Master Yang's Examination

Chapter 11: Master Yang's Assessment

Chapter 11: Master Yang's Assessment

Lin Mo didn't have a deep impression of Chen Qing, only vaguely recalling a few fragmented scenes: he was quiet and dull, and even excited about eating plain steamed buns.

After a brief exchange, seeing Lin Mo's indifferent demeanor, Chen Qing lost interest in showing off.

"Senior Brother Sun, spare a couple of taels of silver and let Lin Mo watch our merchant ships for us. We should return to the Martial Arts School soon to report to Master."

After the two left, another commotion erupted at the entrance of the dock, accompanied by Kudali's startled cry and the anxious snorting of horses.

"Get out, all of you!"

"Young Master Zhou is returning to the manor, are you blind? Make way quickly!"

Several burly men in uniform gray tight-fitting clothes roughly pushed aside fishermen and vendors, clearing a path.

A tall, fine horse carried a young man in a parrot-green martial robe, galloping along the brick ground of the dock, his whip whistling.

Looking at the men trailing behind him, each with fierce eyes, calloused fists, and sabers at their waists, they were all clearly skilled martial artists.

"What a commotion."

Lin Mo clicked his tongue in amazement and waved to a few Li Family Servants, comforting the common folk with them for a while. He asked casually, "Whose young master is this? Why are they all rushing back today?"

The short, sharp-eyed Li Family Servant glanced around to ensure no one else was listening and then whispered, "It's Young Master Zhou from the Qianjin Escort Agency. They're known for being quite overbearing..."

"I heard them say that Water Ghosts have been causing trouble outside the city recently, so business for grain stores and escort agencies has been good. Perhaps he's returning after finishing some business outside the city!"

After the minor interruption, remembering that there were still apprentices waiting at the Martial Arts School, Lin Mo finished tallying the account book details and handed it over to the people in charge of the Li Family's main household.

Returning to the Stone Wall Courtyard, he passed by the apprentices who greeted him enthusiastically, "Hello, Senior Brother Lin, hello, Senior Brother..."

He arrived at the training ground packed with yellow mud, where many apprentices were still bare-chested, practicing on the Plum Blossom Stances, meticulously going through their forms.

Besides Xu Changfeng, who had been there since the morning session, Lin Mo encountered a familiar figure. He quickly stepped forward and cupped his fists in greeting, "Greetings, Master."

The person was none other than old man Yang Yun. He smiled as he watched the new batch of apprentices in the courtyard. After observing for a while, he called everyone over to examine their bones.

Lin Mo silently counted the days. It had been nearly a month since he became a registered disciple and took on this nominal position.

Old man Yang Yun was as diligent as ever, visiting every half month at the earliest and every month at the latest, like today.

After examining everyone's bones, Yang Yun didn't leave immediately. He waved for the apprentices to clear the area and looked Lin Mo up and down.

He stroked his long beard and nodded with a smile, "You are indeed diligent. You've broken through to Minor Accomplishment in just a month. However, I wonder how well you've practiced your White Ape Eight Section Fist..."

As he finished speaking, he turned and instructed, "Xu Changfeng, spar with him."

"Yes, Master."

Sparring and exchanging blows was a common assessment method at the Changhe Martial Arts School.

The apprentices' eyes lit up with excitement. Most of them were new apprentices who had joined in the last two batches. For a long time, Senior Brother Xu and Senior Brother Lin had been teaching them stance training.

They didn't have a clear impression of what a true martial artist was like. Now that they could witness a martial artist spar, they were naturally thrilled.

The two exchanged greetings. Lin Mo was not one to hesitate. His feet seemed rooted to the ground as he adopted the starting posture of the White Ape Eight Section Fist.

"Forgive me, Senior Brother Xu."

"Just come at me."

With a swish, Lin Mo stepped forward and lunged, his body like the wind. His five fingers closed into a fist, unleashing a White Ape Cannon Fist.

This move was executed without hesitation. His blood essence surged, and the force was immense, like an iron hammer smashing towards his face!

Since it was an assessment, he should seize this opportunity to spar with a Minor Accomplishment martial artist.

"Good lad, you're not messing around. I like it!"

