Winning Him Over

The night was deep.

The disciples in the courtyard gradually dispersed.

Chen Qing, Qin Lie, Luo Qian, Zheng Ziqiao, and the other core disciples stood respectfully in the main hall.

Zhou Liang sat upright in his chair, cradling a teacup in his hands. His brows were tightly furrowed, and he remained silent, as though weighed down by grave concerns.

"Father, everyone is here," Zhou Yu reminded him softly.

Only then did Zhou Liang raise his eyes and sweep his gaze over the disciples present. "I summoned you here today for two matters."

"The first is Commander Pang's ambush."

At those words, everyone's expressions tightened.

The matter had already set the whole city abuzz. The County Yamen had been shaken, and Pang Qinghai's trusted men were hunting the culprit like madmen. All of Gaolin County was shrouded in the tense air of a storm about to break.

Most of all, whether Commander Pang was alive or dead remained unknown, making the atmosphere all the more delicate.

Zhou Liang drew a deep breath, his tone grave. "I know something of Commander Pang's strength. He is far from ordinary. For someone to strike successfully under everyone's watch, it could not have been the work of one man alone. And Vulture Beach, the Reed Marsh, and other River Bandits were involved as well. There must have been a meticulous plan behind it. Commander Pang's fate is still unknown, and the situation remains unclear..."

At that, he glanced at them. "You must remember this: at a time like this, do not choose the wrong path. Rashly declaring your stance or taking action will only bring about your own deaths."

Though these words were a warning, they also laid bare the stakes involved.

Zheng Ziqiao and Luo Qian had their families to make such decisions for them. Zhou Liang's warning was aimed mainly at disciples like Chen Qing and Qin Lie.

Everyone felt heavy-hearted. Each made their own calculations, then nodded in agreement.

Chen Qing listened in silence, thinking that his master was indeed seasoned and shrewd. His words matched Chen Qing's own judgment exactly.

"The second matter is your most important concern at present: the Martial Arts Examination."

Zhou Liang shifted topics, raising his voice slightly. "For those disciples who have not even stabilized Bright Strength, this trip is merely to make up the numbers and gain experience. But as core disciples, all of you have the potential to pass with distinction."

His gaze passed over the several Hidden Strength disciples. "If you can pass as Martial Scholars, you will gain official honors! Not only will you enjoy tax exemptions, but whether you take on a part-time appointment or conduct affairs in the future, your standing will be entirely different. The gates of the Prefecture City will open before you. It can be said that the path of the Martial Arts Examination can change the course of your entire lives!"

At this, Qin Lie unconsciously clenched his fists within his sleeves, the blazing light in his eyes impossible to hide.

Sun Shun, Qi Wenhan, and Liu Xiaolou, meanwhile, looked tense and solemn.

"Next, I will explain the specific procedures of the martial examination in detail, as well as the crucial points you must take heed of..."

Zhou Liang said no more and began carefully breaking down every stage of the Martial Arts Examination, continuing until he had covered every precaution.

As he looked at this group of disciples with promising futures ahead of them, he weighed them in his heart.

Qin Lie was naturally his most prized student. Zhou Liang had personally trained him and knew his strength best. His chances of passing with distinction were extremely high; he might even contend for the first rank list.

His daughter Zhou Yu had decent talent, but she had yet to reach the very top.

If Sun Shun had possessed the talent to pass with distinction, he would have done so long ago.

Zheng Ziqiao and Luo Qian were family scions to begin with. Their hearts were not wholly devoted to the martial path, so they were not his primary concern.

Qi Wenhan and Liu Xiaolou had failed last time. They would most likely fail again this time.

As for Chen Qing, Zhou Liang's gaze lingered on him for a moment.

This boy had broken through to Hidden Strength too recently. In the end, his foundation was insufficient.

Given time and careful instruction, he might have a sliver of hope in the next Martial Arts Examination. Unfortunately, he was only taking part this time to gain experience.

He waved a hand. "It is late. You may all leave."

The disciples bowed, then filed out of the main hall.

"Junior Brother Chen, I have matters to attend to at home, so I'll be leaving first."

Sun Shun called out a farewell and hurried away.

The others, each burdened with their own thoughts, also lowered their heads and departed silently.

Chen Qing returned to the training ground, briefly packed up the sandbags and stone locks he usually used, and prepared to head for the River Bureau as well.

In these extraordinary times, river patrols had increased to three rounds a day. There could not be a moment's slackness.

"Senior Brother Chen."

A voice called out from behind him, stopping him.

Chen Qing turned and saw Qin Lie standing in the shadows at the corner of the courtyard. He had not gone far. "Junior Brother Qin? What is it?"

Ever since that day, the two seemed not to have spoken alone again.

