Da Xuan Martial Saint

Holding the positions of both the Inspectorate and the Demon-Slaying Office in Yu County would indeed cause quite a stir, but at that moment, Chen Mu was not concerned about it.

Without a strong background initially, he had prioritized quiet development, but now, backed by Yan Jingqing and the power of the Seven Profound Sect, showing a bit of the sword's edge was not a bad idea—it could even spare him some unnecessary troubles.

While various forces in Yu County were turning their attention to Chen Mu, the newly appointed Inspector, he was not at his residence. Instead, he had quietly arrived at the Ancient Courtyard located behind the Yu Family's property, a place usually forbidden to all.

Inside the garden.

The pond was clear, the birds sang, and the flowers fragranced, a scene brimming with vitality.

Chen Mu walked along the small path by the flower beds, moving forward until he reached the pond where an elderly man in simple clothes, wearing a fisherman's hat and possessing both white hair and a youthful face, was sitting cross-legged fishing, staring intently at the water.

Although it was their first meeting, Chen Mu had sensed the aura of Yu Jiujiang, the forefather of the Yu Family, on his way to the Prefectural Government before. However, now it seemed completely concealed, indistinguishable from an ordinary old man through his senses.

"Grandfather,"

Chen Mu greeted respectfully, using the title Xu Hongyu addressed him by.

The elderly man before him, whether in terms of age, rank, or the strength of his Realm, or even how he had handled troubles from the He Family on his behalf, undoubtedly deserved such respectful treatment from him.

Yu Jiujiang, unlike Yan Jingqing, did not immediately respond to Chen Mu's words by putting away his fishing rod. Instead, he turned to Chen Mu, smiling, and said,

"Are all talks concluded?"

"Yes, the Inspector knows about He Wuyou's actions, and he will discipline the He Family soon. The head of the Yu family believes that after this reprimand, the He Family will scale back some of their powers, but it's not appropriate for the Yu Family to strike at the He Family at this time,"

Chen Mu nodded to Yu Jiujiang and responded.

He had rushed to meet Yu Jiujiang after a high-level meeting with the Yu Family. He had never attended one of these meetings before, partly because he and Xu Hongyu were only engaged and not yet married, and also because he was not a descendant of the Yu Family bloodline.

His previously demonstrated strength and status had not been enough, but this time was different, and in the high-level meeting, many decisions had been influenced by his opinion.

Yu Jiujiang said indifferently, "Though Yan Jingqing is not exactly upright and incorruptible, he indeed cannot tolerate disloyalty. Since he's aware that the He Family is up to no good and will decide to take action, it would look bad in his eyes to kick them when they're down. Right now, the Yu Family doesn't need to rush. Your grandfather's decision is sound."

"Now that you have gained his favor, and hold the position of both the Inspector and the head of the Demon-Slaying Office, within Yu City, aside from the Four Great Sects, there isn't much else you need to worry about."

At that point,

Yu Jiujiang's gaze towards Chen Mu couldn't help but reveal a hint of admiration.

In truth, Chen Mu holding the position of both the Inspector and the head of the Demon-Slaying Office was beyond even his expectations. He had thought that with Chen Mu's talent, it was certain he'd catch Yan Jingqing's eye, but being assigned as Deputy Governor would have seemed sufficient.

But now, not only was he directly appointed to these positions, but in order for Chen Mu to better utilize the resources of the Seven Profound Sect, he was even made to concurrently hold the position at the Demon-Slaying Office, which practically declared how highly he was valued.

Yu Jiujiang, a former steward of the Seven Profound Sect, though much older than Yan Jingqing, who only rose to prominence after his retirement, also understood him well and knew that few could gain his favor.

Chen Mu listened quietly, then shook his head and said, "Taking up the role of Inspector does make me rather conspicuous, and dealing with the Four Great Sects could inevitably lead to some troublesome issues. There are advantages and disadvantages, but if I could have a stable environment to focus on my cultivation for a while, that would be preferable."

Yu Jiujiang chuckled and replied, "No wonder Yan Jingqing values you. Holding the office of Inspector is a position of trust, a rank and authority many envy, and yet you still weigh the benefits and drawbacks. But in my view, the advantages greatly outweigh the disadvantages.

At least you need not worry about the He Family resorting to desperate measures anytime soon, and walking in Yu County, you have significant protection. Also, the path of Martial Arts is not about secluding oneself; cultivation requires both stillness and action, only thus can you follow the true path."

"You are right, Grandfather,"

Chen Mu agreed internally, but could only respond thus, as he couldn't reveal his system interface.

Yu Jiujiang continued, "Besides, with the Inspectorate being newly established, and the Four Great Sects generally behaving in Yu County today, it's unlikely that there will be many pressing affairs. The Demon-Slaying Office is even more relaxed during periods without demon chaos, which should also impact you quite little."

This was indeed the case.

At least for now, the actions of the Inspectorate in Yu County were mainly focused on gathering intelligence and overseeing general affairs. They hadn't undertaken any specific actions, nor had they conflicted with the Four Great Sects; the Demon-Slaying Office was even less to mention.

After some thought, Chen Mu suddenly brought up the question he was most concerned about, "Grandfather, I want to know... between the second step of Artistic Conception and a Martial Artist of the Five Viscera Realm, which is stronger?"

Understanding his current level of strength would help him better measure his actions in the future.

Chen Mu's question caused Yu Jiujiang to ponder for a moment.

