novelnext Chapter 4, "Golden Body Technique," is obtained.
Chapter 4, "Golden Body Technique," is obtained.
As Shen Yan stepped out of his house, he saw that the door of Widow Wang's house next door was open.
Widow Wang was seeing a young scholar off when the three of them bumped into each other.
"Shen Yan, it's time to get to the prison early this morning!"
"Hmm, sister-in-law, do you know who this is?"
"This is the future top scholar, who has come to Bianjing to participate in the imperial examination. He has been renting a room at my house for the past few days."
Upon hearing that he was a candidate for the palace examination, Shen Yan couldn't help but show more respect, as his predecessor had also participated in the imperial examinations.
Those who could participate in the palace examination were all the best in their respective prefectures and counties. Although they were not yet officials, they already held official positions, but the Great Zhou Dynasty simply did not have that many vacancies.
"You wouldn't dare say that. My surname is Song, Brother Shen, you can just call me 'Mingli'."
As he spoke, he bowed to Shen Yan.
Shen Yan had a good impression of him, and when he heard that he worked in the prison, he showed no disdain whatsoever.
After all, scholars despise those of lowly status the most, yet he lacked the arrogance of a scholar.
"Brother Song is very talented. He may very well become the top scholar in the imperial examination one day."
It's just a few polite words; if someone respects him, he'll respect them in return. Shen Yan is that kind of person.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shen Yan left to take up his post in the imperial prison.
The widow Wang's husband died while working for the Duke's mansion, leaving behind only the widow Wang and her young son.
The Duke was kind and righteous; he found her a job and even rewarded her with a house.
Widow Wang often rented out rooms to travelers to supplement her income.
……
……
Upon arriving at the prison, Shen Yan saw Sun Fugui approaching and speaking urgently to him.
"Shen Yan, do you have any money left? I'll lend you a few taels. I'll pay you back when I get my salary. My family is about to starve."
"You've lost again! I only have two taels of silver here. Take it home for household expenses. Don't gamble anymore, there won't be a next time."
"Hey bro, thanks, I'll definitely pay you back next month."
Having borrowed the money, Sun Fugui left with a beaming smile.
Shen Yan knew that Sun Fugui must have lost his money gambling in the office yesterday, otherwise how could he be broke after only a few days of receiving his share of the prison's profits?
Considering how well he had taken care of him over the past few days, Shen Yan gave him two taels of silver. As long as he didn't gamble, he would definitely be able to make it until next month when he received his share of the profits.
I shook my head as I watched his departing figure.
"Gambling and drugs are harmful!"
Shen Yan returned to cell number C and began inspecting the cells.
Discipline in the prison was lax, and there were only one or two people like him who performed their duties on time every day. Some were simply people who were assigned by the higher-ups to receive a salary without working.
Shen Yan, fearing being caught red-handed, dared not relax for a moment, for Hu Youtian might have someone watching him from the shadows.
If something goes wrong, not only will your job be in danger, but your life could be at risk as well.
As usual, I arrived at Zhu Zhengyang's cell door.
I asked a question out of habit.
"So, what's your decision?"
"You win. Let me make this clear: I want the roast duck and peach blossom wine from Zuixianlou, and I'm not giving you the medicinal bath recipe."
Shen Yan pondered for a moment. Not having a medicinal bath recipe didn't seem to be a big problem, but it would slow down the progress a bit.
"Okay, no problem."
Zhu Zhengyang was a little puzzled. He had only said it tentatively, but he didn't expect Shen Yanzhen to agree.
Knowing he didn't want the medicinal bath prescription, he would have complied long ago; why suffer these past few days?
If Shen Yan wanted, he could simply register his name with the Giant Whale Gang and learn the technique within three to five years. Why go through all that trouble?
Shen Yan was naturally aware of all this, but three or five years was too long. The world was not peaceful, and he only wanted to seize the day.
"I can tell from your steady gait that you must have practiced martial arts."
"Yes, I learned Taizu Changquan (a style of Chinese martial arts)."
"My Golden Body Technique follows the path of external cultivation. When it is perfected, it can rival a mid-level third-grade martial artist. It is hundreds of times stronger than your Taizu Long Fist."
"Middle Grade Three? How is that classified?"
Upon hearing Shen Yan ask such a question, Zhu Zhengyang's expression turned somewhat disdainful.
