Chapter 66 - 65: Joining the Ranks of Martial Arts, No Feast Is a Good Feast

Chapter 66: Chapter 65: Joining the Ranks of Martial Arts, No Feast Is a Good FeastThe corridors wound gracefully, their upturned eaves like pecking beaks. Each structure embraced its terrain, with intricate designs vying for prominence. How could the commoners of Pingling County have imagined that such a wondrous place lay behind the imposing county government office? Across a man-made deep trench, where clear water flowed, a stone bridge stretched like a rainbow, connecting both shores. Behind the bridge, several artificial hills varied in shape. Rare flowers and plants were visible along the path. The aroma of special Mutant Beast meat, mixed with the scent of fine wines, drifted throughout the spacious garden. Maids in sheer robes moved gracefully, carrying wine cups and kneeling on soft cushions beside small sandalwood tables to serve. Seated at each sandalwood table were Martial Artists from within the walls of Pingling County who had received invitations. Sitting in a corner, Jiang Shu picked up some well-cooked Mutant Beast meat with his chopsticks. Compared to Qi Yuan, who was eating voraciously beside him, Jiang Shu—who never lacked Mutant Beast meat—chewed slowly and deliberately. He glanced over at the sixty or so young Martial Artists in the garden, remaining silent. "Brother Zhao, drink up! The Li Family treats us well, don’t they? Much better than your time at the Spiral Turtle Hall, right? If we catch the County Magistrate’s eye this time, our status in the Li Family will at least go up a level! Within a month, we’ll definitely reach the Stone Skin realm!" "Brother Qian, let’s not talk about it; it’s all in the wine!" "I still don’t know what got into the County Magistrate to organize a banquet for young Martial Artists. This garden is fine, but I’d rather have a proper fight in the martial arts training grounds at the county office." "I’m just curious what martial arts the County Magistrate practices. I’m not asking for much; just a graded martial art would satisfy me." "That’s a silly thing to say. Ungraded martial arts are what martial arts schools impart to Martial Artists. How could the County Magistrate be proud to offer something like that?" The Martial Artists mingled freely, none of them shocked by the extravagant scene before them. After all, even if born commoners, the moment they became Martial Artists, they had become superior to others. "’Tiger Form Three Techniques,’ that’s an ungraded martial art. ’Famished Tiger Deadly Claw’ is a graded one." Qi Yuan struggled to suppress his urge to drink the fine wine, swallowing a piece of Mutant Beast meat in one gulp and quietly explaining to his junior disciple, "Once you’re a Martial Artist, you must have graded martial arts. Without them, you’ll definitely be at a disadvantage in actual combat. If this time the County Magistrate brings out a graded martial art related to vision, I’ll fight for it no matter what!" Last time, in the great mountains, he had suffered precisely because his eyesight wasn’t good enough. If he could have seen the rabbit-shaped mutant’s silhouette in the dense fog, he wouldn’t have needed to kill it with one shot. Just landing a shot would have been enough. With his and Jiang’s skills, they could have easily captured it! "Difficult." Jiang Shu shook his head. He was not as optimistic as Qi Yuan. How often does pie fall from the sky? Martial arts school masters are extremely cautious about passing on even ordinary techniques to their disciples. How could the county government office give away better martial arts so easily? Either this martial art is already commonplace, or it’s just a lure. Jiang Shu put down his chopsticks. Being in Pingling County, invited by the County Magistrate, he could not refuse. All he could do was take it one step at a time and see how things unfolded. After all, with the panel, he had a sure way out. At worst, he could return to the Xuanxing Xia Country. It was just a pity for the martial arts here. He only had the skin-polishing Chapter of "Famished Tiger Roar Mountain Strength." Even if his panel’s martial arts could Break Limit, he could at most reach the Bone Forging Realm through Cultivation. If he suddenly disappeared and then returned, he might have to start all over again. As countless thoughts flashed through his mind, most of the Mutant Beast meat on Jiang Shu’s table had already been eaten. Compared