Ch. 40
Chapter 40. The Powers of the Prefecture City
“Next is the Level Two area, which is inside the Shangyang Residence. It is also very safe, but the benefits are somewhat lower.”
Perhaps because he rarely had the chance to speak so freely, Feng Xiao grew more talkative and continued,
“As for the medicinal fields outside the city, they are considered hidden zones. Although there are occasional disturbances from spirit beasts, they are generally stable, with few casualties. The benefits are decent, and you can sometimes obtain precious meat.”
“The Level Three area is closer to the government forces. Our Shangyang Residence and the Bai Family often engage in open and covert conflicts there. The treatment is good, but the casualty rate is quite high. There are also bounties for enemy kills.”
“The Level Four area directly borders the Bai Family. It is the most intense frontline, with the highest casualty rate, but also the best benefits. Some people who are stuck at bottlenecks go there to seek opportunities for breakthroughs.”
After listening, Xu Yuan fell into thought.
The best option was clearly the Level One area—high pay, safe, and almost no travel required.
The worst was the Level Four area—bordering the Bai Family, high risk with high reward, essentially earning money with one’s life on the line.
Neither of these options was within his consideration.
Feng Xiao let out a slight belch and added,
“You one-meridian martial artists may appear to have the freedom to choose assignments across several areas, but in reality, aside from the latter locations, Level One assignments will never even appear on your list.”
Xu Yuan nodded. In such a large family, entrenched interests formed a powerful force. The most lucrative positions had long since been divided among them and their connections.
In truth, he had already made his choice.
For martial artists, since the best option was unavailable, the remaining choices were simply the Shangyang Residence itself or the medicinal fields outside the city.
The medicinal fields were indeed good—low risk, decent benefits, and occasional access to precious meat.
However…
Xu Yuan still decided to remain within the Shangyang Residence.
Low risk did not mean no risk. What if he encountered a high-level spirit beast by bad luck?
Moreover, “occasional access” to precious meat meant it was uncertain. He did not want to gamble his safety on probability.
What he needed most right now was time to develop. As for money, he had enough for the moment. All he required was a stable environment.
He had never fully understood the protagonists in novels who constantly ventured out on life-threatening adventures. Now, having transmigrated into this world, he understood it even more clearly.
If you dared to recklessly seek danger, you would truly die.
With barely over twenty years of life between both his lifetimes combined, he was far from having lived enough.
“It seems you have already made your decision.”
Feng Xiao smiled knowingly.
“You do not need to tell me. I will just remind you of one thing—Shangyang Residence allows servants and trainees to practice martial arts not for enjoyment, but to fight against the Bai Family.”
At this point, his expression turned serious.
“There is a piece of internal information circulating among the higher-ups. For you ‘expanded martial artists,’ the family has requirements… If you cannot break through to the second meridian within three months, or to the third meridian within five months, you will be forcibly assigned to Level Three or Level Four areas.”
“Even the older members within the family whose potential has been exhausted will gradually be sent out to be ‘used up.’ I have only managed to remain here because I have stayed in the Shangyang Residence for a long time and have some personal connections.”
Feng Xiao spoke with a tone of melancholy, as if he could already foresee his own future.
“I have a question. Will the conflict between the Shangyang Residence and the Bai Family really last that long?”
Xu Yuan was puzzled. Logically, for two forces of such scale, even if there were conflicts, they should eventually sit down and negotiate again.
To completely annihilate the other would take years—what an enormous waste of resources that would be.
“I do not know the exact details. I have only heard that it is for territory, but what they are truly fighting over is not the land within the city.”
Feng Xiao narrowed his eyes as he recalled.
“But this is not something we need to worry about… In fact, the more war there is, the more beneficial it is for us. Otherwise, there would not have been this expansion of martial artists in the first place.”
Seeing Xu Yuan fall silent, Feng Xiao comforted him,
“You do not need to worry too much. For someone like you, with such good potential, the higher-ups will at least wait until you have completely exhausted your potential before sending you there.”
The Stone Platform Stance practiced by the martial artists in the Shangyang Residence was a fast-track version—essentially designed to produce expendable fighters. But for high-quality “materials” like Xu Yuan, they would ensure he was fully utilized before discarding him.
Yet Xu Yuan’s expression remained unchanged, unaffected in the slightest.
Let my potential be exhausted? My aptitude seems to have no upper limit—my potential is effectively endless.
Then, as if recalling something, he asked, “Instructor Feng, this stance technique only has four stages. That does not seem enough to cover all nine stages of meridian opening, does it?”
Feng Xiao glanced at him approvingly.
“You noticed that quickly. Indeed, the Stone Platform Stance is an incomplete version. The complete version will be given to you after you break through to the fourth meridian. Only then will you be considered high-grade material.”
Every sentence revolves around being ‘expendable material’…
Xu Yuan sighed inwardly. After drinking a few more cups, he prepared to take his leave.
At that moment, Feng Xiao suddenly took out three taels of silver and handed it to him.
“Instructor Feng, what is the meaning of this?” Xu Yuan was startled.
“Take it as a congratulatory gift for your breakthrough to the second meridian.” Feng Xiao waved his hand, stopping him from refusing. “Do not worry. I have been stuck at this bottleneck for a long time and no longer use precious medicines. My savings are still sufficient.”
“It is not much—just a token of goodwill. I know you would not accept more anyway.”
Only then did Xu Yuan accept the silver and bow respectfully. “Then thank you, Instructor Feng.”
Feng Xiao accepted the gesture calmly, his expression returning to its usual composure.
“You have now reached the second meridian. There is no need for me to say much about cultivation. But if you ever face financial difficulties, you may come to me.”
He then let out a soft sigh.
“I will not achieve much in this life. I only hope you can go further.”
At first, his goodwill toward Xu Yuan had been partly an investment. But after spending time together, his appreciation had grown sincere.
“That is enough for today—we have eaten and drunk our fill.” He waved his hand, signaling that it was time to see him off.
Xu Yuan bowed once more before leaving.
Although he was not short of money, he cherished genuine kindness. When the opportunity arose in the future, he would repay it.
…