Mountain Uprooting and Peak Crushing

When Su Ye suddenly noticed the words "Deduction" that had appeared after [Black Fiend Saber Technique] and [Jingtao Art], his mind paused for a moment.

I might as well see how it works.

System deduction.

This deduction of Martial Arts would cost 100 Assistance Points.

Confirm?

Confirm.

As the panel flickered, a line of text slowly appeared.

"Deduction complete."

Martial Art [Mountain Uprooting and Peak Crushing · Yellow Tier Mid-grade] had reached minor mastery in overall proficiency and could be improved.

This was Su Ye's first time obtaining a Yellow Tier Martial Art. He immediately checked its description and learned that Yellow Tier Martial Arts differed greatly from Mortal Tier Martial Arts.

Mortal Tier Martial Arts merely taught him how to direct his body's strength to launch more effective attacks, how to block and deflect force, and how to link one move to the next.

Yellow Tier Martial Arts contained all the techniques of Mortal Tier Martial Arts, but each move also guided the flow of true qi within the body, channeling it along a weapon to extend its reach.

Whether attacking or defending, one could reinforce the move with true qi. It was beyond what ordinary techniques could match, and was a sign of having stepped onto the martial path.

System, max it out for me.

Su Ye focused his mind on [Mountain Uprooting and Peak Crushing] and silently willed it. In an instant, his Assistance Points rapidly decreased by 200, and all kinds of cultivation insights inexplicably appeared in his mind.

[Mountain Uprooting and Peak Crushing] — Perfected

Every method of using it had been etched into his mind. With the slightest movement, his body would instinctively draw on the true qi within him, ready to respond to any sudden situation.

He was thoroughly satisfied. Golden saber light continually flickered from the Ghost Head Saber. The coffin lid on the ground was still a foot or so from the blade, yet its surface had already turned charred black. This was clearly a special effect of Blazing Sun True Qi.

In his earlier battle with the Corpse Demon Cult, he had only been able to unleash his true qi in a crude, haphazard way or simply channel it into the weapon in his hand.

He hadn't been able to bring his full strength to bear. Now things were different. Having mastered these techniques not only saved him true qi, but also allowed him to unleash much more powerful attacks.

He packed the stones and jars away, then left the cave with Big Black. The return journey was calm and uneventful.

Early that morning, Su Ye had a simple breakfast, then headed to the government office.

"Constable Su, the County Lieutenant has ordered a meeting in three days," said the bailiff on duty amiably.

Su Ye nodded slightly and turned to leave. The county office was nearly deserted, with only a few bailiffs wandering about. As he left the office, a young man dressed like a constable approached him.

"Brother, did you just arrive in town yesterday?"

"You are...?"

The newcomer was of average height and slightly plump, with two short axes at his waist. His voice was warm and guileless.

"I'm Wang Feng, stationed in Panshan Town." Wang Feng smiled and cupped his hands.

As they chatted, the two gradually grew more familiar. Wang Feng lowered his voice. "The County Lieutenant summoned us all back, but now he won't see us. I'd say something big is in the works."

"Constable Wang, what makes you say that?" Su Ye asked, looking at him with a slight pause.

They stepped over the threshold. Wang Feng laughed it off without elaborating, then invited him, "Where are you staying, Brother Su? Since we've got some free time, how about we have a few drinks together?"

Understanding his meaning, Su Ye readily agreed.

On the way, Wang Feng told him that he wasn't from Linshan County but was originally from Pingjiang County. From what Su Ye could tell, he didn't seem to come from a poor family. He spent freely as they went, and spoke as though he knew Yunzhou well.

As for why he had come to Linshan County to serve as a constable, he didn't explain.

"This Drunken Flower Pavilion has excellent wine, and every girl there is a beauty. How about we meet here tonight?"

As they passed the Drunken Flower Pavilion, Wang Feng greeted the girls inside like old friends.

