In Black Mountain City, or within the entire dynasty system, there exists a rule.
That is, train in martial arts to seek advancement!
In an era where a martial artist, as long as he reaches a certain level, can split mountains and sever rivers, even exhibiting divine power and techniques, akin to immortal gods.
Martial artists are the foundation of all privileged classes.
This point is beyond doubt.
Therefore, even in the most remote government offices, on paper, there will be an access to advancement for the common populace.
If ordinary people can reach a basic level of proficiency, they can pass the government office's 'examination' and seek the position of 'constable'.
And a 'constable' in a mansion's land that wants to continue climbing up will have a 'prefecture examination' every year, where experts of the second step of cultivation, 'Great Innate', serve as main examiners, selecting the top ten.
These ten people, even if their future achievements are the worst, will still occupy the position of a government office head in an outer city district, overseeing the outer city government office, while a small number will become commanders of the Military Department in the inner city district, or even... higher!
You don't need to be concerned about where their boxing skills, martial dao come from; the rule is here, if you have this capability, not just the government office, even sects, or the Demon Mansion, would recruit you as an honored guest elder.
If not, then apologies, there is no free lunch in the world, nor will anyone waste resources to teach someone for no reason.
After all, for ordinary people,
boxing proficiency?
Even for the most basic skills, it takes years to achieve proficiency!
And where does the boxing manual come from?
This is a cruel and naked reality.
...
Early morning breeze rises, and the sky is bright.
Jixia strides confidently, walking all the way to the Black Mountain Government Office.
This place is heavily guarded, and two rotating constables frown and stop him before he even gets close:
"The government office is a critical area, ordinary people are not allowed to enter through the main gate, if there is a case, go to the small side gate, report first, then register, and dedicated personnel will investigate afterward."
The two constables draped in blue clothes with their hands hovering over the knife sheath, in the past, would have been enough to scare Jixia away.
But today, Jixia felt no fear as he once did, and even felt...
They are merely ordinary as well.
"Is this the confidence that practicing boxing gives me?"
The young man's eyes brightened slightly, and at the same time, he couldn't help but look beyond the two figures, eyeing the ancient bell, wide and heavy, standing at the center of the government office's main gate.
Mastering boxing, with a boxing manual and some talent, could take from one month to a year.
Proficiency in boxing, even for a genius, without a year of hard work, is extremely difficult to reach; most people only approach this threshold after years of hardship.
In the government office of Black Mountain City's outer city district, regardless of the era, the Department Head has set a rule,
which is to use boxing skills, impacting the 'Zhenjin Bell' standing before the government office's main gate; anyone who can make it resonate three times indicates they have boxing 'strength,' signifying that they are proficient in boxing and can be named a 'constable'!
"Why are you staring at that 'Zhenjin Bell'?"
The constable on the left, named Zhong Xu, scrutinized Jixia's attire, lowered his hand from the hilt, followed his gaze, and sneered:
"Are you here today not to report a case but to ring this bell?"
"Not that I'm saying..."
"In my ten years as a constable here, I've truly never seen anyone join the Black Mountain Government Office through that route, don't dream of impossible things."
Zheng Fan on the right, as soon as his words fell, immediately chimed in:
"Why say so much to this kid, get going, don't interfere with official duties, or you'll risk being jailed!"
Having said that, he attempted to shove Jixia.
But as his hand reached out, it was tightly clutched by a fist as hot as a branding iron, firmly gripping his wrist, immediately causing his expression to tense:
"Hmm?"
In the next moment, Zheng Fan's arm, held by Jixia, began to show signs of golden skin, with muscle and tendon taut, even using the intricate technique of 'Martial Gate Foundation Establishment', yet...
Unable to break free!
"What!"
On the side, Zhong Xu, who was initially watching the scene, instinctively narrowed his eyes and touched the knife at his waist.
However, the next second, Jixia released his grip.
Simultaneously, seizing the moment while they were stunned, he walked past three steps, boldly entering the government office's main gate; just as they were about to scold, unexpectedly, he moved faster.
Jixia walked a few steps, arriving in front of that ancient bell, and then...
Raised his fist, took a breath, without hesitation.
"Bang!!!"
A punch, with star-blue star light gathered between his knuckles, directly hitting the 'Zhenjin Bell', which reportedly hasn't been rung by anyone in over ten years!!
Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong!
Continuous six sound vibrations!
Echoed through the 'Black Mountain Government Office'!
"He rang the 'Zhenjin Bell' with one punch??"
