Chapter 56: Sparring
Chapter 56: Sparring
The option of hunting demonic creatures outside the city to exchange for merit was immediately dismissed by Chen Mu. Firstly, it was too chaotic and unsafe beyond the city walls, and secondly, it would be a time-consuming endeavor with little reward. Moreover, if he were to rely solely on his muscle training realm to kill demons and exchange for a Sinew Transformation Pill, it would still be an extraordinary feat.
Those who engaged in such tasks were primarily the Inner City warriors who had surpassed the Sinew Transformation Realm. It was people like Xu Hongyu who frequently ventured outside the city to hunt demons in exchange for merit.
"Let's reconsider, there's no rush. You can still practice the Celestial Wolf Muscle Training Technique for at least another two months."
In any case, even if he didn't achieve great success, he had Xu Hongyu's backup plan. It would only be a waste of time, but his strength would not stagnate. He could also make rapid progress in his skills, as he was not far from achieving his sword intention.
Just as Chen Mu was pondering this, an elderly servant came to deliver a message.
Xiao He had arrived.
Chen Mu immediately got up and went to the door.
If it had been Min Baoyi coming to find him, it might have been for a drink and some music, and there might not have been anything urgent. But with Xiao He coming to find him, it was highly likely that she was delivering a message on behalf of Xu Hongyu, which meant it was no small matter.
When Chen Mu reached the door, he saw Xiao He standing there in a gray cloth outfit, wearing a bamboo hat. If one didn't look at her delicate face, her silhouette alone would resemble an old farmer.
Chen Mu greeted Xiao He, and then invited her in.
Usually, Xiao He would just deliver the message and leave, but this time, she didn't refuse. She followed Chen Mu into the house, and once inside, she removed her hat and shook off the snow before speaking seriously.
"You need to prepare for your appointment."
"Appointment?"
Chen Mu's expression flickered slightly as he asked, "Wasn't it supposed to be next year?"
When it came to the appointment, it was naturally about succeeding Xu Feng as the Patrol Commander of Wutong Li Chengwei. However, it seemed that something had changed, as it was initially supposed to happen next year.
Wang Ni brought over a teapot and poured tea, and Xiao He took the teacup, looking at Chen Mu as she spoke, "The Deputy General's Office wants to place their own person to replace Xu Feng. If we wait until next year, there might be many more changes."
"I see."
Chen Mu nodded and said, "I don't have any issues with that."
Xiao He glanced at Chen Mu and blinked, "Although Wutong Li isn't the best place, it's still a promotion to become a Patrol Commander. Why do you look like you're being demoted?"
Chen Mu couldn't help but chuckle. He stood up and bowed in the direction of the City Guard General Office, then spoke sincerely, "Thank you, Commissioner Xu, for your cultivation. Thank you, Sister Xiao He, for your guidance. I'm deeply grateful and will not disappoint your expectations..."
Xiao He couldn't hold back a giggle, her face radiant like melting snow, revealing a hint of playfulness, "A little fake, but it should be enough to fool Miss Xu."
After a brief moment of laughter, Xiao He regained her serious demeanor and continued, "Your appointment will likely come in a couple of days, but Wutong Li is different from Jiu Tiao Li. Jiu Tiao Li is more remote, and it's basically Min Baoyi's territory. Although the Golden Quill Gang is an Inner City force, they don't have much conflict with the Yu Family, so it's quite stable."
"Wutong Li is closer to the center of the Southern City District, much more prosperous than Jiu Tiao Li. There are six or seven major gangs, all interconnected. When you first take office, it's best to proceed with caution."
As she spoke, Xiao He gave Chen Mu a detailed overview of Wutong Li's situation and the relationships between the various gang forces.
Chen Mu listened carefully and calculated the level of threat each posed. In the end, he concluded that there wasn't a single formidable opponent.
The gang forces in Wutong Li were intricate and complex, and many had various connections and backgrounds. However, none of these relationships compared to the direct authority Chen Mu held as the Patrol Commander.
Officially, the Patrol Commander was a 'Commissioner' under the Great Xuan Dynasty, a dignified 'From Skin to Bone' official.
Privately, he was Xu Hongyu's subordinate and a part of the Yu Family's power structure. Despite the Yu Family's internal and external troubles and generational gaps, they remained one of the largest family forces in Yu City, not some small fry that anyone could challenge.
In terms of strength, while each gang had a similar number of members to the Golden Quill Gang, with over a hundred people and many skilled fighters, their top fighters were only at the Perfect Muscle Mastery level. For Chen Mu at his current level, they posed no threat.
