Da Xuan Martial Saint

For Xu Hongyu had only last month finally grasped the Momentum of a second technique, cultivating another swordsmanship to Perfection, unlike Chen Mu.

Xu Hongyu had been practicing martial arts since childhood, going through more than a dozen springs and autumns, and in the process, had experienced countless battles, emerging as a star from the martial arts training hall of the Yu family in the Inner City.

And what about Chen Mu?

As far as she knew, he had been practicing with the Servant's Knife for no more than four or five years and without any mentor's guidance, relying entirely on his own exploration.

What does it mean to achieve Triple Momentum in just four or five years!

Although in the past Xiaoha and Xu Hongyu had felt that Chen Mu had decent comprehension and managed to grasp a Momentum through self-discovery, now it seemed they had somewhat underestimated him. With such talents, placed in the Inner City, that would also be considered top-notch natural ability.

"You...when did this happen?"

Xiaoha opened her mouth, taking a good while before she could barely suppress the shock in her heart. Stay updated with m-v le-mpyr

Chen Mu carried the Servant's Knife back under the eaves and said, "Just these past two years, that's all."

In truth, he had always intended to reveal some of his innate talents for techniques to gain more attention and facilitate access to resources later on. It was just that during the last battle with the Black Crow Sect, he had accidentally revealed his limit in Skin Toughening, rather than his technique.

"How did you manage that?"

Xiaoha's gaze was somewhat complex as she spoke.

Being a martial artist herself and having cultivated the Dripping Rain Sword Momentum, she understood very well the difficulty of bringing one technique to Perfection. Although having one technique as a foundation made sharpening a second technique somewhat easier, that was still only comparative.

To grasp a different Momentum, one still needs the effort of constant hammering and the flash of sudden enlightenment.

"Diligent practice and hardship, not deterred by cold or heat."

Chen Mu gently began as he watched the snowflakes falling in the courtyard.

Xiaoha shook her head, her tone still somewhat shaken, "It's not something that can be achieved just by diligent practice and hardship. Your natural ability in the realm of Blade Technique, among the people I know, may well be no less than that of the old master."

Xu Hongyu's father had mastered Dual Momentum at nineteen and mastered Artistic Conception at twenty-seven. With Chen Mu's talents, if he now had the chance to study the Xun Wind Artistic Conception Map from Qian Heaven Kun Earth, there's no doubt he too could cultivate an Artistic Conception.

Artistic Conception!

Even among those at the Bone Tempering level, very few could grasp such power.

By now Xiaoha had also stepped under the eaves and once again scrutinized Chen Mu carefully. Watching him put away the Servant's Knife and stand with his hands behind his back enjoying the snow, she felt his entire aura had changed from before. He seemed to possess an unnoticed charm and elegance previously not seen.

She and Chen Mu were now quite familiar with each other. She had given him evaluations such as 'not bad', 'very good', and so on, but looking back, all those evaluations still underestimated him.

Although he started his cultivation journey somewhat late, given time, his name would surely spread throughout the grand Yu City.

"Does anyone else know about this?"

Xiaoha steadied her emotions once more and asked Chen Mu.

Chen Mu shook his head and replied, "This is the first time I have demonstrated the Triple Momentum before someone else."

Xiaoha took a deep breath, "That's good. It's best not to casually reveal the Triple Momentum before you enter the Tendon Changing Realm. Otherwise, it might bring about some complications."

If the Chen Mu of the past, with his displayed talents, would at most get some additional glances from people in the Inner City, then the current Chen Mu, having self-actualized Triple Momentum and displaying both extreme innate ability and limit in Skin Toughening, would cause a massive uproar just by being in the Inner City.

"Thank you for the heads up, Sister Xiaoha. I'll be careful."

Chen Mu turned his head to look at Xiaoha and smiled at her.

Actually, revealing the Triple Momentum in front of Xiaoha was not entirely because she had stimulated him, but rather because lately, their relationship had grown closer, with Xu Hongyu and Xiaoha fully considering him 'one of their own,' so showing a bit of his true strength wasn't an issue.

Moreover, this sparring session had allowed Chen Mu to roughly assess his own strength. With the overlay of Triple Momentum, he only needed to use about one-third of his power to defeat Xiao He.

If he exerted his full strength...

