The next morning, the carriage stopped in front of the unassuming Song Pharmacy.
The shop was still quiet, but its front door stood wide open, and someone was doing business.
Yang Ning breathed a little easier.
It seemed Elder Song hadn't been implicated.
After looking around carefully, he saw no members of the Blood Ape Gang nearby.
Then he picked up two packs of fine tobacco he'd prepared that morning and a thank-you gift wrapped in red paper, climbed down from the carriage, and walked toward the shop alone.
He pushed open the pharmacy's wooden door, and the familiar, bitter aroma of medicinal herbs washed over him.
The furnishings were unchanged. The medicine cabinet lined with a hundred little drawers stood silent against the wall, and several birdcages hung beside the curtain to the back room, their occupants chirping.
"Elder Song?"
Yang Ning called out, his gaze sweeping over the empty counter as he headed toward the curtain to the back room.
"I'm Yang Ning, your junior. I've come to..."
Before he could finish, everything changed!
Without warning, a shadow sprang out like a ghost from the dark corner of the shop!
A fist wrapped in a fierce gust of wind shot straight for Yang Ning's ribs, without any fancy flourishes!
But he was no longer what he had been. The reflexes and instincts of a Body Tempering martial artist kicked in at once!
At the last possible moment, he flung the gifts aside, twisted at the waist, and crossed his fists in a tight guard, barely protecting the vital spot beneath his ribs.
Thud!
Their fists and arms collided with a muffled thump.
Yang Ning felt himself slide half a step backward despite himself, the floorboards creaking beneath his feet.
His attacker only swayed slightly before steadying himself, clearly holding back.
"An ambush by the Blood Ape Gang?"
Yang Ning's thoughts raced. The fury in his chest, already blazing over his captured loved ones, surged like oil poured onto a fire!
Whoever it was, if they'd laid an ambush here, they had to be an enemy, not a friend! It was just the chance he needed to unleash the murderous rage bottled up inside him!
"Kill!"
A low growl burst from his throat. He was just about to fight for his life when...
"That's enough, Gong Tian.
A little test is fine, but you're old enough to know better. Haven't you had your fun yet?"
An elderly voice came from behind the curtain to the back room.
Yang Ning's heart eased, and he said quietly:
"Elder Song."
A moment later, the curtain lifted, and Elder Song emerged, leaning on a cane made of wisteria wood.
A glint flashed in his one remaining eye.
"You little rascal!"
Elder Song's voice brimmed with undisguised astonishment.
"Anger in your heart, fire in your blood, killing intent gathered and held in check, your qi and blood surging like a tide...
What a Jade-Faced Tiger!
It's only been a few days, yet your cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds!
More remarkable still, even after this upheaval, with enemies all around you, you still remembered to come see this old man.
You're loyal and sentimental. Those few days we spent waiting here in vain weren't wasted after all."
He paused, shook his head, and gave a wry laugh, his tone tinged with self-mockery.
"But I suppose I can't blame anyone but myself. Half these eyes of mine are ruined, and I never saw how well you'd hidden your strength."
Hearing that, Yang Ning finally relaxed. He cupped his hands and bowed slightly to Elder Song, speaking sincerely:
"Please forgive me, Elder Song. I didn't mean to deceive you that day. I had only just begun my martial path and was in danger, so I had no choice but to be cautious. I hope you'll understand."
Then he looked again at the figure who had emerged fully from the shadows, wary and puzzled.
"Elder Song, who is this...?"
The attacker now stood fully exposed in the shop's dim yellow light.
He was tall and straight-backed, dressed in a neat, well-fitting black outfit. A smooth, icy-black mask covered his face, leaving only his bright, alert eyes visible. They now studied Yang Ning with keen interest.
Hearing the conversation between Elder Song and Yang Ning, he chuckled and raised a hand to remove his mask.
Beneath it was a face that looked to be around thirty, with healthy, sun-darkened skin and rugged features as sharply defined as if carved with a knife and axe.
Most striking were his bright, keen eyes, carrying the composure and authority of someone long accustomed to high office and holding life and death in his hands.
"Your foundation in Tiger Soul Fist is solid, your qi and blood refined, your reactions quick, and you keep your head in the face of an enemy."
The man in black spoke in a low, powerful voice that rang like metal on stone, unmistakable praise in his tone.
"You've already grasped a hint of the tiger's spirit in your fist intent. Given time, you're sure to become a great talent."
Yang Ning wasn't sure what to make of his words. He cupped his hands again and asked in a grave voice:
"Forgive my ignorance, but who might you be? And why have you waited for me here today?"
Looking at Yang Ning's wary expression, Elder Song couldn't help laughing heartily. He stroked his sparse beard and drawled:
"This man isn't exactly some earth-shaking big shot.
Today he's here on my behalf, and on behalf of... a certain place, to see just how fine a piece of 'fine timber' you are."
At Elder Song's words, the masked man's lips lifted slightly. He shook his head at him with a hint of helplessness.
"Senior Uncle Song, you think so highly of him. Don't tease the young man."
Then he stepped forward and offered Yang Ning his hand, his manner relaxed and friendly.
"Good to meet you, Yang Ning.
I'm Gong Tian.
And I'm also the one who truly calls the shots at the Martial Arena on East Street."
Yang Ning's heart jolted, and in an instant, he understood!
So Elder Song's suggestion that he visit the Martial Arena hadn't been a coincidence!
"Brother Gong."
Yang Ning suppressed the turmoil in his heart and addressed him politely. Then he looked from Elder Song to Gong Tian, puzzled.
"I understand now. But...
Arena Master Gong, you just called Elder Song 'Senior Uncle.' May I ask what sect you both belong to?"
"What sect?"
Gong Tian seemed to find the question amusing. He chuckled and shook his head.
"Brother Yang, we aren't part of any sect or faction.
And our duty is, in fact, to uproot and keep watch over those local sects and powerful clans that have entrenched themselves in the regions.
Our inheritance is a transmission of skills within an institution. It's not the same thing as a sect taking in disciples and passing down its arts."
He sobered, then looked Yang Ning straight in the eye, his expression growing more serious.
"Brother Yang, have you ever heard of the Jingan Bureau?"
"The Jingan Bureau?"
Thoughts raced through Yang Ning's mind.
In the memories of his past life, those three words usually referred to a powerful intelligence service that kept tabs on the realm.
Considering what Gong Tian had just said about rooting out and monitoring sects and powerful clans, its nature was already clear.
After a moment's thought, Yang Ning replied cautiously:
"Sounds like an official institution established by the Imperial Court?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Gong Tian's eyes. He clearly hadn't expected someone of Yang Ning's background to know the origins of the Jingan Bureau.
He nodded, his tone tinged with approval.
"Brother Yang, you do know a thing or two.
That's right. The Jingan Bureau is a special institution directly under the Central Imperial Court.
Its duties are to supervise civil and military officials above and cleanse the administration; to monitor the provinces and commanderies below and maintain order.
It has imperial authority to execute first and report afterward.
That is the Jingan Bureau."
So it really was an intelligence service...
And one with enormous authority.
Yang Ning understood, but didn't show much on his face. He simply followed up:
"So Elder Song and Lord Gong are both members of the Jingan Bureau?
Then I take it the two of you waited here for me today because of the Bureau. But what connection do I have to your organization?"
Gong Tian laughed heartily. Rather than answering directly, he brought up their earlier conversation again.
"Brother Yang, do you still remember the Five Animals Technique Senior Uncle Song mentioned to you?
That day, Uncle spotted at a glance that you were cultivating the rare and difficult Tiger Soul Fist. He grew suspicious at once.
Do you know what sort of path the core Foundation Establishment art of one of our Jingan Bureau's branches follows?"
Yang Ning's heart gave a sudden leap, and the words escaped him:
"Could it be that your main cultivation method is also connected to the 'Five Animals'?
My Tiger Soul Fist..."
"That's right!" Gong Tian answered firmly.
"The Tiger Soul Fist you cultivated on your own shares the same origin as the core cultivation method we practice!
Both belong to branches of the ancient Five Animals Technique inheritance!"
He drew a deep breath and asked in a low voice:
"Elder Song, Arena Master Gong, I'm just an ordinary man with no background or support. Can someone like me join the Jingan Bureau?"
Gong Tian's smile widened, his admiration plain to see.
"Otherwise, why do you think there are so many carefully run Martial Arenas in Kuishan County?
Most Martial Arenas are set up by the Jingan Bureau to secretly screen, evaluate, and recruit useful talent!
In recent years, local powers have grown ever stronger, the common people have been driven from their homes, and the local authorities have weakened. The situation is beginning to spiral out of control.
At its root, the pace at which our Bureau can select and recruit new talent in this region has fallen far behind the changing situation.
The requirements for the first two gates are simply too difficult to meet here on the Southern Frontier.
We've been thirsting for talent for a long time!
Now that we've found someone like you, a fine prospect who practices the Five Animals Technique and has excellent constitution and character, how could we let you slip away?"
He paused, his tone becoming more formal.
"Brother Yang, you come from a clean background, you're steadfast in character, and your talent is outstanding. You meet the Bureau's standards for recruitment."
"What are those standards?"
His Majesty had ordered the Jingan Bureau to open its gates wide to the worthy. At present, it had three main gates through which it recruited talent.
"First, the Bloodline Gate. This is the path for descendants within the Jingan Bureau to inherit their position, or for descendants of meritorious officials to join by special favor."
"Second, the Fish-Dragon Gate. Candidates must pass strict examinations, or distinguish themselves in the military or civil service examinations, before they can be selected."
"Third, the Treasure Picking Gate. Its sources are the most complex and diverse.
Candidates might come from small sects and factions that had been reorganized and brought under the Bureau; they might be worthy, upright talents recruited from the martial world; or they might be people with special abilities whom the Bureau had been ordered to bring into its fold...
To be frank, our Southern Frontier Province lies on the border. The standards for the first two gates are strict, and those who qualify are as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns.
Seven or eight out of every ten members of the Bureau's backbone today entered through this third gate, the Treasure Picking Gate.
Even several of the province-level garrison commissioners joined through this path back in the day."
Join the Jingan Bureau?
Yang Ning's thoughts raced. An official institution directly under the Central Imperial Court, with immense authority and powerful backing...
For someone like him, with shallow roots, surrounded by enemies and in desperate need of support, its appeal was self-evident.
It wasn't merely a promising future. It might also be a talisman to protect him in a moment of crisis, a stepping-stone to a much broader world.
Of course, there were risks.
Institutions like this often plunged into the most dangerous whirlpools and carried out the most secret missions.
But the Blood Ape Gang's relentless vendetta against him and his family was clearly much harder to deal with than whatever unpredictable dangers he might face in the future.
In this situation, the Jingan Bureau's protection and resources were clearly more valuable.
After considering it for a moment, Yang Ning lifted his head and looked at Gong Tian and Elder Song, his gaze clear and resolute.
"I'm grateful that you think so highly of me. I'm willing to join the Jingan Bureau."
"But I'm just an ordinary man from East Street, and now I've made a mortal enemy of the Blood Ape Gang. Trouble is already dogging my steps.
Would your Bureau... really be willing to take in someone like me?"
Before you continue