to his careful chewing, the Mutant Beast meat on the other Martial Artists’ tables had long been finished. The dishes subsequently served by the Maids were all ordinary meats. The Martial Artists, naturally, didn’t mind, continuing to eat large chunks of meat and drink from big cups. At this time, in the easternmost part of the garden, within a small bamboo grove, a pavilion stood securely, its interior hidden by bead curtains hanging on all four sides. "My lord, all arrangements have been made," a middle-aged man in loose clothing said in a low voice, half-kneeling outside the pavilion. "Old Han, it’s been almost ten years since you came to Pingling County with me." After a moment, a voice emanated from inside the pavilion, "After planning for so long, we have finally reached this day... Yongning County, ah." "Let’s go." The man was dressed in fine silks. Though middle-aged, his brow hinted at the handsome features of his youth. He wore a jade thumb ring, which he toyed with as he stepped out of the pavilion. 「...」 In the garden, seeing that the County Magistrate had still not arrived, some grew restless. A few young Martial Artists couldn’t help but become somewhat presumptuous, raising glasses of fine wine, embracing beautiful women, occasionally allowing their hands to wander. And the Maids were all blushing, evidently having received instructions and prepared for such attentions. "The County Magistrate has arrived!" An old man jogged over and announced loudly. Immediately, many Martial Artists sat upright. As the man in fine silks approached the main table, some dared not even raise their heads, rising with the others to bow. "Greetings, County Magistrate!" "Dispense with the formalities. Sit." Qiu Yushan took his seat slowly, and as he spoke, his voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, "In my ten years of service, I have worked tirelessly, always considerate of the people’s welfare. "In recent days, a thick mist has descended upon the mountains outside Sanling Town. Many wild animals have taken advantage of it to come down and attack the town’s residents. As the parental official of this county, when the people are injured, I feel their pain. "Therefore, I have organized this banquet for young Martial Artists. Firstly, I want to witness the caliber of the young warriors within Pingling County. "Secondly, I hope everyone can contribute their strength and join me in ascending the great mountain to rid Sanling Town’s people of the menace of these wild beasts descending from the mountains. "Of course, for all of you, battling Fierce Beasts is a trivial matter. Thus, I have placed three jade tokens in several locations on the mountain. Anyone who finds a token can come to me and exchange it for a graded martial art." Qiu Yushan spoke very slowly, as if waiting for something. The next instant, from below, a Martial Artist called out loudly, "Whatever the County Magistrate says, we shall do! Never mind slaying wild beasts, even if it’s a Mutant Beast, it’s not out of the question!" "Hahaha, after we kill a Mutant Beast, we’ll have another feast! We’ll all eat our fill together!" "We swear to follow the County Magistrate to the death!" "Good, good, good!" "Rest well today. In a day or two, we will head straight up the mountain." Qiu Yushan clapped his hands and laughed. At his gesture, the Maids beside the Martial Artists each took a sachet from her waist and placed it on the sandalwood table. "These sachets are a token of these Maids’ affection, handcrafted by them. Consider them protective charms for your ascent up the mountain. I wish you all success tomorrow, and may every Martial Artist have a fruitful hunt and return triumphant." Raising his wine cup, Qiu Yushan actually stood up and toasted everyone. For a moment, the entire garden resounded with respectful salutations. Only Jiang Shu and Qi Yuan exchanged looks, their shock deeply concealed within their eyes. Compared to these Martial Artists, the two of them had been to the great mountain just a few days ago and knew full well what the situation there was like. If it were normal times, hunting ordinary wild animals on the outskirts of the mountain would naturally be an easy task. But now, the great mountain was enveloped in dense fog. No one knew what lay within that fog. Jackals, wolves, tigers, or leopards? Or perhaps a Mutant Beast? Entering the mountain. This was not a hunt for Fierce Beasts. It was a search for... death!