Body Refinement Martial Men would stand no chance, and even Martial Artists in the Tendon Changing Realm would have to fight it out to see the outcome.

The Tendon Changing Level in Yu City was already not considered weak, and within the major families of the Inner City, it was counted as the backbone and elite. Such strength in itself was a kind of confidence.

"Pfft."

Xiao He couldn't help but smile upon hearing Chen Mu's words and said, "Just call me Xiao He in the future, no need for the 'sister'."

Strength and talent symbolize status. Previously, when Chen Mu sometimes called her 'Sister Xiao He', she didn't find it strange, but now that she heard this term again, it felt a bit unusual, and her heart was filled with all sorts of messy thoughts.

After stealing a glance at Chen Mu, her cheeks involuntarily blushed with a faint rosiness, but it quickly faded away as she said, "Alright, I came here to test your strength, only to be bullied by you. It's time for me to go back and report."

Chen Mu couldn't help but laugh in amusement at Xiao He's words.

What bullying? If someone overheard that, they might think he had improper designs on Xiao He.

And obviously, Xiao He's attitude towards him had changed. Previously, she more or less carried a bit of an 'elevated status' aura, but now it was completely gone, replaced with the charm and coquettishness of a young girl.

"Next time I'll definitely prepare a banquet and apologize properly to Xiao He."

Chen Mu gave Xiao He a bow.

"No need for apologies, I'm just a maid by my lady's side, destined to be bullied... Okay, I'll be taking my leave first." Xiao He waved her small hand at Chen Mu and blinked playfully, looking quite adorable.

Chen Mu escorted Xiao He all the way to the door, watching as she disappeared into the snow while wearing her bamboo hat.

...

Two days later.

City Defense Division, Ninth District.

Prefecture Chief Min Baoyi, alongside Chen Mu, Qin Bei, and five other Head Constables, were all in attendance. Everyone's expressions were solemn, with Min Baoyi standing at the front, followed by the five Head Constables lined up in a row and Chen Mu standing on the far left.

In front of them stood a man in a black uniform. This was not the uniform of the City Defense Division, but belonged to the 'Governor's Guard'. The man before them was an Imperial Guard of the 'Outer City Metropolitan Commander', who had jurisdiction over the four major City Guard Generals of the east, south, west, and north.

Appointing a Prefecture Chief was no jest.

Even Xu Hongyu, the Chief Constable, couldn't decide with a single word. She could unilaterally remove other Prefecture Chiefs, but she couldn't appoint them at will. The appointment of a Prefecture Chief always had to go through a higher authority, the Outer City Metropolitan Commander.

Although the Imperial Court was on the decline, Yu City still retained many official positions and systems.

For instance, the South City District Chief Constable was of the Seventh Grade.

The Outer City Metropolitan Commander was of the Sixth Grade.

Further up was the 'Yu City Commander-in-chief', of the Fifth Grade, second only to the City Lord and also the Great Commander of the city's military, holding total command over all military affairs both inside and outside of Yu City.

"...Chief Min Baoyi, there is a man named Chen Mu who is diligent in his duties and skilled in martial arts. He has earned considerable merit in the battle against the Black Crow Sect.

Now, with the position of Wutong Grove District Prefecture Chief vacant, after the nomination by Xu Hongyu, Chief Constable of the City Defense Division, with the approval of the Metropolitan Commander, Chen Mu is appointed as the new Prefecture Chief of Wutong Grove District."

"Thank you, Chief Xu and Metropolitan Commander, for your support."

Chen Mu performed a respectful bow.

Qin Bei and the others at his side couldn't help but look towards Chen Mu, their eyes filled with a hint of envy. Although they more or less knew that Chen Mu was favored by Xu Hongyu and was likely to be promoted to Prefecture Chief in the future, they didn't anticipate it would come this quickly.

It had been less than a year since he was promoted to Head Constable, and now a vacancy for a higher Prefecture Chief position had emerged.

With the recent eradication of the Black Crow Sect and the considerable support from Xu Hongyu, everything fell into place naturally.

While Chen Mu was respectfully bowing, the Imperial Guard of the Metropolitan Commander didn't put on airs. After representing the Metropolitan Commander and accepting the bow, he put down the scroll in his hand, and then with a smile, said, "Brother Chen has a promising future ahead. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Brother Chen on your promotion."