29: Chapter 29 Yunlan County

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Ahead lay a slope; once he reached the top and looked out, a magnificent and sprawling city suddenly came into view.

The city walls were built entirely of blue-gray giant stones, several zhang high, stretching endlessly into the distance. Flags fluttered and snapped in the wind atop the walls, where the upright figures of guarding Martial Artists could be faintly seen, and a stern Aura washed over him.

Above the city gate, three vigorous and powerful characters, "Yunlan County," were engraved. The brushwork was sharp, exuding a majestic pressure.

After several days of traveling and sleeping in the wild, Lin Qing was finally about to step into this city, which was a hundred times more prosperous than Qingyang County and had a much thicker martial arts atmosphere.

He tidied his somewhat plain clothes, brushed the dust from the corners of his robes, and walked slowly toward the county city gate.

Pedestrians flowed in and out of the city gate in an endless stream: Jianghu Martial Artists with sabers and swords on their backs, merchant caravans escorting goods, and ordinary commoners in various styles of clothing—it was extraordinarily lively.

The city guards carefully inspected the passing pedestrians with sharp eyes but did not cause much trouble. Lin Qing entered the city smoothly.

The streets were wide and straight, lined with shops on both sides. Restaurants, teahouses, weapon shops, and Medicinal Pill workshops had everything one could want. The sounds of hawking, laughter, and carriages intertwined, showing a scene of great prosperity.

The air was filled with the aroma of food, the fragrance of Medicinal Pills, and faint fluctuations of blood-qi. Everywhere felt a richer martial arts atmosphere than in Qingyang County.

Having eaten nothing but dried meat and water the whole way, Lin Qing's mouth was already bland as could be. He found a restaurant that looked quite lively and stepped inside.

The restaurant was bustling with people, filled with Martial Artists from all walks of life. Meat and wine were laid out on the tables, and conversations rose and fell, mostly revolving around Jianghu anecdotes and martial Cultivation.

Before Lin Qing could call for the waiter, the conversation of a nearby table of Martial Artists faintly reached his ears. The words "hidden dragon list" and "Ye Lingchuan" instantly caught his attention. Without showing any emotion, Lin Qing found a nearby empty table and silently listened.

It was already August, and the Xia Kingdom hidden dragon list released by Zangxiao Pavilion had just finished a new round of updates. This was the most significant event for the younger generation of Martial Artists in the entire Xia Kingdom, and it naturally became a topic of conversation for Jianghu people over tea and meals.

"This Ye Lingchuan is truly fierce and gifted! He only just made it onto the hidden dragon list two months ago, ranked at the very end, and in just one month, he soared directly to tenth place. His speed of progress is simply terrifying!" a slightly chubby Martial Artist said, raising his wine cup with a look of amazement.

Another cold-faced Martial Artist at the same table heard this and immediately waved his hand, speaking with a knowing look:

"That's where you're mistaken. Outsiders only look at the names on the hidden dragon list and think it judges the potential of the younger generation, but that's completely wrong. Potential is ethereal and cannot be accurately measured. This hidden dragon list is a combat power ranking for Martial Artists under thirty in the Xia Kingdom. It only records the top one hundred Geniuses, so it carries immense weight."

He paused, took a sip of wine, and continued explaining:

"On the list, the top ten Martial Artists are usually Fourth-Order, with formidable strength and deep foundations. The dozens behind them are almost all Peak Third-Order Martial Artists, with only a very few Late Stage Third-Order Martial Artists whose combat power far exceeds their peers occasionally managing to squeeze into the end of the list. This has happened before; some Peak Third-Order Martial Artists with average combat power can jump straight into the top ten of the hidden dragon list once they Breakthrough to the Fourth-Order. Ye Lingchuan's jump to tenth place after his Breakthrough to the Fourth-Order isn't too surprising."

The chubby Martial Artist's interest was piqued. He leaned forward and asked with anticipation, "You've already seen the full list? I heard there were even bigger changes to the hidden dragon list this time, and the entire Jianghu is shaken?"