Xu Changfeng's usual lazy attitude vanished. Seeing the start of the move, his eyes gleamed with sharpness.

He let out a long shout, drawing his breath into his abdomen. Without dodging, he thrust out his right fist in a spiral, the whistling wind even more potent.

Crack!

Lin Mo gritted his teeth and didn't change his move. The impact landed, and a surge of force traveled up his right arm, numbing half his body.

Staggering back a couple of steps, Lin Mo felt even more delighted, a grin spreading across his face.

He knew clearly that Senior Brother Xu was holding back considerably, making him the perfect target for practicing moves!

"Again!"

Lin Mo unleashed another White Ape Cannon Fist. Xu Changfeng was surprised, lamenting that his junior brother didn't know how to adapt.

Unexpectedly, the next moment he received the blow, Lin Mo stomped his left foot on the ground, using the momentum. His arm twitched and swung like a whip, accompanied by his footwork as he leaped.

His fist struck the side of his temple horizontally, while his left hand, with fingers like claws, was poised to strike from his chest.

This sudden change was a feint with the Cannon Fist, using the hammer strike as cover, with the real killing move hidden in this 'White Ape Heart Pluck'!

"Good lad, so clever?!"

Xu Changfeng chuckled and praised him. He ducked low to avoid the hammer fist. His legs bent and then sprang, pushing him backward like an ape, his movements as swift as a gale.

One move missed, Lin Mo was not discouraged. He also used the footwork of the White Ape Eight Section Fist.

He gathered his strength and leaped, his fingertips slightly curled, and suddenly thrust forward, like a monkey plucking a peach, this time aiming directly for the throat.

The fingertips cut through the air with extraordinary sharpness, carrying the inch-force of the White Ape Eight Section Fist, giving the impression of a mad monkey drawing blood.

For a moment, many apprentices present felt their throats constrict, breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Good move!"

Xu Changfeng's heart rejoiced. He changed his stance from the White Ape Eight Section Fist, his steps tapping rapidly, his body suddenly becoming erratic, like a fallen leaf drifting in the wind.

A gust of wind from his fingertips surged, narrowly missing the Adam's apple by half an inch. Lin Mo felt the figure before him flicker. The moment he hesitated, his right hand seemed to pass through his body.

Suddenly, his defenses were wide open. Xu Changfeng's right fist shot out from his waist, and as it neared his abdomen, it suddenly transformed into a palm thrust.

Lin Mo had no time to react. His body swept sideways through the air, almost flying backward, and he took a few breaths to steady himself.

He scratched his head, not annoyed. "As expected, I'm still far from Senior Brother Xu. I thought these two variations would have some effect."

"Brother, you're about to break through to the Third Stage Training. How could I let you succeed so easily?"

Xu Changfeng chuckled helplessly. Yang Yun also chimed in with praise, "Not bad. You've only been in the Martial Pass for a month, and you've already achieved such changes while only being familiar with the first four forms. It's truly not easy."

"The White Ape Eight Section Fist has a total of six forms. Once you master the last two forms, you should be able to quickly progress from beginner to minor accomplishment."

Although the White Ape Eight Section Fist was a Human Grade Low Grade martial art, the first four forms had no threshold for practice. However, the last two forms required Lin Mo to reach the Great Accomplishment of the First Level.

Practicing them early could easily disrupt his Qi and Blood, which was the main reason he had been slow to reach the beginner stage of the White Ape Eight Section Fist.

"Because of your diligence and exceptionally high martial arts comprehension, I will give you five Qi and Blood Pills from my side this month."

"Thank you, Master!"

Lin Mo's heart leaped with joy. He had been worried that ordinary meals weren't enough to replenish his Qi and Blood, and Qi and Blood Pills cost one or two taels each. His current funds were only enough for daily expenses.

He had seriously felt that his Qi and Blood progress had been slowed down recently. He hadn't expected help to arrive just when he needed it.

As a Martial Master, Yang Yun was also generous. This was just a single assessment, and from now on, he would receive five Qi and Blood Pills every month.

This was equivalent to five taels of silver per month. Excluding illicit income, it was higher than the salary of an ordinary appointed guard.