Town Martial Division Bailiff, Choosing Martial Arts

Three days later.

He An had successfully entered the Town Martial Division as he wished.

However, he wasn't officially registered.

In other words, he was currently an external staff member.

He wasn't truly considered part of the Town Martial Division, at most he was a bailiff.

Despite this, he still had to do some work for the Town Martial Division.

Thanks to He Ping's connections and his ability to read and write.

He was easily assigned to the prison, where he handled clerical work like copying case files.

The work was light and safe.

Crucially, his salary was the same.

Compared to other external staff who had to risk their lives, it was like comparing heaven and earth.

Such a comfortable position made the over ten taels of silver spent on bribes worthwhile.

According to regulations.

Anyone joining the Town Martial Division.

Whether a registered clerk or an unregistered bailiff.

Could receive a martial art of unranked quality.

Even an unranked martial art was worth at least twenty to thirty taels of silver.

More than the silver He Ping spent on bribes.

If He Ping wasn't in the Town Martial Division, with only a few dozen taels of silver.

He probably wouldn't even find anyone to bribe.

A few dozen taels of silver was more like it!

In these chaotic times, an official position wasn't something anyone could obtain.

When He An went to collect his martial art, He Ping left midway due to other matters.

However, shortly after he left, Zhang Yongda walked over with a grim expression.

"I never expected your brother to have connections with Clerk Wei."

Clerk Wei's name was Wei Yangyun.

It was he who handled He An's entry into the Town Martial Division.

"It has nothing to do with you," He An suppressed the anger in his heart.

Wang Zheng shielded him from behind and retorted sharply, "Brother Zhang, bullying a child like Xiao An is hardly justifiable. It will harm your reputation if it gets out."

"Wang Zheng, are you truly going to stand against Lord Meng? That will do you no good,"

Zhang Yongda said in a deep voice, "If I were you, I would distance myself from him long ago to avoid causing yourself trouble."

"Brother He is my friend!"

Wang Zheng said calmly, completely unfazed by Zhang Yongda's threat.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yongda sneered.

"Very well, very well indeed. Everyone dares to oppose Lord Meng."

"I'd like to see how long you can remain in the Town Martial Division."

Wang Zheng glanced at him, "Xiao An, let's go!"

Watching the two leave.

Zhang Yongda's eyes glinted fiercely, "You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Offending Lord Meng will make you suffer!!"

"We're here!"

Not long after leaving.

Before He An's eyes appeared a two-story courtyard.

On the plaque outside, two large characters were written in a flamboyant script.

Armory.

In the Great Sui Dynasty.

Not everyone could learn martial arts.

Most ordinary people would never come into contact with martial arts in their lifetime.

But now, things were different.

The Great Sui was vast, and coupled with the current chaotic times, the court was preoccupied with its own affairs.

Its control over the regions had reached a point that was difficult to articulate.

The edicts issued were also treated as mere scraps of paper by many.

For the sake of silver.

Some people privately printed martial arts manuals and then sold them at low prices to ordinary people.

As a result, ordinary people learning martial arts began to emerge like mushrooms after a spring rain.

At the same time, as the number of martial artists increased, the region became increasingly chaotic.

It was not uncommon for martial artists to break the law using their martial arts.

"Brother Xu, I'll come with Xiao An to get our martial arts manuals."

Walking into the courtyard, Wang Zheng took He An's identity token and handed it to the man on guard.

The guard checked it and found no issues, then registered the names of the two men.

"You can go in!"

"Thank you!"

They walked into the building.

Pushing open the door.

The room was very spacious, with only about twenty to thirty martial arts manuals placed inside.

Each manual had an official printing mark on it.

Looking at these manuals, Wang Zheng instructed:

"The path of martial arts is most hindered by studying alone. If you have a good teacher, learning will be twice as effective with half the effort."

"Your brother studies Tong Bei Fist, which is suitable for close-quarters combat."

"I study Iron Shirt, which focuses on toughness and resilience. When mastered, it can even withstand sharp weapons."

"If possible, you should choose one of these two martial arts."

