The First Sage of Military Strategists

Chapter 40 Choosing the Three Realms of Martial Arts

Yang Wu then threw more than a dozen kinds of medicinal herbs into the wooden bucket. In an instant, the clear water in the bucket turned brownish-brown, and the whole room was filled with a bitter medicinal smell.

Han Qingjing calmly felt the changes in her body, feeling warm and comfortable all over, with a tingling sensation coming from her wounds, and her previous fatigue was swept away.

"Han Qing, your Nine Yin Manual is nearing completion. At this rate, it will likely be perfected next month. It's time to choose a martial art that reaches the third realm."

From what I understand, the first stage involves practicing the Nine Yang Skill, the second stage involves practicing the Nine Yin Skill, and the third stage has two martial arts that are most suitable for you: the Heavy Mountain Skill and the Golden Cauldron Skill.

A martial artist at the third realm can cover their entire body with their strength, so I think choosing a martial art that focuses on self-defense is the most important thing.

Both the Golden Cauldron Skill and the Heavy Mountain Skill have extremely strong protective abilities.

The powerful energy of the mountains envelops the entire body, allowing one to connect with the earth and achieve the remarkable feat of being as immovable as a mountain.

"The Golden Cauldron Force permeates your entire body, like a golden bell shield, impervious to blades and spears. While not indestructible, it's extremely difficult for a martial artist of the same realm to harm you." Yang Wu said unhurriedly as he tossed the last few medicinal herbs into the wooden bucket.

Han Qing nodded slightly, recalling the notes he had seen in the book before. There were also relevant records in it. The combination of Nine Yang Force, Nine Yin Force, and Heavy Mountain Force was indeed an excellent fusion route, focusing on self-defense.

However, there is an even more outstanding path besides this one, which incorporates the Jade Void Force, making the body more graceful and agile, and focusing on mobile combat.

Both can greatly enhance a martial artist's combat power, but the former has a stronger ability to withstand blows, while the latter has a faster movement speed.

However, what Han Qing valued was another characteristic of the Jade Void Force: concealing one's aura.

Enveloping the body in Jade Void Force makes it impossible for others to sense body temperature, breathing, or changes in aura, as if the person has turned into a corpse. This is an excellent technique for concealing one's strength or for killing and robbing treasures.

So Han Qing thought about it seriously and said, "Master, I want to learn the Jade Void Skill."

“Oh? Jade Void Skill is indeed a good path. Alright, I’ll go to the storeroom and get you a copy. You should also take a look at the Heavy Mountain Skill and the Golden Cauldron Skill. Every step on the path of martial arts must be taken seriously and cannot be taken lightly,” Yang Wu said solemnly.

Han Qing didn't listen to his advice, but he wasn't angry.

Firstly, Han Qing's personality is inherently like that; she is naturally stubborn and has her own opinions.

Secondly, it's normal for martial artists to have different preferences. He likes to constantly enhance his ability to withstand blows, while Han Qing likes to improve his mobility, and some people like to enhance their lethality. All of this is normal.

Yang Wu pondered for a moment, then turned and left, leaving Han Qing alone in the room.

With a thought, the panel appeared before his eyes, showing that he had reached the Great Perfection of the Zhige Jing realm.

He closed his eyes slightly, and his consciousness appeared in the temple, where the incense stick in front of the statue had reached eight inches in length.

"It'll be soon! I'll reach perfection soon, and after entering the Hundred Meridians Realm, my combat power will experience a new leap," Han Qingxin thought.

For the past month, he continued to meditate until late at night every day, and his spiritual practice continued to grow stronger. With each passing day, he made significant progress.

At this moment, footsteps came from outside the door, and Yang Wu walked into the room with three books in his arms: the Golden Cauldron Skill, the Heavy Mountain Skill, and the Jade Void Skill.

The Great Yu Dynasty once swept through the martial arts world, eliminating a large number of martial arts forces and collecting a large number of martial arts secrets into its treasury. Therefore, although Baiyun County is located in a remote corner of Shu, its treasury is extremely rich in martial arts secrets.

