From street beggar to high-ranking official

"Xiao Shunzi, come with us." Xiao Fengzi's expression was not good. Lu Li, being observant, realized that Xiao Fengzi and Xiao Shunzi were about to talk about something important.

The two boys walked toward the quiet room of the martial arts hall.

Lu Li mingled in the crowd and followed at a distance, using his inner energy and the skills taught by Eunuch Chen to walk quickly and steadily.

According to Xiao Shunzi's revelation in his spare time, the walking technique practiced by the palace eunuchs originated from the martial arts of the Western Regions assassin organization Jinpengbao, and was called "Ghost Shadow Tracking Step".

According to Xiao Shunzi, the King of Jinpeng Fortress, Du Bu Wang, is the king of assassins. He has no subjects, but he can go to any inch of land in any of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions. From kings and generals to farmers and laborers, everyone is terrified when they talk about him.

But no matter how unparalleled he was in the Western Regions, he still avoided the Great Qian army formation.

What became of this king of assassins is unknown. All that is known is that when the Great Qian Dynasty unified the country, it collected all the martial arts techniques in the world and put them in the Martial Arts Pavilion, among which was the "Ghost Shadow Tracking Step".

He stepped outside the house and listened intently, catching every word of their conversation.

"Xiao Shunzi, you're in too much of a hurry!"

"We don't have much time left. We don't need to go to the Directorate of Ceremonial, but we should at least go to a place like the Imperial Kitchen."

"So you want to emulate those powerful eunuchs of the previous dynasty and gain favor with the officials?" Xiao Fengzi asked with surprise. "I've heard that those powerful eunuchs were all extraordinary people who deciphered the mysteries of the womb. It's true that you have exceptional martial arts talent, but it's too early for you to make a name for yourself based on martial arts alone."

In the former imperial palace, there were extraordinary people who solved the mystery of the womb. Some of them had drastic changes in their emotions and talked nonsense that others could not understand all day long; others seemed to have become different people. They used to kneel properly, but later refused to kneel and had their knees broken and were thrown out of the palace.

One eunuch was particularly peculiar. After recovering from a serious illness, upon realizing his status as a castrated man, he cried out inconsolably as if possessed by a mourning ghost, and then committed suicide.

It wasn't just in the palace; rumors circulated even in the martial arts world that children who were originally illiterate suddenly became highly learned, and that simple-minded children who used to beg on the streets became shrewd and calculating.

These people were all once famous, but the former has faded into obscurity, while the latter is said to be a wealthy merchant family in Sichuan and Chongqing, whose brocade and tea were tributes to the emperor every year. They even received imperial favor and a memorial archway bestowed by the court.

"Does Xiao Shunzi think he can stand out at this time because he believes his martial arts skills are far superior to most people?" Lu Li thought to himself. Even he thought Xiao Shunzi was too reckless.

If you really want to make a name for yourself, why not wait until the day you're assigned a job?

However, Xiao Shunzi's next words revealed the doubts in Lu Li's heart.

"Our family wants to join the Hidden Martial Pavilion."

......

At five quarters past the hour of Xu (7:45 PM), the martial arts hall was dark and quiet, and only then did Lu Li slowly peek out.

"I see. There are other options for eunuchs entering the palace besides the Twelve Directorates of the Inner Palace. The Hidden Martial Pavilion is also an option."

The Zangwu Pavilion was not under the jurisdiction of the Inner Palace Attendants Bureau, but it was one of the few places where eunuchs were not restricted from entering and guarding the area.

If a certain eunuch is indeed a martial arts genius, he can go to the Martial Arts Pavilion to serve after being reviewed and approved by the Directorate of Ceremonial.

All the eunuchs in the Twelve Directorates would keep an eye out for any new official vacancies, but the Hidden Martial Pavilion only required you to be on duty and obey the emperor's orders.

Martial arts masters dare not face a thousand-man army directly, but they can move freely within the high walls and courtyards of the imperial palace.

The Imperial Guards of the Capital Garrison were stationed at the outer palace gates, city walls, imperial roads, altars and temples, while the palace was guarded by the Twelve Directorates of the Inner Palace and the Eunuchs of the Imperial Library.

