Surviving in the chaos of war begins in the wilderness.

Chapter 58 Web of Silk

What Zhou Ye saw was a net-like structure made of fine threads, coiled into a sphere about the size of a child's head. The material of the threads was unknown; it had a metallic texture but was also very resilient.

Noticing Zhou Ye's interest, the veteran enthusiastically explained, "Young man, you have excellent taste! You've chosen this martial art. This sphere is a prop used to practice it. If you want to buy it, buy it too; I'll give you a discount—100 taels!"

"Martial arts techniques?" No, how could the large net, which has been shaped into a sphere, suddenly become martial arts techniques?

"Yes! It's this 'Silk-Pulling Hand' technique." The old soldier mysteriously pulled out a martial arts book from his pocket. "That's a high-level martial art that only aristocratic families used to have. So 100 taels isn't expensive at all. I'm really selling it to you at a rock-bottom price."

Zhou Ye's eyes darted around. He casually countered, "50 taels, take it or leave it. Otherwise, go find someone else."

"How could it be 50 taels? You too..."

Zhou Ye turned around without hesitation: "I just wanted to try my luck. Who knows if your martial arts book is real or fake?"

"Hey, hey. I guarantee it's real. If it's fake, you can do whatever you want with it. I found it in one of those young masters' rooms! Fine! Here, take it. Consider it my bad luck!"

In fact, the veteran had already visited several shops and pawnshops in the days leading up to this, with the highest offer being only 28 taels. Now that he'd finally found a sucker, why not sell it quickly?

However, as Zhou Ye left with the items, a slight smile appeared on his lips; he had gotten a great bargain.

Keep in mind that Zhou Ye's current strength is +5! If he were to unleash his full power, he could practically shatter rocks and break gold with just his physical strength.

But when I tried to pull the thin thread just now, I couldn't budge it at all. And the material of the thread felt very similar to fish scales. In other words, I don't know what this material is, but I come into contact with it frequently.

Therefore, it must be a good item. Perhaps it's made from the same materials as the fish-scale shield, made from monster materials. Like the fish-scale shield, it's so sturdy that ordinary weapons simply cannot break through it.

As for that so-called "thread-pulling technique," who cares if it's real or fake? Buying this big net for 50 taels is already a great deal. Plus, I already have basic casting skills, and even the question of how to use it has been solved.

Zhou Ye happily packed his things away. He still had one more place to go: Sun the blacksmith's shop.

"Old Sun, I want to make some iron-barreled arrows."

"Huh?" Sun the blacksmith looked him over with a complicated expression. He hadn't expected that this kid had already entered the mid-to-late stage of the Jin realm, and might even be at the Ming Jin realm.

It should be noted that only bows with an 8-stone capacity or higher would use these iron-pole arrows.

"Iron arrows will cost you 200 coins. How much do you want?"

"Let's fire 100 first!"

When business comes knocking, Blacksmith Sun always agrees without hesitation: "Sure!"

However, after glancing around and finding no one paying attention, Zhou Ye continued in a low voice, "Old Sun, can you still forge crossbows here?"

"Holy crap!" Sun the blacksmith couldn't help but curse. He hadn't expected this kid to have gotten his hands on a crossbow? He quickly mouthed, "Crossbow bolts?"

Zhou Ye nodded.

Sun the blacksmith couldn't hold back any longer: "Are you fucking asking for death? If anyone finds out, you'll be beheaded!"

"Don't worry, I'll use it in the mountains to save my life. Just tell me! Can you make it?"

After hesitating for a moment, Blacksmith Sun nodded: "It's settled then. I'll only make them secretly at night. Come pick them up in a month. And whatever you do, don't use them in the city!"

"Don't worry! I'm not crazy. I even hid that crossbow in the mountains."

"That's good. But it will cost 400 coins. Don't think it's expensive; not many blacksmith shops dare to handle something that could cost you your head."

"I understand, I understand."

"Also, pay half the deposit first. Add the iron rod arrows together, and give me 30 taels upfront."

"I don't have that much on me. How about 20 taels first?"

"Twenty taels it is. Let me tell you, once we leave this house, I won't admit to this."

"I know, I know. Hehe."

That said, after receiving the silver, the blacksmith Sun was all smiles. After all, this was a big deal worth 60 taels of silver.

So the two started chatting.

"Old Sun, I heard your Black Iron Gang is doing pretty well lately. Now you've become the new prefect's right-hand man. You'll be living the high life sooner or later, won't you?"

"Bullshit," Sun the blacksmith laughed and cursed. "Those who show off are the gang's higher-ups. What can we lowly outer members possibly get? But Ah Ye, you'd better be careful when you go out these days. Try not to go out at night; a gang war might break out in the city soon."

"Uh? What do you mean?"

"Isn't it just that our Black Iron Gang wants to expand its power with the support of the new prefect? ​​We're targeting your Woodcutter Gang."

"Huh? Why? Why isn't there a canal guild?"

"That goes without saying. The canal gangs are all about traveling by boat. Take those boats, for example. Do we Black Iron Gang members, who are all landlubbers, have the ability to handle them? We might as well just target your woodcutters. The mines are in the mountains, and you mountain people also rely on the mountains for your livelihood. We're all from the mountains, so why can't we Black Iron Gang eat from them?"

"Then let's eat!" Zhou Ye didn't care at all. "Even if our Woodcutter's Gang collapses, I'll still join you and become a member of your Black Iron Gang."

Sun the blacksmith laughed loudly: "Then I'll do the same. If our Black Iron Gang fails, I'll also join your Woodcutter Gang."

Since both of them were peripheral members, there was no need for them to worry about anything. Even in gang wars, peripheral members like them were generally ignored. And peripheral members weren't exactly known for their loyalty anyway. Since they all paid protection money every month, what difference would it make which gang they joined?

At this moment, Zhou Ye found it quite amusing. Could this be considered a grand alliance of lower-level gang members? Was the wisdom of the working class beginning to rise again, transcending gang boundaries and banding together for survival?

However, having a friend like Sun the blacksmith can indeed be a great help sometimes.

……

After saying goodbye to Blacksmith Sun, Zhou Ye returned home. The first thing he did was take out the manual on "Silk-Pulling Hands." Since this martial art is called "Silk-Pulling Hands," then the tennis ball can be called "Silk-Pulling Net"!

However, after carefully reading through "The Silk-Pulling Hand," Zhou Ye was surprised to find that this martial arts book was actually real? And not only was it real, but it was also a first-rate martial arts technique?

Holy crap! Zhou Ye was overjoyed. Had his luck finally turned around? Had his protagonist's halo finally arrived?

Is this even possible? I stumbled upon a tattered net and it even comes with a top-tier martial arts technique as a bonus?

But after the initial surprise, Zhou Ye read it carefully again. He realized that there was no need to be so happy.

Although the Silk-Pulling Hand is a top-tier martial art, it has a significant flaw...