"Of course! The changes this time are much more shocking than Ye Lingchuan's Breakthrough!" The cold-faced Martial Artist lowered his voice, his tone filled with disbelief. "The most ridiculous one has to be the newly promoted fifth place on the hidden dragon list!"

"Fifth place? Could it be another direct jump like you mentioned?"

"Wrong! Completely wrong!" The cold-faced Martial Artist slammed the table, looking excited. "This fifth place on the hidden dragon list is named Sun Shaoping, and his Cultivation is only at Peak Third-Order. Zangxiao Pavilion is openly telling the entire Jianghu that despite being Peak Third-Order, his combat power exceeds many Fourth-Order Martial Artists!"

As soon as these words came out, not only did the chubby Martial Artist's eyes widen in disbelief, but even Lin Qing, who was listening intently, couldn't help but feel a flicker of astonishment.

Sun Shaoping!

He never expected to hear this familiar name in a restaurant in Yunlan County. Back in Qingyang County, he had crossed paths with Sun Shaoping. After Sun Shaoping left alone, Lin Qing thought he had already left the Xia Kingdom.

He didn't expect him to have stayed in the Xia Kingdom for so much longer, for his combat power to be investigated and recorded by Zangxiao Pavilion, and to have directly reached the high position of fifth on the hidden dragon list.

A Peak Third-Order fighting Fourth-Order—such combat power was indeed terrifying. No wonder the entire Jianghu was shaken by it.

Before Lin Qing could sort out his thoughts, the cold-faced Martial Artist's voice came again, dropping another bombshell: "That's not even the most shocking part. Do you know how old this Sun Shaoping is this year?"

Without waiting for others to ask, he revealed the answer: "Eighteen. He's only eighteen years old!"

"Eighteen?!"

The Martial Artist at the table cried out in shock, his voice trembling. "Peak Third-Order at eighteen, able to fight against the Fourth-Order and rank fifth on the hidden dragon list! Such talent is rare throughout the ages!"

"Isn't it! Now, not only are the major Sects and martial families in the Jianghu searching for Sun Shaoping like crazy to recruit him, but even the imperial Zhenwu Division is doing its best to find his tracks to bring this peerless Genius under its banner!"

"Did no one go to Zangxiao Pavilion to buy information on his whereabouts? With Zangxiao Pavilion's ability, they would surely find some clues!"

"Of course they did! Countless factions spent huge sums of money to find out, but Zangxiao Pavilion's reply was very blunt. After collecting information on him in the middle of last month, this Sun Shaoping seemed to vanish into thin air, without a single trace left to follow. Even Zangxiao Pavilion couldn't find anything."

Sitting in his place, Lin Qing also felt a secret sigh of admiration. However, he didn't dwell on it too much; he had his own path to walk for now.

After taking a final bite of Mapo Tofu, Lin Qing settled the bill and walked out of the restaurant, wandering through Yunlan County city to familiarize himself with the environment and gather information.

He quickly found out the specific location of the Zhenwu Division in the county city and specifically looked for an inn nearby. He rented a simple guest room for a temporary stay and then found the location of the shops selling Vicious Beast meat in the city, making plans for his next steps.

After a night of rest, he woke up early the next morning, packed his things, and headed straight for the Zhenwu Division.

The Yunlan County Zhenwu Division was located in the central area of the county city. The buildings were solemn and grand, the courtyard walls were high, and the main gate was wide open, with two steady-looking guards standing at the entrance.

As soon as Lin Qing reached the gate, he was stopped by an outstretched hand.

"Stop! This is the Zhenwu Division's restricted area; unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter! Who are you, and what is your business here?" the guard asked coldly with a serious expression.

Lin Qing cupped his hands in greeting and replied respectfully, "Reporting to you, brother, I am Xie Chen, and I have come specifically to apply to join the Zhenwu Division."

Xie Chen was the new identity he had purchased from Zangxiao Pavilion.

The guard's face showed a hint of surprise, and he waved his hand, saying:

"You're late! The Zhenwu Division recruits Martial Artists for a unified assessment and selection on the first of every month. Today is already the third, and the assessment has long ended. If you want to join, come back on the first of next month!"

