Chapter 62: 61 Duties, Part 1

’Perhaps, I should find an opportunity to try increasing my life attributes, to see what exactly will happen….’

Zhang Rongfang contemplated in his heart.

Of course, for now, the attribute points should still be concentrated on improving martial arts levels.

At the moment, he has only added a bunch of low-grade martial arts, though it’s called sixth-grade, but truly fighting against a fully trained supreme martial arts sixth-grade, the odds are low.

The biggest problem with low-grade martial arts is that there is no Limit-Breaking Skill.

The Great Dao Teaching claims that even their weak martial arts can have Limit-Breaking Skills appear.

This shows that the gap between martial arts is far greater than he imagined.

Until now, Zhang Rongfang has clearly felt that the depiction of martial arts by Xiao Rong back then is probably very problematic.

Martial arts experts might not be able to defeat ten meticulously trained soldiers.

But the premise is, the expert does not wear armor, use weapons, or utilize hidden weapons and other tactics, just stupidly charging forward.

If a master with Innate Divine Power wears heavy armor, fully armed, and carries a giant Divine Power Bow…..

The power, fear it might be…

Just imagining it makes Zhang Rongfang feel terrifying.

Martial arts experts have nerve reactions far superior to ordinary people, power and speed are more formidable, using weapons and keeping a distance, isn’t that being able to fight against a hundred?

’However, in the world of martial arts, only speed is unbreakable. No matter how tough one can endure, as long as surrounded, over time, eventually one will be worn out.

Body Technique speed is more important. From the very start, not being surrounded, moving freely, it’s easier for assassinations and gathering crucial intelligence.’

Zhang Rongfang made up his mind, exercising his freshly upgraded Eagle Claw Skill hands.

“My current Body Technique is at most equivalent to fifth-grade, somewhat insufficient…. This Tan Yang dragon’s pool and tiger’s den, with many experts.

The leader of the justice department is at least eighth-grade, plus Zhenyi Sect’s Merak Palace….”

Zhang Rongfang squinted his eyes, deciding to find more Body Techniques to merge and find the most suitable one to enhance speed.

At the same time, while searching for Body Techniques, practice the Great Dao Teaching’s Talismanic Skill daily.

’Additionally, learning the Soul-Stabilizing Talisman and Flame Emperor Talisman should be prioritized.’

*

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Great Dao Teaching·Mingjing Palace.

Zhang Rongfang changed back into his Daoist robe and quickly walked into the palace gate.

Passing through the square, incense burner, and the main hall where pilgrims entered and exited.

He soon arrived at the side of Mingjing Palace in front of the martial command practice field.

Mingjing Palace also has mentors for martial instruction, and there are even more here than in Qinghe Palace, with a total of three.

Zhang Rongfang had previously asked Xia Rongrong and found out the three martial mentors are: Miling Daoist, Void City Daoist, and Xu Yi Daoist.

All three possess the complete seven kinds of martial cultivator talisman skills, even including the later five medical talisman teachings which they can impart.

Among the three, Xu Yi Daoist is cold-hearted, indifferent to desires, similar to Master Zhang Xuan, and daily devoted to researching Void Observation Skill. Already over seventy, he is not keen on martial instruction, showing little concern for his family or clan.

While Void City Daoist has a fiery temper, always adhere strictly to principles, loves to discipline disciples, and is extremely impatient.

Miling Daoist is characterized by one single word: greedy.

This one is a rare breed, only imparting half of the teaching, requiring either money or tasks to obtain full instruction.

And Zhang Rongfang was seeking him.

If money can solve the problem, it’ll naturally be the easiest.

Passing through the practice field, Zhang Rongfang walked straight towards the corner where Miling Daoist was lazily sitting.

Miling Daoist’s surname is Wang, given name Bude.

His parents probably hoped for him to spread good virtues, but unfortunately…

This man’s skin is dark, height around a meter seventy, tied high with a strange Daoist bun, though he wears a white-yellow Daoist robe, his wrists and neck are adorned with sparkling jade and emerald jewelry.

Zhang Rongfang stopped before him, stood still, and clasped his fists.

“I’m martial cultivator disciple Zhang Ying, greeting Miling mentor.”

Wang Bude lazily raised his head, seeing Zhang Rongfang’s practicing disciple Daoist garment.

“If you have something, just say it.”

“It’s like this, I hope the mentor can impart the Flame Emperor Talisman and Soul-Stabilizing Talisman. You can name your price for the specifics.” Zhang Rongfang said calmly.

Now he is employed in the justice department, with many channels for money, with his position, even borrowing could bring in quite a lot.

Thus using money he doesn’t need to be as secretive as before.

It’s been over two months, if anyone is still watching him, then being discovered is inevitable.

What Zhang Rongfang must do now is quickly compensate for the shortcomings of the Flame Emperor Talisman and Soul-Stabilizing Talisman.

Of the talisman skills he currently masters, only the Primordial Talisman and Spirit Gathering Talisman haven’t been elevated.

“The Flame Emperor Talisman…. Soul-Stabilizing Talisman?” Miling Daoist blinked, scrutinizing Zhang Rongfang up and down.

“These two talisman skills, they aren’t cheap…..”

Within the Great Dao Teaching, martial cultivator instruction is free as long as it isn’t shared outside. As long as one breaks through, higher-level talisman skills can be freely learned.

But free is free, people’s energy is limited.

There are only three martial mentors, they teach only roughly.

And it’s not daily guidance, but classes once a month, at the mentor’s schedule and pace.

