For several days in a row, Chen Sheng’s tent was virtually swarming with visitors.
Those who came to pay their respects, plead on others’ behalf, or directly offer “tokens of appreciation” streamed through in an endless procession.
Naturally, there were also those who, failing to entice him with profit, sought to threaten him instead. Chen Sheng showed no courtesy to such people. If they truly possessed formidable connections, they would never have needed to come begging to him.
Since Wu Kuang had granted him full authority over the selection, he possessed ample confidence. He paid no heed to those blustering threats, even directly shouting at them to get lost.
There were only sixty slots in total, exceptionally precious. With this move, Wu Kuang had essentially skimmed off the bounty silver and savings that numerous soldiers had exchanged their lives to earn.
In just a few short days, the silver that passed through Chen Sheng’s hands had accumulated into a considerable sum.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of it would ultimately flow into Commander Wu’s pockets.
However, Chen Sheng was not disappointed by this. He had reaped other gains from this selection process—silver was secondary. He knew Wu Kuang’s temperament well and had not lined his own pockets with the money, but other resources were a different matter.
He had acquired more than ten Blood Qi Pills at prices far below market value.
But what Chen Sheng treasured most was a secret technique he had obtained by chance.
This secret technique came from an ordinary soldier in another squad. That man had neither connections nor money for bribes, and his strength was utterly unremarkable. Originally, Chen Sheng had no intention of bothering with him.
However, prompted by the [Seek Fortune and Avoid Calamity] divine tome, the secret method in that man’s possession, named Toad Angling Force, made his heart skip a beat.
Though it was neither a body-tempering cultivation technique nor a combat martial skill, it could subtly improve a cultivator’s aptitude and bone structure, and could even prematurely temper the bones and refine the marrow, greatly reducing the difficulty of breaking through to the Marrow Transformation Realm later!
One must understand that the Three Foundation Realms were Bright Breath, Bone Tempering, and Marrow Transformation. Once one stepped into Marrow Transformation, they could truly be called an expert.
Throughout the Mountain Battalion, martial masters at the Marrow Transformation Realm numbered no more than the fingers on one hand. Even in Changshan County, they could be considered peak-level existences.
But although the Marrow Transformation Realm was powerful, breaking through to it was fraught with extreme difficulty and danger.
According to the Golden Bell Body Tempering Method, Marrow Transformation was a crucial metamorphosis within the Foundation Realm. Once failed, not only would all previous efforts be wasted, but it would damage one’s foundations. Ordinary martial artists had at most three chances to assault Marrow Transformation, and with each failure, the next attempt would become significantly more difficult.
But if one cultivated this Toad Angling Force to success, assaulting the Marrow Transformation Realm would yield twice the result with half the effort.
For this reason, Chen Sheng not only made an exception to include that man in the list, but also paid out of his own pocket to smooth over all the connections for him, ultimately succeeding in bringing this precious secret technique into his possession.
But although the secret technique was powerful, cultivating it was extremely difficult. Despite bitter cultivation for many days, Chen Sheng’s progress was very slow.
[Basic Saber Technique — Great Success (610/1000)]
[Golden Bell Body Tempering Technique — Minor Success (320/500)]
[Toad Angling Force Secret Technique — Entry (5/100)]
Looking at the nearly stagnant progress on the panel, Chen Sheng secretly shook his head, composed his emotions, and rose to head for Wu Kuang’s tent.
...
“You have done exceptionally well this time.”
The moment he saw Chen Sheng, Wu Kuang was generous with his praise. “This official has gained tangible benefits and avoided much trouble.”
Indeed, just as he had assessed before, Chen Sheng was truly talented. Whether in handling affairs or in character, he was most satisfactory. If not for having no daughter, he would truly have wanted to take him in as a son-in-law.
“It is all thanks to Your Lordship’s trust and promotion; your subordinate dares not claim credit.” Chen Sheng hurriedly bowed humbly.
“Enough. There is no need to be so restrained before this official.”
Wu Kuang waved his hand, then his tone shifted. “Your handling of matters is certainly proper, however… there is one matter with which this official is not quite satisfied.”
