Chapter 56: Chapter 54: An Inch of Light
He walked down from the fourth floor of the main building.
Chen Mu slowly digested all the information and gains he had acquired from his visit to the Chief Officer.
Firstly, he had clarified the path ahead—after Tendon Changing and Bone Tempering, the Five Viscera and Six Viscera were next. These stages symbolized the ultimate power in the vast Yu City, standing above a million people. This might be insignificant in the grand scheme of Da Xuan, but it was enough to dominate a territory.
Then, there was the Artistic Conception Map of Qian Heaven Kun Earth. According to Hongyu, besides the two maps of Qiankun, the other six maps were likely with the City Lord. However, he could not meet the City Lord at his current level, at least not until he entered the realm of Tendon Changing.
Lastly, there was the matter of his promotion within the Prefecture.
Contemplating these matters deep in his mind, Chen Mu descended the stairs and suddenly met a stranger in dark green constabulary attire, who smiled faintly at him and gave a small bow with his fists.
Although he didn’t recognize the man, Chen Mu reflexively returned the gesture out of respect for a fellow officer.
“I am Fu Linjiang from the Division, I’ve long heard of Officer Chen’s young and promising reputation. Seeing you today confirms that you indeed carry an impressive demeanor,”
Fu Linjiang said with a smile.
Unsure of the man’s intention, Chen Mu responded in a subordinate’s manner, “My lord flatters me. I am merely riding a fleeting wave of success.”
Fu Linjiang looked at Chen Mu meaningfully and said, “As the saying goes, ‘Once you catch the wind, you can soar up to ninety thousand miles. As long as the wind continues, you can rise rapidly, reaching the heights effortlessly… Would Officer Chen be free tonight to gather at Tianxiang Lane? There’s a lord who would also enjoy meeting a young talent like yourself.”
With that said, Chen Mu realized what was going on.
Min Baoyi had told him that Fu Linjiang was a man of Deputy Head Officer He Mingxuan, so it wasn’t hard to guess that “that lord” he mentioned was none other than He Mingxuan himself.
“I apologize, but I have urgent matters tonight,”
Upon understanding, Chen Mu calmly refused with a bow.
Whether He Mingxuan invited him to the banquet to recruit him or to show off, Chen Mu was not interested. He might find the He Family a better option compared to the Yu Family, but he only needed a stable environment to practice martial arts, uninterested in power struggles.
In this world, it was always a martial artist’s domination; military power always outweighed political power. Like the elite army of tens of thousands outside the city, they might prevent a person in the Viscera Realm from charging into battle alone, but they posed no threat to his life. Therefore, individuals in the Viscera Realm could hold their positions as pillars of a great family.
With the aid of the system panel, he would eventually reach that realm. Both the Yu Family and He Family were merely stepping stones in his eyes. Moreover, he felt more favorable towards Hongyu than the completely unfamiliar He Family, as Hongyu had provided tangible benefits from the beginning, whereas He Mingxuan might even be linked to the assassination attempt he had recently survived.
He hadn’t forgotten that incident.
“…”
Fu Linjiang watched Chen Mu’s retreating back as he walked away, maintaining his smiling expression. But once he walked up to the third floor, entered the Hall Office, and closed the door, his face immediately turned cold and stern: “Ungrateful!”
It was said that Chen Mu was not only highly perceptive in mastering Blade Momentum but possibly had a unique talent that pushed the Realm of Skin Toughening to rare limits. With a clear background and only slight favor from Hongyu, he was considered worth drawing over to serve the He Family—a very favorable prospect.
However, the other party was decidedly unappreciative.
He had already subtly hinted that He Mingxuan, the Deputy Head Officer, wanted to meet with them, but the other party still pretended not to hear and rejected the offer casually before leaving.
The Yu Family was now in internal and external troubles; that old thing was nearing his twilight years, and once he fell, the Yu Family’s ship would immediately risk capsizing. At such a time, having the chance to board the He Family’s ship but not seizing it firmly, instead choosing to stick to Hongyu’s path till the end, was truly short-sighted.
Fu Linjiang entered the resting room to the side of the Hall Office with a cold face and briefly relayed the situation to He Mingxuan.
After listening, He Mingxuan frowned slightly and then shook his head, “Forget it, initially I did somewhat misjudge. If I knew he had a talent in Body Refining, I should have tried to snatch him from Hongyu then. Now, he is utterly enchanted by Hongyu, even willing to board a sinking ship, so it’s useless to have any more concerns about it.”
“Speaking of which, Xu Feng’s condition is really not good?”
He Mingxuan picked up a new green jade glazed tea cup, fiddled with the lid twice, and took a sip before asking.
Fu Linjiang nodded slightly, saying, “It’s said that he has been thinking about resigning to recuperate.”
“Hmm…”
He Mingxuan revealed a pensive look, “Then, unless there’s an unexpected turn, Hongyu will probably have Chen Mu step in Xu Feng’s position, although that might still take some time.”
While speaking, he carefully calculated, his eyes revealing a thoughtful expression.
…
Returning from the City Guard General.
Chen Mu first went back to the City Defense Division and greeted Min Baoyi, summarily reporting his visit to the Chief Office. Although he might soon have to take over Xu Feng’s Prefecture Chief position, equating to Min Baoyi’s rank, he was still his subordinate for now, and hence he followed protocol in reporting.
Of course, Min Baoyi was indeed one of Hongyu’s men, thoroughly knowledgeable about the various reasons involved, including Xu Feng’s health condition. He also speculated that Hongyu might let Chen Mu take over.
In such circumstances, Chen Mu still reported methodically to him, making Min Baoyi admire him even more – having such an unimpassioned temperament at such a young age is rare. Moreover, his talents and capabilities surpassed those of Min Baoyi in his younger days. Undoubtedly, his future would certainly surpass Min’s, and at the very least, he would truly be able to step into the doors of the Yu Family.
As for the Yu Family’s situation in the Inner City being unfavorable, that wasn’t within his considerations; after all, the Yu Family was an enormous entity to Min Baoyi. Even if it faced any disaster and gradually declined in the future, it was still a force that a Prefecture Chief like him would look up to. The struggle between such powers was beyond his concerns.
Soon after.
Chen Mu bade farewell to Min Baoyi and left the City Defense Division.
Min Baoyi escorted Chen Mu to the outside of the Hall Office, paused, and watched his figure disappear, feeling a bit reflective. Chen Mu had risen from Head Constable to Prefecture Chief in just half a year; this rapid promotion was indeed meteoric. But the world was such – the essence lay in the talents of Martial Arts.
In the past, when the Imperial Court was in its prime, commanding utmost authority, all the martial men in the world had to undergo successive martial examinations to serve the court. Those who could pass and become Martial Scholars, or even Martial Laureates, were renowned figures. Upon appointment, they were high-ranking officials and generals, and after earning merits, they could even be made dukes and marquises, blessing several generations.
But now, with the declining clout of the court, martial examinations had long since lost their former glory. Compared to being ennobled, many of today’s powerful martial artists preferred to establish their own territories and become independent forces.
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