60: Chapter 60 The Treatment of the Embroidered Uniform Guards

In the quiet room, the oil lamp was like a bean.

Lin Tian halted the fist stance of the final Move, 'Water Curtain Heaven Brilliance,' and the steam evaporating from his body slowly receded into his pores, leaving only a layer of fine, warm sweat on his skin.

He looked inward, and the number representing the proficiency of his Water Element Fist had quietly changed from 'Mastery 16 / 500' to 'Mastery 26 / 500'.

Ten repetitions, ten points of progress.

Not fast, but solid.

The flexible and enduring nature of the Water Element Fist, combined with the qi-blood moved by the Perfection of the Five Elements Stance, made his control over his force more harmonious when throwing and retracting punches, as if the fist force contained a hint of silent, moistening penetration.

'Haste makes waste. The fusion of the Three Elements is difficult by nature, and it requires things to happen naturally when conditions are ripe.' Lin Tian's mind was calm, without any impatience.

He blew out the oil lamp; he had to report to the Imperial Guard office tomorrow, so he needed to get enough rest.

The next day, before the sky was bright, the surroundings were silent.

Lin Tian was already standing in the small courtyard, setting up the opening stance of the Five Elements Stance.

Without needing deliberate urging, once the stance was engaged, the qi-blood in his body was like an awakened river, following the mysterious trajectory unique to the Perfection Cultivation Technique, flowing, surging, and strengthening spontaneously.

Beneath his skin, a low, tide-like roar could be faintly heard.

After finishing the practice half an hour later, he felt warm all over, full of energy, and his qi-blood was as vigorous as a furnace; his eyes shone strikingly in the faint morning light.

'The stance is the root, and qi-blood is the Foundation. This path must not be neglected for a single day.' Lin Tian washed up, ate a simple breakfast, changed into the clean gray-blue martial outfit, left the house, and walked toward the most solemn and strict Northern District of the city.

The Heishan City Jinyiwei Company Office was located in the north of the city, backed by the inner city wall, with high walls and deep courtyards, and the black-lacquered main gate was tightly shut.

In front of the gate squatted two stone statues of unknown Vicious Beasts, their gazes ferocious, overlooking the street, possessing an icy majesty that kept strangers at bay.

By the time Lin Tian arrived, Senior Sister Chen Yu and the other eight young Martial Artists who had passed the assessment had arrived one after another.

Everyone was high-spirited, their faces filled with irrepressible excitement and anticipation, whispering to each other, their eyes glancing from time to time at the tightly closed vermilion gate.

'Creak—'

The heavy gate opened from the inside, and an Imperial Guard warrior wearing mysterious black light clothing, carrying a long saber at his waist, and with a cold expression walked out, his gaze like lightning, sweeping over the crowd: 'New probationary Junior Flag Officers, follow me.'

Everyone immediately fell silent and followed in order.

Inside the gate was a wide drill ground, the ground paved with bluestone, flat as a mirror.

The surrounding buildings were tall and simple, and the flying eaves and bracket sets exuded a murderous aura.

The air was filled with a faint, special scent mixed with rust, leather, and some kind of cool spice.

The warrior led them across the drill ground to a warehouse on the side.

After verifying their identities and registering, they began to distribute equipment.

Each person received: a set of neatly folded mysterious black light clothing—not the gorgeous official uniform embroidered with flying fish as expected, but a sturdy, well-tailored martial outfit style; a long saber with a scabbard, the scabbard was pitch black, with a simple and ancient style, and it felt quite heavy in the hand; a piece of iron-wood token, half the size of a palm, cool to the touch, with the three small seal script characters 'Imperial Guard' engraved on the front, and 'Probationary Junior Flag Officer' and a serial number on the back; in addition, there was a simple document and a small leather pouch for odds and ends.

'Go to the side chamber, change your clothes, and gather here in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.' The warrior instructed.

Everyone turned into the adjacent chamber and found their own cubicles to change.

The mysterious black robe was on, the texture was quite good, and it did not hinder movement; on the left chest, a simple small flying fish pattern was embroidered with silver thread, which was completely different from the gorgeous and flamboyant patterns on the official flying fish suit.

The long saber was unsheathed, the blade was bright as snow, and the cold light was stunning; although it was not a divine Sharp Weapon, it was forged from hundred-refined steel and was much stronger than the standard swords and sabers of ordinary martial arts halls.

Lin Tian touched the small flying fish pattern on his chest and looked at the long saber in his hand, which was very different from the 'Xiuchun Saber' he had imagined, feeling a little puzzled.

He walked out of the chamber and, seeing that Senior Sister Chen Yu had also changed, asked in a low voice: 'Senior Sister Chen Yu, this clothing... it doesn't seem to be the flying fish suit? And the saber...'

A Disciple from the Baiyun Martial Arts Hall nearby heard this and chuckled, seeming to think that Lin Tian was a bit of a 'country bumpkin'.

Senior Sister Chen Yu glanced at the person and explained to Lin Tian in a low voice: 'The flying fish suit is the official uniform of the Imperial Guard, and one must be promoted to at least a General Flag Officer or even a Centurion to be qualified to be granted one.'

'We are only the lowest probationary Junior Flag Officers, so naturally we can only wear this standard light clothing.'

