Chapter 24: A Promotion Today, Listening to Music in the Pleasure District (Seeking Continued Readership)

"Brother Chen, congratulations, congratulations!"

"I knew Brother Chen was a man of great talent. It was only a matter of time before you soared to the skies. And look, you’ve met a noble benefactor!"

"I never imagined Brother Chen was so formidable—you’re already a true martial artist!"

"Mistress Zhou is truly blessed to enjoy such good fortune!"

...

The news of Zhou Chen becoming a martial artist and gaining the favor of County Magistrate Zhang swept through Dahe Village like a hurricane, leaving countless villagers, young and old, green with envy.

The next day, people came calling one after another.

Those who had previously slighted Zhou Chen were particularly anxious, bringing generous gifts to apologize. However, the average villager was penniless and had nothing of real value to offer. It was the Village Chief, Qin Jianghe, along with the local gentry, who pooled together twenty taels of silver as a gesture of goodwill.

Zhou Chen didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted it directly. He was short on silver, and besides, even if he accepted their money, whether or not he would help them in the future depended entirely on his mood. If he were happy, he might lend a hand; if not, he could refuse even if he were capable of helping. The initiative remained firmly in his hands. Furthermore, while twenty taels was a tidy sum, it was not significant for wealthy men like Qin Jianghe; they were merely investing in a good relationship. Since Zhou Chen was from their village, there was at least a connection of shared roots. If they needed help later, they would have an open door—or at the very least, an extra path meant an extra layer of security.

At noon, Zhou Chen took Qin Hongyu and accompanied Zhang Long’s party toward Qinghe City. As County Magistrate, Zhang Long held considerable power in the city and gifted Zhou Chen a residence. Knowing this was an investment, Zhou Chen accepted it without hesitation. He had no dwelling in Qinghe City and was in urgent need of one. Besides, if he refused, what would Zhang Long think? Often, accepting gifts is an important part of strengthening a relationship.

Zhao Hu, Yang Dagen, and Yang Dali—Zhang Long’s trusted aides—felt a twinge of envy, but knowing Zhou Chen’s strength, they couldn't begrudge him. They had practiced martial arts for years but were still only quasi-martial artists who had cultivated their *qi* and blood without completing the skin-refining stage. Only by finishing the skin-refining stage and entering the second level of body tempering could one be considered a true martial artist. The gap between them and ordinary people was like a chasm between two different species. The three of them helped Zhou Chen settle into his new home, busying themselves back and forth, which could also be seen as an investment in their future.

Once settled, Zhou Chen treated them to a meal to express his gratitude.

That night, Qin Hongyu lay in Zhou Chen’s arms, tracing his strong muscles, feeling as though she were in a dream. "Brother Chen, am I dreaming? Have we really settled down in the city?"

"Of course it’s not a dream!" Zhou Chen kissed her smooth forehead. In this era, it was extremely difficult for ordinary commoners to settle in the city. Even if they managed to save enough silver to buy a house, how would they make a living? It was a major hurdle. However, for a martial artist like Zhou Chen, these were not problems at all. Not to mention he was planning to sell medicine; even without it, his current status was enough to ensure he would never go hungry in the city.

"Don't overthink it. Life will only get better from here on out!"

"Mm, I know Brother Chen is the most capable man there is!" Qin Hongyu hugged his neck, feeling happy and satisfied, and offered him a sweet kiss. "Brother Chen, I adore you!"

"I feel the same!"

"Mmph..."

The night grew passionate. By the fifth watch, Qin Hongyu was exhausted and fell into a deep sleep. Zhou Chen closed his eyes to rest, but within the "Mirror of Wind and Moon," his soul was learning intensely with Ji Fengxia.

[Wind and Moon Points +6]
[Wind and Moon Points +9]
[Wind and Moon Points +6]
...

As a ray of dawn tore through the dark curtain of the sky, lighting up the world, Zhou Chen slowly opened his eyes and checked his personal panel.

[Wind and Moon Points: 1350]

"Thirteen hundred in two days—an average of seven hundred a day!" Zhou Chen was quite satisfied. Ever since he had Ji Fengxia, his Wind and Moon points had become abundant.

"First, I shall raise my cultivation to the third level of body tempering!" Zhou Chen didn't hesitate. "Yi Archery, add points!"

He kept 320 points for the Breath-Concealing Technique and poured the rest into his archery. The information in the realm column shifted. Zhou Chen felt as if he had practiced diligently through wind and rain for ten years, finally breaking his shackles, perfecting his muscle-refining, and ascending to the third level of body tempering: tendon-refining.

