Chapter 2: I, Lu Yuan, Cannot Practice Martial Arts
“Black Star Scar, that lecherous villain—I’ve looked into him. Years ago, he apprenticed at Mount Kunlun, taken under the wing of its elders. His nature is cunning and ruthless, and he’s notoriously lustful. Later, he committed a grave offense and was expelled from the sect.”
“A grave offense? What kind of offense?”
“Peeping on his master’s wife while she bathed.”
“You even know that?”
“Of course. What in the martial world doesn’t Old Sun know?”
Detective Sun was an experienced veteran in the government office, a seasoned widower whose martial skill was average among the constables but whose knowledge of the martial world’s tales, grudges, and intrigues was unparalleled. Whenever the office encountered puzzling matters, they sought his counsel.
“He peeped on his master’s wife, and his master didn’t kill him?”
“He wanted to, but it didn’t happen.”
“Though Black Star Scar is a scoundrel to the core, his agility is exceptional. Before joining Kunlun, he was already renowned for his ‘Snowless Step,’ able to move silently over snow. However, there’s one thing you all need not worry about.”
“Though Black Star Scar is a seventh-rank warrior, his skills are mainly in lightness techniques; his hand-to-hand combat is average.”
“If it came to a straight fight, he wouldn’t be much stronger than us.”
“We have numbers on our side.”
...
Countless unique martial techniques exist in the world, generally divided into six schools:
Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, Martial Arts, Wonder Techniques, and Qi Cultivation.
Confucianism represents the scholarly path, nurturing noble righteousness, manifesting spiritual power through literary prowess, and wielding words as weapons.
Buddhism emphasizes willpower and enlightenment. True Buddhist practitioners are ascetics who fast, chant sutras, and meditate on Buddha nature, with every action able to influence minds and guide souls to salvation.
Taoism focuses on refining qi, mainly practiced by mystics who cultivate longevity through communion with the universe.
These three are considered the supreme schools, revered for their transcendent potential.
Yet their thresholds are exceedingly high, and over the years their lineages have faded from popular view.
The martial world widely spreads the other three schools:
Martial Arts, Wonder Techniques, and Qi Cultivation.
Martial Arts cultivates true energy through consuming rare treasures from heaven and earth, forging an invulnerable body that cannot be pierced by blades or consumed by fire and water. Its goal is bodily transcendence, where the body remains uncorrupted for a thousand years after death. This path dominates the Great Yong Empire, with myriad sects across the lands practicing it.
Wonder Techniques are the path of trickery—considered heterodox and obscure—comprising poisons, curses, and undead magic, often preserved by small tribal groups.
Qi Cultivation is akin to Martial Arts but prevalent in foreign realms beyond the empire.
...
Warriors are ranked from nine to one, nine being the lowest, one the highest.
Detectives in Wangyou County’s office are all ninth-rank warriors, with the chief detective slightly stronger at the eighth rank.
Their combat prowess is mediocre at best, their skills drawn not from renowned sects but from common, inferior martial arts scattered across the world.
They often serve as mere stepping stones for young prodigies from prestigious sects crossing borders to strike.
...
“Don’t be too eager to show off.”
“Nor should you underestimate the world’s people.”
“This lecherous villain hails from a major sect. With your amateurish skills, don’t get involved in this mess.”
“What orders have we received from above?”
“To assist the Six Doors, yes, but to assist—not to serve as cannon fodder.”
“A month’s pay is only two taels of silver. What’s the point in risking your lives?”
...
“Have you forgotten the lesson of Chief Detective Mu?”
“Showing off comes at a price.”
Lu Yuan tapped his fingers lightly on the wooden table, silencing the chatter.
The previous chief detective, Mu Ma, was a seventh-rank warrior, as was the infamous Master of the Peerless Sword Rain.
The result?
Mu Ma and over a dozen ninth-rank constables were all killed.
Only the Master of the Peerless Sword Rain escaped with minor injuries, fleeing back to Mount Qingcheng.
