"Brother Chi, what was that maritime arrest warrant about just now?"
Chi Yan didn't pay attention to how Zhong Lin's address changed from "Brother Yan" to "Brother Chi".
He casually replied, "The person you drew is named Dan Wenlong, known as Guo Shanfeng, a notorious pirate. A few days ago, the Lin family in the county town was robbed, and it was his doing. Master Lin was furious, so the County Magistrate ordered a thorough investigation."
"So that's how it is."
Through his observations and understanding over the past few days, Zhong Lin had roughly grasped the power dynamics in the county town. In simple terms, the Court, the aristocratic families, and the gangs stood in a triangular standoff.
Among them, the gangs were the weakest, but they allied with the martial arts schools, allowing them to barely contend with the Court and the aristocratic families.
However, Zhong Lin always felt that there was something more to it, possibly hidden aspects he had not yet seen.
As they walked, the two arrived at an empty area, paved with bluestone. Racks on both sides held weapons, and there were some stone locks and other stone tools in the corners.
On that training ground, a few constables were practicing martial arts. Even from nearly a hundred meters away, Zhong Lin could hear the explosive sound of punches, like thunder.
Zhong Lin slowly stopped, his eyes tightly fixed on the government officials on the training ground, his breathing becoming more rapid.
Martial Arts.
This was true Martial Arts, Transcendent Power. Otherwise, how could human strength produce such terrifying power? He wondered which realm of Martial Arts they were in, as Cui Xian had mentioned.
Chi Yan also noticed Zhong Lin's expression and merely thought of it as youthful admiration for power, teasingly saying, "You're part of the government office now too. If you want to learn, you can choose a book from the Martial Arts Pavilion."
Zhong Lin sharply turned to Chi Yan, astonished, "The government office teaches martial arts?"
"Of course, if we don't practice martial arts, how would we catch thieves?"
"I can also learn martial arts here?"
Zhong Lin's breathing quickened. He hadn't realized that the opportunity to learn Martial Arts would be at the government office, and in such an unexpected way.
"You're also part of the government office, so naturally, you can learn. However, Martial Arts requires talent, and many lay the foundation when they're young. You're already fourteen or fifteen, it's hard to say..."
Chi Yan looked Zhong Lin up and down, shaking his head.
"It doesn't matter as long as I can learn. As for future achievements, it depends on personal fortune. Brother Chi, I've felt an affinity with you since we met; let's go out for a drink," Zhong Lin joyfully said.
"You're buying."
"Of course, I'm buying."
"Let's go."
...
Shortly after, Zhong Lin was taken by Chi Yan to the "Tianxiang Building," where he ordered a young courtesan to accompany them in drinking.
The Tianxiang Building was named to rival the Nuoxiang Building, but its level was not just a grade lower; however, even so, the prices here still made Zhong Lin's heart ache.
"Brother Chi, I'm new here. Although I've joined the government office, I don't understand the situation at all. Please enlighten me," Zhong Lin requested after first offering a toast.
Chi Yan wasn't polite, downing his drink in one gulp and pulling the nearby lady into his arms, letting her sit on his lap.
"It's easy to explain. Over time, you'll figure it out yourself. The highest authority in our government office is naturally the County Magistrate. The lord's surname is Mei, given name is Hai Ming, a graduate, and a member of the Capital's Mei family.
Beneath him are Chief Clerk Zhang and County Magistrate Du. These two are from the Zhang family and Du family in the county town, respectively. Though their family backgrounds can't compare with the County Magistrate's, they're not at our level of mud-legged people.
The last one to watch out for is the Chief Constable, Head Xue. For now, let's just say that Head Xue is a Sixth Grade Martial Arts expert who has cultivated Qi-Blood; you know he's formidable, got it?"
Chi Yan laughed heartily as he outlined the power structure of the county government.
Upon hearing this, Zhong Lin's eyes lit up. Sixth Grade... Qi-Blood... this must be the Middle Third Grades of Martial Arts that Old Cui mentioned.
As he pondered, Zhong Lin poured Chi Yan another drink, curiously asking, "Brother Chi, I've heard others mention that Martial Arts Ninth Grade is divided into upper, middle, and lower. How is the Sixth Grade different?"
"Different? Of course it's different. Martial Arts Ninth Grade is divided into the lower three grades of Body Refining, the Middle Third Grades of Blood Coagulation, and the Upper Third Grades of Qi Cultivation. Each realm can be worlds apart. I'm currently at the Eighth Rank of Muscle Transformation. Ordinary people can't get close to me with dozens of them, but against Head Xue, he could crush me with one hand. Do you think that's powerful?" Chi Yan explained.
"Powerful."
Zhong Lin nodded emphatically.
The mountain bandit known as Mountain Tiger, with Ninth Grade Skin Refinement cultivation, couldn't be pierced by arrows; it's imaginable that Chi Yan's Eighth Rank Muscle Transformation is even stronger. Yet, Chi Yan still couldn't withstand a single hand from the Chief Constable.
Zhong Lin didn't comprehend how to compare combat strength between realms, but he could imagine just how terrifying the Chief Constable was.
The two continued drinking and asking questions, mostly Zhong Lin asking and Chi Yan answering. This brief exchange significantly clarified the situation at the county government for Zhong Lin.
In summary, the County Magistrate was the highest authority, with numerous factions beneath him. However, the county government held absolute authority in Black Mountain County, and in the future, when Zhong Lin went out to paint for others, no one would dare charge him a protection fee.
This was the aspect Zhong Lin was most pleased with.
"Brother Zhong, the spring night is worth a thousand gold; don't miss the beauty," Chi Yan teased as he led a courtesan to a private room.
The courtesan sitting next to Zhong Lin seemed to be drunk, leaning against him like a pile of mud, waiting for Zhong Lin to undress her and join her in revelry.
Unfortunately, at this moment, Zhong Lin had no such thoughts—not because he lacked desire, but because his body hadn't been properly nurtured yet.
He didn't want to indulge before his body was healed, lest he suffer consequences for a lifetime.
With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the courtesan, sitting for a while longer before leaving the Tianxiang Building. As for Chi Yan, he intended to spend the night there.
...
As Zhong Lin left the Tianxiang Building, the sun was beginning to set. By the time he returned to Sweet Water Alley, it was already dark.
"Second Brother."
Seeing Zhong Lin's silhouette appear, Little Stone darted out, full of joy and welcome.
"You've been drinking."
Little Stone wrinkled his nose; the smell was just like when Father and Uncle Cauliflower drank together.
Zhong Lin patted Little Stone's head and handed him a paper parcel he was holding with his right hand, "I met a friend today. Here, I brought you a roast chicken. Go eat it! Sleep early; you have to go to Teacher Liu's tomorrow!"
"Okay!"
Little Stone went to the kitchen to eat. Zhong Lin went into the study to organize the day's events.
In just two days, many things had happened. First, he earned over thirty taels of Silver from selling paintings, then encountered Qin Yong and Xing San, cutting their throats under the night's cover.
Today, he went to school in the morning to recognize characters, then to the county government in the afternoon, where he also got a job as a painter. The most important thing was that he didn't need to become an apprentice at any martial arts school; he could learn martial arts at the government office.
"What a colorful day!"