NOVEL NEXT Chapter 41 Circle of Wealthy Young Masters from Thirteen Lines
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As dusk approached, Shen Qing completed his patrol of his designated area and returned to the government office.
After handing over the duty token, he followed Dong Jing towards Xinyi Square.
Dong Jing and Shen Qing rode side by side on their horses.
"Brother Shen," Dong Jing asked, "do you know what we need to do to advance as officers?"
"I'm not sure," Shen Qing replied with a shake of his head.
In Yongzhou, he had no connections or foundation, so no one offered him guidance. He relied solely on his intuition.
Having joined the Guardian Martial Department for nearly three to four months, he still felt restricted despite accomplishing so much, unable to make any significant progress.
Currently, the Guardian Martial Department ran parallel with the Military Department.
The General of Military Department and the Commander of the Military Guard each led numerous officers, with several officers managing several patrol officers.
Reportedly, the two departments started with over a thousand staff members, but due to personnel attrition, they had never reached full capacity since.
In other words, there was still ample room for promotion.
Dong Jing's question was indeed the one Shen Qing wanted to understand.
"To be honest, our Guardian Martial Department isn't overly complicated. The most crucial factor is personal cultivation, not the amount of merit one achieves."
Surprised, Shen Qing asked, "Cultivation?"
Dong Jing explained, "Exactly. This principle applies not only to our Guardian Martial Department but throughout the Great Zhou Court. You see, even if you achieve significant merit and rise to nobility, acquiring many Wish Power Pearls and spiritual elixirs, what happens if you're inept in martial arts?"
"What if you receive so many resources for training, yet you can't even surpass the Qi Cultivation Realm? Wouldn't that be laughable? Moreover, if you choose not to cultivate but still receive such resources, what then?"
Recalling the business of Wu Sheng, Shen Qing frowned and said, "Either sell them off or leave them for descendants?"
"Exactly so. Whether sold or left for descendants, it destabilizes the nation's foundation and hinders the Ji Family's legacy. Thus, promotions are based on martial arts cultivation."
"The level of martial arts cultivation is the most direct indicator. Either you have it, or you don't. It's evident at a glance."
"So if we want to advance, martial arts come first, merits second. Simply working hard won't suffice," Dong Jing hinted meaningfully, "You've just started, don't be too hasty, as rigidity often leads to failure."
Shen Qing furrowed his brows slightly, seeming to understand.
He realized that Dong Jing was intentionally offering advice before the gathering.
"Thank you for the advice," Shen Qing said, cupping his fists in gratitude.
"We've arrived," Dong Jing remarked, glancing ahead at the bustling Shen's Restaurant. "Your business is booming. I had to reserve the spot three days in advance at a higher price."
"If you plan to visit next time, just give me a heads-up. I have the authority here, unlike in other places," Shen Qing assured.
When they reached the entrance, a waiter recognized Shen Qing and greeted him respectfully, "Sir, you've arrived."
Shen Qing tossed the reins to the waiter and entered through the restaurant's main door with Dong Jing.
They bypassed the main hall and went directly to a private room on the second floor.
Inside, several figures were seated, chatting quietly.
These individuals carried themselves with elegance, clearly exuding the aura of nobility from prestigious families.
Even without interaction, one could sense their prestigious family backgrounds.
Shen Qing followed Dong Jing to these individuals.
Dong Jing introduced Shen Qing to everyone.
In the room, there were three men and two women who arrived early.
Among them, four people were astonished to learn that Shen Qing was the restaurant's owner and an officer in the Guardian Martial Department.
A woman wearing a hairpin said, "If I'm not mistaken, there are no prominent families named Shen in Yongzhou, right?"
A man next to her nodded, saying, "Maybe there were in the distant past, but not now."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qing noticed their interest in him waned significantly, becoming indifferent.
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In the Great Zhou Dynasty, family lineage was ingrained in people's minds.
Though Shen Qing had obtained martial arts register status and was an official, he still fell short in the eyes of these aristocratic families.
