Insight Technique could uncover the faintest clues in a case and detect subtle changes in other people's disguised expressions.
A stream of energy entered Huang Shaojie's eyes. He clearly felt them grow brighter, and his observation of every minute detail around him became exceptionally sharp.
At the same time, the first three forms of the Wind God Leg were all implanted into Huang Shaojie's mind, allowing him to understand every movement and mental cultivation method as clearly as if he had practiced them for over a decade.
The Wind God Leg was a supreme martial art of the high-martial world, encompassing internal cultivation methods, acupoint striking, Lightness Skill, and more. It had six forms in total:
First Form: Catching Wind and Shadows.
Second Form: Strong Grass in the Wind.
Third Form: Violent Storm.
Fourth Form: Swift as Thunder and Wind.
Fifth Form: Wind Sweeping Through Decaying Buildings.
Sixth Form: Divine Wind's Furious Howl.
The first form focused primarily on Lightness Skill. It was the essential foundation of the Wind God Leg. Those who mastered it moved without a shadow, swift as meteors.
However, although Huang Shaojie had fully comprehended the first three forms of the Wind God Leg, he had no internal energy in his body. Thus, he simply could not unleash the effects of those three forms. They were like flowery fists and embroidered kicks—beautiful movements with no killing power whatsoever.
It was like holding a golden rice bowl while the pot did not contain a single grain of food.
"System, can't you reward me with some Internal Cultivation, or perhaps pills that increase cultivation?"
Huang Shaojie asked the system in his mind.
If the host wishes to obtain Internal Cultivation and pills, you must rely on solving cases and apprehending criminals. In addition, while serving in the Imperial Guard, checking in each day will grant one year of internal cultivation.
Hmm, that actually sounded pretty good.
"This is the basic saber technique for beginners in the Imperial Guard. Take it and study it. Make sure to practice diligently in your spare time."
Zhu Shi brought Huang Shaojie to the storeroom and issued him a book on basic saber techniques.
"Thank you, sir."
Huang Shaojie put the book away and tucked it into his robes.
Although he now knew the first three forms of the Wind God Leg, they had no power behind them. Learning some basic saber techniques for now was not a bad idea.
"You have only just joined the Imperial Guard. Spend these next few days familiarizing yourself with the Imperial Guard Office's case-handling procedures and regulations. As for your specific duties, report for roll call tomorrow morning and see how Battalion Commander Xiao arranges things."
"Yes, sir."
After saying that, Zhu Shi took Huang Shaojie around the office, gave him a general introduction, handed him a thick document containing the Imperial Guard's regulations and case-handling procedures, then left.
Huang Shaojie found a chair in the side hall, sat down, and began reading through the document.
The Imperial Guard had been founded by the founding ancestor, Xiang Yu. As the emperor's personal guard, it was responsible for monitoring the civil and military officials and gathering intelligence on enemies, turning the Imperial Guard into a secret agency for collecting military and political intelligence.
The highest-ranking commander of the Imperial Guard was the Commander of the Imperial Guard, a Principal Third Rank official.
Under him were the four Pacification Commissioners: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise. They were known as the Four Heavenly Kings of the Imperial Guard and held Principal Fourth Rank.
Below the Pacification Commissioners were the Imperial Guard Commanders and Deputy Commander of a Thousand, ranked Fifth Rank and Subordinate Fifth Rank.
Below the Commanders of a Thousand were Commanders of a Hundred and Probationary Commander of a Hundred, ranked Sixth Rank and Subordinate Sixth Rank.
Below the Commanders of a Hundred were Battalion Commanders of Seventh Rank and Subordinate Seventh Rank squad leaders.
Below the squad leaders were Imperial Riders, officers, and Strongmen, who enjoyed Ninth Rank privileges.
However, the emperor did not place absolute trust in the Imperial Guard either. To prevent the Imperial Guard from colluding with officials and making secret moves, the emperor established another agency to monitor the Imperial Guard.
That agency was the Imperial Surveillance Bureau.
The Imperial Surveillance Bureau was similar to the Eastern Depot and Western Depot of the Ming Dynasty from Huang Shaojie's previous life.
"Looks like the Imperial Guard is glorious on the surface, but in reality, we're being ridden on the neck and shat upon by those eunuchs without balls from the Imperial Surveillance Bureau!"
