Street Patrol Training

"Oh?"

Hearing Zhou Muyun's words, Li Qingliang's eyes flashed with surprise.

Ding Zhong had broken through to the Tempered Bone Realm in about a month. Had he misjudged him?

"Come forward."

Li Qingliang summoned Zhou Muyun before him and examined his bones once more.

"That's right, it's still Ding Zhong. It must have been the result of hard work," Li Qingliang thought with a sigh.

"Since you have already broken through, taking up an official post is only natural. From this day forward, you are my registered disciple.

When you are out in the world, you represent the martial hall's honor. You must not act recklessly or tarnish my name. Do you understand?"

"This disciple understands," Zhou Muyun answered.

Li Qingliang nodded, then had Mo Qi bring paper and brush so he could write Zhou Muyun a letter of recommendation.

"When you reach the County Magistrate's Office, simply give them your master's name and submit this letter. Someone will naturally make arrangements."

"Thank you, Master. Then this disciple shall take his leave."

Now that he had the recommendation letter, Zhou Muyun had no reason to remain any longer.

He and Mo Qi then headed toward the outer courtyard.

Watching Zhou Muyun's departing back, Li Qingliang recalled that over the past month, had Zhou Muyun not been the most diligent person in the courtyard?

A trace of appreciation for talent arose in Li Qingliang's heart. On the martial path, innate talent and bone structure were especially important, but was diligence not another kind of talent as well?

Yet the words reached his lips and went unsaid. He thought of Bai Yu, that uncut jade he had discovered.

Though his martial hall was large, if he truly wished to cultivate an heir, he could only afford the resources for one person.

"Forget it. If there is an opportunity in the future, I can simply give him more guidance."

After a soft sigh, Li Qingliang continued drinking his tea.

After thanking Mo Qi, Zhou Muyun took the recommendation letter and went to the County Magistrate's Office to take up an official post.

On the way, he recalled asking Mo Qi why martial hall disciples could so easily obtain such posts. Did the major powers not train their own people?

Mo Qi's explanation was that martial hall disciples had clean backgrounds, and with the martial hall master vouching for them, they were unlikely to cause trouble.

Secondly, these were chaotic times. All sorts of rats and vermin had begun to emerge, and the various powers were severely understaffed, which was why they were so eager to recruit talent.

Furthermore, in a small place like Yunlin County, even the four great families of the Inner City possessed no inherited martial arts. That was also why Li Buhui and the others studied at martial halls.

The martial hall stood at the edge of the Inner City, and the two places were not far apart. Zhou Muyun soon arrived at the County Magistrate's Office.

The County Magistrate's Office of the Great Xia Dynasty differed from the one in his previous life.

The county magistrate held great authority. Not only did he govern an entire county, he also commanded the Great Xia Guard.

The Great Xia Guard was the elite military force of the Great Xia Dynasty, composed entirely of martial artists, and its strength was formidable.

Yet even so, the Great Xia Dynasty had continued to weaken in recent years. Zhou Muyun found it difficult to imagine what exactly had happened.

Because of this, the County Magistrate's Office was heavily guarded. Great Xia Guards in fiery red armor constantly patrolled the area.

"Stop! Who goes there? What business do you have at the County Magistrate's Office?"

The guard at the entrance stopped Zhou Muyun and questioned him.

"I am a disciple of Greenwood Martial Hall. I have come to take up an official post at the County Magistrate's Office. I ask that you report this for me, sir."

Zhou Muyun handed Li Qingliang's letter of recommendation to the guard.

Upon hearing that Zhou Muyun had come to take up an official post, the guard's expression eased. He accepted the letter and headed inside.

Not long after, the guard returned and led Zhou Muyun into the County Magistrate's Office.

The compound was large, complete with a training ground, dining hall, garden, and more. Zhou Muyun followed the guard through several turns before stopping outside a room.

"Go in. This is where they handle matters for martial artists like you who take up official posts. Remember to address him as Lord Qian."

"Thank you, sir."

After thanking the guard, Zhou Muyun pushed open the door and entered.

Bookshelves packed with books lined both sides of the room. An incense burner sat in the middle, releasing faint sandalwood fragrance.

