Chapter 342

Si Si Tianye, seeing Liang Qu lost in thought, spoke up voluntarily.

"All martial arts ranked as Upper-Grade Mid-Class or higher theoretically have the potential to evolve into a Master's Divine Ability, manifesting all manner of miraculous powers.

Take the famed Robe of Rainbow Feathers, for example—its evolved Divine Ability allows one to weave a magical robe out of bare hands, impervious to blades and spears, immune to fire and water, lasting for days on end.

Then there is Eternal Flowing Light, leaving traces in empty space that linger indefinitely; ordinary people who gaze upon it lose their souls, while martial artists who touch it suffer torn skin and split flesh.

But theory is theory—it doesn't mean anyone has actually achieved it. Only those who have truly realized it can be called True Arts!"

Liang Qu suddenly understood: "True Arts evolved from martial arts, and have actual pathways to Divine Abilities?"

Si Si Tianye bowed: "Precisely."

Liang Qu immediately felt puzzled: "The Green Dragon Killing Scripture is a fragmentary text—the Scripture Hall couldn't find the complete method, proving it was long lost. How did the Scripture Hall determine it to be a True Art?"

"The fragment retains the Master's divine resonance; the resonance felt matches the fragment's description exactly."

Liang Qu understood, slightly disappointed: "If it's a True Art, does that mean I can't choose it?"

The imperial decree clearly stated to select an Upper-Grade power right—not a True Art power right.

"No, you can swap it!"

The situation turned full circle, like a path emerging from darkness.

Liang Qu's eyes lit up: "How?"

Si Si Tianye said: "Liang my lord, you may not know—there are countless martial arts in the world whose lineages have been severed. The Scripture Hall's Fragment Hall holds more fragments than the Complete Hall holds full texts.

Fragments are incomplete, so their effects are unclear, and their rankings are often disputed. The Green Dragon Killing Scripture carries a Master's divine resonance, making it relatively clear-cut among such cases."

The Green Dragon Killing Scripture's ranking was uncertain, so many people had spent countless hours researching it, arguing back and forth.

The Scripture Hall didn't have the energy to conduct in-depth research on a single fragmentary martial art.

In reality, the Scripture Hall held periodic meetings to discuss martial art rankings, classifications, and compilations—fragments occupied only a small portion of the discussion.

If a martial art yielded no results within a short time, it was shelved, and they moved on to the next—this process repeated for three rounds.

Si Si Tianye briefly described the meeting scene, giving Liang Qu a small but startling glimpse into the Scripture Hall's inner workings, then led into the key point.

"With so many fragments piling up on the shelves, the Scripture Hall won't let them become useless scrolls. Thus, it has a unique cross-tier subsidy system to ensure these fragments spread as widely as possible."

"Cross-tier subsidy?"

Si Si Shenfu added: "Simply put, you use a lower-tier power right, plus extra merit points, to exchange for a higher-tier fragmentary martial art.

An Upper-Grade right can be swapped for a True Art fragment; a Mid-Grade right can be swapped for an Upper-Grade fragment. Many have done this—I recall nearly thirty percent have."

If you can complete the fragment, even better—the extra merit points are refunded. Through this method, many fragments from the Fragment Hall have been moved to the Complete Hall."

"The specific subsidy method depends on the case—each tier's definitions and rules differ, divided into selectable and non-selectable power rights, and the exchange's strength and rank also affect…"

Liang Qu's head spun: "How do I exchange for the Green Dragon Killing Scripture?"

"Liang my lord, you're a Seventh-Rank Director of Waterworks, a Grand Builder Marquis, with the right to select an Upper-Grade martial art. Normally, you'd need to expend your selection right and add two major merits—but since you have the Emperor's oral decree, only one additional major merit is needed."

Liang Qu froze: "The Emperor's oral decree can reduce my exchange requirements?"

Si Si Shenfu shook his head: "Not exactly, my lord—you've served too briefly to know.

The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel each year jointly compile an internal list of young talents from various regions and departments.

Those on this list receive certain reductions and privileges when purchasing alchemical pills, exchanging martial arts, forging weapons, promotions, or appointments—it's the court's unique form of support.

Since you received the Emperor's oral decree, you're certain to be on this year's list. In just a few months, the Scripture Hall has discretionary authority to act."

Liang Qu seized the key point: "Is there no support for exchanging treasure plants?"

Si Si Tianye and Si Si Shenfu exchanged glances and shook their heads.

Si Si Shenfu reminded: "Alchemical pills, weapon forging, exchanging martial arts…"

Liang Qu understood.

Si Si Tianye set down the folded catalog: "Liang my lord, are you certain you wish to exchange for the Green Dragon Killing Scripture?

After Si Shenfu's explanation, I too believe it may truly be the fragment you seek—its power and characteristics match perfectly."

"Is the version in the Scripture Hall confirmed to be the latter half?"

