Chapter 5

"Then what about the families of these civil officials?" Tang Chun asked.

"Everyone has their own methods. Once you become an official, you will naturally find ways to get protective items like jade pendants from experts."

"Moreover, such items can be bought, though they are extremely rare on the market. You have to go to major sects to buy them."

"The price is shockingly high. For example, a first-grade jade pendant to protect a county magistrate costs a hundred taels of gold."

"Of course, the grade of the jade pendant is different from the rank of officials. The higher the grade of the jade pendant, the better. However, the lower the rank of officials, the higher their status," Zhao Qian said.

"How are these jade pendants made?" Tang Chun became interested.

"Hehe, the inner qi of a Xiantian expert is in a semi-liquid state. This semi-liquid inner qi can be stored in a jade pendant."

"Combined with some special refining techniques, when an attack occurs, this inner qi can unfold like an invisible iron shield to protect you from injury."

"Moreover, some jade pendants have the ability to counterattack. They can automatically retaliate against the attacker. Of course, such jade pendants are of a higher grade and are extremely rare," Zhao Qian said.

"Only Xiantian experts can refine them, right?" Tang Chun was somewhat disappointed.

"Of course. I can't do it. Don't think jade pendants are easy to make. They are called protective amulets. Not all Xiantian experts can refine them."

"Because, you also need the right method and the ability to emit inner qi with fire attributes. Masters who can make such all-in-one offensive and defensive amulets are the most respected."

"Moreover, our Great Yu Dynasty has a specialized sect for making such tools, called the Luo Hai Sect."

"The Luo Hai Sect is a major sect for making tools. They have a complete set of refining techniques. Even a sixth-grade tool master is in their sect," Zhao Qian said.

This thing is quite similar to the protective amulets in cultivation, except one is made with inner qi and the other with spiritual energy.

Of course, the grade of spiritual energy is much higher than that of inner qi. A cultivator at the second level of Qi Refinement can easily match a third-stage martial artist.

"Is sixth-grade very high?" Tang Chun asked, somewhat unconvinced.

"Of course. In today's world, the highest-grade tool master is only seventh-grade. For example, Master Qiu Zhi in our Great Yu Palace is a seventh-grade tool master. The protective divine jade worn by our first-grade officials, dukes, marquises, princes, and royal family members are all made by him," Zhao Qian said.

"Then the third princess must be wearing a high-grade protective divine jade, right?" Tang Chun asked.

"Of course. The protective divine jade she wears is definitely made by Master Qiu Zhi himself. Its grade is second only to the Emperor of Yu," Zhao Qian said.

"This is strange. If she has such a good protective divine jade, how could I have subdued her at that time?"

"This doesn't make sense. I think I was tricked by someone else."

"Believe it or not, but that's how it is. Sigh, it's like this now," Tang Chun said.

"Protective divine jade is not omnipotent. There are spears and there are shields. For example, if you first use a sedative to knock her out, and when you approach her, she has no consciousness, naturally, she won't generate inner qi. The protective divine jade won't activate to attack," Zhao Qian said.

"Does that mean it only activates when the person is conscious and generates inner qi?" Tang Chun asked.

"I can't explain it clearly, but it's roughly like that. So, I want to warn you."

"Practicing martial arts is the most important. Relying solely on a protective divine jade is not omnipotent. Maybe someone's hidden dart can injure you."

"Moreover, the divine jade has a usage limit. For example, if it can only withstand ten attacks, the inner qi will be exhausted."

"When a high expert gives you the eleventh attack, you're done," Zhao Qian said, somewhat impatiently.

"I heard that the minimum requirement for conscription in our dynasty is at least second-stage. Does that mean all soldiers are experts?" Tang Chun asked.

"Of course, second-stage is nothing. It just means they are a bit stronger than ordinary people. Moreover, officers must pass a martial arts test to be promoted."

"This is the first criterion, the second is to look at your battle achievements. However, with your second-stage skills, I doubt you can make it."

"Brother, cherish these three years. You only have three good years left. When the time comes, I'll pour wine on your grave," Zhao Qian patted Tang Chun's shoulder.

"Thanks, Brother Zhao, for thinking of me. When the time comes, I'll definitely come to see you," Tang Chun laughed dryly.

"Don't do that. If you come to see me after you're dead, you'll scare me to death," Zhao Qian almost rolled his eyes and pointed ahead, "We're here."

Soon, several iron-clad riders came dusting in.

"Where are you from? State your names," a black-faced officer in full armor, with a stern look, stared at Tang Chun and Zhao Qian.

From his attire, Tang Chun knew this guy was a ninth-grade battalion commander, equivalent to a company commander in modern armies.

"Zhao Qian, fourth-grade sword-carrying guard of the Great Yu Dynasty. This is my token. I need to see General Huyan," Zhao Qian said, throwing a two-finger-wide black token.

"General Huyan's inner guard battalion commander Tian Gang pays respects to Guard Zhao," Tian Gang quickly dismounted and knelt to receive the token, carefully verifying it.

Soon, several horses arrived at the military camp.

Tang Chun found that General Huyan's troops were not few. Tents of various sizes were scattered densely in the mountains and forests, numbering in the hundreds.

If each tent housed dozens of people, there must be tens of thousands of troops. It seemed that this third-grade general, Huyan Gao, was equivalent to a major group army commander in modern society.

General Huyan Gao had a broad face and large ears, and he was very tall, probably not less than 1.9 meters. His armor shone silver, made entirely of silver plates.

Zhao Qian took out the third princess's directive and handed it to Huyan Gao. After reading it, Zhao Qian whispered to him for a while and then left. This guy probably wanted to go sightseeing, so he left without even eating.

"Guilty, drag him away and give him fifty lashes to show the severity of the situation," Huyan Gao waved his hand, and two strong soldiers came to drag Tang Chun away.

Tang Chun knew struggling was useless, but he didn't want to be beaten for no reason, so he quickly called out, "Wait, I have something to say."

"Speak!" General Huyan coldly snorted.

"I am here to fight the enemy. If you injure me, how can I fight the enemy? Instead of being beaten by you, I'd rather go to the battlefield now," Tang Chun called out.

"Oh, you're quite tough. You're not afraid of death. Fine, I'll grant your wish. Tian Gang, take him to the front line immediately. He can't leave the battlefield until he's injured," Huyan Gao was taken aback, roared, and threw a command arrow.

Tian Gang saluted and carried Tang Chun away like an eagle catching a chick. Since Tang Chun was just a small soldier, he didn't even have the right to wear armor.

He was only given a five-meter-long spear, apparently made of iron, with a bowl-sized thickness. When he picked it up, it felt very heavy. It clattered to the ground, almost pulling him down with it.

Starting today, there will be two updates per day, one in the morning at 9 and one in the evening at 8. Brothers, support "Wuzun Dao," and I, Dog Brother, thank you. Please collect and give me recommendation tickets.

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