Full Moon

As Chen Qing exerted force and leaned back slightly, he slowly drew the Ten Stone Bow. The bowstring stretched into a full arc, like a full moon hanging in the night sky.

The bow was like a full moon!

Explosive power seemed to lie hidden within that taut bowstring. With but a release of his fingertips, it could pierce straight through the clouds.

"Heavens!"

A woman covered her crimson lips in shock, terrified that she might cry out.

This youth from a poor background held his bow in a posture even more awe-inspiring than those scions of great families from before. The sheer sense of power rushed at them head-on.

A Zhou Academy disciple cried out, "Junior Brother Chen actually drew the Ten Stone Bow!?"

This was Chen Qing!?

The Chen Qing who usually did nothing but keep his head down and train at the academy?

Zhou Yu stared in utter disbelief and rubbed her eyes hard. "How is that possible!?"

The sight before her was like a dream.

That boy from a fishing family in Yazi Bay!?

"Junior Brother Chen..."

Sun Shun stood frozen where he was.

Luo Qian's eyes were likewise filled with disbelief—how could that seemingly unremarkable country bumpkin be hiding such astonishing strength?

Zheng Ziqiao was deeply shaken as well.

As for Qin Lie, the smile that had been hanging on his face gradually vanished. Fortunately, no one noticed, and he swiftly forced himself to remain calm.

On the other side, a smile blossomed across Zhou Liang's face.

Chen Qing's performance far exceeded expectations, filling him with delight.

Shen Zhenzhong said quietly, "To draw a Ten Stone Bow, his boxing must be close to major mastery. Brother Zhou, your academy may well make a name for itself with one stunning feat this year."

With the arm strength to draw a Ten Stone Bow, as long as he performed normally in the remaining tests, his chances of passing with high marks were great!

For a Martial Master Academy to have two students pass with high marks, that was as joyous as the New Year.

Liu Ze gave Zhou Liang a deep look, unable to hide his envy. "Brother Zhou, aside from Qin Lie, you had such an uncut jade hidden among your disciples as well. You concealed him deeply!"

Zhou Liang explained, "When this boy entered the academy, his natural physique was merely middling to below average. Only his perseverance was astonishing. He endured bitter training for three months before barely stepping into Bright Strength. That he has reached this point today is truly an unexpected delight."

Upon hearing this, the envy in the two men's eyes lessened somewhat.

Natural physique was the foundation of martial practice. The farther one progressed, the more crucial it became; it was also the deciding factor in breaking through to Transformation Force.

They did not lack disciples of Hidden Strength. What they truly lacked were promising youths like this, with the potential to challenge Transformation Force and someday hold up the family gate, provide for their elders, and stand before the fists of others.

Zhou Liang quickly calmed his emotions and returned to normal.

On the training ground.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

As Chen Qing released his fingers, the bowstring slowly loosened.

Thrum!

The full-moon curve of the bow instantly snapped back, and the accumulated Internal Force burst outward as an invisible Qi Wave!

Buzzz—!

The bow trembled violently, emitting a piercing hum that made the eardrums of the martial students on either side ache.

The clerk finally came back to his senses and announced, "Xin Jia Thirteen, Grade A Mid!"

"Who is that!? He actually drew a Ten Stone Bow?"

"What terrifying arm strength!"

Many people below the platform began discussing it.

In the distance, a flicker of surprise passed through Xu Xiuhua's eyes.

She knew well the weight of a Ten Stone Bow. Even experts at the peak of Hidden Strength could at most draw around ten stone, unless their boxing had reached major mastery.

Chen Qing did not appear particularly old. If he put in a little more effort, perhaps he could advance another step.

Seeing Chen Qing stun the entire crowd with his skill, Xu Xiuhua was inwardly amazed as well.

Chen Qing comes from a poor background. If I show him favor and guide him properly, perhaps I can gain a loyal hound.

Xu Xiuhua mused inwardly, "Xiao Fang, are you acquainted with Chen Qing?"

"Somewhat. His family's boat and mine... are moored in the same place..."

Xu Fang paused in surprise. "Auntie, what do you mean?"

Xu Xiuhua smiled calmly. "On the path of martial arts, connections and resources are both indispensable. He is, in the end, a loach from some wild river. I can give him a good opportunity—it will depend on whether he can grasp it."

