Something’s Wrong with This Game — I Became a God by Mining!

In the hall, Shi Xin was already seated, and Lin Yan was brewing tea.

Yang Ling had already changed into his Ironclad Department official uniform, with the official saber that boosted Strength by 5 points and was of better quality hanging at his waist.

"Ninth-Rank Ironclad Armor: HP +100"

"Ninth-Rank Official Saber: Strength +5, Attack Power 25"

Yang Ling felt a wave of emotion in his heart.

The benefits from this promotion were immense.

First, his HP had increased from 210 points to 310 points.

He never expected that a standard piece of ninth-rank ironclad armor could add so much HP.

"My original purpose for coming here was regarding the Wu Que matter. I didn't expect to receive a little surprise," Shi Xin said, holding his teacup and gently blowing on it before taking a sip.

"Regardless, it's enough to give an account to those above."

"As for what role or position the Mountain and River Sect played in this matter, that's not for you or me to handle."

Yang Ling's heart stirred slightly. It seemed the Mountain and River Sect indeed had some capability, having apparently settled the matter in advance.

He had worried for nothing, afraid the sect would be implicated.

"Lord Shi, what exactly is a 'registered ninth-rank Martial Artist'...?" Yang Ling looked at Shi Xin, his face full of curiosity.

"You don't know? Well, that makes sense. You don't seem like someone from the martial world," Shi Xin said with a faint smile. "In our Zhao State, and even in the Rong State and other countries, Martial Artists are divided into ranks."

"Although there are differences, they aren't major. They are generally distinguished by nine ranks, from ninth to first, based on a Martial Artist's strength."

"When a Martial Artist's strength reaches the ninth rank, they are qualified to register, and they must register."

"Once registered, whether it's our Ironclad Department or other government offices, they can access these Martial Artists' information."

"A so-called ninth-rank Martial Artist must have cultivated at least one cultivation technique."

"Whether it's third-rate or even ungraded, any cultivation technique qualifies."

"Martial Artists like you, who have only practiced martial arts techniques and tempered their physical strength, cannot enter the ranking system."

"After meeting the above standard, one must also possess the corresponding ninth-rank strength."

"Our Ironclad Department has its own method for assessing the ninth rank. Other sects have similar methods, but they differ somewhat."

Yang Ling felt a slight chill in his heart.

This ninth-rank distinction seemed extremely strict.

Just practicing martial arts techniques wasn't even enough to qualify for ranking.

"However, it seems we players have quite an advantage over the local Natives."

"The Martial Artists I've seen before, including experts like Wu Man and Shi Xin, don't have anything called a 'class change'."

"Without a class change, they probably don't have the exclusive skills that come after it either."

"Furthermore, in all aspects, including Proficiency and the attribute points gained from leveling up, we have the advantage."

"And I have a few more advantages than ordinary players. I gain Free Attribute Points, while they can only improve specific attributes through dedicated training."

"Mining trains Strength and adds to the Strength attribute. As for Agility, probably running and similar exercises can increase it. Spirit... ordinary players probably can't increase it at all."

Thinking of this, Yang Ling suddenly became curious about how many registered Martial Artists existed in this world.

"Lord Shi, how many registered Martial Artists are there in our Zhao State?" Yang Ling asked.

Shi Xin glanced at him. "This isn't a secret, but ordinary folks wouldn't know. Coincidentally, our Ironclad Department has the latest information on this. Before I came, I just read the internal reports. Currently, Zhao State has approximately three hundred and fifty thousand registered Martial Artists on record."

"Hiss—"

Yang Ling inwardly drew a sharp, cold breath.

Three hundred and fifty thousand?

What an enormous number!

It was questionable whether Green Mountain City even had a population of three hundred and fifty thousand.

"However, most of these are ninth-rank Martial Artists. Those above the ninth rank are few and far between," Shi Xin said. "The specifics aren't clear to me. Some information is simply beyond what you or I are allowed to know."

"Furthermore, the true number of ninth-rank Martial Artists in the world is definitely more than three hundred and fifty thousand."

