My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 276: Chapter 148: Senior Sister?

Hearing this, the smile on Qian Ruhai’s plump face remained as he set down the teapot.

”It’s quite a coincidence, actually. My family runs a small business trading in various goods, so we have dealings with the docks and transport companies.”

He smiled at Qin Fang and said, ”Brother Qin, you caused quite a stir at the docks yesterday. Combining that with today’s events, I put two and two together and made a bold guess... But judging by your expression, Brother Qin, I suppose I guessed correctly?”

”So that’s how it is.”

Qin Fang’s face showed sudden realization...

Inwardly, however, he was calm.

’I knew I shouldn’t have been so conspicuous...’

He felt a bit resigned...

But he’d had no choice. When those Black Armored Soldiers questioned him yesterday, he could only answer truthfully.

It had indeed caused a bit of a stir.

’It seems this Brother Qian is no ordinary person. For this kind of intelligence to be reported to him so quickly...’

A glint appeared in Qin Fang’s eyes.

”Does that mean, Brother Qian, that you’re intimately familiar with all the Huajin Powerhouses in this Post House?”

He asked, looking at Qian Ruhai with curiosity.

Qian Ruhai’s expression remained unchanged as he smiled and said, ”I simply love making friends. To say I’m intimately familiar with all the great talents in the Post House would be an overstatement. However, due to my family’s business, I have eyes and ears in many places... so I do recognize a few people.”

He picked up his teacup, took an unhurried sip, and continued, ”For example, the one by the training grounds earlier in the lake-blue shirt was Young Master Lin Chen of the Lanyang City Lin Family, a resident of A Courtyard. And the bald, burly man standing under the pagoda tree was Zhao Meng from the Zhenyue Martial Arts Hall of Beihai County, a resident of B Courtyard...”

As he listened to the description, Qin Fang’s mind stirred, and the earlier scenes quickly resurfaced in his memory.

’He was a Huajin Martial Artist, his mind as clear as a tranquil lake. Though he hadn’t paid them any mind at the time, the memories were now crystal clear as he recalled them.’

’Especially since he had begun his Contemplation. Although he hadn’t even condensed the first stage of ’Sand’, his Spiritual Power had increased dramatically.’

This had caused his memory to become increasingly sharp.

Recalling it now, Qin Fang was inwardly alarmed...

’He never thought such a small match would attract so many eyes.’

’But why?’

’He was just an ordinary Huajin Martial Artist. Why was he getting so much attention?’

As Qin Fang was lost in thought, Qian Ruhai continued, ”There are several others—scions of prominent families from neighboring counties, or somewhat famous Loose Cultivators... In short, they all have their own backing and are not to be trifled with.”

He paused, his gaze falling upon Qin Fang as his smile deepened. ”However, someone as young as Young Master Qin, who also has the personal favor of Tributor Yun, is truly one of a kind. Faced with such a formidable rival, they naturally have to pay closer attention. After all... many of them have been waiting a very long time for this chance to become a True Successor Candidate.”

Qin Fang’s interest was piqued. ”True Successor... Candidate?”

Seeing Qin Fang’s expression, Qian Ruhai was taken aback for a moment. ”Brother Qin, you don’t know?”

Qin Fang shook his head.

When Qian Ruhai saw that Qin Fang’s expression didn’t seem feigned, a flash of astonishment crossed his eyes.

But he quickly broke into a smile again. ”It’s not really a secret. If you stay in this Post House for a few days, Brother Qin, you’ll figure it out. But since you’ve asked me today, I’ll explain a thing or two.”

He paused and said, ”Everyone knows that the winners of the Martial Arts Examination can obtain the Martial Arts Records... Are you aware of this, Brother Qin?”

Qin Fang actually knew this part, as Zhang Cheng had mentioned it before, so he nodded. ”I know. The Martial Arts Records are the Outer Sect Token for a Celestial Spirit Disciple...”

Hearing Qin Fang specifically mention the ’Outer Sect Token’, Qian Ruhai didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ”It’s not an Outer Sect Token. Rather... for anyone who enters a Sect, their Sect Token is considered part of the ’Martial Arts Records’.”

He paused, then sighed. ”The Court and the Sects rule the world together. A Sect Token represents one’s identity within a Sect, which is why it grants the privilege to ’roam the realm’.”

’The Court and the Sects rule the world together?’

This sentence clearly stunned Qin Fang.

’That was something he had never heard before.’

Qin Fang’s stunned reaction did not escape Qian Ruhai’s notice.

It made Qian Ruhai realize something: could it be that this young man before him, despite his astonishing Martial Arts Talent, was completely ignorant of the most fundamental power structure of the land?

A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, which was immediately replaced by the knowing look of someone thinking, ’He must be from some remote backwater.’

At the same time, the desire in his heart to befriend and invest in Qin Fang inexplicably grew stronger...

’The simpler the background, the greater the potential for the future.’

”It seems Brother Qin’s hometown... is rather isolated from news... Are you... puzzled by the matter of the Court and the Sects ruling together?”

Qian Ruhai asked suddenly.

Qin Fang snapped back to reality, realizing the other man had caught his involuntary reaction.

’This man is truly extraordinary, as observant as they come.’

However, he had nothing to hide, so he nodded directly. ”I admit I don’t know much about it... I hope Brother Qian will enlighten me.”

”It’s a small matter. If Brother Qin doesn’t mind my rambling, I’ll be happy to share a few thoughts.”

Qian Ruhai smiled and waved his hand, gathering his thoughts before speaking. ”The territory of our Great Yu is vast, dotted with prefectures, counties, and townships like stars in the sky. But manpower is finite. The Court’s laws and the reach of its officials can hardly cover every inch of land... especially in remote, mountainous regions where Demons fester and Martial Arts factions are deeply entrenched. Thus, there is an ancient saying: ’Imperial power does not extend into the villages.’ Below the county level, towns and villages largely rely on clan rules and local pacts to govern themselves.”

These words made Qin Fang nod in immediate agreement...

’Weren’t the markets in True Martial County just like that?’

Gangs were everywhere, each controlling a market. You could get killed and no one would care!

They were practically lawless places.

’The fact that he, a fugitive with an arrest warrant out for him, could live there comfortably was the best proof of all.’

’Imperial power, indeed, does not extend into the villages.’