7th Year of Zhengyong, November 2nd.

After more than two months of preparation, the Martial Arts Department was finally established under the order of Emperor Zhengyong.

Unlike before, the Martial Arts Department was not managed by the Ministry of War but was restructured from the Sacrificial Institute, staffed by the Ministry of War.

It was under the jurisdiction of the Grand Governor’s Office, administered by Xu Mujun.

On the same day, the ‘Martial Artist Guild’ was also established.

Zhao Suling, an Innate Realm expert and the patriarch of Taiyii Dao, was appointed as the first president.

Yes, Zhao Suling also broke through the bottleneck and became an Innate Realm expert!

He had already stepped down from the position of Sect Leader of Taiyii Dao and turned to be an Elder of Taiyii Dao, with a transcendent status.

In other words, under Zheng Yi’s command alone, there are already six Innate Realm experts!

Zhao Suling was the president of the Martial Artist Guild, and Bai Changying, a Grandmaster Realm expert, served as vice president, while inviting two other Grandmaster Realm martial artists as vice presidents.

Under them were seven stewards, all reputable and respected martial arts masters in the Capital City, or martial arts hall owners.

Their task was to manage conflicts or disputes among formal martial artists.

There were even corresponding bounties available for martial artists to earn silver taels.

At the same time, the Martial Artist Guild also had an assessment role, determining the strength of martial artists, thus offering different treatments and rewards.

“By the will of the Emperor, decree:”

“The land of Great Yu belongs to the people of Great Yu. I suppress alien races in the north and pacify refugees within, all to ensure the people’s well-being and support for the elderly.”

“Therefore, herein promulgate the ‘Ban Martial Order’!”

“The order stipulates that all martial artists of Great Yu must obey the Ban Martial Order, or else be considered traitors, and any public official has the right to investigate!”

“First Article of the Ban Martial Order: All martial artists must proceed to the designated Martial Arts Department or Martial Artist Guild in the Capital City for registration by March. Those who do not register within the deadline are not allowed to stay in the Capital City.”

“Second Article of the Ban Martial Order: Any martial artist entering the Capital City, except registered martial artists, is prohibited from carrying weapons such as swords, otherwise they will be considered traitors, and the officials have the authority to capture them.”

“Third Article of the Ban Martial Order: Anyone wishing to establish a martial arts hall or sect must proceed to the Martial Arts Department for registration and assessment, and acquire a certificate before establishing a martial arts hall or sect.”

“Fourth Article of the Ban Martial Order: Registered formal martial artists can receive a corresponding salary from the Martial Arts Department each month.”

“Fifth Article of the Ban Martial Order: Formal martial artists, depending on their martial arts cultivation, can receive a corresponding military rank if they join the army.”

“The Sixth Day of the Ban Martial Order:…”

Various provisions, more than ten in total, clearly illustrate the orders documented in the Ban Martial Order policy.

When the content of this decree was posted on numerous bulletin boards throughout the Capital City and disseminated nationwide through the Publicity Department newspaper, it sparked discussions across the nation.

Especially in the Capital City!

Here, the Ban Martial Order was implemented most rigorously and intensely.

“The Ban Martial Order! Is Great Yu attempting to ban us martial artists?”

“Are you blind? Didn’t you see that after registering as a formal martial artist, you can still receive a salary, free silver is not to be missed!”

“Exactly! And if you don’t want to register, you just need not to carry a sword.”

“I am a martial artist! How can I not carry a sword? This Capital City…better not to stay!”

“Hiss… The Martial Artist Guild? What is it for?”

“It’s said to handle issues among martial artists, but only limits to formal martial artists.”

“Does the Martial Artist Guild also have bounties targeting martial artists? Martial artists can rely on these bounties to kill bandits or escort some important figures to earn money?”

“Isn’t this just an escort agency?”

“What is Your Majesty thinking?”

“Unable to carry swords? This is simply too much!”

“Let’s go! The Capital City is not a place for us to stay.”

“Hehehe, want to ban us? Do they really think we martial arts practitioners are made of clay?”

“Gather the people, let’s make a big move tonight!”

“After this, I’ll take you all to enjoy the south!”

