Third-Rate Expert

The Qi within his body flowed quietly.

Through sensation, Zhou An could tell that the Qi inside him was as thick as a thumb.

That was why his expression had turned strange.

If Head Constable Xie was right, then in An Ding County, he could now be considered one of the better ones.

Naturally, Head Constable Xie had no idea what Zhou An was thinking. He continued, "We cultivate techniques, so there's no need to focus too much on Qi. As long as your techniques improve, your Qi will naturally grow as well. That's why techniques are the most crucial thing."

"Once your Qi condenses to the thickness of a thumb, one step further will make you a Second-Rate Expert. Through your technique, you turn that thumb-thick current of Qi into a sphere."

"When that thumb-thick current becomes spherical, it is called a Qi Sphere. At that point, the Qi will become incomparably pure."

"As for First-Rate Experts, wait until you've become Third-Rate Experts first."

"Oh, right. Anyone below Third-Rate is collectively called unranked. Don't think there are only a few of them. There are actually quite a lot."

By this point, he had said just about everything that needed saying.

Head Constable Xie asked if anyone had questions. Once everyone indicated that they had none, he took out his longsword and began teaching.

The entire process was extremely dull, but the constables all studied earnestly.

Opportunities like this were rare.

A martial artist who had entered the ranks would never casually pass on what they had learned. Everyone guarded it like treasure.

And now that they had this opportunity, the constables felt they had to seize it.

Everyone was working hard.

Except for two people.

Yu Hang was completely uninterested.

His ambitions lay elsewhere, so he was extremely perfunctory.

Head Constable Xie knew what Yu Hang was thinking, so he did not try to dissuade him.

Zhou An, meanwhile, put on an earnest appearance, but after practicing for a while, he too began to slack off.

He found it so boring.

The saber technique Head Constable Xie taught was indeed decent, but in Zhou An's eyes, it was riddled with flaws.

Perhaps it was the effect of Knife Skills reaching Level 2. Whenever Zhou An saw this kind of saber technique, methods of breaking it naturally sprang to mind.

Looks like it isn't just Speed +1. There are all sorts of hidden improvements in other aspects too, Zhou An thought.

In Zhou An's view, a saber technique that could not trigger proficiency gains was basically useless to him.

He might as well go back and continue grinding Knife Skills and Wok Flipping.

His mind wandered, and he casually swung a saber strike, crooked and slanted.

Head Constable Xie happened to see it. He shook his head and thought to himself, Sigh, another one with no talent.

With that thought, he stopped paying attention. He found a reclining chair, lay back in it, and watched the constables practice.

Though it was supposed to be a midday break, the constables did not complain. After all, everything they learned belonged to them.

It was not until the break ended that the constables returned to their rooms, their faces full of excitement as they discussed what they had learned.

Zhou An shook out his arm. After practicing with the saber all noon, his hand felt a little sore and numb. Fortunately, a wave of Qi flowed through his body, and the soreness and numbness vanished.

He had only just sat down and had not even lifted his teacup when he heard Yu Hang's voice.

"I can't be with you tonight. The Private Tutor is back," Yu Hang said as he came over.

Zhou An picked up his tea, getting an early taste of retirement, and took a sip. "Didn't you say he wouldn't be back for more than ten days?"

He remembered that not long ago, Yu Hang's private tutor had said he was going home to visit relatives and would not return for over ten days. He had even refunded Yu Hang part of the money.

Yu Hang spread his hands. "I don't know either. Anyway, since there are lessons, I'll go. And he isn't asking me to return the money. If you don't take advantage of a bargain, aren't you a bastard?"

Zhou An set down his teacup. "The examination is coming up soon, isn't it?"

Yu Hang nodded and patted Zhou An on the shoulder. "Don't worry. Once I pass the Imperial Examination, I'll definitely look after you."

There was naturally nothing more for the two of them to say.

After that, the entire room was once again filled with the air of salted fish.

Of course, that only applied to Zhou An and Yu Hang.

The other constables seriously exchanged experiences, hoping to soar into the sky in a single leap.

When it was finally time to clock out, Zhou An slowly made his way home. Passing by the market, he bought some vegetables, planning to go back and practice his Knife Skills.

He planned to grind every day and raise Knife Skills to Level 3 as soon as possible, to see whether there would be any changes.

It was still that familiar alley, peaceful as ever along the way.

After returning home, Zhou An first cooked a few dishes.

While cooking, he incidentally ground Knife Skills and Wok Flipping for a while. Once he was full and satisfied, he stood before the chopping board.

"Thud, thud, thud..."

A string of sounds rang out through the room.

The kitchen knife had been used for a long time and was no longer very sharp, but that had no effect on Zhou An. Wrapped in Qi, it naturally became sharp.

His proficiency rose more slowly than before. Previously, every cut gave him one point, but now he had to chop many times before gaining a single point.

Zhou An did not mind. As long as it rose, that was normal.

It was just grinding, after all...

Who hadn't ground before in this day and age?

At work, he had ground for his boss. Now, he was grinding for himself, so naturally the experience was different.

"Keep going!"

The flow of Qi within Zhou An's body weakened, and the numbness in his right hand disappeared.

The sound of chopping on the cutting board rang out without pause.

While Zhou An was grinding proficiency, Yu Hang had already arrived at his private tutor's home.

The private tutor lived in a relatively lively area, along an alley bustling with people coming and going.

When Yu Hang arrived at the door and knocked gently, it immediately opened.

The one who opened it was an elderly man in his sixties, with a goatee.

Though he was already over sixty, he looked vigorous and full of spirit.

The teacher's surname was Sun, and his name was Dan. It was said that before the previous dynasty changed the Imperial Examination, he had once earned a ranking in it.

"Greetings, sir." Yu Hang greeted him with particular politeness.

Sun Dan nodded. "You haven't eaten, have you?"

Yu Hang respectfully replied, "Sir said I was to have dinner here."

Sun Dan raised a hand and stroked his goat-like beard. His eyes narrowed as he stepped aside. "Come in first. We'll talk inside."

"After you, sir," Yu Hang said.

Sun Dan turned and entered the house, with Yu Hang following behind him.

By now, the sky had grown late. It was not yet nightfall, but the sun was already close to setting.

An oil lamp was lit inside the room, which was furnished simply.

Everyone studying in An Ding County knew that Sun Dan had never married and had always lived alone.

"Sit first. I'll bring the dishes out. The two of us will eat something simple, and then I'll teach you," Sun Dan said before turning toward the kitchen.

Yu Hang obediently sat down.

Before long, the dishes were brought out, and Yu Hang also helped carry them.

The two ate quickly, and neither spoke during the meal.

After they finished, Yu Hang cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks before following Sun Dan into the study next door.

The lesson did not last long, but Yu Hang listened very attentively.

It was not until night had fallen that Yu Hang excused himself and left.

On the way back, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse.

When Yu Hang returned home along the familiar road, however, his brows furrowed tightly.

He kept feeling that his teacher had been a little strange tonight.