"For example, the four top-tier sects in our Zhao State. If the Martial Artists under their command are unwilling to register, we can't force them."

"Also, many Martial Artists fear our Ironclad Department keeping an eye on them and are unwilling to register, hiding instead."

Just as he finished speaking, a commotion suddenly arose outside the door.

Immediately after, two young men with pale faces were escorted into the room by Old Zhao and the others.

Shi Xin narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing the two young men.

Old Zhao, looking very excited, clasped his fists and reported, "My lords, these two were lurking suspiciously near the government office earlier. We apprehended them, suspecting they might be connected to Wu Man!"

Lin Yan immediately stood up, his expression severe.

"You two, are you Rong tribe spies?!"

"My lords, we've been wronged!"

The two immediately cried out in protest, their faces filled with terror.

Yang Ling's mind stirred. He cast his exclusive skill, Insight, on them.

[Lin Mu: Two days ago, secretly transported illegal Fire Crystal Rock ore out of the city.]

[Zhang San: One day ago, killed a Green Mountain City garrison soldier and hid the body at home.]

A strange look flashed in Yang Ling's eyes.

Old Zhao and the others had actually caught the right people.

This Lin Mu was most likely connected to the Rong tribe, or perhaps one of Wu Que's subordinates who helped transport the Fire Crystal Rock.

As for this Zhang San, he was also a guilty man.

Yang Ling suddenly walked up to Lin Mu.

Lin Yan had been about to speak but, seeing this, closed his mouth, a hint of confusion appearing in his eyes.

Shi Xin, looking intrigued, took a sip of tea and remained silent.

That Lin Mu looked at Yang Ling, his eyes terrified, but a flash of deep-seated resentment flickered in their depths.

Yang Ling circled around him a few times, even sniffing the air.

Then he turned to Shi Xin, clasped his fists, and said, "My lord, he carries the scent of Fire Crystal Rock ore on him."

He then grabbed Lin Mu's sleeve, pointing at an inconspicuous mark on it. "This is residue from Fire Crystal Rock ore slag."

Shi Xin's eyes lit up. He immediately stood up and went forward to examine it, finally confirming that the mark was indeed Fire Crystal Rock ore slag.

Lin Mu drew a sharp, cold breath, looking at Yang Ling with disbelief. He never imagined that the small flaw left on his person would be discovered by the other party in the blink of an eye!

"It really is Fire Crystal Rock ore. Yang Ling, well done. It seems you made the right choice joining our Ironclad Department," Shi Xin laughed heartily. "Achieving success without any effort at all, haha!"

Lin Yan was also somewhat shocked at this moment, secretly glancing at Yang Ling and wondering to himself why he hadn't noticed this kid's capability before.

"What do you have to say for yourself now?" Lin Yan looked at Lin Mu and sneered. "Will you speak for yourself, or shall I have someone help you speak?"

Lin Mu remained silent.

"You smell of blood," Yang Ling suddenly said, appearing in front of Zhang San.

As soon as he spoke, Zhang San was frightened into a deathly pallor.

"My lord, I suspect he has recently killed someone," Yang Ling said, pointing at Zhang San.

Shi Xin was a bit skeptical this time. He walked over and sniffed carefully for a long while, finally detecting a faint metallic, rusty smell.

That was indeed the smell of blood!

"You're talking nonsense! I haven't killed anyone! I just slaughtered a fish a couple of days ago!" Zhang San cried out in panic.

"Whether you killed or not, a search of your home will prove it," Yang Ling said with a detached expression.

The terror in Zhang San's eyes grew even more intense.

Shi Xin and Lin Yan were both veterans in these matters. With one look, they saw through his deception.

Shi Xin walked up to Yang Ling and said solemnly, "Keep up the good work. Practice the Thief-Capturing Saber Technique a bit more, preferably reaching the level of Flawless Proficiency. When your strength is sufficient, I will act as your recommender and help you take the assessment for Eighth-Rank Ironclad Constable!"

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