Just like a nouveau riche without refinement being looked down upon by other businessmen.
Shen Qing maintained a calm demeanor, seemingly anticipating this.
After some casual chatting, three more individuals gradually entered the room.
One of them was familiar, a fellow officer named Xi Shaoqin from the fourth group.
Upon seeing him, Xi Shaoqin hesitated briefly before nodding and smiling at him.
Dong Jing suggested, "Now that everyone is here, let's sit down and order some dishes. I've heard that Brother Shen's restaurant offers exclusive dishes not available elsewhere. Today, since we've gathered, let's all enjoy it."
"Ha ha, we came here specifically for the food. Let's find our seats," said another.
These people were familiar with each other, taking their seats according to precedence.
Shen Qing found himself silently assigned to the last seat, while Xi Shaoqin from the fourth group sat similarly at the back, beside Shen Qing.
The man at the head table looked at Shen Qing and said, "Since it's Lord Shen's restaurant, why not let Lord Shen order for us, and we'll see what's special?"
Shen Qing smiled, "I'm not particularly knowledgeable about the cuisine. My family just uses my name. How about we serve all the signature dishes for everyone to enjoy? I find them quite nice."
"Let's follow your suggestion, then. Serve each signature dish," the others agreed.
Shen Qing summoned a servant to give instructions on the dishes.
Before the dishes arrived, the table had some idle time, leading people to chat in small groups.
With this being Shen Qing's first time attending, he was left unattended at the last seat.
Noticing this, Xi Shaoqin, after conversing with others, turned to Shen Qing and asked, "Is this your first time attending such a gathering, Brother Shen?"
Shen Qing hadn't expected Xi Shaoqin to initiate a conversation with him.
In the government office, they were merely nodding acquaintances, barely exchanging more than three words.
Unsure of Xi Shaoqin's intentions, he replied cautiously, "I haven't attended any before."
"That explains it," Xi Shaoqin said, glancing inconspicuously at the man at the head table. "Do you know who he is?"
"I don't."
"That's the direct young master of the Sun Family, ranking second among the Thirteen Lines. Only twenty years old, he's already at the Yu Luo Realm. People think he might become the future Innate of the Sun Family."
A twenty-year-old Yu Luo Realm martial master?
Shen Qing studied the young Sun Family master again, noting his sharp brows and charismatic demeanor.
He wore a deep blue cloud brocade robe, with a jade belt inlaid with gemstones, his hair tied high with a jade hairpin, exuding nobility.
Indeed, he was impressive.
"There are also the Wu Family, Zhao Family, Qian Family, and Dong Family... each is either a young master or young lady, all from noble backgrounds, with cultivation mostly at the brink of the Yu Luo Realm, and at the very least, at the Great Perfection of the Qi Hai Realm."
Shen Qing realized that in this entire gathering, he seemed to have the lowest cultivation and the least prestigious background.
Xi Shaoqin observed Shen Qing's expression closely, seemingly satisfied.
This young officer, having come this far from a small place and defeated numerous demons, was indeed remarkable; but compared to them, he still didn't measure up.
Xi Shaoqin didn't want Shen Qing to disrupt the atmosphere of the government office or cause trouble, hoping to temper his ambition.
Before long, the dishes were all served, with the attendees frequently toasting each other.
"Oh, these dishes are truly amazing. I've never tasted such unique flavors before. Lord Shen really has something special here," someone remarked.
"I'm glad you all enjoy it," Shen Qing said with a polite smile.
After a few drinks, the atmosphere gradually became lively.
Around the table, familiar faces engaged in enthusiastic conversations in small groups.
Shen Qing, as if forgotten, found himself increasingly neglected.
He felt that this gathering was growing increasingly tedious, wasting his time.
Had he spent this time cultivating, he might have advanced his progress some more.
Inwardly frustrated, Shen Qing refrained from disrupting the upbeat mood and ultimately chose to leave the gathering quietly.
Engaged in conversation, Xi Shaoqin noticed his departure and continued chatting with others without concern.
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