Chapter 18: Jade Polishing
Chapter 18: Jade Polishing
The sun had passed its zenith.
Once again, Chen Mu found himself at the Southern City Guard Headquarters.
It had been more than half a year since his last visit, which was regarding Zhang Hai's matter. During that visit, he had been cautious, keeping his head down to avoid drawing any attention. He had tried to minimize his presence and quietly made his way to the prison at the back.
This time, however, things were different. He had been summoned by Xu Hongyu, the District Prefect, and it was impossible to remain unnoticed. First, he had to report at the front desk, and then he was led to the central building of the headquarters, all the way up to the fourth floor.
The inspector who guided him up was someone who worked at the headquarters, and he couldn't help but notice the curious glances thrown his way. The inspector was all smiles, greeting Chen Mu and asking him questions, clearly eager to get to know him.
Inspectors who worked at the headquarters usually had connections or were somehow special. They were different from the lower-ranking inspectors in the various district offices, as they had more experience and a broader perspective.
For someone like Chen Mu to receive an audience with Xu Hongyu, the District Prefect, regardless of the reason, it was clear that he was no ordinary person. Naturally, the inspector was keen to get acquainted.
"Alright, I'll take you this far. Up ahead is the main hall of the District Prefect. Chen, you can go on your own from here. When you have time, come find me, and I'll treat you to the famous Wind Floor Drunken Duck of the South City."
The inspector who led Chen Mu upstairs stopped on the third floor and smiled, bowing his hands.
Chen Mu returned the gesture and continued up the stairs.
Fourth Floor.
This was the highest level of the central building, and from here, one could overlook the most bustling streets of the Southern City District.
The entire floor was spacious but quiet. As Chen Mu walked, he encountered only one female inspector in casual attire, who led him to the main hall at the very back.
"Come in."
Xu Hongyu's voice didn't come from the main hall but from a side hall next to it.
The female inspector who had guided him gestured for Chen Mu to enter.
The side hall was not as spacious as the main hall, but it was elegantly furnished with several purple wisteria wood desks. Some had documents on them, while others held pots of flowers and plants.
Xu Hongyu wasn't wearing her usual white flying fish robe. Instead, she wore a slightly loose casual outfit and sat behind a desk near the window, leaning half of her body against the windowsill. She held her chin in a fist, gazing down at the cityscape outside.
"District Prefect."
Chen Mu stopped about two steps away, bowed respectfully, and greeted her.
Xu Hongyu slowly turned her head, examining Chen Mu from head to toe, and said, "Your father, Chen Feng, is an old inspector from the Nine Streets Ward. He used his connection with Liu Ming to get you assigned here. At that time, you didn't even know blade techniques. In all these years, you haven't had any connections and haven't learned blades from anyone. It must have been an unexpected acquisition of a blade manual that you've been practicing for three or four years."
With just a few words, Xu Hongyu had summed up Chen Mu's background.
Chen Mu wasn't surprised. After all, with Xu Hongyu's status, it would have been easy to investigate his background. Most likely, she had sent someone to gather his information earlier that day, which was why he was summoned in the afternoon.
The information was mostly accurate, and she might have even looked into his daily patrol duties. The only thing she didn't know was that Chen Mu had only been practicing blades for nine months, not three or four years.
Of course, Chen Mu wouldn't clarify this. It was more reasonable for Xu Hongyu to assume he had been practicing for three or four years.
"Yes."
Chen Mu bowed his hands again, showing a touch of reverence.
Xu Hongyu examined him a few more times, then suddenly stood up and walked over to Chen Mu. She extended her hand, her fingers as delicate as jade, and with her index and middle fingers, she quickly poked Chen Mu three times in the ribs, chest, and back.
These three quick jabs were like lightning, and Chen Mu could only see a blurry afterimage before feeling a tingling pain in those three spots. His body went slightly limp, and he stumbled, almost losing his balance.
"Hmm... It seems so."
Xu Hongyu withdrew her hand and returned to the desk, her expression calm as she looked at Chen Mu. She pushed a stack of papers forward, indicating for Chen Mu to take them.
Chen Mu's body still felt tingly and numb after Xu Hongyu's pokes. Although he guessed she might have checked his physical condition somehow, he couldn't help but feel a bit resentful.
He took a few difficult steps forward and picked up the papers.
They were several sheets of paper.
The first sheet had a note written by Xu Hongyu, stating, 'Withdrawal of three hundred taels of silver.'
The second sheet below it was filled with small, tightly packed words, with a few larger, eye-catching words at the top - Jade Polishing Technique.
"This..."
Chen Mu feigned surprise, looking at Xu Hongyu.
But in his heart, he already understood clearly. It seemed that at his age, having achieved such remarkable progress in blade techniques on his own, his talent exceeded even his own expectations. This was why Xu Hongyu, the District Prefect, was willing to bestow such a favor upon him.
"Although you killed Tang Quan, I was right there, and I witnessed you capturing him alive. The three hundred taels of silver were the reward for his capture. As for the Jade Polishing Technique... Have you heard of the Internal Body Tempering Technique?"
Xu Hongyu looked at Chen Mu with a calm expression.
Chen Mu nodded and said, "Yes, I've heard of the saying, 'First polish the skin, then train the flesh, transform the tendons, and finally forge the bones.' It's the most stable method of body tempering. Generally, if you can master the skin polishing technique, you can handle four or five thugs with your bare hands. If you further master the flesh training, even a dozen thugs won't be able to get close to you."