"This way, whether it's your brother or me, we can guide you in your martial arts journey."

He chuckled as he said, "How about it, are you considering my Iron Shirt?"

"I'll pass."

He An shook his head. "I've heard my elder brother say that Iron Shirt is suitable for people with a martial arts foundation."

"At the very least, one needs to be naturally tough-skinned."

"I have neither of these, so learning it would just be asking for trouble."

"Then let's go with Tong Bei Fist!"

Knowing that learning martial arts couldn't be forced, Wang Zheng immediately changed his approach.

However, He An still shook his head.

"Brother Wang, let me look at some other martial arts. As for Tong Bei Fist, my elder brother can teach me."

Wang Zheng's mouth twitched.

Private martial arts instruction?

This was exactly the kind of thing their Town Martial Division was supposed to regulate!

Was it appropriate to say this in front of him?

He coughed lightly and whispered, "Xiao An, the inspections are lax right now."

"But martial arts are valued for their quality, not quantity. Before achieving a rank, there's no need to learn too many styles."

"I know."

He An said very seriously, "I just feel that neither Tong Bei Fist nor Iron Shirt suits me."

"Alright then."

Wang Zheng gave a wry smile but reluctantly agreed.

He An smiled.

He eagerly began to choose on the first floor.

With Wang Zheng's explanations, he saw many martial arts manuals.

Half an hour later.

He put another manual back in its place.

Looking at the picky He An, Wang Zheng was very troubled.

"Xiao An, if you don't like this one either, then there really won't be any other martial arts left in this Armory."

During this time.

Wang Zheng had introduced almost all the martial arts in the Armory.

"So, none of them were to your liking?"

He An was also a little disappointed.

He felt that the ones he'd just looked at weren't quite suitable for him.

He opened his mouth, just about to speak, when his gaze swept across the room and he suddenly noticed another martial art in a corner beside him.

"Yi Jin Jing?"

He reached out, about to take it, but Wang Zheng immediately stopped him.

"Don't learn that one."

"What's wrong? It's not suitable for me?"

"That's not it, this Yi Jin Jing is very suitable for you." Wang Zheng frowned.

"Although it has no special effects, it can be used to temper the physical body's foundation and clear blocked meridians."

"However, cultivating Yi Jin Jing is extremely difficult. In the entire Fangcheng, almost no one studies Yi Jin Jing."

"So, you'd rather choose another one?"

"No need, I'll choose this one."

After hearing Wang Zheng's words.

He An became even more determined to choose this martial art.

Wang Zheng still wanted to dissuade him, but he couldn't stop He An, who had already made up his mind.

He sighed.

"Fine, fine."

"You can learn this martial art first. After you achieve minor success in Yi Jin Jing, your body will be well-tempered."

"Then I'll have your brother teach you Tong Bei Fist, and it will be easier to learn."

"It's just this first step..."

"It's difficult!"

"It's hard to have the best of both worlds. Having one such martial art is already quite good," He An chuckled.

"That's true."

The two looked at each other and smiled, walking out of the room with the martial art.

The guard glanced at the martial art they brought out, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and confirmed, "Are you sure you want to choose this martial art?"

"Certain!"

"Alright then."

The guard didn't try to persuade him further and instructed:

"After taking it back, you are not allowed to teach it privately, nor are you allowed to lose or sell it. Otherwise, you will compensate at the original price."

"Got it!"

He An looked extremely obedient, like a little lamb.

The guard didn't make things difficult for him. After stamping his seal, he handed the martial art to He An.

According to regulations.

Newly joined members of the Town Martial Division, after receiving their martial art.

They have half a month to cultivate and study at home.

During this period.

It was just right for learning martial arts.

Holding the martial art he had just received, He An eagerly rushed home.

As they parted.

Wang Zheng didn't forget to remind him.

"When you get back, have your elder brother make more meat dishes. They can replenish qi and blood."

"Also, remember to cultivate and study the martial art. Once you reach the Bone Forging Realm."

"You can be registered and shed your bailiff identity to become a clerk in the Town Martial Division."

If you find this book good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.