Chapter 614 - 295: Marrow Cleansing Great Success

To possess such cunning at such a young age is truly extraordinary.

Later, at the Demon Suppression Department, the courage and cunning you displayed when handling the demon scourge in Moshan County were so impressive that even I was astonished.

Now, you've become a major figure on equal footing with the likes of Jiang Botao. Naturally, you must broaden your perspective and set your sights on the world.

Tell me, how would you govern a nation?

Xia Lingfeng had asked a similar question before, so Chen Cheng had some thoughts on the matter. He pondered for a moment and said:

"Virtue should be primary, and punishment secondary. Government decrees must be simple yet diligently enforced. The people should be nurtured by enriching their livelihoods."

A flash of surprise appeared in Situ Mu's eyes. He nodded repeatedly and said, "To have such insight is truly impressive!

I finally understand how you were able to cultivate Vast Righteous Qi!

Tell me, in such chaotic times, how should one conduct oneself?

Chen Cheng contemplated this question daily. In these chaotic times, he felt the only thing he could do was improve his Martial Arts Power and live a quiet life.

However, he couldn't be so blunt in front of a great master of the Literary Dao like Situ Mu.

"Stand on high ground, find a level place to dwell, and walk on a wide path." After a moment of thought, Chen Cheng answered seriously.

He was borrowing the three realms of life advocated by Zuo Zongtang, which largely mirrored his own current state of mind.

"Oh?" Situ Mu was once again inwardly shocked. He analyzed the words carefully. "'Stand on high ground' must mean to have lofty ambitions.

'Find a level place to dwell' represents a steady approach to life and a stable mentality.

And 'walk on a wide path' implies broad-mindedness and leaving oneself room to maneuver.

That is indeed a fine philosophy for conducting oneself.

A gentleman cultivates his character to regulate his family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world. These aspirations must ultimately be put into practice.

If you were the City Lord of Linji City, in control of the City Lord's Mansion, how would you specifically manage it to properly govern this prefecture?

Chen Cheng was taken aback. This question had truly hit his weak spot.

'After all, I've always been engrossed in Cultivating the Martial Dao. Where would I find the time to study such things?'

Previously, Situ Mu had questioned the officials of various Government Offices in great detail, covering many specifics of local governance.

Chen Cheng had listened carefully to everything. He could probably give a general answer just by repeating what he had heard. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

But to do so in front of Situ Mu would be like showing off one's meager skills before an expert.

'All along, I've chosen to hang around the Government Office only to use its influence for self-preservation while obtaining various Martial Arts Resources.'

'When on duty, I've always maintained an attitude of just getting by—not seeking merit, but only to avoid fault—so as not to interfere with my Martial Arts Cultivation Progress.'

'From Situ Mu's tone, it seems he intends for me to take on the position of City Lord. That would be a disaster.'

'After all, if I become the City Lord and want to govern the region well, I'll inevitably be bogged down by countless mundane affairs, which would affect my Martial Arts Cultivation.'

At this thought, Chen Cheng answered truthfully, "This subordinate is untalented and ignorant. I have never considered becoming the City Lord, so I know little about managing the Prefecture City."

"Lord Chen, are you afraid that serving as City Lord will interfere with your Martial Arts Cultivation?" Situ Mu's gaze flickered as he voiced Chen Cheng's inner thoughts.

Chen Cheng suddenly had the feeling that he really didn't want to deal with clever people.

Especially a sage like Situ Mu, who was so sharp he could see through anything. Before him, his every action and every word would expose his innermost thoughts.

"Your Lordship possesses Holy Heart Clarity and perceives all. This subordinate is deeply impressed." Faced with such a wise man, Chen Cheng could only resort to his ultimate trump card: a round of ruthless flattery.

Of course, these words of flattery also reflected what Chen Cheng truly thought.

Situ Mu's talent and virtue were both genuinely admirable.

They say you can see through a thousand deceptions, but flattery always finds its mark. And you can shatter a thousand objects, but never true talent!

Those with genuine talent are often even more pleased by praise, and even Situ Mu was no exception.

He chuckled and said, "You rascal, your cunning truly is extraordinary!

Forget it. For now, just continue to be in charge of matters at the Demon Suppression Department.

As for your concurrent post as Vice Director of the Inspection Department, you don't need to handle any specific duties for the time being."

"Thank you for your guidance, Your Lordship," Chen Cheng said with a solemn bow.

"You may go," Situ Mu said, waving his hand.

"Yes." Chen Cheng bowed respectfully, then turned and walked out of the Chief's Office.

'For someone of Situ Mu's stature, every word and action carries a deep meaning.'

'Earlier in the square, he had casually mentioned that I could logically be promoted to a True Disciple of Vast Peak.'

'Then, he kept me behind alone in the Chief's Office to ask my views on governing a nation and managing the Prefecture City. He was undoubtedly trying to groom me and guide me toward joining Vast Peak.'

