Translator: Myuu Editor: Myuu
Yan Liqiang’s position by Sun Bingchen’s side was his attendant. The attendant position could also be considered a guard, except for the fact that he was working more closely with Sun Bingchen than any ordinary guard. His duty hadn’t been decided for the time being. Liang Yijie only requested for him to remain in the manor and to familiarize himself around it. He was allowed to look for him any time if needed. With this, Yan Liqiang had a lot of time to train.
The effect of his intimidation on the first morning was instant. When everyone was queueing up for lunch, the guards and honor guards in the dining hall instantly stood up when Yan Liqiang entered and all of them greeted him with enthusiasm. After Yan Liqiang was done with his meal, someone had already packed some meat and bones for Goldie. They handed it to him without him even asking for it.
Regardless of what the others secretly thought in their hearts, Yan Liqiang basically didn’t hear anyone muttering about how he shouldn’t have brought a dog here again after this morning.
The next two days were passed by peacefully too.
Sun Bingchen lived leisurely in Pingxi City. He only had to go through those name cards which were presented to him in the manor every day. Then he would invite a few of them to come in, spend his time talking with them over tea, and ask them about things like the situations of some places as well as their customs and traditions.
It seemed like the job of a Patrol Inspector was easy.
Did this Patrol Inspector come to Pingxi City just to look around as a formality and enjoy some tea?
Yan Liqiang was secretly doubtful. However, he had no rights to inquire Sun Bingchen about his real objective behind his visit to Pingxi Prefecture in his current position either. Anyway, the observation he made in the manor over these few days showed that Lord Sun seemed to really have no important business in coming to Pingxi Prefecture. He just seemed to be warm and affable with everyone and didn’t appear to have come here to do anything.
In actuality, Yan Liqiang was secretly hoping for Sun Bingchen to do something because he was very clear on just what kind of people the Prefectural Governor, Ye Tiancheng, and those Shatu people were. It would not be an exaggeration to describe Ye Tiancheng and those Shatu people as the malignant tumors of Pingxi City, and he was currently too powerless to get rid of these two malignant tumors. However, he wished someone with such power and authority could stand up instead and do something good for the citizens of Pingxi Prefecture.
However, such words weren’t something a humble little attendant like him could say. Therefore, he could only watch silently and properly perform the tasks given to him.
Over these few days, Yan Liqiang only appeared around Sun Bingchen twice. Both times were with an audience between Sun Bingchen and some officers of different ranks in Pingxi Prefecture. Yan Liqiang had to carry out his duty as an attendant by standing not far behind Lord Sun in the drawing room, accompanying him during his meeting with those officers. Those officers seemed to also know the identity of the young attendant by Lord Sun’s side. Every time they came in, their gazes would linger a little longer on Yan Liqiang, and they’d also give him a friendly smile.
Staying beside Sun Bingchen a few days later just like this, on the 14th day of the twelfth lunar month, Yan Liqiang returned to his room at night. When he was doing his night regime, he heard footsteps coming toward the small courtyard he lived in. At the same, he also heard Goldie’s barks. The footsteps and Goldie’s barks sent the same information to him — the person was Liang Yijie.
Yan Liqiang, who was cultivating Muscle Tendon Changing and Marrow Cleansing in the room, abruptly stopped. The beauty of Muscle Tendon Changing and Marrow Cleansing was that it didn’t have any specific requirements on the time and place, and one wouldn’t fall into Qi deviation if they stopped in the middle.
As expected, a series of knocks rang out a few seconds later.
Yan Liqiang took a deep breath, smoothed out his clothes, and opened his door. Liang Yijie, who was holding a cloth bundle in his hand, stood outside the door.
“Oh, you’re not asleep yet?” Liang Yijie cast a glance at Yan Liqiang whose forehead was slightly beaded with sweat.
“I was training my muscles and bones in the room. Come in and have a seat, Brother Liang!” Yan Liqiang smiled and invited Liang Yijie into his room.
“That’s fine, I’m not coming in. I’m just here to inform you about something!”
“Did Lord Sun have some orders for me?” The expression on Yan Liqiang’s face instantly turned serious.
“Yes. Lord Sun would like to walk around Pingxi City tomorrow morning to further understand the circumstances of the people. We will leave here at six o’clock in the morning. Make sure you are prepared. Lord Sun will bring only both of us with him tomorrow. This is the attire you will be wearing tomorrow to disguise yourself as Lord Sun’s servant boy…”
“Lord Sun is going out incognito?” Yan Liqiang was startled.
“That’s right. Lord Sun has stayed in the manor ever since he came to Pingxi Prefecture. It’s about time for him to make his rounds outside tomorrow. After all, he’s the Patrol Inspector. If he only stays inside the manor and does not go out, it’d be bad if there’s gossip!”
“Alright, understood!”
Liang Yijie seemed to suddenly remember something when he was about to leave. “Oh right, I think you don’t have a weapon on you. When you work beside Lord Sun, you’ll still need a weapon for self-protection sometimes. That way, you will only be able to defend yourself and protect Lord Sun during any incidents. Give some thought as to what kind of weapon will best suit you. By then, I will send someone to deliver a few for you to choose from!”
“Oh, well, I haven’t give it any thought yet!” Yan Liqiang scratched his head.
“Let me give you a suggestion then. You mentioned that you have slightly trained the basics of a spear technique and have also practiced the Tiger Roaring Consecutive Fist technique. However, while spears are effective in battle formations and on steeds, they are not that suitable to carry around. Since you currently possess an extraordinary amount of strength in you, why not choose a pair of twin hammers instead of wasting it? As the saying goes, ‘A man who possesses brute force can take on ten martial experts.’ If something really happens, you will definitely be able to double up your might by unleashing a hammer technique. It will surely come in handy!”
Yan Liqiang’s eyes shone as soon as he heard Liang Yijie’s suggestion. He had really never thought about this before. “Brother Liang, can a fist technique really be used with a hammer?”
“Of course. Hammers are extended with the fist and arm. As long as you are well versed in the fist technique, readjust and get rid of some techniques which aren’t suitable for hammer techniques and you’ll be able to slowly transform your fist technique into a hammer technique. There are fewer variations in hammer techniques as its main focus is using simplicity to overcome complexity. With enough strength and speed, the might of the hammer in your hand must not be underestimated!”
“Thank you, Brother Liang. I will train a little longer…”
“Alright, rest earlier!”
“Likewise, Brother Liang!”
After Liang Yijie left, Yan Liqiang shut the door. After giving it a serious thought, he realized that Liang Yijie had really made a good point. He might not be able to quickly master other weapons, but if he were to cultivate hammer techniques, he would be able to swiftly connect it with the Tiger Roaring Consecutive Fist technique. Therefore, he should be able to quickly master the hammer as a weapon.
Before attaining a higher level in his spear techniques, perhaps it would be a good idea for him to also find a pair of hammers as his weapon.
…
