Chapter Sixty-Two: Position

(Thanks to Immortal Meng of the Cloud Sea for the reward of 1,500 coins.)

"Is there no way to solve this? Does top-tier martial arts have the same issue?" Qin Yi asked again.

"I don't know if there's a solution, but top-tier martial arts almost don't have this flaw. You could say that at least the seventh and eighth levels of top-tier martial arts minimize this flaw to the point of insignificance! Even ninth-level martial arts don't have this issue!"

"According to my father, top-tier martial arts strengthen the whole body first, and after reaching a certain level, they focus on a particular aspect. The prerequisite is that the fully strengthened physique can support the overburdened use of the secret techniques after focused strengthening. When it reaches a delicate threshold, the damage to the body is minimal!"

"As long as you don't overuse secret techniques, the body won't face any major problems!"

"Moreover, top-tier martial arts not only grant greater speed and strength among peers of the same rank, but also allow more frequent use of secret techniques!"

Qin Yi immediately grasped the concept. It was like building a house: second- and third-rate martial arts lay a foundation only one meter deep before building, while top-tier martial arts lay a five-meter-deep foundation before construction. Naturally, it's more resistant to earthquakes, more robust, and can be built higher!

Second- and third-rate martial arts strengthen the body once before focusing on a specific aspect, resulting in a significant gap and limiting the improvement in strength.

Top-tier martial arts, however, reinforce the whole body four or five times before focusing on a particular aspect, so within the same rank, practitioners are faster, stronger, can use secret techniques more often, suffer minimal bodily harm, and have a higher ceiling for advancement.

"The increased frequency of secret technique usage is because their physique can support extended periods of overburdened output," Qin Yi said solemnly.

"Exactly!"

Qin Yi had sensed this in his bout with Tang Mingwu. The opponent's secret techniques felt like a complete set, unlike his own, which were isolated techniques from different martial arts.

"This is why top-tier martial arts are so precious. Currently, apart from a few major sects and the imperial court, almost no one in Dayong can obtain them," Gao Li remarked with emotion.

Qin Yi nodded in agreement. His master, Wang Qingxuan, had told him that especially the ninth-level martial arts among the top-tier ones were possessed only by the imperial court and the State Religion Glass Sect in Dayong.

The control over top-tier martial arts by the imperial court was exceedingly tight.

Leaving the Moon-Chasing Martial Hall, Qin Yi looked up at the sky, then headed home.

After dinner, Qin Yi lay in bed, pondering the news he had received from Gao Li today.

"The stabbing pain in my body is most likely the sign of a hidden ailment."

Up to now, he had cultivated seven martial arts, all to perfection!

Some parts of his body had been excessively and repeatedly strengthened, while others had barely been fortified at all. This imbalance meant that when using secret techniques, those areas lacking in reinforcement would suffer overburdened damage, resulting in hidden wounds and ailments.

"This can't go on," Qin Yi thought, closing his eyes, beginning to strategize.

Unable to resolve his body's hidden dangers, he dared not rashly learn new martial arts.

"However, Qingxu Technique and Heart Meditation Technique seem able to suppress my stabbing pain..." He recalled that since cultivating Qingxu Technique to the third layer, his healing rate had accelerated, especially after advancing Heart Meditation Technique to the third cycle—the effect was even more pronounced!

These two literary arts focus on nourishing qi, health, and longevity.

Could it be...

These two literary arts are actually repairing my hidden wounds?

Since hidden wounds only erupt after accumulating to a certain degree, if they're constantly being healed, perhaps...

Whenever he used a secret technique, some hidden wounds would occur, but before the next use could deepen the accumulation and cause an eruption, the literary arts would heal the previous damage, never giving the hidden wounds a chance to build up.

Qin Yi had a bold hypothesis: if he refrained from using secret techniques for a long time, perhaps all hidden wounds in his body would heal completely!

"This is highly possible!"

"If I continue to learn more literary arts, I could also learn more martial arts. Then, I might be able to reinforce most parts of my body with focused training. Even if some areas remain less fortified by second- or third-rate martial arts, with literary arts protecting me, this fatal flaw would cease to be a flaw!"

"Literary arts can also nourish qi and prolong life—another excellent advantage!"

Who wouldn't want to live longer?

With this in mind, Qin Yi decided that, if opportunity allowed, he would cultivate Daoist literary arts, since they share common roots, reducing the likelihood of problems.

He couldn't guarantee that cultivating many literary arts together wouldn't eventually cause issues.

In a flash, five days passed.

The government office.

Twelfth Constable Division.

After a period of recruitment, the twelfth team now had over thirty constables, though all were first-level practitioners.

Qin Yi stood before the new constables, holding the roster and taking attendance.

"Liu Hairong."

"Present!"

"Chen Guangji."

"Present!"

"Wei Chenyang."

"Present!"

...

As Qin Yi was taking attendance, three people entered from outside.

Leading them was He Xiongjian, accompanied by a young man and woman. The man looked to be about twenty-three or twenty-four, quite handsome; the woman was eighteen or nineteen, with delicate features and a tall, graceful figure.

"Greetings, Chief," Qin Yi saluted first, followed by the other constables.

"Mm." He Xiongjian nodded slightly, glanced at everyone, and then spoke slowly, "Today, two new members are joining our twelfth team. This is Li Dongming, third-level strength, who will serve as deputy captain from today. This is Lin Jiaxian, also third-level strength, who will likewise serve as deputy captain."

"This is Qin Feng, our team's only veteran. He was previously a deputy captain, third-level strength, and now officially takes the post of captain. The three of you should work closely together, unite on missions, and understand?"

"We understand, Chief," the three replied in unison.

"Very good." He Xiongjian nodded, instructed Li Dongming and the others to collect their uniforms, swords, and badges, then headed inside, asking Qin Yi to follow.

Inside the office.

"Qin Feng, here is your official appointment letter and badge. From now on, you must lead the twelfth team well," He Xiongjian handed them to Qin Yi.

"Thank you for your trust, Chief. I will certainly lead the twelfth team well."

"Excellent."

He Xiongjian offered a few more words of encouragement, then dismissed Qin Yi.

"I didn't expect such a smooth promotion," Qin Yi thought as he left, somewhat surprised.

After all, the captain's role was an official post of the ninth rank under the imperial court, with a monthly salary of thirty taels.

Though thirty taels a month wasn't much, occupying this position brought plenty of opportunities for profit.

Still, considering the recent mortality rate among constables, perhaps some young men from privileged families were temporarily unwilling to join.