The First Sage of Military Strategists

Chapter 33 What a peerless genius!
"Han Qing, the squad leader will be here soon. He's heard you haven't been coming to the training ground often these past few days, so he's going to test your martial arts skills today. You'd better be prepared." Ma Er winked and said, then took out a pear from his pocket and tossed it to Han Qing.

Han Qing took the pear, took a bite, and found it very sweet.

"Han Qing, come here!"

A loud shout came from behind, it was Yang Wu.

Han Qing turned and walked away, and Ma Er followed. He took out a pear from his pocket and weighed it in his hand.

"Boss, how about one?"

"Eat it yourself, Han Qing. How's your swordsmanship? Remember, if you reach mastery within a week, I'll give you five Qi and Blood Pills," Yang Wu said in a deep voice.

He had been away on business for the past few days. When he returned, he asked around and heard that Han Qing hadn't been to the training ground much. He was immediately worried that Han Qing was slacking off, so he came to inquire as soon as possible, wanting to test him.

He didn't expect Han Qing to master the technique, as long as his swordsmanship improved, which meant that Han Qing hadn't slacked off in the past few days.

If he can't even remember the most basic moves, then as his master, he'll have to say a few words to him.

As the saying goes, "A strict teacher produces outstanding students." Such a promising talent as Han Qing must not be ruined by laziness.

Han Qing drew his sword and went to an open space nearby. Many constables were also practicing martial arts, and when they heard Yang Wu's words, they all turned their eyes to him immediately.

"Let's begin!" Yang Wu said in a deep voice.

Han Qing immediately unleashed the Hundred-Crack Blade Technique in the training ground. With a series of swift, sweeping movements, the blade flashed like a shadow, its cold light gleaming. It was almost like a sphere, seemingly capable of easily handling attacks from more than a dozen people.

Yang Wu's pupils contracted, and he forgot to take a bite of Ma Erli, which was right in front of his mouth.

"This, this, this swordsmanship looks even better than mine!" Ma Er exclaimed.

"Stop!" Yang Wu shouted.

Han Qing sheathed his sword, leaving everyone in the training ground in awe.

"Has it reached its full potential?" Yang Wu asked, his tone still somewhat uncertain.

"Yes," Han Qing replied.

"What an unparalleled genius! This Hundred-Crack Blade only has thirteen moves. If one can comprehend the details and mysteries of each move, one can indeed master it within a few days. However, it has extremely demanding requirements for comprehension."

"Han Qing, I ask you, have you ever practiced this sword technique before?" Yang Wu's eyes gleamed, and he valued Han Qing even more.

"I spent a few days at Master Fang's place," Han Qing replied.

There was indeed a Hundred-Crack Blade in Master Fang's room, and he had indeed searched through it several times.

“No wonder, but even so, the speed at which your swordsmanship has improved is still unbelievable. I will keep my word.” As Yang Wu spoke, he raised his hand and tossed out a small white jade medicine bottle, which traced a path and landed in Han Qing’s hand.

"Thank you, Master," Han Qing said.

For a moment, in the vast training ground, many constables couldn't help but cast envious glances at Han Qing.

This means that Yang Wu paid for Han Qing's medicine out of his own pocket; no one else received this treatment.

Qi and Blood Pills are extremely valuable; even the cheapest price for five pills would be between two and five taels.

Yang Wu smiled and patted Han Qing on the shoulder: "Practice hard and don't waste your talent. This level of swordsmanship is enough. There's no need to pursue perfection. You should spend more time improving your martial arts level."

To be honest, reaching the third realm of the Body Dao in six months is no easy feat.

"Understood." Han Qing nodded solemnly.

"Alright, I'm leaving. The rest of you can go about your business." Yang Wu waved his hand and turned to leave.

Ma Er and Han Qing got up and headed to the cell. Ma Er put one hand on Han Qing's shoulder and held a pear in the other, winking and saying, "Han Qing, tell me the truth, did you secretly practice in private?"

"No."

"Really not?"

Is there a trick to it?

