A Talent of Remarkable Presence

The clouds dispersed, and the rain ceased.

At the county yamen's training ground, Wang Ping supported himself on his saber with one hand while dragging a corpse cleaved in two with the other, leaving a glaring trail of blood across the grounds.

Along both sides of the training ground, the county yamen's constables had all been startled. They stared at the scene before them with indescribable expressions, then exchanged looks, faces reflecting one another's bewilderment. Clearly, this sight had utterly exceeded their expectations.

"Who's this kid?"

"Forgot. Just remember he's a newcomer."

"Seems like he's called Wang Ping? The boss specifically told Old Liu to take him under his wing... No way, hadn't he only joined the yamen half a month ago?"

"He killed that White Lotus rebel?"

"He has that kind of skill?"

"Must have picked up someone else's leftovers... Ah, poor Brother Qin. He threw away his life, only for a newcomer to get there first. He won't even get a scrap of the reward silver."

Wang Ping ignored the surrounding chatter.

At that moment, he was silently reviewing his earlier actions, weighing the gains and losses. Strictly speaking, this had been the first person he had killed since transmigrating.

"First, my current strength still isn't that great—or rather, it isn't well-rounded enough. True Dragon Sinew has given me tremendous power, but in speed, defense, endurance, explosive force... I fall far too short. The only reason I succeeded this time was because I seized the timing well enough."

It had looked as though he killed Xie Shi with a single slash, but in truth, he had prepared thoroughly beforehand.

After all, without Spirit Sense locking onto him in advance, he could never have intercepted Xie Shi so precisely midway through his mad flight for survival.

Even that slash had been assisted by Spirit Sense.

Using Spirit Sense's perception, he avoided the point where Xie Shi's burst of power was fiercest, then struck at his weakest opening, achieving the effect of using four ounces to move a thousand pounds.

"Thanks to Spirit Sense, I was able to bring my advantages into full play. Xie Shi also tempered Dragon Sinew, but it was clearly inferior to my True Dragon Sinew. In a pure contest of strength, he was no match for me. I dragged him into the field where I excelled, and only then did I defeat him."

Of course, he had not emerged without paying a price.

Although he had dodged quickly from Xie Shi's final strike before death, it had still grazed him. The force contained within it had actually dealt him grave injuries.

Under normal circumstances, he would have needed to lie in bed for several months before recovering.

Yet the instant he was injured, he circulated [Qi Suppression], using True Qi to stop the bleeding and regenerate flesh. By the time he returned to the training ground, his injuries had almost healed.

Thinking of this, Wang Ping became even more certain of one thing.

"Cultivating immortality really is stronger than practicing martial arts!"

Merely a cultivator's most basic Spirit Sense and a crude spell had allowed him to defeat the strong while weak in Martial Dao. Who had the brighter future was plain for all to see.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Congratulations, Brother Wang!"

Wang Ping turned at the sound. Upon seeing the newcomer, he hurriedly cupped his hands. "Master Liu..."

Before he could finish, Liu Ye hastily waved his hands. "Can't accept that, can't accept it! Brother Wang, you killed that White Lotus rebel this time. That's a heaven-shaking achievement."

As he spoke, Wang Ping saw Liu Ye reach into his robes and take out a money pouch. Under the pretense of shaking hands, he directly stuffed it into Wang Ping's palm.

"Oh, right. This is the silver Brother Wang lost before. I picked it up for you."

"Count it and see whether the amount is right."

Hearing this, Wang Ping glanced at the pouch in his hand. A sweep of Spirit Sense immediately made everything clear to him. "It's the loose silver I gave him before, with an extra ten taels added..."

Was this... a return gift and an apology?

Wang Ping instantly understood Liu Ye's intentions. This old constable truly hid his depths. Through such torrential rain, had he somehow seen that slash of his?

"He knows I tempered True Dragon Sinew."

"Does he think I have a boundless future and wants to curry favor in advance? Or perhaps... he's worried that I'll hold a grudge over all the money he took from me before?"

After thinking it through, Wang Ping suddenly smiled.

The next second, he decisively pressed the money pouch back into Liu Ye's hand and said softly, "Old Brother Liu, don't underestimate me. Aren't we friends?"

Naturally, he could accept the money, but there was no need. Iron Ox Skill had truly helped him enormously, while he had only spent a little loose silver from beginning to end. Strictly speaking, he had made a huge profit. If he demanded the money back now that he was doing well, that would truly be pushing his luck and overreaching. It did not sit right with him.

Besides, compared with a simple transaction of money, he valued the favor between himself and Liu Ye more.

After all, many troubles in this world could not be solved no matter how much money one spent when there were no personal ties. Yet with personal ties, they could be settled with no more than a lift of the hand.

"This..."

Liu Ye looked at the money pouch pushed back into his hand, his mouth slightly agape. Then he sighed helplessly. "Brother Wang... your future truly grows brighter and brighter."

"You flatter me, Old Brother." Wang Ping chuckled.

Liu Ye shook his head and said nothing more. He put away the pouch, then his expression turned solemn. "The boss just gave word. He wants you to go see him immediately."

