I Have A Qi Fortune Altar

Chapter 40: Chapter 40 I would also like to give it a try

“To decide the outcome based on strength, whoever can overawe all competitors will have the right to hold the position of arrest officer. As for official status, once he advances to the Bone Refining Level, I will personally report it upwards,” said County Magistrate Li Mingqi.

Li Mingqi’s gaze swept over everyone present.

The position of an arrest officer is that of a ninth-rank official, which neither a County Magistrate nor a County Magistrate can decide upon; it must be authorized by issuing an official document from the Prefecture City.

The Government Officials below whispered among themselves and continued to converse.

“Brother Yuan, this is a good opportunity, what a pity, both of us are only at the Skin Refining Cultivation Level now, otherwise, it wouldn’t hurt to compete,” someone lamented.

Wang Ping suddenly showed a hint of regret for not cultivating diligently.

He had spent both his silver and time in pleasure quarters.

Having the power of an arrest officer meant having access to a large number of Cultivation Resources, stepping into the Bone Refining Level wasn’t a difficult matter.

For all the Blood Refining Constables, this was greatly beneficial news.

From Skin Refining to Blood Refining, with diligent cultivation, one could begin Blood Refining within a few years. But entering Bone Refining was different. It required not only talent but also Cultivation Resources.

And most important were the Cultivation Resources. With enough resources, very few couldn’t cross that threshold.

Chen Yuan glanced at Wang Ping and said in a low voice:

“Silence.”

Wang Ping startled, closed his mouth promptly, and listened to the excited words of his fellow Officials around him.

Li Mingqi raised his palm, and silence fell below:

“Although Blood Refining Martial Artists can compete for this position, I still advise you to gauge your own strength. Swords and blades are blind. If accidents occur during the competition, you can’t blame others.”

“If you don’t have substantial strength, it’s better to continue cultivating honestly. If you establish significant merit, I will promote you just the same. Now, anyone who wants to compete, step forward,” Li Mingqi said.

Li Mingqi stood with his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent as he watched the Government Officials.

Wu Yushan took a deep breath and stepped forward slowly:

“My lord, I would like to vie for the opportunity,” he said.

His strength was second only to Huang Xing’s in the Arrest Room, ranking him among the skilled practitioners, and naturally, he wouldn’t pass up this opportunity. Although he had previously tried to win over Chen Yuan, Wang Ping, and some other Officials, he didn’t have much confidence in his heart.

After all, the position of arrest officer generally requires a Bone Refining expert with substantial merit.

Although he had undergone Blood Refining three times, he was still quite far from reaching Bone Refining.

Now that Li Mingqi had proposed determining the outcome by strength, it was exactly what he wanted. He was confident that, unless a Bone Refining expert intervened, he had a great chance of winning among his peers.

“Anyone else?” asked Li Mingqi calmly.

Among the Officials, two older ones stepped forward together, bowing as they said:

“My lord.”

Chen Yuan observed the three who had stepped forward, all skilled at the Blood Refining Level, but aside from Wu Yushan who had declared earlier, Chen Yuan didn’t consider any of them a serious challenge.

“Just the three of you?” Li Mingqi’s gaze briefly assessed the gathered Officials, then he understood. There were only a few skilled practitioners in the Arrest Room. The rest seemingly didn’t qualify to compete.

As Li Mingqi finished speaking, Chen Yuan calmly bowed to Li Mingqi:

“My lord, I would also like to try,” he said.

When Chen Yuan said this, most of the constables in the room were somewhat surprised, especially Wang Ping who looked utterly incredulous. He had been home recuperating for more than half a month; how could Brother Yuan have changed so much?

To think he even aspired to compete for the position of arrest officer!

This was utterly shocking, as if a classmate, who was nearly at the same level of academic performance as you, suddenly said with a calm voice that they intended to be top of the class.

And he wasn’t joking.

Wang Ping looked at Chen Yuan as if he were seeing him for the first time, his eyes full of amazement as he scrutinized him.

Li Mingqi squinted at Chen Yuan, who was bowing respectfully. He still remembered this young man – he had asked him many questions the previous night, yet he hadn’t expected him to step forward and compete.

The government official was familiar with those in the County Government who possessed some real skill, but Chen Yuan had seemed a bit unfamiliar, clearly a recent addition.

Wu Yushan slightly furrowed his brows, gazing at Chen Yuan, his eyes flashing a glint of cold light.

Did he truly believe that having some strength would enable him to compete with him?

This was utter folly. Initially, Wu Yushan had considered nurturing him to become a capable subordinate, but now… if the opportunity arose, Wu Yushan wouldn’t mind breaking a few of his ribs to teach him how vast the world truly is!

The other two veteran constables flashed a hint of contempt in their eyes. Although Chen Yuan had displayed some strength at the Huang Family, which made them take him somewhat seriously, it didn’t mean he was a threat to them.

A constable who had been in the County Government for barely a year, competing against those who had been there for more than ten years, was bound to face a predictable outcome.

This was a challenge and contempt towards them!

Behind Chen Yuan, the group of constables either ridiculed, stared, or admired him with differing expressions, but one thing was clear – they all knew that Chen Yuan was definitely bold.

Relying on his strength, he dared to disregard a group of veteran constables.

In the County Government where seniority ruled, it was in no way his turn, a newcomer, to ascend.

“Are you sure? You know that swords and spears have no eyes,” Li Mingqi said evenly.

“This humble official has practiced martial arts for a year, training diligently every day, for the day I could ensure the peace and protect the people, and serve the imperial court. This opportunity is rare, and I truly do not wish to give it up,” he said.

Chen Yuan’s gaze was fixed on the ground; he knew that if he won this contest, it would undoubtedly arouse some suspicion, and even Tie Xuan’s death might be attributed to him.

But this opportunity was too rare to pass up.

The position of an arrest officer meant access to a massive amount of cultivation resources. Practicing the divine skill, Vajra Glaze Technique, which requires nine Blood Refinings, already needed substantial resources, and that was just for Blood Refining. The resources needed for Bone Refining later would undoubtedly be even greater.

He couldn’t possibly keep extorting or ambushing forever – humans err, horses stumble. The benefits that this position of arrest officer could bring were significant, so even at the risk of danger, he had to seize it!

He wished not only to ascend step by step on the path of martial arts but also to climb step by step to the highest ranks within the imperial court!

At his age, apart from joining a Demon Sect, it was nearly impossible for any major forces to want to take him in; thus, all he could rely on now was the imperial court!

Listening to Chen Yuan speak of ensuring peace and serving the imperial court, Li Mingqi chuckled lightly:

“Since that’s the case, at that time I shall see if your strength is as lofty as your aspirations.”

“You jest, my lord,” Chen Yuan laughed.

Li Mingqi nodded slightly, looking towards Wu Yushan and the other two veteran constables, and declared loudly:

“Tomorrow at noon, at the City East training grounds, whether you can secure the position of arrest officer will depend on your own skills.”

“Yes, I shall obey the command!”