"The second step of Artistic Conception... it's a common belief that only a Martial Artist of the Five Viscera Realm can fully unleash the true power of Artistic Conception, but this isn't entirely accurate.

It should be said that the first step of Artistic Conception, in the hands of someone in the Five Viscera Realm and the Bone Tempering Realm, shows a significant difference in power, but at the second step, the gap isn't as wide. However, determining who is stronger still depends on the individual."

When he reached this point,

Yu Jiujiang gently flicked his fishing rod, causing the fish hook and line to draw ripples across the pond, silently stirring the entire body of water. Following that, fish converged from the currents, leaping and flapping from the surface in a surprising display.

"Take myself, for example, although I am in the twilight years of my life, I have finally grasped the second stage of the Kan Water Artistic Conception. If I were to face a martial artist who has not entered the Five Viscera Realm and has only mastered the second stage of a single Artistic Conception like Kan Water or Separating Fire, I could kill him within ten moves," he declared.

"If it involves stronger Artistic Conceptions like Blood Fiend or Heart Sword, it would be much more difficult, but I could still prevail within a hundred moves."

Hearing Yu Jiujiang's words,

Chen Mu's heart tightened.

The existence of the Five Viscera Realm, coupled with mastering the second step of an Artistic Conception, was indeed not as simple as one plus one. Not only did it involve Inner Breath cycling with the heavens and the earth in an unending loop, but the power of the techniques used was also extraordinarily uncommon.

However,

Yu Jiujiang then shifted his tone and continued, "However, not all martial artists in the Five Viscera Realm can grasp the second step of an Artistic Conception. In fact, only a few do. He Wuyou, for instance, has never mastered the second step of any Artistic Conception.

Therefore, even though I am in my twilight years, knowing that fighting with me could deplete my Vital Energy and hasten my decline, he still dares not challenge me."

"It was also after stepping down from my position as a steward of the Seven Profound Sect and sitting idly by this pond for over ten years that I finally took that step."

Yu Jiujiang's words carried a hint of lament.

In reality, if he had not grasped the second stage of the Kan Water Artistic Conception, he likely would have struggled to maintain his realm and strength. Although it's easy for a martial artist who has entered the Five Viscera Realm to live past a hundred years, longevity and strength are not the same.

Being able to maintain his strength undiminished at the age of ninety-two was partly because he had reached the second step of the Kan Water Artistic Conception, and partly because it was one of the Artistic Conceptions within the Qiankun Eight Phases that is best able to nurture and sustain life.

If it were Artistic Conceptions like Separating Fire or Thunderbolt with stronger lethal power, maintaining strength up to ninety would be extremely difficult.

"Then, what level would someone like He Wuyou, who has not realized the second step of an Artistic Conception, be at?"

After a brief moment of contemplation, Chen Mu continued to inquire.

According to what he knew so far, the second step of an Artistic Conception was indeed very difficult. Most people were like Yu Jiujiang, who barely grasped it in their twilight years and had little power to act. Those who grasped it in their prime were rare, one in ten at most.

Even among True Disciples of the Four Great Sects, only the very best could comprehend the second step of an Artistic Conception at a young age, like Gu Hong, whom he had once met from the True Inheritance of the Heavenly Sword, who was ranked last in the True Inheritance and had not made it to the second step.

"If he were to fight with me, I could win within a hundred moves,"

Yu Jiujiang said calmly.

With these words, Chen Mu finally had a general understanding of the strength distribution within the Five Viscera Realm.

Mastery of the second step of any one of the Artistic Conceptions such as wind, thunder, or fire from the Qiankun Eight Phases was roughly the power just beyond the 'threshold of the Five Viscera Realm.' Faced with the weakest of the Five Viscera Realm, victory was basically out of reach; at most, one could only hold their ground for a while.

Then there were people like He Wuyou who had stepped into the Five Viscera Realm but had not mastered the second step of an Artistic Conception; they belonged to the 'average' range within the Five Viscera Realm, probably only slightly stronger than he currently was.

Moving up were individuals like Yu Jiujiang, who had mastered the second step of an Artistic Conception within the Five Viscera Realm, belonged to the stronger class within, but since they were in their twilight years, they were just managing to maintain their strength, which had slipped compared to their prime.

They could handle individuals like He Wuyou but facing true prodigies like Gu Hong, chances of victory were slim.

And standing at the pinnacle of the Five Viscera Realm were only the leading True Disciples of the Four Sects, like Zuo Qianqiu.

"So, if I master a second step of an Artistic Conception, I basically need not fear those like He Wuyou in the normal Five Viscera Realm. However, in terms of Body Refining, I actually have a certain advantage, though I can't accurately classify the division,"

Chen Mu pondered internally.

Body training and Bone Tempering, Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound, were not to be taken lightly. Even though he had not stepped into the Five Viscera Realm and completed the qualitative change of Qi-Blood combinations, his physique alone was extremely formidable.

According to the Da Xuan Martial Canon, if he trained to the Bone Tempering limit of the 'Jade Bone' Realm, then even the Yuan Gang True Essence of the Five Viscera Realm could be firmly countered, adding another layer to his strength.

In summary, having a general assessment of his own strength, he now knew better how to measure his actions. The most important thing right now was to quickly elevate the Separating Fire Artistic Conception to the second step and push the first stage of Bone Tempering to its limit.

By then,

very few could pose a threat to him.