Martial Arts Training and the Assessment

Lin Qing quickly digested the memories. The man had fled from Meng County in the Shu Region, where war had spread and driven countless people from their homes.

After a thousand hardships, Deng Zhong had reached Shanyin County, only to be denied entry. A cold wind had swept through the day before yesterday and frozen him to death outside the city. His body had then been sent to the Night Patrol Office.

"A poor soul." Lin Qing sighed. "In this age, even living peacefully to old age is no easy feat for the poor."

Then a wealth of information appeared before him.

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

1. Health-Preserving Five-Animal Fist (Perfect Mastery)

A folk health-preserving fist art widespread in the southern Shu Region. It imitates the tiger, deer, bear, ape, and bird. Practicing it strengthens the body, harmonizes blood and qi, and prolongs life.

2. Stonemasonry (Major Mastery)

Grants mastery of various stonemasonry techniques, producing deft, sturdy, and durable work.

3. Tenacity (Fourth Tier · Elite)

A will as steadfast as bedrock and exceptional endurance, found in only one person out of a hundred.

4. Artisan Heart (Third Tier · Excellent)

Extraordinary patience and dedication toward one's chosen craft.

...

After a moment's hesitation, Lin Qing chose the first option: Health-Preserving Five-Animal Fist.

"Stonemasonry is useless to me, and Tenacity and Artisan Heart aren't what I need most right now. Health-Preserving Five-Animal Fist is."

"Years of grueling labor have left my body riddled with hidden ailments. If I don't heal them soon, they're bound to cause serious trouble later."

And so, a new art appeared under the martial arts section of the panel: Health-Preserving Five-Animal Fist.

With another thought, he placed it in his Equipment Slot.

In an instant, his body shuddered. A flood of information filled his mind, every detail concerning Health-Preserving Five-Animal Fist.

His body underwent a dramatic change as well. Strength seemed to arise from nowhere, color returned to his face, and the faint aches throughout his body rapidly faded.

After a few breaths, Lin Qing slowly exhaled a stream of clear air. He felt as though his body had reached its peak.

Health-Preserving Five-Animal Fist was not a combat art, but it could strengthen the body and make it healthier.

Now his waist no longer hurt, his legs no longer ached, and even his vigor had surged.

As long as I keep Health-Preserving Five-Animal Fist equipped, my body will be training every moment. My hidden ailments will gradually heal, and I'll remain in peak condition. Lin Qing was delighted.

He also received another piece of information: he could change what occupied his Equipment Slot once every twelve double-hours.

"One day? That's enough." Lin Qing murmured.

He rose and stepped outside, feeling wonderfully refreshed. Even the sky seemed brighter.

"Deng Zhong trained bitterly for more than thirty years to bring Five-Animal Fist to Perfect Mastery, and I stole the fruits of his labor in less than fifteen minutes. This cheat ability is incredible." Lin Qing marveled.

What was more, the panel showed that the Rebirth Record had advanced by 0.3%. Before long, it would reach the second tier and unlock another Equipment Slot. The future looked boundless.

By then, all the corpses had been carried from the courtyard. Besides their group of thirteen, helpers had come from other courtyards, including the Household Registration Bureau, the Yin-Yang Bureau, and the Netherworld Pacification Bureau.

Yang Feng had counted them precisely: one corpse per person, no more and no less.

Before long, everyone had delivered their corpse to the incinerator and gathered in the courtyard again.

Lin Qing swept his gaze over them. There were around eighty or ninety people.

"Follow me!"

Yang Feng turned and strode off. The others followed close behind, and soon the large group arrived at the yamen's Martial Arts Arena.

Packed yellow earth formed the arena's broad, level ground. It could easily hold over a thousand people.

Apart from their group of more than eighty, seven or eight youths were already waiting there. Each wore fine clothes and padded cotton garments, clearly not from a poor family.

Once everyone had assembled, Yang Feng stepped before the crowd and raised his voice. "You have all spent three to five years working as helpers at the yamen. I've brought you here today to announce something important."

"The Night Patrol Office has three main teams: the Evil-Exorcism Team, the Night Patrol Team, and the Corpse Collection Team.