“Hahaha…”

“To establish a martial arts hall one must become a formal martial artist, you also have to go to the Martial Artist Guild and Martial Arts Department for assessment and obtain a license?”

“That’s also a good thing, I don’t have to challenge eighteen martial arts halls…”

The release of the Ban Martial Order did not have a major reaction throughout Great Yu.

After all, the vast land is far from the Emperor, and it would take quite a while for the Ban Martial Order to reach other places.

However, in the Emperor’s feet, within the Capital City, it caused a great uproar.

A group of martial artists welcomed and supported the implementation of the Ban Martial Order.

These were mainly sects affiliated with the Great Yu Court and martial artists making a living in the Capital City.

They were born commoners, learned martial arts just to make a living.

And now, as long as they join the Martial Arts Department and become formal martial artists, they can receive a fixed salary each month.

For them, it was undoubtedly an extra income.

And yet, a large number of martial artists held a resistant and disdainful attitude towards the Ban Martial Order.

Most of these martial artists were from afar, wanting to make a living in the Capital City.

Another part were local black gang members, notorious bandits, or some seasoned Martial World people who had a deep aversion to the court.

They couldn’t openly oppose the court’s Ban Martial Order, so they secretly agreed with each other to either leave the Capital City together, or plan to make one big move before leaving!

West Gate.

This was a location for the Martial Arts Department to conduct business after the Ban Martial Order was issued.

Zhao Xiaolou queued here with his senior brothers, waiting for the Martial Arts Department’s assessment.

He was born into a poor family, and his family worked hard to send him to Bai He Martial Arts Hall to learn martial arts.

Although not exceptionally gifted, he was very diligent.

Over ten years of hard and consistent practice, he finally elevated the Eagle Claw Skill to the Third-grade Martial Artist Realm.

Capable of breaking gold and splitting stone, enough to be considered a master of a region.

Yet, his simple and honest nature always made him willing to stay at Bai He Martial Arts Hall, teaching new disciples or sparring with other senior brothers daily.

His biggest wish was to catch a glimpse of the senior sister practicing martial arts each day.

Unfortunately, ever since three years ago when his senior sister was summoned to the Imperial Palace as a concubine, he hadn’t seen much of her.

Even so, he didn’t want to leave Bai He Martial Arts Hall, just waiting foolishly.

“Xiaolou! Xiaolou! Why are you daydreaming? It’s almost your turn!”

“Oh oh, senior brother, I’m coming.”

Senior Brother Bai Feihu was calling him, so he hurried up to perform martial arts under the direction of the people from the Martial Arts Department.

Soon, he received a “Lower Third Grade” evaluation and was given a copper plaque for himself.

“Xiaolou, make sure to keep this token safe, it’s your proof of identity.”

“Starting next month, you can come to the Martial Arts Department to claim twenty taels of silver every month as stipend!”

“Twenty taels!”

Zhao Xiaolou exclaimed in surprise, “So much, do I need to do something, senior brother?”

“No need!”

Bai Feihu waved his hand and said, “This is money from my brother-in-law, no harm in taking it!”

“Hahaha~”

“Senior brother, you dare call Your Majesty brother-in-law, aren’t you afraid of him finding out?”

“Afraid of what? Last time at the Baiyu City family banquet, it’s not like I didn’t call him that!”

“Baiyu City! Senior brother, tell me, is Baiyu City really in the sky, like the Immortal Realm?”

“I heard that the Baiyu City is filled with Immortal Girls!”

Bai Feihu smugly said, “Of course my brother-in-law the Emperor’s Baiyu City is the Immortal Realm; even if it isn’t, it’s not far off!”

“The place is really high, at least thirty or forty zhang!”

“And there were many palace maids dancing for us, they were truly Immortal Girls, each more beautiful than the last!”

The other brothers became eager again, “Tell us more, senior brother, how beautiful were they?”

“More beautiful than the top performers at Yichun Tower!”

“Wow~!”

Zhao Xiaolou quickly squeezed in front of Bai Feihu and asked, “Senior brother, senior brother, did you see senior sister?”

“Feihe?”

