Da Xuan Martial Saint Chapter 3: Chapter 3 Introduction

Chen Mu was a firm believer in the principle of karma, convinced that every occurrence in life was bound by cause and effect.

Since his arrival in this realm, he had been relegated to the lowest tier of society as a serf. For more than two years, he had endured a grueling existence alongside his sister, who was seven years his junior. Aside from a meager wage that was constantly siphoned off by corrupt superiors, he had never experienced a single stroke of good fortune.

However, it seemed his long-standing streak of misfortune had finally paid its debt. He had not only discovered a manual for the Raging Wind Blade Technique but also a mysterious modifier capable of upgrading his martial prowess.

"It likely requires Experience Points to function, and I probably lack the necessary amount at this moment."

After observing the device for a time, Chen Mu gained a basic understanding of how the mechanism operated.

As long as he dedicated himself to the Raging Wind Blade Technique, the modifier would accumulate 'experience' regardless of whether he had a teacher or if his form was slightly flawed. Once enough experience was gathered, he could directly elevate his Cultivation Realm in that specific technique.

This meant that even without the tutelage of a martial master, he could eventually reach the pinnacle of this skill through solitary, persistent effort.

"Brother?"

Chen Yue watched him from the side, her expression filled with confusion.

To her eyes, Chen Mu had suddenly started gesturing at the empty air before falling into a silent, occasionally chuckling trance, which she found somewhat unsettling.

"Don't worry, I'm just lost in thought."

Chen Mu turned to Chen Yue with a warm grin. He couldn't help but reach out and playfully pinch her cheeks. "Yue’er, the days of our suffering might be coming to an end very soon."

Chen Yue stared at him with wide, blinking eyes, unable to comprehend the source of her brother's sudden burst of confidence.

"Alright."

She gave a soft, smiling nod in response.

The hardships of life didn't truly bother her as long as Chen Mu remained safe. Having lost both parents, she was the sole comfort in Chen Mu's heart, just as he was the only light in her world.

After escorting Chen Yue back to her room, Chen Mu gripped his Servant's Knife and resumed his training. Unlike his earlier tentative movements, he now practiced with fluid determination, ignoring technical perfection and focusing entirely on completing the forms.

After a period of intense exertion.

The words 'Experience +1' finally manifested in his field of vision.

"Excellent."

A satisfied smile touched Chen Mu’s lips; his theory had been proven correct.

While he wasn't sure how much experience was needed to push the Raging Wind Blade Technique past the 'Unskilled' stage, he knew that as long as he saw progress, he would eventually master the craft. He was no longer wandering in the dark without a path.

...

The days blurred past.

In the span of a single week, Chen Mu divided his life between his official duties at the City Defense Division—patrolling alongside Liu Song and the others—and his obsessive practice of the Raging Wind Blade Technique.

Accumulating experience was a slow, grueling process where every point was paid for in sweat. He often had to endure nearly an hour of exhausting drills just to gain two or three points.

Yet, no matter how sluggish the progress felt, it was tangible growth, far superior to the aimless practicing he had done before.

Finally.

One afternoon, while Chen Mu was drenched in perspiration from his drills, his experience for the Raging Wind Blade Technique hit the one hundred mark.

[Martial Skill: Raging Wind Blade Technique (Unskilled/+)]

[Experience: 100 points]

Just as he suspected, the interface shifted, revealing a '+' symbol next to the rank of his Blade Technique.

Taking a steadying breath, Chen Mu focused his gaze on the display and, with a sharp mental command, triggered the '+'.

Buzz!

A faint, golden shimmer flickered briefly.

[Martial Skill: Raging Wind Blade Technique (Entry Level)]

[Experience: 0 Points]

The moment the interface updated, a flood of knowledge surged into his consciousness. The nuances of force distribution and the precise angles of every strike—details that were once foggy—were suddenly corrected and solidified.

It felt as though he had spent months under the perfect guidance of a master, training without error.

Once the mental transformation settled.

