Wuxia: Start with max-level Nine Yang Divine Skill

Along the long street, thousands of people knelt in worship, their shouts shaking the heavens.

Many people wept uncontrollably; those were tears of revenge and the clearing of wrongs.

Looking at the upright young figure behind the desk, his eyes were filled with endless gratitude.

"Thank you so much, Officer Li, for redressing our grievances!"

Looking at Wang Chongyu's filthy and horrific corpse on the ground, Li Fu felt only indifference and pleasure.

These wicked villains deserve to die.

This time, the matter was handled rather harshly, contrary to the usual practices of the imperial court.

However, with the imperial gold medal in hand and the evidence irrefutable, and in accordance with overwhelming public opinion, it is likely that the court will find it difficult to pursue the matter, and the emperor himself would probably be too embarrassed to say anything.

[Settle scores and punish the ringleaders!]

The chivalrous hero, upholding justice, held a public trial in the street with the imperial gold medal, executing the notorious Flower Stone Envoy Wang Chongyu, ridding the people of a scourge, and bringing great joy to the people.

The execution of this official was a great relief to the people, clearing the names of the many wronged citizens of Pingliang and calming their resentment.

[Reward - Mastery of Dragon-Capturing Skill.]

The ink-wash characters before my eyes were clear, then disappeared.

At the same time, all sorts of insights and profound meanings about the extraordinary skill of Dragon Capturing Technique flooded Li Fu's mind like a sudden awakening.

In that instant, it was as if he had practiced the Dragon-Capturing Skill for decades.

When this extraordinary skill and method of channeling energy are mastered to a high level and thoroughly understood, they become almost instinctive!

"The Dragon-Capturing Skill is profound and unique. It emphasizes taking objects from a distance, with power generated like a dragon. It can capture enemies and control objects with ease."

After reaching the peak, the true energy is released outwards and condensed into a tangible dragon claw, which can grab weapons and hidden weapons from several feet away, and even grab, capture and throw enemies from a distance!

Its power is subtle and nuanced, combining both strength and flexibility. Its grappling and locking techniques surpass even ordinary Dragon Claw and Eagle Claw techniques, and it also possesses the unpredictable power to project force from a distance.

At this moment, Li Fu's ten fingers moved slightly, and his mind stirred.

An invisible force seemed to flow from his fingertips, and his true energy was as responsive as his own arm, ready to be released at any time, transforming into an invisible dragon claw to capture everything!

"In the past, although I could also injure enemies from a distance with my palm strike and finger flicking technique, those were mostly direct force impacts, and I lacked fine control."

The martial arts I used to know didn't emphasize these things.

At this moment, Li Fu's control over the form, power, and direction of his released true energy reached an unprecedented level of exquisite mastery.

True Qi can become an extended, incredibly skillful, invisible hand.

"Gentlemen, I did it on a whim. Please rise, please rise."

At this moment, Li Fu used his Dragon-Capturing Skill to lift up several people who were constantly kowtowing to him and coughing up blood from their foreheads.

The people were stunned and couldn't believe it. They felt a hot wind blow past them and were involuntarily lifted up into the air.

Could this upright official before me truly be a star descended from heaven?

Mastering the Dragon-Capturing Skill not only gave Li Fu an extremely practical means of defeating his enemies, but also...

The ability to retrieve objects remotely and to seize and control the situation has been greatly enhanced.

This further enhances his precise control over his own internal energy, making his actions in actual combat even more unpredictable.

Combined with his vast and profound internal energy, its power is immeasurable.

The killing of Wang Chongyu was originally a personal vendetta, but unexpectedly, the Heavenly Book appeared, granting him such a useful skill, which was a pleasant surprise.

Li Fu turned around and said to Magistrate Zhou and the others.

"You have seen and heard the evidence of Wang Chongyu's crimes with your own eyes and ears."

The details of this case, along with the stolen goods, account books, and the victim's confession, should be compiled into a document and urgently reported to the prefectural government, the Bureau of Taxation, and the Ministry of Justice.

As for his family property, apart from deducting the embezzled funds and compensating the victims, the remainder will be confiscated.

All accomplices and colluders were imprisoned and punished.

If there is any error or negligence, you will be held responsible!

"I understand."

We will handle this properly and dare not make any mistakes.

Magistrate Zhou bowed repeatedly, his back soaked with cold sweat.

The other officials were trembling with fear, and dared not utter a word of dissent.

Logically, if an official is guilty, he should not be dealt with so hastily.

Instead, the case must be reported to the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Court of Judicial Review for joint review before any action is taken.

But there was nothing they could do, since Li Fu had the imperial edict and the gold medal in his possession, and most importantly, the evidence against Wang Chongyu was clear and irrefutable.

In particular, the embezzlement of the tribute of rare stones and flowers—a crime that could be committed in secret but absolutely could not be caught—was exposed in front of the people.

Wang Chongyu was already doomed.

But who exactly is this man? He possesses an imperial edict and a gold token, and for the first time in history, he has targeted a magistrate of the Flower and Stone Bureau.