"It's nothing, you'll get it after watching it once." "Damn it, do you know how long it took me to reach the minor mastery level? Three years, a full three years!" Ma Er casually tossed the pear in his hand, completely devastated.

...

An hour later.

Han Qing and Ma Er had finished inspecting the prison cells and returned to the training ground to continue their martial arts practice.

He went to a corner of the training ground, took out a small white porcelain medicine bottle from his pocket, opened the stopper, and glanced at it. He saw five white pills inside, and a fragrant aroma with a slightly bitter taste wafted out.

"The White Jade Pill is one of the most common Qi and Blood Pills, but its quality is very good."

Han Qing gently picked up a little bit with her fingernail and put it in her mouth. After a slight taste, she understood that there was no problem with the pill.

He possesses top-notch medical skills; he can tell whether there's a problem with the ingredients of this White Jade Pill just by tasting it.

If it really was poisonous, with his physique, eating just this little bit wouldn't be a problem, after all, even poison requires a certain dosage.

Although Yang Wu had no reason to harm him, out of caution, he still tried all five White Jade Pills using the same method to confirm that they were all authentic.

"Let's give it a try and see how it goes."

Han Qing put a white jade pill into his mouth, closed his eyes slightly, and the pill melted rapidly, turning into a cool liquid that flowed down his throat and into his stomach.

Qi and Blood Pills are different from Nourishing Soup. The former focuses on generating Qi and Blood, which can help martial artists break through faster, while the latter focuses on nourishing the body, which can make martial artists healthier and live longer.

In terms of improving martial arts realm, Qi and Blood Pills are more than ten times better than Health Preservation Soup.

With the help of the medicine, he practiced the Nine Yin Manual again and again in the training ground. He felt a slight warmth throughout his body, his blood and qi surging, and he had inexhaustible energy and stamina.

He practiced for several hours until it was completely dark before slowly exhaling a breath of stale air.

"With the help of the Qi and Blood Pill, the effect is truly different!"

His gaze swept across the screen and fell upon the progress of his Nine Yin Manual. It had increased by 2%, several times more effective than normal practice.

"It's a pity there are only five. It seems I'll have to find a way to get more later," Han Qingxin thought to himself.

Xinglintang does not sell Qi and Blood Pills because the imperial court does not allow it; only government-owned shops are permitted to sell them.

Xinglintang's customers are mainly ordinary people, not martial artists; otherwise, Han Qing wouldn't have had to wait until now to take his first Qi and Blood Pill.

By this time, it was already getting late.

Han Qing got up and walked towards his own courtyard. However, as he passed the gate of the constable's office, a figure suddenly walked out. He was strong and sturdy, with his hands behind his back and a kind smile on his face. It was none other than County Magistrate Cao Yongliang.

"Han Qing, wait a minute, come with me, I have something to tell you."

Han Qing nodded, a sense of vigilance rising in his heart, and followed Cao Yongliang toward a nearby house.

Previously, Master Fang had warned him to be careful of this person, saying that he was a smiling tiger and that he should not be deceived by his kind appearance, but rather be wary of his insidious methods.

Han Qing kept this in mind. He thought to himself, "This is the government office. Cao Yongliang shouldn't dare to do anything to me."

While they were pondering, the two went inside.

Cao Yongliang sat in a chair, picked up a teacup from the table next to him, and slowly blew on it.

"Han Qing, sit down. There's no need to be so formal. Although I am just a county magistrate, go out and ask around. Everyone knows that I, Cao Yongliang, am approachable and care about the younger generation, especially a martial arts genius like you."

Han Qing shook his head: "There is an order of hierarchy and distinction between superiors and inferiors. I'd better stand."

"Very well, I, Cao, value talent. Keep this bottle of Qi and Blood Pills safe. Come to Yan Hui Lou in the city in three days, and I have a surprise for you."

"Furthermore, to be honest, Cao, it's a waste of your talent to be a butcher in the police force. You'd have a better future in the police force or the guard force. What do you think?" Cao Yongliang took a small sip of hot tea.

Good evening everyone! Please send me your monthly tickets and recommendation votes! Also, remember to read on tomorrow!

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(End of this chapter)