Chen Mu exhaled and gripped his Servant's Knife. The weapon felt different in his hand; the twelve forms of the Raging Wind Blade Technique and all their intricate variations were now etched into his very being.

He understood exactly how to shift his weight and adapt his strikes—a stark contrast to his previous ignorance.

"I have finally crossed the threshold."

"This single breakthrough is likely worth two months of training in a professional dojo under a martial master... though I did put in seven days of brutal work myself."

Muttering to himself, Chen Mu stepped forward and unleashed a fierce strike, executing the first form: Chaotic Wind.

This attempt was a world apart from his previous efforts. The once-clumsy movements were now sharp and efficient—his legs braced, his core tightened, and the diagonal slash was so swift it let out a sharp whooshing sound!

"This is truly on another level compared to street brawling."

Chen Mu nodded in approval.

By simply performing the opening move with proper form, he was already more formidable than any crude brawler. Furthermore, this strike flowed naturally into several follow-up variations, unlike the basic hacking of an amateur which lost all momentum after the first swing.

The manual described the technique as having four stages: Entry Level, Minor Achievement, Major Achievement, and Perfection.

With proper training, an average person might reach Entry Level in a few months and Minor Achievement within a year or two—at which point they could easily handle several unarmed thugs. Five or six years of dedication could lead to Major Achievement, making one nearly untouchable by a group of ordinary men.

As for Perfection...

That stage was a monumental hurdle, requiring one to grasp the true intent of the wind and develop "Blade Momentum." A person at this level could fight ten men at once and would easily earn the title of "Martial Scholar" through the official Martial Examination.

In this era of rampant corruption and social decay, the civil literary exams had become a joke. Most scholars, even those of higher rank, were reduced to buying and selling government posts, possessing no real authority.

The Martial Examinations, however, were held in higher regard because they represented raw power. Even if the elite clans controlled the slots, a truly capable individual could still rise through the ranks and attract powerful patrons.

"If I can earn the title of 'Martial Scholar,' a promotion to Head Constable is guaranteed. Even without the official title, demonstrating that level of martial skill would make me a prime candidate for the position."

Chen Mu contemplated his future.

Reaching Major Achievement in an external skill like the Raging Wind Blade Technique generally opened the door to becoming a Head Constable. Whether through a vacancy or by catching the eye of a superior, his advancement would be inevitable, or at the very least, a matter of time and seniority.

If he could reach Perfection and manifest Blade Momentum, the promotion would be a certainty. From what he knew, very few Head Constables had ever mastered "Momentum" in their weaponry.

Centuries ago, such talent would have allowed one to pass the Martial Examination with ease and enter direct service to the Imperial Court.

Though the official paths were now choked by bribery and the sale of offices, the prestige of the examinations remained in name, even if the system was broken.

"For someone with average talent, Major Achievement takes a decade of hard work, but mastering 'Momentum' is a feat achieved by only one in a hundred."

Through recent conversations with his peers in the City Defense Division, Chen Mu had learned that of their five Head Constables, only one had actually mastered Momentum and earned his rank through merit.

The eldest, Zhao Zong, was over sixty and had spent his entire life with a blade without ever grasping Momentum. Despite the Zhao family's local clout, if Zhao Zong had mastered that essence, he likely would have risen to the rank of Prefecture Chief by now.

"They lack the innate insight to progress, but I am different. With enough patience and practice, I will hit Minor Achievement, then Major Achievement, and finally Perfection... and I can likely do it all within a single year."

A sharp glint appeared in Chen Mu’s eyes.

Now that he had reached Entry Level, he needed three hundred Experience Points for the next stage. Based on his current rate, that would take about a month. While the requirements for Major Achievement and Perfection would surely be higher, completing the journey within a year seemed entirely feasible.

Once he perfected his blade and cultivated Momentum, he could either take the Martial Examination for an official rank or simply display his skills to secure a promotion to Head Constable. Either way, his social standing would be transformed.

He had survived in this world for two years already.

Having lived with such caution in the dangerous lower depths of society, he didn't mind waiting one more year—especially now that he finally had a clear goal and a reason to hope.