Vajra Art, a Body-Tempering Technique

Two days had passed since the mountain bandits were wiped out. Although that batch of medicinal herbs had not been recovered, He County Magistrate still ordered everyone involved in the operation to take three days off, after which he would reward the meritorious at Gathered Worthy Pavilion, the largest restaurant in the Inner City!

Taking advantage of this break, Cheng Heng carefully studied the Vajra Art he had obtained from that mountain bandit!

This technique was an orthodox external-school body-tempering art, chiefly training the sinews, bones, and skin. It was divided into three levels, corresponding respectively to the three realms of Bright Force, Hidden Force, and Skill-Transforming Force.

The first level tempered the skin and flesh. After cultivating it, external strength filled the body, and one's physical strength far surpassed that of ordinary people. The skin and flesh became as hard as crude iron. That short, sturdy mountain bandit had only cultivated to the first level.

The second level tempered the sinews and membranes. After cultivating it, one was supple on the outside yet rigid within, with force penetrating deep into the muscles and texture. It transformed simple "hard skin and flesh" into "tough sinews and membranes, with qi and blood protecting the interior."

The third level tempered the organs. The physical body and inner force became seamlessly united, allowing softness to overcome hardness and strength to move as one wished. The body became nearly indestructible—this was the highest realm of body-tempering.

Over these three days, ever since Cheng Heng obtained this technique, he had immediately begun cultivating it.

Although his fist technique had already reached great mastery, his methods of facing enemies were too limited. If he could quickly master this Vajra Art, his ability to protect himself would surely rise another level!

[Fate: Heaven Rewards Diligence]

[Persevere without fail, and achievement will come.]

[Vajra Art, First Level: (37/1000)]

In three days, he had successfully entered the first level of the Vajra Art. After that, all he needed was to keep grinding away at it with unwavering persistence.

Feeling the utterly different sensation now flowing from his skin and flesh, Cheng Heng was overjoyed. Other than those thirty taels of silver, the greatest gain from this bandit-suppression operation had been this body-tempering technique.

This Vajra Art fully counted as a mid-grade martial art. One had to know that throughout all of Gaoyang County, mid-grade martial arts were already considered top-tier, the secrets never passed down by the great lineages and martial halls!

Early the next morning, Cheng Heng dressed and washed up, then left the courtyard and headed toward Gathered Worthy Pavilion.

Today was the day He County Magistrate was hosting a grand banquet to celebrate their victory!

The private hall of Gathered Worthy Pavilion was already packed with guests, all waiting for He County Magistrate to speak.

Seated at the head of the table, He County Magistrate raised his wine cup high and said:

"Today, we celebrate our victory in wiping out the mountain bandits!"

As soon as He County Magistrate spoke, the atmosphere below immediately came alive, and everyone began chatting.

Wang Ming and Cheng Heng sat together, both in high spirits. It was Cheng Heng's first time at such an upscale restaurant. Seeing the dazzling spread of delicacies from mountain and sea on the table, he paid no heed to anything else and stuffed them into his mouth wholesale.

Wang Ming stared dumbfounded at Cheng Heng as he wolfed down food, then laughed and scolded him:

"Were you a starving ghost reincarnated in your last life? Look at you, no prospects at all!"

Focused wholeheartedly on eating, Cheng Heng did not even raise his head as he said:

"With dishes this good, it would be a shame to waste them."

"You're already a Hidden Force martial artist. When are you planning to buy a house in the Inner City?"

Hearing Wang Ming's abrupt question, Cheng Heng finally frowned and said:

"I've looked into the residences in the Inner City. Even a small courtyard costs one hundred taels of silver. I don't have that much saved up yet, so I'll consider it later."

Wang Ming pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "If you need silver, just say the word. I'll help you think of a way."

Cheng Heng nodded.

Just then, He County Magistrate suddenly spoke:

"Cheng Heng, you are now a Hidden Force martial artist, and in this bandit-suppression operation, you even killed a bandit leader. You are rare talent for our county yamen. Would you be willing to serve as a constable captain in the county yamen?"