Was he going to issue the reward?

Wang Ping's spirits rose at once. He promptly accepted the order and hurried toward the yamen's inner courtyard.

The moment he entered, Wang Ping saw Chen Haoyan, the chief constable of Longxing County yamen, seated squarely and steadily in a grand chair at the center of the inner hall.

Almost at the same time, the other man looked over as well.

In an instant, Wang Ping's pupils constricted. An intense sense of danger crashed over him, as if an invisible hand had suddenly seized his heart.

"This is... the Eye Contact Art?"

By now, Wang Ping was no longer a novice in martial arts. After speaking with Liu Ye for so many days, he had already gained a clear understanding of Great Shun's martial arts system.

"The Eye Contact Art belongs neither to the external martial arts system of skin, flesh, sinews, bones, blood, and marrow, nor to the higher Inner Force system. It is a secret art that only martial artists who have gone further and made initial contact with [Spirit] can grasp. In that case, Chief Constable Chen's martial arts may be close to another breakthrough..."

Wang Ping silently pondered.

"Not bad. You truly are a talent of remarkable presence."

The next second, Chen Haoyan spoke. His voice was not imposing at all, but instead exceptionally gentle. "You are a meritorious official here to claim your reward this time. There is no need to be overly restrained."

"Come, sit and rest first."

As he spoke, Chen Haoyan took the initiative to point at a chair nearby, signaling Wang Ping to sit.

Immediately afterward, he drew a gleaming gold ingot from his sleeve and casually tossed it into Wang Ping's arms. "This is the reward for killing the rebel."

"Besides that, I called you here because there is something I wish to ask."

As his words fell, Chen Haoyan's oppressive gaze locked directly onto Wang Ping. Enunciating every word, he asked, "What grade is your Dragon Sinew?"

Wang Ping had anticipated this long ago.

Thus, he did not panic in the slightest. Neither servile nor overbearing, he cupped his hands and said gravely, "Reporting to you, sir, after perfecting my saber technique, I tempered True Dragon Sinew."

If Wang Ping wished, Spirit Sense could assist him in concealing his True Dragon Sinew and keeping it hidden from others. But after careful consideration, he felt there was no need.

"Concealing one's edge is humility, not binding one's own hands."

"Outside, perhaps. But hiding my abilities within the government, refusing to properly display what I can do—how would my superior give me more responsibility? And how would I improve?"

Of course, this carried risks as well.

After all, following the sudden death in his life before last, he understood Chen Haoyan's habit of crossing rivers and tearing down bridges better than anyone. The greater reason he dared to do this was that his foundation was different now.

"This is the confidence my cheat has given me."

"If this bastard dares cross a river and tear down the bridge again, then even if I have to stake this life, I'll give him a vicious blow. In any case, [Otherworldly Celestial Demon] has finished cooling down..."

As his words fell, the hall sank into silence.

Only after a long while did Chen Haoyan say faintly, "[Yama's Three Demon Blades] is, in the end, merely an inferior martial art. In theory, it cannot possibly nurture True Dragon Sinew."

"Unless you secretly learned a better sinew-tempering martial art."

"Nothing of the sort!"

Wang Ping shook his head in firm denial. After all, he truly had not practiced any other martial arts. Plain Moon Lotus Blade had not even entered the beginner stage yet.

Chen Haoyan narrowed his eyes. "Nothing of the sort, yet you tempered True Dragon Sinew?"

Wang Ping scratched his head. "Maybe I was born with divine strength?"

"...Hahaha!"

The next second, the originally stern Chen Haoyan suddenly broke into hearty laughter. "Born with divine strength... Not bad. If that is the case, then it truly is possible to temper True Dragon Sinew."

"After all, I was the same in those days."

After saying that, Chen Haoyan stepped forward and patted Wang Ping's shoulder with a smile. "Do you know what martial art is most suited to talents like you and me?"

Wang Ping shook his head.

"Archery is most suitable!"

Chen Haoyan emphasized his words. "My household's secretly inherited [Cloud-Piercing Heaven-Shaking Bow] is most suited to you!"

"If you focus on cultivating this martial art, perhaps you may enter the Divine Constables Bureau as I did and become an Inner Force Martial Master. In the future, you may even earn a place on the Weapon Ranking."

Then what was the price?

Wang Ping knew full well that Chen Haoyan was tempting him with profit. Clearly, he was hinting at the perilous mission with nine deaths and one life that he had mentioned on the training ground earlier.

"Still... this suits me perfectly!"

At that thought, a look of temptation and hesitation immediately appeared on Wang Ping's face. Only after pondering for a moment did he ask quietly, "May I ask what you want me to do, sir?"

Chen Haoyan immediately revealed a satisfied smile. Then he said bluntly, "I want you to escort something for me."

As he spoke, he took out a silver-white flying dagger Wang Ping found incomparably familiar. In an instant, its blade-light spilled forth like moonlight, carrying a crisp and frigid chill.

[Lotus Blade]!

"This is the life-bound weapon of Shouchong, leader of the White Lotus Sect." Chen Haoyan explained, "Not long ago, the Destiny upon this flying dagger suddenly plummeted."