The Hidden Martial Arts Pavilion contains countless secret manuals and techniques, making it a sacred place that attracts martial arts enthusiasts and geniuses from all over the world.

He had heard storytellers say that the imperial family was the largest sect in the martial arts world, but this statement was somewhat biased. In Lu Li's view, the imperial family was the greatest steward in the world.

Lu Li had never heard of the saying that conquering the world is difficult, and governing the world is even more difficult. He also did not understand that the emperor was the one who governed the people on behalf of Heaven. However, he gradually figured some things out by being exposed to the world in the palace.

"Xiao Shunzi wants to enter the Hidden Martial Arts Pavilion through his knowledge and martial arts skills. In that case, it's understandable that he's starting to stand out. As long as their goals are different, there won't even be any conflict between him and Xiao Jizi. But... Xiao Shunzi thinks this way, but what will Xiao Jizi think?"

Lu Li walked through the secret passage on his way back to his room.

Human nature is unpredictable, especially the cunning mind of eunuchs. Lu Li didn't think Xiao Shunzi could accomplish things so easily, but today's incident did explain a question Lu Li had once had.

Xiao Shunzi was chosen by Xiao Fengzi perhaps because of his talent in martial arts.

Our family learns from Xiao Fengzi's flattery and Xiao Yuzi's humility and caution. Can we also learn from Xiao Shunzi's martial arts talent?

Xiao Shunzi couldn't possibly know his martial arts talent as soon as he entered, so like the other eunuchs, he lay low. But today, Xiao Shunzi could no longer remain hidden.

Kowtowing won't catch Eunuch Chen's eye, but martial arts talent might offer a chance.

Back in the main room, Xiao Shunzi was applying medicine to himself by candlelight, and a faint fragrance filled the room.

When Lu asked casually, Xiao Shunzi readily replied, "This is a wound medicine. It can stop bleeding, relieve pain, prevent suppuration, and promote tissue regeneration. Little Lu, you were able to get out of bed just a few days after your surgery thanks to this medicine."

Lu Li had heard of the famous Golden Wound Medicine when he was begging, but this was the first time he had seen it. Curious, he went up to take a look, and it looked like milky white mud.

"I've heard that this wound medicine comes in powder form, right?" Lu Li asked again.

"Of course, it also contains scar-removing medicine." Xiao Shunzi smiled slightly: "Sure enough, standing out does have its rewards."

Inside the room, Xiaoyu remained silent, and Lu Li offered a few words of congratulations. Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Xiaofeng took the initiative to start a conversation.

"Speaking of which, among us, the one with the best martial arts skills should be Xiao Shunzi, right?"

"It's definitely one of us," Lu Li guessed. "But the strongest among us might not be Xiao Shunzi."

"No matter what, we're definitely going to the Hidden Martial Pavilion." Xiao Shunzi seemed very confident.

Lu the official feigned surprise: "Isn't Xiao Shunzi going to the Inner Palace Office?"

After hearing this, Xiao Shunzi shook his head: "The Inner Palace Service is divided into good and bad. The good are extremely good, and the bad are extremely bad. When it comes to scheming and plotting, we can't outsmart others. When it comes to being low-key and cautious, we can't even compare to you, Xiao Lu. When it comes to flattery and fawning, Xiao Fengzi is the best. We can only work hard in martial arts."

Xiao Shunzi lamented the difficult road ahead, and these words seemed to touch Xiao Yuzi, who rarely spoke. Xiao Yuzi, who was always low-key, also chimed in: "In the Twelve Prisons, most of them are just living their lives in a daze. There are many old eunuchs in their thirties and forties in the palace. They just live one day at a time. These people don't care about the changing situation. They just endure being bullied and only think about the food in their mouths."

Lu Li and the others had never heard of mind control. They only thought that servants were so lowly that even if a nobleman ordered them to be beaten to death, they would not dare to resist and would only kowtow and beg for mercy.

Perhaps those eunuchs who supposedly solved the mystery of the womb were simply unable to bear it any longer? Even so, they had to find a reason for themselves, such as the mystery of the womb being a preordained secret or some kind of possession or madness.

Days passed by like this.