The first round of examinations continued. Elite students from martial arts schools and outstanding heirs of great families emerged one after another.

The Ten Stone Bow was shaken several more times, with two people drawing particular attention. One was an elite disciple from Tianju Martial Arts School, whose Hidden Strength tempering had reached consummation; the other was a young master of the Li Family, born with divine strength, who drew three Ten Stone Bows in succession!

Waves of exclamations and discussion rose and fell around the grounds.

Watching from afar, Chen Qing silently calculated.

From the looks of it, there are definitely no more than ten people with better results than mine. My performance in the first round is quite good. The second round is practical combat—as long as I do not perform poorly, there should not be a problem.

Superior aptitude easily made one the target of envy and wariness, while anything below mediocrity invited bullying. Both brought trouble for no reason.

Only mediocrity was the safest course.

It was not until dusk that the first round of Martial Arts Examination finally ended.

As Chen Qing squeezed out of the crowd, a plump steward with a face full of smiles came forward and cupped his hands. "I am the Second Steward of the Zhu Family. Greetings, little brother Chen."

"You are too polite, Steward."

Chen Qing returned the salute without betraying any emotion. The Zhu Clan was one of Gaolin County's five great wealthy families, controlling much of the county town's rice, grain, cloth, and silk trade. Their financial strength was immense.

The Second Steward of the Zhu Family smiled. "Would little brother be willing to serve as a Retainer of my Zhu Clan? In terms of treatment, the Zhu Clan will certainly not treat you poorly."

He then laid out the terms: thirty taels of silver each month, along with two Blood Vitality Pills; if Chen Qing signed an agreement for ten years, he would also be given a two-courtyard residence on the edge of the Inner City.

Chen Qing's heart stirred slightly. These terms were truly generous. Even a residence at the edge of the Inner City was worth a great deal.

He cupped his hands and said, "This is a matter of great importance. Please allow me a few days to consider it."

"Good! If Brother Chen is interested, you may come to the Zhu Clan and find me at any time."

The Second Steward of the Zhu Family agreed with a beaming smile.

Whether the recruitment succeeded was secondary. It was enough to become familiar and form a good connection, so things would be easier in the future.

Afterward, quite a few other great families and wealthy merchants came forward, hoping to win Chen Qing over.

After all, given the potential he had displayed today, his chances of passing with high marks were great.

These wealthy merchants and great families were far inferior to the Zhu Clan, yet the terms they offered were not much worse. One wealthy merchant even asked whether Chen Qing was married, saying that as long as he nodded, he would marry his youngest daughter to him.

Besides them, forces such as the Weapon Forging Shop and the Iron Hand Gang also came forward to strike up conversation.

The offers from every side were tempting, but Chen Qing remained impassive and politely declined them all.

He understood perfectly well that once he accepted their resources, he would be tied to those forces.

"Brother Qing!"

Chen Qing had just sent off the steward from the Weapon Forging Shop when a clear female voice sounded behind him.

He turned toward the voice and saw Xu Fang.

"Long time no see."

She wore pale violet robes, clean and fitting. As she approached, she brought with her a faint fragrance.

Since their last small gathering, they truly had not seen each other for many days.

"Yes, it has been a long time."

Xu Fang's gaze lingered over him, her voice carrying a trace of wistfulness. "Your changes... are astonishing. If your features had not still been faintly recognizable, I nearly would not have known you."

When they had met on the tea boat last time, Chen Qing had not yet undergone such a complete transformation.

Chen Qing smiled. "You flatter me."

"Oh, right!"

Xu Fang seemed to suddenly remember the real matter. "My aunt wants to see you. Come with me quickly."

Before she had finished speaking, she grabbed Chen Qing by the wrist and pulled him toward the distance without allowing any argument.

"Oh? Your aunt?" Chen Qing felt slightly puzzled.

"My aunt is a very good person. In a moment, you..." Xu Fang explained with a smile as they walked.

Before long, the two had arrived before Xu Xiuhua.

Chen Qing raised his eyes to examine her. She was not yet forty, well maintained, and exceptionally captivating in her mature charm.

Her brocade clothes layered over a dignified figure, while her exquisitely painted brows and eyes carried the poised, noble air nurtured by a life of luxury.