Martial Dao in Another World, Iron Ox Skill

Longxing County, county yamen training grounds.

Early in the morning, Wang Ping changed into the black-and-red constable uniform, wore an Ox-Tail Saber at his waist, filled his stomach, and came to take part in the constables' daily morning drills.

Quite a few constables had already arrived at the training grounds. Some were standing in stances, some were practicing with their sabers, while others had gathered in corners to chat.

Wang Ping swept his gaze over the scene, then consciously joined those standing in stances. He had only finished reading Yama's Three Demon Blades' manual yesterday. Although he had a ready-made Ox-Tail Saber, making it easy to get started with the martial art, a ten-thousand-zhang tower rose from level ground. Even among those who had entered the same saber art, the difference could be as vast as clouds and mud.

So, to be safe, he had not rushed to get started yesterday.

"First, I'll ask around at the training grounds and see how the veteran constables practice this saber art. It won't be too late to try getting started once I understand it better."

Just as Wang Ping was pondering this, a voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Stand properly!"

The familiar voice made Wang Ping recognize the speaker almost immediately: it was the fellow from the White Lotus Sect temple whose single arrow had broadened his heart and opened his mind!

The next moment, the constables who had been scattered all around rapidly assembled. Wang Ping did not dare slack off either, immediately blending into the crowd and lining up. The once-noisy training grounds instantly fell silent, and over a hundred gazes focused on the man in black-and-red official robes at the center.

"Chen Haoyan..."

Wang Ping quickly found information on the man in his new identity's memories. He was the head constable stationed in Longxing County by the Imperial Court's Divine Constables Bureau, and the depth of his martial arts was impossible to gauge.

"Lin Sheng has taken leave to rest."

At the front of the formation, Head Constable Chen Haoyan spoke calmly. "To fill his vacancy, we recruited a new brother. Everyone knows him."

"Those whose names are called, come before me."

"Wang Ping."

As soon as the words fell, Wang Ping hurried out of the formation. Chen Haoyan smiled and met his eyes, then called out another name.

"Liu Ye."

Looking at the second constable who stepped out of the formation, Wang Ping could not help showing a trace of surprise. He had not expected to encounter another old acquaintance.

"Master Liu from the Grass Market..."

Chen Haoyan then said evenly, "Old Liu, you're responsible for patrolling the Grass Market. Your duties aren't heavy, so you have the time. Take Wang Ping under your wing."

"Help him master Yama's Three Demon Blades as soon as possible."

"This subordinate obeys."

Liu Ye hurriedly clasped his hands in acknowledgment. Chen Haoyan nodded, had the two return to the formation, then raised his voice and began the morning's lesson.

"Today, we will discuss weapons."

"As everyone knows, some time ago we wiped out the White Lotus Sect, which had been roaming through various counties, and captured the Lotus Blade held by White Lotus Sect Leader Shouchong."

"However, this is not the end. The Lotus Blade is a Named Treasure that old Shouchong cultivated with his life. The reason it fell into our hands this time was likely deliberate. He wanted to accumulate renown, gather Destiny, and use the Destiny of our county yamen to elevate it into a true Divine Artifact."

Named Treasure? Divine Artifact?

Wang Ping was puzzled. Fortunately, he was not the only one. A constable soon raised the same question, and Chen Haoyan nodded.

"Those of you brothers with family backgrounds should know about these things, but there are also some who do not understand them well. I'll give you a simple explanation this time."

"There are five grades of weapons under heaven."

"Mortal Weapons, Fine Weapons, Named Treasures, Divine Artifacts, and Heavenly Crafts. These five grades of weapons also correspond to five kinds of martial artists. The better one's martial arts, the stronger one's weapon."

At this point, Chen Haoyan pointed at all the constables present.

"For example, most of you are first-class martial artists. The Ox-Tail Sabers issued to you by the Imperial Court are Mortal Weapons, and your martial arts stop at the External Arts physique."

Seizing the chance, Wang Ping raised his hand and asked, "What is an External Arts physique?"

"Skin, flesh, tendons, bones, blood, and marrow, naturally!"

Chen Haoyan patiently explained, "Skin Like Ox, Flesh Like Elephant, Tendons Like Dragon, Bones Like Tigers, Blood Like Fire, Marrow Like Frost. Only when all six are complete does one attain External Arts Perfection."

"Different martial arts also emphasize different aspects. For example, our Yama's Three Demon Blades primarily trains the tendons. Once you get started, you can achieve Tendons Like Dragon. But dragons come in different sizes. Whether it is a Worm Dragon, a Flood Dragon, a Hornless Dragon, or a True Dragon, the difference in strength is immense."

"Let us use Yama's Three Demon Blades as an example again."

Chen Haoyan drew his saber. In that instant, Wang Ping saw the great tendons in the head constable's hand quiver, producing an unbroken sound as clear as a dragon's cry.

"Most who attain Tendons Like Dragon after getting started with Yama's Three Demon Blades have Worm Dragon Tendons. Only after bringing the art to perfection can they advance to Flood Dragon Tendons."