Qin Lie looked Chen Qing up and down, his gaze carrying a probing edge. "Senior Brother, you only entered Hidden Strength after a year at the academy..."

Chen Qing's brow lifted slightly. "What do you mean?"

Qin Lie had expected to catch a trace of humiliation or gloom in the other man's eyes. Yet Chen Qing's gaze was as still as an ancient well, without a ripple.

"Senior Brother, do not misunderstand."

Qin Lie shook his head, and his tone turned low. "I am not mocking you. On the contrary, I am happy for you. Here at Zhou Academy, you and I both come from poor backgrounds, unlike those family scions clothed in silk and fed on delicacies. They rely on medicinal supplements and meat. But us?"

He looked toward the heavy night beyond the courtyard, and a trace of profound scorn flashed through his eyes. "We rely on our lives! On gritting our teeth day and night, on the blood and sweat we bleed dry!"

Chen Qing looked at him and sighed soundlessly in his heart. People really could change this quickly.

Then Qin Lie adopted a sincere, heart-to-heart manner. "Your talent may not be exceptional, but I admire your resolve and perseverance. You broke through to Hidden Strength entirely because your bones are hard. But on the martial path, risking your life alone is not enough. Resources, connections, a powerful backer—none can be lacking. Otherwise, Hidden Strength will likely be your end!"

"What are you trying to say?" Chen Qing asked again, his tone calm.

"Senior Brother."

A meaningful smile tugged at Qin Lie's lips. "You are an honest man, willing to put in the dull, painstaking work. I admire that. But in this world, honest men are easily taken advantage of."

He paused, finally revealing his true intention, his voice dropping low. "With your talent, it is too difficult to carve out a world for yourself alone. Why not... consider following me?"

Chen Qing froze, as though he had not heard clearly. "Following you!?"

"Precisely!"

Qin Lie smiled. "The higher one climbs, the colder it becomes at the top. One always needs a few trusted confidants, people one can command without worry and whose roots one knows. Senior Brother, you are honest and dependable. We are fellow disciples, and we come from the same background. There could be no one more suitable."

Chen Qing shook his head. "Sorry, not interested."

With that, he lifted a foot and headed for the courtyard gate.

"Senior Brother, why the rush?"

A fierce glint flashed through Qin Lie's eyes. Before his words had faded, his body moved. His right arm shot out like a Poisonous Snake Emerging from Cave. With a sharp crack, his sleeve exploded with an airburst. His five fingers pressed together like an iron-forged steel baton, fierce force howling around them as they struck straight for the Jianjing acupoint on Chen Qing's left shoulder. He moved so fast that he clearly meant to forcibly keep him behind!

The hairs on the back of Chen Qing's neck rose. He spun around at once, his spine linking segment by segment like a great dragon. His left arm stretched out like a nimble ape's, suddenly sweeping upward from below.

The muscles of his forearm knotted, his fascia swelling and vibrating. Carrying the unique Whip-Tip Force of Tongbei Fist as well, it smashed fiercely into the attack.

Fist and arm collided!

Crack—!

A crisp explosive boom, like an iron whip lashing against a stone wall, suddenly tore through the silence.

Both bodies shuddered at once!

Qin Lie felt a fierce, explosive force slam into him, jolting his finger bones until they stung and went numb as if pricked by needles. The Internal Force he had gathered was smashed apart by sheer force.

Chen Qing likewise felt a vicious and violent force strike him, making his Qi and Blood churn and surge uncontrollably.

Thud! Thud!

In that instant of flashing sparks and flying stone, both men sank their feet, yet each was driven involuntarily one step backward.

"You... haven't gone back yet?"

Zhou Yu's clear, gentle voice came from the side corridor at just the right moment. She held a tea tray, confusion on her face.

"It's nothing."

The fierceness on Qin Lie's face vanished in an instant, replaced by a mild smile. He spoke first. "I was exchanging pointers with Senior Brother Chen. He only entered Hidden Strength recently, so I was helping him practice a few moves."

He adjusted his cuff and nodded to Zhou Yu. "All right, it truly is late. I'll take my leave first."

With that, Qin Lie no longer looked at Chen Qing. He turned and strode toward the courtyard exit.

Yet at the instant he turned around, that mild smile froze, and his eyes became utterly cold.

Chen Qing watched his departing back until it merged into the night, then slowly withdrew his gaze.

A streak of icy chill quietly spread through his heart.

"Junior Brother Chen, are you all right?" Zhou Yu walked a few steps closer and asked with concern.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. I'm fine."

Chen Qing's expression returned to normal. He cupped his hands in salute to Zhou Yu. "I'll be taking my leave as well."

Then his figure quickly vanished into the deep night beyond the courtyard gate.

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