chsdbacks Chapter 23 Lost Martial Arts
Chapter 23 Lost Martial Arts
"Continue?" Zhao An looked down at Zhao Ke, who was still sitting on the ground, with a calm expression.
Zhao Ke stood up, still feeling a bit dizzy, and half of his face was already red and swollen.
"you!"
He was so angry he couldn't speak. Since becoming a constable, he had rarely felt so frustrated.
Today, in particular, he was humiliated by his younger brother Zhao An, whom he looked down upon, which made his face turn ashen.
"Fine, you've really gotten bold. If the higher-ups investigate, let's see how you handle this! Don't come crying to me then!"
Zhao Ke left in anger.
It wasn't that he didn't want to fight back, but Zhao An's slash had really frightened him.
His remaining rationality told him that continuing to fight would only bring him further humiliation.
Watching Zhao Ke leave, Zhao An also had his own thoughts.
This incident drove away Zhao Ke, who was greedy for money, but it also served as a reminder to him.
In the future, if he kills many people, even if they are just some notorious villains, it will still be against the rules and he may be targeted by the government, thus causing big trouble.
Only Zhao Ke, a minor constable, came today; who knows what will happen in the future?
"So I need an identity, a good identity that allows me to rightfully punish evildoers without being convicted..." Zhao An sheathed his knife, pondering.
Being a commoner is not enough.
"Brother Zhao, will there be any problems later after this fight..." Li Gou'er, having finished his satisfying speech, couldn't help but worry again.
Zhao Ke, after all, was wearing official robes and was a person in the official system.
This is no ordinary person; you can't just hit them and call it a day.
If Zhao Ke were to become enraged in the future and show no mercy, leading the constables and clerks to arrest Zhao An and the others, they would be powerless to do anything about it.
"If something really happens, then we'll fight our way out," Zhao An said casually.
He had no real estate or family in Lianjiang City, and was currently just a nobody with no means of support. He could go anywhere in the world.
"Okay! I just hope Brother Zhao won't abandon me and Chunzi when the time comes," Li Gou'er said through gritted teeth.
Zhao An nodded without saying anything; he wasn't thinking about escaping the city right now.
"Has the county released the results for this year? When will the martial arts examination begin?" Zhao An suddenly asked.
Li Gou'er was taken aback and said, puzzled, "In previous years, exams were held in various places in April and continued until June. Lianjiang County usually holds exams in early May, so the official documents should have been issued long ago."
"Go and find out the exact time for the martial arts examination," Zhao An said.
"Brother Zhao, are you going to take the martial arts exam?" Li Gou'er sensed something was off and asked uncertainly.
"Yes." Zhao An didn't keep him in suspense; he really wanted to pass the imperial examinations.
As long as one passes the county examination and is listed on the honor roll, one can obtain the official title of martial arts student.
With this identity, the government would think twice before taking any action against him.
If one were to go a step further and pass the prefectural examination, obtaining the title of a martial arts talent, then even without an official position, ordinary county officials would treat him with great respect.
This is because, if Wu Cairen wanted to, she could easily join the army and obtain a rank-based position, and she would even have a chance to pass the imperial examination.
Zhao An took the military examination not to become an official or general, but simply to more reasonably "punish evil and promote good".
"Brother Zhao, you are strong and capable of fighting, but I remember that the martial arts examination not only tests martial prowess, but also writing skills. This, you..."
He knew that Zhao Andu had been studying to read and write at the clinic recently, but everyone there had studied diligently for ten years, with teachers guiding them from a young age, gradually becoming accomplished.
If someone like Zhao An, who crammed at the last minute, could pass the exam, then official rank and fame would be far too easy to obtain.
He felt that his older brother was being a bit unrealistic, but he was too embarrassed to say it outright.
Zhao An only glanced at him, and Li Gou'er immediately shut up and ran out to check the posted notice and find out about the martial arts examination.
He knew perfectly well that with his current skill level, it was wishful thinking to participate in the martial arts examination and even make the list.
But he has soul slaves, so anything is possible!
......
"What? A military treatise?"
"I only have medical books; where am I supposed to find military strategy books for you?"
"What a pity." Zhao An flipped through the bookshelves in the clinic.
"It's not a pity at all," Meng Wanyi said, a little annoyed, feeling that Zhao An was just looking for trouble.
Whose medical clinic has military strategy books in its collection?
"Only some impoverished young men from poor families in the outer city might have family-inherited military books," Meng Wanyi added at the end, then suddenly noticed something was off about Zhao An's gaze and immediately warned him.
"Don't do anything reckless, or else I won't teach you to read."
"Don't worry, it's wrong to take things by trickery or force. After all, I'm not some kind of devil." Zhao An stuffed the medical book back into his hand and said calmly, then picked out an old book with yellowed covers.
"Good, you have such awareness. I haven't taught you for nothing these past few days." Meng Wanyi nodded repeatedly, feeling inexplicably happy.
Zhao An was able to reform himself under her care, which gave her a great sense of accomplishment.
Reading is good! Reading helps us understand things and reason. The world will have one less evil person to do evil and one more reasonable person to talk to!
"By the way, what do you need the military treatise for?" Meng Wanyi asked, puzzled.
"I want to take the military examination."
"?"
For a moment, the air inside the clinic seemed to freeze.
"After knowing each other for so long, I never knew you had such a witty side," Meng Wanyi suddenly said with a smile.
"..."
Zhao An watched her quietly until the smile on Meng Wanyi's face faded.
"are you serious?"
"Um."
"But you don't even know as many words as I did when I was eight."
"...Never mind that."
Zhao An was not discouraged; he continued to peruse the ancient books in his hands.
With his current literacy level, he can barely read the general content.
As Zhao An looked through the book, he suddenly realized that it not only discussed medical principles but also recorded some miraculous techniques.
"What is this?" Zhao An asked, holding the book.
"A lost finger technique." Meng Wanyi was sitting at the table writing a prescription for medicine. She didn't get up and just glanced at it before saying this.
"It's been lost..."
"Fifty years ago, there was a famous martial arts master, the Mysterious Old Man, who created this finger technique."
"Then why is it described in medical books?" Zhao An then asked.
"Legend has it that this finger technique has many wonders, including the ability to reverse life and death, and to extend the life of the dying. It is said that with just one touch, even the King of Hell on duty would have to give way. Isn't that amazing!"
"Impressive," Zhao An nodded.
"Therefore, it is reasonable for doctors to praise this finger technique and describe it in medical books. It's just a pity that such a powerful finger technique can no longer be reproduced in the world."
As Meng Wanyi spoke, she put down her brush, picked up the prescription she had written, and blew on the still-wet ink.
As Zhao An listened, a sudden inspiration struck him.
This kind of martial arts technique, which is now only recorded in ancient books and has long been lost, should have existed in reality in the past.
Is it possible that he can make a wish through good deeds?