At the age of eight, he impersonated the orphan of a military officer and went to the martial world.

Chapter 25 Zhenwu Guard, Hidden Abyss

"What good deed? It was out of desperation; you lost a bet and couldn't back out!"

Can't deny it?

What does that mean?

Instantly, all the common people and tea drinkers looked up at Wang Liu.

Wang Liu's voice grew increasingly deep, forcing those around him to strain their ears to listen.

"Master Li didn't believe in Young Master Zhang's abilities at all, so he deliberately made things difficult for him, setting up a betting scheme to swindle Young Master Zhang's treasure! And what happened in the end?"

"Hey! Young Master Zhang killed this bull with three punches of his bare hands! He was dumbfounded on the spot! That's why he had no choice but to admit his mistake and give them the gifts!"

"If you ask me, it's not that the Li family is benevolent; it's that Young Master Zhang Qingyang's strength is extraordinary, and he earned it through sheer hard-fought battles!"

"Bare-handed? Three punches?" Someone gasped, their face full of disbelief. "An eight-year-old? That's ridiculous! Even if Master Zheng personally taught him, he couldn't be that amazing, could he?"

At eight years old, he killed a cow with three punches.

This news is even more shocking than the Li family's gambling scheme.

"Why not?" A young man in a slightly worn martial arts school uniform immediately retorted, his voice filled with pride and excitement.

"I've personally witnessed Senior Brother Zhang's skills! My aunt's second son's third maternal uncle's younger brother is training at the Rock Martial Arts Academy!"

"He said it himself. Master Zheng, the head of the school, is a half-step Grandmaster. He publicly announced that he would accept Young Master Zhang Qingyang as his last disciple! How could it be false? He can't even be compared to ordinary Acquired Realm cultivators!"

"Yes, yes, yes!" another person chimed in. "I heard that Counselor Chen has also taken Young Master Zhang as his disciple! Counselor Chen is a renowned Confucian scholar in Fengming County, a figure even the county magistrate respects! How could he be mistaken?"

"Alas, speaking of which, Captain Zhang Zhenshan was one of the few brave and loyal warriors in Fengming County back then. It's a pity... Now his orphan seems to have truly inherited his father's will, and may even surpass him!" An old man stroked his beard and sighed.

Seeing that he had achieved his goal, and looking at the expressions of amazement, curiosity, and discussion on everyone's faces, Wang Liu tossed down a few copper coins with satisfaction, quietly got up, and quickly disappeared into the crowd to continue his great work of "public opinion guidance."

A two-story elegant teahouse facing the street.

Several young men dressed in scholar's robes and with refined manners sat by the window, taking in the passing oxcarts and the clamor of the crowd below.

"An eight-year-old at the Acquired Realm... killing an ox with bare hands... the news has spread like wildfire. What do you gentlemen think?" A scholar with a handsome face and bright eyes picked up his teacup, his tone inquisitive.

"Too shocking." A scholar with a calm face and a slight beard slowly shook his head. "Even among the noble families of the prefecture, who use secret medicines and precious materials, it is rare for an eight-year-old to reach the early stage of skin refining. The middle stage? And to kill an ox in actual combat? Unheard of. It is probably an exaggeration by the villagers."

"Not necessarily," another slightly plump, smiling scholar said in a low voice. "Master Zheng Chaoyang's reputation is well-deserved, and Counselor Chen has exceptional insight. For both of them to favor this young man, how could they do so without genuine talent and learning?"

"I really hope it's true. Fengming County is located in a remote area. Although it has a strong literary tradition, its martial arts have always been weak. If a true young prodigy could emerge, it would be a great blessing for our hometown."

The first scholar to speak put down his teacup and looked out the window into the distance, as if towards the imperial city: "Indeed. Emperor Yuankang of the Great Yu Dynasty has been on the throne for ten years. He has worked diligently to govern the country and is determined to reform, especially in rectifying officialdom and selecting talented individuals."

"Our Fengming County is thousands of miles away from the capital. If a person of extraordinary talent could emerge and attract His Majesty's attention, it would be a rare opportunity for our county and for us as a whole."

These words made everyone's eyes light up.

In this world, mediocrity is commonplace.

Only true geniuses can shake the world.

"Speaking of outstanding talents," the Confucian scholar interjected, his eyes filled with longing, "I have heard that His Majesty has issued an edict to re-establish the 'Azure Dragon and Fierce Tiger List,' which will widely recruit outstanding talents under the age of thirty from all over the world. Regardless of whether they are martial arts, Confucianism, Buddhism, or Taoism, anyone with extraordinary talent can be included on the list."

