Zhengyang Blade Technique

The fourth watch of the night.

The eight-person dormitory reeked, filled with the sound of thunderous snoring. Chen Zhuo quietly rose, threw on a single layer of clothing, and slipped out the door.

Though it was midsummer, the temperature in Baiyun County fluctuated wildly; before dawn, a lingering chill still hung in the air.

Chen Zhuo rubbed his hands together, took a step forward, and settled into a fist stance.

In the past, he had never risen this early—not out of laziness, but because he ate little, worked hard, and practiced martial arts; his daily stamina simply couldn't support waking up early.

He had to get enough sleep.

But today, he didn't need to worry about the drain on his energy.

At the mere thought of the small porcelain bottle tucked into his waistband, a wave of heat surged in Chen Zhuo's chest.

"One Blood Vitality Pill costs a silver coin. Literature is for the poor, martial arts for the rich; you can't practice without money."

"I just wonder how much stamina a single Blood Vitality Pill can restore?"

Chen Zhuo shook his head, casting aside distracting thoughts to focus his mind.

The growth in his realm brought him more than just stamina; it brought control over his own body.

If he had been standing in a "dead" stance before, his stance now gradually possessed a hint of vitality.

Coordinating with his steady, refined breathing, Chen Zhuo clearly felt his blood and vitality beginning to boil, his entire body growing hot.

About a quarter of an hour later, he began to strike his body.

Every strike was a tempering of his flesh.

A tall building rises from the ground up; his skin and membranes were steadily becoming firm and tight.

[Iron Cloth Shirt +1]

With the martial path now within his grasp, the time required to practice Iron Cloth Shirt had shortened significantly.

Chen Zhuo moved about a bit, feeling he still had energy to spare, and began his stance training once more.

Cycle after cycle.

Chen Zhuo squandered his stamina recklessly.

It wasn't until the sky was fully bright that he finally finished his practice.

[Iron Cloth Shirt +4]

Chen Zhuo's chest heaved violently as he gasped for air.

Despite it being midsummer, wisps of white steam rose continuously from his forehead.

The pores all over his body opened slightly, squeezing out beads of murky sweat.

"It's different. It's completely different."

Even though he was exhausted, Chen Zhuo felt no dejection, only inner excitement.

In just over an hour, he had practiced the Iron Cloth Shirt five times in one go.

Such progress was unprecedented.

If he practiced with all his might, he could push the Iron Cloth Shirt to proficiency in less than three days.

"Three Blood Vitality Pills—I wonder if that will be enough?"

Chen Zhuo took one out and swallowed it whole.

It tasted cool and slightly bitter, mixed with the fresh fragrance of herbs.

Soon, Chen Zhuo clearly felt the fatigue in his body fading away.

In its place was an incredibly vigorous surge of energy.

His ears were sharp, his eyes clear, his mind alert, and his heaving chest leveled out.

"It's worthy of being a good item that costs a silver coin each. It's truly worth it."

With a thought, the panel appeared out of thin air.

[Realm: Body Refining (Skin-Grinding Realm)]

[Practice Method: Iron Cloth Shirt (6/100) (Entry)]

[Combat Method: None]

[Technique: Vegetable Chopping Technique (18/50) (Great Success)]

[Note: All methods in the world end at Great Success. However, after Great Success, one can still reach Perfection. For those who reach Perfection, all methods can be promoted and transformed.]

"Hm? Technique transformation? Even the Vegetable Chopping Technique can?"

Chen Zhuo stared at the note, pondering for a moment before he understood what it meant.

Whether it was a practice method, combat method, or technique, Great Success was already the end point.

The reason Perfection still existed was to prepare for the promotion of the technique.

Thinking of this, Chen Zhuo shook his head.

At this moment, understanding was enough; overthinking was useless.

Chen Zhuo looked up at the sky, turned around, and walked back into the house.

His roommates were already up at this hour. After washing up in silence, Chen Zhuo headed toward the Swift Squad's quarters.

White-Uniform Runners were only fed twice a day and had no concept of breakfast.

At this hour, he was expected to report for duty.

"Morning, Brother Chen."

As soon as Chen Zhuo arrived at the office where the Swift Squad was stationed, he saw Fatty Sun striding toward him.

"Have you eaten?"

Chen Zhuo shook his head.

