Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 529 - 493: Promotion and Salary Increase!

Chapter 529: Chapter 493: Promotion and Salary Increase!

The next morning, Zhang San got up early to cultivate.

During this time, Zhang San continuously used the cultivation resources he had exchanged with the things plundered from the Tujue, along with the resources that Pharaoh had given him.

Finally, of the seven hundred and twenty Qi Acupoints around his body, seven hundred and nineteen had reached perfection.

Today was the moment for the last Qi Acupoint to reach perfection.

Facing the east, Zhang San absorbed the essence of the sun from the first ray of morning light, refining all the energy and cultivation resources he had consumed into the strength of his Qi Acupoints, consolidating them to fortify his body.

At this time, Ximen Jinxing also emerged from her sleeping quarters.

Ximen Jinxing had always had the habit of cultivating early in the morning, but more importantly, she knew that Zhang San would certainly be up early.

At the moment, seeing Zhang San bathed in the morning light, radiating a faint golden glow, she became somewhat curious.

"This is a Body Refinement Technique."

Ximen Jinxing was startled by a sudden voice behind her, and when she turned around, she saw that it was Chief Maid Baili Niezhen.

"But Zhang San has also taught us his Body Refinement Technique before, and when we practice it, there is no such faint golden glow."

Ximen Jinxing was curiously inquisitive.

Smiling, Baili Niezhen explained, "It’s not that the master is keeping secrets, but rather that the master’s seven hundred and twenty Qi Acupoints are now culminating in the final one. Once this is complete, his entire body will have reached perfection. That is why the golden light flickers."

Ximen Jinxing suddenly understood and nodded her head.

Then she thought of something and quickly clarified, "I don’t mean that Zhang San is hoarding secrets, I am just curious, purely curious."

Baili Niezhen smiled and nodded, showing understanding.

And just then, the golden glow surrounding Zhang San grew brighter and brighter.

Such a strong light suddenly occurring within the camp drew the attention of many soldiers.

Even Changsun Bubai, who was still in bed, heard the noise outside and hurriedly ran out of his sleeping quarters.

"What light is this! Is there a fight? Is it Zhang San... cough cough... who has started fighting?"

Changsun Bubai spoke cautiously, trying to hide his eagerness to witness the two women he was interested in, whom he presumed Zhang San might be fighting with.

At that moment, Changsun Wugen came over and said, "Grandfather, it’s Zhang San cultivating. By the looks of it, he has achieved Full Accomplishment in Body Refining! Child remembers that ten years ago, when you achieved Full Accomplishment in Body Refining, it was just like this."

By now, Changsun Bubai had also noticed Zhang San, who was sitting cross-legged atop a watchtower, enveloped in swirling golden light, and couldn’t help but frown slightly.

What’s going on with this kid?

It took me ten years to achieve Full Accomplishment of Body Refining, and you’ve done it at just eighteen or nineteen?

Couldn’t you have found a secluded place to complete it in secret?

Instead, you have to show off in front of me!?

The youngsters nowadays don’t know the meaning of being low-key at all!

That’s too much!

Whoosh—

In an instant, countless golden lights merged into Zhang San’s skin.

Zhang San suddenly opened his eyes, and within them, a hint of golden light swirled.

Leaping down from the watchtower, Zhang San shouted towards Baili Niezhen, "No need for Divine Treasures, let a few people spar with me!"

Knowing that Zhang San wanted to test his state after having cultivated all his Qi Acupoints, Baili Niezhen immediately called two maids from the sisterhood to spar with Zhang San.

The two made their moves, but were completely suppressed by Zhang San.

Baili Niezhen then called two more people to join the fray.

Four against one!

During regular sparring sessions, everyone would fight based on physical prowess without using Divine Treasures. Zhang San’s limit had been facing three opponents at once.

But now, he was taking on four, without being at a disadvantage.

"Two more to join!"

This time, Zhang San faced six opponents and surprisingly did not fall behind, but neither could he continue to dominate as before.

"You may stop now. Withdraw!"