Is this His Majesty's will?

This matter is likely to shake the government and the public, and cause a huge uproar.

……

Night falls in the backyard of the Pingliang County Government Office.

Li Fu was almost trembling with fear when Magistrate Zhou Yong invited him to stay in the quietest and most elegant side room in the county government office.

He could have left after finishing his business, but there were still some unfinished matters to attend to, so he stayed for the time being.

Outside the window, on the long street outside the county government gate, the noise had not completely subsided despite the nightfall.

After the fervor and elation of the daytime public trial of Wang Chongyu and the people's revenge, what followed was a deeper sorrow and bewilderment.

The crying continued intermittently.

Some people avenge their great grudges and witness their enemies' execution, feeling as if a huge weight that has weighed on their hearts for years has been lifted, yet they also feel as if all their strength has been drained away in an instant.

Some people avenge their great grudges and witness their enemies' execution, feeling as if a huge weight that has weighed on their hearts for years has been lifted, yet they also feel as if all their strength has been drained away in an instant.

He slumped down in the street corner, pounding his chest and stamping his feet, wailing and crying as if he were insane.

A release after long-term suppression.

The wisps of smoke from burning paper money rose in wisps, swirling in the night breeze, carrying with them the smell of burning paper.

Mixed with the suppressed sobs of women and children, it was a tribute to those souls who had passed away many years ago and were only now finding some solace.

Many people refused to leave, gathering at the entrance of the county government office, facing the inner courtyard, repeatedly kneeling and shouting, "Thank you, Your Honor!"

"Thank you, Your Honor, for upholding justice for us commoners!"

Even until the voice becomes hoarse.

It was truly heartfelt.

Li Fu stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the flickering torchlight in the hazy night outside.

Listening to the intertwined cries, shouts, and howling night wind, a complex feeling rose in my expression after the initial pleasure.

A local constable, who had been assigned by Magistrate Zhou to serve him carefully, saw Li Fu gazing out the window and immediately bowed and approached him, trying to curry favor.

"My lord, the people outside... are so grateful for your great kindness and virtue that they are reluctant to leave."

Moreover, as the news spread, many people from the surrounding villages and towns came to see what would happen to that corrupt official this afternoon.

"Spit before his corpse as a tribute to your unjustly deceased relative, and then... kowtow a few times towards the yamen (government office) to thank you for your mercy, Your Honor."

Contrary to the constable's expectations, Li Fu did not show any delight, but instead gave him a cold glance.

His eyes were sharp as knives, as if they could pierce through people's hearts.

The constable's heart skipped a beat, his fawning smile froze, and he awkwardly took half a step back, not daring to say another word.

Li Fu knew perfectly well that these officials in Pingliang County were not only aware of Wang Chongyu's evil deeds today.

They served as officials in the same city as him, and may even have had many connections with him, yet they turned a blind eye and even aided and abetted his evil deeds.

The obsequiousness at this moment was merely out of fear of the power of the imperial edict and his ruthless methods.

Li Fu withdrew his gaze and looked out the window again.

To be fair, his primary motivation for killing Wang Chongyu was to avenge a personal grudge involving a bounty on his head. He used the imperial edict to influence public opinion and achieve his goals, but it was also largely a matter of tactical convenience.

He did not consider himself a compassionate saint; he only sought to act with a clear conscience and to settle scores as he pleased.

However, the overwhelming grief and indignation when witnessing and hearing the people's tearful accusations, and the release of long-suppressed hatred when personally pushing for this street trial and the torture of thousands of people, were all part of the catharsis.

And the even more profound and lingering grief and gratitude outside the county government office now, after the exoneration... all of this still touched him somewhat.

He was not a heartless person after all.

The despair of parents burying their children, the tragedy of families being torn apart and lives lost, the dignity and life trampled like dirt...

Each and every incident, vivid and cruel, cannot be entirely regarded as a tool to achieve a goal.

Li Fu's thoughts drifted away.

"One Wang Chongyu and one Huashi Envoy were able to commit so many sins in the small Pingliang County, plunging thousands of families into the abyss of suffering."

Looking across the world, the Great Zhao Dynasty spans thousands of miles. How many envoys like Wang Chongyu, specializing in flowers and stones, are there?

How many injustices like those in Pingliang County are there?

"Those high-ranking officials who hold power, those high-ranking officials who sit in the halls of power and wield their brushes, even that emperor who lives deep within the palace and enjoys all the offerings from the world—"

Have their gazes ever truly fallen upon these ordinary people, struggling to survive like ants, enduring endless exploitation and suffering?

"The people are like ants... truly, the people are like ants."

Li Fu silently recited these four words in his heart, feeling only heaviness and irony.

Perhaps in the eyes of those adults, ordinary people are indeed like ants, and their lives, honors, and disgraces are insignificant.

A thought involuntarily surfaced in my mind.

"In this world, this country... is probably doomed sooner or later."

The Great Zhao Dynasty has existed for no more than two generations.

