Perfect Mastery in Lone Swan Reflecting Shadow

"Old Yang, may you be born into a good, wealthy family in your next life. Don't suffer at the bottom again!"

At the Cremation Ground, in a room on the north side, Lin Qing placed Old Yang's body in the furnace. Flames roared up and swiftly swallowed him.

[Deceased: Constable? Yang Zhen]

[Realm: Bright Force]

[Deliverance progress: 0%]

[Reward: one Talent, martial art, or skill]

As the fire reduced the body to ash, the deliverance progress on the panel steadily rose.

The instant it reached 100%, a stream of memories surged into Lin Qing's mind.

In a flash, he watched fragments of Old Yang's life unfold.

Old Yang had lost his father young and made a living gathering firewood in the mountains. Later, seeking a way forward, he became a laborer at the Artisans' Office. After years of toil, he finally became a full-fledged constable there.

He had since passed through the Night Patrol Office, the Yin-Yang Office, and the Netherworld Pacification Bureau. He had served for eighteen years in all, eight of them under Yang Feng.

A few months earlier, on his way home, Yang Feng had stumbled upon a group of villains robbing a pawnshop. He had acted without hesitation and cut down three of them, only to be ambushed by Yin Muhua and killed in the street.

By the time his body was discovered the following afternoon, Evil Spirits had already sprung from it. There had been no choice but to send it to the Dungeon to dispel its resentment and purge the Evil Spirits before cremation.

Rest in peace, Lord Yang, Lin Qing murmured inwardly. He had always respected good people. In any age, being one was no easy thing.

Then a wealth of information appeared before Lin Qing: the martial arts and skills Old Yang had learned in life.

[Please choose one martial art, skill, or Talent to copy]

1. Lone Swan Reflecting Shadow (Perfect Mastery)

Originating in the frontier army, it later entered the criminal justice system. Generations of expert constables refined it, cutting away the excess until it became one of the secret Saber Arts passed down among elite constables.

At Perfect Mastery, the blade flashed through an opening like a startled swan—fast, precise, and ruthless, striking at vital points such as joints and tendons.

2. Talent: Eagle Eyes (Excellent)

Eyes as sharp as an eagle's, with superb vision for moving objects and a natural gift for observation and identification at long range.

3. Tracking (Minor Mastery)

A systematic method built from years of investigating cases as a constable, allowing its user to deduce a suspect's movement techniques and martial arts from the faintest traces.

4. Poison Identification (Minor Mastery)

A discerning eye for common knockout drugs and poisons of the martial world, backed by extensive experience identifying them.

Delight stirred in Lin Qing's heart. He had been worrying about how to gain a basic grasp of Lone Swan Reflecting Shadow within seven days. He had never expected Old Yang to have mastered the Saber Art to perfection.

"After eighteen years as a constable, I suppose it's only natural he perfected his Saber Art."

With a thought, Lin Qing chose to copy the martial art.

By then, Old Yang's body had been reduced entirely to ash. The grief on Yang Feng's face slowly faded. He turned and walked out, and Lin Qing followed close behind.

"Lin Qing, you have both Talent and the right temperament, and I like your disposition. Would you take me as your master?" Yang Feng turned back and asked without warning.

Lin Qing froze for a moment, then answered without hesitation, "I would be honored to become your disciple, my lord!"

There was nothing to hesitate over. Taking a master was no casual matter these days. Once the bond was formed, he would have a firm backer and all manner of benefits. Why wouldn't he agree?

Besides, Yang Feng had a sterling reputation, an upright character, and formidable martial arts. Lin Qing thought highly of him.

"Good. Taking a master must not be done lightly. Go home tomorrow and discuss it with your parents. If they agree, I'll hold a banquet in the Inner City three days from now. We'll perform the ceremony and formally become master and disciple," Yang Feng said gravely.

"This disciple understands." Lin Qing nodded solemnly.

"There's nothing else you need to do today. Go about your own business, but remember not to slack off. Next year, the Prefectural City Soul-Calming Office will send people to select recruits. An opportunity like this is hard to come by. Don't miss it," Yang Feng instructed him.

"This disciple understands," Lin Qing replied, then turned to leave.

Yang Feng watched his retreating figure and nodded faintly. In Lin Qing, he saw his younger self: the same drive, the same quiet nature. The difference was that the Talent Lin Qing had shown already far surpassed his own.

"My Talent kept me from ever leaving this little county town. You're different. Don't waste the gift heaven gave you."

That afternoon.

Lin Qing went home and first told his parents that he had passed the Night Patrol Office assessment.

"You passed? Ah Qing, I knew you could do it." Lin Cheng grinned from ear to ear.

"That's right, Ah Qing. From now on, you'll be drawing a government salary. Let's see if those thugs and ruffians still dare bully us," Han Ying said with a smile.

"Father, Mother, there's more good news. Yang Feng, the Constable Chief of the Corpse Collection Team, wants to take me as his disciple. I came home to discuss it with you," Lin Qing said.

"He wants you as a disciple? That's wonderful news! Once you become his disciple, you'll have someone to help you if you run into trouble," Han Ying said, her eyes lighting up.

"Exactly, Ah Qing. It's a fine opportunity. You mustn't miss it," Lin Cheng added.

Lin Qing nodded slightly. "That's what I think too. I'll arrange the gifts for the ceremony tomorrow."

"Do you need our help?" Lin Cheng asked.

"No, I can handle it myself." Lin Qing shook his head. His gaze swept over his parents, and he suddenly noticed a little more white in their hair. They looked more worn down than before.

"Father, Mother, has something been troubling you lately?" Lin Qing asked.

"All the general stores in the county have been shut down. It's an order from the authorities. Who knows what big move they're planning?" Lin Cheng sighed. With the stores closed, it would not be long before they went hungry.

Lin Qing took a large mouthful of mixed-grain rice and said softly, "Father, Mother, don't worry about that. I have some silver. Use it for now."

As he spoke, he placed five taels of silver on the table.

"Ah Qing, your martial arts training costs money too. Keep the silver," Han Ying said.

"Mother, I can spare it," Lin Qing said with a smile.

The next day.

Lin Qing returned to the Night Patrol Office.

Now that he was a Corpse Collector, he had far more time at his disposal. He did not need to work that morning, so he devoted it to martial arts practice.

He trained for two hours straight. Exhausted, he sat down to rest on a stone bench beneath a crooked tree that cast a patch of shade behind him.

Just then, a group appeared at the gate. At its head was the fierce-looking Han Tai!

"It's Constable Chief Han!"

"Fall in!"

At Han Tai's thunderous command, everyone stopped what they were doing and assembled before him.

Han Tai cleared his throat, then abruptly raised a portrait and shouted, "Remember the Wooden Idol in this picture! Anyone with a clue will be richly rewarded for reporting it. But if you know something and keep quiet, I'll make sure you learn just how fearsome the authorities' punishments can be!"

With that, Han Tai turned and left without lingering.

In the Martial Arts Arena, everyone began talking at once.

"What's so special about that Wooden Idol?"

"I hear Yin Muhua and those vicious people with her are doing everything they can to find it."

"I heard the Tathagata Fist Manual is inside it!"

"Not this again. Every year someone claims the Tathagata Fist Manual has surfaced, and it's never true."

"Enough chatter. Get back to training!"

Lin Qing said nothing, but unease stirred in his heart. If they kept investigating without end, it would be a serious problem if they actually uncovered something.

Yet handing it over now would certainly cause trouble too. He needed to find the right opportunity and the right way to do it.