"Brother Chen, congratulations, congratulations!"
"I always knew Brother Chen is a talented man destined to soar high one day, now he's met a benefactor!"
"I never expected Brother Chen to be so powerful, he's already a true martial artist!"
"Lady Zhou is really going to enjoy this!"
...
Zhou Chen becoming a martial artist and being favored by County Captain Zhang spread like a hurricane through Dahe Village, inciting envy and admiration among countless villagers.
The next day.
People flocked to his door.
Especially those who had subtly offended Zhou Chen in the past, felt fear and brought generous gifts to apologize.
However, ordinary villagers were dirt poor, unable to offer anything worthwhile.
Village chief Qin Jianghe and the local gentry managed to gather twenty taels of silver to present to him, as a modest gesture of goodwill.
Zhou Chen accepted without hesitation.
He was in need of silver.
Moreover, even after accepting the silver, Qin Jianghe and others might ask him for favors, and whether he agrees still depends on his mood.
If he's pleased, he might lend a hand.
If he's not pleased, even if he could help, he might refuse.
The initiative rests in his hands.
Besides.
Twenty taels of silver, while considerable, isn't much for prominent households like Qin Jianghe's; they only wished to foster goodwill.
Zhou Chen is from their village, sharing a communal bond.
In the future, if they need help, they won't be left without a path, or perhaps an additional path offers greater security.
By noon.
Zhou Chen, accompanied by Qin Hongyu, followed Zhang Long and his party to Qinghe City.
As County Captain, Zhang Long held significant power in Qinghe City, gifting Zhou Chen a residence.
Zhou Chen understood this was an investment from Zhang Long and accepted it gladly.
He had no domicile in Qinghe City, urgently needed a house.
Moreover, refusing might lead Zhang Long to reconsider.
Often, receiving gifts is a crucial step in strengthening relationships.
Zhao Hu, Yang Dageng, and Yang Dali, Zhang Long's confidants, felt some envy but knowing Zhou Chen's strength, couldn't harbor jealousy.
They trained in martial arts for years, yet were only quasi-martial artists with Qi and blood refined, not having completed skin refining.
Only upon completing skin refining and advancing to Body Refining Second Layer are they truly martial artists.
Because they become fundamentally different from ordinary people.
Separated by an insurmountable divide.
The three helped Zhou Chen settle in, busying themselves, which also served as investment for the future.
After settling down, Zhou Chen treated them to a meal as a token of gratitude.
Night fell.
Qin Hongyu lay in Zhou Chen's arms, feeling the solidity of his muscles, whispering dreamily:
"Brother Chen, am I dreaming? Have we really settled in the city?"
"Certainly not dreaming!"
Zhou Chen kissed Qin Hongyu's smooth forehead; in this era, ordinary people find it incredibly challenging to settle in the city.
Moreover, even if they scrape together enough silver to buy a house, what will sustain them thereafter?
This question poses a significant challenge.
However, these issues pose no problem to Zhou Chen, a martial artist.
Not to mention he plans to sell medicine.
Even if not selling medicine, his current status assures a life without financial worries in the city.
"Don't overthink it; life will only keep improving!"
"Mm-hmm, I know Brother Chen is the most capable!"
Qin Hongyu, face full of happiness and satisfaction, embraced Zhou Chen's neck, offering a sweet kiss: "Brother Chen, I adore you!"
"I too!"
"Hm..."
The night turned fiery.
By the fifth watch, Qin Hongyu fell into deep sleep from exhaustion.
Zhou Chen rested with eyes closed, but within the Wind and Moon Treasure Mirror, his soul was fervently learning with Ji Fengxia.
[Wind and Moon Points +6]
[Wind and Moon Points +9]
[Wind and Moon Points +6]
...
As dawn broke the darkness, illuminating the vast sky, Zhou Chen slowly opened his eyes, first checking the personal panel's points section.
[Wind and Moon Points: 1350]
"In two days, over thirteen hundred, averaging about seven hundred per day!"
Zhou Chen felt quite satisfied.
Since acquiring Ji Fengxia, his Wind and Moon Points have grown abundant.
"First, elevate my cultivation to Body Refining Third Layer!"
Zhou Chen decided without hesitation:
"Yi Arrow Skill, add points!"
Zhou Chen reserved three hundred and twenty points for Breath Concealment Technique, allocating the rest to Yi Arrow Skill.
The status information changed.
Zhou Chen seemed to have practiced diligently through storms for ten years, finally breaking limitations, achieving Refining Flesh Perfection, advancing to Body Refining Third Stage - Refining Tendons.
His entire body trembled with power, his veins pulsating like a great dragon, as immense strength surged within him.
At this moment.
Zhou Chen felt as if a single strike could cleave that Ghost Child from before in two!
