Xia Chen returned to his courtyard, the night had long enveloped the earth, and the bright moon hung high, its silvery light dancing on Xia Chen's fingertips like little sprites.

From leaving in the morning until nightfall, this day had been more vibrant than the past two months combined.

"Young Master!"

Hearing the sound, Xia Qian hurried out, calling out joyfully.

"Young Master, I heard that His Majesty has betrothed the Second Princess to you. The whole manor is buzzing with the news, and every courtyard has sent gifts!"

"Alright, just help me put them away."

Xia Chen nodded, not wanting to spend much energy on this matter.

For the next two days, Xia Chen stayed diligently in his courtyard, practicing hard. With each proficiency +1 rising on the system panel, Xia Chen felt his progress accelerating rapidly.

His body was filled with pure yang energy, and his combat power was incomparable to before.

He used the Shouyang Demon-Breaking Saber to draw the extreme yang qi from the heavens and earth, specifically tempering his flesh and blood.

Simultaneously, he practiced the Crimson Sun Body-Tempering Art to cultivate his internal qi and strengthen his bones. Although these two methods were somewhat similar, they complemented each other, causing a qualitative change in Xia Chen's physique.

A quick look at tinyurl.com/2p9emv8w will leave you more fulfilled.

***

This tranquility was broken on the third day.

A servant who had been by the side of the family head, Xia Qia, for many years knocked on the door of Xia Chen's small courtyard.

"Third Young Master, the Master requests your presence!"

Xia Chen was the third in line among his generation of the direct lineage, so he was referred to as the Third Young Master within the manor.

"Uncle Dong, why did you come personally? You could have just sent a servant to call me."

Xia Chen, who was bare-chested and in the middle of body tempering, quickly invited the middle-aged man inside.

Xia Dong, a trusted aide of Xia Qia, also possessed the Xia family bloodline, being a branch split off 156 years ago, so the blood relation was still close.

He had followed Xia Qia since childhood, akin to a study companion, whether in martial arts, studying military tactics, or even later in the military camp, he was always by his side.

Twenty-one years ago, he followed Xia Qia to the southern frontier and made significant contributions, earning the title of general from the court. However, after Xia Qia retired from the army, he also resigned from his official position and followed Xia Qia as an ordinary attendant.

"When it concerns the Young Master, it's better for me to come personally!"

Xia Dong smiled, standing in the courtyard, looking at Xia Chen's skin, which was like refined iron, the red slowly receding, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"We're all family, no need to be so formal. Uncle Dong, please sit, I'll wash up quickly."

Xia Chen smiled, pulling Xia Dong to sit in the courtyard.

Although Xia Dong considered himself a servant, no one truly treated him as one.

Xia Dong smiled and didn't stand on ceremony, having a good impression of this somewhat low-key Third Young Master.

Compared to visiting other young masters' courtyards, this Third Young Master showed him much more respect.

Xia Chen quickly washed up and changed into clean clothes. Although he was a bit happy inside, his steps remained steady, appearing as immovable as a mountain.

He had already guessed why Xia Qia was calling him; it must be regarding the official position.

The Marquis Manor was vast, and since he couldn't rush, Xia Chen walked leisurely.

***

After more than twenty minutes, he arrived at Xia Qia's residence.

"Uncle!"

"No need for formalities."

The modest and restrained front hall had several chairs arranged.

Xia Chen sat down, and a maid immediately served tea before retreating.

"Chen'er, your desire to go out and gain experience has been resolved. There are currently three positions available, all quite decent."

Xia Qia took a sip of tea, speaking unhurriedly.

Xia Chen smiled, relying on the Marquis Manor indeed made things easier. In his previous life, it took him over half a year in the game to gain an official rank, and it was the lowest rank of ninth class. But now, he had three positions to choose from. Although he didn't yet know the rank of these positions, with the Marquis Manor's influence, they certainly wouldn't be low.

"The first is the Imperial Yulin Guards, the second is the Qingzhou Garrison, and the third is the Southern Frontier Army, all are of the seventh rank!"

Xia Chen's eyes shone. As a noble family, the Xia family allowed its members to inherit official positions, and the ranks weren't low. This was why Xia Chen wanted Xia Qia to intervene.

Being able to directly parachute into a position, there was no need to start as a lowly soldier just to prove his ability.

It's laughable!

Starting from a higher point after parachuting in, can't he prove his ability then?

"I'll choose the Imperial Yulin Guards!"

Xia Chen took a deep breath and quickly made his decision.

The Imperial Guard was the emperor's personal army, responsible for protecting the palace and the capital's safety.

They were in charge of the capital's day and night patrols, maintaining public order, managing entry and exit, and had the authority to investigate and enforce the law against illegal activities in the capital.

What Xia Chen valued was this last point of law enforcement authority. Although the capital was full of powerful figures, and you might hit a royal relative if you threw a brick, if he could utilize this responsibility well, he could leverage enormous power.

Moreover, the key point was:

"Five years later, during the coup, the Imperial Guard played a significant role. Perhaps I can lay some groundwork in advance!"

A gleam flashed in Xia Chen's eyes. He dismissed the garrison and the Southern Frontier Army, which, although they could hone his skills and quickly accumulate military merits, were of no use to Xia Chen at the moment.

With the system's assistance, he didn't need to worry about his cultivation speed.

Military merits were good for quick promotion, but Xia Chen felt that staying in the capital, the center of power, might offer more opportunities.

"Are you sure?"

Xia Qia asked seriously.

"Uncle, I'm sure, the Imperial Yulin Guards!"

Xia Chen confirmed without hesitation.

"Alright, wait for my news!"

Xia Qia smiled and waved his hand.

Xia Chen also smiled, turned, and took his leave, in a great mood.

"After two months, am I finally leaving the novice village? Capital, here I come!"

In his previous life, when he played this game, although his initial identity was just an ordinary civilian, he quickly experienced the capital's splendor.

But this time, although his initial identity was extremely noble, there were many restrictions within the Marquis Manor, and he couldn't leave the manor freely until reaching the eighth rank.

"Why do I still remember the Hundred Schools of Thought, Buddhist and Daoist scriptures, poetry, and songs from my previous world?"

Xia Chen suddenly thought of a crucial point. In his previous life, although players descended into this world, apart from knowing they were from another world and remembering their daily life friends and family, all cultural, philosophical, and classic texts from the other world were blocked. Once they entered this world, they couldn't recall them.

It was as if this world didn't allow those things to exist.

Until later, when the Fusion of the Myriad Heavens version was launched, this restriction was lifted.

Xia Chen speculated that it might involve the supreme Dao and Principle, and some scriptures and philosophies weren't allowed to descend prematurely.

"Am I the one who was overlooked?"

Xia Chen took a deep breath, looking again at the phantom of the Nine Dragons jade seal in his hand, visible only to him.

"What is your origin, not only bringing me into this world early but also retaining my auxiliary system and lifting the block on me?"

Xia Chen murmured to himself, but as he questioned, the jade seal emitted a faint glow, as if about to awaken, seemingly wanting to respond!

---

Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan