Chapter 19: The Canglan Sword Technique, Wealth Rules All

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Lu Yuan looked at those players who were only at levels one or two.
He didn’t know what to say.
He could only sigh inwardly—what a lazy bunch.
What exactly were these people trying to do?
With levels like that, what were they even hoping to accomplish?
All they did was feed kills to the enemy.
Of course, among these players, Lu Yuan didn’t rule out the possibility that some were cunning strategists.
After all, if the tools were used properly, even a child could easily defeat a warrior, let alone a level one or two player.
Warriors were strong but fragile.
No matter how high their level, a warrior was still human.
Anyone who was killed would die.
And there were many ways to kill.
It all depended on strength.

“I’m so tired. This queue is too long. Looks like I’ll have to work overtime tonight.”
The clerk looked up, disheartened by the seemingly endless line.
So hopeless.
He really didn’t want to work overtime.

“Hah, if you hadn’t said it, I almost forgot—time’s getting late. I’m off work.”
“Good luck, work hard.”
Lu Yuan glanced at the time, just as the clock struck quitting hour. He set down his work and prepared to head home.

“Chief Constable, please wait.”
“The magistrate has urgent business to see you.”
Just as Lu Yuan stepped out of the government office, he heard Master Su calling from behind.

“My uncle wants to see me?”
“Master Su, don’t trick me.”
“At this hour, your uncle would already be home.”
Lu Yuan looked skeptically at Master Su.
Could he be pulling his leg?
His uncle working?
What work would he have?
Lu Yuan was a regular nine-to-five, always punctual.
But his uncle, Chen Ke, worked from ten to four—an hour later starting, an hour earlier finishing, sometimes even earlier. If he had too much to do, he would ask Chen Nian to cover for him.
Because he was getting old.
Low energy.
The whole county knew this.

“Chief Constable, I wouldn’t lie to you. The magistrate really wants to see you.”
“He hasn’t left work yet today.”
Master Su smiled wryly and dragged Lu Yuan into the back hall. Sure enough, Chen Ke was still working.
His graying hair hung over the desk, stained with ink as he wrote.
Beside him, Chen Nian was assisting with official documents.
They were overwhelmed.

“Xiao Yuan, you’re here.”

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“Take a look at this list. What do you think we should prepare as rewards?”
Chen Ke looked exhausted, completely drained.

“The list? Just give out some random rewards.”
“These ‘heterodox’ people aren’t picky.”
Lu Yuan took the list. It was full of fine silks, silver, medicinal herbs, ores, weapons, and even more unusual rewards.
For example, women.
That’s right—some rewards on the list included women.

But most important, the key rewards were martial arts manuals, ranging from entry-level to yellow-grade, and up to the mysterious grade. These rewards attracted players the most.
Most of the rewards had already been decided by Chen Ke and Chen Nian. The only undecided part was the martial arts manuals, especially the mysterious grade ones.

“That won’t do.”
“If we’re too casual, the higher-ups will object.”
“These martial arts on the list came from the higher authorities.”
“We can only pick some from this list as rewards.”
“They can’t be too powerful or too weak.”
“Weak martial arts won’t motivate the heterodox.”
“If too strong, the court won’t be able to control things.”
“It’s so frustrating.”
Chen Ke expressed his worries.

“Uncle, don’t overthink it.”
“Let the court worry about court affairs.”
“Since the list came from them, just pick from it.”
“If you won’t choose, I will.”
“I like this one.”
“I’ll pick this.”
Lu Yuan pointed casually and confirmed a mysterious grade martial art.
Chen Nian came over to take a look.

“Canglan Sword Technique?”
“I think it’s pretty good. Let’s go with your choice.”
The Canglan Sword Technique came from the Canglan Sword Sect, a minor sect that later offended a major sect. To save themselves, they defected to the court.
Naturally, the martial arts of the Canglan Sword Sect became the court’s property.
Choosing this wasn’t a bad idea.
Chen Nian nodded.

“Alright, let’s go with this.”
Chen Ke stamped the list to finalize the rewards.
He then handed the list to Master Su, who copied several versions and posted them on the notice boards throughout Wangyou County.

*Beep* The Wangyou County government has finalized the exchange rewards.
Players may view the rewards at any notice board in Wangyou County.

“The rewards are confirmed?”
“I’ll go take a look.”
Many players flocked to the boards, and soon the mysterious grade Canglan Sword Technique became widely known among them.

Canglan Sword Technique (Mysterious Grade): The signature sword technique of the Canglan Sword Sect, consisting of thirteen moves. The moves are visually impressive and embody the demeanor of a gentleman.

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“This sword technique…”
“What a half-hearted description.”
“‘Visually impressive moves’? ‘Demeanor of a gentleman’? Is that supposed to be a selling point?”
“Shouldn’t they highlight the strengths of the technique? Why praise it for being ‘gentlemanly’? Is it just for show?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. A mysterious grade martial art can’t be just for show.”
“Martial arts can be deceptive, but the grade can’t be faked.”
“Besides, it clearly says this is the signature technique of the Canglan Sword Sect. Do you know how valuable a signature technique is?”
“A showy martial art can be a signature technique?”
“Fair point, but isn’t this martial art too expensive?”
“Ten thousand points.”
“At a one-to-ten exchange rate, that’s a hundred thousand coins.”
“This mysterious grade martial art is insanely pricey.”
“Poor folks.”
“A hundred thousand coins is nothing. What are you whining about?”
“Is a hundred thousand coins a lot?”
“If you can’t afford it, that’s your problem, not the martial art’s.”
“It’s just a book of martial arts—what’s wrong with that?”
“Besides, this isn’t something for your kind to covet.”
“No money? Then move aside.”

Among the crowd, a wealthy player dressed in lavish clothes mocked the others.
To him, a hundred thousand coins was nothing.
In the strategy games he usually played, a single match could easily cost several hundred thousand or even millions.
In this game, a mysterious grade martial art costing only a hundred thousand coins was a bargain.
Almost like it was free.
So easy.

“What do you mean? Showing off your wealth?”
“Sorry, having money really is showing off.”
“Hmph.”
“You don’t believe me?”
“I don’t.”
“Fine, call me ‘daddy’ and I’ll give you a hundred thousand.”
“Hmph, I won’t call you ‘daddy’ for a mere hundred thousand. I have dignity and self-respect.”
“Hahaha, dignity and self-respect? Such niche words. But you’ve caught my attention.”
“Two hundred thousand. The extra hundred thousand buys your dignity and self-respect.”
“Nonsense, don’t insult me.”
“I have a soul.”
“A soul? Another niche word. Final price: three hundred thousand. If you don’t say it, forget it.”
“Daddy.”
“Huh?”
…