Underworld entries, starting with ghost stories.

Wu Qing rode into a deserted forest, gripping the Xuanhua axe in both hands.

He's different now because he's acquired "ear-picking," one of Cheng Yaojin's three signature moves.

This is a gold-level entry, signifying "extraordinary" skill.

In such chaotic times, exceptional martial arts skills are indeed essential.

From now on, I want to become a martial arts master.

He grabbed the Xuanhua axe and swung it forward.

Cleaning ears!

With a loud thud, Xuanhua's great axe crashed to the ground.

Wu Qing: "..."

He was too weak; he couldn't even get started with the move before he lost his grip.

He continued to try, and after several attempts, it was the same.

Wait a minute, he remembered reading online novels in another world where the system would give out moves that the protagonist would automatically execute just by assuming a certain stance.

In his mind, every movement of "ear cleaning" was crystal clear.

But he simply didn't have enough power to unleash it.

So, it really does require someone who has practiced martial arts and possesses a certain level of internal strength to use it?

Wu Qing suddenly realized that it didn't really matter.

In chaotic times, there is always someone stronger, and even the most skilled martial artist can be killed by a hammer falling from the sky.

Look at Wei Zheng and Xu Maogong, their martial arts skills weren't the strongest, yet they still held the highest positions in the court.

Smart people use words, fools use force. The so-called "three-pronged attack" is actually more suitable for simple-minded people like Cheng Yaojin who aren't very bright.

I think taking the strategic route, becoming a strategist, is a good option.

Learn the ultimate skill and charge into battle; without the good fortune of Cheng Yaojin, you might die quickly.

Wu Qing let the axe smash to the ground, his legs gripping the horse, his right hand resting on the axe handle, and his left hand touching his chin.

The more I think about it, the more it makes sense!

Forget it, let's go back!

It's more effective to learn how to be a skilled advisor while simultaneously leveling up your system experience points.

He turned his horse around, dragging his large axe, and headed back.

Before long, Dou Kui saw the clerk slowly returning, dragging a long-handled axe.

"Master!" He took the axe from Wu Qing's hand, casually tossed it back onto the weapon rack two zhang away.

— "Dou Kui (Eighth Realm Martial Artist)".

"Master!" Dou Kui, seeing the smile on his master's lips as if he had grasped some profound philosophy of life, asked curiously, "Have you come up with a good idea?"

Wu Qing remained calm and composed: "You'll find out soon enough."

Grasping the reins, he spurred his horse toward the front of the mountain.

Dou Kui sighed, "A clerk is a clerk; he's unpredictable and always appears calm and confident."

[Mystery Level +2]

Wu Qing glanced at the system notification.

I didn't expect that this would also increase experience points.

Wu Qing did indeed have an idea.

He quickened his pace and made his way to the back of the Great King's Palace. After dismounting, he went inside.

Although there were female soldiers stationed at the gate, they did not stop the clerk from arriving.

Inside, in the courtyard, Dou Xianniang was practicing her shooting skills.

She gripped the gleaming silver spear, and with a series of swift, swift movements, the spear blossoms rained down, and for a moment, only the rain of spears could be seen, not her.

Wu Qing exclaimed in admiration, "This is truly excellent martial arts!"

Dan Ailian, dressed in a high-waisted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and with her hair uncombed, stood to the side watching Dou Xianniang practice martial arts.

When Dou Xianniang saw Wu Qing arrive, she put away her spear, and the spear flowers immediately scattered.

Wu Qing stepped forward and said, "Miss, there is something I need your permission for."

Dou Xianniang smiled and said, "Qing-ge'er, you're the advisor, so you can make your own decisions."

Wu Qing said, "No! This matter still requires your opinion, Miss."

"Oh?" Dou Xianniang looked at him. "Go on."

Wu Qing said, "I need to forge one hundred halberds."

"A halberd?" Dou Xianniang looked at him in confusion. "There are two types of halberds: the Azure Dragon Halberd and the Fangtian Halberd. The Azure Dragon Halberd has a single handle, while the Fangtian Halberd has two handles. Which one do you need, Qing-ge'er?"

"What I want is the single-eared Azure Dragon Halberd."

"One hundred?" Dou Xianniang couldn't help but ask again. "A single-eared Green Dragon Halberd can be used as a spear or an axe. Most soldiers in the army use spears, and very few people know how to use an axe. What use would one hundred Green Dragon Halberds be?"

Dan Ailian, who was standing next to him, also looked at him, her bright eyes filled with curiosity.

The so-called halberd is a long spear with a crescent-shaped side blade.

A halberd with a single handle is called a Green Dragon Halberd, while one with blades on both sides is called a Fangtian Halberd.

For the vast majority of soldiers, a straight-line gun is the most effective.

Any other weapon requires more and more complex skills, especially the axe, where various chopping and slashing techniques are laborious and not necessarily effective.

Even among generals, those who used spears or lances were more numerous than those who used other weapons.

The horse lance is a heavier and longer spear specifically designed for use on horseback.

The simplest and most effective method is to stab someone during a sprint.

The advantage of a halberd is that it can be used as both a spear and an axe.

There are actually quite a few military generals who use halberds, and Dou Xianniang herself also has a halberd that she uses specifically on horseback.

But a hundred halberds are not for generals.

Wu Qing continued, "In addition to forging one hundred halberds, assign me one hundred martial artists, whom I will personally train."

Dou Xianniang laughed and said, "Over the years, my Dou family village has privately trained fewer than two hundred martial artists. You want to send a hundred of them all at once?"

Currently, the only soldiers available in the village are a thousand men.

The vast majority of them were actually recruited laborers who had never learned martial arts before. All they could do was hastily learn some simple spear techniques and follow the generals on the battlefield.

Those who can maintain a certain formation before battle and have the courage to charge during battle are already considered elite soldiers.

The real main force is still the martial artists that the Dou family has privately trained over the years. Although their martial arts skills are generally not up to par, they are the foundation of their Wuji Village.

Without these two hundred people, even skilled individuals like Dou Xianniang, Dou Bin, and Dou Kui, who have reached the highest ranks, would find it difficult to establish themselves here.

Now that Wu Qing is about to send a hundred people away, it's no wonder he had to ask for her consent.

Wu Qing smiled wickedly: "Not bad! I need to prepare for the fierce battle ahead."

Although his smile was wicked, he failed to increase his wickedness level this time.

Dou Xianniang and Shan Ailian couldn't understand it, nor did they know whether they should be shocked.

Dou Xianniang laughed and said, "Alright! In that case, I will have someone expedite the forging of one hundred halberds and give you one hundred martial artists, all of whom will be the best from my Dou Family Village."

Wu Qing couldn't help but laugh and said, "Miss, aren't you going to ask a few more questions?"

Dou Xianniang said, "Do you think you'll give a proper explanation if I ask?" She had developed the prejudice that all strategists couldn't speak properly.

Wu Qing was genuinely planning to give a proper explanation this time, but she didn't even ask him a question.

Since she had said that, he smiled slightly, feigning mystery: "Perhaps, perhaps not!"

Dou Xianniang rolled her eyes... See, this is what a strategist is like.