"You would be specifically responsible for Inner City security and patrolling the Inner City. If you are willing, this official will reward you handsomely!"

The entire hall fell silent at once, and everyone looked toward Cheng Heng with eyes full of envy.

Envy was envy, but during this campaign against the bandits, everyone had also been shocked by Cheng Heng's strength!

Though only eighteen years old, he was already a Hidden Force martial artist and had killed quite a few mountain bandits. No matter how one looked at it, he was more than qualified for this post!

Becoming a constable captain meant officially entering government service, a position countless martial artists dreamed of obtaining!

Hearing this, Cheng Heng quietly pondered for a moment before answering in a sincere tone:

"Thank you, Lord He, for your promotion. This subordinate is willing!"

He County Magistrate burst into laughter.

"Good! Then from today onward, you shall officially serve as a constable captain, solely responsible for Inner City security, with twenty constables under your command. Your monthly salary will be twenty taels of silver."

"Also, after the banquet ends, come back to my residence with me. I have another gift for you!"

During this mission, He County Magistrate had greatly admired Cheng Heng's strength. Toward such young juniors, he had never been stingy with rewards!

"Thank you, my lord!" Cheng Heng said earnestly.

Cheng Heng had already considered the matter of becoming a constable captain carefully. The advantages outweighed the disadvantages.

After entering the Hidden Force realm, he needed more cultivation resources. His previous monthly salary of three taels of silver was already far from enough.

Moreover, after becoming a constable captain, the authority in his hands would increase, and he would come into contact with a wider circle of people. It was a rare opportunity!

The people in the hall then congratulated Cheng Heng on becoming a constable captain. Cheng Heng returned their toasts one by one, neither servile nor overbearing.

At last, the gathering ended. The promised reward silver was distributed to everyone present, and only then was the affair truly concluded.

After everyone dispersed, He County Magistrate said to Cheng Heng:

"Come with me to my residence. I have another gift for you!"

Cheng Heng cupped his hands in thanks once more, then followed He County Magistrate to the County Magistrate's Residence.

Under his guidance, Cheng Heng then entered the study within the County Magistrate's Residence.

He County Magistrate took a rectangular box from a hidden compartment in a bookshelf and handed it to Cheng Heng. "Open it and take a look!"

Somewhat puzzled, Cheng Heng slowly opened the lid.

Inside the rectangular box lay a Blood Ginseng half a meter long. Its entire body gleamed with a blood-red radiance. It was an exceedingly rare precious medicine!

Cheng Heng's expression changed in shock. "Could this be Blood Ginseng?"

This was the first time Cheng Heng had seen a precious medicine, and he was immediately astonished. Judging by its value, it was probably worth several hundred taels of silver!

That was the price of a residence in the Inner City!

"Correct. This is a five-year Blood Ginseng, perfectly suited for a Hidden Force martial artist like you to consume."

"Martial artists everywhere thirst for precious medicines and precious fish. The greater their age, the more astonishing their effects!"

"This Blood Ginseng is worth one hundred and fifty taels of silver, and even then, it is something money cannot buy!"

One hundred and fifty taels of silver was equal to seven full months of his current salary.

"This item is far too valuable. Please take it back, Lord He!"

One did not accept rewards without merit. He County Magistrate was giving him such a grand gift that Cheng Heng truly did not dare accept it.

He County Magistrate listened, then slowly said, "This Blood Ginseng is incomparably precious to you, but to me, it is already useless. Just accept it without concern!"

"You need not overthink it either. I see that you are from the Outer City, and it was not easy for you to cultivate so diligently to the Hidden Force realm. You also serve in the county yamen, so you count as one of our own. That is why I am giving you this item."

"Besides, you rendered merit in wiping out the bandits. Though you have only just entered the Hidden Force realm, with your strength, I fear there are already few people in the county yamen who could be your match."

Only after hearing this did Cheng Heng accept the Blood Ginseng.