Lu Chen found two new martial arts in Gaolin County's armory—the Flying Dragon Art and the Heavenly Terrace Demon-Subduing Fist.
One was a leg technique, the other a fist technique, both meant to further strengthen his speed and explosive power.
Lu Chen exchanged the merits he had earned from solving a major case for them, so they cost him no silver.
Both, however, were exceptional martial arts, and rather troublesome to cultivate.
The Flying Dragon Art focused on developing leg strength, using blood and qi to temper the muscles and tendons of both legs until they were like a dragon's sinews, every leap a dragon soaring into the sky.
Cultivating it consumed immense amounts of vital essence. Ideally, one would supplement it with exotic beast meat to strengthen the leg muscles and tendons; otherwise, forcing one's practice could easily damage the body.
The Heavenly Terrace Demon-Subduing Fist was even harder, a superior fist technique that unified one's striking force.
It could gather every scattered thread of strength throughout the body. Standing firm as a terrace, gathering momentum like a mountain, one could unleash a punch that subdued all demons.
With these two additional martial arts to practice, Lu Chen immediately felt that his money would not stretch far enough.
That morning, after reporting for duty at the County Government Office, Lu Chen found Cao Zhen outside a side hall.
Cao Zhen had a piece of jerky between his teeth and a patrol document in his hand. Seeing Lu Chen approach, he mumbled, "Brother Lu, looking for me?"
Lu Chen went straight to the point.
"Brother Cao, do you know any ways to make money?"
Cao Zhen stopped chewing and looked up at him, then broke into a smile.
"Oh?"
"What, running short of silver?"
Lu Chen nodded. "I am."
Cao