"However, a small number of people with exceptional natural talent can form Flood Dragon Tendons as soon as they get started. Once they reach perfection, they can even advance to Hornless Dragon Tendons, far beyond ordinary people."

"As for True Dragon Sinew, that is not a level Yama's Three Demon Blades can reach."

"But after all is said and done, this concerns only the tendons."

"If you wish to attain External Arts Perfection, you must master another five martial arts corresponding to skin, flesh, bones, blood, and marrow."

Wang Ping's scalp tingled as he listened.

Skin, flesh, tendons, bones, blood, and marrow—each required a corresponding martial art. Six martial arts meant six weapons. So he had to gather a full set of six divine items before he could count as having attained External Arts Perfection?

For a moment, many of the constables revealed troubled expressions.

After all, six martial arts, and ones specifically corresponding to skin, flesh, tendons, bones, blood, and marrow—how could they be so easy to find? At the very least, they were not something people like them could obtain.

Did this not mean that the overwhelming majority present would have no hope of attaining External Arts Perfection in their entire lives?

Chen Haoyan saw the low spirits on the training grounds and was not surprised. He immediately changed the subject. "However... this situation is not absolute."

"In the end, it depends on the grade of the martial art."

"Although our Yama's Three Demon Blades is quite powerful, it is ultimately a low-grade martial art that can only condense a single martial method. It is not particularly profound."

"More profound middle-grade arts, high-grade arts, and even the legendary peerless arts are said to temper multiple parts of the body, or even the entire body, with a single martial art. Thus, by specializing in one art, one can attain External Arts Perfection. Cultivating Inner Force in the future will then be as natural as water flowing into a channel."

The training grounds erupted in uproar.

Seeing the atmosphere grow heated again, Chen Haoyan finally revealed his true purpose. "As a matter of fact, I possess a middle-grade martial art."

"This art has been passed down secretly through my household."

"Not only does mastering it grant the support of two martial methods, it also specializes in bones and blood. It does not conflict with Yama's Three Demon Blades; rather, the two complement each other."

With that, Chen Haoyan pulled a booklet from his robes and held it high above his head.

"I have an extremely dangerous mission here, one that can be called nine deaths and one life! Whichever brother is willing to accept it will receive this martial art as his reward!"

His powerful voice echoed across the training grounds.

Wang Ping was instantly excited.

Nine deaths and one life? Who else but me could take this mission!

But the next second, he suppressed his emotions. Calm down. The Otherworldly Celestial Demon hasn't finished cooling down yet. I'll accept this mission after the cooldown ends.

For a moment, the training grounds fell silent again. No one answered.

Disappointment flashed through Chen Haoyan's eyes, but he said nothing more. He merely put away the booklet and smiled. "This concerns life and death, so there is no need to rush."

"I will give you brothers time to consider."

"My offer remains valid for three months."

"However, let me make this clear first. The sooner you come to me, the sooner you can cultivate the martial art. When the time comes, your chances of surviving should be greater as well."

After saying that, he strode away.

The constables were left standing there, looking at one another. None could see the decision in the others' hearts. Soon, they resumed their individual training around the grounds.

Naturally, Wang Ping began training as well.

However, at that moment, a voice suddenly called out.

"Little Wang, stop practicing."

Wang Ping turned at the sound and saw that it was the old acquaintance Chen Haoyan had assigned to him. Master Liu of the Grass Market held a smoking pipe in his hand.

"You're in such a hurry to get started with the saber art?"

As Liu Ye smoked, he said, "Take my advice. Don't be in such a hurry to get started. It will not be too late to do so three months from now."

"Three months from now...?"

Wang Ping raised a brow. "Does this have something to do with Lord Chen's mission?"

"Heh, looks like you aren't stupid, kid."

Liu Ye smiled. "That's right. Although my lord did not say it outright, we are old hands in the county yamen. How could we fail to understand what he meant between the lines?"

Understanding suddenly dawned on Wang Ping.

The next moment, he grabbed Liu Ye's hand and slipped a small piece of silver into his palm. "Please enlighten me, Master Liu."

Liu Ye's expression immediately changed.

"You brat... you have prospects! Since you're so sincere..."

Soon, Liu Ye led Wang Ping to a secluded corner of the training grounds before lowering his voice. "This matter is actually related to the White Lotus Sect!"

"The White Lotus Sect?" Wang Ping narrowed his eyes.

Liu Ye nodded. "My lord mentioned it earlier. White Lotus Sect Leader Shouchong's Lotus Blade is still sitting inside our county yamen right now."

"Do you know why?"

After thinking back, Wang Ping said, "My lord said old Shouchong wanted to use the county yamen's Destiny to elevate the Lotus Blade into a Divine Artifact."

Liu Ye shook his head. "You know what it is, but not why it is so."

"Let me put it plainly."

"Among the five grades of weapons under heaven, Mortal Weapons and Fine Weapons are, when all is said and done, mundane objects. They are nothing impressive. But by the third grade, Named Treasures are different."

"The key to a Named Treasure lies in the word 'named.' Such weapons are usually renowned in a region, with many people knowing their titles. For example, the White Lotus Sect's Lotus Blade can be called a weapon of great renown in Longxing County and even the surrounding counties."

