Free Web NovelChapter 2: Chapter 2: Breaking the Deadlock
"You reap what you sow."
’If I just keep grinding, I should be able to catch up to my brother’s realm soon.’
Han Yuan murmured to himself.
From all he’d heard from Han Jiudao over the years, he knew the Martial Dao had many realms.
They were Gathering Power, Body Tempering, Inner Breath, True Qi, and Gang Essence.
However, in a small place like Qingshui County, a Body Tempering Martial Artist was already considered the strongest.
Even Han Jiudao was only a Gathering Power Martial Artist.
Han Yuan recalled something Han Jiudao had once said: ’The Thousand Falcons Blade Technique is a Third-Class Blade Technique. Only at the Mastery realm can you condense Qi Power, and the highest you can cultivate it is to Gathering Power Great Perfection.’
The Thousand Falcons Blade Technique might be considered Third-Class Martial Arts, but if word of it got out in Qingshui County Town, it would surely cause a storm of bloodshed.
Most people could only practice inferior martial arts, barely managing to reach the Gathering Power Realm.
’First, I’ll grind the Thousand Falcons Blade Technique to Mastery... and step into the Gathering Power Realm! I’ll figure out the rest after that!’
Han Yuan set his goal.
After easing his muscle pain, he once again began practicing the Thousand Falcons Blade Technique.
He cultivated until late at night, only stopping to wash up and rest when the muscles in his arms were spasming and cramping.
「The next morning.」
"Hiss..."
Even a simple movement like sitting up in bed sent waves of tearing pain through Han Yuan’s muscles.
He knew this was the pain from overexerting himself during cultivation the night before, the result of countless micro-tears in his muscle fibers.
After the pain subsided a little, he got up, dressed, and carefully retrieved a small pouch from a hidden compartment inside a wardrobe.
Opening it revealed thirteen taels of silver.
This was Han Yuan’s entire life savings. freёwebnovel.com
Three taels of silver were his own, and the other ten taels he had found in Han Jiudao’s room.
Han Jiudao had a fiery and upright character. He had always lived on his meager salary, never engaging in corruption or accepting bribes.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have only had ten taels to his name.
Han Yuan thought for a moment, and though his heart bled at the thought, he still took out ten taels of silver.
After all, as a Government Official at the County Yamen, his monthly salary was only three hundred copper coins.
These ten taels of silver were equivalent to ten thousand copper coins.
If Han Yuan remained a Government Official, who knows how long it would take him to earn that much back.
’You have to give something to get something.’
’I have to stay at the County Yamen.’
Han Yuan put away the silver, picked up his long saber, and headed for the Government Office.
It was his turn to be on patrol duty at the Government Office today.
However, Han Yuan deliberately set out a little early. After breakfast, he went to an alley to wait.
A fight seemed to have broken out in the alley last night. Remnants of flesh and blood still stained the ground crimson.
Nearby residents, likely finding it unlucky and ominous, were washing the ground with water.
Just then, a portly figure with large ears, dressed in a loose-fitting long robe, came into Han Yuan’s view.
"Steward Zhang," Han Yuan called out respectfully.
This portly man was none other than the County Yamen’s steward, Zhang Hu.
A steward held a special position in the Government Office. They were not part of the official bureaucracy but were private advisors to the County Magistrate, wielding considerable power.
"Ah, if it isn’t young Han," Zhang Hu said with a smile, recognizing him.
"Steward Zhang... I just picked up some silver. I believe it might be yours."
Smiling, Han Yuan discreetly passed the ten taels of silver to Zhang Hu.
Zhang Hu’s eyes lit up. After a quick feel of the pouch, he nodded with a smile. "You’re right. I did drop this."
Then he added, "Young Han, you’ve got a dark cloud over your head these days. Is something troubling you?"
This was the very sentence Han Yuan had been waiting for.
That bastard Zhang Hu was notoriously greedy at the County Yamen.
But the man had one good quality: once he took your money, he actually got things done.
"Steward Zhang, do you think there’s any way to get me transferred away from Constable Wang?"
Han Yuan didn’t beat around the bush.
He knew that for Zhang Hu, a matter like this was trivial.
Zhang Hu’s eyes darted, and he smiled. "That’s easy enough."
"You go back to the Government Office first. I’ll take care of it for you shortly."
"Thank you, Steward Zhang," Han Yuan said, cupping his fist.
"Why thank me?"
"I get paid to get things done. It’s only right."
