Chapter 122 - 120: The Fifth Kings Plunge the Nation into Chaos (Part 2)
After a few pots of wine, the three of them finally returned home satisfied.
Song Changming had the day off today and went straight back to the Song Residence on Houli Street.
Since the city’s public security had declined, he moved back to live at the Song Residence.
It made it easier to look after his parents, in case there were any troublemakers.
Today, before he even entered the door, he heard the continuous voice of Father Song from the courtyard, sounding rather angry.
"Dad, what’s the matter?" Song Changming asked as he pushed the door open and walked in.
"Ping’an, you tell him." Father Song took a sip of tea, feeling a bit better.
Song Ping’an, who was beside him, started explaining to Song Changming.
It turned out that today, he and Father Song went to the market to sell this month’s share of Bisho Silkworms.
Who knew they would encounter a group of Jianghu people who wanted to forcibly buy and sell their silkworms, even wanting to resort to violence.
Fortunately, Song Ping’an promptly mentioned Song Changming.
The identity of the Chief Patrol Guard and the famous ’Dragon Saber’ name in the Jianghu worked, scaring that group away.
"Well done." Song Changming patted Song Ping’an on the shoulder in approval after hearing this.
If it weren’t for this kid’s quick thinking, today Father Song and he would not only lose their Bisho Silkworms at the market, but they would also likely end up getting a beating.
"Dad, don’t be angry. Tomorrow I’ll have someone investigate and catch those people to settle this." Song Changming comforted.
"Let it be, let it be. Considering the current chaos outside, it’s better to avoid trouble. They didn’t actually do anything to me, so I’m not upset." Father Song waved his hand.
Song Changming smiled and didn’t say anything further.
But he had already made up his mind that those Jianghu thugs weren’t going to get away. Offending him meant they’d end up in jail.
In this respect, he was never a forgiving person.
Anyone who offended him or those he cared about always had to pay the price.
"Dad, in the future, if you’re selling the Bisho Silkworms, just let me know, so I can send a Patrol Guard over to help." Song Changming said.
With the Patrol Guard, especially one from the General Department, protecting them, most people wouldn’t dare to try anything.
After consoling Father Song, Song Changming turned to look at Song Ping’an.
Now Song Ping’an was almost sixteen years old. Due to years of self-training, he had grown quite robust, with abundant Qi blood, only slightly shorter than Song Changming.
Compared to when he first came to the Song Residence, when he was thin and small, he seemed like a completely different person now.
"Have you improved your sword skill recently?" Song Changming asked.
He had started teaching Song Ping’an swordsmanship last year, and it had been over a year now.
During this period, whenever he had free time back at the Song Residence, he would offer guidance, teaching with a fair amount of dedication.
And Song Ping’an practiced diligently as well, never needing any urging from Song Changming; his daily routine consisted only of eating, resting, working, and training.
This level of dedication even surpassed Song Changming’s own training regimen, leaving him with no complaints.
"There has been some improvement, but I still haven’t grasped the sword momentum you mentioned, Brother Song. I must be too dull..." Song Ping’an said, feeling quite troubled.
He was practicing the lower version of the Soul-breaking Saber that Song Changming had initially trained in, which was easier for beginners.
Now Song Ping’an had already mastered this lower version of the Soul-breaking Saber to the Mastery Realm and was progressing toward the Minor Success Realm.
This rate of progress was pretty standard in Song Changming’s view, not exactly impressive.
After all, it was the result of frequent guidance from him, the master of the Soul-breaking Saber. Without his hands-on guidance, Song Ping’an’s performance would have been even less remarkable.
From his observations over this period, Song Changming concluded that Song Ping’an’s martial arts aptitude was above average for a regular person, decent, but far from genius level.
This was somewhat regrettable, but normal in reality.
Martial arts geniuses were exceedingly rare; it wasn’t as if Song Changming could find one just like that.
To begin with, Song Changming didn’t have high expectations for Song Ping’an, letting him train just to give him some fighting ability to fend off petty thieves and handle small troubles, protecting his parents.
"No worries, practice slowly. Keep a calm mind. The more anxious you are, the harder it is to catch that fleeting inspiration," Song Changming said with a smile.
His teaching style was relaxed, primarily encouraging, rather than strict.
Especially since Song Ping’an’s personality didn’t require any harsh reprimanding.
He could just keep practicing at his own pace.
"Okay, Brother Song!" Song Ping’an stole a glance to make sure he hadn’t disappointed Song Changming and then breathed a small sigh of relief.
"I’ll make sure to work even harder in the future and not let Brother Song down!" In his sleeves, Song Ping’an clenched his fists, silently cheering himself on.
The next day, Song Changming returned to work at the General Department.
Zhuang Ren, looking rather unwell, came to find Song Changming.
"The directives from above have been communicated: for those Jianghu heroes who come to seek refuge, if they disturb the city’s order, we should focus on mediation. Unless there is a murder, we cannot arrest them."
