Make the Immortal Sect Great Again

Longxing County, County Yamen Drill Ground.

Early in the morning, Wang Ping changed into his black and red bailiff uniform. With an Oxtail Saber strapped to his waist and a full stomach, he arrived for the bailiffs’ daily morning drill.

Quite a few bailiffs had already arrived early at the Drill Ground. Some were practicing their stances, others were running through saber forms, and a few had gathered in a corner to chat.

Wang Ping swept his gaze over the area and quietly joined the ranks of those practicing stances. He had only finished reading the manual for Yama’s Three Demon Sabers yesterday. With an Oxtail Saber already in hand, achieving the entry level for this martial art would be easy enough. However, a towering building must rise from a solid foundation. Even at the entry level of a saber technique, the difference in foundation could be as vast as that between clouds and mud.

Therefore, to play it safe, he hadn’t rushed to initiate his training yesterday.

’I’ll come to the Drill Ground to ask around first and see how the veteran bailiffs practice this saber technique. It won’t be too late to attempt the entry level once I have a solid understanding of it.’

Just as Wang Ping was lost in thought, a voice suddenly rang out from behind him.

”Stand up straight!”

It was a familiar voice. Wang Ping recognized the man almost instantly: it was the guy from the White Lotus Sect Daoist temple who had generously ”opened his heart” with a single arrow!

In the next second, the previously scattered bailiffs rapidly assembled. Not daring to slack off, Wang Ping immediately blended into the crowd and fell into formation. The once-noisy Drill Ground instantly fell dead silent as over a hundred pairs of eyes focused on the man in the black and red official uniform standing in the center.’Chen Haoyan...’

Wang Ping quickly dug up the man’s information from his new identity’s memories. This was the chief constable of the imperial court’s Divine Constabulary stationed in Longxing County, a man whose martial arts were unfathomably high.

”Lin Sheng has taken a leave of absence to rest,”

Chief Constable Chen Haoyan said, his tone calm as he stood at the front of the formation. ”To fill his vacancy, we have recruited a new brother. You all know him.”

”Step forward when your name is called.”

”Wang Ping.”

As soon as the words fell, Wang Ping hurriedly stepped out of the formation. Chen Haoyan smiled and met his gaze, then immediately called out another name:

”Liu Ye.”

Watching the second bailiff step out of the ranks, Wang Ping couldn’t help but reveal a hint of surprise in his eyes. He hadn’t expected it to be another old acquaintance.

’Master Liu from the Outer Market...’

Following that, Chen Haoyan said indifferently, ”Old Liu, you are in charge of patrolling the Outer Market. Your duties aren’t heavy, so since you have the time, take Wang Ping under your wing.”

”Help him master Yama’s Three Demon Sabers as quickly as possible.”

”This subordinate obeys.”

Liu Ye hastily cupped his hands in acknowledgment. Seeing this, Chen Haoyan nodded and had the two return to the formation before raising his voice and commencing the morning drill.

”Today, our main topic is weapons.”

”As everyone knows, some time ago we wiped out the White Lotus Sect faction that was fleeing through the various counties. We also captured the Lotus Blade wielded by Shouchong, the master of the White Lotus Sect.”

”However, this is not the end. The Lotus Blade is a Famous Treasure that the old bastard Shouchong cultivated with his very life. The fact that it fell into our hands this time was likely intentional on his part. He did it to accumulate prestige, gather fortune, and borrow the destiny of our County Yamen to elevate it into a true Divine Object.”

A Famous Treasure? A Divine Object?

Wang Ping felt confused, but fortunately, he wasn’t the only one. Soon, another bailiff voiced the same question. Chen Haoyan nodded at this.

”Regarding these matters, those of you brothers with prominent family backgrounds likely already know, but there are some who don’t understand it well. I will briefly explain it to you all now.”

”The weapons of this world are divided into five grades.”

”Ordinary Weapons, Sharp Weapons, Famous Treasures, Divine Objects, and Heavenly Works. These five grades of weapons simultaneously correspond to five tiers of martial artists. The greater the martial arts, the stronger the weapon.”

At this point, Chen Haoyan pointed at all the bailiffs present.

”For example, the vast majority of you are first-tier martial artists. The Oxtail Sabers issued to you by the imperial court are Ordinary Weapons, and your martial arts stall at the physical conditioning of External Arts.”

