Second Round

"You're Chen Qing? I often hear Xiao Fang mention you."

Xu Xiuhua's voice was gentle, her smile radiant. "Just as expected—spirited and imposing, a talent of rare bearing."

Chen Qing cupped his fists. "Madam flatters me. I possess only trifling skill; I fear I would make myself a laughingstock."

Xu Fang certainly did not mention him often. It was merely polite talk.

"It isn't easy for Yazi Bay to produce anyone worthwhile, so I'll be frank."

Xu Xiuhua's smile faded as she came straight to the point. "You have considerable potential. My residence happens to lack a Guard Captain. Though the Huang Family is not a martial family, it has deep roots and wide connections in these parts. Meat, medicinal tonics, even future favors and connections in the martial world, a path laid for your prospects... so long as you nod, the Huang Family can prepare it all for you."

She paused slightly, emphasizing her words. "You need only devote yourself to martial training and serve me. With me backing you, your martial path will surely be a hundred times smoother than struggling and stumbling about on your own."

Guard Captain!?

Someone else might have been moved at once.

Yet upon hearing this, the corner of Chen Qing's mouth curved into an almost imperceptible smile.

The Zhu Clan and the Iron Hand Gang had invited him to become a Retainer. That still counted as respectful treatment.

But this Huang Family madam wanted him to lower himself to become a Guard Captain?

No matter how good the title sounded, he would still be a servant.

No matter how abundant the Huang Family's resources were, would they truly pour them into him?

And did Xu Xiuhua really carry that much weight within the Huang Family?

"Brother Qing, this is such a rare opportunity. You should..."

Xu Fang's eyes shone as she listened nearby, feeling that her aunt's arrangements were thoughtful and thorough.

The Huang Family was one of Gaolin County's five great clans, far beyond ordinary wealthy households.

"Thank you for your generous regard, Madam, and thank you for Miss Xu's kindness as well."

Chen Qing cupped his fists again and said calmly, "At present, I only wish to focus wholeheartedly on practicing my fist techniques."

Xu Fang froze. She had never expected him to refuse.

The smile on Xu Xiuhua's face remained unchanged, but her voice cooled by several degrees. "In this world, I fear a heart full of ambition alone will make it impossible to take even a single step."

"I have disappointed you, Madam." Chen Qing said no more, merely cupping his fists in salute. "I'll take my leave."

"Brother Qing!"

Xu Fang instinctively wanted to chase after him, but when she caught sight of Xu Xiuhua's darkening expression, her steps stopped short.

She knew well that everything she possessed today was tied to this aunt.

Once Chen Qing had gone far away, the smile on Xu Xiuhua's face vanished completely, turning into a trace of icy scorn. "What a fool who doesn't know what's good for him! A loach from a wild river is still a wild loach. He'll never amount to much. One day, he'll regret it."

Chen Qing left the venue and was preparing to head home when he happened to catch sight of Qin Lie.

Qin Lie was chatting and laughing with four or five others, all dressed in the Martial Master Academy's training uniforms. Their Qi and Blood brimmed with vigor; they were clearly experts of Hidden Strength.

Their gazes met briefly in the air before each looked away and went their separate ways.

Someone recognized Chen Qing and said softly, "Brother Qin, that was Chen Qing from your academy just now, wasn't it?"

After all, Chen Qing had drawn the Ten Stone Bow today, leaving a deep impression on everyone.

"Yes, that was him."

Qin Lie's expression was somewhat unnatural. After a pause, he said, "But normally at the academy... he keeps his head down and trains. His personality is rather withdrawn too."

Someone beside him grew curious. "Oh? Withdrawn? Brother Qin, you're in the same academy as him, so you must know him better?"

Qin Lie said blandly, "I wouldn't say I know him well. He's always been a loner. Training hall, dining hall, residence—three points in a line. He truly has little interaction with people like us..."

"His fundamentals are very solid. The first round today tested Strength and Vitality, which happens to be his strong suit. Tomorrow's second round will test actual combat."

At that point, Qin Lie stopped at just the right moment.

The eyes of those around him flickered. Understanding what he meant, they murmured a few words in agreement and asked no more.

The next day, the second match of the Martial Arts Examination—combat duels—began with the ringing of a gong.

The atmosphere in the training grounds was exceptionally heated.

Many who had been disappointed in the first round rubbed their fists and palms together, intending to defy fate and change their destiny in this round.