'With my cunning, how could I not see it? But my lack of a response was, in itself, a direct answer to Situ Mu.'

After Chen Cheng left, Situ Mu suddenly sighed softly and murmured, "This child is exceptionally intelligent, but it's a pity he is not fated for the legacy of the Literary Dao.

Cultivating the legacy of the Literary Dao requires decades, and with the many calamities about to befall the Land of the North, there isn't enough time for him to cultivate it.

Perhaps his choice is the more suitable one.

This child has the potential of a hidden dragon. He might just be the one destined to face the coming calamities and become a Martial Saint in these chaotic times!

Only the rise of a Martial Saint can turn the tide and save the countless common people from their abyss of suffering.

But... becoming a Martial Arts Grandmaster is already fraught with immense difficulty. How much harder must it be to become a Martial Saint?"

...

「Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.」

During this time, Situ Mu had been governing with great diligence, carrying out many reforms in the official circles of Linji Prefecture.

Unlike Xiao Nianci, Situ Mu did not exclude the three major families of the Inner City. He appointed people based on merit; anyone with genuine talent and learning, regardless of their background, would be given an important position.

The political scene in Linji Prefecture took on an appearance of integrity and order.

Because Linji City had gained the attention of the Sect, many disciples from the great families of the State City also flocked to Linji City.

Among them, the Qi Family and the Xiao Family from Su State City were the most formidable. Although both families had only sent members from their branch lineages, their Patriarchs were Perfect Martial Artists of the Organ Refining Realm, from the same generation as Jiang Huaijin and the others.

In just a few short days, the Qi and Xiao Families had established considerable influence in the Linji City Inner City. They vaguely stood on par with the Jiang, Qin, and Shen Families, and together they became known as the five great families of the Linji City Inner City.

「On this night, the moon was bright and the stars were few, under a deep and vast sky.」

In a side room of the Cyan Dragon Courtyard, Chen Cheng stood tall, cultivating the Iron Armor Demon Suppression Skill.

He wore the Floating Light and Shadow Armor and held the Military Dao Combat Killing Hammer, carrying a total weight of over 4,500 jin.

His Qi Blood Power erupted forth, surging like an abyss, vast as the sea. The aura he exuded was so fierce and domineering that it was likely even more terrifying than that of a Tier Five Demon Beast.

He was, for all intents and purposes, a Humanoid Fierce Beast!

[Iron Armor Demon Suppression Skill Cultivation Progress has increased.]

...

As he cultivated, notifications from the panel appeared frequently, his progress soaring.

...

[Skills: Iron Armor Demon Suppression Skill (Great Success 1/10,000)]

Half an hour later, the marrow throughout his body suddenly condensed, effortlessly erupting with streams of powerful True Force.

An unprecedented feeling of power filled his entire body. The heavy Military Dao Combat Killing Hammer suddenly felt much lighter.

A faint smile appeared on Chen Cheng's face. He hefted the Military Dao Combat Killing Hammer and, with a few flashes of movement, arrived in the courtyard. Then, with a few leaps, he vaulted over the high courtyard wall and into the large garden.

He swung the Military Dao Combat Killing Hammer in a wild flurry, only stopping after a long while to carefully sense the changes after reaching the Great Success stage of the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm.

'I've reached Great Success in the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm. My marrow is like jade pulp, and the thickness of my Qi Blood has become absurdly powerful.'

'Before, swinging the Military Dao Combat Killing Hammer for a long time would leave me somewhat fatigued. And while carrying it, my Body Technique speed was less than fifty percent of what it was when I only wore the Floating Light and Shadow Armor.'

'Now, I can swing the Military Dao Combat Killing Hammer for a full hour without tiring. While carrying it, my Body Technique speed has reached about eighty percent of what it is when I only wear the Floating Light and Shadow Armor.'

'This increase in power feels absolutely incredible!'

After resting for a moment, Chen Cheng once again hefted the Military Dao Combat Killing Hammer and returned to the Cyan Dragon Courtyard with a few leaps.

He then began to boil water, brew herbs, and soak in the Herbal Decoction to cultivate the Primordial Pill Marrow Cleansing Method.

Once he had absorbed all the medicinal power from the large wooden tub, he went to the newly excavated secret chamber beneath his side room.

He took out his last piece of Source Crystal Jade and released all the remaining Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi within it, making the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi in the secret chamber dense as he continued to cultivate the Primordial Pill Marrow Cleansing Method.

Over the past few days, Chen Cheng had run several more experiments. First, he tried cultivating the Primordial Pill Marrow Cleansing Method without using the Source Crystal Jade, which resulted in the slowest Cultivation Progress.

After that, Chen Cheng adjusted the concentration of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi in the secret chamber and the dosage of the Low Grade Marrow Cleansing Pills.

He eventually discovered a significant correlation between the two. At a certain ratio, he could maximize the utilization rate of the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi from the Source Crystal Jade, thereby conserving some of the precious material.