Wang Ping seized the opportunity, raising his hand to ask, ”What is the physical conditioning of External Arts?”

”Naturally, it refers to the skin, flesh, tendons, bones, blood, and marrow!”

Chen Haoyan patiently explained, ”Skin like an ox, flesh like an elephant, tendons like a dragon, Bones Like a Tiger, Blood Like Fire, and marrow like frost. Only when all six are achieved does one reach External Arts Perfection.”

”Different martial arts have different focuses. For example, our Yama’s Three Demon Sabers primarily targets the tendons. As long as you reach the entry level, you can achieve tendons like a dragon. However, dragons also differ in size and status. Whether it is a Viper Dragon, a Flood Dragon, a Horned Dragon, or a True Dragon, the gap in strength is actually massive.”

”Let’s continue using Yama’s Three Demon Sabers as an example.”

Chen Haoyan drew his saber from its sheath. In that instant, Wang Ping watched as the thick tendons in the chief constable’s hand vibrated. A continuous, clear sound echoed out, ringing like the roar of a dragon.

”After reaching the entry level of Yama’s Three Demon Sabers, the dragon-like tendons cultivated by most people are Viper Dragon Tendons. Only when the cultivation method reaches perfection can they be elevated into Flood Dragon Tendons.”

”However, there are also a small number of people with exceptional natural aptitude who can cultivate Flood Dragon Tendons right at the entry level. Upon reaching perfection, they can even elevate them into Horned Dragon Tendons, a feat far beyond the reach of ordinary people.”

”As for the True Dragon Tendon, that is a level that cannot be reached by Yama’s Three Demon Sabers.”

”But at the end of the day, all of this is limited solely to the tendons.”

”If one wishes to attain External Arts Perfection, they must master five additional martial arts, each corresponding respectively to the skin, flesh, bones, blood, and marrow.”

Wang Ping’s scalp went numb just listening to this.

Skin, flesh, tendons, bones, blood, and marrow—each corresponded to a separate martial art. Six martial arts meant six weapons. Did that mean one had to gather a full set of six divine artifacts just to attain External Arts Perfection?

For a moment, looks of dismay washed over the faces of many bailiffs.

After all, finding six martial arts that specifically targeted the skin, flesh, tendons, bones, blood, and marrow was no easy feat. At the very least, it wasn’t something they could get their hands on.

Didn’t this mean that the vast majority of the people present had no hope of ever reaching External Arts Perfection in their lifetimes?

Within the Drill Ground, Chen Haoyan also noticed the gloomy atmosphere. Unsurprised, he immediately shifted his tone. ”However... this situation is not entirely absolute.”

”Ultimately, it depends on the grade of the martial art.”

”Although our Yama’s Three Demon Sabers possesses decent power, it is ultimately just a low-tier martial art capable of condensing only a single Art of War. It isn’t actually considered profound.”

”On the other hand, more profound mid-tier martial arts, high-tier martial arts, and even legendary peerless martial arts are said to be able to temper multiple areas, or even the entire body, simultaneously. Therefore, as long as one specializes in a single such martial art, they can achieve External Arts Perfection. In the future, cultivating Internal Force will be a natural progression.”

The moment these words were spoken, the Drill Ground erupted in an uproar.

Seeing the atmosphere grow fervent once again, Chen Haoyan finally revealed his true purpose. ”In fact, I happen to have a mid-tier martial art in my possession.”

”This method is my family’s secret inheritance.”

”Not only does it grant the enhancement of two Arts of War upon completion, but it also specializes in the bones and blood. It does not conflict with Yama’s Three Demon Sabers; instead, the two actually complement each other.”

Saying this, Chen Haoyan retrieved a thin booklet from his robes and raised it high above his head.

”I have a highly dangerous task here, one that could truly be called a near-death mission. Whichever brother is willing to accept this task, this martial art will be his reward!”

His vigorous voice echoed across the Drill Ground.

Wang Ping was instantly thrilled.

A near-death mission? Who else but me could take this task!

In the next second, however, he suppressed his emotions. ’Calm down. The Outer Heavenly Demon hasn’t finished its cooldown yet. I’ll wait until the cooldown is over before taking on this task.’

For a moment, the Drill Ground returned to a dead silence. No one responded.

A hint of disappointment flashed through Chen Haoyan’s eyes when he saw this, but he didn’t press the issue. He merely put the booklet away and smiled. ”This is a matter of life and death, so there’s no need to rush.”

”I’ll give you brothers time to consider.”

”My offer will stand for the next three months.”

”But let me state this upfront: the earlier you come to me, the earlier you can practice the martial art, and your chances of surviving the mission will likely be greater.”

Having said his piece, he strode away.

He left behind a group of bailiffs standing in place, looking at one another in dismay. None could read the decisions hidden in the others’ hearts. Eventually, they dispersed to continue their individual drills within the grounds.

Wang Ping naturally began his own drills as well.

However, right at this moment, a voice suddenly drifted over.

”Little Wang, stop practicing.”

Wang Ping looked over, only to see that the person approaching was the old acquaintance Chen Haoyan had assigned to him. This Master Liu of the Outer Market still held a smoking pipe in his hand.

”Are you in that much of a rush to reach the entry level of the saber technique?”

Taking a drag from his pipe, Liu Ye said, ”Listen to my advice. Don’t be in a hurry to initiate your training. It won’t be too late to start three months from now.”

”Three months from now...?”

Wang Ping raised an eyebrow at his words. ”Does this have something to do with Lord Chen’s task?”

”Heh, it seems you aren’t stupid, kid.”

Liu Ye chuckled. ”That’s right. Although the Lord didn’t explicitly say it, we are old veterans in the County Yamen. How could we not understand his underlying meaning?”

Wang Ping immediately grasped the implication.

A second later, he grabbed Liu Ye’s hand and subtly slipped a small piece of broken silver into the man’s palm, saying sincerely, ”Please enlighten me, Master Liu.”

Liu Ye’s expression changed in an instant.

”You kid... have a bright future! Since you are so sincere...”

Very quickly, Liu Ye pulled Wang Ping all the way to a secluded corner of the Drill Ground before lowering his voice. ”This matter actually involves the White Lotus Sect!”

”The White Lotus Sect?” Wang Ping narrowed his eyes slightly.

Liu Ye nodded. ”Just as the Lord said earlier, the Lotus Blade belonging to the White Lotus Sect’s leader, Shouchong, is currently sitting right here in our County Yamen.”

”Do you know why that is?”

Wang Ping thought back for a moment and said, ”The Lord said it was so that old bastard Shouchong could borrow the County Yamen’s destiny to elevate the Lotus Blade into a Divine Object.”

Liu Ye shook his head. ”You only know the result, but you don’t understand the underlying reason.”

”Let me put it to you plainly.”

”Of the five grades of weapons in this world, Ordinary Weapons and Sharp Weapons are, frankly speaking, common items. There’s nothing truly formidable about them. However, once you reach the third tier, Famous Treasures are completely different.”

”For weapons ranked as Famous Treasures, the key lies in the word ’famous.’ They are typically renowned within a region, their names known to many. Take the White Lotus Sect’s Lotus Blade, for example. Within Longxing County and even the surrounding counties, it can be considered a highly distinguished weapon.”

”Anyone wielding a Famous Treasure can be considered a notable figure in the martial world.”

”As for a Divine Object, that is a step of further elevation built upon the foundation of a Famous Treasure.”

Liu Ye gestured as he explained. ”To put it simply, a Famous Treasure is a weapon that has participated in some major event, which in turn spread its name far and wide.”

”A Divine Object, on the other hand, is a weapon that has created a legend.”

”What constitutes a legend?”

Hearing this, a sudden flash of insight struck Wang Ping’s mind. ”Rebelling and overthrowing a county government... in today’s world, would that count as a legend?”

Liu Ye spoke bluntly. ”That’s not something I can measure.”

”However, at least within our Changle Commandery, the County Yamen has never once been breached by rebels. It is unprecedented since ancient times. If you manage to accomplish it, it will inevitably garner massive prestige.”

Wang Ping understood.

”So, that old bastard Shouchong... the White Lotus Sect’s plan was to deliver the Lotus Blade into the County Yamen, then find a way to break the imperial court’s control over Longxing County. By using an unprecedented major event like this, they will accumulate an immense amount of prestige for the Lotus Blade, and when that time comes, Shouchong himself will also...”

”Most likely achieve a breakthrough!”

Having said this, a trace of dread crept into Liu Ye’s tone. ”When that happens, even the Lord might not be a match for that old bastard.”

”Huh? Wait a minute...”

