7: Little hope?

“The Banner Officer is joking. We are all humans; it’s just that our appearances differ slightly. How can there be such a thing as bad luck or not bad luck?”

Jiang Lan shrugged, his face showing a look of course.

Although Lu Qingya had the intention to make things difficult, Jiang Lan was not flustered.

There’s an old saying: ‘He who does not do evil, fears no ghosts knocking at his door.’

Lu Qingya’s gaze swept over Jiang Lan, up and down, for a while, then a smile suddenly appeared on his face.

He spoke:

“Go to the accounts office later and withdraw five taels of silver as a wedding gift.”

“Thank you, Banner Officer.”

Jiang Lan didn’t decline, directly cupping his hands in thanks.

Five taels of silver was no small sum for Jiang Lan.

Even without paying taxes, he would have to work as a handyman for five months to earn that much.

If he were to pay taxes, at 20% each month, he would have to work for more than half a year.

Five taels of silver couldn't accomplish anything major, but it was enough for him, Zhao Ye, and Qi Xing to cover their food, clothing, and expenses for a period.

“No need to be polite, go,” Lu Qingya said. “Starting tomorrow, you are granted three days of leave to arrange your wife at home.”

“Yes!”

Jiang Lan was about to leave, but before he could move his feet, something suddenly came to mind.

Without hesitation, he directly said to Lu Qingya:

“Banner Officer, I want to go to the Martial Repository.”

“Oh?”

Lu Qingya looked at Jiang Lan again.

The Martial Repository is a vital area of the Demon Suppression Division.

Inside, there are not only weapons and equipment used against demons, such as Demon-Breaking Crossbows, but also many Martial Arts, and even Dao techniques.

As a handyman, one has the opportunity once a year to go to the Martial Repository and choose an introductory Martial Art.

If one succeeds in learning it and enters the Realm of a Martial Artist, one can soar to great heights.

But if one fails to achieve anything significant for three consecutive years, it basically means there is no hope.

If one truly has talent, even without resources, three years are enough to step into the threshold of a Martial Artist.

After this time, either the body is too poor, or the talent is genuinely insufficient. In this life, one will basically have no connection with Martial Artists.

Of course, most people lack talent.

Even if by some coincidence one becomes a Martial Artist, 99% of them will get stuck at the first stage, the Clay Body Realm, making no further progress, and will never touch the threshold of the second Realm in their entire lives.

No matter the world, the principle is the same.

Poverty for scholars, wealth for Martial Artists. To achieve success in the Martial Dao, one not only needs sufficient talent and diligence but also financial support.

Even for Martial Arts that only allow one to step into the threshold of a Martial Artist, to achieve anything significant, if not by sheer time and effort, it can only be supplemented with some precious medicines.

Some extravagant Martial Arts even require countless precious medicinal ingredients to formulate corresponding medicinal liquids for bathing and soaking.

In addition to medicine, a daily supply of meat is also essential.

Moreover, the body of a Martial Artist dictates that they consume far more food than ordinary people.

In short, the cost of cultivating a Martial Artist is an astronomical figure; even if an ordinary family were to sell everything they own, it would not be enough.

Unless one is from a wealthy family, one can only rely on money to push through.

As a Banner Officer of the Demon Suppression Division, Lu Qingya naturally knew this.

And he also knew that Jiang Lan’s hope of becoming a Martial Artist was extremely slim.

Practicing Martial Arts is best started in childhood.

After sixteen, the body gradually matures, Meridians become blocked, and the turbid Qi within the body is difficult to remove. Unless one has extremely high talent, it is incredibly difficult to become a Martial Artist.

And Jiang Lan is already twenty this year.

Unless a miracle occurs, he will not become a Martial Artist in this life.

The best outcome would be to work as a handyman for half his life, then climb up to a lighter job like an accountant.

However, Lu Qingya did not refuse, but instead said:

“Half an hour, only on the first floor. Choose an entry-level Martial Art and come out.”

With that, Lu Qingya casually tossed a wooden token to Jiang Lan.

Jiang Lan was overjoyed, reaching out to catch the wooden token.

Although he had long known that Lu Qingya would most likely not refuse, seeing him agree so readily still brought Jiang Lan some surprise.

He quickly cupped his hands and said:

“Thank you, sir.”

As long as he reached the Martial Repository and obtained a Martial Art, Jiang Lan was ten-tenths confident of becoming a Martial Artist.

As for the source of his confidence... Jiang Lan slightly clenched his fist, feeling the warmth that still lingered in his limbs.

Marrow Cleansing Pill!

The System had already given him a cheat; if he couldn’t even become a Martial Artist, Jiang Lan wouldn’t bother with Martial Arts and would just restart.

“You may go…”

Lu Qingya waved his hand.

Jiang Lan, head slightly bowed, left the Demon Subduing Hall.

After stepping out, he immediately quickened his pace, heading towards the Martial Repository.

The Demon Suppression Division is quite large, roughly divided into four areas.

The first area is the main hall of the Demon Subduing Hall.

The second area is places like the training grounds and the Martial Repository.

The third area is the Dungeon.

The Dungeon is divided into three levels. The first level mainly holds Mortal prisoners, though the reasons these Mortals are imprisoned are more or less related to demons.

The second level of the Dungeon holds genuine demons of all kinds, even half-demons.

The second level is also extremely dangerous, a forbidden zone for handymen like Jiang Lan.

Once inside the second level, one must concentrate all their energy; even a slight relaxation of vigilance could lead to becoming a corpse the next moment.

As for the third level of the Dungeon, Jiang Lan didn't know what was inside.

Not only Jiang Lan, but all handymen didn't know, and even the Demon Suppression Guard didn't know.

Some had inquired with Squad Leader, but none had received an answer.

Even Squad Leader was extremely secretive about what was truly held in the third level of the Dungeon.

Some time ago, two Demon Suppression Guards, out of curiosity, entered the third level of the Dungeon.

As for their fate, they naturally vanished completely from this world.

One can only say, if you don't court death, you won't die.

In a world rampant with demons, those who dare to court death, as if their lives are too long, are rare.

The final area consists of the dining hall, dormitories, and similar facilities.

The courtyards where the Banner Officer and other high-ranking officials of the Demon Suppression Division reside are also all located within the dormitory area.

Although they owned properties outside, the Demon Suppression Division was often very busy, and not being able to return home was the norm.

Only insignificant small fries like Jiang Lan could leave work on time every day.

Arriving at the entrance of the Martial Repository, Jiang Lan looked up.

Before him stood a four-story building.

With flying eaves and arching brackets, although not as grand as the Demon Subduing Hall, it still possessed an extraordinary Aura.

As soon as he reached the entrance, a guard in uniform stepped forward two paces, blocking Jiang Lan:

“Stop, what are you doing?”

Jiang Lan, holding the wooden token Lu Qingya had just given him, presented it to the guard and said:

“I’m here to collect a Martial Art.”

The guard glanced at the text on the wooden token, nodded, and said: “Go in, you can only pick one on the first floor, and be out within half an hour.”