Lin Qing was momentarily speechless; he really hadn't known this information. Now, it seemed he would have to return empty-handed.

He nodded helplessly and turned to leave, intending to stay in the city for a month and wait for next month's assessment.

Just then, a steady, heavy, and somewhat majestic male voice came from the street: "Wait."

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable power. Upon seeing the newcomer, the guard hurriedly bowed in greeting, his tone incredibly respectful: "Greetings, Thousand-Household Official Qin!"

Lin Qing looked up and saw a middle-aged man in a black Thousand-Household official's uniform walking slowly out. The man's face was resolute, his eyes sharp, and the blood-qi around him was as deep as an abyss. He was clearly a powerhouse who had emerged from a sea of corpses and a mountain of blood. This person was Qin Cang, the Thousand-Household Official of the Yunlan County branch of the Zhenwu Division.

Qin Cang gave a slight nod to the guard, then stepped up to Lin Qing, sized him up, and asked, "You've come to apply to join the Zhenwu Division? What is your name, and what is your current Cultivation?"

Lin Qing didn't dare to be negligent and quickly bowed in greeting, responding respectfully: "Reporting to Lord Qin, I am Xie Chen. I recently made a successful Breakthrough and entered the ranks of the First-Order Martial Artists."

Looking at Lin Qing's young face and his restrained yet solid Aura, Qin Cang pondered for a moment.

Previously, he had led a team to Qingyang Mountain to hunt Vicious Beasts, and more than half of the hundred or so subordinates he took were lost. He was severely short-handed and urgently needed to replenish fresh blood.

He immediately made a decision and said, "Follow me inside for a test. If you pass, you will stay in the Zhenwu Division."

Lin Qing was delighted and quickly thanked him: "Thank you, Lord Qin."

Qin Cang said no more and turned to walk into the courtyard, with Lin Qing following closely behind. After passing through the front courtyard, they reached the internal section of the Zhenwu Division. The Yunlan County branch of the Zhenwu Division had one Thousand-Household Official, two Deputy Thousand-Household Officials, and several Centurions. Each Centurion had their own exclusive courtyard, training ground, and office area, which were independent and orderly.

Lin Qing followed Qin Cang to a courtyard where a group of Martial Artists in uniform were lining up for roll call in a solemn atmosphere.

Qin Cang's gaze swept over the crowd, and he called out to a tall, capable-looking young Martial Artist in front, saying to him:

"Zhao Feng, this is Xie Chen, a First-Order Martial Artist. Take him to the testing area for a strength test. If he passes, he will be under your command."

"Yes, Lord!" The young Martial Artist called Zhao Feng bowed and accepted the order. He was a Centurion under Qin Cang, his Cultivation had already reached the Middle Stage of the Third-Order, and he was efficient and decisive.

Zhao Feng turned around, nodded to Lin Qing, and said in a calm tone, "Follow me."

Lin Qing quickly followed, and the two of them went to the testing area of the courtyard. In the open space of the testing area, a row of over a dozen stone locks of various sizes with precise markings were laid out, ranging from a hundred jin to several thousand jin. The surfaces of the stone locks were smooth, obviously having been used for years to test the strength of Martial Artists.

"Our Zhenwu Division's test for First-Order Martial Artists is extremely simple. Lift this one-thousand-jin stone lock, and you pass the test." Zhao Feng pointed to one of the stone locks marked with "one thousand jin" and spoke to Lin Qing.

In the path of martial arts, below the First-Order, blood-qi is still somewhat impure, and ordinary people can at most lift a five-hundred-jin stone lock. Once one Breakthroughs to the First-Order, blood-qi becomes as condensed as mercury, strength increases greatly, and lifting a one-thousand-jin stone lock is the basic standard.

Martial Artists of the Second-Order and above can at least form a blood-qi veil to cover their body surface and do not need to be tested separately. For First-Order Martial Artists, although this method of testing strength is simple and crude, the result is accurate.

Lin Qing's gaze fell on the one-thousand-jin stone lock. Understanding the situation, he stepped forward slowly.