From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

"Negotiations with the higher-ups in the Xuanmen sect are a matter for the adults to handle."

Gu Huai'an's expression was calm, but his tone was resolute: "We only need to do one thing: remove the malignant tumor that is Jingu Garden, and rip out this festering sore." With that, he waved his hand slightly. The old official standing beside him immediately chimed in:

"In the matter of suppressing bandits, if the three main leaders are captured or killed:"

"Green face", "White claws", "Yellow teeth".

Each person is worth 1,000 merit points!

hiss--

In the courtyard, the crowd could no longer contain themselves, and a series of gasps of astonishment rose and fell like autumn winds sweeping across a reed marsh. Several hot-blooded young constables stared wide-eyed, exchanging incredulous glances.

A thousand points!

Killing a low-grade demon beast only earns ten merit points. To accumulate a thousand merit points would require killing a hundred demon beasts and venturing into dangerous places every day to fight for one's life against ferocious demons. It would take an unknown number of years to accumulate such merit.

"It's not over yet."

Gu Huai'an raised his eyes and said calmly, "If anyone... can kill that leader, 'Six-Fingered Butcher'." Every word he uttered was like a stone falling on an anvil: "For such a great achievement, I, Gu Huai'an, will personally open a new page for him in the book of merits."

A separate page in the record of achievements?

The constables looked at each other, their eyes growing deep and unsettling.

No one knows exactly what the benefits of having a "special page" are, but it's impossible for something to be considered stingy if it's written by the registrar himself.

"Registrar Gu, is this really true?"

The constable was anxious and couldn't help but ask.

"How could Clerk Gu's words be false?" Another old constable glared at him, his eyes burning with barely suppressed fervor. "Captain Liu became a captain back then precisely because of that one page he opened alone!"

"If this is really true..."

Upon hearing this, someone swallowed hard and murmured, "That six-fingered butcher may be a vicious demon, but if we can really kill him and gain this merit, it would be worth dying for."

"..."

"The six-fingered butcher?"

A hint of self-mockery flashed across Zhu Hong's eyes; he dared not indulge in such daydreams.

As the leader of a powerful force, firmly holding his position in Golden Valley Garden, with his three top subordinates all being formidable figures who had entered the Martial Apprentice realm, how could he possibly subdue that pack of wolves and tigers without extraordinary skills? Moreover, he was merely a lowly lackey who had just entered the Martial Arts realm, not even qualified to get close, let alone harbor any delusions.

"Alright, no need for wild speculation."

Glancing at the various expressions, Gu Huai'an, though not angry, exuded an air of authority. His tone was calm yet resolute: "Those who have rendered meritorious service will have the potential for exceptional promotions in salary, rewards, and rank. I, Gu Huai'an, will never mistreat those who have worked diligently." As he finished speaking, he glanced sideways at the old official beside him and said calmly:

"The remaining rules, continue."

The old official perked up, cleared his hoarse voice, and read aloud, word by word:

"Under the new regulations, the system for redeeming merit points has been specially revised, and the rewards are more generous than ever before. Each person can only redeem each reward once and cannot withdraw it repeatedly."

He paused slightly, then pointed his rough index finger to a line of text in the book:

"Once you accumulate 100 merit points, you can enter the government's storage building and choose any elite soldier. Once you accumulate 300 merit points, you can exchange them for three taels of Blood Marrow Strengthening Paste."

"The merit points have reached five hundred..."

The old official took a deep breath, straightened his back slightly, and said in a clear voice:

"You can exchange one 'White Yuan Fruit'!"

boom--

This is already the umpteenth time today that he has shaken everyone so badly.

Bai Yuan Guo.

It turned out to be the rare and expensive Baiyuan fruit, which was known only by name!

It is classified as a second-grade spiritual plant, born from the extraordinary energy of heaven and earth. It cannot take root except in extremely yin soil, nor can it bear fruit without the warmth of the morning sun. It grows deep within treacherous ravines. It takes ten years to flower, and another ten years to bear a single fruit, making it exceptionally rare.

Its nature is most mysterious, subtly aligning with Yin and Yang:

The yang aspect of the medicine has a mellow and lingering effect, which can nourish the meridians and broaden the energy channels for martial artists. It is an excellent aid in helping people break through the "muscle training" stage and unlock the door to the "extraordinary tendons" martial arts apprenticeship. The yin aspect of the medicine has a refreshing and nourishing effect, which can moisturize the soul and greatly benefit cultivators by clearing their minds.

Such spiritual plants, which occasionally make a fleeting appearance at auctions, are immediately snapped up by powerful clans at high prices.

now……

It turns out that you can exchange one for a "merit point" from the government office?

This is truly an extraordinary stroke of luck.

"Am I, Old Zhu, perhaps a man chosen by fate?"

Zhu Hong's hand unconsciously clenched in his sleeve. The allure of this white fruit was far more direct, intense, and fragrant than that of the "Golden Valley Garden" bandit leader, who was out of reach and whose life had to be risked to obtain it!

One is within reach, the other is out of reach.

Is there even a need to choose?

Chun Chun must be out of her mind to hesitate like that!

"Is this the benefit of having a powerful backer?" He smiled slightly, then pursed his lips, only his eyes gleaming with barely suppressed gleam.

If one were to cultivate in the wilderness, one might toil and exhaust one's entire life without ever glimpsing this rare resource. Yet here, it is openly displayed with a price tag, as a kind of "reward."

It makes one sigh:

Those who are near the water get the moonlight first, and those facing the sun easily welcome spring.

"That's quite noisy."

Gu Huai'an sat in the tiger-head chair, not even lifting his eyelids.

Upon hearing this, the old official beside him suddenly turned grim, his chest heaving like a bellows, and then a loud shout exploded forth:

"quiet!"

His voice was like a lion's roar, and all the constables in the courtyard fell silent in fear.

"I'm done with the reward."

Gu Huai'an coldly observed the crowd's disappearance of their greedy expressions before speaking grimly, "Now, let's discuss the punishment." He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife, "Under the new regulations, each class and team must complete a fixed quota of merit points each month. The specific amount will be announced to you by your respective class constables later."

Before he finished speaking, he continued:

"If even this minimum standard cannot be met... then it's not a matter of ability, it's a matter of attitude."

Gu Huai'an's gaze swept over each person:

"He's just coasting along in this government office, thinking he can be easily fooled, like Gu Huai'an, and finding this official's uniform too comfortable. That's the kind of person he is."

His voice was cold and hard, every word piercing to the bone:

"If you don't know when to stop, then withdraw from the register and get out. Don't wait for me to personally strip you of your registration and remove you from the list!"

Seizure of citizenship?

"As expected," Zhu Hong's eyes sharpened.

There is absolutely no reason for someone to eat for free.

Under Heaven and Empress Dowager, the greater the favor bestowed, the greater the rules to follow; the richer the rewards, the heavier the karmic burden to bear. Losing one's official position is never as simple as losing one's job.

That official robe looked like a thin layer of skin.

In reality, it is the only "protective charm" for most people in public service. Once it is taken away, not to mention a bright future, even the safety of their head tonight depends on whether they have accumulated more good karma or bad karma in the past.

"I've said everything that needed to be said."

Gu Huai'an took in everything and said nothing more.

He flicked his sleeves, rose, and left, leaving behind only a cold, indifferent silhouette and a single sentence carried away by the wind:

"Everyone, you can leave now."

"Handle the following matters carefully, and do not make a mistake."

……