Shouts, the sounds of loosened muscles and bones, and low murmurs of sparring intertwined into a single din.

On the viewing platform not far away.

Xu Xiuhua sat upright, one slender finger pointing toward Chen Qing in the arena. "Do you see that kid?"

"I do."

Lin Sheng, a Huang Family Retainer beside her, lowered his head in reply. "The one who drew the Ten Stone Bow yesterday. So young, yet his potential is considerable."

Lin Sheng tested the waters. "Has Madam taken a liking to his talent?"

A cold curve touched Xu Xiuhua's lips. "Taken a liking to his talent? If you get the chance later, knock him off the arena for me!"

Martial Arts Examination matches were generally stopped before things went too far. Yet under the watchful eyes of the crowd, being knocked off the arena would not only mean utter loss of face, but would also affect the examiners' evaluation.

Hearing this, Lin Sheng narrowed his eyes. "Rest assured, Madam. Though this boy's Qi and Blood are vigorous, he is ultimately green. He is far too lacking in the seasoning of life-and-death combat. If he falls into my hands, I'll make sure he gets a taste of the Huang Family's methods and learns just how high the sky is and how deep the earth."

He prided himself on his seasoned experience, having passed through several life-and-death trials. He did not think much of the edge Chen Qing had displayed yesterday.

Elsewhere, Chen Qing's number plate was early in this round, so he was among the first to take the stage.

His opponent was a burly man. Upon seeing that it was Chen Qing, a bitter smile could not help appearing on his face. "Weapon Forging Shop, Yuan Tong! Please instruct me!"

Chen Qing's performance yesterday had been truly astonishing, and he had seen it with his own eyes.

Meeting such a powerful opponent in his very first match naturally made him uneasy, but with Hidden Strength cultivation, he took a deep breath and steadied his mind. Yuan Tong had not expected to encounter such a formidable opponent in the first round, but he was also an expert of Hidden Strength, and he quickly calmed himself.

"Tongbei Fist, Chen Qing."

Chen Qing returned the salute with cupped fists.

Yuan Tong gave a sharp shout, stomping hard upon the Blue Bricks. His body shot forward like an enraged arrow released from the bowstring.

The Weapon Forging Shop was Gaolin County's foremost arms workshop, and its secret art, Thunderclap Palm, was incomparably fierce and forceful.

Yuan Tong's palms whirled in flight, their wind tearing through the air with a dull howl. It was precisely the ultimate technique, Eight Consecutive Strikes.

The attack surged like Raging Waves Crash the Shore, unceasing and unbroken. Once swept into it, one could easily be worn dry of all Strength and Vitality.

Chen Qing's expression did not change. One hand seemed to hold up a mountain, while the other searched the sea for pearls—the subtle transformed application of Agile Monkey Climbs Branch from Tongbei Fist.

Not only did this move nimbly evade the incoming savage palm winds, but in the flash of a spark, it turned defense into offense and struck straight for the center!

Yuan Tong's heart jolted violently. In his haste, he could only raise his palm to meet it head-on.

Bang!

Fist and palm collided, erupting with a sharp crack like a Clash of Metal!

"What domineering Internal Force!" Yuan Tong felt a vast force surge straight up his arm. Half his body instantly went numb and sore, and he staggered back several steps.

Chen Qing pressed his advantage without mercy. His toes touched down lightly, and he slid forward to close in like an agile monkey leaping a ravine.

Yuan Tong's famed Eight Consecutive Strikes had been broken the moment they clashed. He was immediately hard-pressed on both sides and forced into defense.

Their figures crossed and interwove, fists and palms splitting the air.

After more than thirty exchanges, Chen Qing seized the gap as Yuan Tong recovered his breath. His fist seemed slow but was actually swift, landing squarely in the hollow of Yuan Tong's shoulder.

The force of the fist burst forth and withdrew at once. Yuan Tong immediately felt his Qi and Blood churn. He gave a muffled grunt and retreated several more steps.

"You let me win!"

"Thank you for showing mercy!" Yuan Tong steadied himself, his expression complicated. He knew perfectly well that Chen Qing had held back; otherwise, he likely would not have lasted twenty exchanges.

After winning, Chen Qing did not leave. Instead, he stood nearby and carefully observed the matches on the other arenas, silently considering how he ought to restrain himself.

Just then, a burst of startled cries suddenly erupted from the direction of a distant arena!

"Hmm?"

Chen Qing frowned slightly and looked toward the source of the noise.