Chapter 12 "Low-Grade Movement Techniques"

In Yunmeng City, inside the County Magistrate's office.

Following Chen Mu's resonant words, the entire vast office fell silent; one could hear a pin drop.

Many young colleagues, who had previously sympathized with Chen Mu's plight or were dissatisfied with Head Constable Wang's usual tyranny, now turned pale and stared straight at him.

Chen Mu's words were too arrogant, too hurtful.

It was practically a slap in the face to everyone present!

The Demon Suppression Division had always been strict with its selection. Everyone who managed to enter was one in a hundred.

Even if your talent is slightly higher than others, you should remain humble and low-key.

Young people shouldn't be too arrogant!

Not to mention Xu Changze, everyone else felt an itch to spar with him and teach him a lesson.

It was only because their superior was present that they dared not act rashly.

But clearly, County Magistrate Xu Changze was already furious.

"A single day's work?!"

Xu Changze was thoroughly enraged by this matter-of-fact attitude and sneered repeatedly, "Good, what a good 'single day's work'! What a 'gifted Prodigy'!"

He suddenly pulled a thin, old-looking booklet from his official sleeve and, in a fit of rage, threw it at Chen Mu.

This behavior was extremely rude. Ordinarily, a magistrate should maintain his composure and dignity, but he could no longer pretend to be magnanimous.

"Clap!"

The booklet fell at Chen Mu's feet. As the wind blew, the pages fluttered, revealing dense rows of small text.

"This is the 'Divine Void Step', a movement technique Secret Manual I obtained by pure Opportunity. It does not belong to the Demon Suppression Division, so you can Cultivate it without worry!"

Xu Changze stared intensely at Chen Mu. Seeing him pick up the booklet and flip through it carelessly, his anger flared even more, and he spoke word by word.

"This technique is not as profound as 'Taibao Horizontal Training'. Since you can learn 'Taibao Horizontal Training' in one day, surely Cultivating this technique will be even easier for you!"

"One day, I will give you only one day! By this time tomorrow, if you can demonstrate this movement technique in public, I will believe your words, and today's matter will be forgotten!"

"If you cannot do it..."

Xu Changze's tone shifted, his murderous intent fully revealed, "Then that will be deceiving a superior and privately learning the Division's Cultivation Technique. No need for a report; I can have you executed according to the law!"

For a moment, only the echoes of Xu Changze's voice remained in the hall; there was no other sound.

One day?

To learn a strange movement technique!

How is that possible?!

Although movement techniques are somewhat simpler than other martial arts, this thing is definitely not a one-day task!

Even someone with exceptional talent would need at least several months of diligent practice to master it.

Wanting to learn it in one day? This is simply a pipe dream!

Everyone had the same thought: the County Magistrate had been pushed to his limit and was finding a way to put Chen Mu to death.

The young constables looked at each other, all believing that Chen Mu was in a death trap. Although they were dissatisfied with his earlier words, they felt a sense of sorrow for his impending fate.

Xu Changze's anger had not dissipated. He panted heavily as he looked at that face, which didn't even twitch an eyebrow, making him want to grit his teeth in frustration.

He had not wanted to act this way and gain a bad reputation for nothing, but this person was truly hateful.

Seeing that he didn't show any deference, but instead pressed him step by step, roasting a County Magistrate like him over a fire—it would be strange if he let him off lightly!

Although this 'Divine Void Step' was not a peerless martial art, he had spent a lot of effort to obtain it.

Its movement technique was exquisite, unpredictable, and fantastical.

Even entering the basics was not easy, let alone reaching Perfection. Even he himself had spent three years on it.

At this moment, Chen Mu was flipping through the pages quickly. Although the 'Divine Void Step' only had a few dozen pages, it contained the key techniques, footwork, and routes for Qi and blood circulation...

A moment later, Chen Mu finished the last page, closed the thin booklet, and closed his eyes slightly.

The System interface appeared.

[Chen Mu: 17 years old, Remaining Lifespan: 11 years, (Plundered Lifespan): 4 years]

[Mastered Martial Arts: 'Broadsword Technique' Perfection! 'Taibao Horizontal Training' Perfection! 'Sword Drawing Technique' Perfection! 'Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique' Perfection! 'Divine Void Step' Not Yet Entered!]

[Can inject Lifespan into martial arts to improve martial arts attainment!]

[Note: Cannot inject when Lifespan is less than one year!]

[Note: Plundered Lifespan cannot be converted into Lifespan; it can only be infused into martial arts!]

With a thought, Chen Mu didn't hesitate to inject all of his remaining four years of Plundered Lifespan.

[Infusing...]

[First year: You contemplate the essence of the footwork day and night, tumbling and shifting within a small space. Your movements become more agile, like a young bird learning to spread its wings.]

[Second year: You move back and forth between cliffs, facing perilous situations, and eventually learn to walk on walls as if walking on flat ground.]

[Third year: You observe birds soaring through the sky and fish playing in the water. You finally grasp the path of shifting between the void and reality. Your movements become ethereal, as if riding the wind, and afterimages begin to appear.]

[Fourth year: You linger at the Major Achievement Realm, struggling to break through the Bottleneck. When you are frustrated with no progress, you suddenly have a flash of inspiration. Feeling the Qi of heaven and earth flowing freely, you suddenly feel as if you have turned into a wisp of breeze, unconstrained by form, unhindered by objects. All illusions return to a single thought, and you realize the supreme Realm of Zhuangzi's 'Free and Easy Wandering'. 'Divine Void Step': Perfection Realm!]

Four years of Lifespan were infused in an instant; it was a natural success, reaching Perfection in one step!

Chen Mu felt his body as light as nothingness, and he could even capture the flow of the surrounding Qi at will.

Where the mind goes, the body follows.

Chen Mu slowly opened his eyes. Xu Changze was still watching him with undisguised mockery in his eyes.

"Finished reading? Is it already clear in your mind, and have you mastered it? Heh..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xu Changze turned his head and issued an order to his subordinates.

"You all, stay here and keep a close eye on how this Prodigy masters this movement technique in one day!"

"Watch him closely. By this time tomorrow, I will come to inspect him personally!"

"If he learns this Cultivation Technique, that's one thing, but if he doesn't..."

Xu Changze turned back indifferently and glanced at Chen Mu.

"I don't think I need to say what the consequences will be."

Everyone responded in unison, "Yes!"

Xu Changze did not linger. He flicked his sleeve, turned, and left, walking with a brisk pace.

Head Constable Wang hurriedly followed, his face wearing an appropriate expression of flattery and obsequiousness.

But just as County Magistrate Xu Changze was about to leave, an indifferent voice suddenly sounded from behind him.

"There is no need to wait until tomorrow."

Xu Changze was slightly stunned and turned back in disbelief.

"What did you say?"

Chen Mu raised his hand, and the thin booklet of 'Divine Void Step' was tossed back towards him. Xu Changze reached out subconsciously, but his hand shook, and he almost failed to catch it.

The booklet landed on the ground, as if echoing Chen Mu's voice.

"For such a third-rate movement technique, how could you be embarrassed enough to ask me to learn it for a day? Heh... is this even worthy?"