Transformation Diagram: Starting as a Skinny Dog-Chapter 409 - 269: Seventh-Rank Black Gauze Hat

In the blue brick courtyard of the Qiu Dragon Mansion’s Qiu Dragon Martial Meeting, they looked at the latest Jianghu Mansion Report bought from the newspaper boy on the main street.

The so-called extra edition refers to the temporary additional prints of the court newspaper, aside from the daily fixed publications.

The Ming Family of Qiu Dragon Mansion, one of the Thirty-Six Martial Associations, has an incredibly extensive network, rooted and deeply connected since its inception, specializing in selling news, weaving intelligence, printing books, and promoting material news.

This extra edition is not published daily.

It only appears when there is significant intelligence and news in the city, and it’s printed immediately.

It’s said that the Nameless Newspaper Office even keeps two types of spirit monsters: the ’Ink Mud Spirit’ and the ’Ear Report God.’ The Ink Mud Spirit is a printed artifact that, having captured the spirit, became a spirit monster, capable of printing tens of thousands of copies of the court newspaper in an instant. The Ear Report God is a little spirit that can attach to many places, like teahouses and taverns, and act as ears and eyes, providing the Ming Family with timely Jianghu material intelligence. These two things are considered the Ming Family’s most crucial ’Gate Guardian Artifacts.’

"Today’s extra edition! Martial Scholar Chen Ku single-handedly pacifies Three Dragon Mountain, and the Martial Temple awards him the title of ’Martial Arts Scholar’!"

Qin Fang and the others, looking at this extra edition from the Ming Family, first marveled at the Ming Family’s Ear Report Gods’ swift information network in the city. Then, they looked at the detailed content below the headline on the court newspaper and were shocked:

"One person pacified Three Dragon Mountain and was awarded the title of Martial Arts Scholar within a few days. This young master uncle truly... lives up to his word."

The several Grand Protectors exchanged glances.

Each remembered the various conditions they had objected to previously regarding Chen Ku’s qualifications: seniority, cultivation, merit, leadership ability...

Unexpectedly, after defeating the seventh, Chen Ku quickly made up for the other shortcomings successively.

Plus, he received the young master uncle position, personally recognized by his mentor, Qin Yuxian.

"This young master uncle truly achieved everything."

Nie Zhun rubbed his forehead, looked at his older and younger brothers, and asked:

"So, do we really have to submit to him and let him assume the position of surrogate president of the Qiu Dragon Martial Meeting in Master’s absence?"

The several Grand Protectors exchanged looks.

They first looked at Situ Chun, who had the most opinions previously.

Situ Chun turned away and said:

"Don’t ask me about this; I am about to negotiate with the Three Emperors Ancestral Masters Association on the pill sales business."

Clearly.

When it comes to making money, this third brother, who only sees money, already has his eyes solely on the benefits that the seventh realm Pill Master, introduced by Chen Ku, can bring to the Qiu Dragon Martial Meeting.

"It seems we have internally almost completely accepted this young master uncle."

Qin Fang looked at his brothers’ similar expressions, although none spoke, all tacitly admitted in silence, and thought to himself:

"However, the Qiu Dragon Martial Meeting governs and rules over the Thirty-Six Martial Associations. Us accepting him internally doesn’t have much impact. Those in the top ten martial associations, each having senior experts of the seventh realm suppressing them, convincing these martial associations to accept him and allow him to replace the master as ’President’ is the hardest step."

...

Not mentioning the responses from the Twelve Guardians.

Returning to an hour ago.

In the Martial Temple of the Qiu Dragon Martial Meeting.

Chen Ku brought back the alive-captured Hu Heida and the heads of the two great stockade masters of Three Dragon Mountain, directly into the Martial Temple to report the case. Shortly, it caused a sensation throughout the entire Martial Temple.

Even the highest-ranking main sacrificial officer of the Martial Temple, Zhao Shenyang, equivalent to a Magistrate, was alarmed, gathering all the old scholars of the Martial Temple into the Great Success Hall of the temple.

This main sacrificial officer, dressed in E Crown and Brocade, appeared as a man in his sixties, with five strands of long beard under his chin, his face ancient and simplistic, wearing a wide and thick brocade robe.

"Chen Ku pays respect to Lord Sacrificial Officer."