"Martial arts are divided into nine ranks. Ranks seven to nine are the lower three ranks, and ranks four to six are the middle three ranks. A master of the Golden Body Technique can hold his own even against a martial artist of the upper six ranks."
"If you were to cultivate internal energy techniques at your age, it would probably take until your grandchildren were born to become an entry-level martial artist. External cultivation and body tempering are faster; if you're willing to spend money on a constant supply of medicinal soups, you could make a name for yourself in three to five years and become a ninth-rank martial artist."
Shen Yan nodded. Just like in the novels and TV dramas he had read in his previous life, martial arts training was started from a young age.
"Wouldn't that mean everyone would just start practicing external martial arts?"
Zhu Zhengyang shook his head.
"External martial arts require hard work, so those with a little wealth will choose internal martial arts. Most people stop at the lower three ranks in external martial arts. With enough resources, internal martial arts can reach the middle three ranks in ten or twenty years, at which point there is hope of breaking through to the upper three ranks."
"What about Grandmasters? I've heard that there's a Grandmaster realm above the First Rank."
Zhu Zhengyang rolled his eyes at him.
"You're asking me? I'm just a ninth-rank martial artist. I'd like to know what it's like to be a grandmaster."
"Unfortunately, I probably won't have the chance in this lifetime. Remember to bring my roast chicken and peach blossom wine."
"Don't worry, you'll get your share."
In the afternoon, Shen Yan went out and brought Zhu Zhengyang roast chicken and wine.
Shen Yan got his wish and obtained the cultivation method of the "Golden Body Technique".
This skill is most widely circulated among gangs like the Giant Whale Gang, where carrying loads at the docks requires immense strength.
In the world of martial arts, those with thick skin and tough flesh have a significant advantage.
He went to an empty cell and began to cultivate. Zhu Zhengyang shook his head as he looked at Shen Yan's serious expression.
"Fool, even in external martial arts, no one starts practicing at twenty. It would be strange if you could make a name for yourself."
Zhu Zhengyang was happily munching on roast chicken and drinking wine.
Shen Yan spent half a day in the cell, but unfortunately he still couldn't finish rehearsing it once.
His consciousness sank into his mind, and he saw that on the golden Dao Fruit, there was still only the black figure of the Taizu Long Fist, which made him somewhat depressed.
"This truly lives up to its reputation as a technique capable of fighting against a mid-level three-rank opponent; it's far more difficult than the Taizu Long Fist."
Having lingered here for too long, Shen Yan decided not to delay any longer. He strode out of the cell, ignoring Zhu Zhengyang, afraid to see his mocking expression.
He went straight back to his cell.
The sound of betting continued to echo inside, and Shen Yan could only shake his head at the sight.
"Sun Fugui isn't here? Looks like he didn't take my money to gamble."
Zhu Zhengyang watched Shen Yan's departing figure. He had practiced his skills for half a day and tempered his body for so long, yet he hadn't even been able to perform the entire routine once.
He shook his head and thought to himself.
"As expected, there aren't that many geniuses."
The next two days.
Shen Yan often went to Zhu Zhengyang's cell to chat.
Practicing the "Golden Body Technique" requires a lot of meat to replenish the body, otherwise it is easy to become deficient in qi and blood. So Shen Yan brought a portion for Zhu Zhengyang.
There was no other way; without a medicinal bath recipe, we could only supplement our diet with meat.
He began to constantly inquire about martial artists and crammed on his knowledge of them.
There was nothing he could do; this was the only martial artist he could talk to.
Gradually, the two became acquainted, and he discovered that Zhu Zhengyang had quite the demeanor of a chivalrous hero.
It turns out that there was a reason why he killed the younger brother of the censor's concubine.
The man, taking advantage of his brother-in-law being an imperial censor, kidnapped a girl from Zhu Zhengyang's village. The next time he saw her, she was already a corpse floating in a wild river.
The county magistrate, fearing the imperial censor, directly sentenced the victim to death by drowning.
He was furious and stormed into the girl's house to demand justice.
Unexpectedly, that guy was incredibly arrogant and even dared to provoke him. Zhu Zhengyang was immediately enraged and taught him a lesson.
Who would have thought that the man was so easily killed?
Zhu Zhengyang was imprisoned as a result.
He deserved to pay for his crime with his life, and naturally he could not escape this fate.
Every bite and every sip is a cause and effect; the censor's power was immense, what a pity for Zhu Zhengyang.