A middle-aged man who appeared to be around forty sat behind a desk. Seeing Zhou Muyun enter, he said calmly,

"You are Li Qingliang's disciple, correct? Street patrols are divided into east, south, west, and north. Which area do you choose?"

"Lord Qian, I choose the east. Please register me," Zhou Muyun said respectfully.

"You know how to choose. It seems someone already told you about it. Eight hundred coins a month. Are you aware of that?"

"In reply to Lord Qian, this humble one is aware."

"Then take the official document and report to that side. If there is nothing else, withdraw."

"This humble one obeys."

Zhou Muyun stepped forward, accepted the official document from Lord Qian, and withdrew.

After leaving the County Magistrate's Office, he quickly arrived at the eastern outpost.

Mo Qi had told him that if he wanted to take up an official post, among the east, south, west, and north districts, it was best to choose the east or south.

The south was mainly home to major martial halls and escort agencies. Petty criminals rarely caused trouble there, but whenever trouble did occur, it involved martial artists, which was a headache.

The east, meanwhile, had the Drunken Red Pavilion. Rumor had it that the pavilion had powerful backing, so almost no one dared make trouble there. Moreover, aside from nighttime, it was very quiet during the day.

Then there were the west and north districts, Yunlin County's main gateways, connected to trade routes and filled with all sorts of people.

Even the regular constables and the Great Xia Guard found maintaining order there quite troublesome.

Adhering to his creed of lying low, avoiding trouble, and steadily growing stronger, Zhou Muyun decisively chose the east.

As for why, it was mainly because daytime was quiet and almost nobody caused trouble. How relaxing was that?

Who would not like getting paid for doing nothing?

With the official document in hand, Zhou Muyun completed his registration without issue.

He received a temporary appointment badge and a set of constable's clothes. He only needed to patrol the streets for two hours each day.

Whether it was in the morning, at noon, or at night was determined by drawing lots the previous day.

After registering on his first day, Zhou Muyun followed his colleague, his partner Lu Ming, out on street patrol.

Lu Ming was a constable of the County Magistrate's Office rather than a temporary appointee, and he was considered an old hand.

With Lu Ming leading him, Zhou Muyun easily finished his first day of street patrol.

Lu Ming was talkative and generous by nature, which made Zhou Muyun feel at ease. After all, if his partner had been difficult to get along with, this temporary post would have been hard to manage.

After finishing his patrol, Zhou Muyun returned to the martial hall to continue training.

When he returned home in the evening, he told Xu Rou and Zhou Tong that his official post came with pay.

This made the mother and daughter happy once again.

Seeing that there was meat on the table every meal and that the Household was thriving, Zhou Muyun was happy as well.

His efforts had finally begun to bear fruit.

Although the Savage Ox Gang still came to collect all sorts of fees, they at least had a little more confidence now.

Training and patrolling, patrolling and training. In the blink of an eye, another seven days passed.

Zhou Muyun had completely grown accustomed to this peaceful life, and his martial cultivation steadily improved.

[Heaven rewards diligence; there will surely be gains. Diligence points are settled daily.]

[Willow Stake, minor mastery (143/1200)]

[Flurry Fist, beginner level (125/600)]

His Willow Stake became increasingly proficient, and with diligence points added to it, his progress was extremely fast.

As his realm improved, the progress of Flurry Fist also advanced steadily.

The Tempered Bone Realm, as its name implied, involved using the power of one's blood and qi to temper one's bones.

First came the limbs, followed by the torso.

Zhou Muyun chose to temper both fists first, then his legs.

After all, Flurry Fist was a fist technique. Tempering his arms first would also grant him greater destructive power.

As usual, he arrived at the outpost, ready to begin today's patrol.

Yet he discovered that everyone looked unwell, their expressions even somewhat grave.

"Brother Lu, what happened?"

Zhou Muyun walked over to Lu Ming. Seeing that even the usually optimistic Lu Ming looked like this, he could not help but ask.

Hearing this, Lu Ming fell silent for a long time before slowly saying, "Brother Zhou, the Blood Demon Sect has appeared again!"