As Huang Shaojie flipped through the Imperial Guard's regulations and case-handling procedures, he found many restrictive clauses mentioning the Imperial Surveillance Bureau. He could not help sighing inwardly.
It seemed the Imperial Surveillance Bureau wielded even greater power than the Eastern and Western Depots of the Ming Dynasty had.
Huang Shaojie's first day of work in the Imperial Guard passed unknowingly as he read through the documents.
After leaving duty at dusk, Huang Shaojie rode his yellow-maned horse home with a clip-clop, clip-clop.
Before he even reached Huang Manor, he saw from afar that his father and mother, along with more than a dozen servants, were standing expectantly outside its gates.
"He's here! The young master is back!"
Xiao He had sharp eyes. When she spotted her young master from afar, dressed in an official constable's uniform and riding a yellow-maned horse down the street, she immediately cried out.
"Wow! The young master looks so imposing in that official uniform!"
"Of course! The young master was already tall and handsome. Wearing an official uniform only makes him look even more commanding."
Several servants immediately began laying on the flattery thick.
"Set off the firecrackers. Welcome the young master home."
Huang Baiwan cheerfully instructed the servants.
The servants had already prepared a long string of firecrackers and hung it from a tall bamboo pole, raising it high into the air.
Another servant took out a tinder tube, blew on it, and lit the firecrackers.
The firecrackers flashed with sparks and erupted in a rapid crackle and pop.
That long string of firecrackers drew out all the neighbors. Everyone looked around curiously, unsure what joyous occasion Huang Manor was celebrating today.
When they saw the Huang Family's young master approaching on a tall horse, wearing a brown-wrapped hat, a blue official constable's uniform, and a saber at his waist, all the neighbors showed astonishment and began whispering among themselves.
"Eh, isn't that the young master of Huang Manor? Why is he wearing an official constable's uniform?"
"Could Young Master Huang be an official constable now?"
"No way, right? Young Master Huang was usually a wastrel who ate, drank, played, and made merry. He could not wield a brush in literature or a blade in martial arts. Someone like him can become an official constable?"
"Stop being sour. Young Master Huang is clearly wearing an official uniform now, and there's even an official saber at his waist. Are you blind or what?"
"Huang the wealthy man has riches beyond measure. Maybe he spent money pulling strings and bought his son an official constable's post."
"Hey, what kind of official constable do you think Young Master Huang is? His uniform doesn't look like that of an ordinary yamen constable."
By then, the firecrackers had finished going off, and Huang Shaojie rode up to his manor gates and swung down from the horse.
A family servant hurried forward, took the reins, and led the horse through the side gate to the stables in the rear courtyard.
Madam Huang, accompanied by two maidservants, approached with lotus steps and a beaming smile. She grasped her precious son's hand and questioned him about this and that.
Madam Huang was thirty-seven this year, yet her beauty had not diminished from her younger days. Her mature charm remained intact.
Fortunately, Huang Shaojie had inherited his looks from his mother.
His tall build, on the other hand, came from Huang Baiwan.
Huang Baiwan was very satisfied with everyone's reaction. This was exactly the effect he wanted.
With a smile, he cupped his hands toward the neighbors gathered around and announced loudly:
"Dear neighbors and fellow townspeople, today is the joyous day my son has entered the Imperial Guard. My humble residence has prepared some modest wine. If you do not mind, why not come in and drink to your heart's content?"
The crowd erupted into an uproar upon hearing Huang Baiwan's words!
"Damn, so Young Master Huang actually entered the Imperial Guard! That's incredible!"
"No wonder Young Master Huang's official uniform looked different from that of yamen constables. It turns out it's the uniform of an Imperial Guard officer."
"Aiya, what did I say before? Young Master Huang had the face of an official at first glance. See? He's directly become an Imperial Guard officer now."
"Master Huang, congratulations, congratulations!"
"Master Huang, may your honored son rise steadily through the ranks in the future!"
"Master Huang, I did not prepare any congratulatory gift. Please take these fifty copper coins as one!"
The neighbors and townspeople all stepped forward to offer congratulations with cupped hands. Flattery and praise poured forth without end as they took copper coins or bits of silver from their pouches as gifts and presented them to Huang Baiwan.
They had no desire to curry favor with Master Huang merely because he was wealthy, because no matter how much they fawned over him, he would not give them a single copper coin.
But now Master Huang's son was serving in the Imperial Guard. Even if they did not want to curry favor with him, they at least did not dare offend him.
Before you continue