However, normally, constables cannot arbitrarily obtain martial arts skills from the yamen (government office); there is a complete set of rules and regulations.

But Yang Wu was the head of the squad and was close to Magistrate Qi, so he didn't need to care about these rules, and Han Qing also benefited from it.

"Take a good look at them. Pick one to take with you, and I'll send the other two back to the warehouse," Yang Wu instructed before turning and leaving.

"it is good."

Han Qing continued soaking in the bath for two hours, until it was completely dark and the water in the tub had turned ice-cold. Only then did he get up, wipe the water off his body with a coarse cloth, and quickly change into a clean set of clothes. Then he picked up the three martial arts manuals on the table next to him and sat down to examine them carefully.

The names of these three martial arts are actually quite long and complicated.

For example, the Jade Void Skill, whose full name is the Supreme Soaring to the Heavens Nine Revolutions True Jade Void Skill, emphasizes something mysterious and incomprehensible. Because it is too long, people simply call it the Jade Void Skill. The other two books are the same; no one knows what mysteries they contain.

Half an hour later, he closed the book, having read through all three martial arts techniques and had a general idea of ​​what they were.

In terms of difficulty, Jade Void Skill is the most difficult, followed by Golden Cauldron Skill, and Heavy Mountain Skill is the simplest, as can be seen from the number of acupoints that need to be opened.

The Jade Void Technique opens 58 acupoints, the Golden Cauldron Technique opens 54 acupoints, and the Heavy Mountain Technique opens 48 acupoints.

For other martial artists, in addition to considering their own temperament and preferences, and the effects after mastering the technique, the most important thing is to consider the difficulty.

This is why Yang Wu made him read each of the books.

One must act according to one's ability, especially since he only has less than four months to advance to the third realm and defeat the valiant veterans in the army. Time is very tight, and if it is too difficult, he may have to wait until next year to pass the test.

Of course, the worst-case scenario is choosing a particular martial art but being unable to learn it no matter what, in which case one's martial arts path will hit a bottleneck.

However, none of these are problems for him. He has the Seven Killings Stele, so there is no such thing as a bottleneck for him.

"I'll choose the Jade Void Skill." Han Qing made his decision without much hesitation, because he had already thought it through beforehand.

The characteristics of Jade Void Skill are exactly what he needs right now. Moreover, this path of energy fusion greatly enhances combat power, making him almost invincible among those in the same realm. The only drawback is that it is too difficult to learn.

After making her choice, Han Qing waited in the room for a while before Yang Wu returned.

His gaze swept across the room and he saw that Han Qing was holding the Jade Void Skill. He already understood Han Qing's choice.

"Of these three martial arts, Jade Void Skill is the most difficult to learn, but it will also significantly improve your combat power in the future and has the highest potential. Have you thought it through?" Yang Wu asked.

"I've thought it through." Han Qing nodded.

"Good, you have ambition. You'll walk your own path. Then choose the Jade Void Skill." Yang Wu said, taking away the other two martial arts.

Han Qing bowed slightly and said respectfully, "Master, I'll head back now."

It was already getting dark, and if we didn't go back soon, the Zaoban compound would be closing.

"Wait a minute, it's your turn to patrol the cells tomorrow. With your strength, you're qualified to enter the underground level and execute the prisoners there. Tomorrow I'll have Sun Xiao accompany you and tell you what to pay attention to." Yang Wu said, taking out a grass-green, circular jade pendant from his pocket.

"Take this jade. Remember to wear it when you go to patrol the prison cells tomorrow," Yang Wu added.

Han Qing took the jade pendant, and a cool sensation seeped into his body from his fingertips and went straight to his brain, giving him a refreshing feeling.

"This jade is extraordinary; it can calm the mind and dispel distracting thoughts," Han Qingxin said.

“Go,” Yang Wu said.

"Okay." Han Qing nodded respectfully, then turned and left.

Yang Wu is indeed a very competent master, and both morally and logically, he should be treated with utmost respect.

(End of this chapter)