"With a Named Treasure in hand, one can be considered somebody in the martial world."

"And Divine Artifacts are further elevations beyond Named Treasures."

As Liu Ye explained, he gestured with his hands. "In simple terms, a Named Treasure is a weapon that took part in some major event and gained a reputation as a result."

"A Divine Artifact, however, creates a legend."

"What is a legend?"

At those words, inspiration suddenly flashed through Wang Ping's mind. "Rebelling and overthrowing a county government... in the current age, would that count as a legend?"

Liu Ye said frankly, "That is not for me to judge."

"But at the very least, in our Changle Commandery, no county yamen has ever been breached by rebels. It has never happened since ancient times. Yet you accomplished it, so it would certainly bring immense renown."

Wang Ping understood.

"So old Shouchong... the White Lotus Sect's plan is to send the Lotus Blade into the county yamen, then find a way to break the Imperial Court's control over Longxing County. Through an unprecedented event like this, they would accumulate enormous renown for the Lotus Blade. At that point, Shouchong himself would also..."

"Most likely break through!"

At this point, Liu Ye's voice carried a touch more apprehension. "When that happens, even my lord might not necessarily be a match for that old bastard."

"Hm? Wait..."

Wang Ping frowned tightly, suddenly realizing something was wrong. "If that is the case, why would my lord deliberately help him by keeping the Lotus Blade in the county yamen...?"

His voice stopped abruptly.

There was no need for Liu Ye to explain further. Wang Ping figured it out himself. "...Fishing?"

"You brat, you really do have prospects."

Liu Ye smiled. "That's right. Shouchong wants to use the county yamen's renown to take his martial arts a step further, while my lord wants to seize this opportunity to thoroughly eradicate the White Lotus Sect."

"In the end, it comes down to each side relying on its own ability."

"The winner takes all. That is the true principle of this human world."

As his words fell, Liu Ye's voice suddenly grew low.

"But everyone knows... fishing requires bait. And whether the fish can be caught or not, the bait will die without a burial place."

So that was it. This was the main reason why, despite Chen Haoyan offering his family's martial art as a reward, no constable had been willing to answer his call.

Wang Ping understood, but he was not afraid. Instead, he grew even more excited, resolving to find Chen Haoyan as soon as the Otherworldly Celestial Demon finished cooling down.

On the other side, Liu Ye noticed the change in Wang Ping's expression and immediately frowned.

"You still plan to get started as soon as possible?"

Liu Ye's frown deepened. "If you do not get started, even if the sky collapses, it will not strike you. But once you do, my lord may come looking for you."

"When that time comes, if you agree, you will certainly die. If you refuse and make my lord unhappy, your official career will be cut off as well."

"Why bother?"

For the sake of that small piece of silver, Liu Ye was being quite sincere. Yet Wang Ping still shook his head, without any intention of explaining himself.

After all, it was difficult to explain this sort of thing to someone without cheats.

"Ah, fine."

Seeing Wang Ping persist, Master Liu stopped trying to persuade him and changed the subject. "As for Yama's Three Demon Blades, you were right not to rashly get started."

"As the name suggests, this saber art contains only three moves."

"These three saber strikes are Greed, Wrath, and Delusion, corresponding respectively to getting started, minor achievement, and major achievement. When you can merge all three strikes into one, you have reached perfection."

"It is called a demon saber because of the emotions it corresponds to. The three poisons of Greed, Wrath, and Delusion are the roots of human vice. If you try to get started rashly without preparation, you may very well suffer backlash from the saber intent of Greed and become a madman. Countless constables have died because of this."

Wang Ping frowned tightly upon hearing that.

"It's that dangerous? Good thing I was cautious and didn't act recklessly..."

Thinking that, he looked again at Liu Ye, who had stopped explaining at some point. Understanding immediately dawned on him. He took out another piece of silver and shook hands with him.

"Master Liu, please trouble yourself to offer more guidance."

"Gladly! Gladly!"

Liu Ye immediately beamed.

"To be frank, you're lucky. You came to the right person by finding me. My lord probably had me teach you because of Old Liu's signature skill."

Signature skill?

The next moment, Wang Ping saw Liu Ye reach into his robes and pull out a thin booklet. "My skill is a martial art I obtained through a fortuitous encounter."

"Unlike ordinary martial arts, this art has no corresponding weapon. It uses the fleshly body itself as a weapon, so strictly speaking, it is considered unranked."

"Unranked?" Wang Ping looked somewhat disdainful.

By now, he had gained some understanding of the martial arts in this world. If a martial art was unranked, it meant it could not cultivate any of skin, flesh, tendons, bones, blood, or marrow.

What use was such trash?

Yet Liu Ye revealed a somewhat smug smile.

"Don't be hasty. It won't be too late to decide after you hear me out."

"My martial art is called the Iron Ox Skill. The martial method condensed at perfection is called Golden Spear Unyielding, and its corresponding weapon is the lifeblood beneath one's crotch..."

But then again, judging a cultivation method's value by its grade was far too shallow. There were no useless cultivation methods, only useless people!