Chapter 109: Acquired the Nine Shadow Steps, a top-tier movement technique from within the inner cit

Chapter 109: Obtaining the Nine Shadow Steps, a top-tier movement technique from within the inner city?

"During my time in the outer city, I have repeatedly fought against powerful enemies and have realized that my own movement and speed are still lacking."

While the Gale Blade Technique is powerful, it struggles to unleash its full potential against opponents with unpredictable movements and exceptional speed. I propose—to use this merit to exchange for the Nine Shadow Steps, one of the Gale Martial Arts School's signature techniques, to fill this gap and better serve you, sir, in the future, helping you vanquish evil!

"Nine Shadow Steps?" Chen Yanzhou raised an eyebrow. This movement technique ranks among the top three in the Kuangfeng Martial Arts Academy. It is as swift as the wind, leaving illusory afterimages. When cultivated to a high level, it can create nine indistinguishable afterimages in an instant. It is extremely difficult to cultivate, and the contribution required to exchange for it is also extremely high.

Although Lu Beichen made a great contribution this time, he was only barely qualified to exchange for this footwork technique.

He hesitated for a moment, then tapped his fingers lightly on the table again.

Lu Beichen is a junior he highly values. His temperament and abilities are both excellent, and he is a person who can be of great use in the future. His Gale Blade Technique has reached its peak. If he were to combine it with top-notch movement techniques, his strength would surely reach another level, which would be of great benefit to him and the Commandant's Office.

"Granted." Chen Yanzhou nodded. "Your work in uncovering the Blood Lotus Sect's collusion and bringing back crucial evidence is commendable. As for the contribution points for exchanging for the Nine Shadow Steps, I, the captain, can vouch for you and allocate an extra resource subsidy from the Inner City Captain's Office. You can go to the martial arts school to handle it yourself."

Lu Beichen was overjoyed and bowed deeply: "Thank you for your kindness, Commandant!"

However, he did not leave immediately; a hint of hesitation appeared on his face, as if he still had something to say.

Chen Yanzhou, being a man of great stature, said upon seeing this, "Is there anything else? Say it all at once."

Lu Beichen took a deep breath, as if making a firm decision, and looked up, saying, "Commander, I—I have another request. Although the Song brothers are talented and virtuous, they come from the outer city and lack resources, especially high-level martial arts techniques. While their Wind Chasing Leg Technique and Golden Bell Cover have their strengths, they are ultimately techniques passed down in the outer city, lacking the depth and foundation of the inner city's unique skills. I observe that they are loyal, righteous, and have a strong sense of justice; they are people I can entrust with my life and support."

He deserves immense credit for cracking the Blood Lotus Cult case this time.

He paused, observed Chen Yanzhou's expression, and seeing that he was not displeased, continued, "This subordinate dares to ask Your Excellency for a favor. This Nine Shadow Steps—I wonder if—may I be allowed to select the essence and pass it on to Brother Song Jing after I have learned it? To help him in the martial arts examination, and even in the future when he enters Pingtianmen, to have more skills to rely on, so that he can go further and more steadily? In this way, it will not be in vain for his sincere efforts to rid the outer city of evil."

After speaking, Lu Beichen lowered his head again, feeling somewhat uneasy. He knew this request was somewhat presumptuous. The transmission of martial arts techniques, especially the signature movement techniques of a martial arts school, had its own rules, and could not be lightly passed on to anyone other than a direct disciple or core disciple. Although he had been granted permission by the captain to exchange for and practice these techniques, passing them on privately was still a taboo. However, recalling Song Jing's clean and open eyes, his words "Evil and heretical paths should be punished by everyone," and his figure bravely forging ahead despite facing powerful enemies and scarce resources, Lu Beichen couldn't help but ask.

He believed that with Song Jing's comprehension and temperament, the Nine Shadow Steps would be a tremendous asset, making him even more formidable. This was both a way of repaying Song Jing and a long-term investment in their friendship.

The study fell silent for a moment. Wisps of sandalwood incense smoke rose gently into the air.

Chen Yanzhou looked down at Lu Beichen, who was bowing and unable to stand, his eyes deep and unreadable.

He picked up the teacup, then gently put it down, making a crisp sound.

"You certainly have a heart," Chen Yanzhou said slowly, his voice devoid of emotion. "Do you know what the crime is in privately disseminating a martial arts school's advanced techniques?"

Lu Beichen's heart tightened, and he said in a deep voice, "This subordinate understands. I am willing to accept punishment. But—Brother Song Jing, he—"

"Enough." Chen Yanzhou suddenly waved his hand, interrupting him. "Techniques are static, but people are dynamic. Since you exchanged them for your own merits, I, the captain, should not interfere too much in how you deal with them. Besides—that Song Jing has indeed made great contributions this time, and his character is also rare."

He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the scenery in the courtyard. His back to Lu Beichen, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "The Nine Shadow Steps, you can figure them out yourself. As for whether to teach them to Song Jing, how many, and how—that's up to you to decide. This captain will pretend not to know. Only one point..."

Chen Yanzhou turned around, his gaze sharp as lightning, and looked at Lu Beichen: "This person must be someone who is righteous and grateful."

