Town Martial

The courtyard was exceptionally quiet, with only the rustling of wind through the pomegranate leaves to be heard.

And the faint, pungent stench of urine.

Huang Tian furrowed his brows deeply, lifting his foot from Huang Jian's head. He felt as if he had truly stepped in excrement, his boots now tainted. "You there, come over and carry this blockhead back. Don't dirty my tranquil courtyard."

The servant breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, hurriedly stepping forward to hoist Huang Jian onto his back. Sniffing the foul odor, he trotted out of the courtyard with small, hurried steps.

"Fourth Young Master, you... how did you become so formidable?" Heng'er's small mouth hung open, her eyes wide with astonishment.

Aunt Qin, however, did not share Heng'er's curiosity or admiration. Instead, her face was etched with anxiety as she paced back and forth, sighing repeatedly. "The Third Young Master has always been favored by the Master and Mistress. You've struck him, Young Master—you have truly invited disaster!"

"It was but a minor punishment; that I did not kill him is already a mercy."

Huang Tian had indeed considered killing Huang Jian outright and then embarking on a killing spree throughout the Huang Mansion. This body could not withstand violent spiritual energy, but if he were willing to discard his physical vessel, he could rapidly elevate his cultivation by employing forbidden arts. He was certain that even Huang Xunjiu, the strongest in the Huang Mansion, might not be a match for him if he fought with his life on the line.

But matters had not yet reached that point. It was merely a foolish man, a jealous woman, and three dim-witted sons; they were not worth him risking his life without hesitation. They were not worthy.

"Go about your business and set your hearts at ease. I have my own plans."

After Huang Tian spoke, he continued his Thunder Sound Body Tempering, the low, rumbling sounds of thunder echoing incessantly from within his body.

Seeing that Huang Tian remained entirely unperturbed, the anxiety in Aunt Qin's heart inexplicably eased. She took Heng'er to the kitchen to busy herself, preparing some meat broth for Huang Tian.

Just as the small eastern courtyard gradually returned to peace, in the main hall of the Huang Mansion, Huang Xunjiu was entertaining an honored guest: Xia Hong, a Thousand-Household of the Kunyun Prefecture Martial Guard.

Xia Hong wore a Qilin robe. His face was square-jawed, and when he wasn't speaking, his chin was set tightly, giving him a cold and rigid appearance. His palms were exceptionally thick and calloused, clearly indicating he had mastered a formidable hand-to-hand combat technique.

"I never expected Brother Huang to be so willing to send all four of your sons to my Martial Guard. It is truly unexpected and worthy of admiration." Xia Hong sipped his tea and spoke slowly.

Huang Xunjiu smiled. "This Humble One is most loyal to the Imperial Court. With the Six Gates, the Martial Guard, and the Black Armor Army all recruiting extensively, even if I am reluctant, I am willing to let my unworthy sons join and contribute their meager strength."

His words were high-sounding on the surface, but in reality, he had sensed that the atmosphere within the prefecture was amiss.

The Six Gates, the Martial Guard, and the Black Armor Army of Kunyun Prefecture were expanding their forces, and the five major sects of the prefecture were also recruiting aggressively; it was clear they were at loggerheads.

Rumors were circulating that the Imperial Court intended to seize all weapons under heaven to suppress the major sects. The prestigious sects, naturally, would not sit idly by, frequently sending assassins to kill local imperial officials, leaving the twenty-three provinces of the realm in a state of panic.

In such a volatile situation, choosing a side had become inevitable. In particular, the Flying Swan Sect, one of the five major sects of Kunyun Prefecture, had sent someone to approach Huang Xunjiu, their words filled with hints of wanting him to defect to their side.

Huang Xunjiu had rejected them sternly on the spot. What a joke—his entire family fortune was within the prefecture city, and the strongest power in the city was the official government. How could he possibly defect to the five major sects?

Furthermore, his wife He Yunrou's father was a county magistrate; the label of the officialdom could not be shaken off, and even if he defected, the five major sects would never truly trust him.

At this time, the prefecture's officials had also sent people to contact the wealthy clans and merchants in the city, likewise forcing them to make a choice. After a brief period of reflection, Huang Xunjiu decided to lean toward the official side.

Not only did he have to lean over, he had to lean all the way! Aside from his eight-year-old youngest son, he sent all four of his sons to serve in the Martial Guard. In the entire prefecture city, who could be more loyal than I?!

The reason he sent them all to the Martial Guard rather than dispersing them to other offices was, firstly, because it was one of the best places in the prefecture for martial cultivation, lacking neither techniques, martial skills, nor divine weapons.

Secondly, the Huang Family had many in-laws and old acquaintances serving in the Prefecture Office, the Black Armor Army, and the Six Gates, but they lacked connections in the Martial Guard. Huang Xunjiu was simply using this opportunity to complete the missing piece of his puzzle.

As for whether having four sons serving in the Martial Guard would invite gossip, that was an unnecessary worry. Kunyun Prefecture had a population of millions, and the Martial Guard, responsible for monitoring and suppressing the various regions, numbered in the thousands. Like the Six Gates, it was one of the two major violent institutions. Situations where not just four brothers, but three generations of a family served together were far from rare.

Of course, sending his sons to the Martial Guard was to make a statement and complete his sphere of influence, not to send them to the "front lines" to die. His invitation to Xia Hong today was to ensure everything was properly arranged.

He reached into his sleeve and, with a pained expression, produced a slender jade box, handing it to Xia Hong. "I must trouble Brother Xia to look after my unworthy sons..."

Xia Hong's expression remained unchanged as he took the jade box and opened it. A refreshing, heart-soothing fragrance wafted out. Upon closer inspection, it was a five-inch-long Golden Snow Ginseng, crystalline throughout. This item was rich in gentle spiritual energy and could be considered a treasure even for a fifth-rank martial artist like himself.

A look of being moved appeared on Xia Hong's face, and he quickly tucked the Golden Snow Ginseng into his sleeve. "Brother Huang's intentions are too sincere. Your heart of loyalty to the nation is clear to heaven and earth. My Martial Guard naturally cannot treat them poorly..."

He pondered for a moment before saying, "Of your esteemed sons, Huang Qian is already a seventh-rank martial artist; there is no need for testing. I can take the initiative to arrange for him to enter the Merit Recording Division as a Merit-Recording Official, a position equivalent to a Trial Hundred-Household. This post is in the rear, making it the safest, yet it holds significant power.

Huang Rui and Huang Jian both have some foundation. The former has entered the ninth rank, and the latter has developed internal force. Later, we can see about arranging them into the Divine Weapon Division or the Archives. As for Huang Tian, he has no martial foundation at all. I only fear that after two months, he won't even be able to develop internal force..."

The Martial Guard recruited in two ways. The first was for martial artists of the eighth rank and above with clean backgrounds, who could be appointed directly.

The second was for those with clean backgrounds below the eighth rank—whether they were ninth-rank, had developed internal force, or were ordinary people—who all had to be tempered in the Guard Academy directly under the Martial Guard for a period of time.

Ordinary people who could not develop internal force within two months were expelled immediately, losing even the qualification to serve as a foot soldier or a clerk.

Those who developed internal force but could not reach the ninth rank within six months were transferred to serve as the lowest-level foot soldiers or clerks.

Those who reached the ninth rank but could not reach the eighth rank within a year were transferred to become Small Flag Officers.

Those who reached the eighth rank were directly appointed as General Flag Officers, without needing to build up seniority.

It could be said that for geniuses with strong innate talent and comprehension, entering the Guard Academy was a genuine shortcut.

"That is of no concern. If he cannot develop internal force within two months, he may be expelled. If he can, then Brother Xia may arrange for him as you see fit."

Upon hearing the name of his fourth son, Huang Xunjiu's brows furrowed instinctively. He felt a sense of revulsion and did not wish to discuss him further.

Xia Hong sensed Huang Xunjiu's dislike for Huang Tian and, understanding the situation, smiled. "Then there is no problem."

Having settled a matter of concern, Huang Xunjiu was all smiles. "Brother Xia, please, have some tea."

"After you."

Both men had gained what they wanted and were drinking their tea in high spirits when, suddenly, a clamor of noise erupted from outside the door. Huang Xunjiu's expression turned ugly, and he said to the servant attending nearby, "Go and see who is making such a racket!"

The servant hurriedly complied and left. Before long, he returned with hurried steps and whispered into his ear, "It is the Fourth Young Master who beat the Third Young Master severely. The Third Young Master's head was covered in blood, and he was unconscious for a quarter of an hour before waking. The Second Young Master saw this and, unable to bear it, intends to vent his anger for the Third Young Master. He is currently leading men to the eastern courtyard to beat him back..."

Upon hearing this, Huang Xunjiu was filled with rage. "What a beast! To dare commit such violence!"