The founding emperor was a great ruler, but unfortunately, he died suddenly not long after establishing his dynasty.

The current emperor on the dragon throne, it is said, had the ambition to conquer the world and establish a prosperous era after ascending to the throne in his prime, but suffered a great defeat abroad and lost all face.

In his later years, he became obsessed with rare flowers and stones, and set up numerous bureaus to cater to them, sending out flower and stone envoys everywhere, causing unrest throughout the land and widespread public resentment.

When superiors have a liking for something, inferiors will follow suit to an extreme degree. People like Wang Chongyu are just one of the evil fruits that have grown from this rotten tree.

The root of the problem still lies with that official.

"In the long history of the world, there are precedents for dynasties that died after only two generations."

The extravagance and tyranny of a foolish monarch are enough to deplete the popular support and national strength accumulated by ten generations of wise rulers.

Moreover, the foundation of the Zhao state was not particularly strong to begin with.

"Does the emperor on the dragon throne know how these government offices he set up and the henchmen he dispatched, all for the sake of his momentary hobby, are exploiting the people and causing them to suffer?"

Was he kept in the dark and completely unaware?

Or... even if he knew, he simply didn't care?

Isn't this his empire, the Song family's domain? Why is he acting so recklessly?

Li Fu frowned, trying to fathom the thoughts of the supreme ruler of the world, but only felt a sense of alienation and bewilderment.

Perhaps the thoughts of a person and a foolish ruler are inherently incomprehensible.

In the end, it is the countless ordinary people outside the window who kowtow and cry out, their lives as insignificant as ants, who suffer the most.

Just as Li Fu was lost in thought, the Heavenly Book reappeared.

The ancient, simple ink-wash calligraphy slowly unfolds.

The current court is corrupt, the emperor is incompetent, and he regards all the people under heaven as worthless, while indulging in flowers, stones and trinkets.

The Bureau of Imperial Sacrifices and the Imperial Carriage of Flowers and Stones he established were as oppressive as tigers, plundering the entire country and causing widespread suffering and misery.

The Great Zhao state has not been established for a hundred years, yet it is already showing signs of impending doom.

The rise and fall, everyone is responsible.

Moreover, this great hero possesses unparalleled martial arts skills and is a paragon of virtue in this era; how could he bear to stand idly by and watch China fall into ruin?

Please set things right for the sake of all people!

A hero may choose a wise and virtuous member of the Song imperial family, one who cares for the common people, to ensure their ascension to the throne and bring peace to the world. Alternatively, one may seek out a hero from among the common people, to assist in their righteous uprising and restore order to the land.

[Completion rewards: Mastery of the Longevity Technique.]

"The secret to immortality?!"

Li Fu was deeply shaken.

This extraordinary skill, like the Tathagata Palm, is a martial art that is almost mythical.

Legend has it that it was written by Guang Chengzi, the ancient immortal and teacher of the Yellow Emperor, in oracle bone script. It contains the ultimate principles of heaven and earth and the secret to immortality!

"Aside from the text, the entire manual also contains seven illustrations, which are mysterious and unpredictable."

However, no one has ever mastered the Longevity Technique. At most, some people are lucky enough to be able to start practicing using just one of the diagrams, and eventually they can become almost invincible in the world.

Therefore, no one knows what incredible power the complete Longevity Manual, including the full text and seven illustrations, will possess after mastery!

But without a doubt, this is an unparalleled martial art that is even more powerful than the Nine Yang Manual and the Yi Jin Jing combined!

Moreover, the meaning contained in the word "longevity" is enough to make anyone's heart flutter and inspire endless imagination!

Immortality...immortality, this is the dream that many wise and great emperors have gone mad for in their later years!

"However... these two options..."

After the initial excitement, Li Fu quickly calmed down, raising his eyebrows slightly.

First, find a wise ruler from the imperial family to help him ascend the throne; second, find a hero from the common people to help him start a rebellion.

To be fair, the first path seems more orthodox, simpler, and perhaps with less resistance.

"The second option, starting from scratch, sounds refreshing."

But that would mean directly confronting the entire Zhao court, its massive army, and its officials and common people—a true rebellion. The difficulty and scope of that rebellion far exceed the first point.

However, the current emperor, who is obsessed with flowers and stones, is now in his twilight years but clings to power even more tightly. How could he be willing to relinquish his position?

Even if a suitable member of the imperial family were found, the dangers and difficulties involved in overthrowing the emperor who held supreme power in the land are unimaginable; it would inevitably be a bloody and perilous affair.

"The power of mastering the Longevity Technique... is not so easy to obtain."

Li Fu thought to himself.

Furthermore, why wasn't the option to let him do it himself among the choices provided by the Heavenly Book?

"What, does being a chivalrous hero mean you can't have dreams of becoming an emperor?"

Why suffer and toil to help others build their empire, only to risk being discarded after they've served their purpose and then discarded?

"Speaking of which, heroes among the common people..."

Am I not a commoner?

If I choose myself and help myself ascend to that position... will the Heavenly Book accept it?