"What kind of monster is this kid?" With his wrist bruised red, Zheng Fan hasn't even sorted out why his 'Golden Flesh and Jade Veins' couldn't withstand this kid's grasp,
and now he saw this scene, his eyes widened in an instant.
Zheng Fan, on the side, was even more stunned:
"'Six rings', six sound vibrations!"
"Boxing proficiency is three rings, mastery... is six rings!"
"Apart from the various squad leaders, does anyone in 'Black Mountain Government Office' have boxing mastery, or mastery of swords and knives?"
"How old is he??"
The two were dumbfounded.
This action also alerted the person who presided here, commanding all the squad leaders and constables, and could be said to be the most prestigious figure in Black Mountain Outer City, the Department Head—Chen Zhenwu!
Thump, thump, thump!
With a series of footsteps approaching.
Within the Black Mountain Government Office, the commotion echoed as someone arrived swiftly!
Dressed in black, his figure resembling a shadowy remnant, Chen Zhenwu appeared at the doorstep almost in an instant, raising his thick brows as he looked at the young man who had just struck the Zhenjin Bell 'six times', yet still maintained a calm demeanor, his heart instantly startled:
"Who is this young man?"
"His boxing skills are masterful, and it's not just basic martial arts. At a glance, he clearly has a teacher, yet why, at his age, hasn't he reached the 'Martial Gate Foundation Establishment'?"
Thinking this, his body shifted, rushing forward in an instant.
Jixia swung his fist, quite satisfied with his maneuver.
He wanted the entire 'Black Mountain Government Office' to know!
Otherwise, how could Jiang Zhou's malpractices hidden in the shadows be exposed to the public?
Moreover, he needed to provoke a significant figure!
After much thought, this blow to the 'Zhenjin Bell' was most fitting!
Indeed,
Feeling the pressure beside him like an overwhelming force, Jixia's heart tightened:
"Here it comes!"
Chen Zhenwu reached Jixia's side, somewhat surprised:
"Was it you who sounded the 'Zhenjin Bell', wanting to enter our Black Mountain Government Office?"
Jixia turned back, catching a fleeting glance of the golden patterned black robe and the imposing Chen Zhenwu, also feeling astonished.
The Squad Leader couldn't possibly have such presence.
Which means...
With a guess in mind, he immediately clasped his fists:
"Jixia from Cyan Stone Lane, greetings to 'Department Head Chen'!"
"According to the Black Mountain Government Office's rules, the sound of the Zhenjin Bell allows my entry, I wonder if it's true?"
Hiss!
Hearing that Jixia truly wanted to enter the 'Black Mountain Government Office', Chen Zhenwu was a bit perplexed but still said:
"Of course it's true, these are regulations set by our Great Zhao for decades."
"If you wish, today you can be recorded in the office as a constable, but mastering boxing reflects extraordinary comprehension; you ought to have more choices..."
Chen Zhenwu wanted to express his doubts.
But before he could finish, the youth before him, with wild brows and a casual smile, spoke:
"For no other reason, Jixia has lived in the Outer City from a young age. If I were to join a faction, it would naturally be the government office under Department Head Chen's leadership, which is reassuring!"
Chen Zhenwu paused.
"Ah?"
He thought to himself, doesn't he know the character of this office? Below, they turn a blind eye. But...
The boxing mastery, yet no Foundation Establishment!
"Cyan Stone Lane, Jixia, huh."
"Recently in the Northwest Wilderness, I heard that a certain 'tomb' is about to emerge, gathering various forces. Black Mountain City has become renowned because of that name in Wutong, is it..."
"Is there a major faction cultivating a promising local youngster early, planning to infiltrate our government's forces as a spy?"
Rubbing his chin, Chen Zhenwu pondered.
But looking at the youth before him, after much deliberation, he still smiled:
"Good, good, young heroes indeed."
"Granted!"
No matter your background!
Isn't the greatest force in this vast Great Zhao the government!
The office may be the most inconspicuous grassroots establishment.
Yet, many sharpen their wits, seeking entry.
Once inside...
They can't just leave casually.
If you possess great capability, then in the future, you'll be my achievement, why shouldn't I accept it?!
He thought the matter would conclude here, but unexpectedly...
This youth didn't disappoint.
Unexpectedly, at that moment, he seized the moment after Chen Zhenwu's golden words and declared:
"Since the Department Head personally granted me the title of 'Constable'."
"Then being an official in Black Mountain, should any government office personnel engineer harm towards civil servants and constables, plotting to murder and rise in rank, with ulterior motives, I wonder..."
"Do I have the right, according to Great Zhao law, to apprehend them and imprison them?!"