Da Xuan Martial Saint

"Although it is not good to be arrogant, young people should have more conviction; it helps you solidify your own Martial Arts will," Yan Jingqing nodded slightly at Chen Mu.

Chen Mu had a steadiness uncommon for his age. Considering he had stepped into the Five Viscera Realm with Jade Bone, and had achieved Major Achievement in the artistic conceptions of wind, thunder, and fire, yet still remained unassuming without any desire to show off, Yan Jingqing found it surprising upon reflection.

Listening to Yan Jingqing's words, Chen Mu fell into a brief contemplation, then asked, "Sir Yan, what exactly is Martial Will? It's said to be necessary for breaking through the Mysterious Pass, but I haven't found a detailed description in the books."

"Martial Will ..."

Yan Jingqing paused for a moment, sighing a little, "If I had the understanding I have now earlier, perhaps I would not be stuck in the Six Viscera Realm. Actually, you could join the Seven Profound Sect and ask a Grandmaster."

"A Martial Artist's comprehension and mastery of the Artistic Conception is a gradual process of understanding and delving deeper into Heaven and Earth. However, Heaven and Earth are too vast, and this power is not so easily controlled by an individual. From the second step of Artistic Conception, as one delves deeper, the Heaven and Earth's Might that one invokes grows stronger but also becomes more difficult to control."

"Martial Will is necessary to control this stronger Heaven and Earth's Might, and it's essential for breaking open the Mysterious Pass. Otherwise, it is easy for part of one's soul to get lost in the vastness of Heaven and Earth and never return, resulting in a person who flickers in and out of consciousness...Of course, this is too early for you to worry about."

Even though Yan Jingqing said Chen Mu should ask a Grandmaster of the Seven Profound Sect for insights, he still shared the general concept and impact of Martial Will with Chen Mu.

Chen Mu, whose own realm was not low and who had a broad vision, quickly understood after listening to Yan Jingqing.

The so-called Martial Will, can indeed be understood directly from the term as 'willpower', or perhaps can also be understood as 'spirit'. Indeed, without a sufficiently strong mental will, one might manage to wield a small amount of The Power of Heaven and Earth, but as the level rises and one gets closer to the essence of Heaven and Earth, there is indeed the risk of losing oneself.

After all, the third step of Artistic Conception is known as 'Body-Mind Union'. If one's spiritual will is not sufficiently solidified and seeks Heart Unity with Heaven and Earth, one might merge and then never come back, resulting in the soul scattering and leaving behind only an empty shell.

Of course, for him at the moment who is still far from that level, and who has only a preliminary grasp of the second step of Artistic Conception, there is no need to solidify Martial Will yet.

"Thank you for your guidance, Sir."

Chen Mu bowed to Yan Jingqing.

He now had a clearer understanding of Artistic Conceptions and the path ahead.

"Then, I shall hand in my duties to you, Sir," said Chen Mu, looking towards Yan Jingqing.

Enjoy new tales from empire

Although he had to wait for Meng Danyun to leave seclusion and it was still two to three months before he would go to the Seven Profound Sect, he did not plan to waste these months. After all, even though he did not possess the Artistic Conception Map of Qian Heaven Kun Earth, there were Gen Mountain, Kan Water, and Dui Ze that he had yet to contemplate.

"When have you ever been lazy..."

Yan Jingqing couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Chen Mu but waved his hand and said, "Inspector Chen Mu is hereby relieved from his duties as the Metropolitan Commander of the Inspectorate and the Demon-Slaying Office, keeping his official rank intact."

Chen Mu was naturally going to leave his position when he went to the Seven Profound Sect, but he was handing over his duties now, which was undeniably an attempt to steal a few months of laziness. Yan Jingqing did not mind, as keeping the official rank meant that Chen Mu could be deployed for any matters just the same. With Chen Mu's current status and position, he really did not need to deal with trivial matters.

"Thank you, Sir. I will take my leave now," said Chen Mu with a smile, bowing again before departing.

...

After leaving the Inspectorate.

Chen Mu did not immediately return, but instead, he wandered through the Prefectural Government compound, eventually arriving at a Yamen situated in the northernmost part.

As he approached, he could hear the constant sound of metal striking metal from inside the Yamen. After stepping in, he could feel the temperature inside the Yamen was even higher than outside.

The Smelting Bureau.

This was once a Yamen completely controlled by the He Family, but now the He Family's presence was gone, and it was half controlled by the Yu Family, with the Xue Family and the Xie Family each managing the other half.

"Mr. Metropolitan Commander?"

"Greetings, Mr. Metropolitan Commander!"

As Chen Mu walked into the Smelting Bureau, the officials on duty looked over. They were startled and quickly ran over to greet him respectfully.

Although Chen Mu had stepped down from his post in the Inspectorate and Demon-Slaying Office, the news had not yet reached this place. Moreover, even if it had, Yan Jingqing had retained his official rank. Even if he had been demoted completely to a commoner, it would make no difference to him; he still had decisive authority in Yu County.

Because his status was never premised on his official title, but on his own strength.

"Is Fang Yi around?" Chen Mu walked further inside, casually inquiring to the official.

The official hurriedly responded, "Mr. Fang is in the back, I will go and notify him immediately."

"No need, lead the way," Chen Mu continued walking forward.

"Very well," the official replied respectfully and led the way to a courtyard at the back. The temperature in the yard was even hotter. There were several furnaces burning with charcoal, and several strong men were forging iron wares.

One of them was tending to the furnace, occasionally turning back to issue some commands.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

As soon as Chen Mu entered,

the craftspeople were taken aback but then set aside their work to hurriedly pay their respects to Chen Mu.

Fang Yi, who was watching over the furnace, quickly came over.