Typically, when refining flesh is complete, one's strength reaches ten thousand jins.
However, Zhou Chen felt his strength was no less than twenty thousand jins; now he could directly crush County Captain Zhang Long with sheer force.
Zhang Long: "..."
"Hmm!"
Qin Hongyu was startled awake, her delicate body trembling slightly.
Zhou Chen's terrifying aura, like a waking dragon, truly frightened her.
"Chen..."
She opened her mouth, but didn't speak, fearing she might disturb Zhou Chen.
"Breath Concealment Technique, add points!"
Using three hundred and twenty points, Zhou Chen seemed to continue diligently practicing the Breath Concealment Technique for decades, grasping a trace of enlightenment, and breaking through once more.
The aura of his breakthrough settled again as he ran the Breath Concealment Technique, not leaking a trace.
Zhou Chen looked at his personal panel:
[Wind and Moon Treasure Mirror]
[Owner: Zhou Chen]
[Cultivation Technique: Yi Arrow Skill]
[Realm: Body Refining Third Stage - Refining Tendons (163/4000)]
[Divine Techniques: Thunder Light Ruyi Hand]
[Spell: Seventh-Layer Breath Concealment Technique (0/640), First-Layer Ghost Control Technique (10/1000)]
[Skills: Archery (Perfect Attainment), Tracking (Great Success 40/160), Throwing (Great Success 8/160)...]
[Prescription: Yang Dingtian]
[Wind and Moon Points: 0]
"With my current cultivation and the Breath Concealment Technique, experts below the Foundation Establishment Stage can't see through my cultivation!"
Zhou Chen was very satisfied, and looking at the worried expression of Qin Hongyu, he smiled and said:
"A small breakthrough; you'll get used to it when it happens more frequently in the future!"
"Congratulations, Brother Chen!"
Although Qin Hongyu didn't know how strong Zhou Chen had become, she knew that him getting stronger was always good, making her happy.
However, she felt somewhat undeserving.
Now that Zhou Chen had abilities, perhaps in the future he could take a concubine to share the responsibilities.
"Today, I have to report to the County Government Office. I'm not sure when I'll be back, so you don't have to wait for me at home!"
Zhou Chen instructed everything, then got up for a wash with the assistance of Qin Hongyu.
After breakfast.
Zhou Chen arrived at the County Government Office, where Zhao Hu was waiting for him at the entrance.
"Brother Hu, thank you for your hard work!"
"Not at all, I just got here too!"
Zhao Hu led Zhou Chen into the County Government Office, where they met the senior officials.
County Magistrate Chen Fan, County Captain Zhang Long, County Magistrate Chen Dao, and others were all present.
Zhou Chen greeted them all, observing everyone.
According to his senses, the County Magistrate was roughly a martial artist at the Body Refining Fourth or Fifth Layer, while others, apart from Zhang Long at the Body Refining Third Layer, were around the Body Refining Second Layer.
His Body Refining Third-Layer strength should be second only to the County Magistrate.
"Indeed, heroes emerge from young people, excellent!"
Chen Fan, observing the spirited and exceptionally handsome Zhou Chen, nodded approvingly.
"You flatter me, County Magistrate!"
After simple greetings, Zhou Chen officially joined the Qinghe County Government Office, receiving two sets of constable uniforms, a saber, and other appropriate items.
"This saber is not bad!"
Zhou Chen looked at the saber. Although it was a standard-issue saber, it was much better than the short saber he had previously taken from Er Ma.
Moreover, a long saber was evidently more deadly.
If he were to buy such a saber himself, it would cost at least five taels of silver!
Spared the cost of the saber, he still had to spend money to treat guests.
Zhou Chen invited everyone from the County Government Office to a meal at the Celestial Fragrance Tower. After eating, Chen Dao and others left.
But Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, Yang Dageng, and Yang Dali stayed.
Zhou Chen invited them to Snow Moon Square for a foot massage, rather, to listen to music.
"Little Chen, today I invite you, congratulations on joining our big family!"
Zhang Long knew Zhou Chen didn't have much silver and had just settled in Qinghe City, where every place required spending, so he offered directly.
As the County Captain, his salary wasn't very high, but various under-the-table tributes from subordinates made him quite well-off.
As the saying goes, three years as a clean prefect, eighty thousand snowflakes of silver.
It's the same everywhere.
"Thank you, Brother Long."
Zhou Chen wasn't shy, smiling as he went to Snow Moon Square with Zhang Long and the others.
"Oh, Master Long is here!"
Madam Sister Hong saw Zhang Long and hurried up to greet him, her face full of smiles.
"Call out your best girls over here!"
Zhang Long waved his hand grandiosely.
...
...