"I haven't either. Let's go find something to eat in a bit."

After saying this, Sun Fei turned to the person handling the paperwork and said, "Fifth Master, please hurry it up."

"Since you've joined the Swift Squad, you must be diligent. If you botch your duties, you'll still be sent back."

Under his urging, Chen Zhuo's paperwork was processed with exceptional speed. In less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, it was finished, followed only by that understated warning.

Must be nice to have connections.

Chen Zhuo glanced silently at the two wisps of mustache on the old man's face, knowing that if Sun Fei hadn't stepped in, there would surely have been some sort of trouble.

"Let's go."

The two left the yamen and found a nearby noodle shop.

Given Chen Zhuo's spending power, he could only afford to glance at the noodle shops in the inner city.

If Fatty Sun hadn't patted his chest and guaranteed he was treating, Chen Zhuo wouldn't have stepped inside for anything.

"Eat your fill."

Both of them practiced martial arts and had massive appetites. With Young Master Sun footing the bill, Chen Zhuo had a rare, stuffed meal.

Sun Fei was still earnestly slurping his noodles, while Chen Zhuo had already set down his chopsticks and pulled out a small booklet to study repeatedly.

"This Zhengyang Blade Technique only has three moves; are you trying to find a flower in it?"

Sun Fei glanced toward Chen Zhuo while eating his noodles.

"What if there really is a flower in it?"

Chen Zhuo smiled and slowly closed the booklet.

A line of small text appeared before his eyes.

[Zhengyang Blade Technique (Incomplete): 0/10 (Not yet initiated)]

The appearance of the progress bar caused this blade technique to take root in his mind.

Among the Three Squads of yamen runners, the Black-Uniform Squad had the most grueling work, but it was relatively safe.

The Swift Squad was idle, but dangerous.

Being in the Swift Squad, even as a White-Uniform Runner, meant being taught combat techniques in advance.

As for whether one could learn them, that depended on individual fortune.

At the very least, the booklet had been provided.

"Improving combat techniques is much easier than practicing the forms."

With his body following his mind, Chen Zhuo couldn't help but use his hand as a blade, gesturing slightly.

The progress bar didn't move.

"Hm? Why isn't it working?"

Chen Zhuo looked at his palm in confusion.

"The Zhengyang Blade Technique may not be a profound martial art, but it's not exactly easy to get started, either."

"Besides, what kind of blade practice is using your hand? If you want to practice, you have to use the real thing."

With a clatter, Sun Fei tossed the blade at his waist onto the table. "Use mine first."

"What about you?"

Chen Zhuo looked up and asked.

"I'll just go back to the yamen and grab another one later," Sun Fei said, his mouth full of noodles, his voice muffled.

"It really is good to be a person with connections."

Chen Zhuo let out a soft sigh and took the blade into his hand.

Wherever there are people, there is a world of martial arts; and that world is nothing but human favors, worldly wisdom, and connections.

"Eat first."

Chen Zhuo gently stroked the scabbard, a thought stirring in his heart, and rose to walk to a corner outside the noodle shop.

He closed his eyes, the three moves of the Zhengyang Blade Technique flowing through his mind.

With a sharp clang, the long blade left its sheath.

Almost by instinct, his body swung the blade naturally.

It was the first move of the Zhengyang Blade Technique.

[Zhengyang Blade Technique (Incomplete) +1]

After the move, Chen Zhuo opened his eyes, feeling that the Zhengyang Blade Technique in his mind had become slightly clearer.

Most importantly, the expenditure of physical strength was minimal.

Strike while the iron is hot.

He swung the long blade in his hand continuously.

The second move, the third move...

A total of three moves, repeated in a cycle.

[Zhengyang Blade Technique (Incomplete) +1]

[Zhengyang Blade Technique (Incomplete): 2/20 (Entry)]

Only after hacking away four times in one breath did Chen Zhuo feel his arm grow slightly sore.

Under the effect of the Blood Vitality Pill, his depleted stamina was quickly restored.

This fighting style... is it a bit too simple?

"No, it must be that this blade technique is too simple and only has three moves, which is why there were no obstacles to practicing it."

Chen Zhuo shook his head after a moment of reflection, putting aside the slight contempt he felt for the fighting style.

Just as he had been swinging his blade, Sun Fei, peering through the gap in the window lattice, had happened to witness the entire scene.