As Zhang San gave the command, six maids who had been striking withdrew their hands, but one failed to hold back and slapped Zhang San across the face.

Fortunately, since there was the intent to withdraw, the slap wasn’t very forceful, but the scene was still rather awkward.

The maid’s face turned red, and she scurried away with her head down and in small, quick steps.

Baili Niezhen approached to congratulate Zhang San.

"Congratulations, Master, on reaching the Perfect culmination of the first step in Body Refinement!"

Zhang San was prepared to be congratulated, but he couldn’t help being startled upon hearing this.

"The first step?"

Zhang San had always thought he had fully succeeded.

And now a professional was telling him this was only the first step!?

"Body Refinement is the cultivation of one’s own physical constitution from the outside in."

Hearing this, Zhang San couldn’t help but ask, "Shouldn’t it be from the inside out?"

Baili Niezhen shook her head, explaining, "If you start with the inside, then the inside will be strong while the outside weak; in battle, the strength within would first harm the exterior. Take Bone Refining, for example; if your skin and muscles aren’t strong enough, how can they withstand the power released by your bones?"

"But having perfected the 720 Qi Acupoints all over your body, you’ve strengthened your skin and muscle fibers. It’s like replacing a cloth bag with a sturdy leather one, so that even if you put swords and halberds inside, it won’t be pierced."

Only then did Zhang San understand.

"So, what’s the second step I should refine? Are there any good Cultivation Techniques for that?"

Baili Niezhen informed Zhang San, "Master, the 720 Qi Acupoints are just the exterior. The next step is the interior, and at the core of the interior are the Five Organs. However, the Five Organs can be cultivated through the six Divine Treasures within the Five Viscera Wheel Seas. So, the second step is equivalent to having already started your cultivation, Master."

"And the third step?" Zhang San asked eagerly.

Baili Niezhen slowly told Zhang San, "Bone Refining."

"But the Cultivation Technique that I practice emphasizes the lightness and agility of the bones, which is essential for our agility, at least for those of us with Cat Demon bloodlines. However, the path you choose, Master, will depend on your own decisions," she added.

Zhang San nodded with some frustration.

After all, choosing a direction for cultivation isn’t a trivial matter; it’s incredibly important. If you choose incorrectly at the start, no amount of hard work and diligent practice later on will be of any use.

What’s more important is that if he were to start Bone Refining, he didn’t know how many Cultivation Resources it would consume.

Zhang San sighed helplessly.

Why couldn’t some benefits just fall from the sky for him?

Just then, Changsun Wuji rushed over in a fluster and exclaimed, "The Kaihuang envoy has arrived—"

Changsun Bubai looked puzzled – why would Kaihuang send an envoy out of the blue?

Soon, Changsun Bubai, along with the camp’s generals and Zhang San among others, went out to greet the Kaihuang envoy at the Lingwu Army’s main camp.

Seeing the envoy’s beaming face, Changsun Bubai felt relieved.

An envoy’s smile naturally signified the announcement of good news.

"Lingwu Army Duzhi Military Envoy Changsun Bubai, greets the heavenly messenger," he said.

"Hahaha... Military Envoy Changsun, please, there’s no need for such formalities. We are both officials in the same government, our own people, our own people. No need to be so courteous!"

Upon hearing this, Changsun Bubai knew for sure that it was good news.

The envoy made a downward gesture to Changsun Bubai, who understood it to be the cue for reading the imperial edict. He immediately knelt down, wondering if he was about to be promoted or given a title.

After all these years, Kaihuang had finally recognized me as a capable and good general!

The rest of the camp’s generals and all the soldiers knelt down as well.

The envoy unfolded the imperial edict and read aloud, "Complying with heaven and aligning with time, by this shining command. The Great Sui Dynasty builds its foundation on martial might and defends its borders through war. Now, we have a soldier of the Lingwu Army, Zhang San, who is loyal and valiant, filled with martial virtue. Repeatedly standing against the Tujue, bringing glory to the nation..."

Zhang San listened and frowned – was this imperial edict written with the help of the Crown Prince?

Repeatedly standing against the Tujue!