Zhang Hu raised his eyebrows and chuckled slyly.
After parting with Zhang Hu, Han Yuan returned to the inner courtyard of the County Yamen.
It was just time for the shift change.
Wang Cheng was in the middle of the handover with the constable from the previous shift.
A few Government Officials were gathered outside, talking casually.
When they saw Han Yuan arrive, they ignored him, clearly shunning him deliberately.
Han Yuan paid them no mind.
His body aching all over, he simply found a place to sit down.
Soon, Wang Cheng finished the handover and walked out of the room.
When he saw Han Yuan sitting on the ground, a cold sneer appeared on his face.
"Han Yuan, where is the person I told you to arrest?"
Han Yuan looked up and said helplessly, "I didn’t catch him."
"Didn’t catch him?"
"Well, that’s too bad for you."
"I’m going to see the Chief Constable right now and have you removed from your post."
Wang Cheng was aggressive, determined to kick Han Yuan out of the County Yamen.
"I’m afraid that won’t be possible," Han Yuan said, his expression calm.
"Hmph!"
"You think your brother is still in the County Yamen?"
"No one can protect you this time!"
Wang Cheng snorted coldly.
Just then, a tall, thin constable with graying hair walked in and said listlessly, "Han Yuan, come with me."
"Old Chen, what’s the meaning of this?"
Wang Cheng immediately frowned.
"The County Magistrate’s orders."
"As of today, Han Yuan is assigned to my warehouse."
"If you have a problem with it, take it up with the County Magistrate," the tall, thin constable said flatly.
"This... Why wasn’t I notified?"
Wang Cheng’s expression changed slightly.
"Then go ask Steward Zhang."
"Han Yuan, with me."
Chen Shanyue finished speaking and turned to leave.
Han Yuan stood up without a word, gave Wang Cheng a little wave, and followed Chen Shanyue out.
’That kid!’
’He usually seems so dull and timid.’
’To think he knew enough to go to Fatty Zhang in secret.’
Wang Cheng didn’t need to think to know what had happened. He gnashed his teeth as he watched Han Yuan’s retreating back.
He was seething, of course.
He had been one step away from justifiably kicking Han Yuan out, but now that Han Yuan was transferred to guard the warehouse, what was done was done.
As a mere constable, there was nothing he could do. fгeewebnovёl.com
The warehouse was located in the most remote corner of the Government Office and consisted of two large buildings.
The Armory and the storage warehouse.
The Armory stored various weapons and crossbows. These were strictly controlled items, guarded only by Chen Shanyue and one other constable.
The storage warehouse, on the other hand, held records, case files, evidence, and other miscellaneous items.
This was the place Han Yuan was assigned to guard.
Chen Shanyue explained that Han Yuan didn’t have to do much—just stand guard in front of the storage warehouse and log anyone who came to retrieve something.
Han Yuan was naturally satisfied with his new post; he felt the ten taels of silver he’d given Fatty Zhang was well worth it.
Because he no longer had to worry about being kicked out of the County Yamen by Wang Cheng, he could focus on his Cultivation in peace.
Of course, Han Yuan had committed this grudge to memory.
He spent the day like that at the warehouse, using the time to let his damaged muscles recover.
As the sun began to set, Wang Changbai strolled into the warehouse courtyard, carrying a small jug of wine and humming a tune.
He saw Han Yuan and chuckled. "You usually seem so dense, kid. How’d you get so clever this time?"
Han Yuan laughed as well. "That was all thanks to your advice."
"That’s all just empty talk."
"It all comes down to whether you’re willing to pay up."
"That bastard Fatty Zhang has a huge appetite."
Wang Changbai shook his head helplessly.
"It’s all right... As long as I can keep this position, it’s worth it."
"I’ll buy you a drink next time," Han Yuan said softly.
"You know, kid... something’s off about you."
"You hurt your muscles while training, didn’t you?" Wang Changbai asked with a smile, his eyes narrowing.
He could see that Han Yuan’s movements were a bit stiff and uncoordinated, a clear sign of muscle strain.
"Yeah... It was only after my older brother disappeared that I realized how important martial arts are."
"It’s a shame I wasted so much time before," Han Yuan lamented.
Wang Changbai’s eyes narrowed, and he couldn’t help but shake his head. "It’s true... people only grow up after they’ve gone through hardship."
"Wait a moment. I’ll write you a recipe for a medicinal wine."
"This medicinal wine is quite effective. Rub it on your skin, and it should help your muscles recover faster."