...
“Chief, you misunderstand.”
“We wouldn’t dare.”
“We’re only talking.”
“Besides, don’t we have you?”
“With your skills, Chief, not to mention Black Star Scar, even if the Kunlun sect’s leader appeared in person…”
Detective Sun suddenly lowered his voice, narrowing his eyes.
“Wouldn’t stand a chance against you.”
“Hahaha.”
“Yes, yes, Chief Detective’s martial prowess is unmatched in the world.”
“Anyone who dares provoke our Chief will be torn in two, just like Qing Chengzi.”
“Everyone knows Chief Detective’s nickname, the Blood-Handed Butcher.”
“Hahaha.”
The room erupted in laughter.
Their confidence stemmed from Lu Yuan’s unfathomable martial power.
At fifteen, he single-handedly stormed Mount Qingcheng, tore apart the third-rank warrior Qing Chengzi, and devastated the sect so thoroughly it fell into decline.
Five years ago, Lu Yuan was already formidable; five years hence, he’d be even more terrifying.
Could a mere seventh-rank warrior like Black Star Scar really turn the tide?
“Friends, this isn’t a laughing matter.”
“I’m not cruel.”
“I think I’m quite amicable.”
Lu Yuan expressed slight dissatisfaction with his subordinates’ remarks.
He believed himself to be gentle and kind-hearted, yet people always deemed him brutal.
Tearing Qing Chengzi apart and slaughtering Mount Qingcheng was a misunderstanding, a rumor distorted with exaggerations. Though he did tear Qing Chengzi in two, it was not from malice.
Qing Chengzi had sheltered wanted criminals, insulted the court repeatedly, and refused to surrender.
Lu Yuan had no choice but to act.
He simply applied too much force, accidentally ripping Qing Chengzi in half.
Witnesses saw the scene and spread the story.
Through countless retellings, Lu Yuan became branded as a demon reborn, the man who tore apart Mount Qingcheng.
Lu Yuan was helpless against this.
...
In truth, it wasn’t Lu Yuan’s fault but Qing Chengzi’s frailty.
Had Qing Chengzi’s body been stronger, Lu Yuan wouldn’t have torn him apart so easily.
“Chief, I trust you. I always believed you to be merciful.”
“Hahahaha.”
The detectives exchanged amused glances.
“Enough, think what you will.”
“When the time comes, handle it as you see fit.”
“I’m not getting involved in this matter.”
Lu Yuan spoke a few words and made clear his intention to stay out.
On one hand, the main force capturing the villain was the Six Doors; Wangyou County’s office was merely assisting.
On the other, Lu Yuan disliked the Six Doors intensely.
Moreover, he had a day off in three days.
Nine-to-five, no overtime—that was his principle.
“Chief, aren’t you coming?”
“Come for what? I’m off in three days. Working overtime for a lecherous villain?”
“Chief, that villain has a bounty of three thousand taels.”
“Three thousand taels is an external bounty. We’re government employees; thirty taels is already good. At best, you’d get some credit to help with promotion.”
“Overtime for thirty taels? Do I look like a man short of money?”
Lu Yuan was far from poor.
If he needed money, he could just hunt bandits in the mountains.
The court’s meager rewards held no allure for him.
“It’s late. Shift change.”
Lu Yuan waved his hand, passing patrol duties to the arriving constables.
“Chief.”
“Wait.”
Detective Sun called after Lu Yuan.
“Old Sun? What’s the matter?”
“Chief, I have a question.”
“Speak.”
“What is your current realm?”
“Are you a first-rank warrior? Or have you reached an even higher level?”
Detective Sun looked at Lu Yuan earnestly, hoping for an answer.
Others listened curiously as well.
They all wanted to know.
“First-rank warrior? Haha, you’re mistaken.”
“I, Lu Yuan, have no martial skill. I’m simply naturally strong.”
“Rankless.”
...