My Cultivation Starting from Archery

Military roll call.

At the Martial Arts Arena.

Chen Sansi began to assess the progress.

"Those who have cultivated Qi-Blood, step forward!"

Silence.

"..."

Chen Sansi changed his approach, "Those who have mastered spear technique and Pile Work, step forward!"

This time.

Eighteen people stepped out of the ranks.

Actually more than what Chen Sansi had anticipated.

The rest were naturally Array Soldiers.

Since most of them were very young, there was no one who hadn't learned Pile Work.

Among these people, the one with the best talent turned out to be Wu Da.

Chen Sansi predicted he would be the first to cultivate Qi-Blood.

Zhuang Yi came next.

As for Zhao Qiao, he was average, but his archery was good. His honesty and loyalty gave him an edge, and he could be put to other uses in the future.

Besides them.

Zhu Tong and Wang Li, thanks to the ample supply of medicinal materials in the garrison, had also crossed the threshold into proficiently practicing the Blood Refining Technique.

Logically, they would need to achieve a small accomplishment before they could be promoted to small flag.

But Chen Sansi was seriously short on manpower, so he chose some who theoretically would reach that state the soonest and temporarily assigned them the responsibilities of a small flag, though without the actual position.

"Sir, what about me?"

Seeing others being appointed "official" positions, Xu Wencai couldn't sit still and shamelessly edged closer.

"Old Xu."

Chen Sansi looked at him, "I don't seem to have any positions to give you for now."

"I don't want a position."

Xu Wencai said with a smile, "Just find me something to do. I can help Sir with training the military formations, supervising their proper cultivation, and meanwhile, I can plan how to minimize losses next year."

"Agreed."

Chen Sansi didn't stop him.

[Skill: Commanding Soldiers (entry-level)]

[Progress: 85/500]

[Utility: Mainstay]

Through experimentation, he found that when he let Zhu Tong and others help teach martial arts, his proficiency would also rise, possibly because they were under his command.

But the increase wasn't as much as when he taught personally.

Still, it was akin to gaining experience passively; why not do it?

"You'll see, Sir!"

Xu Wencai said, "I will surely train their basic combat formations to first-rate standards!"

The new recruits' assessment period ended.

Next, Chen Sansi should also have a task, whether it's defense or farming.

If it's farming, a lot of miscellaneous tasks would need to be done.

Patrolling the city and the like would be best, to have more time for training.

"Hummm—"

The bugle sounded.

Lately, Xiang Tingchun had been giving speeches frequently, and everyone had grown accustomed to it.

Almost a thousand soldiers quickly gathered in the Martial Arts Arena.

Ji Guangxian, with his personal guard, also stepped onto the high platform and started speaking in a loud voice:

"My warriors, you have worked hard.

"As a civil servant, I have no right to meddle in military affairs, so you don't need to be nervous. I am only here to express my care for you all, and also, to bring a generous gift.

"Bring it up!"

Dozens of jars of liquor were carried onto the high platform.

"Do you know what this is?"

Ji Guangxian introduced, "This is a medicinal wine brewed from the blood of the Exotic Beast, the Toothed Tiger.

"This is specifically for bone training martial artists. Whether taken internally or applied externally, it can be said to improve cultivation by leaps and bounds.

"Let alone An Ding Prefecture, even the entire Yunzhou does not have this kind of Exotic Beast to hunt, hence it is extremely precious and indeed priceless.

"These were sent over from the Capital by Mr. Gao of the Military Department, all the way over thousands of miles.

"Mr. Gao said that the court is short on troops and cannot send more reinforcements, but they will never let the soldiers go unrewarded for their service. That is why he sent these medicinal wines over thousands of miles.

"In the future, all warriors will be able to exchange for it with military merits!"

Chen Sansi had never heard of this medicinal wine.

However, he saw that the other householders were very excited.

It indeed seemed to be of extraordinary value.

No wonder it's not for sale.

This military merit isn't something that can be obtained in a short while.

Luckily, Chen Sansi had Spiritual Grain to consume, so he was not in a hurry.

Come to think of it.

This Magistrate Ji Guangxian must be rolling in wealth!

Ever since the raid on Medicine Valley a few days ago, Chen Sansi suddenly felt that hunting was a bit unexciting.

How much silver could one earn after all the effort of drilling through deep forests and mountains?

How could that compare to the wealth of those lords?

However, the guards that Ji Guangxian brought were not few, and it was unknown what their highest level was.

After all, he was a magistrate; it was very possible that a Refining Organ Martial Artist was among his entourage.

"Old Chen!"

Householder Xiong came over, "Households Commander Xiang is calling for you."

He was already being addressed as Old Chen, regardless of the fact that he was much younger than them.

He arrived at the Central Army Tent.