In summary, Chen Mu had three tasks in Wutong Li. The first... was interrupted.
"Thank you for your guidance."
After patiently listening to Xiao He's explanation, Chen Mu thanked her.
At this point, Chen Mu was only interested in martial arts cultivation. As long as these unruly gangs didn't cause trouble, he wouldn't bother with them. But if anyone dared to challenge his authority, he would show them the sharpness of his patrol saber.
After Xiao He finished speaking, she looked at Chen Mu, blinking as she sized him up. "With such confidence, it seems your muscle training technique has borne fruit. Let me test your skills?"
"Alright."
Chen Mu hadn't engaged in combat with anyone for several months, and his mind was restless. Hearing Xiao He's words, he immediately agreed and smiled, saying, "Sister Xiao He, please go easy on me."
"Come on then."
Xiao He smiled as she stepped into the courtyard.
She had indeed come to test Chen Mu's strength. After all, the position of Patrol Commander required real skill to maintain. Although Chen Mu had undoubtedly achieved Muscle Cultivation Minor Success within five months, and his Perfect Skin Refinement further enhanced his overall strength, it was still necessary to test his abilities.
Chen Mu stood opposite Xiao He and drew his Patrol Saber, waving it lightly. It appeared soft and powerless, but the falling snowflakes in the sky were instantly caught in the swirling Qi winds, transforming into a chaotic torrent that surged forward.
Clang!
Xiao He's Flexible Sword deftly deflected the tip and middle of Chen Mu's saber, her movements as swift as lightning. The resulting clash of metal and steel almost overlapped, creating a prolonged ringing sound.
The torrent of snow, carried by the saber's winds, instantly scattered in the air.
"That's still not quite enough."
Xiao He smiled gently.
Seeing Xiao He's reaction, Chen Mu chuckled and added a third of his strength to his saber. This time, not only did the falling snowflakes get swept up by the winds, but the accumulated snow on the ground also rose, following the saber's path in a grand display.
Chen Mu had only used about a fifth of his strength earlier, roughly equivalent to the full power of an average Muscle Cultivation Minor Success warrior. Now, he added a bit more, reaching about a third of his power, comparable to a typical Muscle Cultivation Major Mastery.
This time, Xiao He's response wasn't as effortless.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her Flexible Sword whipped out, instantly creating a sword glow composed of countless raindrops. The sword light clashed with the snow carried by the saber winds, causing a large amount of snow to disperse and fall.
"Taking Skin Tempering to its extreme and entering Muscle Cultivation indeed makes a difference. This strength is much greater than usual. If I hadn't reached Muscle Cultivation Perfection and possessed the Raindrop Sword Technique, it would be challenging to defend against."
"Your current strength is indeed impressive."
Xiao He commented while deflecting his attacks.
Hearing this, Chen Mu smiled and said, "What about this?"
This time, he didn't increase his strength but instead changed his saber technique. As the saber danced up and down, a fierce and blazing wind suddenly merged with the chaotic winds, creating a double wind technique that instantly intensified the pressure in the arena.
"Huh?"
A flash of surprise crossed Xiao He's eyes. With her experience, she could tell that this was no longer a single saber technique but a fusion of two similar styles.
Before she could ask about it, the dual saber techniques intensified the challenge exponentially. Despite Chen Mu still using less strength than her, the gap in skill suddenly widened, forcing her to defend with all her might, unlike before when she had some leeway.
Could she block this?
Chen Mu watched as Xiao He continued to match him blow for blow. His saber technique changed again. If the previous technique added a third of fierce power to the chaotic winds, this new technique introduced a third of agility!
The chaotic and fierce saber winds, carrying countless snowflakes like a raging torrent, now gained a new level of agility. The snow torrents seemed to transform into living creatures, twisting and turning like snow serpents.
Whoosh!
This new saber technique overwhelmed Xiao He, and the snow surged forward, engulfing her entirely. A startled 'Ah!' escaped her mouth.
Chen Mu reacted quickly, sheathing his saber and shaking his head inwardly. Why was he letting Xiao He provoke him into winning?
The saber technique ceased, and the snow stopped.
Xiao He stood there, covered in snow from head to toe, only her half-exposed face and wide, bewildered eyes visible.
"Ahem."
Chen Mu cleared his throat.
Xiao He snapped out of her daze, shaking her body vigorously to shed the snow. She glared at Chen Mu as if she'd seen a ghost, her words becoming stuttered, "You... you..."
What had she just witnessed? Three techniques?!
(End of Chapter)
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