Wang Ping furrowed his brow, suddenly realizing something was wrong. ”If that’s the case, why would the Lord intentionally help them achieve this by leaving the Lotus Blade in the County Yamen...”

His voice abruptly trailed off.

Without Liu Ye needing to explain further, Wang Ping figured it out himself. ”...Using it as bait?”

”You really do have a bright future, kid.”

Liu Ye smiled. ”That’s right. Shouchong wants to borrow the prestige of the County Yamen to advance his martial arts, and the Lord wants to use this opportunity to thoroughly eradicate the White Lotus Sect.”

”Ultimately, it comes down to whose skills are superior.”

”Winner takes all—that is the ultimate truth of this world.”

As his voice fell, Liu Ye’s tone suddenly grew deep and grave.

”But as everyone knows... fishing requires bait. And regardless of whether the fish takes the hook or not, the bait is destined to die without a burial place.”

So that was it. This was the main reason why, even though Chen Haoyan offered his family’s martial art as a reward, no bailiff was willing to take him up on it.

Understanding dawned in Wang Ping’s heart, yet he remained unafraid. In fact, he grew even more excited, firmly making up his mind to seek out Chen Haoyan the moment the Outer Heavenly Demon finished its cooldown.

On the other hand, Liu Ye also noticed the change in Wang Ping’s expression, causing him to immediately frown.

”You still plan on initiating your training as soon as possible?”

Liu Ye’s frown deepened. ”If you don’t enter the technique, even if the sky falls, it won’t crush you. But once you do, the Lord might seek you out.”

”When that time comes, if you agree, you will undoubtedly die. If you refuse, you’ll anger the Lord and completely ruin your official career.”

”Why go through all that?”

For the sake of that piece of broken silver, Liu Ye was being quite sincere. However, Wang Ping still shook his head, though he had no intention of explaining himself to the man.

After all, it was very difficult to clearly explain this sort of thing to someone without a cheat.

”Ah, suit yourself.”

Seeing Wang Ping’s persistence, Master Liu stopped trying to persuade him and changed the subject. ”Regarding Yama’s Three Demon Sabers, you were right not to rashly initiate your training.”

”Just as the name suggests, this saber technique only has three moves in total.”

”These three slashes represent greed, wrath, and ignorance, corresponding respectively to the entry level, minor mastery, and major mastery. Whenever you can combine all three slashes into one, you will have reached perfection.”

”The reason it’s called a demon saber is due to the emotions associated with the technique. The three poisons of greed, wrath, and ignorance are the root of human vices. If you attempt to initiate your training rashly without proper preparation beforehand, you are highly likely to suffer a backlash from the ’greed’ saber intent of the entry level and be reduced to a madman. Countless bailiffs have died because of this.”

Hearing this, Wang Ping’s brow furrowed deeply.

’It’s that dangerous? Good thing I was cautious and didn’t act recklessly...’

Thinking of this, he looked back at Liu Ye, who had paused his explanation at some point. Wang Ping instantly understood the hint, taking out another piece of broken silver and shaking hands with him.

”Master Liu, I must trouble you to give me some more pointers.”

”Not a problem! Not a problem!”

Seeing this, Liu Ye immediately beamed with joy.

”To be honest, your luck isn’t bad. You definitely found the right person by coming to me. The Lord probably assigned me to guide you precisely because of my signature skill.”

A signature skill?

In the next second, Wang Ping saw Liu Ye reach into his robes and pull out a thin booklet. ”This skill of mine is a martial art I obtained through a serendipitous encounter.”

”Unlike ordinary martial arts, this one doesn’t have a corresponding weapon. It uses the physical body as a weapon instead. Strictly speaking, it’s actually considered unranked.”

”Unranked?” Wang Ping felt somewhat disgusted.

By now, he had gained a certain level of understanding regarding the martial arts of this world. An unranked martial art meant that there was no way to train the skin, flesh, tendons, bones, blood, or marrow.

What use was this kind of garbage?

However, seeing his reaction, Liu Ye revealed a rather smug smile.

”Don’t be in a rush. It won’t be too late to decide after hearing me out.”

”This martial art of mine is called the Iron Ox Art. The Art of War condensed upon reaching perfection is called Golden Spear Standing Tall, and its corresponding weapon is the lifeblood down between your legs...”

But then again, measuring the value of a cultivation method by its grade was simply too superficial. There were no useless cultivation methods, only useless practitioners!