In the hours before dawn, a smoky haze veiled the sky. A layer of blue mist seemed to shroud Xiushui City in the Great Ning Kingdom, while a waning crescent hung at the horizon, shedding a faint silver glow.
Just as dawn was about to break, Chu Xisheng arrived outside the Sitong Escort Agency with an escort convoy of twelve horse-drawn wagons.
At that moment, the convoy's escorts and outriders all felt a weight lift from their shoulders and let their guard down completely. They laughed and chatted loudly, the mood exuberant.
Chu Xisheng smiled and exchanged a few words with his companions, but declined their invitation to drink with the girls at Hundred Flowers House.
No one took offense. One older escort even laughed and clapped him on the shoulder, teasing, "Little Chu, don't tell me you're shy? That won't do. I already promised the girls at Hundred Flowers House I'd bring you this time. They're all waiting to have the first taste of you, young fellow. Such a handsome lad-who knows who'll get lucky today?"
Chu Xisheng flushed at once and cupped his hands apologetically. "I really don't have time, brothers. Zhengyang Martial Academy's inner disciple martial examination is today. I truly can't get away. Next time I'm free, I'll join you for some fun."
At the mention of Zhengyang Martial Academy, understanding dawned on the escorts' faces.
The older escort slapped his forehead. "Right, the martial examination! You're an outer disciple at Zhengyang Martial Academy. How could I forget? Hurry along, then. Don't miss it. This is your big day."
They then handed over the escorted goods and settled their wages. To Chu Xisheng's delight, the deputy escort chief handed him a full six taels and two mace of demon silver.
Chu Xisheng tucked the silver into his robe, then pulled his luggage, a paper umbrella, and his spare saber from the wagon before hurrying south through the city.
The rising sun had already driven back the darkness, tinting the clouds at the horizon with the magnificent colors of dawn.
Rays of warm morning light fell from above, coating all of Xiushui City in a golden glow.
Chu Xisheng, however, felt somewhat uncomfortable. His skin prickled faintly beneath the sunlight, accompanied by waves of burning pain.
The burning was far worse than usual, making Chu Xisheng frown slightly and begin to worry about his physical condition.
He focused his gaze ahead-or, more precisely, on the illusory screen in his field of vision.
The screen sat in the upper-right corner of Chu Xisheng's vision and could shrink or expand freely at his mental command.
Character: Chu Xisheng Reputation: None Martial arts: Incomplete Form of the Wind-Chasing Saber Technique (first level) Origin art: Origin-Nourishing Art (first level/unranked) Martial Dao Points: None Talent: Quick Hands Status: Six Yin Soul-Returning Incantation Lifespan: 17 days
Below and to the right of this line was a gray icon labeled "Martial Dao Treasury."
Three months ago, when Chu Xisheng first transmigrated into this world, this illusory screen had already been in his vision. At first, he thought it was a system, and for a time, he had been full of anticipation.
Chu Xisheng had read plenty of webnovels and knew that any transmigrator with a system was bound to be extraordinary.
Becoming an immortal or an emperor was child's play; slaughtering gods and Buddhas was nothing either.
With Daddy System, you were already on the road to success.
Yet the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.
Chu Xisheng had studied it for a long time without figuring anything out.
Over the past three months, he had tried all sorts of things: diligent cultivation, nourishing his qi, swinging his saber, and even killing monsters to level up. Yet the system panel showed no obvious response.
Only the martial arts section had gained the entries "Origin-Nourishing Art (first level)" and "Incomplete Form of the Wind-Chasing Saber Technique (first level)," but those were all the fruits of his own effort.
The character panel on the screen seemed to be nothing more than a character panel.
The thing had only one use: letting him accurately assess his condition and remaining lifespan.
After looking at it for only a moment, Chu Xisheng felt the burning pain inside and outside his body grow more pronounced, as though his entire body were about to catch fire from within.
He glanced at "Six Yin Soul-Returning Incantation" with a bitter smile, then opened the paper umbrella he carried and continued briskly toward Zhengyang Martial Academy.
Zhengyang Martial Academy was only three streets away from the Sitong Escort Agency.
It covered three thousand mu, occupying five entire streets. Bluestone walls twenty feet high rose around it and stretched for several li, making it look like a small city. Its south gate spanned seven bays, painted vermilion throughout, with copper set into its lintel. Above it, the words "Zhengyang Martial Academy" were engraved in bold, vigorous strokes.
Two imposing stone lions, each twelve feet tall, also crouched on either side of the entrance.
