First Grade Pavilion

The County Magistrate's forehead was slick with cold sweat, his Adam's apple bobbing as his face filled with shock and unease.

Ranked Martial Artists were experts recognized and registered by the imperial court, protected by law, and ordinary officials couldn't easily interrogate them.

Yet today, he had interrogated a Ranked Martial Artist without even knowing it.

If this incident got out, while his official position might not be lost, he would inevitably face punishment from his superiors.

What troubled him even more was that Chu Ning had set his sights on the Wang Family, a force he absolutely dared not provoke.

As the County Magistrate, he knew very well that the Wang Family not only possessed immense wealth but was also teeming with experts within their clan.

Among them, the Wang Family's Third Elder, Wang Chongshan, who had just entered Eighth Rank, was someone he wouldn't dare offend head-on.

Caught in a dilemma, the County Magistrate took a deep breath, the panic on his face instantly vanishing, replaced by a gentle smile.

"Steward Chu, I was unaware of your identity just now. If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me."

He slowly stood up, his attitude much more respectful. "I will thoroughly investigate this case. Once the truth is revealed, I will provide you with an explanation. For tonight, please return to the Martial Hall to rest."

Chu Ning's expression was calm. He hadn't expected the government to act against the Wang Family immediately. While these words were a polite dismissal, at least they wouldn't openly protect the Wang Family on the spot.

"Alright." He nodded and turned to leave, neither subservient nor arrogant.

The night breeze was cool as Chu Ning walked out of the County Office.

However, not long after stepping out the gate, a familiar figure slowly emerged from the shadows.

"Chu Ning."

Li Jing'an stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes sharp as a falcon's, carrying a scrutinizing gaze like that of a predator sizing up its prey.

Chu Ning stopped and met his gaze, his tone calm. "What is it?"

Li Jing'an stared at him for a moment, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Are you willing to join the Constabulary Camp with me? I will personally teach you martial arts."

Chu Ning frowned slightly, about to refuse, when he heard Li Jing'an speak indifferently, "Although your Thunderclap Saber Art is powerful, your saber intent is restless, and you haven't fully controlled the Thunderous Momentum."

Chu Ning's pupils contracted, and his vigilance instantly heightened.

He looked at Li Jing'an in surprise. The man had only spoken to him a few sentences, yet he could directly name the martial art he practiced and even pinpoint the flaws in his cultivation.

Li Jing'an ignored Chu Ning's shock and continued slowly, "Your physical strength... tsk, it seems you've dabbled in Body Refining as well. It appears you're not just practicing saber techniques."

"And your archery, your shots are unerring, your wrist strength as steady as a rock. You must have deliberately trained with a strong bow; the draw force should be capable of reaching two stones or more."

Chu Ning's heart churned like a stormy sea. He knew well that his skills didn't come from a single system but were advanced from the Chaos Divine Order. Although he had honed and adjusted them through actual combat, he hadn't truly grasped the essence of many details himself.

Yet Li Jing'an, with just a glance, could analyze him so accurately and thoroughly.

Such a person could never be just an ordinary constable!

Chu Ning took a deep breath, regaining his composure, and slowly said, "Thank you for your offer. I have already joined the Thunderclap Martial Hall and do not need to seek another master."

Li Jing'an's eyebrows rose slightly, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

"A martial hall?" he scoffed. "A local place for practicing martial arts, teaching only mediocre techniques."

He stepped forward, his gaze as sharp as a blade, his voice low but carrying an undeniable authority. "Go back and ask your hall master, Lei Wanjun, if I, Li Jing'an, am worthy of guiding you."

With that, he said no more, turned, and disappeared into the night, as if he had never been there.

Returning to the Thunderclap Martial Hall, it was already late at night.

Chu Ning stepped into the hall and headed straight for the backyard, where the lights were still on.

Lei Wanjun was sitting cross-legged in the courtyard, a pot of clear wine placed before his knees. He seemed lost in thought until Chu Ning's footsteps broke the silence of the night, and he slowly opened his eyes.

Those deep eyes seemed capable of seeing through everything.

"How was your cultivation today?" Lei Wanjun asked in a steady tone, not inquiring about anything else, but casually as usual.

Chu Ning stopped, his brow furrowed. "Progress is still slow. I still can't truly grasp the Thunderous Momentum."

Lei Wanjun nodded slightly, his tone unchanged. "What's the hurry? The essence of saber techniques isn't just about diligent practice; it also requires comprehension."

Chu Ning was silent for a moment, then changed the subject. "Hall Master, I want to ask you about someone."

Lei Wanjun looked up at him, his tone indifferent. "Who?"

"The County Office constable, Li Jing'an."

The wine cup in Lei Wanjun's hand paused slightly, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

"Li Jing'an?" he repeated softly, then looked at Chu Ning thoughtfully, his gaze profound.

After a moment, he slowly spoke, his tone filled with meaning. "How do you know him?"

Chu Ning recalled Li Jing'an's accurate judgment of his martial arts from earlier and said slowly, "At the County Office today, he saw through the saber art, movement technique, and archery I practice, even pointing out the flaws in them."

Lei Wanjun was silent for a moment, then exclaimed in surprise, "It really is him... He shouldn't belong here."

Chu Ning's gaze sharpened, and he pressed further, "Is he very powerful? Why is he a constable in the County Office? Isn't he even a Ranked Martial Artist?"

Lei Wanjun chuckled lightly, his tone meaningful. "Truly powerful people often don't let others see their depth. Those ordinary people consider 'unranked' may not actually be without cultivation."

Chu Ning's heart trembled slightly, and he fell into thought.

Lei Wanjun's gaze drifted into the distance as he slowly said, "Li Jing'an's true identity is likely someone from the 'First Grade Pavilion'."

Chu Ning frowned. "First Grade Pavilion?"

Lei Wanjun shook his head gently, his tone tinged with emotion. "It seems you don't know much about the martial arts world's powers. The First Grade Pavilion isn't a specific sect, but a vast organization spread across various regions, responsible for maintaining the balance of power in the world. Anyone who can join the First Grade Pavilion possesses martial arts of the highest caliber in the land."

Chu Ning's eyes lit up. "Highest caliber in the land? A First Grade Martial Artist?"

Lei Wanjun sighed softly, his gaze deep. "The terror of a First Grade Martial Artist is something ordinary people can't even imagine. The so-called 'First Grade' doesn't just refer to the depth of their martial arts, but also signifies they have reached the pinnacle of the mortal realm. Unfortunately... even reaching First Grade doesn't grant true immortality."

Chu Ning was taken aback. "Can't achieve immortality?"

Lei Wanjun nodded, his voice low. "The only flaw of a First Grade Martial Artist is that their lifespan is ultimately limited. After breaking through to the First Grade realm, their lifespan does increase by several decades, but decades... for true peak experts, it's far from enough."

Chu Ning pondered for a moment, then murmured, "So even the strong have their troubles."

Lei Wanjun gently set down his wine cup and slowly said, "Li Jing'an, hiding his identity as a captain-level constable in the county yamen. His arrival in this county town must have another purpose."

Lei Wanjun's gaze sharpened, and he asked sternly, "How did such an expert get involved with you?"

Chu Ning replied calmly, "I busted one of the Wang Family's 'Life Harvesting and Mutilation' dens, and he happened to arrive with his constables. Later, he invited me to join the Constabulary Camp, saying he could guide my martial arts."