In the training grounds, Chen Haoyan noticed the somber mood, though it came as no surprise. He immediately changed his tone. "However... this situation isn’t exactly set in stone."
"Ultimately, it all comes down to the grade of the martial art."
"Our Yama’s Three Demonic Sabers is quite powerful, but it’s ultimately a low-grade martial art that can only condense a single martial form. It’s not actually that advanced."
"As for the more advanced mid-grade, high-grade, and even the legendary peerless martial arts, it’s said that a single one of them can temper multiple parts of the body at once—or even the entire body. Therefore, by mastering just one such art, you can perfect your external skills. From there, cultivating Inner Strength becomes an effortless, natural process."
The moment he said this, the training grounds erupted in an uproar.
Seeing the atmosphere grow lively again, Chen Haoyan finally revealed his true purpose. "In fact, I have a mid-grade martial art right here."
"This technique is a secret passed down in my family."
"Once mastered, not only will it bless you with two martial forms, but it also specializes in tempering bone and blood. Far from conflicting with Yama’s Three Demonic Sabers, it actually complements it perfectly."
As he spoke, Chen Haoyan took a book from his robes and held it high above his head.
"I have an extremely dangerous mission, one you’d be lucky to survive. Whichever of you brothers is willing to accept this mission, this martial art will be your reward!"
His powerful voice echoed across the training grounds.
Wang Ping was instantly thrilled.
’A mission with a one-in-ten chance of survival? Who else could it be for but me!’
But the next moment, he reined in his emotions. ’Calm down. Outer Heaven Demon is still on cooldown. I’ll accept this mission once it’s ready again.’
For a moment, the training grounds fell silent again. No one responded.
A flash of disappointment crossed Chen Haoyan’s eyes, but he didn’t press the matter. He simply put away the book and said with a smile, "This is a matter of life and death, so there’s no need to rush."
"I’ll give you brothers time to consider it."
"My offer stands for the next three months."
"But I’ll say this up front: the sooner you come to me, the sooner you can begin practicing the martial art. And when the time comes, your chances of survival will be that much greater."
With that, he turned and strode away.
He left the constables standing there, exchanging glances, unable to discern what anyone was thinking. After a moment, they all went back to their own training routines on the grounds.
Wang Ping, of course, did the same.
But just then, a voice suddenly called out:
"Xiaowang, stop your training."
Wang Ping looked over and saw the speaker was the old acquaintance Chen Haoyan had assigned to him: Master Liu of the Grass Market, who was holding a long-stemmed pipe.
"In such a hurry to start your Sword Technique?"
Liu Ye took a puff from his pipe. "Take my advice," he said. "Don’t be in such a hurry to begin. Starting in three months will be soon enough."
"After three months...?"
Wang Ping’s eyebrow twitched. "Does this have to do with Lord Chen’s mission?"
"Heh, so you’re not a fool after all, kid."
Liu Ye smiled. "That’s right. Although the Lord didn’t spell it out, we’re veterans at the County Magistrate’s Office. How could we fail to read between the lines?"
It instantly dawned on Wang Ping.
The next moment, he grabbed Liu Ye’s hand, pressed a small piece of silver into the man’s palm, and said sincerely, "I ask for your guidance, Master Liu."
Liu Ye’s expression changed instantly.
"This kid... you’ve got a bright future! Since you’re so sincere..."
Liu Ye quickly pulled Wang Ping to a remote corner of the training grounds. Only then did he lower his voice. "This business is actually related to the White Lotus Sect!"
"The White Lotus Sect?" Wang Ping’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Liu Ye nodded. "Like the Lord said before, the Lotus Saber belonging to the White Lotus Sect Leader, Shouchong, is on display in our very own County Magistrate’s Office."
"Do you know why that is?"
Wang Ping recalled for a moment. "Lord Chen said that old bastard Shouchong wants to borrow the fortune of the County Magistrate’s Office to elevate the Lotus Saber into a Divine Weapon."
Liu Ye shook his head. "You only know the ’what,’ not the ’why.’"
"Let me put it to you bluntly."
"There are five tiers of weapons in this world. To be frank, Mundane Weapons and Sharp Weapons are just common items, nothing special. But things are different when you get to the third tier: Famous Treasures."
"The key to a weapon being a Famous Treasure lies in its ’fame.’ They’re typically renowned in a particular region, and many people know them by name. Take the White Lotus Sect’s Lotus Saber, for example. In Longxing County and even the surrounding regions, it can be considered a truly famous weapon."
"If you wield a Famous Treasure, you’re considered a significant figure in the martial world."
"A Divine Weapon, then, is an ascension from a Famous Treasure."
Liu Ye explained, gesturing with his hands, "Simply put, a Famous Treasure is a weapon that gained renown by being part of a major event, its name spreading far and wide as a result."
"But a Divine Weapon is one that has created a myth."
"And what is a myth?"
As he listened, a spark of inspiration flashed through Wang Ping’s mind. "Rebelling and overthrowing a county Government Office... in this day and age, would that count as a myth?"
Liu Ye replied bluntly, "That’s not for me to judge."
"But here in Changle County, a County Magistrate’s Office has never been breached by rebels. It’s an unprecedented event. If someone were to achieve that, they would surely gain immense renown."
Wang Ping understood.
"So, that old bastard Shouchong... The White Lotus Sect’s plan is to get the Lotus Saber into the County Magistrate’s Office and then find a way to break the Court’s control over Longxing County. By using such an unprecedented event, they can build up massive renown for the Lotus Saber, and then Shouchong himself will..."
"Most likely achieve a breakthrough!"
A hint of fear crept into Liu Ye’s voice as he said this. "When that happens, even Lord Chen might not be a match for that old bastard."
"Huh? Wait a second..."
Wang Ping’s brow furrowed as he realized something was wrong. "If that’s the case, why would Lord Chen deliberately go along with it and keep the Lotus Saber in the County Magistrate’s Office...?"