A Spar

The chapter begins with another muffled thud in the arena. Zhu Hao's arms, locked around his opponent's ankles, thrust forward with a powerful shove and a sharp shake.

Wang Dongcheng was flung through the air by the immense force. He managed to adjust his posture mid-flight and landed, staggering back several steps before regaining his balance.

As the dust settled, the surrounding patrolmen looked again and saw that Wang Dongcheng's sock and shoe on one foot were torn, his ankle red and swollen.

Wang Dongcheng's face shifted from pale to flushed. Finally, he sighed and cupped his hands in a salute. "Entangling Ape Fist's 'fist connects to the arm, arm connects to the shoulder,' its power is continuous and its changes unpredictable. I, Wang, concede defeat wholeheartedly. If Master Zhu hadn't held back, my leg would likely be crippled."

"I dare not accept such praise," Zhu Hao replied, also cupping his hands. "It was merely luck."

The arena erupted in cheers. Lin Mo watched, greatly impressed, realizing the fundamental difference between practicing martial arts and actual combat.

"As expected of someone from Prefecture City, Wang Dongcheng still falls a bit short."

Li Zhiming nodded slightly. "This Entangling Ape Fist already shows considerable skill."

Young patrolmen nearby whispered, "I heard that in Prefecture City, even a guard for a minor clan earns no less than ten taels of silver a month. It's so much better than our small town…"

"But you need real skill to earn it. Out of twenty or thirty people, can even one get selected?" someone shook their head and sighed. "This Zhu Hao has already defeated two opponents, yet his breathing remains steady. It's clear he hasn't used his full strength."

Lin Mo felt a pang of confusion and asked, "What's so different about the guards in the minor clans of Prefecture City?"

He knew that in Changhe County, a master at First Stage Perfected could easily become a head guard. He never expected that in Prefecture City, even a mere guard for a minor clan was so difficult to attain.

Li Zhiming patiently explained, "The wealth of the minor clans in Prefecture City is incomparable to our region. Anyone who gets in, barring accidents, has a secure future for life."

He continued, "Precisely because of its stability, the guards in Prefecture City value potential more and offer much higher pay. They have the capital for such initial investments!"

Lin Mo nodded in understanding. Thinking about it, it made sense. For minor clans in Prefecture City to establish themselves, they must have histories spanning hundreds of years.

If their talent pool were to dry up, they would likely be completely devoured by others.

Li Zhiming smiled. "This Zhu Hao is indeed a good prospect. Wang Dongcheng isn't bad either; after all, he's a prospect from Changhe Martial Arts School. Although there's a gap, he's still worth cultivating."

He stepped forward, surveyed the crowd, and announced loudly to the young patrolmen around him, "Wang Dongcheng will receive the Li Family's third-class sponsorship, an increase of one tael of silver per month and twenty catties of meat."

"Zhu Hao will receive the Li Family's second-class sponsorship, an increase of five taels of silver per month and one hundred catties of meat!"

There were sponsorships too?

Lin Mo's eyes lit up at the news. He rubbed his hands together, feeling a surge of eagerness.

After practicing martial arts for so long, he had only had one proper, head-on fight with a Water Ghost. Such sparring matches not only accumulated experience, but he also didn't know the true level of his own perfected fist techniques!

Li Zhiming smiled, sensing Lin Mo's thoughts. There was no need for words; he had the same intention.

"This is Lin Mo, a new patrolman and also a prospect from Changhe Martial Arts School. Brother Zhu Hao, do you still have the energy?"

Zhu Hao, a tall, lean, dark-skinned man with long arms, smiled and cupped his hands. "I will comply with Head Patrolman Li's arrangements."

Lin Mo walked to the center of the training ground and greeted Zhu Hao. "I am Lin Mo, a disciple of Martial Master Yang Yun. I practice the White Ape Eight Section Fist."

"Zhu Hao of Entangling Ape Fist. Brother Lin, please guide me."

The two faced each other. Lin Mo sized Zhu Hao up, discerning some of the expert's techniques. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Under the firelight and the cover of the setting sun, he activated his Insightful Eye.