His muscles trembled, and his tendons pulsed like coiling dragons, surging with immense power. He felt that one strike of his blade could split the ghost child he had faced earlier in two! Generally, once muscle-refining was complete, one possessed ten thousand jin of force. But Zhou Chen felt he had at least twenty thousand. If he faced County Magistrate Zhang Long now, he could simply crush him with raw power.

Zhang Long: "..."

"Mm!" Qin Hongyu woke up startled, her body trembling slightly. The terrifying aura radiating from Zhou Chen, like a giant dragon awakening, had truly shocked her.

"Chen..." she opened her mouth, but couldn't speak, afraid to disturb him.

"Breath-Concealing Technique, add points!"

He used the remaining 320 points. Zhou Chen felt as if he had spent decades more in bitter cultivation of the technique, catching a glimmer of insight and breaking through once more. The aura of his breakthrough faded as the technique took effect, leaving not a trace behind.

Zhou Chen looked at his personal panel:

[Mirror of Wind and Moon]
[Owner: Zhou Chen]
[Technique: Yi Archery]
[Realm: Body Tempering Level 3: Tendon-Refining (163/4000)]
[Divine Ability: Thunder-Light Wishful Hand]
[Spells: Breath-Concealing Technique Level 7 (0/640), Ghost-Control Technique Level 1 (10/1000)]
[Skills: Archery (Supernatural), Tracking (Great Success 40/160), Throwing (Great Success 8/160)...]
[Prescription: Yang-Climbing Heaven]
[Wind and Moon Points: 0]

"With my current cultivation and the Breath-Concealing Technique, no expert below the Foundation Establishment stage will be able to see through my cultivation level!" Zhou Chen was very pleased. He turned to a worried-looking Qin Hongyu and smiled. "Just a minor breakthrough. You'll get used to it as it happens more often in the future!"

"Congratulations, Brother Chen!" Although Qin Hongyu didn't know how strong he had become, she knew that him getting stronger was a good thing that made her happy. She just felt a little overwhelmed. With Zhou Chen so capable now, perhaps she could take a concubine for him in the future to share the burden.

"I have to report to the County Office today. I'm not sure when I'll be back, so don't wait up for me!" Zhou Chen gave his instructions and, attended by Qin Hongyu, got up to wash.

After breakfast, Zhou Chen arrived at the County Office, where Zhao Hu was waiting for him.

"Brother Hu, sorry to keep you waiting!"

"Not at all, I just arrived myself!"

Zhao Hu led Zhou Chen inside to meet the high-ranking officials. County Magistrate Chen Fan, County Magistrate Zhang Long, and Assistant Magistrate Chen Dao were all present. Zhou Chen greeted them one by one, sizing them up. Based on his senses, the County Magistrate was likely a fourth or fifth-level body tempering martial artist, while the others, besides Zhang Long at the third level, were around the second level. His own third-level cultivation meant he was second only to the County Magistrate.

"A hero indeed emerges from the youth. Not bad!" Chen Fan observed the spirited and handsome Zhou Chen, nodding in approval.

"You are too kind, Magistrate!"

After the formalities, Zhou Chen officially joined the Qinghe County Office, receiving two sets of constable uniforms, a saber, and other standard equipment. "This blade is decent!" Zhou Chen inspected the weapon. Although it was a standard-issue saber, it was far better than the short knife he had snatched from Er Mazi. Besides, a long blade was clearly more powerful in combat. If he had bought this himself, it would have cost at least five taels of silver.

Though he saved money on the blade, he still had to pay for the treat. Zhou Chen took the office staff to the Tianxiang Restaurant for a feast. Chen Dao and the others left after eating, but Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, Yang Dagen, and Yang Dali stayed. Zhou Chen invited them to the Xueyue Pavilion for a foot bath—or rather, to listen to music.

"Little Chen, I'll pay today. Congratulations on joining our big family!" Zhang Long knew Zhou Chen didn't have much silver and had just settled in, with expenses everywhere, so he spoke up first. As a County Magistrate, although his official salary wasn't high, the various "filial" offerings from those below him kept his pockets quite full. As the saying went, "Three years as a clean prefect, one hundred thousand taels of silver." It was the same everywhere.

"Many thanks, Brother Long." Zhou Chen didn't stand on ceremony and walked with Zhang Long’s party to the Xueyue Pavilion, laughing.

"Oh my, Master Long is here!" When the madam, Sister Hong, saw Zhang Long, she hurried over to greet them, her face wreathed in smiles.

"Call up all the best girls you have!" Zhang Long waved his hand, acting with great flair.