Chapter 60: Chapter 59: First Entry into the Martial
Academy
Translator: 549690339
“The temple and the jianghu intersect, but they have different environments. If you only wander in the jianghu, your low profile might win you many friends. However, now that you’ve decided to get involved in the court, you can’t act in the same way,” Gu Ji said.
Pei Xuanjing was somewhat baffled. Logically, shouldn’t strength be what mattered in the jianghu? But what Gu Ji implied seemed to be the complete opposite.
Seeing his confusion, Gu Ji asked, “Do you think it’s only in the jianghu where power matters?”
“Wrong!” He answered himself, “Let me tell you, brother, the court values power even more. It’s more realistic than the jianghu and the struggle, both open and hidden, is even more dangerous.” The power struggle in the jianghu appears perilous, often turning from life to death in the blink of an
But in Gu Ji’s view, that’s but a contest of brute force, the losing party merely dying without implicating their families.
Whereas the struggle in the court is much more dangerous, with losers not only meeting their end but potentially leading to the annihilation of their entire families, causing collateral damage to several clans.
Therefore, in the court, you can be gentle, but you must demonstrate your power to deter the unscrupulous.
You have to make it clear that you’re not to be trifled with and that anyone who dares will pay the price. Only by making them wary can you find the best way to navigate through.”
Pei Xuanjing finally realized what Gu Ji meant.
It’S like having nuclear weapons – you don’t have to use them, but you must possess them.
Otherwise, you would merely be meat on the chopping board for others, subject to others at their whim.
“Thank you for your pointer, Mr. Gu,” Pei Xuanjing thanked, clasping his hands as a sign of respect. Gu Ji brushed aside his thanks, “We’re brothers, there’s no need for such formalities.”
When Pei Xuanjing first met Gu Ji, he saw him as nothing but a handy tool, someone that could help him seize the oddities within the Forbidden Place of the Blessed Land.
However, Pei Xuanjing’s steadfastness to his promise, coupled with the enjoyable cooperation against the Liu family and Shen’s Business Association…
And the exceptional martial arts talent he displayed eventually warmed Gu Ji to the idea of becoming friends.
After all, even if he chose to work his way up the political ladder, having a martial arts expert as a friend would be beneficial.
Now, they could consider each other partners and even friends.
The night fell, and Pei Xuanjing declined Gu Ji’s invitation to stay, returning to his place of stay in Tiandu instead.
It was a well-known inn in Tiandu.
In the room at the inn, Pei Xuanjing was devising his future plans.
Even though Gu Ji had given him some pointers, he realized that he would have to control the details of how to put these plans into action on his own.
After pondering for a long time, Pei Xuanjing sat cross-legged on the bed and began to cultivate, circulating the True Qi within his body.
The third realm of martial arts cultivation, also known as the Rebirth through Blood Exchange, involved mainly using one’s True Qi to cleanse their Blood Qi.
To truly cultivate the distinguishing traits of a martial artist in the Upper Three Realms, such as Blood Qi Wolf Smoke, Blood Qi smelting furnace, Blood Qi long river, would be crucial.
And to cultivate the Blood Qi Wolf Smoke, one would need the genuine understanding of martial arts, which was the difference between pseudo and authentic martial arts masters.
Even if they have undergone the first Rebirth through Blood Exchange, those who did not comprehend the genuine meaning of martial arts would have their Blood Qi dispersed all over their bodies, unable to congregate under the auspices of true martial arts understanding into the Blood Qi Wolf Smoke.
It was important to note that although there was not much difference in the grades among martial artists, the amount and control of True Qi significantly varied between those who had just broken through and those who had remained in the realm for many years.
Even though Pei Xuanjing, with the aid of a simulator, had broken through to the Third-grade realm, he hadn’t truly reached the peak of this realm, thus requiring continuous cultivation.
The next day, Pei Xuanjing handed over the paperwork given by Shen Qianhu to the Capital Commanding Department early in the morning and returned to the inn to continue his cultivation. In the meantime, he refined some lower-quality martial arts to accumulate Taoyun.
Although these low-grade martial arts provided limited Taoyun values, it was better than nothing, and the accumulation over time was substantial.
The only regret was the few Cultivation Method Manuals left in his hands. His accumulated Taoyun was just over ten thousand, still far from the twenty thousand needed to activate the next life simulation.
Three days later, Pei Xuanjing was finally ready.
In the early morning, he headed to the Martial Academy, where the Martial Classics were compiled.
The academy, a mere estate covering several tens of acres, was formerly part of the Dudu Mansion but was now devoted to the Martial Academy.
Upon his arrival, he handed his commission to the gatehouse. After checking, the gatehouse asked him to wait for a moment while he went to notify the relevant personnel.
The structure of the Martial Academy was simple, with one president, two vice-presidents, and the rest of the staff all holding the position of editor.
Accommodations varied based on one’s ability. With a Third-Grade Martial Artist like Pei Xuanjing, he was considered a Fifth Rank editor and was entitled to a monthly stipend.
Pei Xuanjing didn’t expect that he didn’t have a steady job in his previous life, yet in this life, he had unexpectedly gotten a secured position.
“Are you the new editor, Pei Xuanjing?” asked an elderly man with snowy hair and a youthful face, dressed in a Tai Chi robe.
Clasping his fists in greeting, Pei Xuanjing replied, “Indeed, I am Pei Xuanjing. May I know who you are, sir?”
This Taoist Priest was a master; this was his immediate impression.
The Taoist Priest stroked his long beard and smiled, “I am Qingyang Zi, one of the decision-makers of this Martial Academy.”
Upon hearing the name ‘Qingyang Zi,’ Pei Xuanjing showed even more respect, “I’m a humble learner and it’s an honor to meet you, President.”
Qingyang Zi was of Second-class cultivation realm, originated from the Taihe Mountain True Martial Sect, and was the current Sect Leader’s junior brother.
Besides, he was one of the martial arts teachers who mentored the current emperor during his childhood and was highly trusted by the emperor.
“Ha ha ha, young people these days are so slick. I’m merely a Vice-President, I am not worthy of the title ‘President”‘ Qingyang Zi laughed, gesturing for Pei Xuanjing to follow him.
Pei Xuanjing smiled.
He knew why the Taoist Priest did so, because the President of the Martial Academy was Zhu Shou, the current great General, the National Guardian Duke.
Of course, everyone knew that this was just an alias used by the current Emperor.
“This is the library…” “This is the editing room…” “That’s the training field…”
“That’s the Elixir chamber…”
“Those are the accommodations for each editor, but if you don’t need to stay in the Martial Academy, it’S up to you.”
Qingyang Zi led Pei Xuanjing around and enthusiastically introduced him to the Martial Academy, not acting superior in the slightest.
Regardless, Pei Xuanjing displayed an attentive demeanor. He listened carefully to everything Qingyang Zi said and kept it in mind.
Upon hearing about the library, he couldn’t help but ask, “Elder, can I freely access the martial arts manuals in the library?”
This time he still referred to him as ‘President,’ but the Taoist Priest did not object..