Amidst the shock and awe, a massive change surged through Zheng Jun’s mind. The ink-like script floating before his eyes twisted and transformed with his intent. As the water-ink faded, an ancient, weighty tome materialized in his consciousness.
Its title: The Dao Martial Codex.
All the essence of the world’s martial arts was said to be recorded within this book.
Between its pages, streams of qi churned, and faint echoes of the Great Dao seemed to hum and resonate.
Though it claimed to contain the essence of all martial arts, only a single inked page currently displayed content—precisely the same “Armored Saber Technique” he’d just seen.
【Martial Skill Available for Pre-claim: Armored Saber Technique (Initiate).】 【Pre-claim Mastery-level "Armored Saber Technique"? Borrowing the fruit of the future requires five thousand saber swings to make it your own.】
"So it really is a loan-type cheat!"
What kind of cheat is this?! Why would it be one based on loans?
Could it be because I forgot to repay my Huabei (Alipay credit), and Jack Ma has come to collect?
The ridiculous thought flashed through Zheng Jun’s mind.
But he quickly dismissed the nonsense. His thoughts settled around just one core question:
Should I borrow or not?
The moment that thought surfaced, there was no room for hesitation.
Pre-claim it!
Since Heaven had brought him into this chaotic mortal world, how could he resign himself to an ordinary fate?
“I’ll borrow it!!!”
As Zheng Jun roared inwardly, the Dao Martial Codex lit up with radiant brilliance. The black ink rose from its golden page like a living spirit.
A surge of heat flowed upward from the soles of his feet, flooding his limbs and meridians.
Inside his mind, countless saber movements flashed by like a spinning lantern reel.
These techniques etched themselves into his very being, like muscle memory carved into bone—satisfying and exhilarating.
【Pre-claim complete. Current repayment progress: 0/5000】 【Only after fully repaying the Mastery-level Armored Saber Technique can the Codex unlock the next "fruit of the future."】
Well, that’s that. Not like I’ve got any other martial skills anyway...
Zheng Jun took a deep breath and rose slowly from the clay brick bed. His head still throbbed faintly, but all he could think about was testing the power of this newly mastered saber technique.
He narrowed his eyes and instinctively reached for his weapon—only to freeze.
"Wait… where’s my saber?"
…Right. He didn’t have one.
A bitter chuckle escaped him.
In Heishan County’s yamen, the constables were divided into three squads and six divisions. Zheng Jun belonged to the “Swift Squad.” The squad had around thirty sabers in total, and they weren’t allowed to be taken home unless on official duty.
But Heishan was remote, and the Emperor’s laws rarely reached this far. Many veteran constables still carried their sabers daily. Some even complained the county’s sabers were too dull and bought high-quality ones with their own coin.
Zheng Jun, however, was a newcomer. He hadn’t even been assigned one yet. And his purse? Cleaner than his face. He couldn’t afford to buy a weapon if he wanted to.
"Mastered a saber technique… but no saber to use it with. What kind of joke is this?"
He sighed deeply. Hunger gnawed at his belly.
"...I’d better eat something first."
With that thought, he stood and headed toward the stove, intending to cook some porridge.
But just as he moved, he heard hurried footsteps outside.
A figure burst through the thatched door, familiar with the way, and rushed to him with teary eyes.
“Jun’er! Are you okay? Does it still hurt? Your brother-in-law just told me you were injured out on patrol! Thank the Dao Lord you’re alive! If something had happened to you, how could I face our parents in the afterlife?!”
The voice choked with sobs.
The figure collapsed in front of him, weeping.
“I told him we should’ve paid a little extra to put you in the Guard Squad. But your brother-in-law insisted: ‘The Swift Squad may have more work, but the pay’s better and you’ll be noticed by nobles. The Guard Squad just sits in the jailhouse all day, smelling of corpses—it’s bad luck.’ And look what happened! First day out, and you almost died... Wuuu…”
This was Zheng Jun’s eldest sister—Zheng Ping, seven years his senior.
He also had an older brother, Zheng Xing, who’d gone into the mountains with a group of hunters a few years ago to gather herbs. He never came back.
Rumors said he ran into a demon beast in the forest.
Eaten whole.
Zheng Ping’s sobs filled the air. But this warmth, this concern… it stirred something deep in Zheng Jun’s heart.
He forced a smile and tried to sound relaxed.
“Come on, Sis. It’s no big deal. Some little crook caught me off guard and sucker punched me, that’s all.”
“Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise—I might even get rewarded by the magistrate. If I earn a few coins, I can treat you and Brother-in-law to a nice meal…”
“Save it for your wedding fund, more like!”
Zheng Ping wiped her tears and smiled through them.
“You haven’t eaten, have you? Your brother-in-law’s made a few dishes and brought wine to calm your nerves!”
“Uh…”
Zheng Jun was about to decline—he really wanted to try practicing the Armored Saber Technique first—but Zheng Ping cut him off:
“Don’t you dare say no! Your brother-in-law feels terrible. If it had been that Lou-whatever himself today, you’d be dead. He was so shaken, he bought roast chicken and wine just to apologize.”
Zheng Jun chuckled.
“That’s far too kind of him.”
Then something clicked in his mind. His brother-in-law did have one of the county-issued sabers…
"Well, since it’s a gift from my elders, I suppose I must accept…"
He smiled. “Then I’ll trouble you and Brother-in-law for dinner tonight.”
Zheng Ping gave him a strange look. “You took a hit to the head, and now you talk like a scholar. What happened to you?”
Zheng Jun cleared his throat. “Ah… I heard a private tutor recite it while patrolling South Street yesterday. Thought it sounded interesting, so I memorized it.”
Zheng Ping didn't question it, but sighed again.
“If I’d known, I never would’ve let your brother-in-law use his connections to get you that job. You could’ve become a scholar! A future xiucai! And now you’ve ended up like this…”
Her eyes welled again.
Zheng Jun quickly waved his hands. “Sis, let’s go already. Brother-in-law’s waiting.”
Their house was just down the street—only a hundred steps away.
Inside, the home was livelier than Zheng Jun’s own.
Candlelight filled the room, stretching their shadows long across the earthen walls.
On the clay bed, a low wooden table stood with a few dishes—mostly simple wild vegetables. But at the center sat a roast chicken, roughly prepared yet mouthwatering in this humble setting.
Seeing Zheng Jun enter, Zhou Pu immediately got up. Spotting that the bleeding had stopped, he grinned.
“Come, come! Let’s drink!”
He reached for a jug of murky rice wine.
Zheng Jun quickly spoke up:
“Brother-in-law, perhaps we can drink later. I just had an epiphany and want to test the Armored Saber technique passed down by the inspector. Could I borrow your saber?”
“Epiphany? That nonsense technique gave you an epiphany?”
Zhou Pu stared at him, then leaned in suspiciously and whispered:
“You want a saber? Don’t try to fool me. You're not planning to go chop up Zhao Da and Zhao Er over that gambling debt, are you?”
“Absolutely not. I’ll let you practice with it, but you’re not leaving this courtyard!”
Comments
Post a Comment