"I do not know the exact reason, but Shouchong has clearly grown anxious. The White Lotus rebel you killed had sneaked into the county yamen late at night to retrieve this item. But that was merely an appetizer sent ahead to scout the way. That old thief Shouchong is the main course. For this item, he will certainly act in person."

"To me, this is an enormous opportunity."

Chen Haoyan's expression appeared very sincere as he patiently continued, "Simply put, I intend to return this flying dagger to Shouchong first, then defeat him publicly."

"Though more than half the Destiny on the flying dagger has dispersed, its prestige remains."

"If I defeat Shouchong in public and shatter the flying dagger, I can strip away that prestige and nourish myself with it. It will help me break through the shackles of Inner Force and ascend another level."

"However... I am not certain of victory."

At this point, Chen Haoyan looked at Wang Ping. "Therefore, although this flying dagger must be returned to Shouchong, it cannot be returned too easily. He must be made to pay a price."

Then you could strike while he was ill and take his life, right?

Wang Ping understood perfectly, but there was still one thing he did not understand. "But sir, this subordinate's martial strength is meager. If I truly face Shouchong, I'm afraid I will be unable to bear the burden..."

"You will not be facing him."

Chen Haoyan shook his head. "It will be Spirit Wandering Temple. I have already invited that Wandering God True Person. He will personally act and destroy this flying dagger before the public."

"However, the Wandering God True Person does not wish to leave Spirit Wandering Temple."

"Thus, your task is to deliver this flying dagger into Spirit Wandering Temple... Remember, deliver it openly and aboveboard. Make sure everyone sees it."

Wang Ping understood.

"Escorting the flying dagger is only a smokescreen. He's clearly fishing!"

"He'll deliberately release word that Lotus Blade is being sent into Spirit Wandering Temple for the Wandering God True Person to destroy, forcing that old bastard Shouchong to come out and stop it."

"That way, Shouchong will have nowhere to go and must face the Wandering God True Person. This one is clearly capable as well. Chen Haoyan wants them to fight like a snipe and clam, while he reaps the fisherman's profit. Then, regardless of whether Shouchong wins or loses, he can leap out and beat the drowning dog."

This scheme was truly sinister and vicious, yet it also carried the flavor of an open strategy.

However—there was one problem.

"May I ask, sir?" Wang Ping frowned tightly and said in a low voice, "What if this subordinate fails to deliver [Lotus Blade] into Spirit Wandering Temple?"

If it did not enter Spirit Wandering Temple, that Wandering God True Person might not act.

Would that not be like throwing a meat bun to a dog—gone without return?

"This is where the nine deaths and one life lie."

Chen Haoyan smiled. "If the mission fails, you, the one responsible for escorting the flying dagger, will undoubtedly die... So if you do not wish to die, then do not let it fail."

"He avoided the subject."

"Looks like he has other preparations, but does not wish to tell me... Of course. How could he tell me secrets that truly matter and concern his own interests?"

The next second, Chen Haoyan continued.

"Well? Do you dare accept?"

Wang Ping pulled a bitter face and said tactfully, "Reporting to you, sir, this matter offers nine deaths and one life. This subordinate dying is a small matter, but if I ruin your plan, even ten thousand deaths would not redeem me."

Chen Haoyan's expression did not change. "I can teach you [Cloud-Piercing Heaven-Shaking Bow]."

"If you fear death, learning martial arts may not help. I can also grant you one slot. If you wish to pass the martial art on to someone else, leaving it for another person is acceptable as well."

As he spoke, he took out a martial arts manual.

Wang Ping's eyes brightened slightly at first, but then he shook his head. "Such a thick book will probably take at least a month or two to learn."

"This is the table of contents. The manuals are over there."

As his words fell, Wang Ping followed the direction of Chen Haoyan's finger. He immediately saw a mountain-like pile of bound volumes, at least forty or fifty books in all.

"So many? Just reading them would take a year."

Chen Haoyan chuckled. "I read for three years and practiced for another thirty before gaining the martial skill I have today. Martial arts require perseverance in the first place."

Wang Ping opened his mouth. "Thirty years? Then how much time does this subordinate have to train?"

"Three days."

The corner of Wang Ping's eye twitched at once. "Three days... Then isn't it still nine deaths and one life!"

Chen Haoyan smiled even more happily. "No. If you train, it is nine deaths and one life. If you do not, it is ten deaths with no life. You should understand how to choose."

Wang Ping: "..."

The hall fell silent once more. Chen Haoyan was in no rush. He waited with the calm composure of an old god, believing that the young constable before him could hear the meaning behind his words.

Refuse? Don't be ridiculous.

From the moment Wang Ping entered this hall, Chen Haoyan had left him no room to refuse. From the very beginning, obedience had been Wang Ping's only path!

Otherwise, how could he live up to Chen Haoyan's evaluation of him as a talent of remarkable presence?

After a long while, Wang Ping finally raised his head and ground out the words through clenched teeth. "This subordinate can accept this mission, but... you'll have to pay more!"