"Confirmed. Several Chief Librarians personally annotated it—no mistake. If the front and back halves were truly mislabeled, you may state your reason, and the Scripture Hall will refund your merit points and selection right."

"Exchange it!"

Green Dragon Seven Kill Spear, Green Dragon Killing Scripture.

The names are highly similar, and the described traits match—Liang Qu trusted his instinct!

Si Si Tianye and Si Si Shenfu confirmed Liang Qu's intent to exchange for the Green Dragon Killing Scripture, handed him a booklet and a box of seal paste—the booklet contained a standard application form.

Liang Qu filled out one page applying for the Green Dragon Killing Scripture, agreed to the deduction of merit points from his account, stamped it with his marquis seal and official seal, watched the two leave to find the Registrar, then returned to camp with the small leather box.

He stashed the small leather box beneath the boat's floor. Bai Bai Awei flapped his wings and stayed behind voluntarily to guard it. Liang Qu walked straight to the small grove behind camp.

In the grove stood stone tables and benches, all made from leftover stone slabs used to build dikes. Aside from Xu Xu Yue, Ran Ran Zhongxi, and a few others from the Inspector's team, Xiang Fang Su, Ke Ko Wenbin, and the rest were all present.

Four of them played cards half-heartedly around the stone table, while others watched.

"Ninety! Eat!" Xiang Fang Su slapped down a card. "I thought you two were dismissed and stuck in the capital! Didn't expect you'd return with Ke Ko Wenbin."

"Eight of Wan!" Lu Lu Kaiyun drew a card. "Long story—we're officially dismissed."

"What about unofficially?"

"Unofficially, my father paid a lot of silver. The Ministry of Personnel said I'm suspended until next year, and after the New Year, I'll be demoted one rank but kept on."

Bai Bai Yinbin beamed: "That's great! You two won't have to leave!"

Ren Ren Yipeng nodded: "Yeah, we won't leave—we get a few months of ease, eating, drinking, and playing, nothing to do."

Ran Ying asked curiously: "How much silver did he pay?"

"Cough, cough—don't ask. I've got dignity."

Lu Lu Kaiyun said: "By the way, Ran Ying, when your brother returns, tell him to collect the items from the caravan. Your father entrusted us with plenty for you."

"All of you too—don't treat the envoy team like a security escort. There are over ten carts of random junk. I'll take a cut—one-tenth per cart!"

Xiang Fang Su laughed heartily: "Who's unlucky? We wanted to return to the capital but had no chance!"

Lu Lu Kaiyun smirked: "If you're going to say that, I'll drop a piece of news to gross you out."

Everyone grew curious.

"Ke Ko Wenbin came back to the capital with us, but we haven't seen him for days—he keeps sneaking off to the Su residence. Guess what he's doing?"

"Damn, seriously? That's gross!"

"Ugh!"

Ke Ko Wenbin shouted: "You're jealous! Jealous!"

"Pah! Shameless!"

"A man must prioritize his career—romance is secondary. Ko Wenbin, you've gone astray!"

"The sea of suffering is boundless—turn back before it's too late!"

The others piled on, making Ke Ko Wenbin's head ache—then he caught sight of a shadow from the corner of his eye and quickly changed the subject: "Liang Ashui's here! Lu Kaiyun, Ren Yipeng, bring out the bows you prepared—show them to Liang Ashui. If they're cheap junk, you'll owe him for covering for you!"

"You're deliberately changing the subject! Now you're embarrassed?"

"Relax—they're top-quality. Ren Yipeng, you go get them, or me?"

"I'll go, Liang Ashui, wait a moment."

Ren Ren Yipeng laid his cards face-down. Moments later, he returned with a large rhino-hide chest.

Ke Ko Wenbin cleared the cards off the table, making space.

Ren Ren Yipeng placed the rhino-hide chest flat, didn't tease Liang Qu, reached out, snapped the lock, and lifted the lid—revealing the bow inside, instantly capturing everyone's gaze.

The velvet lining was pure red, the bow itself pitch black, glowing with a soft, luminous sheen under sunlight.

Its shape was flawless, no awkward lines, no carving marks—as if it had been born with these exact contours.

A bow nearly perfect in appearance!

"Yuanmu Bow! Impressive, right?"

"Damn, seriously? Isn't that Uncle Liu's prized possession?"

"You actually got this? That's pretty badass."

Hearing the surprised tones around him, Ren Ren Yipeng straightened his back proudly.

Bai Bai Yinbin eyed him skeptically: "How did you get this? Didn't steal it, did you?"

"Don't talk nonsense—my father and Lu Shu know Liang Ashui helped us greatly. How could they be stingy? They went to Liu's house and bought it outright!

Uncle Liu didn't want to sell—he said seeing the bow reminded him of his youth.

But my father got him drunk three times!"