Chen Sheng was startled to hear this. He had been thorough in every respect; what could still be amiss?
The [Seek Fortune and Avoid Calamity] tome had given no warning either…
“Please enlighten me, Your Lordship. Your subordinate will certainly correct it.”
Despite his confusion, he immediately stated his stance.
Unexpectedly, Wu Kuang merely sighed and asked, “Of the silver collected, you yourself… didn’t skim a layer off the top?”
“Your subordinate would not dare.”
Chen Sheng answered truthfully.
“Why would you not dare?”
Wu Kuang’s brows furrowed slightly, his tone carrying a hint of exasperated disappointment. “This official entrusted you with such a lucrative post precisely so that you could gain some benefits as well! If you don’t collect money, how can this official feel comfortable collecting money? If this official doesn’t collect, how then are we to send money to Commander Nie?”
He paused, looked at Chen Sheng, and his tone grew heavier.
“What’s more, if you don’t pocket some profit from it, wouldn’t that mean this official is simply exploiting you for nothing? In this world, how can one expect a horse to run without feeding it grass?”
Although he was greedy for wealth, he never ate alone. Since he valued Chen Sheng, he wanted him to benefit as well.
What was collected was not merely money, but even more so a form of binding, a pledge of allegiance as “one of our own.”
“Your subordinate… understands.”
A bitter smile appeared on Chen Sheng’s face. He truly had not expected that there would be a superior who became unhappy because his subordinate refused to take money.
“Now that’s more like it!”
Only then did Wu Kuang show a smile. “You will no longer be an ordinary fighter in the army. Sooner or later, you will enter officialdom. If you don’t understand some ‘rules,’ how can you fit in? This official promotes you because I have taken a fancy to you as a person.”
Saying this, he took out a small porcelain bottle from beneath the desk and tossed it to Chen Sheng.
“Your Lordship, what is this?”
Chen Sheng caught the bottle; it felt slightly cool to the touch.
“Consider it your reward. Inside is a Purifying Origin Pill. This official specially requested it from Commander Nie just now for your benefit. It suits your current needs perfectly,” Wu Kuang explained.
“Purifying Origin Pill?”
Chen Sheng was quite unfamiliar with it.
“Your cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds; you must have taken no small amount of Blood Qi Pills. But although Blood Qi Pills are superior to Blood Qi Powder, after all, all medicine carries some toxicity. The Foundation Realm is, at its root, a process of polishing one’s foundations. If pill toxins accumulate excessively, not only will your cultivation progress become increasingly slow in the future, but it will also damage your foundational reserves, bringing endless future calamity.”
Wu Kuang’s tone was grave, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes.
“This Purifying Origin Pill is used to cleanse the marrow and refine the body, clearing away pill toxins. Though it cannot be called some rare divine pill, for Foundation Realm martial artists, it is an excellent item for consolidating foundations and nurturing the origin. Needless to say in the army—even outside, it is exceedingly precious.”
This single pill was worth far more than one hundred taels of silver. To win Chen Sheng over, he had truly invested heavily this time, essentially returning the silver Chen Sheng had previously spent to “buy his office” in a disguised form.
“Many thanks for Your Lordship’s generous gift! Your subordinate will surely live up to the grace of your nurturing!”
Chen Sheng bowed solemnly. From the four words “cleanse marrow and refine body” alone, he knew this pill was extraordinarily precious. At the same time, he also secretly confirmed one thing: this kind of actively bestowed blessing seemed not to fall within the warning scope of the [Seek Fortune and Avoid Calamity] tome.
“Mhm. Go back and prepare well. I have already submitted the list to Commander Nie. We will break camp soon. Additionally, this evening, accompany this official to pay respects to Commander Nie and the various commanders of the Mountain Battalion.”
Wu Kuang casually waved his hand.
“Yes. Thank you, Your Lordship!”
Chen Sheng cupped his hands and withdrew.
Returning to his quarters, he immediately sought out a secluded place, impatient to test the effects of the Purifying Origin Pill.
To his delight, the medicinal power of this Purifying Origin Pill was actually exceptionally compatible with the Toad Angling Force secret technique!