom.

  "You're a stubborn one, haven't I come back?!" Wang Lishou stepped forward with a chestnut: "Besides, what did you think I went to do? I followed Not Abandoning to visit the Big Manager, and the Big Manager invited us to dinner, could we not stay?"

  "Is the master craftsman invited to dinner?" The ironwork shop outside was also bustling with people, and upon hearing this, they couldn't help but turn around and stare. Seeing that it was Wang Lishou, they relaxed, but when they looked at Lu Buqi's unfamiliar face, they couldn't help but discuss it among themselves.

  Wang Gang and Wang Niansheng were also shocked, the latter looked at Lu Buqi with a hint of humility and lowered his head: "Buqi, I was just saying that I would invite you to lunch..."

  "It's okay, another day is fine." Lu Buqi responded: "You and Gang Qiang prepare for your departure first. If you successfully depart, I'll host a dinner to congratulate you tonight, which can also serve as a farewell banquet!"

  Wang Niansheng and Wang Gangqiang exchanged a glance, both of their faces revealing surprise: "Really?"

  "Unequal land, don't abandon the conversation," Wang Lishou said with a smile, "You two stinky boys, hurry up and prepare, if you're soft-handed and footed later, even a beheading knife will be messed up, see if you have the nerve to drink wine then."

  "I've been ready for a long time, just waiting for Master to come back!" Wang Gang responded in a loud voice, and beside him, Wang Niansheng also nodded repeatedly: "Yes, Master, you can count on us!"

  Tu Neng finally has a horizontal exit, and for Master Wang Lishou, it's also a joyful event. With a great mood, he once again pats Lu Buqi's shoulder and enters the blacksmith shop amidst the stunned gazes of the surrounding crowd.

  The news of the two apprentices' debut in Tie's blacksmith shop spread quickly throughout Guo Zhan Town, and along with it came another piece of news: there was an outsider who had a close relationship with Wang Tie, even the steward invited him to dinner, probably not a small figure.