"To join any of them, you must first become a Martial Artist. Martial Artists have vigorous blood and qi and can unleash force, allowing them to resist the intrusion of Evil Spirits.

"So today, the yamen will have someone teach you martial arts. This is both a reward and an assessment. You have six months, after which the best candidates will be selected!"

Yang Feng turned slightly toward a white-robed elder with a goatee beside him. "Brother Jiang, say a few words!"

The elder stepped forward with a faint smile. "I am Jiang Baihe, Constable Chief of the Night Patrol Team.

"Quite a few positions have opened across the three teams. The Evil-Exorcism Team has the most, with four. The Night Patrol Team has two, and the Corpse Collection Team has only one. There are ninety-two of you here. In six months, those with the highest martial arts attainment will be admitted. First, we'll register your names. Gao Feng!"

"Here!" A man in black stepped out from behind Jiang Baihe.

"Have them line up to register." Jiang Baihe smiled.

"Yes."

Everyone complied. Registration was soon complete, recording their names, ages, and preferred teams. Chen Qing, naturally, wanted to join the Corpse Collection Team.

The ninety-two were then divided into three groups, one for each team.

Chen Qing stood among more than thirty others who wanted to join the Corpse Collection Team.

Of the three teams, corpse collectors earned the lowest monthly pay, but their work was the safest.

Evil-exorcists had to fight Evil Spirits head-on, while night patrollers had to carry lanterns on their rounds. Neither group had a low casualty rate.

Jiang Baihe stroked his beard and smiled. "I'll be teaching you martial arts for the next six months. Gao Feng, hand out the booklets."

"Yes." A wooden chest stood beside Gao Feng, filled with booklets.

He and several Constables quickly distributed them, one to each person.

Chen Qing glanced at his copy. It described a martial art called Eight Strikes of the Spirit Snake.

"The first three realms of modern martial arts are Bright Force, Hidden Strength, and Transforming Force.

"Bright Force focuses on strengthening blood and qi and nurturing force within the body. It strengthens the physique, reshapes one's foundations, and helps resist Evil Spirits. It has early, middle, and late stages."

"The art in your hands is Eight Strikes of the Spirit Snake. Its levels are Beginner, Proficient, Minor Mastery, Major Mastery, and Perfect Mastery.

"Beginner corresponds to the early stage. You must diligently practice the Spirit Snake Stance and stir a wisp of blood and qi to reach it.

"Proficient, Minor Mastery, and Major Mastery correspond to the middle stage. You must repeatedly practice the Eight Spirit Snake Forms to strengthen your blood and qi.

"Perfect Mastery corresponds to the late stage. With the aid of a breathing method, you must guide your blood and qi to strike your acupoints. Only when the acupoints open and force arises will you reach Perfect Mastery.

"Now I'll demonstrate the stance. When you return, memorize every essential detail of the Eight Spirit Snake Forms. In three days, I'll teach you the actual moves."

Jiang Baihe's slightly shrill voice echoed across the Martial Arts Arena. Lin Qing listened while leafing through his booklet.

Jiang Baihe then drew a deep breath and began demonstrating the stance.

"First, lift the crown of your head as though a fine thread were suspending it, and draw your chin in slightly..."

"Second, relax your chest and straighten your back, allowing it to extend naturally..."

"Third, let both shoulders sink..."

A full two hours passed before Jiang Baihe finished explaining the stance's final detail.

He slowly breathed out a cloud of stale air, then raised his voice again. "Today is the first day. From now on, you'll come here every afternoon to train! Gao Feng, keep an eye on them!"

"Yes!"

Under Gao Feng's watch, the people in the Martial Arts Arena tried practicing the stance. Their postures were wildly inaccurate—crooked, awkward, and ugly beyond belief.

Lin Qing was no different. He felt the difficulty of the martial path keenly. Even the basic stance contained countless details, and the booklet said it was normal for someone lacking aptitude to fail to master the basics after three years.

Time slipped by. In the blink of an eye, four hours had passed. Everyone was panting with exhaustion, and sweat drenched Lin Qing's brow.