"The path of Martial Arts begins from the outside and moves inwards, the process divided into four major stages: skin, flesh, tendons, and bones!"
"That is to say, to cultivate Martial Arts, one must sequentially achieve Skin Refinement, Flesh Refinement, Sinew Refining, and Bone Refining, these four major steps!"
"However, for common folk, completing these four steps is as arduous as ascending to the heavens!"
"First of all, acquiring martial techniques is exceedingly difficult. These arts are controlled by the influential clans and sects, and cannot be learned by those outside their members."
"Furthermore, every step of refining skin, flesh, tendons, and bones requires an enormous amount of resources to build up and successfully refine."
"Hence the saying, 'the rich war while the poor write,' for without a substantial family fortune, one simply cannot support the training in martial arts."
"Thus in the rivers and lakes, those in the Skin Refinement Realm can be considered strong in their own right, those in the Flesh Refining Realm can wander the world freely, and those in the Sinew Refining Realm may carve out their own forces."
"As for the Bone Refining Realm, not only does it require ample resources, but it also demands that the Martial Artist himself possess extraordinary talent to reach this level."
"In Black Goose City, the strongest should be Colonel Ji, yet he is but in the Sinew Refining Realm."
Within the simple earth house, the man with a dark complexion spoke slowly to the young man before him.
At last, he let out a wry smile before saying self-deprecatingly, "So, how could we peasants possibly know martial arts?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Zheng felt slightly disappointed, but still gave thanks to Wang Er with a fist salute, "Regardless, I thank you, Big Brother Wang, for enlightening me."
Wang Er waved his hand dismissively and then said with some curiosity, "Yesterday, when I saw you swing the Ghost Head Saber mightily, even Master Shi could barely block it."
"I thought you knew martial arts."
Qin Zheng shook his head and responded, "My family has been Executioners for generations, so I've inherited some techniques, but they hardly count as martial arts."
After bringing the Ghost Head Saber Technique to perfection, a warm current emerged in his body, nourishing his entire being and toughening his skin.
Considering what Wang Er had just explained about the four major stages, it seemed he had stepped into the Skin Refinement Realm.
Yet, even perfecting the Ghost Head Saber Technique had only led him to the first major threshold.
And that old fellow was in the Sinew Refining Realm, at the third major stage.
The gap between them was vast; no wonder he couldn't withstand even a single move from his opponent.
This also indicated that the quality of the Ghost Head Saber Technique was indeed low, not amounting to a true martial art.
"I see."
Wang Er nodded, then fell silent, lost in thought about something unknown.
Qin Zheng too lowered his head, pondering his strategy for breaking through his current situation.
First off, he confirmed his advantage, which was possessing the magical Merit Scroll, capable of directly consuming merit to improve his martial skills.
Secondly, his job as an Executioner helped him to accumulate a substantial amount of merit.
Therefore, what he lacked now were martial techniques!
With a decent martial technique, he could rely on the Merit Scroll to rapidly enhance his skills, hence breaking out of his predicament.
So, the current difficulty lay in how to obtain martial techniques.
Upon this thought, he faced a seemingly insurmountable obstacle.
That was, with Qin Zheng's current status and position, he had no access to any martial arts beyond his own.
If this avenue to improve his strength was blocked, then he could only seek a powerful backer to protect himself.
As this idea dawned on Qin Zheng, the image of a man holding a long saber with a cold expression emerged in his mind.
Garrison Commander of Black Goose City, Ji Changyin!
In Black Goose City, the only person he knew who could protect him was this man.
Other than him, why would any sect or gang care to protect him?
After all, that was a warrior who had broken through the third major stage, one from the Sinew Refining Realm!
With the destructive power akin to a humanoid beast, stopping him would likely mean incurring significant losses.
Similarly, Qin Zheng himself was merely an Executioner responsible for beheading convicts at the execution ground.
Even though they are not Colonel Ji's soldiers, how could they agree to protect me?
I don't have anything of value on me.
If there's one thing of value, it's the Merit Scroll in my Heart Sea, but I can't control it not to mention.
Qin Zheng would never consider using it for trade.
The only thing I can gamble on is making the other party believe in the potential value of myself!
Qin Zheng was confident that as long as he overcame this crisis and acquired martial skills, he would certainly not be limited to the four major barriers in the future.
With the ability of the Merit Scroll, given time, he was sure to break through the four major barriers and reach higher realms!
As soon as Qin Zheng thought of this, he stood up, ready to return to the barracks next to the execution ground with Wang Er.
The garrison at the execution ground managed the prisons and punishments of Black Goose City, but their location was not in Black Goose City, rather, it was beside Black Goose City.
The military does not touch on politics, politics does not interfere with the military, they do not cross paths but supervise each other nevertheless.
This was the situation in Black Goose City.
Just as Qin Zheng was about to speak,
Wang Er frowned slightly and said hesitantly, "Brother Qin, if you really need martial skills, I might have a way."
At these words, Qin Zheng's spirits lifted instantly.
He asked eagerly, "What way?"
Seeking protection is no substitute for personal strength!
Even if Colonel Ji agreed to protect me, he could not possibly stay by my side at all times.
And that old fellow was on the same level as Colonel Ji, a being capable of fierce exchange of blows.
There was no guarantee that the enemy wouldn't dare to take a risk and make a move under Colonel Ji's watch.
So this wasn't safe either; it was just a last resort to find another way.
Wang Er raised his head and looked at Qin Zheng, asking, "The Cicada Gang was annihilated, and all their property was confiscated."
"However, the Cicada Gang had been rooted in Black Goose City for so many years, with profound foundations, so there would likely be some oversights even during asset seizure."
"Therefore, during this period, there will be people appearing, selling items belonging to the Cicada Gang."
"If you can offer the right price, you should have a chance to buy martial skills of the Cicada Gang."
"Of course, the signature martial skills of the Cicada Gang are out of the question, but some less notable ones should be available."
Listening to Wang Er, Qin Zheng gradually understood.
This was the handiwork of the Garrison Commander!
Property confiscated was the property of the entire barracks, the property of the dynasty.
But if something was overlooked and ended up being sold by someone else, then it belonged to that someone else.
And this 'someone else' was clearly Colonel Ji!
Reasonably, these overlooked items should also belong to the dynasty's property.
But would the dynasty really send someone down to check?
The domain of the Great Jin was vast; if every power that was eradicated had to be scrutinized, then the officials of the Great Jin would have nothing else to do.
Therefore, when a power was wiped out and swallowed up, what was overlooked and how much was missed was decided by the military officer in charge of the eradication.
However, these things didn't hold much relevance for Qin Zheng at the moment.
He quickly followed up with a question, "Big Brother Wang, how should I contact them?"
Wang Er thought for a moment, then said, "This afternoon, at the Hour of the Rooster, there will be a small exchange meeting on the flower boats by the riverbank west of the city."
"If you want martial skills, just mention it to the person in charge then, whether it's possible or not, and whatever the price may be, you'll get a response."