'As for the saber, the Xiuchun Saber has a special shape, is expensive to manufacture, and requires the corresponding saber technique to exert its power; newcomers are uniformly issued this "standard long saber".'

'You can apply for a replacement after you make contributions and get promoted in the future.'

'So that's how it is.' Lin Tian suddenly understood.

The Imperial Guard had a strict hierarchy, which could be seen from this clothing and the saber worn.

After changing, everyone lined up again.

The warrior appeared again and led them on a simple walk through the office, roughly pointing out the locations of the public office, drill ground, Library Pavilion, dining hall, and interrogation room, and then came to a side hall for meetings.

In the hall, another slightly older Imperial Guard Junior Flag Officer with a calm aura was already waiting.

He scanned the ten young and energetic faces and began to explain in a flat voice: 'Since you have joined the Imperial Guard, you are the Emperor's personal army, and you must strictly observe the laws and perform your duties.'

'Since you are new here, there are a few things you need to know.'

'First, treatment. Probationary Junior Flag Officer, monthly salary of twenty taels. In addition, you can receive two portions of "qi-blood powder" every month with your token.'

As soon as these words were spoken, many people showed joy in their eyes.

A monthly salary of twenty taels was far beyond that of ordinary martial arts hall Disciples, not to mention two portions of qi-blood powder!

Lin Tian's heart also stirred.

He had only received one portion of qi-blood powder for fighting for the Liu Family, which supported him in completing a key Breakthrough.

The Imperial Guard provided two fixed portions every month; this treatment was indeed generous! No wonder countless Martial Artists squeezed their heads just to join.

Senior Sister Chen Yu added in a voice that only the two of them could hear: 'At the martial arts hall, the Hall Master has instructed that you, me, and Senior Brother Zhao can still receive one portion of qi-blood powder each month.'

Hearing this, Lin Tian felt a warmth in his heart and felt even more grateful to Hall Master Chen Qingfeng.

In this way, he would have three portions of qi-blood powder every month!

For him, who was in need of consolidating his Foundation and breaking through to a higher Realm, this was undoubtedly a timely help.

The Junior Flag Officer continued: 'Second, duties and tasks.'

'The primary duty of the Imperial Guard is to monitor the world and arrest those who are lawless.'

'From high-ranking officials to commoners, anyone who commits crimes or plots rebellion is under surveillance.'

'The office will issue tasks from time to time, whether it is patrolling, arresting, or spying.'

'Once a task is issued, you must not shirk or delay it for any reason; it must be executed immediately.'

'Violators will be dealt with by military law!'

His tone turned stern, and everyone's expression tightened.

'Of course,' the Junior Flag Officer's tone shifted slightly, softening, 'tasks are also divided into different grades.'

'Some are hard labor, some... are lucrative jobs.'

'If you do well, there may be rewards of silver, credit, or even rare items.'

'This depends on your own luck and ability.'

Everyone understood; so-called "lucrative jobs" were mostly related to raiding corrupt officials and recovering stolen money, where the profits were naturally high.

'If you have no tasks, you can Cultivate in the office on your own, or go to the Library Pavilion to read classics, but you must not leave without reason.'

'The office encourages Cultivation, and the strong are respected.'

'There will also be small competitions every month, and those with excellent results can receive extra rewards, and even opportunities for promotion.'

'Third,' the Junior Flag Officer's gaze fell on the long sabers at everyone's waist, 'since you are Imperial Guards, you must be proficient in the Imperial Guard's saber technique.'

'Starting from tomorrow, gather at the drill ground at the hour of the dragon daily, and a specialist will teach you the "Basic Xiuchun Saber Technique".'

'This is the introductory saber technique of the Imperial Guard, and it is also the Foundation for learning more advanced Xiuchun Saber Technique in the future.'

'You must practice diligently and not be lazy!'

Xiuchun Saber Technique!

Everyone's spirits lifted; this was one of the tangible benefits they were most looking forward to when joining the Imperial Guard!

It was rumored that the Imperial Guard's Xiuchun Saber Technique was fierce and ruthless, with strange and unpredictable Moves, and when combined with the specially made Xiuchun Saber, it was extremely powerful.

Lin Tian touched the cold hilt of his saber, and a hint of anticipation rose in his eyes.

His fist techniques and movement techniques had already reached Minor Achievement, and he was just lacking a usable weapon technique.

He wondered what kind of mystery this Imperial Guard's basic saber technique had?

Compared to his Gold-Wood combined attack technique, which was stronger and which was weaker?

'That's all for today. Go back, familiarize yourselves with the environment, and gather at the drill ground at the hour of the dragon tomorrow to start practicing the saber!'

'Dismissed!'

The Junior Flag Officer finished, waved his hand, and turned to leave.

Everyone bowed to see him off, then dispersed in twos and threes, their faces still filled with excitement and longing.

Lin Tian had a brief conversation with Senior Sister Chen Yu, then left the Centurion Office and returned to his residence.

A new identity, a new starting point, a broader stage, and more intense competition had already begun.

And tomorrow, he would begin to come into contact with that mysterious and powerful Imperial Guard saber technique.

In Lin Tian's heart, a long-lost feeling of eagerness to face a brand-new challenge quietly arose.