Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 169: Chapter 44: Drawing the Bow and Drinking Blood—Only Great Strength Can Tame It

Martial Arts Garden!

Lin Chen raised his eyes and looked at the Director of the Military Affairs Department.

He did not expect the first question from the Director would be about the Martial Arts Garden.

Having been in contact with the Martial Arts Garden for several months, Lin Chen was sure that the Martial Arts Garden harbored no malice towards him, and from Senior Yan’s words, he vaguely felt that the origins of the Martial Arts Garden were significant.

The Martial Arts Garden had no hostility towards him, but Lin Chen did not know the attitude of the Military Affairs Department towards the Martial Arts Garden.

”I have indeed been in contact with the Martial Arts Garden, and back then...”

”You don’t need to tell me the details of your contact with the Martial Arts Garden.”

Qiu Rufeng interrupted Lin Chen’s words, seeing his puzzled expression, he smiled and said, ”The Martial Arts Garden is not a force of Liang, other countries also have Martial Arts Gardens, and our Liang’s attitude towards them is clear; we allow Liang’s martial artists to interact with the Martial Arts Garden.”

Su Lingchuan and He Ruyun informed Lin Chen of matters known only to Grade-Entering Martial Artists in Liang, including its history and past, which Qiu Rufeng naturally knew.

”Director, what exactly is the origin of the Martial Arts Garden?”

”Regarding the origins of the Martial Arts Garden, even I cannot say clearly. I only know this: when the Grand Ancestor Emperor established the Military Affairs Department, the Martial Arts Garden also contributed, and Liang’s Martial Arts Garden, like our Liang, is extremely resentful towards demon fiends.”

The Martial Arts Garden of Liang is extremely resentful towards demon fiends?

Lin Chen grasped the key point and asked in confusion, ”Could it be that the Martial Arts Gardens in other countries have different attitudes towards demon fiends?”

”Zheng Kingdom established demon beasts as national guardian beasts. What do you think is the attitude of Zheng Kingdom’s Martial Arts Garden towards the Demon Race?”

Lin Chen thought for a moment and then understood. Since Zheng Kingdom positions demon beasts as national guardian beasts, Zheng Kingdom’s Martial Arts Garden must align with Zheng Kingdom’s Imperial Court to exist without opposition.

”There are always a few countries that collude with demon beasts, conspiring with them to continually invade other countries. Having practiced martial arts for a year, you should know that the flesh and blood of rare birds can enhance qi blood, aiding breakthroughs in the martial arts realm. The flesh and blood of demon beasts can assist martial artists several times, even dozens of times more than that of rare birds. For some countries, sacrificing ordinary people, joining forces with the Demon Race to gain strength, is a lucrative trade.”

With disdain on his face, Qiu Rufeng said, ”Previously, in Liang’s Great Chu and Great Song... one major reason demon fiends ran rampant was that court aristocratic families colluded with them. Demon fiends needed the flesh of people, while families needed the flesh of the Demon Race, each taking what they needed.”

”Director, if we Liang’s martial artists need the flesh of the Demon Race...”

”Go to the Northern Border, to the East Sea, join the military. The northern ice plains of Liang belong to the Snow Region Demon Race, and the eastern sea area harbors sea demons.”

”Joining the military and heading to the frontier to slay demon beasts can earn you the flesh of the Demon Race, or you can enter the court as an official, trading contributions with the Imperial Court for the flesh. The Purple Crystal Marrow Liquid given to you by Lord Su comes from the East Sea Demon Realm.”

Qiu Rufeng smiled warmly, ”Of course, there’s another way to gain the flesh of the Demon Race, to bathe yourself in it, thereby increasing your physical strength.”

Seeing the director’s smile, Lin Chen made a guess.

”Since you have a guess, why not say it? Let’s see if you’re right,” the official prompted.

”Could it be related to the talent regulation?”

The Military Affairs Department Director mentioning the Demon Race isn’t coincidental, especially since Lin Chen is attending the Martial Arts Garden just when the talent regulation is about to start.

”Quite clever.”

Qiu Rufeng stroked his beard, satisfied with Lin Chen’s quick understanding.

”There are many young martial arts learners in Liang, and martial arts resources are extremely scarce. But the Grand Ancestor Emperor established the Martial Arts Department with the strategy of promoting martial arts to strengthen the nation. It was to allow all citizens of Liang to have access to martial arts, while also selecting talented youths.”

”The Military Affairs Department set three tiers for talent standards. The first tier is the examination reward from the Martial Arts Hall. Those who obtain it can be called a county’s talent.”

Hearing this, Lin Chen recalled the rewards he received from the Martial Arts Hall upon reaching small success and great success in the Water Cloud Palm.

Based on the circumstances of this county contest, Zhang Qi and Shen Ge can also receive these rewards.

A county’s talent indeed fits well.

”The second tier is the prefecture talent, based on the Prefecture Examination. The top ten meet this criteria and can receive corresponding rewards.”

”The highest tier is the Xingdao level talent, which is associated with the talent regulation of the Military Affairs Department. Someone like you, who can perfect a cultivation technique in six months, can be considered a talent of Jiangnan Dao.”

”The Military Affairs Department only reports those who meet the talent regulation to Jiangnan Dao, but the three-month special training is handled by the Jiangnan Dao Martial Affairs Hall.”

Lin Chen listened quietly, admiring the Grand Ancestor Emperor of Liang and those major figures in the Military Affairs Department. This talent selection system is extremely precise, truly a model of clear hierarchy.

The only regret he has is that the highest tier is the Xingdao level talent?

Shouldn’t there be talents for the whole country?

Titles like national celestial pride.

That’s how it’s depicted in novels.

”Is there anything you do not understand?” Qiu Rufeng asked curiously upon seeing Lin Chen’s expression change constantly.

”Director, I was thinking, since there’s a Xingdao level, shouldn’t there be one even higher?”

Qiu Rufeng laughed heartily, ”Don’t forget the Martial Path Imperial Examination.”

Lin Chen suddenly realized he indeed forgot about this. The Martial Path Imperial Examination represents the top celestial prides of the entire Liang, doesn’t it?

He just thought that his instructor, who is now over thirty, still needs to take the examination. Can someone of this age be considered a celestial pride?