Sometimes if the mentor is in a good mood, they teach more. Sometimes if they are in a bad mood, they just teach a few moves and conclude.

A lot of room for operations within this indeed.

Zhang Rongfang didn’t want to waste time and went directly to find Miling Daoist.

“Name your price. I hope to learn it within a month. Just teach me how to practice,” Zhang Rongfang requested without high expectations.

As long as he grasped the method of practicing and corrected any errors, he could practice until entering the basics.

“It’s simple, fifty taels for a skill,” Miling Daoist smiled slightly, extending one finger.

Fifty taels for a skill, two skills mean a hundred taels.

Goodness… this is daylight robbery!

Zhang Rongfang’s heart skipped a beat.

He had just earned six hundred fifty taels from killing the Mountain Opening Daoist, and with an additional forty taels saved from his monthly salary, that made six hundred ninety taels.

He spent three hundred on medicine, leaving him with three hundred ninety, which was all his future activity funds.

This old guy isn’t shy about naming a price.

After thinking it over carefully, Zhang Rongfang hesitated, wanting to ask elsewhere.

The other two mentors don’t charge any money.

But Wang Bude seemed to notice his hesitation and picked up a cup of hot tea from the wooden table beside him, sipping gently.

“Don’t worry, my fee is worth every penny. The other two mentors, while free, would only teach you carelessly.

I’m different. Of the three, I’m the most responsible. Charging for services is justified.

Once I’ve taken the money, I have to teach you well. Otherwise, who would still be willing to pay me in the future if word got out? Can I still do business? I’m not just doing business with you alone.”

Goodness… talking about business sense…

And so trustworthy?

Zhang Rongfang was speechless. But he had to admit the other had a point.

At this moment, Wang Bude smiled amiably again.

“Besides, each person has different martial arts that suit them. Here, not only talismanic skills are available, but I also have other collected martial arts that can be taught for a fee. Want to take a look?”

He had clearly seen that Zhang Rongfang truly had the money to spend.

In reality, this price was not high. Other disciples paid the same fee for a skill at his place.

Though fifty taels was expensive, Miling Daoist was a sixth-rank expert, teaching personally and transmitting his limit-breaking experience, making the comprehensive cost attractive enough for many buyers.

“So, how about it? Consider it?”

Wang Bude smiled, looking at Zhang Rongfang with a relaxed demeanor, half-lying in his seat waiting for a response.

“Alright!” Zhang Rongfang thought for a moment; it would be more convenient to learn everything at once here.

Problems that can be solved with money aren’t problems.

Money, while precious, is the least scarce.

Because it’s everywhere.

“Very well. Pay half first, and then you pay the rest once I’ve taught you most of it,” Wang Bude’s eyes lit up as he stood up.

“Alright!” Zhang Rongfang nodded, directly taking out a fifty tael silver note and handing it over.

“Good, straightforward! I like someone straightforward like you!” Wang Bude took the silver note, flicking it lightly.

“Additionally, I want to inquire about something,” Zhang Rongfang continued. “Do you know of any martial arts school masters in Tan Yang City who excel in body techniques? My Great Dao Teaching’s body technique is somewhat lacking, and I wish to learn some external body techniques to supplement myself.”

Currently, his body technique was only equivalent to the speed of a fifth-rank expert, which was sufficient before, but in Tan Yang, it was inadequate.

As for Great Dao Teaching’s martial arts, the body technique had only short bursts of practice.

It never focused on this aspect.

If compared to specialized body technique martial arts, Great Dao Teaching’s body technique was equivalent to third-rank.

And combined with other moves, it seemed sufficient. Everyone focused their efforts on upper body techniques.

“Body techniques?” Wang Bude laughed instantly, “You have a good eye, indeed, each martial art has its strengths and weaknesses, different styles, and focuses. The grade of martial arts is determined by the number of times the limit can be broken.

In reality, each martial art’s limit-breaking revolves around a central point.”

“A central point?” Zhang Rongfang pondered.

“Exactly, as long as you understand this center, you can practice any martial art twice as effectively. Come, follow me.”

Wang Bude, known for his fees, spoke in half-riddles, piquing curiosity immediately.

He turned to instruct another young Daoist with several sentences before leading Zhang Rongfang out of the dojo.

As for the dozen disciples in the dojo, they were entirely left to the young Daoist.

He and Zhang Rongfang, one after the other, soon exited the Dao Palace and stopped at the gate of a residential courtyard nearby.

Wang Bude took out a key, unlocked the door, and walked in.

What greeted them inside was a spacious dojo filled with weapon racks.

“This is my private dojo, open only to paying clients. I just sent off a client last week. He was also learning the Flame Emperor Talisman.”

Wang Bude entered, closed the wooden door behind him, and put the door latch on.

“Come.” He brought out two chairs from the room, along with a plate of apples and bananas.

The two sat down, ate an apple each, and seeing Zhang Rongfang urging, he continued.

“The center of martial arts is its original purpose and philosophy.”

“Just like the Iron Arm Skill we often hear about, the purpose of creating this martial art is to harden both arms like iron for successful close combat.

So it lacks body technique practice; whatever exists is simply borrowed roughly from other martial arts to complement the arms’ attacks.

Since its core is to train arm hardness, nothing else matters.

In this case, focusing on Iron Arm Skill’s routines is entirely a waste.”

“Besides, Iron Arm Skill can mostly break the limit only once, so the ones practicing can at most reach first-rank. Many Jianghu sects like giving it to ordinary members.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep