Bandits

Chengping Ward, Sun Clan Martial Arts School.

In the front courtyard, the occasional laughter that could be heard in the past was gone, replaced only by the "whoosh" of fists and feet cutting through the air and the "bang bang" of impacts on wooden stakes.

Every disciple's breathing was deep and steady, their faces tense, and their eyes held a fierce determination.

Less than half a month remained until the annual Parade Ground Trial.

Even though many Bright Strength disciples knew they couldn't make it onto the Parade Ground Trial rankings, their goal wasn't to pass the trial itself. That was a spot reserved for the elite among Hidden Strength masters.

But once the Parade Ground Trial began, it would inevitably attract the attention of the entire Yuhe County. The court, various influential families, and major businesses would all be watching. If one could perform well in the trial, even showing a little promise, they might catch the eye of someone important.

Such precedents happened almost every year: some were sought after for marriage, others were taken under someone's wing for cultivation, and some received better official positions from certain powers. If one performed brilliantly, the benefits could be immense.

As for the masters who managed to get on the Parade Ground Trial rankings, they would immediately become influential figures in the county, honored guests of the major families in the county town, showered with endless benefits and resources, and their chances of breaking through to Transforming Strength would greatly increase.

As for the ordinary disciples, they were now inspired by the Hidden Strength and Bright Strength disciples in the martial arts school, and all of them were giving it their all. The vast majority of them didn't dare to hope for Hidden Strength, but they still wanted to aim for Bright Strength. Once they broke through to Bright Strength, they would qualify to participate in the Parade Ground Trial.

Moreover, there was a living example right here in the martial arts school now.

Who didn't know that Yang Jing only had Low-grade root bone, and was even considered quite mediocre among those with Low-grade root bone? Yet, he had now become a Hidden Strength master?

It could be said that in the hearts of many martial arts school disciples with Low-grade root bone, Yang Jing was like an incredibly shining lighthouse, guiding them forward.

In the past, people always talked about the "talent-only" theory. If one's aptitude wasn't good, their path in martial arts wouldn't be long. This inevitably led to despair and loss of motivation.

But Yang Jing, this living example, was right before them. As long as they were willing to work hard, as long as they practiced diligently, everything was possible!

Within the martial arts school, a fervent atmosphere of cultivation prevailed.

The Bright Strength disciples, in particular, practiced with exceptional effort. Each move and stance was executed with a desperate intensity. Sweat soaked through their clothes, clinging to their backs and outlining their taut muscle lines. Even so, few were willing to stop and catch their breath.

Several Hidden Strength disciples stood in the spacious area in the center of the front courtyard, either sparring with each other or honing their techniques against sandbags, their brows furrowed with concentration.

During this period, Qi Yun, Lin Yue, Xu Hong, Zhao Wenzheng, and others formed sparring teams every few days to exchange blows and learn from other martial arts school masters.

Sun Ningxiang had come to ask Yang Jing if he wanted to join the sparring team, after all, Yang Jing was now a core Hidden Strength disciple of the Sun Clan Martial Arts School.

She didn't think Yang Jing could make it onto the Parade Ground Trial rankings, but Yang Jing was still young, and he might have a chance in the future. If he prepared more now and performed well in the Parade Ground Trial, he might be noticed by a certain power and receive resources for cultivation.

Although Yang Jing had received sponsorship from the Liu Family Medical Hall, in Sun Ningxiang's opinion, the Liu Family Medical Hall could only be considered a second-rate power in Yuhe County, not particularly strong. The Zhao family behind Zhao Wenzheng and the Qi family behind Qi Yun were far wealthier and more powerful than the Liu Family Medical Hall.

Although Yang Jing's aptitude was poor, he had successively broken through to Bright Strength and Hidden Strength, and both times with a single Breakthrough attempt. He might have talent in other areas, and it wasn't impossible for him to break through to Transforming Strength in the future. If he could receive the cultivation of the county's major families, his chances of breaking through to Transforming Strength would be even greater.

However, Yang Jing declined.

He didn't lack practical combat experience; what he lacked was time.

As long as he was given time, he was confident he could reach the highest point within his sight.

With the Parade Ground Trial drawing closer, Yang Jing had to seize the time to improve himself. Both Mountain Collapse Fist and Surging Wave Leg were of great help to him.

The other Hidden Strength disciples, seeing that Yang Jing was still unwilling to join the sparring team, breathed a sigh of relief and secretly mocked Yang Jing for his foolishness.

Yang Jing took a short break, drank some water, and then walked back to the wooden stake he usually practiced on. Just as he assumed the stance for Mountain Collapse Fist, he saw his Master, Sun Yong, emerge from the inner courtyard.

At this time of day, Master was usually still resting in the inner courtyard. Now, under the pressure of the Parade Ground Trial, he had come out of the inner courtyard earlier and stood by the moon gate, his sharp gaze sweeping across the entire field.

"Li Jiang, your Mountain Collapse Fist lacks power. How many times have I told you, sink your shoulders, drop your elbows!"

Sun Yong's voice echoed across the field. He walked up to a Bright Strength disciple and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Your internal energy needs to be concentrated in the fist, not just by swinging your arm."

After instructing a Bright Strength disciple named Li Jiang, Sun Yong turned to another Bright Strength disciple.

With the Parade Ground Trial imminent, Sun Yong focused most of his energy on instructing the Hidden Strength and Bright Strength disciples in the martial arts school. Especially the Bright Strength disciples, there were many of them, and if instructed properly, their performance could improve significantly in the Parade Ground Trial.

As for the Hidden Strength disciples, most of them had already reached a certain level and had their own combat habits. It was difficult to achieve significant improvement in a short period through instruction. The best method now was practical combat, which was why the sparring teams were formed.

Throughout the morning, Sun Yong barely rested, abandoning his usual lazy demeanor. He walked from the east side of the front courtyard to the west. Whenever a Bright Strength disciple's technique had a flaw, he would immediately step forward to correct it. He showed several times more patience and a few times more strictness than before.

As Yang Jing practiced his fist techniques, he could feel the gazes of the surrounding disciples occasionally sweeping over him.

This was unavoidable. As his strength grew, he wouldn't remain unknown forever. This was the case at the Sun Clan Martial Arts School, and it might be the same in the future.

Unconsciously, Yang Jing recalled a certain saying from his previous life, spoken by the boss Cao—

How do you know that the unknown person of today will not be famous throughout the world tomorrow?

If one day they truly become famous, will you regret your actions today?

Drifting off a bit, Yang Jing took a deep breath, suppressing his somewhat scattered thoughts.

Even he could feel the pressure brought by the Parade Ground Trial, and his state of mind was somewhat unstable.

But the more it was like this, the more he needed to calm himself, to have thunder in his chest and a calm lake on his face, to remain unruffled even if Mount Tai collapsed before him.

It wasn't just Yang Jing who felt the pressure; the entire martial arts school was enveloped in this urgent and oppressive atmosphere.

The Bright Strength disciples yearned to leave a deep impression on the high-ranking officials and noble figures of Yuhe County through this opportunity. The Hidden Strength disciples, on the other hand, hoped to make it onto the Parade Ground Trial rankings.

Everyone knew that if they could be listed on the Parade Ground Trial rankings, not only would they gain a semi-official status, but the martial arts school's reputation would also soar. Would Master then mistreat them? Moreover, the olive branches thrown by various powers in Yuhe County could bury a person.

At this moment, Sun Yong's gaze fell on Yang Jing, pausing slightly.

Seeing that Yang Jing's fist techniques were steady and his Hidden Strength circulation was becoming more seamless, he nodded with satisfaction and walked up to Yang Jing to instruct him, "Your Mountain Collapse Fist already has quite a bit of structure, but you still need to practice adaptability, especially in coordination with your footwork. In the Parade Ground Trial, practical adaptability is the most important."

Hearing this, Yang Jing quickly nodded in agreement.

Sun Yong hummed. Overall, he was quite satisfied with Yang Jing as a disciple. Although his aptitude was poor, his ability to achieve breakthroughs consecutively with a single attempt showed that he had some talent in comprehension or other aspects, and it wasn't impossible for him to break through to Transforming Strength in the future.

If it weren't for Lin Yue, he would have focused on cultivating Yang Jing.

However, with Lin Yue, a genius with superior aptitude, at the martial arts school, it was destined that less attention and cultivation would be given to other disciples.

Although he had run the martial arts school for many years and had accumulated some savings, the resources needed to cultivate a master of Transforming Strength were immense. It was impossible to spread them across two people.

Sun Yong paced away from Yang Jing and continued to walk around the courtyard.

The atmosphere in the front courtyard was tense, like a drawn bowstring.

Everyone knew that their performance at the Parade Ground Trial would likely determine many people's futures.

Sun Yong stood by the moon gate, watching the disciples sweat profusely, and sighed with emotion. This scene was the same every year. He wondered if the Sun Clan Martial Arts School could produce someone who would make the rankings this year.

Having disciples make the rankings in the Parade Ground Trial brought many benefits to the martial arts school.

Both the owner, Sun Yong, and the Sun Clan Martial Arts School would gain great fame, making it smoother to recruit disciples, attract geniuses, and expand their network in the future.

When the sun reached its zenith, Yang Jing stopped punching. Sweat beads on his forehead rolled down his jawline, leaving small wet marks on the ground.

After tidying up briefly, he picked up his old cloth bag and hurried to the courtyard in Tongyi Ward.

While on his way, Yang Jing checked his panel data—

[Mountain Collapse Fist: Grand Completion (39/1000)]

[Surging Wave Leg: Minor Completion (53/500)]

In the past few days, he had maintained his usual state of arduous training.

His main focus remained on cultivating Mountain Collapse Fist, with a portion of his time each day dedicated to practicing Surging Wave Leg.

Both martial arts were steadily improving now.

Although Yang Jing had not yet fought against a peak Hidden Strength expert, he mused that when Surging Wave Leg broke through to Bright Strength, he should have the strength to fight an ordinary peak Hidden Strength expert.

When Surging Wave Leg broke through to the Bright Strength level, Yang Jing clearly felt that his internal energy had undergone some changes. Coupled with Surging Wave Leg's advantages in movement and speed, it had a significant impact on his overall strength.

Upon returning home, after resting for half an hour, the bear meat warming on the stove was perfectly cooked.

Yang Jing immediately devoured two pounds of meat with plain rice, like a whirlwind, and the familiar warmth rose in his belly, warding off the afternoon drowsiness.

After lunch and refreshing himself, Yang Jing immediately headed to the Liu Family Medical Hall.

Yesterday, he had received a message from the Liu Family Medical Hall about a task to escort medicinal herbs that afternoon.

This was the first mission he had received since breaking through to Hidden Strength, much later than he had anticipated.

As far as Yang Jing knew, there were refugees everywhere outside the city, and bandits were rampant. Many shops and escort agencies had been impacted.

The Liu Family Medical Hall had only arranged a mission for him today, which was a bit later than Yang Jing had expected.

Just as he arrived at the entrance of the Liu Family Medical Hall, Yang Jing bumped into Liu Maolin returning with a team of guards.

The guards looked exhausted, their clothes stained with dust, clearly having just completed a long journey.

Seeing Yang Jing, Liu Maolin quickly stepped forward, "Junior Brother, you're here."

"Senior Brother, are you just back?" Yang Jing asked.

Liu Maolin nodded.

They walked into the Liu Family Medical Hall while talking.

"We delivered a batch of goods to Nanxiang this morning," Liu Maolin wiped his face, his voice tinged with fatigue. "It's really chaotic outside the city these days. Banditry has increased by 30% compared to last month, especially the 'Flying Horse Bandits' near Shilipo. They ride fast horses and strike hard. A few days ago, even the Zhang Ji Cloth Shop's caravan was robbed, and two Bright Strength guards were reportedly injured."

He led Yang Jing further in, past the front hall's medicine cabinets, to the back courtyard's storeroom.

"There aren't many medicinal herbs for this trip to Jinsha County, but they are all essential. My father is worried and thinks they need to be escorted by a Hidden Strength expert himself. I have another escort mission this afternoon and can't get away, so I can only trouble you, Junior Brother. My father feels secure only when you personally oversee it."

Liu Maolin showed a slightly embarrassed expression. "I didn't want to disturb your training, knowing you're busy with the Parade Ground Trial. But we're really short-handed."

"Senior Brother, there's no need to say that."

Yang Jing waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the neatly stacked medicine chests in the storeroom. "After receiving so much support from the Liu family, this is something I should do. Besides, I almost wish I'd encounter some bandits when I go out. Then I could practice my combat skills, haha."

Liu Maolin breathed a sigh of relief at this. He patted Yang Jing's shoulder and smiled, "I feel at ease with you going personally, but it's best not to encounter any bandits."

As they were talking, Liu Maolin's father, Old Master Liu, came out from the inner room, holding a map.

After greeting each other, Old Master Liu pointed to the route on the map and said to Yang Jing, "Yang Jing, you need to pay attention. On the way to escort the medicinal herbs, avoid the main road through Shilipo and take the narrow sheep path on the flank. We've taken this route a few times when transporting medicinal herbs to Jinhe County and the prefectural city. Although it's a detour, the Flying Horse Bandits won't be waiting there."

Liu Maolin also nodded and said, "The Flying Horse Bandits are currently the strongest group of bandits outside Yuhe County. As long as you avoid them, other bandits and mountain thieves won't be a problem with your skills and the assistance of the other members of the convoy."

Liu Maolin still remembered how Xu Tai had died.

The moment he told Yang Jing that Xu Tai was injured, Xu Tai was mysteriously burned to death in a fire that same night.

Although there was no direct evidence that Yang Jing had killed Xu Tai, Liu Maolin was already certain in his heart.

His junior brother, though usually quiet and reserved, was by no means lacking in methods.

PS:

Starting today, I'll work hard to save up drafts and aim to release twenty thousand words on the first of the month when it goes on the shelves!