Chapter 24: Ten Thousand Mile Journey

The two walked past row after row of bookshelves, and Feng Zi's heart grew increasingly astonished:

He had originally assumed that even if the techniques stored in the County Government Office's Fu Ku included more than just Human Grade techniques, and even encompassed all the techniques in the county, the quantity should not be very large.

Yet looking at it now, he had already walked past dozens of rows of bookshelves, and every single shelf was packed full of techniques!

How could this not make Feng Zi marvel in his heart?

He could not help but ask, "Qian Lao, how... how can there be so many martial arts techniques in this storehouse?"

It was not just Feng Zi; every Martial Master who entered the storehouse for the first time had similar doubts in their heart.

Qian Lao had long since grown accustomed to this, waving his hand as he said, "Although there are many techniques in the storehouse, those that can actually be used number no more than a dozen or so."

Upon hearing this, Feng Zi hurriedly asked, "I would like to hear the details."

For the current Feng Zi, there were two urgent priorities:

First, to patch up his own martial arts shortcomings, allowing him a few more trump cards for his future long-distance travels;

Second, to grasp as much information as possible about this world and about common martial arts knowledge—

The amount of information a person knows can sometimes determine their advantages and disadvantages in a situation.

Unfortunately, although Feng Zi had already become a Martial Master, in terms of grasping information... he knew almost nothing!

Given Qian Lao's personality, the other party originally did not want to provide much explanation:

In fact, if those in the know were aware that this old man was willing to guide and lead the way for Feng Zi, they would likely be utterly shocked!

But fate is sometimes just that unreasonable; Qian Lao truly liked Feng Zi's personality and spoke at length:

"These techniques were all collected by Martial Artists of past generations. Among them, there is no lack of many Human Grade, Earth Grade, and even Heaven Grade techniques, but most are only incomplete fragments, or even just a cover page!

"As a Martial Artist, you also know that incomplete techniques often cannot display their essence and are highly likely to mislead the learner, so one cannot study them rashly.

"As for the remaining techniques, most are those without any grade, compiled by the Martial Masters of Wutai County across generations who summarized their own martial arts experiences.

"But they are truly too old; the oldest among them... can even be traced back to the era before Prince Yong ascended to immortality, and they are truly crude and can no longer keep up with the times."

In just a few short sentences, the amount of information contained was immense.

Feng Zi understood for the first time that, as it turned out, fragmented techniques could not be practiced.

At the same time, he also understood that the Martial Artists of Wutai County would not selfishly hoard their knowledge; they would compile their martial arts insights into volumes and keep copies in the County Government Office storehouse!

But Qian Lao's last sentence left Feng Zi unable to fathom it, and he could not help but mutter, "Prince Yong? Ascended to immortality?"

The so-called "Prince Yong" was still easy to understand; he should be a feudal prince guarding this place.

Such a big figure was simply too distant and had nothing to do with the current Feng Zi.

But the so-called "ascended to immortality"... what was that about? Wasn't this a world of martial arts?

How did the style suddenly shift, turning into a world of immortal cultivation?

Regarding Feng Zi's confusion, Qian Lao smiled and said, "As early as when the Great Xia Dynasty was first founded, His Highness Prince Yong was already guarding this place. It has been one hundred thousand years since then, and he is a True Immortal living in the world.

"By the way, if you are fortunate enough to pass the Martial School and obtain the qualification to participate—Yongan Capital, where that Highness sits, will be your destination.

"As for how to become an immortal with a lifespan equal to heaven and earth, I do not know...

"That realm is too distant and is no longer something we mortals can pry into."

While speaking, the two had already arrived at the deepest part of the storehouse.

Beside a bookshelf, Feng Zi saw the two characters for "Movement Technique" written in bird-seal script.

"We've arrived. You wait here for a moment, and I will go find that volume of 'Ten Thousand Mile Journey'." Qian Lao still maintained his smiling, kind-hearted attitude.

Before the words had even faded, the other party began rummaging through the bookshelf:

"This one isn't it... why is this thing placed here... this one isn't it either... strange, wasn't this one already destroyed..."

Qian Lao's performance looked very unreliable, but having walked all the way here, there was no third person in the vast storehouse, so Feng Zi understood that the other party was the only one managing the storehouse.

In this situation, even if the other party had a superb memory, it was very difficult to quickly find a specific technique among this sea of books.

Feng Zi was not anxious, thinking quietly: "Judging by the name, this movement technique should focus on footwork, which indeed makes up for my shortcoming; I am truly lucky.

"As for the 'immortals' Qian Lao mentioned, it is better not to think too much about it for now; keeping my feet on the ground and improving my strength is the right path."

Just as he was thinking, Qian Lao came over holding a scroll of books and a lamp: "It really took me some effort, but I finally found it."

"Thank you for your hard work, Qian Lao," Feng Zi said, cupping his hands in gratitude.

"It's no trouble, no trouble." Although he said this, Qian Lao's face was beaming with smiles as he handed the book to Feng Zi:

"Take a look through it, and if it is to your liking, I will register it on record."

"Many thanks, Qian Lao!" Feng Zi thanked him repeatedly, took the book from the other party's hand, sat down on the floor, and carefully opened the book.

The creator of this technique must have been a scholar, and a scholar keen on showing off his learning:

Not only was the technique's name, "Ten Thousand Mile Journey," taken from the meaning of "reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand miles," but the introduction section was also filled with citations and references.

Feng Zi was someone who had been reborn into this world, and having only learned the characters of this world, he naturally did not understand the meaning of the pile of allusions.

But relying on his "reading comprehension" experience from his past life, he still fully deciphered the author's intent and the purpose of this technique:

In short, just as Feng Zi had guessed, the main function of this technique was indeed to improve footwork.

With this, he confirmed that this "Ten Thousand Mile Journey" was the technique he needed at the moment.

So, Feng Zi immediately closed the book, stood up, and said, "Qian Lao, I have decided; I will choose this technique."

Seeing him so decisive, the old man was instead a bit stunned and subconsciously asked in return:

"Junior, you can only choose one method right now. If you want to obtain another one, you must make a huge contribution to Wutai County!

"You must think clearly; do not make a decision rashly just because of a word from me."

Regarding this question, Feng Zi had naturally already thought it over, and he answered firmly:

"Qian Lao, the reason I chose this technique, part of the cause certainly lies in your recommendation.

"But what ultimately made me reach this decision was, after all, my own careful consideration—since I have already made the decision, I should naturally be responsible for it!"

Hearing this answer, the old man's eyes lit up, and he could not help but reach out and pat Feng Zi on the shoulder, praising him repeatedly: "Good, good, good! You are a good lad!"

Having said that, the other party walked toward the doorway: "Since that is the case, follow me to complete the registration."

Upon hearing this, Feng Zi quickened his pace to follow Qian Lao.