To Be a Monk for a Day, Ring a Bell for a Day

"Many thanks, sir. This humble one understands." Chen Mo cupped his hands in thanks, his heart stirring with joy.

His long efforts had not been in vain. Passing the selection to become General Sun's personal guard wasn't a leap to the heavens, but it was an exceedingly rare opportunity.

"No need to call me 'sir.' From now on, we're brothers in arms. My name is Mo Hu. You and the other lads can call me Fifth Brother." Mo Hu's face was full of smiles, his manner amiable.

Chen Mo would also be a guard from now on, not far off in status, and with such strength, he was bound to make a name for himself.

Showing goodwill now cost nothing, so why keep a cold face and push people away?

"Your younger brother Chen Mo pays respects to Fifth Brother." Chen Mo cupped his hands in salute.

"Before I came, the General instructed that any soldier who directly becomes a guard gets five taels of silver as a family settlement fee. Take this money." Mo Hu pulled a five-tael silver ingot from his bosom and pressed it into Chen Mo's hand.

"Don't waste this. Buy yourself two decent sets of clothes and shoes. The Guard Camp issues uniforms, but you can't wear them all the time." Mo Hu glanced at Chen Mo's attire and gave careful instructions.

Clothes and shoes weren't cheap. Chen Mo had spent any spare coin on food, so he was still in old clothes and worn-out shoes.

"Your younger brother understands." Chen Mo's smile was a bit awkward. If he had a choice, he'd want to dress better too, but the real problem was having no money.

Still, with these five taels, he could get himself some clothes and shoes tomorrow. The weather was getting colder, and he really did need to buy some thicker garments.

"Alright, go rest for now." Mo Hu waved his hand.

Chen Mo walked aside to rest. The few who had earlier lifted the two-hundred-jin Stone Wheel saw him coming and quickly moved aside, clearing a space for him.

Ma Cai, from a distance, gave him a thumbs-up. He was genuinely surprised that Chen Mo could lift a three-hundred-jin Stone Wheel, since he'd never known Chen Mo had that in him.

But he was also happy that Chen Mo had become a guard.

First, their relationship was decent. Second, with Chen Mo also a guard, they could stick together in the Guard Camp later—that was certainly a good thing.

A few more soldiers tried to lift the two-hundred-jin Stone Wheel, but most failed. One by one, they left, and soon it was Ma Cai's turn.

Though he was confident he could lift it, he couldn't hide his nervousness. In the end, he smoothly lifted the two-hundred-jin Stone Wheel.

He hadn't formally learned martial arts, but he was naturally built well and had trained his strength for a while, so it wasn't hard for him.

After lifting the two-hundred-jin wheel, he stepped toward the three-hundred-jin one. He knew he probably couldn't lift it, but he wanted to try anyway.

He could feel many eyes focusing on him.

But if he couldn't lift it, he couldn't lift it. No amount of gritting his teeth would help.

He didn't dare force it either. Not lifting it was one thing, but hurting himself by pushing too hard would be a real loss.

Seeing Ma Cai fail, the crowd lost interest and stopped watching him.

Mo Hu sighed softly. He'd thought he was lucky enough to meet two naturally strong men today.

Seems he was too hopeful. Meeting one was already fortunate; how could he meet two in a row?

"Mo-ge." Ma Cai wasn't too disappointed. He'd known from the start he probably couldn't lift it.

He'd only tried because he figured there was no harm in giving it a shot.

The others, hearing how familiarly he addressed Chen Mo, showed curiosity and envy in their eyes.

Chen Mo was already General Sun's guard, while they still had to go through layers of selection and assessment.

Without a doubt, knowing a guard would help them in the upcoming selections.

But they weren't close to Chen Mo, and trying to cozy up now wasn't easy.

Some who'd seen Chen Mo a few times before regretted not getting closer to him earlier. If they'd known he had this ability, they'd have kept in touch, instead of now wanting to curry favor but not knowing how to start.

The assessment on the training ground continued. In the end, aside from Chen Mo, seventeen others passed.

But how many of these would make it through the other tests to truly become guards was uncertain.

Even Ma Cai wouldn't bet on himself. He could only say that, all else being equal, his chances of being chosen were higher than others'.

"All of you will camp here in this barracks. At the Chen hour the day after tomorrow, Chen Mo will lead you to assemble on the training ground. Anyone late will not be waited for." Mo Hu looked at the selected soldiers, his face cold as he gave the order in a loud voice.

Everyone chorused their agreement, daring not to object.

"Fifth Brother still has things to do. Rest here for a day, and the day after tomorrow, I'll take you to the Guard Camp." Mo Hu's tone was much friendlier when speaking to Chen Mo.

Besides the fact that Chen Mo was also a guard, the main reason was that he'd be training Ma Cai and the others later, so he couldn't be nice to them now.

"Brother, go ahead. Your younger brother understands." Chen Mo cupped his hands, seeing Mo Hu and the other two guards off as they rode away.

"Everyone, if you have matters to attend to, go ahead. Pack whatever you need to bring and gather here at the Mao hour the day after tomorrow." Chen Mo looked at the other soldiers. He had no intention of controlling or managing them.

Since these people had volunteered for the selection, they all wanted to become General Sun's guards. Now that they'd passed, they'd definitely show up the day after tomorrow. He didn't need to meddle.

If someone really had an accident and couldn't make it, that was their own bad luck, no one else's fault.

Still, he demanded they arrive early. The reason was simple: if they came early, they could wait for Mo Hu.

But if Mo Hu arrived early, he certainly wouldn't wait for them.

"We understand." The crowd responded in twos and threes, raising no objections.

The crowd dispersed, and Chen Mo walked with Ma Cai toward the stables.

Inside the stables, Ding Bao and He Ma Guan were huffing and puffing as they worked. When they saw the two approaching, their expressions carried an indescribable strangeness.

No longer the familiar ease of before, but a foreignness tinged with awkwardness.

"Get to work," Chen Mo called out, grabbing a shovel from the side.

"Leave these chores to us. You're now General Sun's men—how could we let you do this?" He Ma Guan quickly stopped him.

By all rights, ever since Chen Mo had lifted the three-hundred-jin Stone Wheel, he had become one of General Sun's personal guards. This kind of labor should never have fallen to him.

"Old sir, you say that, but a monk still rings the bell for the day he's here. We haven't left yet, so I can't just watch you toil away," Chen Mo replied.

Ever since he'd arrived at this camp, He Ma Guan had treated him well and looked out for him.

Chen Mo wasn't the type to turn his back on someone just because he'd gotten a little better off. He was no ingrate who forgot a kindness.

Seeing Chen Mo start working, Ma Cai wanted nothing more than to go rest, but he didn't dare say a word. He could only go over and busy himself as well.

He Ma Guan let out a soft sigh, growing more satisfied with Chen Mo by the moment. Even now, as a personal guard to General Sun, he still showed respect to this old horse keeper.

A man like this, if you showed him kindness, would surely repay it.

It was a pity, though. He knew Chen Mo would never inherit his craft now. He'd have to find another disciple.