Fighting for First Incense

September 9.

River Sacrifice Festival.

The streets were packed with people, and the festive bustle that was nowhere to be seen on an ordinary day was everywhere today.

Shouts of vendors, beats of drums.

They rang without end, filling the ears of passersby.

Everyone carried mugwort to ward off evil and pray for blessings, whether on their person or in their pockets.

Some people carried lanterns they had made themselves, planning to set them afloat on the river and send them drifting away, thereby praying for blessings for themselves and their families.

Such a lively scene.

He An had never seen anything like it since arriving in this world.

As a constable of the Town Martial Division, he had his own duties to attend to.

He patrolled the streets along the river, broke up fights, and had to prevent people from getting trampled.

However, as he wandered around, Sun Wangxian suddenly found him.

"Kid He, what are you still doing here? The contest for First Incense is about to begin. If you don't sign up now, it'll be too late."

He An frowned.

"Brother Sun, I wasn't planning to enter in the first place!"

"This time is different. Once I've explained, you'll definitely want to enter."

He An: "..."

"Forget it. Let's talk while we walk."

The two threaded through the crowd and headed toward the Sacrificial Altar not far away.

Sun Wangxian explained, "I know the reason you don't want to enter is that you don't want to reveal your strength or embarrass yourself. After all, although your Martial Talent is exceptional, you haven't been studying martial arts for very long."

"Compared to those people, you have virtually no chance of winning."

He An's mouth twitched.

"To be honest, I don't want you to enter either."

"But if I don't tell you, I'll feel guilty. This opportunity is just too important to you."

Then he asked in a low voice, "Do you know what the reward is for winning First Incense this time?"

"What?"

He An was intensely curious.

"An Inner Growth Pill."

Sun Wangxian took a deep breath and explained, "The Inner Growth Pill is a Grade Eight healing pill. It can't improve your strength, but its effects are astonishing."

"For ordinary Martial Artists, it can quickly heal their injuries."

"But for Martial Artists with disabilities, it can repair the Meridian Foundation where their limbs were severed and stimulate new muscle growth."

"With good fortune, a severed limb might even grow back!"

He An's breathing grew heavy.

He stopped in his tracks, shocked. "Brother Sun, is what you said true? Can the Inner Growth Pill really make a severed limb grow back?"

"I thought only powerful Martial Artists could do that?"

"Pills that bring the dead back to life and restore flesh to bare bones exist. What's so impossible about regrowing a severed arm?" Sun Wangxian pulled He An along.

"Don't just stand there. There's barely any time left."

At that, He An didn't dare waste another second. He quickened his pace and ran ahead.

Regrowing a severed limb.

At the thought of those four words, He An's heart pounded.

His Eldest Brother's spirit had withered because he had lost an arm and his strength had fallen far below what it once was. That was why he had become so remorseful.

Only after obtaining the Blood-Connecting Pill had he gradually regained his confidence.

Yesterday, he had successfully broken through to the Blood Circulation Realm, and only then had he returned to his former self.

Who could have guessed?

Good news had come one piece after another.

A single Inner Growth Pill might give his Eldest Brother's severed limb a chance to grow back.

For his Eldest Brother, He An swore he would obtain this pill, no matter what.

He just couldn't understand how a pill of this grade could possibly be given away as a reward.

Was the County Governor really that rich?

Before long.

The two arrived at an open space beside the Sacrificial Altar.

Not many people had signed up, and every one of them was outstanding.

Some were scions of the prominent families, while others came from various Martial Arts Schools. The largest number of participants came from the Town Martial Division and the Government Office.

After reading a book you like, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you can find it again next time.

After all, this chance to stand out was too important to them.

Only now.

Did He An finally get the chance to ask what had been puzzling him.

"Brother Sun, how did you know the reward for First Incense was an Inner Growth Pill? Wasn't it only supposed to be announced when the contest began?"

Sun Wangxian cleared his throat. "A friend of mine at the Government Office told me. He's in charge of arranging the River Sacrifice Festival, so it's only natural that he'd know a few things in advance."

"Is that so?"

Seeing how evasive the other man seemed, He An didn't think much of it.

Whoever had told Sun Wangxian didn't matter to him.

What mattered was that he had to get this pill, no matter what—even if it meant revealing his true strength!

His Eldest Brother mattered more to him than anyone.

Seeing that He An had no suspicions, Sun Wangxian let out a long breath and urged him, "No matter what, you have to give it your all later."

"Even if you don't win First Incense, you might still get a reward if you perform well enough."

"Got it. I'm determined to win First Incense this time."

He An was brimming with confidence.

With his current strength, none of the young Martial Artists in Fangcheng could possibly outcompete him.

However, Sun Wangxian didn't seem to believe him.

After all, once the news got out, there would definitely be far more participants in the First Incense contest than in previous years.

The scions raised by those great powers would all take part as well.

With He An's strength alone, forget winning First Incense—even getting noticed would be a decent outcome.

"Next."

He An didn't have to wait long before the registration clerk got to him.

"Name?"

"He An."

"Position?"

"Constable of the Town Martial Division."

After a series of questions, He An had finally registered.

However.

Just as he was about to leave.

Meng Cao suddenly appeared behind him like a dog-skin plaster that wouldn't come off.

Beside him stood Master Li of Great Fortune Martial Arts Hall.

"Boy, you again. Didn't expect you to be here too. Don't tell me you signed up for the River Sacrifice First Incense contest as well?" Master Li's gaze was icy, fixed on He An with the venomous stare of a snake.

"None of your business."

He An hadn't wanted to pay him any mind, but Master Li acted as though he'd just heard the funniest joke in the world and burst into laughter.

His laughter drew everyone's attention.

"How ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous."

"You're a constable in the Town Martial Division, a good-for-nothing who only started learning martial arts halfway through life, and you actually want to compete for First Incense?"

At that, the crowd all looked at him with scorn.

"Dream on. How dare someone like him compete for First Incense?"

"I know him. He offended Clerk Meng a few days ago, and now the other man's got a chance to teach him a lesson. He'd better be put in his place."

"If he enters the First Incense contest, this kid could lose his life!"

"That's right. If Master Li and Clerk Meng find someone to deal with him, they could kill him on the platform in fewer than three moves."

The crowd chattered.

Some were eager to curry favor with the two men, and couldn't resist mocking He An to his face.

Seeing that, Master Li laughed even louder.

"Boy, people die in this First Incense contest. If you've signed up and then don't step onto the platform, the whole city of Fangcheng will know by midday."

"But compared to losing your life, a little embarrassment is nothing."

"Don't you agree?"

Before He An could answer, Meng Cao spoke up. "You're all underestimating Kid He. To him, dignity is worth more than anything. What's one life? What's the big deal about losing it?"

"I believe Kid He will definitely step onto the platform."

With that, he looked at He An, a crafty glint flashing in his eyes. "Kid He, though there have been some misunderstandings and conflicts between us, I believe in you without reservation at a time like this."

"As a member of the Town Martial Division, I believe you'll definitely step onto the platform."

"After all, if you don't, you won't just disgrace yourself. You'll disgrace the entire Town Martial Division."

"When that happens, the entire Town Martial Division will have no place for you."