Upon hearing this, Song Changming’s brow furrowed immediately.
"Is this the Fifth Prince’s intent?"
"Perhaps, or it might be the idea of the strategists and civil servants under him. In any case, the decision is made; let those underneath you know." Zhuang Ren gestured with his hand as he spoke.
He was clearly also quite dissatisfied with this arrangement from above.
Since when did these Jianghu people gain such privileges within the city?
It was simply too outrageous.
If this continues, where lies the dignity of our Patrol Armor Bureau? People might as well trample over us and act arrogantly.
Song Changming shook his head and turned away.
Thinking about it, it’s probably not just their county city - the lands governed by the Fifth Prince’s command over the Seven Commanderies likely face the same situation.
Anyone who comes to seek refuge with him, regardless of their character, is accepted without question.
For the Fifth Prince and the officials in his faction, such a stance is not hard to understand.
After all, those who come to seek refuge are a significant source of strength against the Imperial Court and part of the fresh troops they need for battles.
To keep the bigger picture intact and prevent those who seek refuge from feeling disheartened, indulging them a little in minor matters is of no real consequence.
Nevertheless, even though Song Changming understood the considerations and reasons behind the decisions of these superiors,
he felt that this still wasn’t a valid justification for allowing villains to run amok in the city.
There were clearly better solutions, but those decision-makers didn’t care about these trivial matters and were unwilling to think more about them.
...
At Liu Residence.
After listening to what Song Changming said, Liu Dingsheng placed a chess piece and smiled: "So what’s the point of being a military officer, with all the rules and restrictions? Even with orders from above, no matter the reluctance, you have to comply.
Being a Chief Patrol Guard is less free than being an ordinary civilian like me."
"You make a valid point, senior," Song Changming nodded, not arguing.
If it were a time of peace before, being an official meant having the backing of a powerful government and Imperial Court, commanding respect, and holding a high position.
Now, in this chaotic world, even the government and court cannot be entirely relied upon, making an official’s life not as good as before.
Liu Dingsheng gave Song Changming another look and smiled: "It seems you already have your plans. So why did you come looking for me today?"
"Senior, both of my sword skills have reached perfection. If I want to progress further, what path should I take?" Song Changming asked directly.
Liu Dingsheng placed another chess piece before speaking: "I have told you before, your sword skill mastery is at its peak; what you lack is a Body Refining cultivation that matches your perfect blade skill.
Your start in Body Refining was late, now you only have Sixth Realm cultivation, which falls short."
Song Changming nodded, understanding this well.
Though refining the body is a long process, and despite wanting to speed things up, there’s no way to hasten it. Seeing Liu Dingsheng had more to say, he remained quiet to listen.
"Conventionally, martial arts are divided from low grade to high grade into Lower Grade Martial Arts, Superior Martial Arts, and Top Martial Arts. You’ve already perfected the Top Blade Skill. To further your swordsmanship mastery, you must go beyond the framework of martial arts," Liu Dingsheng explained slowly.
Song Changming listened thoughtfully and somewhat uncertainly said: "Do you mean I should not seek more sword skills, but rather go beyond the martial arts category, to the Martial Technique?"
Liu Dingsheng nodded, picked up a small jade cup filled with tea, and continued: "If you seek martial skills more profound and powerful than top-tier martial arts, they can only be Martial Techniques. However, there are strict requirements for cultivating Martial Techniques regarding Martial Arts Cultivation. At minimum, you must be an Extreme Realm Martial Artist to even begin touching Martial Techniques."
Upon hearing this, Song Changming felt somewhat disheartened.
Ultimately, it seemed that enhancing Body Refining cultivation was the only path to becoming stronger.
"It looks like I must focus most of my energy and time on Body Refining in the future..." Song Changming said helplessly.
In fact, he had already long ago shifted his daily cultivation focus to Body Refining Skill.
Now that his blade skill is perfect and there’s no more room to advance, he can allocate his time for Body Refining even more intensively.
"Indeed, the situation is as you’ve described. Mainly because cases like yours are rare. Most martial artists and experts I’ve seen first achieved the Ninth Realm in Body Refining Cultivation before having the possibility of perfecting superior or top-tier martial skills.
Compared to Body Refining, progress in martial arts highly emphasizes comprehension, especially with top-tier martial arts, which are often harder to achieve in Great Perfection," Liu Dingsheng explained.
In other words, Song Changming had already mastered the most challenging part, while the standard Body Refining progression remains far from Great Perfection.
"For now, there is no need to overthink. Avoid arrogance and impatience, let your swordsmanship mastery settle, and focus on advancing your Body Refining Skill," Liu Dingsheng advised as he finished the chess game.
"Understood, thank you for your guidance today, senior." Song Changming cupped his hands in gratitude.
Over time, as he became more acquainted with this senior, he’d consult him during their chess games whenever he faced confusion or difficulties.
And Liu Dingsheng was always patient in responding to his queries, offering invaluable assistance whenever possible.