Cultivation Begins with Skill Points-Chapter 32: The Ironclad Government Office, The Ephemeral Officials

Chapter 32: The Ironclad Government Office, The Ephemeral Officials

The small stone cautiously crawled out of the cave, his face still carrying a look of terror.

Zhong Lin reached out and grabbed his armpit, lifting him out and patting the dirt off his body.

"It's all right; the thief is dead."

The purpose of digging a hole in the bedroom was just this—allowing the small stone a place to hide when a thief attacked, firstly for safety, and secondly to prevent anyone from capturing him to threaten Zhong Lin.

After all, he is his own flesh and blood, a younger brother.

"Second brother, I want to learn martial arts too, to fight bad guys with you."

Little Stone looked up at Zhong Lin, his face full of determination.

Zhong Lin smiled, reaching out to ruffle his hair: "Okay, second brother will teach you martial arts."

"Mm."

...

Early the next morning, after sending Little Stone to Mr. Liu, Zhong Lin turned around and went to the government office for roll call.

Compared to yesterday, the atmosphere in the office was indeed somewhat different. Although those "colleagues" still greeted Zhong Lin warmly, there was a trace of estrangement in their eyes.

Zhong Lin sighed inwardly and said nothing more, heading towards the "office" of the chief arrest officer.

Knock knock knock!

"Come in."

As he pushed open the door, Chief Arrest Officer Xue Zheng was sitting in the Taishi chair, holding a book in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. Zhong Lin's arrival did not make him put down the book.

"Greetings, Chief Arrest Officer."

Xue Zheng glanced up at Zhong Lin, "I know about last night's matter. You did nothing wrong. Breaking into a house and harming colleagues are crimes punishable by death, it was only fitting for him to die at your hands, even if you're not a constable, you're still part of the government office."

"Zhong Lin understands, thank you, Chief Arrest Officer." Zhong Lin cupped his hands in salute.

"How long have you been practicing martial arts?"

Zhong Lin was stirred, knowing that Xue Zheng had found out about him entering the Martial Arts grade.

"Reporting to the Chief Arrest Officer, it's been twenty-one days."

Zhong Lin had no intention of hiding it. In fact, he planned to report it the second day he entered the grade, but Xue Zheng happened to be absent, causing a delay.

Zhong Lin intended to create a persona of a martial arts prodigy for himself, as only in this way could he increase his weight in the eyes of the Chief Arrest Officer and the County Magistrate.

Zhong Lin hadn't forgotten that there was possibly a Martial Arts Seventh Grade master hidden in the shadows. Although he didn't know whether this master would actually target him, it couldn't hurt to be cautious!

Currently, the only person known to protect him was Chief Arrest Officer Xue Zheng.

Xue Zheng squinted his eyes, taking a deep look at Zhong Lin, "Entering the grade in twenty-one days, it seems your aptitude for martial arts is indeed quite good."

"The Chief Arrest Officer flatters me."

"Alright, you can go now!"

Hey! This isn't the script I expected!

Shouldn't he be praising me after this, giving some pointers?

Though puzzled, Zhong Lin acknowledged and slowly exited the room.

Xue Zheng gently put down the book in his hand, chuckling softly, "A good seedling in martial arts, just a bit too clever."

Leaving the "office" of the Chief Arrest Officer, Zhong Lin turned and headed towards the "robust team" room where Old Zhou was.

The entire county government had three divisions and six offices, with the six offices being clerks, managing the county's land, household registration, finances, imperial examinations, and judiciary, in simple terms, the livelihood issues of the entire county.

The three divisions corresponded to the departments of government officials and constables, namely the Quick Team, Robust Team, and Execution Team.

The Quick Team was responsible for investigating and apprehending criminals, the Robust Team for guarding warehouses and prisoners, and the Execution Team for court duties and executions.

Each division had its role and compromised with each other. These three divisions were under the management of Chief Arrest Officer Xue Zheng.

Old Zhou used to belong to the Quick Team, but as he got older, he transferred to the Robust Team, responsible for guarding warehouses and prisoners.

"You can't blame them; after all, they've worked with Chi Yan for many years, some even watched him grow up, and Chi Yan's father also retired from the county government."

Old Zhou poured Zhong Lin a cup of tea, explaining the reasons behind this.

Zhong Lin nodded, being familiar with the saying, "The government office is iron-clad, the officials are like flowing water." This referred not only to the institution but also to other County Magistrates, Chief Clerks, constables, and clerks besides the County Magistrate.

After all, one never knows when the County Magistrate might get promoted or demoted, but constables and clerks could pass their positions from father to son, son to grandson, already forming a massive network in the county town.

Chi Yan was just a node in this network.

Zhong Lin had slashed a node with a knife; how could the entire network not tremble?

Zhong Lin nodded and said, "I understand, but I did it to protect myself. After all, it was either him or me."

"Everyone understands this principle, but sometimes human sentiments and principles contradict each other. Such matters often happen in the government office, forget it, let's not talk about it. I know what you came to ask about, but that place is full of dangers, are you sure you want to go?"

"Stop keeping me in suspense and just tell me! After a few days, when I have some free time, I'll take you to Nuoxiang Building."

"You really know me well! Ten miles west of Black Mountain County, there's a valley that opens around midnight at the beginning of each month, lasts for seven days, but let me remind you, be very careful."

When saying the last sentence, Old Zhou's expression was extremely serious, even very much not recommending Zhong Lin to go.

"Thanks."

Zhong Lin drank the tea in his cup in one gulp and left the room.

It's already the 27th of the month, still three days left, no hurry.

Zhong Lin also went to the Martial Arts Pavilion and picked out two secret manuals.

He didn't need to worry about the main cultivation technique, as the Iron Mountain Skill could be practiced continuously up to the Bone Forging Realm. Zhong Lin selected one movement technique and one saber technique from the Martial Arts Pavilion, two secret manuals.

The movement technique was called "Willow Catkins," symbolizing willow catkins swaying with the wind.

The saber technique was called "Wind-breaking Saber Technique," a saber technique that balanced power and speed, said to be so fast at its peak that the enemy's head would be off before they realized it.

To others, these two secret manuals would take years of practice, but for Zhong Lin, as long as he initially learned them, he could condense them on the system panel.

System points, instant full level.

Though he still needed to train himself to fully adapt, being high up on the ladder meant faster progress than ordinary people.

Three days passed in a flash. During these days, apart from the morning roll call, he spent time at home practicing martial arts or preparing some delicacies.

On the first of October.

At night, the hour of Xu.

Zhong Lin, dressed in grey clothes with a black mask on his face, bow and arrow at his waist, and a bulging leather pouch at his left waist, moved swiftly through the forest. After half an hour, he arrived at the location Old Zhou had indicated.

From a distance, dense woods could be seen in the valley, with faint specks of firelight visible.

This was a "Black Market," a place specifically selling unseen and shady items, also a place full of risk and uncertainty.

Without lingering, Zhong Lin quickly stepped in.