Apart from Xiang Tingchun and Luo Dongquan, there were two unfamiliar civil servants present.

"Shanshi, you have completed the process for your promotion to Householder."

Xiang Tingchun spoke, "These two are officials from the Military Selection Department."

"I have seen the two officials."

Chen Sansi cooperated with the officials for identity verification.

Apart from the appointment letter, there was also a brand new set of official robes and armor.

A Householder is a Sixth Rank military officer, wearing a blue official robe embellished with images of leopards.

Chen Sansi couldn't help but reflect, "I guess I've become a so-called 'dressed beast' now."

But in the military, opportunities to wear official robes were few, as armor was the more common attire.

The armor was still cloth armor, but much more exquisite, including a new iron helmet, and crucial parts reinforced with thick iron plates, considerably increasing its defensive power.

It wasn't just Chen Sansi who had been promoted.

Luo Dongquan had also been promoted to Deputy Thousand Households, a position from the Secondary Fifth Rank.

From the conversation of the officials from the Ministry of Personnel, it could be determined that this person had achieved Refining Internal Organs.

That is to say, there were now two Refining Organ Martial Artists in the garrison.

"Shanshi, have the men under your command completed their assessment period yet?"

Xiang Tingchun said, "In two days, you'll replace Zhao Kang, taking over the responsibility of lookout duty at the Great Wall with your troops."

The duties of the soldiers stationed at the garrison involved farming and guard duty.

Guard duty further included patrolling the city and border defense.

Border defense naturally meant keeping watch on the Great Wall, which was relatively taxing as it often required standing guard at night.

However, there hadn't been any incidents involving barbarian cavalry raids along the Po Yang border in over a decade, so it would likely be rather leisurely.

For Chen Sansi, it was just another place to practice martial arts.

He clasped his fist and replied, "Your subordinate acknowledges the command."

"Shanshi, come with me."

Xiang Tingchun took him to an empty space, "Pick up your fifteen-stone bow, and shoot an arrow at me."

The sudden request caught Chen Sansi off guard.

"No worries."

Xiang Tingchun laughed heartily, "Shoot if I tell you to shoot."

"Alright."

Chen Sansi was also curious how his archery would fare against a Refining Organ Martial Artist.

He didn't hesitate and drew the bow to shoot in one breath.

An Armor-piercing Arrow flew through the air!

"Clang——"

A flash of blade light abruptly appeared.

Suddenly, the He Miao Blade that hung at Xiang Tingchun's waist was in his hand, and the incoming arrow had been split in two.

Chen Sansi was mentally prepared, but his expression still grew serious.

The fact that the other man let him shoot meant he was sure there was no danger.

He had thought the target would dodge, but unexpectedly…

This was the first time that Chen Sansi had failed to hit the target since he began practicing archery.

"I am at Refining organs small success,"

Xiang Tingchun slowly slid the blade back into its sheath and explained solemnly, "Refining Organ Martial Artists have greatly enhanced senses, reflexes, and explosive power. Your arrows will find it hard to hit them. Unless you shoot fast enough that they can't possibly react in time!"

Chen Sansi bowed, "Thank you, Lord Thousand Households, for the guidance."

"Hmm, no need to be so formal with me."

Xiang Tingchun folded his arms behind his back, "I called you over mainly because I have something to say.

"The new Magistrate Ji has a deep connection with the Song Family and might hold some opinions about you.

"In a way, I've involved you in this matter.

"I've spoken on your behalf, but it would still be best if you visited him personally to offer your apologies, to prioritize peace.

"He currently resides in the largest residence on Ningfeng Road in the county town, very easy to find.

"Oh yes, and he has Refining Organ Martial Artist guards, though they are just at the initial stage of Refining Organs."

He left leisurely after dropping these words.

Chen Sansi quickly grasped the implications.

This was not about asking him to apologize; it was information on how to kill Ji Guangxian!

First, he was reminded that it's difficult to kill a Refining Organ Martial Artist with an arrow, then he was given the home address, and lastly, a considerate hint that the guard was a Refining Organ Martial Artist was given, suggesting he strike when the Magistrate is alone.

It was a complete set of assassination intelligence.

It seemed that Xiang Tingchun and the one surnamed Ji weren't on the best of terms.

'This is quite interesting.'

We'll see how things go.

If Chen Sansi was to kill, he would take out the guard as well, leaving no loose ends.

And Xiang Tingchun was definitely not a man to be trusted!

It would be better to strike after his own power had been enhanced.

It looked like he would need to devote more time to improving not just his cultivation but also his archery!

And his medical skills.

He had hoarded a bunch of medicines without knowing how to use them.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

With that in mind, Chen Sansi headed to the pharmacy to find Medical Officer Jiang.