"You were able to self-study and comprehend the Blade Technique, which shows your exceptional understanding. Although your bone forging is average, and you started late with the Body Tempering Technique, it's still possible for you to reach Mastery in Muscle Tempering. At that point, you'll be considered somewhat skilled."
"Oh, right, the Tang Quan you killed had reached Mastery in Muscle Tempering. Although I had severely injured him, his remaining strength was still formidable. You should have a good understanding of that."
Chen Mu had a vivid memory of that encounter.
In terms of skill, Tang Quan and Chen Mu were quite similar, both having reached the level of comprehending the 'Aura'. However, their physical disparities were vast. If Tang Quan hadn't been heavily injured, Chen Mu would have struggled to withstand even a few moves against him.
"I wouldn't stand a chance against Tang Quan if he wasn't injured," Chen Mu admitted, shaking his head.
Xu Hongyu nodded slightly, "That's right. You possess the skill of comprehending the 'Aura', but without the physical foundation to support it, you're like a floating weed. You can handle low-level opponents with ease, but those who have reached a certain level in Body Tempering will be difficult to manage, even if their skill hasn't reached the 'Aura' level. They can overpower you with sheer strength."
"With your current skill, you're probably on par with those who have reached Mastery in Skin Tempering but haven't comprehended the 'Aura'. However, if you can also reach Mastery in Skin Tempering, you'll easily overpower those at the same level who haven't comprehended the 'Aura'. You might even be able to handle some who have achieved Minor Proficiency in Muscle Tempering but whose skill hasn't progressed beyond the 'Aura' level."
Chen Mu had never had a clear understanding of his own strength, but Xu Hongyu's words finally gave him some insight.
Blade Techniques are skills, and Body Tempering Techniques are about strength.
Only when skill and strength are combined can one find the true path to greatness.
---
In comparison, comprehending the 'Aura' relies solely on understanding, while Body Tempering Techniques depend more on resource accumulation. Those who master the 'Aura' are considered a class of talent. If they start early enough, their potential is limitless.
As Xu Hongyu mentioned, even among those who have reached Major Proficiency or Mastery in Muscle Tempering, many stop at Major Proficiency in skill and never comprehend the 'Aura'. They can only be considered second-rate at best.
Chen Mu, however, is different. At a young age, he has already comprehended the 'Aura'. If he can endure the Muscle Tempering training to reach Mastery, he will be able to single-handedly take on ten ordinary individuals who have reached Mastery through resource accumulation but lack sufficient skill.
This is what a true elite is.
In the Outer City, one can become a Patrol Commander in charge of a ward, leading two to three hundred inspectors.
In the Inner City, within the major factions, one can become a mid-level elite, leading a group of guards as a Body Forging Martial Scholar.
"You've already grasped the most challenging 'Aura'. As for the Body Tempering Technique, you just need to endure daily hard training to make progress layer by layer. My Jade-Gold Skin Polishing Technique, while not the most efficient, causes minimal damage to the body. Even when you're older, you won't have to worry about accumulated hidden injuries. If used outside, it's worth a thousand gold taels."
"Now, I'll also give you this Skin Tempering Technique. Do you understand?"
Xu Hongyu looked at Chen Mu expectantly.
Chen Mu knew what he had to say, "I am but an inspector, following the orders from above. With your generous favor, I will always look up to you in the future."
The power dynamics in Yu City were intricate, even within the City Guard. Xu Hongyu didn't have absolute control; there were influences from the Inner City and other factions, through bribery or infiltration. Xu Hongyu believed Chen Mu was worth cultivating, and she wanted his clear commitment.
"Very good," Xu Hongyu nodded slightly, satisfied with Chen Mu's attitude. "I've informed Inspector Min. He will take care of you. Once you've made progress in Skin Tempering, I'll transfer you to the Headquarters."
Chen Mu bowed again, "Thank you for your trust. I'll follow your instructions."
Xu Hongyu didn't say more, only waving her hand at him.
Chen Mu respectfully placed the few pages of paper in his chest and left the side hall.
After Chen Mu left, Xu Hongyu watched his departing figure, a hint of regret flashing in her eyes.
"Being able to self-study and comprehend the Blade Technique at such a young age is indeed a talent. It's a pity he started late with the Body Tempering Technique. Reaching Muscle Tempering won't be difficult, but advancing to Sinew Transformation is a distant hope."
Children from wealthy families often start training in skills from a young age. When they reach fifteen or sixteen, the prime age, they begin Body Tempering alongside skill training. After 'three years of skin tempering and five years of muscle tempering', they aim to achieve Muscle Tempering Mastery before twenty-five, giving them a good chance to enter the third realm of Sinew Transformation.
If Muscle Tempering Mastery and skill Mastery make one a mid-level elite, reaching Sinew Transformation is the true upper echelon.
Xu Hongyu, as the District Prefect, stood at this level.
But...
Chen Mu started Body Tempering too late.
Xu Hongyu had just tested Chen Mu's bone forging, and he had never trained in Body Tempering before. Now, at over twenty years old, even with diligent training, it would be challenging to reach Muscle Tempering Mastery before thirty.
The prime age for Body Tempering is from fifteen to twenty-five, when one's vitality is at its peak, making progress more efficient. After thirty, it's like swimming upstream, with progress becoming increasingly difficult.
Given Chen Mu's talent, if he were born into a wealthy family, his achievements might not have been much lower than Xu Hongyu's. Even if he hadn't reached Sinew Transformation, he would have likely achieved Muscle Tempering Mastery by now. Starting Body Tempering at this age is more than a little late.
Xu Hongyu could only feel regretful about this.
After all, Chen Mu was a rare talent in the Outer City, someone who could have matched her.
(End of Chapter)
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