"The patrol guards of the Houli Street Patrol Armor Bureau, without exception, hold the status of martial artists. If he wants to become a patrol guard, merely mastering the Soul-breaking Saber isn't enough; he must continue to improve..."
Song Changming lightly touched the blade of the long saber with his fingers, feeling its cold sharpness. He understood clearly that his martial journey had just started, and he was far from achieving anything substantial.
The next stage progress bar for the Soul-breaking Saber on the panel, with a high value of five hundred, further proved that the difficulty was no match for the basic level.
Additionally, Song Changming found some time to practice according to the Great Strength Bull Demon Skill recorded on the second piece of parchment.
But basically, it was all for naught.
He lacked the array of medicinal resources necessary for body strengthening and refining, and merely practiced the movements shown in the diagrams. He couldn't achieve anything and might even deplete his body, leaving hidden risks of exhaustion.
Therefore, after trying the Great Strength Bull Demon Skill briefly, Song Changming temporarily gave it up and turned his main focus back to the Soul-breaking Saber.
Days passed by.
There was no change in Song Changming's daily life because he started practicing martial arts.
Neither unexpected events nor trouble came knocking, everything remained as it was.
As just a minor fire patrolman in the vast Donglai County City, he was like a grain of sand on the beach, inconspicuous, and nobody cared about his existence.
The end of the year approached, the weather turned cold, becoming even more freezing.
Every evening, a layer of white frost would freeze over the tall walls surrounding the County City, and outside the city was nothing but icy landscapes with no traces of life.
"Changming, would you like a warm basin?" Song's Mother, whose hair was speckled with white, came out of the firewood room and looked at Song Changming practicing with his saber in the courtyard, and couldn't help but ask.
"No, Mother, I'm not cold. Send it to your room instead." Song Changming sheathed his saber and said.
The clothes on his body weren't very thick, yet heat radiated from him constantly.
Ever since he started regularly and actively practicing with the saber, his physique had become more robust, his Qi Blood was sufficient, and his resistance to cold had improved compared to previous years.
Indeed, he didn't feel too cold now.
Saying this, he strode to the firewood room.
The so-called warm basin at home was essentially the remnants of the fire used for cooking, at most with some small firewood added.
As for coal fire, only families with a bit of money and silver could afford such consumption.
Gathering the still warm ashes from the stove into a basin, he covered it with a lid and carried it to the inner room where Father Song was.
"Changming, as the year-end approaches, I've prepared some cured meat, fine rice, and two jars of wine. Tomorrow, come with me to visit your third sister." In the inner room, Father Song spoke suddenly when he saw Song Changming entering.
"Visit the third sister?" Song Changming was taken aback, looking at the rice, meat, and wine already placed near the yoke in the corner of the room, he vaguely thought of something.
Visiting one's own daughter shouldn't require preparing so many things.
As it was known, prices in the city increased at the year's end, and preparing such a gift was considerably challenging given their family's financial strength.
"Visiting Yu'Er is one reason, but mostly to thank Huaiming. Without him, you wouldn't have been able to work at the Patrol Armor Bureau.
Since Yu'Er has already married him, you must grasp and maintain this relationship firmly. In the future, with Zhao Family's help, you might become a patrol guard. At that time, you will truly succeed!"
Father Song revealed the primary purpose of the visit.
Song Changming knew Zhao Huaiming, who served as a patrol guard at the Houli Street Patrol Armor Bureau.
His father, the patriarch of the Zhao Family, Zhao Dezhi, was a patrol captain in the Patrol Armor Bureau, a notable figure in Houli Street.
Back when Song Father sought the night patrol position for Song Changming, he humbled himself before the Zhao Family, yet was outright refused by that patriarch, showing no mercy.
In truth, Zhao Dezhi was dissatisfied with this marriage and didn't wish to be in-law with the fallen Song Family.
Just because his son insisted desperately on marrying Song Yu, he begrudgingly agreed.
Nevertheless, although Song Yu was Zhao Huaiming's first wife, she wasn't the principal wife, merely a concubine.
The position of the principal wife was beyond Zhao Huaiming's decision, and Zhao Dezhi wouldn't permit him to marry openly.
Of course, Song Father was still quite satisfied that the third sister Song Yu could marry into the Zhao Family and become a concubine for Zhao Dezhi's son, considering it a step up for them.
Song Changming eventually managed to work as a night patrol guard at the Patrol Armor Bureau, thanks to the help of his third sister Song Yu and brother-in-law.
However, in Song Changming's view, Father Song's desire to affiliate closely with the Zhao Family was likely a futile attempt.
Brother-in-law Zhao Huaiming was approachable, but the attitude of Zhao Family's patriarch was clear; he was unwilling to associate with them and even treated the married third sister Song Yu coldly, merely yielding to his son's request.
In their view, associating with Baiyi Street's Song Family was a disgrace, and they never mentioned it in public.
"Father, I can figure out the patrol guard issue myself. I'll send the gift, or have the third sister give it to brother-in-law; why would you need to go?" Song Changming frowned and suggested.
"No, regarding Zhao Family, we're reaching out; sincerity must be fully expressed, and we can't be so casual." Father Song waved his hand, determined to go.
Song Changming sighed silently and said no more.
The next day, Father Song led the way, and Song Changming carrying the load went out. This day was usually the most suitable for giving gifts.
Firecrackers were already being set off everywhere in the County City, and drums were being beaten to greet the New Year early, creating a lively atmosphere.
Zhao Family was located in a prime location on Houli Street, having a spacious and grand two-entry courtyard.
Today's Zhao Family was bustling with people visiting.
Apart from some family and friends visiting Zhao Family, there were also many gang leaders and local merchants active on Houli Street, sending people routinely to deliver gifts and maintain relationships.
As Father Song approached Zhao Family, he was immediately stopped by the gatekeeper.
Father Song quickly explained his identity and purpose.
The gatekeeper looked Father Song up and down, shook his head, and said, "Today the master has too many people to meet and can't spare time. I will deliver your gifts to the young master later, but he won't see you. Please go back."
Father Song wanted to say more, but the gatekeeper had already started attending to others, not paying them much attention.
"Father, why not let the third sister lead us inside?" Song Changming stepped forward and asked.
Before coming, he had expected to be disregarded and thus advised Father Song not to come to avoid being coldly treated and humiliated.
"Forget it, let's not trouble your third sister. We'll leave the gift here and return." Father Song hesitated for a moment before ultimately giving up seeing his daughter.
Zhao Family already wasn't pleased with Song Yu marrying them. Helping Song Changming into the Patrol Armor Bureau had already made it difficult for their daughter. Not meeting them today seemed better.
Father Song hunched his back and turned to leave.
Song Changming shook his head, put down the gift, glanced at the bustling Zhao Mansion, and stepped away.
Upon returning home, seeing both of them back so quickly, Song's Mother realized what had happened but chose not to inquire further.
"Changming, there's still some wine left in the firewood room; let's drink it away together." Father Song suddenly said.
It was evident that, upon returning, Father Song was not feeling well.