Bai Feihu glanced at Zhao Xiaolou, speaking earnestly, “Xiaolou, Feihe is the Emperor’s woman, a royal concubine, forget about it!”

“By the way, my sister Feihe is no longer Noble Lady Hee, but Concubine Hee!”

“You must remember this when addressing her in the future!”

“Understood, senior brother~”

“Quick! Next one!”

“Swish~!”

“Bang!”

“Ah… murder!”

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside, and the sound of many people exclaiming in surprise could be faintly heard.

The crowd ran outside to see several people on the rooftop fighting with swords and knives, causing quite a ruckus, flipping over several vendor stalls, and some bystanders were apparently injured as collateral damage.

“Fengg Wuji! Twelve years ago, you killed my entire family, you never expected me to survive, did you?”

A young man shouted angrily, “I’ve honed my martial arts for twelve years just to kill you today!”

“You want to kill me? You little brat, you’re not even close to being qualified! Brothers, kill him!”

“Prepare to die!”

“Your life is mine!”

The group clashed again, the glint of blades and swords flashing, drawing exclamations from countless onlookers.

Bai Feihu frowned and said, “Fengg Wuji? The leader of the Nanshan Thirteen Heroes, I didn’t expect him to have committed such an atrocity.” he said.

“And this kid, where did this reckless fool come from, daring to seek revenge in the capital…”

Sure enough, not long after, a squad of soldiers rushed over.

“Who dares to engage in combat in the capital, quickly surrender!”

“Imperial Court dogs?”

On the tall building, the young man wielding the sword had higher martial arts cultivation and had already injured three people with his sword.

Confronted by the Five Cities Military Department below, instead of retreating, he turned his sword towards them.

On the other hand, Fengg Wuji leapt down and cupped his hands, “Your Excellencies, it wasn’t us who initiated the fight, it’s that kid who’s been chasing us, we had to fight back.”

“Enough nonsense, arrest them all!”

A few officers rushed up, Fengg Wuji twitched his mouth and his men were about to act, but he stopped them.

Meanwhile, the young knight on the building saw Fengg Wuji being captured, hate flashed in his eyes, and he leaped down, lunging straight towards Fengg Wuji.

His long sword slashed horizontally, seemingly disregarding the Five Cities Military Department.

“Bold!”

A voice boomed, and a figure shot out from the crowd, palms striking with a wave of overwhelming force, enveloping the young man completely.

“Such power… A Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist, how is this possible!”

With a cry of surprise, the young knight quickly tried to defend, but unfortunately, the difference in inner strength was too great compared to the newcomer.

The long sword in his hand was snapped by the newcomer’s Eagle Claw Skill, and with a slap on his body, he felt his bones crack and shatter, the injury was severe.

“Clang!”

“Clang clang!”

A long knife was placed against the young man’s neck.

Only then did the young man dare not move.

“Who are you, standing in the way of my revenge? Aren’t you afraid…”

“Afraid?”

The newcomer laughed and said, “This is the foot of the heavens, no matter how big your backing, can it be greater than His Majesty?”

“Take him, and send him to the Celestial Prison!”

“Yes!”

A team escorted the group away while the lead captain approached the man and respectfully said, “Thank you, Lord Bai, for your strong support.”

“No problem.”

The person was indeed Bai Changying, and he seriously said, “This is a major place for the Martial Arts Department and the Martial Artist Guild, how can we allow these Martial World people to run amok here?”

“Focusing on patrol in this area, ensuring the enforcement of the Ban Martial Order.”

“Understood!”

Meanwhile, throughout the capital, similar scenes occurred in many places.

The Shadow Guard, Imperial Guard, military, and other Grandmaster Realm Martial Artists suppressed the chaos in the capital caused by the Ban Martial Order.

At the same time, an old man with a hawk-like gaze stared fiercely in the direction of the Imperial Palace.

“Ban Martial Order? This Emperor of Great Yu takes us martial artists for what?”

“Hehehe… I’ve broken through long ago, but no one has yet tested my blade. Perhaps tonight, I should pay a visit to the palace?”

“Xu Mujun…the world thinks you’re the number one Innate Realm in Great Yu, but I wonder if you can withstand a single strike from this old man?!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep