Changsheng: My experience in patrolling the liver

Chapter 640 Martial Arts Competition Before the Emperor! (Two Chapters Combined)

"Did you remember that?"

"I understand, Grandpa," the little boy nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

He did not experience the turbulent times that humanity had gone through; he was born into a peaceful and prosperous era of human unification, which made him undoubtedly lucky.

But getting him to truly understand and empathize with his grandfather's teachings is naturally quite difficult.

Only after growing up and gaining more experience and knowledge could he truly understand what his grandfather was saying and what Emperor Wu meant to the human race back then.

"Old sir, may I ask how one participates in this Imperial Martial Arts Tournament?" A handsome young man, who looked quite young, stood to the side and asked with a smile after listening to the old man's words.

"Young man, you don't look like a martial artist at all," the old man said, turning his head to look at him with some surprise.

This handsome young man was dressed in brocade robes, adorned with jade ornaments, and carried a folding fan. With his delicate skin and fair complexion, he looked more like a scholar from a well-to-do family, showing no trace of martial spirit.

"Although I am not skilled in martial arts, I have some basic knowledge of it and consider myself a martial arts practitioner," the handsome young man said.

The old man shook his head. "If you truly practice martial arts and are a martial artist, how could you not know the origin of the Imperial Martial Arts Tournament? Young master, please don't tease this old man."

Even if the other party was not a martial artist, judging from his clothes and the noble demeanor he exuded, he was clearly not an ordinary person like him.

He most likely couldn't afford to offend them, and he certainly didn't want to risk a falling out with them over a few words.

"I have been practicing martial arts in the deep mountains and know little about the outside world. I sincerely wish to learn from you, sir," the handsome young man said.

"Alright then." Although the old man still didn't quite believe what the young man was saying, he didn't mind letting him say a few more words.

"The predecessor of the Imperial Martial Arts Tournament was the Nine Provinces Martial Arts Tournament held once every ten years. However, this time it has been slightly modified. After the Nine Provinces Tournament, an Imperial Martial Arts Tournament has been set up to give outstanding performers the opportunity to meet the Martial Emperor."

This is a rare opportunity for any martial artist. Putting aside his status as the emperor who ruled over the Nine Provinces, the Martial Emperor's martial arts prowess is unparalleled in the world, a level that others can only look up to.

Even a few words of guidance would be immensely beneficial to any martial artist.

The old man spoke with great clarity and reason; among ordinary people in the neighborhood, he was indeed considered quite knowledgeable.

Before the handsome young man had even finished listening, his eyes were already shining.

Whether or not he would be rewarded was secondary; what he really cared about was the opportunity to meet Emperor Wu.

"Old sir, you haven't answered me yet how to participate in this martial arts competition," the handsome young man reminded him.

"Just go to the government office to register. In the past, the Nine Provinces Martial Arts Tournament lasted for almost a year. Anyone who is a martial artist can participate, regardless of strength or place of origin. If you want to meet the Emperor, you just need to fight your way up to Tianwu City. By this time next year, you should be able to meet the Emperor," the old man said.

"That's great! I'll go sign up right away," the handsome young man said with a smile.

The old man stopped him and asked suspiciously, "Young master, have you made any arrangements at home?"

"Arrange what?" the handsome young man asked, puzzled.

The old man couldn't help but touch his sparsely haired head.

"Yun City is, after all, the capital of Yunzhou, and in the past, it was an imperial city. If you are a scion of a noble family, you might be able to secure one or two spots to participate in the high-level martial arts competition here."

Those without a prestigious background must start from small places, from villages to towns, then to large cities, and finally to the martial arts tournaments held by local lords in the main city. Only by winning every battle can they finally make their way to the capital and compete with the nation's most outstanding talents.

The old man rambled on for a long time, but in short, those with status and background enjoyed privileges and could skip many of the seemingly challenging processes, while those without status and background could only rely on their own abilities to start from the bottom and climb up layer by layer.

The handsome young man now understood why this martial arts competition would take a year to complete.

There are simply too many martial artists signing up, and too many matches to fight. It would take at least a year to finish.

"So I still need to go to some villages to register?"

"I see that you are dressed in fine clothes, young master. If your family can provide some support, even if you cannot register in the capital, you can start from other towns or cities, which will save you a lot of trouble," the old man kindly advised.

Starting with a village is usually set as the starting point for rough, unrefined men with no background.

Anyone with a bit of connections wouldn't go and try to outmuscle those villagers.

Upon hearing this, the handsome young man shook his head.

"My home is too far away to help me."

The handsome young man glossed over the matter in one sentence, without saying much about his background or identity.

He quickly made up his mind and said with a smile, "Old man, may I ask where Emperor Wu started his career?"

“Naturally, it’s the Cypress Road in the south,” the old man blurted out.

This was basic common sense for him, having thoroughly read the biography of Emperor Wu.

"Very well, then I will follow in the footsteps of Emperor Wu and climb up to see him, step by step!"

The handsome young man was full of vigor and seemed certain that he would be able to meet Emperor Wu.

After saying that, the handsome young man strode away.

He hadn't taken more than two steps when he suddenly turned his head again, his smile as bright as the rising sun.

"Old man, my name is Gu Qingfeng. In the future, you will surely hear my name resound throughout this capital."

Having said that, the handsome young man strode away without lingering any longer.

"Grandpa, he's so amazing!" The little boy next to him seemed to be infected by the handsome young man's confident and high spirits, and looked at him with admiration.

"Hmph, anyone can talk a good game. There are so many martial artists participating in the Kyushu Martial Arts Tournament, but how many of them can actually make it to our capital?"

"I think that kid's all talk; a truly capable person wouldn't start with village battles."

There were also some civilians or martial artists gathered nearby, and many of them were disdainful of what the handsome young man said.

"It's all show and no substance."

“That’s right. I can’t detect any strong martial arts aura in that kid. He looks no different from an ordinary person.”

"Could it be someone's gigolo who ran away?"

The old man didn't say anything; his years of experience had given him excellent insight.

He could tell that the handsome young man's confidence was genuine, and that he even possessed an imposing air of nobility that could not be cultivated in an ordinary family.

"Gu Qingfeng," the old man muttered to himself.

Of all the geniuses he knew in the Nine Provinces, none could match this person.

"Never mind, if he really has great abilities, it won't be long before I hear about him in the capital." The old man shook his head and left with his grandson.

"Grandpa, I don't want to study anymore! I want to learn martial arts so I can meet the Martial Emperor in the future!" the little boy suddenly said eagerly, standing on tiptoe.

The old man smiled and rubbed his grandson's head.

"Alright, in a few days Grandpa will pick out a good martial arts school in the city for you to practice at. But you still need to study. Otherwise, even if you acquire unparalleled martial arts skills in the future, you won't be able to practice them well if you can't understand the martial arts books."

"Yes, I understand, Grandpa!"

The Kyushu Martial Arts Tournament was held every ten years in the past, and this is the fourth one.

Its purpose is to ensure the prevalence of martial arts among humans, and at the same time, to discover martial arts talents throughout the Nine Provinces, to carry out unified planning and training, and to try not to bury those who have martial arts aptitude.

The entire martial arts tournament isn't just about meeting the Martial Emperor and receiving the final reward; ordinary people who possess martial arts talent but are unaware of it also benefit from the process. This is the true significance of the Nine Provinces Martial Arts Tournament.

Gu Qingfeng stopped in his tracks as soon as he stepped out of the capital.

"Why have you followed me all this way, young lady?"

As he spoke, he turned to look at the city gate behind him, where a pretty figure in light blue was standing with her hands behind her back, curiously observing him.

The girl's long hair was tied up, leaving a braid, and her hands, behind her back, held a sheathed sword, twirling it between her fingertips.

The woman didn't look very old, and after being pointed out, she wasn't embarrassed or angry. Instead, she smiled and took the initiative to move closer.

"I think you're right."

Gu Qingfeng was taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "What did I say?"

The woman didn't offer any further explanation, but simply smiled and said, "I was also planning to go to the Green Cypress Road to start my martial arts competition. How about we travel together and challenge the trials together?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng immediately realized that the woman had overheard his plan, which he had discussed with the old man on the street.

"We are complete strangers, yet we're traveling together like this. Aren't you afraid I'm a bad person?" Gu Qingfeng couldn't help but ask.

"Hmph, I've seen plenty of bad guys, but none of them can beat me," the woman said with a slight snort, raising her head.

Gu Qingfeng found the woman interesting and asked, "My name is Gu Qingfeng. May I ask your name, young lady?"

"Song Yiyan."

"Good name. If you have the ability to keep up with me, then let's travel together." Gu Qingfeng raised his eyebrows, laughed loudly, and his body was filled with energy.

The next moment, he soared into the sky and sped away into the distance.

The ability to fly by controlling one's qi proves that, at such a young age, one already possesses the strength of the Innate Realm.

"Who do you think you are?" Song Yiyan muttered, and with the same luck, she soared into the sky even faster than her opponent.

The two of them disappeared into the horizon.

Within the capital city, there is a mansion.

Su Qingqing stared at the letter in her hand and the empty room, speechless for a moment.

The letter contained only two lines of neat, small handwriting.

“Master, the path to becoming a Grandmaster is long and arduous. I intend to travel out and gain some experience. As for the martial arts competition, I will choose another place to do so.”

"Written: Your loving Yiyan."

"You little brat, you're pretty fast." Su Qingqing laughed and scolded, but she had no intention of catching her disciple.

She wasn't the kind of master who was overly controlling. Since her apprentice didn't want the path she had laid out and wanted to forge her own way, she let her have it.

After all, my good disciple will eventually grow up and fly away on his own.

Unnecessary interference will only hinder the other party's development.

After a moment's thought, Su Qingqing took out a communication jade slip and left a message for it.

If you encounter a problem you can't solve, don't forget that you have a mentor at home who can support you.

Not a few days passed.

Cypress Road, at the southernmost point, is Maple City.

This is an ancient city, and also the gateway city closest to the border in Cuibai Road and even the entire southern part of Yunzhou.

If a demon race attacks from the south, this old city is often the first place to be ravaged by war.

Therefore, both the city walls and the surrounding area are covered with traces of war, which have not been erased even after decades or hundreds of years.

The number of villages and towns surrounding Maple City is not large, totaling less than a hundred.

A few miles outside Qingshi Village, two streaks of light descended.

"I did say that the Martial Emperor's first stop was Maple City, but we are all martial artists at the Innate Realm. We don't need to start competing for advancement spots from here, do we?"

Looking at the bare trees and desolate land around her, Song Yiyan muttered to herself.

“Of course it doesn’t start in Fengcheng.” Gu Qingfeng smiled and looked at the small village a few miles away.

Song Yiyan rubbed her forehead.

"Aren't you just bullying people because you have higher cultivation levels?"

"What can I do? I have no background or identity on this land of Kyushu, so I'll just have to follow the rules." Gu Qingfeng said, already walking towards Qing Shi Village, waving his hand as he went.

"If you cannot lower yourself, then go to the main city of Cuibai and wait for me. I think we will meet again soon."

Song Yiyan glared and immediately said, "Who said that? I don't have any background or status. I'm just a江湖儿女 (jianghu children). I'll go if I want."

Qingshi Village, the old village chief's residence.

"So neither of you has a registered residence, and you want to register for the Nine Provinces Martial Arts Tournament in my Qing Shi Village?" The old village chief looked at the two young men and women who had arrived.

The man was handsome, and the woman was beautiful.

Judging from his clothes, demeanor, and speech, he didn't seem like a homeless and destitute person at all.

They seemed more like noble young masters and ladies who had appeared out of nowhere, coming here for sightseeing.

"Yes," Gu Qingfeng said frankly.

Song Yiyan nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I won't ask any more questions about the specifics. Before you, there were a few other visitors who registered for the martial arts competition in my Qing Shi Village."

According to the rules, each village has only two spots for outsiders to advance to the village competition, and these spots cannot take up one of the five spots recommended by the villagers. This needs to be clarified with you.

"No problem," Gu Qingfeng replied.

Simply put, outsiders compete for extra spots among themselves, while the five nomination spots for local villagers cannot be taken by outsiders.

This rule is also to ensure that villagers who have never had the opportunity to learn martial arts can have the chance to show their skills.

If someone has enough potential for martial arts training, they won't be overlooked; they might even be taken in and trained by the town's government or the city lord's mansion at a higher level.

"Such a remote little village, yet so many people managed to find it," Song Yiyan didn't know how to complain.

It can only be said that in a large forest, there are all kinds of birds. In this Kyushu War, which only comes around once every ten years, there are some people who take advantage of loopholes. With nothing better to do, they go and choose some remote villages to register, taking advantage of the registration rules.

If there is no competition, then these two extra spots will naturally be obtained effortlessly.

In this way, regardless of their actual abilities, they have the opportunity to show off in front of a large audience, and perhaps these opportunists can actually benefit from it.

Song Yiyan didn't think too much about it. Since he and Gu Qingfeng had also signed up, there were no other people who could get the two extra spots for advancement from Qing Shi Village.

After all, apart from the two of them, there shouldn't be any other innate martial artists who would choose to register in a small village to start their journey.

(End of this chapter)