If he uses this skill for evil in the future, or becomes ungrateful—you should know the consequences. Not only him, but you will also be implicated.

A huge weight lifted from Lu Beichen's heart, and a warm feeling welled up inside him.

The Commandant had tacitly approved, even taking some of the blame for him! He quickly replied solemnly, "Your subordinate understands! Commandant, rest assured! Brother Song Jing is by no means an ungrateful or wicked person! If that day ever comes, you won't even need to lift a finger, Your Excellency; I will be the first to clean house!"

"Hmm." Chen Yanzhou nodded slightly and sat back down at his desk. "Remember your words. Go and cultivate diligently. The inner city is different from the outer city; there are more opportunities, but also more turmoil. Your own strength is the foundation."

"Yes! I take my leave!" Lu Beichen bowed solemnly again before turning around and leaving the study with light but firm steps.

Watching Lu Beichen's departing figure, Chen Yanzhou gently stroked the warm teacup with his fingers, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

"Lu Beichen—he is indeed a man of loyalty and righteousness. He has a good eye for people." He muttered to himself, "That Song Jing, who can make him protect him so much, even going so far as to break the law to obtain cultivation techniques for him—it seems that this young man is indeed worth investing in."

He wasn't truly dismissive of Song Jing's talent. To be able to master the Chasing Wind Leg Technique in such a short time in the resource-scarce outer city, while also cultivating another powerful leg technique and external martial arts, and to repeatedly thwart the Blood Lotus Sect's conspiracies—this speed of growth and combat ability cannot be fully summarized by the word "acceptable."

His previous comments stemmed more from the prudence of someone in a position of authority and a clear understanding of the brutal competition within Pingtianmen.

"Nine Shadow Steps—the top-tier movement technique of the Mad Wind Martial Arts School. If Song Jingzhen can truly learn it, combined with his existing legwork skills, his speed and movement will undoubtedly reach an astonishing level. In this way, his chances of passing the Pingtian Gate assessment will be greatly increased." Chen Yanzhou pondered.

His tacit approval of Lu Beichen's instruction of martial arts techniques, and even his implicit support for it, was not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Firstly, Song Jing's destruction of the Blood Lotus Sect branch and provision of crucial evidence was indeed a monumental achievement, deserving a substantial reward both publicly and privately. While rewarding him with gold and silver might not be the best option for a young man so focused on martial arts, bestowing upon him martial arts techniques would be exactly what he wanted, further demonstrating Chen Duwei's ability to recognize and appoint capable individuals and his skillful use of both kindness and authority.

Secondly, this is also a far-reaching investment. If Song Jing can truly enter Pingtian Sect through this, even as a temporary disciple, he will surely remember this kindness in passing on his skills. The potential value of a future powerhouse who might emerge from Pingtian Sect far surpasses that of a mere movement technique. Moreover, this young man is upright and grateful, as evidenced by his treatment of his elder brother and childhood friend. This investment carries low risk but could yield extremely high returns.

In any case, for Chen Yanzhou, it was just a lottery with no cost.

Thirdly, it would also be a favor to Lu Beichen, further solidifying the loyalty of this capable subordinate. Lu Beichen was a promising member of his team whom he intended to cultivate, and allowing him to forge a deeper bond with a rising star like Song Jing might also benefit him in the future.

"A surprise—" Chen Yanzhou recalled the promise he had made to Song Jing, a faint, meaningful smile curving his lips. "Little fellow, I've placed a considerable bet on you. Don't disappoint me—Pingtian Gate is just the starting point. Whether you can obtain that surprise and reach the heights I expect depends on yourself."

He picked up the official documents again, but his gaze was even more profound than before.

What seemed like an ordinary report of achievements turned into an overstepping request for instruction in martial arts techniques.

Behind this lies the far-sighted strategy of those in power, an investment in promising new talents, a favor shown to trusted subordinates, and a silent influence on the future landscape of Tianshui City's outer city.

Lu Beichen left with permission for the Nine Shadow Steps and his hopes for the future.

Chen Yanzhou's gaze seemed to have pierced through the layers of buildings and landed on the young man who was diligently training in the martial arts school in the outer city.

A storm is approaching, and fledgling eagles spread their wings. This sky will ultimately belong to the one who can fly the highest and see the farthest.

At this moment, Lu Beichen was overjoyed to have obtained the Nine Shadow Steps technique and was ready to immediately tell Song Jing the good news.

Because he had promised himself that he would not keep this glory to himself.

But at this moment, he was worried for Song Jing, because the Nine Shadow Steps was an extremely difficult movement technique to master. Even in the Mad Wind Martial Arts School, only some well-known disciples could achieve a decent level of proficiency.

With the martial arts competition about to begin, given Song Jing's skill level, it's unlikely he could have mastered this technique before the competition.

Even at the Gale Martial Arts Academy, only a few exceptionally talented individuals can master this technique within a month.

However, he felt that although Brother Song wouldn't need it during the martial arts competition, it would give him more self-defense capabilities in the next martial arts competition or in regular combat. He believed that asking for this technique for him was the best option for him at the moment.