They agreed to meet here at the second quarter of the Xu hour. Back in his room at Changfeng Inn, Big Black sat with one leg crossed over the other, munching on dried fruit. In his hoarse, duck-like voice, he asked indistinctly,

"Boss, what did they say at the meeting in the government office today?"

Su Ye casually picked up some dried fruit and replied calmly, "I didn't see County Lieutenant Qin today. Looks like we'll have to stay in the county town for a few more days."

He continued, "Last night at Zombie Mountain, we wiped out the Corpse Demon Cult's people."

"Go to the county office and the Qin residence tonight. See how they react."

Time flew by. As the second quarter of the Xu hour approached, Su Ye changed into a long robe and left the inn. As usual, the streets were full of people.

Those out for entertainment at this hour were either well-off or poor folk hawking their wares.

With the twelfth lunar month drawing near, many figures in coarse hemp clothes had appeared on the streets. Some women with sallow faces huddled on the cold ground, lifting their heads whenever passersby went by.

Su Ye's gaze swept across one malnourished face after another. He said nothing and kept walking.

Along the flagstone road, besides the women huddled along the sides, many children were scattered across the main street, each with a different kind of clay bowl in front of them.

The oldest were thirteen or fourteen, the youngest no more than six or seven. Whenever a passerby tossed them a copper coin or two, the children would respond with childish flattery.

Perhaps it was because of the autumn tax not long ago, and the weather was growing colder by the day. The crops in the fields would not bear fruit until spring next year.

For the common folk at the bottom of society, winter was a grueling ordeal, endured one day at a time.

Su Ye had plenty of silver and nothing he needed to buy. Thinking it over, he took the paper-wrapped food from a vendor and turned back toward the street entrance.

He handed out the parcels to the children begging together, said nothing, then turned and disappeared.

"What's this? Oh, it smells so good!"

A little boy opened the paper parcel in his arms and cried out, "Oil cakes! There are more than twenty oil cakes!"

"Don't push! Don't push! There's enough for everyone."

"They're meat-filled oil cakes! Hoo, so hot!"

After passing several streets, Su Ye left parcels from his arms one by one, along with a few copper coins he had received as change, then hurried away.

He had thought about giving them silver, but then reconsidered. Giving too much might make others envious. These oil cakes were more practical; the children could fill their stomachs right away.

"Brother Su, over here! Over here!"

Outside the Drunken Flower Pavilion, Wang Feng waved repeatedly. Three figures stood beside him, one of whom Su Ye recognized.

"Constable Su." Ma San hurried over and said earnestly, "Thank you for stepping in to save me that night. If you ever need anything, just give the word."

Wang Feng glanced between the two of them curiously. "You two know each other?"

Ma San quickly told the other three about what had happened in Xinghua Town.

Hearing this, the other three thought to themselves, Late Body Tempering! Apart from the few Martial Artists who have opened their meridians, he could probably walk all over Linshan County.

The first to speak was Xue Ping. His usually aloof expression softened into a hint of ingratiation. "I never knew our county office had an expert like Constable Su. Only now have I found out. I'm truly ashamed."

"Brother Su is not only skilled in martial arts, but also such a loyal and righteous man. He truly has my admiration."

Wang Feng cupped his hands, then continued, "I invited everyone here this time because of the Demonic Beasts—"

"Constable Wang, what do you mean?" Xue Ping asked, puzzled.

"This isn't the place to talk. Let's discuss it inside."

Wang Feng greeted them familiarly and led them into the Drunken Flower Pavilion. Without realizing it, Xue Ping and the other two fell half a step behind Su Ye. Before they had even entered, a wave of fragrant perfume washed over them.

A beautiful, voluptuous woman in her thirties swayed her ample hips as she came before them and smiled coquettishly. "Sirs, please come in."

As she spoke, she called over five or six graceful women. At her signal, several girls took the men by the arms, and the fragrance in the air grew even more intense.