"I wonder what kind of extraordinary person could have their name inscribed on that golden list that gathers the fortunes of the Great Yu and even the surrounding countries? If I could see it with my own eyes, my life would be complete..."

Upon hearing this, the group all looked on with longing, momentarily lost in anticipation of that magnificent event.

In another, quieter, more secluded loft room with an excellent view, facing the street.

Chen Wenyuan was sitting and sipping tea with several elderly men, who were also dressed in Confucian robes and had a more refined demeanor.

The aroma of tea wafted through the air, yet the atmosphere was somewhat somber.

An elderly man with white hair and beard, and a refined face, put down his teacup and looked at Chen Wenyuan, his eyes filled with gentle inquiry: "Brother Wenyuan, I heard you've taken on a new disciple? Is it that... the orphan of Commandant Zhang, who has recently become famous in Fengming?"

"Forgive my bluntness, but you have always been aloof, and most of your disciples are from scholarly families. Why have you made an exception this time and accepted a martial arts disciple?"

Several other elderly men also cast curious glances their way.

By this time, discussions had already spread through the streets and alleys.

That is why everyone is confused.

Civil and military officials have different paths, and in the officialdom of Dayu, there is little interaction and harmony between them.

Besides, Chen Wenyuan is quite aloof, so why would he accept a martial artist as a disciple?

Chen Wenyuan remained calm, his gaze fixed on the oxcart slowly moving out of the window and the noisy crowd behind it, as if he could see that small but upright figure.

He sighed softly, his voice low but clear: "The orphan of a loyal martyr, with a life of wandering, a resilient spirit, and extraordinary talent..."

"Such a gem has been presented to me by fate. As his teacher, how can I bear to see it go to waste? I will do my best to teach him and help him become a useful person."

His words were plain, yet they conveyed an undeniable persistence.

"Even Brother Wenyuan thinks he's a rough gem?" An old man in a gray brocade robe looked up, a look of surprise on his face.

Beside him, another stern-faced old man picked up his teacup and casually remarked, "I've also heard that Captain Zhang seems to have left a..."

He only said half of what he meant; he didn't utter the words "Zhenwu Order," but his meaning was clear.

The atmosphere in the private room suddenly froze.

Chen Wenyuan's fingers, which were holding the teacup, paused slightly. His eyelids slowly lowered, and his eyes narrowed.

His deep gaze flickered behind the rising steam of the tea, revealing an elusive sharpness and solemnity.

He didn't reply, but simply watched the tea leaves floating in the cup, as if they contained thoughts deeper than words.

For a moment, only the faint sounds of the city outside the window and the soft bubbling of water boiling on the tea stove filled the private room.

That token, like an invisible taboo, hung in everyone's hearts.

……

The high crenellations of the city wall of Fengming County.

A middle-aged man, dressed in an ordinary blue cloth long gown, with an unremarkable face but sharp eyes like a hawk, stood with his hands behind his back.

A strong wind blew against the hem of his clothes.

Half a step behind him, a young man dressed in a black, close-fitting martial arts robe, exuding a sharp and capable aura, respectfully bowed his head.

"My lord," the young man clasped his hands in a low voice, yet each word was clear, "I have verified that Zhang Zhenshan did indeed pass the 'Mysterious Armor Breaking Army' trial seventeen years ago and was a flag officer in the 'Black Scale Army' of Zhenwu Guard."

"He was later transferred to the border army and died in battle at Snow Wolf Pass. His Zhenwu Token... according to regulations, can be inherited by direct blood relatives, but it can only be activated after he comes of age and passes a basic trial. This token is undoubtedly a possession of the Zhang family."

The middle-aged man in the blue robe nodded slightly.

His gaze was like lightning, piercing through the noise of the street below, and landing precisely on the mule cart carrying the carcass of an ox, which was slowly driving out of the city gate.

"Hmm. This child... Zhang Qingyang," his voice was low and calm, revealing no emotion, "is recorded and filed in the 'Abyss' register. When he comes of age, he will be invited to the trial according to the regulations."

"Yes!" The young man in black answered crisply, clasped his hands in a salute again, and then moved as nimbly as a raccoon, silently retreating and disappearing into the shadows of the city wall.

The wind on the city wall is even stronger.

The middle-aged man in the blue robe stood alone, his gaze still fixed on the oxcart that had disappeared into the dust and smoke of the official road outside the city. His fingertips unconsciously traced the cold crenellations of the city wall, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips as he whispered something that drifted away on the wind:

"An eight-year-old at the Acquired Realm... Heh, whether it's true or not, it's quite interesting."