In the Qi Kingdom, those who hold official positions either pass the selection exams of the Langan Pavilion and are recommended after further studies, or come from families with a history of governance, being selected by their elders to start from a minor position.

  This makes official positions in the Qi Kingdom particurly hard to pursue for some people.

  Many may have made a name for themselves in the martial world, even becoming renowned and wealthy, but without the right connections, they remain outsiders, unable to secure even a magistrate's position.

  Though the magistrate's position is small, it is a rare path for advancement. Once achievements are made, and noticed by the dignitaries of the Royal City, one might be transferred to a prosperous city, gradually increasing their power.

  Official positions symbolize the extension of the Qi Kingdom's royal power.

  Because of this, those dignitaries in the Royal City may not care or even remember who Liu Jinshi is. Even if Liu Jinshi engages in corruption at the frontier, as long as it doesn't go too far, no one will bother to look.

  But if Liu Jinshi were to die, that would be a different matter.

  Those who don't care about Liu Jinshi's life might still care about their own reputation.

  After Little Seven narrated the unusual rise of Chun Qiong, Zhu Baiyu lightly shook his sleeve, producing a fsk of wine from somewhere, and gently poured it over Fifteen's face, his lips still carrying a hint of intoxication:

  "That's why I say this matter is difficult... To casually insert an outsider into the Qi Kingdom's officialdom, without even filing a record with the Langan Pavilion, suggests that those who appointed Chun Qiong as magistrate of Kuhai County wield significant power in the Royal City. It's likely one of the three generals or five dignitaries. General Long Bufei can be ruled out, leaving the rest..."

  As Zhu Baiyu spoke, he appeared increasingly drunk, pinching his brow in frustration.

  Behind him, Little Seven applied slight pressure to his shoulders, whispering softly:

  "The White Dragon Guards can't investigate everything, especially matters involving the royal family. Six years ago, Instructor Di was so formidable, almost reaching the pinnacle, yet he met such an end... Boss Zhu, if it doesn't work out, just leave the mess to those above after the investigation."

  "Moreover, if we force our way into the city, we're likely to have a significant conflict with Wangchuan."

  After a long while, a faint sigh echoed through the wind and snow.

  Zhu Baiyu stood up, hooking an arm around Little Seven's neck, who then supported him into the inn.

  "I'm tired. Thirteen, go bury Fifteen. He's been with me for so long, though disobedient, he never wronged me. Leaving him exposed in the wild isn't right."

  ...

  After a few days, Wen Chaoshen's speed in chopping wood increased by nearly half.

  To quickly investigate the truth behind the fake letter, he focused solely on chopping wood these past two days, constantly seeking the feeling of his first strike and the sensation of drawing his sword on a snowy night.

  The pine wood was hard, but if he could accurately split it with one strike each time, it would save a lot of work.

  This pursuit proved effective. As he concentrated, each swing of the axe brought him closer to that mysterious feeling. Thousands of swings left Wen Chaoshen breathless, yet his heart grew increasingly calm.

  The calmer the heart, the less it sees, and the more it perceives.

  When tired, Wen Chaoshen would drink tea in the courtyard, py chess with Lü Zhiming, or gaze at the loquat tree.

  In a trance, Lü Zhiming asked what he saw in the tree.

  "Is it still the sword?"

  Wen Chaoshen replied:

  "It doesn't seem like it anymore."

  "Apart from the glint of bdes, it seems I also see a young man sitting under the tree."

  Lü Zhiming ughed heartily at this, and after his ughter subsided, he said Wen Chaoshen must have drunk tea to the point of hallucination, or perhaps he had a talent for cultivation.

  "I've heard that a thousand years ago, during the Chunqiu Calendar, a Daoist ancestor dreamed of butterflies. Whenever he meditated, celestial phenomena appeared around him, countless colorful butterflies flew, forming a rainbow bridge. Those who crossed it were free from illness and blessed with fortune. The tales are mystical, with countless versions now, and it's hard to tell what's true."

  Wen Chaoshen gnced at him, sincerely saying:

  "Mr. Lü, there's something I'd like to ask you."

  Lü Zhiming sipped his tea, smacking his lips:

  "About cultivation?"

  Wen Chaoshen's eyes lit up.

  "Mr. Lü, can you read minds?"

  Lü Zhiming waved his hand.

  "Mind reading? There's no such divine art in the world that lets you see into someone's mind. If it truly existed, those high officials in the Qi Kingdom would be trembling."

  "Who knows how many shady things they've done in their lives."

  "You have no worries about food and drink, and your mind isn't on such matters. Naturally, you're asking me about cultivation."

  Wen Chaoshen coughed and said:

  "Mr. Lü, your insight is remarkable. Though I've become much more adept at chopping wood, I haven't truly stepped into cultivation. I'm unfamiliar with many aspects of it, like realms or how to discern an enemy's strength..."

  Lü Zhiming recalled carefully, a bit frustrated:

  "I haven't practiced swordsmanship in thirty years, nor have I been involved in martial affairs. I just drink tea, take walks, and tend to flowers. Being suddenly asked about these things, I'm a bit muddled..."

  "I remember that martial artists divide cultivation into five realms. Initially, through external and internal exercises, one tempers the body so that the consciousness can move the body's energy like a dragon. This is called [Blood Refining]."

  "After Blood Refining, martial artists can skillfully control their energy, refining essence into qi, spreading the energy to the limbs. Their punches thunderous, their steps swift, moving as lightly as birds. At this stage, martial artists are fundamentally different from ordinary people, known as [Light Feather]."

  "Beyond Light Feather is [Dragon Chant]. Once the limbs are strong, the energy spreads inward, nourishing the organs, strengthening the body, activating acupoints, allowing them to become vessels for the essence of heaven and earth, awakening powers and abilities beyond ordinary people."

  "When the power of the acupoints is refined, the essence of heaven and earth nourishes the body and soul. From this point, the potential within the acupoints begins to be refined and concealed, returning to simplicity. These individuals appear almost identical to ordinary people, but their bodies contain the essence of the Dao, as hard as iron and stone. Even a flower or leaf in their hands can become a rare weapon. This realm is called [Nether Passage]."

  "Beyond Nether Passage is the fifth realm of cultivation, known as [Celestial Being]. These practitioners are almost beyond the realm of mortals, their every move accompanied by the essence of heaven and earth. They can shrink the ground to inches, contain the universe in a mustard seed, summon wind and rain, ugh like thunder... All sorts of divine arts that exist only in legends can become reality for them."

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