This was the first time he was fighting using his Insightful Eye!

For ordinary martial artists sparring, keen eyesight was crucial. Those with sharp eyes could discern a person's martial arts style just by their physique.

Some could even guess the details of their fighting style based on just a few sentences of conversation, their speech, and subconscious muscle movements.

Zhu Hao sank his waist and planted his feet, a standard starting stance for Entangling Ape Fist.

In contrast, under the influence of White Ape Momentum, Lin Mo's body swayed like an ape, even while holding his stance. A hint of beastly ferocity flickered in his eyes.

"Be careful, Brother Lin!"

Zhu Hao took a brief look, unable to discern Lin Mo's true capabilities. He decided to lead with his fists to probe, letting out a low roar as he unleashed his aura.

He took a step forward, leaving a mark on the bluestone of the training ground. His right arm snapped like a whip, striking directly at Lin Mo's face.

This move was swift and fierce, fully embodying the characteristics of Entangling Ape Fist: 'connecting to the shoulder, connecting to the arm, power reaching the fingertips.'

"This Zhu Hao is truly extraordinary!"

With his Insightful Eye fully open, even though the 'whip shadow' had slowed down in his vision, its long-reaching attack made it difficult for Lin Mo to close the distance.

Lin Mo let out a sharp cry, unwilling to meet the blow head-on. He leaned back like a startled ape, simultaneously forming his right hand into a claw.

Seizing the momentary gap in the whip shadow, he moved like lightning, twisting and gripping along Zhu Hao's inner forearm, aiming directly for the pressure point at his elbow.

This was a variation Lin Mo had developed, and with the help of his Insightful Eye, he could seize such an opportunity.

"So fast?!"

Zhu Hao was shocked. His long arm's momentum was already spent, making it impossible to retract. He vibrated his fingertips through his arm, feeling a numbing sensation spread through his body.

His Blood Essence surged, dispelling the numbness. Zhu Hao's eyes sharpened; he decided not to hold back any longer.

He stabilized his stance by sinking his shoulder and dropping his elbow. His left fist shot out like a venomous snake towards Lin Mo's chest, its speed and change of direction making it difficult for an ordinary person to counter.

Golden light flared in Lin Mo's eyes. Focusing his gaze, the left fist seemed to slow down rapidly in his vision. He contorted his body with all his might.

Swish!

His left fist grazed Lin Mo's clothes, the fierce wind instantly tearing the fabric on his waist to shreds, even scraping his flesh red.

Lin Mo pulled back, letting out a long breath, his heart filled with caution. The surrounding patrolmen were all astonished.

In just these three to five exchanges, they finally realized how many tricks Zhu Hao had up his sleeve. Lin Mo was also very strange; his reaction speed was comparable to a Second Level martial artist, perhaps even slightly superior!

"Brother Lin, you are truly a young talent." Zhu Hao complimented him sincerely, putting away his dismissiveness and facing Lin Mo with a serious expression.

He shook his arms, completely dispelling the numbness, and charged forward. The moment he controlled the distance, his arms whipped out like long lashes.

As the wind howled, the 'Entangling Hand' technique of the Entangling Ape Fist exuded an aura that seemed to cover all directions. Lin Mo's excitement grew, and his movements became elusive and unpredictable.

He darted left and right, sometimes skimming the ground, sometimes leaping and tumbling high, like a true mad ape.

Amidst the crisscrossing whip-like strikes, Lin Mo was able to handle them with ease. In just a few breaths, beads of cold sweat began to form on Zhu Hao's forehead.

"Weird... too weird. It's like he can see through my moves?"

If Lin Mo could have heard Zhu Hao's thoughts, he would have praised the old veteran's sharp intuition.

At the beginning of the fight, Lin Mo hadn't yet gotten used to the aid of his Insightful Eye, and his body always lagged a step behind.

But through sparring with Zhu Hao and maneuvering amidst the whip-like strikes, he gradually discovered the knack.

When a person launches an attack, they cannot help but circulate their Blood Essence, engaging muscles throughout their body. With these characteristics visible beforehand, Lin Mo could achieve an effect akin to 'precognition'.