Chapter 76 - 74: Sword Practitioner Trait
Song Changming browsed through his annual summary.
Looking back over the past year, he did indeed notice quite a few events had transpired.
In various aspects, he had made some contributions, and the overall evaluation was higher than in previous years.
Hence, the annual rewards this time had changed.
Aside from increasing his life span and adding attribute points of talent, a new option had appeared to enhance relevant physical attributes.
Sword Practitioner: A naturally gifted sword practitioner who is born with familiarity with swords, enhancing the efficiency of practicing sword skills.
Among his relevant physical attributes, he still only had one negative attribute - fear of water, which rendered him a landlubber with no swimming ability.
This Sword Practitioner attribute was undeniably a positive effect.
He knew that in this world, some people are born to excel in certain trades or fields, achieving feats that ordinary people cannot.
The Sword Practitioner attribute roughly meant that he could be more proficient in practicing swords, enhancing efficiency.
This was naturally beneficial for Song Changming, who had already mastered two sets of sword techniques and had practiced swords for many years.
Initially, he considered choosing the attribute points this time, as they could enhance innate talent and accumulate life span.
In the past two consecutive years, choosing martial arts experience consumed a lot of his life span, so much so that his life span hadn’t increased for years, hovering around thirty-six thousand days.
But with a rare new option this time, even for experimental purposes, he needed to change his mind.
After all, by this time next year, the option of the Sword Practitioner attribute might not be available.
After a brief contemplation, Song Changming decisively chose the Sword Practitioner trait.
Soon, on his personal panel, in the relevant physical attributes section, a new white Sword Practitioner trait appeared.
When he held the sword again, he sensed a subtle difference.
Song Changming couldn’t really describe the change, but he could feel the Sword Practitioner trait starting to take effect.
Trying to practice swordsmanship, in a blink, the Flying Swallow Technique flowed effortlessly from his hands.
Without stopping, Song Changming repeatedly polished the sword skills until he was exhausted and took a rest.
During the process, even without looking at the panel, he could sense his Flying Swallow Technique improving.
However, speaking of noticeable differences from past practice, there really was none, as swordsmanship is a slow, cumulative process.
It was only after several days of practice that he began to notice the distinction.
Estimating roughly, the Sword Practitioner trait enhances the accumulation efficiency of his sword skills by about twenty percent.
Applied to high-level sword skills, the efficiency increase was quite considerable.
He estimated that with this practice efficiency, achieving great perfection in the Flying Swallow Technique could be shortened by three to four months at least.
Initially, considering perfecting the Flying Swallow Knife Skill next year seemed somewhat ambitious.
But now there was no need to worry.
With this Sword Practitioner trait, the knife skills will undoubtedly reach perfection next year!
Overall, he was quite satisfied with this newly-acquired trait.
In the future, if he could equip more similar traits, who could say he wasn’t a martial arts genius...
Think of the world’s talent figures; they are likely the perfect combination of high attribute points and multiple relevant physical traits, creating the image of genius.
As he lives longer, the future Song Changming is destined to gradually become a more perfect genius template.
It starts now!
...
That day, on Brocade Street.
Coming out from the Xiao Mansion, Min’Er walked along a secluded path, finding a small courtyard behind a small bamboo grove.
After looking around, Min’Er arrived at the courtyard.
"This should be it..."
Soon she knocked on the courtyard door, meeting Song Changming, who happened to be resting today.
"Oh, Miss Min’Er, for what reason do you visit today?" Song Changming immediately recognized the elegant woman in a neat white brocade outfit, holding a matching sword.
The Dragon Pattern Saber had been brought by her previously.
To speak of it, since Song Changming joined the General Department, the fourth young lady from the Xiao Family had yet to contact him.
Neither had he had any dealings with the Xiao Family.
"Guard Captain Song’s new residence is not easy to find." Min’Er glanced at the small courtyard and remarked.
"Just wanted a quiet place to live alone." Song Changming replied.
His new home on Brocade Street was indeed just him living there.
Even the two dogs, Dahuang and White, were left at the Song Residence on Houli Street to watch over his parents.
Compared to there, this place felt more like a temporary abode, and he saw no need to live too well.
Even as a Patrol Captain in the General Department, he wasn’t that particular.
His requirements for this temporary residence were simply to sleep at night, practice swords, and not be disturbed by outsiders.
"My lady invites you this afternoon." After some brief conversation, Min’Er quickly got to the point.
Indeed, only her lady’s invitation gave her a reason to find Song Changming.
"Alright, I’m aware of this." Song Changming nodded.
In no time, Min’Er left Song Changming, silently noting how more heroic the Guard Captain seemed after this brief absence.
Afternoon.
Song Changming ate a few portions of top-grade meat at the restaurant and then went to the Xiao Mansion.
A servant went to report, and then the maid of the Fourth Miss came to lead him inside.
This time it wasn’t Min’Er, but another cooler-mannered, more dignified Xiu’Er.
"Please follow me." Xiu’Er’s voice also sounded cool and detached.
"Thank you, Miss Xiu’Er." Song Changming replied politely.
Xiu’Er said nothing, leading the way silently.
No matter how many times he came to the Xiao Mansion, it was always breathtaking; the sea of flowers and the water scenery were exceptionally beautiful.
It’s not an exaggeration to say it is the top residence of Donglai County City.
After some meandering, Song Changming soon arrived at a large courtyard.
At the moment, there were a dozen or so people in the courtyard, looking quite young; their attire didn’t resemble those of the Xiao Family, and they were competing in pairs with swords, knives, and bare fists.
Xiao Shuyun sat on a long bench, assessing these people’s skills, with a serious and focused expression, occasionally frowning.
Upon seeing Song Changming arrive, she changed her expression, smiling faintly and invited Song Changming to sit beside her.
"Fourth Miss, who are they?" Song Changming asked, looking at the group in the courtyard.
"These are young martial artists I had someone find from the Jianghu, hoping to select some useful talents from them. I trust Song Guard’s judgment is better than mine, so I’d like you to come and evaluate them today." Xiao Shuyun said.
"I see." Song Changming understood.
It’s not a big deal; Xiao Shuyun wanted to follow her brothers and sisters to try recruiting guests.
In fact, from her previous moves to support Song Changming, it was clear that this Fourth Miss had the determination and intention to build her own force.
Although it’s unclear why all four of the Xiao Family’s children are like this, Song Changming is responsible for helping her out.
"Unfortunately, those strong elders from Donglai Prefecture either have no intention of working for others or have already been recruited by major forces.
Only these less renowned young martial artists are left, and among them, few have real value for recruitment and cultivation." Xiao Shuyun shook her head, her tone somewhat helpless.
She wished to recruit established Martial Tao experts to be under her command and have them oversee a domain.
But unfortunately, even though she is the Governor’s daughter, she can’t make people abandon their former masters to follow her.
The mainstream mentality of this era remains rooted in loyalty and filial duty.
A person who betrays trust and righteousness becomes marked for life once such a reputation spreads.
The more renowned they are, the more they value public perception.
Therefore, Xiao Shuyun couldn’t attract established experts and turned her thoughts to cultivating her own.
Song Changming looked up at the courtyard; these dozen or so were seemingly in their teens or twenties, clearly martial artists.
Regardless of their fist and foot skills, or sword and knife skills, they showed some level of proficiency.
"How are they?" Xiao Shuyun asked when she saw Song Changming had looked around.
"Not remarkable." Song Changming stated bluntly; he indeed had developed some discernment.
These people merely had skills learned from a martial arts school for a few years, potentially stronger than ordinary peers but undoubtedly not impressive.
Take his Patrol Guard for example; each young patrol guard has better strength and martial arts aptitude than these people.
If Xiao Shuyun wants to cultivate elite talents, in Song Changming’s view, the people in this courtyard are not promising.
Seemingly overhearing Song Changming’s evaluation, someone refused to accept it and claimed they wanted to spar with Song Changming.
Since it was a rest day, without wearing an official uniform, they didn’t know Song Changming’s identity.
"Elder Feng, next batch, please." Xiao Shuyun gestured to the old family servant behind her.
She was aware of Song Changming’s abilities; she wasn’t interested in watching Song Changming bully amateurs.
Nowadays, not everyone is qualified to compete against Song Changming.
Since Song Changming found them lacking, and she herself felt this group was ordinary, simply save the time.
"Yes." Xiao Feng acknowledged and took the group away.
The maid Min’Er, meanwhile, served freshly prepared flower pastries and tea to Song Changming.
It must be said, the Xiao Family’s pastries are a rare delicacy not found on the market.
Spending an afternoon there, sipping tea, eating pastries, watching the entertainment, was a rare leisurely time for Song Changming.
After a while, Xiao Shuyun’s old family servant brought over the next batch.
The same number again, and similarly, most were quite young.
"Fourth Miss, the one with the staff might be worth observing longer." Song Changming said after watching, pointing out one of the batch in a long robe with a shining head.
This person wielded a long iron staff with strength obviously exceeding those around, manifesting a clear superiority.
Their mastery of staff moves is also a significant sign of achieving proficiency in martial arts.
Moreover, considering their young age, it’s quite good already.
If Xiao Shuyun isn’t interested, Song Changming may consider offering them an opportunity to join his Patrol Guard.
"Elder Feng, let him compete more." Xiao Shuyun instructed the old family servant upon hearing.
Sure enough, the person consecutively defeated eight others from the batch, proving their remarkable abilities with a single staff.
"What’s your name?" Xiao Shuyun asked.
"Miss, I’m Luo Meng from Dingqing Temple." The person replied calmly, holding the staff to the ground, and bowed.
"From Dingqing Temple, huh? Not bad. Would you like to become my guest? All terms of treatment will be favorable." Xiao Shuyun asked directly.
She knew the righteous faction status of Dingqing Temple well; its disciples had a good reputation, never involved in criminal acts.
Just being a guest with the Dingqing Temple label makes this individual trustworthy.