By the time Chu Xisheng arrived, the place was already packed.
Streams of people converged from every direction and poured into the academy. Beyond the gate lay a bluestone drill ground as large as six soccer fields, with over a dozen temporary wooden shelters and more than thirty wooden platforms erected inside.
Heads thronged beneath the platforms. Besides the countless youths taking the inner disciple martial examination, many ordinary people had gathered to watch.
Chu Xisheng stepped through the gate and was looking around when someone gave his shoulder a heavy slap.
"Little Chu, you're back?" The woman's voice was clear and hearty, though her words were somewhat muffled.
Hearing that familiar voice, Chu Xisheng raised an eyebrow slightly and turned.
The person who had slapped his shoulder was Ye Zhiqiu, head instructor of the academy's East Court. She wore a purple martial outfit and was taller than most women, with crescent-like brows and a lovely, refined face. Perhaps because she practiced martial arts, her skin was a healthy wheat color.
She carried a heavy sword on her back with a languid air, her bright eyes still somewhat sleepy. She spoke while munching a meat bun. "Your convoy could've returned to Xiushui yesterday. What kept you until now?"
Chu Xisheng was about to explain, but Ye Zhiqiu had already started toward a corner nearby.
Understanding immediately, he followed her without a word to a deserted alley entrance.
Ye Zhiqiu leaned casually against the wall and crooked a finger at Chu Xisheng. "Did you bring it?"
Chu Xisheng hurriedly took a money pouch from his sleeve and handed it over. He felt a little uneasy, but remained perfectly composed. "Head Instructor, this small gift is hardly enough to express my respect. Please accept it."
Ye Zhiqiu gave no answer. Taking the pouch, she weighed it in her hand, and her delicate brows immediately drew together. Even the bun in her mouth lost its flavor. "Why is there so little?"
There were only about eighty taels of demon silver in the pouch.
With a slight headache, she said, "You're making this very difficult for me. You haven't finished learning the Wind-Chasing Blade, so admission without examination is your only option. But even that has requirements. Your talent with the saber is decent enough, but your physical foundation is too weak. Besides, there are only fifty examination-exempt places, and so many people inside and outside Xiushui have their eyes on them."
Chu Xisheng looked sheepish, knowing he was in the wrong.
Eighty taels of demon silver would originally have been enough to grease palms throughout the academy, but a month ago, Zhengyang Martial Academy had been upgraded to an officially run academy of Xiushui Commandery. From then on, every True Disciple who graduated could directly obtain an eighth-rank military post in the Great Ning Army.
Zhengyang Martial Academy was already a branch of the Formless Divine Sect, one of the Six Great Immortal Sects, and its inner disciple places had always been in high demand. Now that it wore an official mantle, the customary fees for examination-exempt places had risen with the tide.
But with his purse so bare, Chu Xisheng could only thicken his skin. "It is a little short. Next month I'll make a few more escort trips and treat you and the other instructors to drinks at Drunken Dragon Residence. For now, please make an exception for a disciple whose heart is set on learning!"
"Drunken Dragon Residence?"
At those words, Ye Zhiqiu seemed to catch the rich aroma of Drunken Dragon Residence's liquor.
She smacked her lips, finding the bun in her mouth even more tasteless.
Seeing hesitation on Ye Zhiqiu's face, Chu Xisheng relaxed a little. He knew there was hope.
Head Instructor Ye was famously stern-faced but softhearted, so next he would have to play on her sympathy.
"Head Instructor, you know my family's situation. My health is poor, I have no one to rely on in Xiushui City, and I still have a younger sister to support. This is all I can scrape together for now. Please help me! I'll certainly make something of myself and bring you honor!"
Ye Zhiqiu muttered through gritted teeth, "This routine again."
She tossed the remains of her meat bun to a nearby dog, then looked Chu Xisheng up and down.
The boy was about fourteen or fifteen, dressed in coarse cloth washed so often it had faded white. He was tall and slender, with handsome, refined features. Most unforgettable were his long, narrow phoenix eyes, which held a hint of laughter even when he was not smiling.
Only his skin, for some unknown reason, was so pale as to be almost translucent, without a trace of color.
Yet that sickly appearance only made him more pitiable.
Reminiscence entered Ye Zhiqiu's eyes despite herself. She could not look at Chu Xisheng's face without being reminded of her younger brother, who had died young.
Then she thought that although this fellow had not learned the entire saber technique, he did have some talent with the blade. Both siblings were in poor health and struggled to make a living in Xiushui City. The money Chu Xisheng had brought today must have emptied their savings.
Ye Zhiqiu then reined in her emotions and turned toward the northern end of the drill ground.
"Fine. Since you usually know how to handle things and observe the rules, I'll help you this once. I'll cover the rest for you first. Pay me back in a month, and don't forget Drunken Dragon Residence-"
Chu Xisheng smiled and hurried after her.
Along the way, many commoners and academy disciples greeted Ye Zhiqiu and bowed, their expressions solemn and their manners deeply respectful.
Chu Xisheng was used to it. Ye Zhiqiu had served in the Great Ning's Northern Pacification Army before retiring due to injury a year ago and taking a position at the academy.
In her year or so as head instructor, she had earned a reputation for chivalry through her fairness and kindness.
Moreover, the Northern Pacification Army guarded Great Ning's northern border, its discipline strict and its prestige formidable. Xiushui City had always sheltered beneath its wings. The townspeople were grateful for its protection and naturally showed particular respect to Ye Zhiqiu, who had earned so many military merits.
They soon reached a tall platform built from rectangular bluestone blocks at the northern end of the drill ground.
Chu Xisheng looked up and saw not only a group of middle-aged martial instructors in brocade robes seated on the platform, but also more than ten armored military officers and six civil officials in blue robes.
Seated at the head in the center was a man who looked about forty, with square features and a tangled beard and hair.
He sat boldly in a grand armchair, his bell-sized tiger eyes surveying his surroundings with extraordinary presence.
"Wait here!" After giving that instruction, Ye Zhiqiu strode onto the platform and bowed respectfully to the man at its head.
"Academy Master! I wish to recommend someone for admission to the inner disciples. Please grant him admission without examination."
"Without examination?" The Academy Master of Zhengyang Martial Academy was named Lei Yuan. His tiger eyes widened slightly. "Who is he? What grounds are there for exemption?"
Ye Zhiqiu cupped her hands, perfectly at ease. "Academy Master, this boy is named Chu Xisheng. He has excellent root bone and exceptional comprehension, an outstanding seedling for martial training. He is simply young and began learning martial arts a little late. He has not finished learning the Wind-Chasing Blade and cannot pass the outer disciple martial examination. I do not wish to let a fine talent slip away, so I ask you to grant him admission without examination."
After hearing her out, Academy Master Lei Yuan remained noncommittal. "Where is this boy? Have him come up so I can take a look."
Now, not only did the martial instructors and officials on the platform look below, but the academy disciples and spectators beneath it also turned their gazes over.
Chu Xisheng gathered himself, walked calmly onto the platform, and bowed to Academy Master Lei Yuan. "This disciple pays his respects to the Academy Master!"
The Academy Master of Zhengyang Martial Academy was not only one of the few fifth-rank experts in Xiushui Commandery, but also a bona fide military officer on the court's established rolls.
As Academy Master Lei Yuan's scrutinizing gaze swept over him, Chu Xisheng suddenly felt every hair on his body stand on end, as though his body were being seen straight through.
"Him?"
Only after about three breaths did Lei Yuan withdraw his blade-sharp gaze and turn a puzzled look on Ye Zhiqiu. "You say he has excellent root bone and exceptional comprehension?"
Ye Zhiqiu's expression did not change. She remained utterly composed. "Academy Master, I can stake my reputation on it! This boy has exceptional comprehension of saber techniques. Though he has not learned the entire Wind-Chasing Blade, his mastery of certain forms is extremely high. Even Ninth-Rank Lower martial cultivators may not match him. He truly has extraordinary talent and is worth nurturing."
At this point, Ye Zhiqiu raised her eyes and gave Lei Yuan a meaningful look. "Academy Master, the twenty-odd martial instructors of our East Court all wish to find fine talents to teach. Please grant our request!"
Lei Yuan understood at once. Ye Zhiqiu meant that the twenty-odd martial instructors under her were all waiting for their share of the silver.
Chu Xisheng's face grew a little red.
That's laying it on a bit thick. I haven't even learned the whole Wind-Chasing Blade. Ninth-Rank Lower, my ass.
Still, he could understand. Unless Ye Zhiqiu praised him to the skies, what reason would she have to recommend him?
Chu Xisheng could clearly sense the disdain in Lei Yuan's eyes.
Lei Yuan and Ye Zhiqiu locked eyes across the platform, their gazes clashing briefly. A moment later, he smiled helplessly. "This boy's talent is indeed considerable. He is an unpolished jade. With proper instruction, his future achievements will be extraordinary. Head Instructor Ye, don't disappoint me."
A buzz immediately rose among the commoners and academy disciples below.
"His Wind-Chasing Blade has reached Ninth-Rank Lower? That boy isn't even fourteen, is he? He's as thin as a bamboo pole and looks like a gust of wind could knock him over. Is that really true?"
"It should be. What sort of person is Head Instructor Ye? Would she lie? If she says this boy has reached Ninth-Rank Lower, he must be at that level."
"Head Instructor Ye was once a sixth-rank Zhaowu Commandant in the Northern Pacification Army, with illustrious military merits. To earn such praise from her, he must be extremely talented."
"The boy is quite handsome, but why is his face so pale? Could he have some illness?"
They were quite sensitive about admission without examination, but Ye Zhiqiu's name was known far and wide. Her prestige was great, and she had always inspired trust.
Besides, even Academy Master Lei Yuan had said the boy had considerable talent and would achieve extraordinary things. There must be truth to it.
Chu Xisheng, however, had heard something of what lay beneath. Academy Master Lei Yuan had probably held his nose and accepted the matter, while also making a demand of Ye Zhiqiu: she had to produce results and could not "disappoint" him.
At that very moment, something flashed before Chu Xisheng's eyes, and a dazzling firework suddenly burst in his vision.
He froze, then hurriedly looked at the illusory screen before him.
To Chu Xisheng's astonishment, the system panel he had spent three months studying without discovering anything had undergone a strange change at this very moment.
Character: Chu Xisheng Reputation: Ninth-Rank Lower (false) Martial arts: Incomplete Form of the Wind-Chasing Saber Technique (first level) Origin art: Origin-Nourishing Art (first level/unranked) Martial Dao Points: 5 Talent: Quick Hands Status: Six Yin Soul-Returning Incantation Lifespan: 17 days
The "None" originally displayed in the reputation field had actually changed to "Ninth-Rank Lower (false)."
Chu Xisheng was momentarily dazed, astonished beyond measure.
Even more delightfully, the Martial Dao Points field below had also changed from "None" to "5."
Even the gray "Martial Dao Treasury" icon in the lower-right corner had suddenly lit up with color.
The system actually activated??
Chu Xisheng's heart thumped like a pounding drum.
This damned broken system-no! Daddy System has finally responded.
Chu Xisheng's gaze swept over the words. When his attention rested on "Martial Dao Treasury," a display resembling the Taobao marketplace suddenly appeared before him.
There were fourteen colorful merchandise icons inside.
Chu Xisheng looked at the first two icons.
The first was a beginner's special-Eagle Eye, granting eyes as sharp as an eagle's and the dynamic vision of a goshawk, allowing the user to discern an enemy's openings accurately.
It originally cost 10 Martial Dao Points, but a red × had been drawn through that price, and the price after it showed that it could be bought for only 2 points.
Beginner's special-Wind-Chasing, Lightning-Pursuing Hands, stage one. It allowed one's hands to chase the wind and fingers to pursue lightning, granting twice an ordinary person's hand speed and dexterity.
It originally cost 20 Martial Dao Points, but currently required only 4.
Chu Xisheng was utterly amazed. He had exhausted every method without figuring out how to use this system, so why had it suddenly changed today?
Could it be because of something Ye Zhiqiu said in public?
As Chu Xisheng wondered in bewilderment, a soft laugh suddenly sounded behind him. "Wait!"
With that voice, a martial instructor in brocade robes emerged from the crowd with a youth.
"Academy Master, I have a more suitable candidate here. He is a hundred times better than this boy."
Ye Zhiqiu looked back, and her face immediately darkened. "Shao Lingshan! I'm using our East Court's recommendation quota. This has nothing to do with your West Court!"
Shao Lingshan merely gave a disdainful chuckle. "The Academy Master granted the courts examination-exempt places so you could select fine talents for Great Ning, not misuse public authority for private gain and bring in wine sacks and rice bags to squander the state's funds."
He pointed at Chu Xisheng. "Head Instructor Ye, our academy's requirements for exemption are at least above-average comprehension and root bone, special abilities, or an introductory grasp of two of the External Ten Arts taught to outer disciples.
"Look at this boy-a sickly wretch who couldn't withstand a breeze. Do you dare say he qualifies for exemption? Or have you been making private deals and taking his silver?"
Only then did Chu Xisheng snap out of his thoughts. His brows drew together slightly, and anger appeared in his eyes.
He too felt this place was something of a hot potato, but having someone point at his nose and call him a useless wine sack and rice bag left him thoroughly displeased.