Chen Ku naturally recognized this main sacrificial officer, as the Yuan Tuo Silver Armor and Coiled Dragon Staff he wore were gifted by this officer after passing the ancient Jiao Hou checkpoint. After the salute, he continued:

"Previously, as recommended by Master Tang, I took on the tenth merit mission of the Martial Temple, ’to eradicate Three Dragon Mountain.’ Now, having succeeded, here are the heads of the three bandit leaders. Over there, locals from He Yang County are clearing the battlefield. Please, Lord Sacrificial Officer, verify."

Zhao Shenyang and a group of old scholars of the Martial Temple looked at this teenager, around seventeen years old, bowing with fists cupped before them.

In their eyes, all was admiration.

They turned to the two heads in front of Chen Ku, one being the captive Hu Heida—no further evidence needed.

Tang Lie stood among a group of old scholars, looking at Chen Ku, eyes filled with admiration and excitement.

"This boy... truly... remarkable!"

When he took on this merit for Chen Ku, he already sensed from Chen Ku’s words that this boy planned on confronting the bandits alone.

But he never expected.

The speed would be so fast!

Such high efficiency!

In just under three days, Three Dragon Mountain was pacified.

"Quickly, no need for formalities."

Laughingly, the main sacrificial officer Zhao Shenyang allowed Chen Ku to stand straight, saying:

"When I heard the news, I already ordered someone to report to He Yang County’s Martial Temple. It won’t be long before it’s verified."

In the Daji Dynasty, a Martial Temple was established in each county. The previous Baojiao County Martial Temple was an example, where Martial Temples serve purposes beyond selecting military scholars. They also transmit news, inspect and verify local conditions.

The Baojiao County’s rebellion was first reported by the Baojiao County Martial Temple to the Qiu Dragon Mansion’s Martial Temple. However, now that Baojiao County has been occupied by demon rebels, some formation restrictions related to Martial Arts Heaven and Earth inside Baojiao County Martial Temple have been temporarily sealed by the Prefecture City’s Martial Temple.

Soon after,

There came a person responsible for connecting with the Heyang County Martial Temple, who replied, saying:

"Returning to the Main Sacrificial Officer, the County Magistrate of Heyang replied at the Heyang Martial Temple: The more than a thousand bandits at Three Dragon Mountain were wiped out by Scholar Chen alone. The Heyang County Captain is currently leading local forces to clean up the aftermath on Three Dragon Mountain."

"Good, very good!"

After confirming Chen Ku’s achievements were accurate, Zhao Shenyang looked at Chen Ku, clapped his hands, and praised:

"I’ve heard you were taken as a disciple on behalf of your master by Qin Yuxian, which makes you Qin Yuxian’s junior. Your senior brother Qin Yuxian also gained his scholar status through the ’Recommendation System’ back in the day. I remember clearly, he aided the Imperial Court in exterminating a rebellion within the city, and though he was only at the Sixth Realm in cultivation, he managed to suppress over five hundred people in that martial association.

Now, you, with your own power, have pacified the over a thousand bandits of Three Dragon Mountain. Speaking of merits, you surpass Qin Yuxian of that time by half a measure.

It is no wonder you were chosen by Qin Yuxian to be a disciple on behalf of his master, and it was not in vain that I personally went to the Martial Arts Heaven and Earth to bestow treasures upon you earlier."

Chen Ku maintained a modest demeanor, cupped his hands, and said: "The Main Sacrificial Officer overpraises me."

At this time, Tang Lie appropriately chimed in with a smile: "Since the Sacrificial Officer values him so greatly, why not take this opportunity, as Chen Ku returns triumphant, for you to personally promote him and grant him official attire, elevating him to scholar status?"

"Good!" Zhao Shenyang laughed and said: "Chen Ku, you now fully meet the Daji Dynasty’s requirements under the Recommendation System for a Martial Scholar to be promoted to ’Martial Arts Scholar.’ Now, please follow me to the Martial Ancestor Hall to pay your respects and receive the rewards you deserve."

Chen Ku cupped his hands: "I respect your command."

The group proceeded to the second hall of the Martial Temple, the Martial Ancestor Hall, where they were greeted by five saints of the Martial Temple standing on each side, which are the ten saints worshiped by the Martial Temple.

And in the center, stood the Martial Ancestor’s statue, whose image and position have remained unchanged for thousands of years.

"Martial Ancestor..."

Chen Ku had seen this main ancestral master worshiped by the Martial Temple when he was in Baojiao County. Now, upon arriving at the Qiu Dragon Martial Temple, he discovered that the image of this Martial Ancestor is even more lifelike.

This Martial Ancestor was seen with long hair draped down, eyes like cold stars, appearing to have a divine life force, wearing a mysterious robe and gold armor, even the sculpted skin had a bronze, crystal-like glow.

