With a Snap, Very Fast

THUMP THUMP THUMP!!

The next day, before dawn.

The sound of drums echoed deafeningly across the apprentice plaza.

A while later.

The pampered young masters from noble families and sects, who were used to their comfortable lives, began to emerge from their warm beds, rubbing their sleepy eyes and grumbling.

Soon, dozens of apprentices who had just joined the Demon Suppressing Division yesterday gathered in front of the training grounds in the apprentice plaza.

"What time is it to be banging drums... Can't a person sleep..."

"It's not even light out yet, is it??"

"I still have a sore back from rushing dozens of miles to sign up yesterday..."

"This is outright abuse. Back at the martial arts school, we didn't start training until the sun was up!"

"..."

Complaints filled the air.

In contrast, Lin Guanhuo felt refreshed and invigorated.

Having spent months in the Miscellaneous Room compound, waking up early and working late had become second nature. This hardship was nothing to him.

"Stand at attention, all of you!"

Just then, a fierce shout cut through the air.

The scene immediately quieted down significantly.

On the training grounds, Zhou Cang stood on a high platform with his hands behind his back.

He swept his cold gaze over the group of groggy young masters below. "It seems you haven't grasped the situation yet."

"This isn't your family's estate, it's not those martial arts schools that only care about money, and it's certainly not a sect where you've come to enjoy yourselves!"

Zhou Cang walked to the edge of the platform, looking down. "Here, your parents and teachers won't protect you. From now on, you will face man-eating demons and death!"

"When demons and monsters kill you, will they care if you're awake or not? Will they care if your back is sore?"

Silence fell upon the crowd below.

"I know some of you came here on a whim."

As he spoke, Zhou Cang pointed towards the main gate. "Last night should have been enough to make you calm down. Ask yourselves, are you truly prepared to die at any moment?"

"I'll give you one last chance. If anyone wants to back out now, step forward."

Silence.

Silence.

After a moment, a few apprentices exchanged glances within the crowd.

They seemed to hesitate for a long time, perhaps feeling a sense of shame.

A moment later, indeed, three or four young men finally sighed and walked out of the ranks with their heads bowed.

After the cold reality of the night, they finally realized that perhaps they weren't suited for this life on the edge of a blade.

Their previous fervor was merely a delusion born from too much pampering.

Leaving now, though embarrassing, was better than losing their lives.

The so-called martial arts, the so-called flame of hope, were still too distant for them.

"Instructor... I quit. I'm truly sorry..."

"Me too..."

"I..."

Those few spoke with lowered heads, their voices trembling.

Zhou Cang didn't reprimand them, merely gestured for them to leave.

He watched their retreating figures with a blank expression.

The screening had begun at this very moment.

"The rest of you, since you've chosen to stay, tighten up!"

The sky was beginning to lighten. Zhou Cang drew his saber and said, "Today, I will teach you some basic stances of the Demon Suppressing Division."

"Instructor, is it a martial art?" an audacious apprentice asked excitedly.

Zhou Cang shook his head. "Most of you have only just reached the initial stage, and haven't even mastered the circulation of qi and blood. Martial arts are still too advanced for you."

"The path of martial arts begins with foundational training. What I'm teaching you now are basic stances that will provide some means of self-defense. Know that many martial arts are closely related to basic stances. If you practice them well now, you'll achieve twice the result with half the effort when you cultivate martial arts in the future."

He then changed the subject. "Of course, our Demon Suppressing Division has a deep foundation. If any of you can become a 'Badge Walker' in the future, you will have the opportunity to study our sect's ultimate technique, the 'Demon Suppressing Saber'."

"Badge Walker?"

The many apprentices present were hearing this term for the first time, their eyes full of curiosity. "How high-ranking an official is that?"

"That's not an official, it's a status, an honor!"

Zhou Cang explained, "You are all apprentices now. After passing the monthly exam, you will become official 'Division Servants'. Division Servants are the cornerstone of the Demon Suppressing Division. You will receive a salary, and each month you must complete demon-slaying missions assigned from above."

"And above Division Servants, there are the Badge Walkers."

"What does 'Badge Walker' represent? It represents the dignity of our Demon Suppressing Division! It's an existence that makes demons and monsters tremble in fear! It's an existence that earns the respect of countless ordinary citizens!!"

"Badge Walkers are divided into gold, silver, and bronze ranks. Once you become a Badge Walker, you can freely enter and exit the Demon Suppressing Division and various departments of the county yamen. You will represent our Demon Suppressing Division as you walk the world. The entire Demon Suppressing Division's resources will also be tilted towards you."

"Now, do you understand?"

After saying this string of words, which clarified the future paths for everyone present, Zhou Cang's gaze swept over the assembled individuals.

"Understood! Instructor!"

"Understood!"

The apprentices below were all full of anticipation. If they could truly become Badge Walkers of the Demon Suppressing Division, their families would be proud of them.

"Alright, next I will teach you the basic stances. Watch carefully. If you don't get it, you need to practice more and ask more questions!"

Zhou Cang shouted loudly.

Then, he began to demonstrate on the stage.

"This move is the Three-Stage Straight Slash!"

"This move is the Four-Stage Sweeping Slash!"

There were no fancy names, just the simplest, most direct chopping, slashing, and thrusting motions.

Although Zhou Cang was only demonstrating basic stances, he was an expert after all. Every saber strike was powerful and full of force.

It captivated the apprentices below, who watched intently.

Lin Guanhuo stood among the crowd and watched carefully for two rounds.

However, he quickly realized that Zhou Cang's moves were as basic as they could possibly be.

He had already fully mastered them when he was practicing the first level of the 'Precept Breaking Saber Art'.

Continuing to practice them now would only be a waste of time.

Lin Guanhuo didn't say anything, nor did he disturb others.

He silently carried his saber and retreated to a deserted corner at the very edge of the training ground, then took a deep breath.

Draw Sword!

Whoosh!!

Drawing the sword, unsheathing it, and sheathing it again.

The entire process was skillful and swift!

[Draw Sword Success, Count +1!]

The surrounding apprentices were all intently following Zhou Cang, practicing the stances.

No one noticed this "weirdo" in the corner.

An hour passed, and Lin Guanhuo happily gained twenty successful 'Draw Sword' counts.

Although it was tedious, there was still some reward.

Several more hours passed. The sun climbed higher, and the shouts on the training ground rose and fell.

Among this group of new apprentices, some with talent had already managed to practice those basic saber stances quite proficiently.

Zhou Cang weaved through the crowd, occasionally correcting a movement or two.

However, most of the time, he frowned, frustrated by their lack of progress.

"The path of martial arts emphasizes channeling energy, using four ounces to move a thousand pounds. It's not about brute force!"

"You're just using raw strength, you might as well be digging ditches!"

"Too slow! Did you see my saber strike just now? Snap, it was very fast!"

"You can't even learn such simple moves, yet you claim you want to cultivate martial arts? I really don't know how you passed the assessment!"

"Wrong!! Wrong again!"