"It’s said the martial arts cultivation system of the world originated from the Martial Ancestor, who in the period of the Ancient Emperor, was the first to cultivate martial arts to the Great Achievement Realm, comparable to the gods and demons of the ancient times. Hence, he is enshrined at the center of the Martial Temple, acknowledged by all future martial practitioners as the ’Founding Master.’"

Chen Ku was curious:

"I wonder what qualifications and physique did the Martial Ancestor have?"

Just as these thoughts crossed his mind.

Within the preparation of the Martial Temple people, two trays were brought out.

Zhao Shenyang led Chen Ku to burn incense in front of the Martial Ancestor statue, then paid his respects to the ten saints, recited Chen Ku’s achievements in being recommended as a Martial Arts Scholar, and then turned to Chen Ku, saying loudly:

"Martial Scholar Chen Ku, for your merits in suppressing the bandits, this sacrificial officer now, in the name of the Martial Temple, grants you the seventh-rank ’Martial Arts Scholar’ status of the Daji Dynasty, a set of seventh-rank scholar’s public attire ’Jinlan Jade Robe’, and a seventh-rank scholar’s crown ’Black Gauze Winged Goodness Crown’."

Chen Ku’s eyes were drawn to the set of attire on one of the redwood trays, unlike the ’Scholar’s Sword Crown’ he received with his previous scholar status.

The public attire and crown of a Martial Arts Scholar were indeed extraordinary.

He had many famous weapons with him, and could easily recognize that the white jade-looking attire covered in grey gauze, looking like a Taoist robe, the ’Jinlan Jade Robe,’ was clearly a high-quality ’soft armor clothing.’

Noticing the look in Chen Ku’s eyes.

Tang Lie smiled at Chen Ku and said:

"This Jinlan Jade Robe is made from the silk of century-old jade silkworms, combined with gold silk jade, jade silk yarn, and hundred spirit cloth. Worn on the body, it is warm in winter, cool in summer, and repels snakes, rats, mosquitoes, and insects, while providing defense against the sharpness of famous weapons.

And the Black Gauze Winged Goodness Crown, woven from Awakening God Pearl, gold silk thread, and Mo Yusha, worn on the head, can guard against the bewitching powers of common demons and maintain clarity of mind.

The most crucial aspect of this crown and attire is that they carry the ’Dragon Qi of the Nation’s Fortune’ of the Daji Dynasty. When worn, you hold the seventh-rank official status of the Daji, and can at any time be appointed as an acting County Magistrate in a county and assume the position of seventh-rank County Magistrate."

Chen Ku’s heart was stirred.

He looked again at that Black Gauze Hat.

"This truly is a visible and literal black gauze hat. A seventh-rank Martial Arts Scholar, a seventh-rank official status, wearing this hat is directly equivalent to a County Magistrate without official grade, and one can apply to the Martial Temple for appointment as a County Magistrate at any time."

He exhaled deeply.

A Lord of a County!

As long as he wishes, he can now become the Lord of a County, overseeing a population of 100,000 like Shangguan Yun, becoming a virtuous government official of a region!

If being a scholar was just being a scholar before.

Then the status brought by the scholar’s degree is completely different now.

However, Zhao Shenyang’s reward was not yet over, he smiled at Chen Ku and said:

"Chen Ku, take out your Martial Arts Token."

Chen Ku, sensing something, knew what it was, and took out his Martial Arts Token.

Then he saw the Main Sacrificial Officer of the Martial Temple casually take a jade tablet from his sleeve and point it towards Chen Ku’s Martial Arts Gold Order:

"Here is fifty thousand Martial Destiny, which is the reward you should have received for exterminating Three Dragon Mountain, now it has been allocated to your Gold Order, you can use it next time you enter the Martial Arts Heaven and Earth to exchange and purchase all kinds of creations within."

Chen Ku was overjoyed, receiving back his Martial Arts Gold Order.

Watching the flash of gold light on the Martial Arts Gold Order, immediately, a sound of abacus beads accounting resonated in his mind:

[Scholar Chen Ku, credited with fifty thousand Martial Destiny...

Current account balance of Martial Destiny: seventy-two thousand four hundred points]

Hearing the balance of Martial Destiny in his account:

"This is exactly what I wanted most, directly enough for the exchange cost of a Fire Extinguishing Pearl. With the Fire Extinguishing Pearl, I can venture deep into Fire Beak Mountain!"