A Swift Slap

Thump, thump, thump!!

Before dawn the next morning.

A series of drumbeats rang out across Apprentice Plaza, deafeningly loud.

A little while later.

The Noble Family scions and sect young masters, who were pampered in their daily lives,

finally rubbed their bleary eyes one by one and grumbled their way out of bed.

Soon, dozens of apprentices who had joined the Demon Suppressing Division just yesterday gathered in front of the Martial Arts Arena at Apprentice Plaza.

"What time is it? Why are they beating the drums already... Are they not going to let us sleep..."

"It's not even dawn yet, is it??"

"We traveled dozens of miles to register yesterday. My back's still aching..."

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

"..."

Complaints kept rising all around.

By contrast, Lin Guanhuo looked fresh and full of energy.

During his months at Miscellaneous Room Courtyard, getting up early and working late had long become a habit. A little hardship like this was nothing to him.

"Everybody, stand properly!"

Just then, a booming shout rang out.

The crowd fell noticeably quieter.

On the Martial Arts Arena, Zhou Cang stood on the raised platform with his hands behind his back.

He coldly swept his gaze over the sleepy young masters below. "Looks like you still haven't grasped the situation."

"This isn't the Lineage you used to live in, nor one of those martial arts schools that only know how to take your money. And it certainly isn't some sect where you've come to enjoy a life of luxury!"

Zhou Cang walked to the edge of the platform and looked down at them. "Here, your parents and teachers won't be there to protect you. From now on, you'll face man-eating Demons, and life and death!"

"When a Demon comes to kill you, will it care whether you're still sleepy? Will it care whether your back aches?"

The crowd below fell completely silent.

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

At that, Zhou Cang pointed toward the gate. "Last night should have given you enough time to calm down. Ask yourselves: are you really ready to die at any moment?"

"I'll give you one more chance. If you want to quit now, step forward."

Silence.

Silence.

After a while, several apprentices in the crowd exchanged glances.

They seemed to have hesitated for a long time, or perhaps they were simply ashamed.

A moment later, three or four young men finally sighed, lowered their heads, and stepped out of line.

After a night of cold and loneliness, they had finally realized that perhaps they weren't cut out for a life with a blade at their throats.

Their earlier passion had been nothing but a fantasy born of living in comfort for too long.

Leaving now might be humiliating, but it was better than losing their lives.

The so-called Martial Dao, the so-called kindling, were still far beyond their reach.

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

"Me too..."

"I..."

The few of them spoke hesitantly, heads bowed.

Zhou Cang didn't reprimand them. He simply waved them off.

Watching them leave, Zhou Cang remained expressionless.

The screening had already begun.

"The rest of you chose to stay, so keep your guard up!"

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

"Instructor, are they martial arts?" one bold apprentice asked excitedly.

Zhou Cang shook his head. "Most of you have only just reached the ranks. You haven't even learned to circulate your qi and blood properly. It's too early for martial arts."

"The Martial Path begins with Foundation Establishment. I'll teach you some basic techniques for now, so you'll have a few ways to defend yourselves. Remember, many martial arts are closely connected to basic techniques. If you practice them well now, you'll get twice the result with half the effort when you study martial arts later."

Then Zhou Cang changed the subject. "Of course, the Demon Suppressing Division has deep foundations. If one of you becomes a Badge Walker someday, you'll have the chance to study our Division Ultimate Skill, the Demon Suppressing Saber."

"Badge Walker?"

Quite a few apprentices had never heard the term before. Curiosity filled their eyes. "Is that a high-ranking official?"

"It's not an office. It's a status, an honor!"

Zhou Cang explained, "You're apprentices now. Once you pass the Monthly Exam, you'll become full-fledged Division Servants. Division Servants are the foundation of the Demon Suppressing Division. They receive a Monthly Salary, and each month they must complete the demon-slaying missions assigned by their superiors."

"Above Division Servants are Badge Walkers."

"What does it mean to bear a badge? It means you represent the face of the Demon Suppressing Division! It means you're a presence that strikes fear into the hearts of Demons! It means countless common folk respect you!!"

"There are gold, silver, and bronze badges. Once you become a Badge Walker, you can freely enter and leave the Demon Suppressing Division and every department of the County Office. You'll represent the Demon Suppressing Division as you travel the world, and the resources of the entire Division will be at your disposal."

"Do you understand now?"

With that explanation, he had laid out the path ahead for everyone. Zhou Cang looked over the crowd.

"We understand, Instructor!"

"Understood!"

Every apprentice below was filled with anticipation. If they truly became Badge Walkers of the Demon Suppressing Division, their Lineages would be proud of them.

"All right. Now I'll teach you the basic techniques. Watch carefully. If you don't get them, practice more and ask questions!"

Zhou Cang bellowed.

Then he began demonstrating on the platform.

"This move is a three-stage downward chop!"

"This move is a four-stage horizontal sweep!"

The moves had no fancy names. They were the simplest, most direct chops, sweeps, lifts, and thrusts.

Though Zhou Cang was only demonstrating basic techniques, he was an expert. Each swing of his saber came with a rush of wind and tremendous force.

The apprentices below watched without blinking.

Lin Guanhuo stood among the crowd and watched carefully twice.

But he soon realized Zhou Cang's techniques were as basic as they could possibly be.

He had already mastered them completely while practicing the first level of Precept Breaking Saber Art.

Continuing to practice them now would only waste time.

Lin Guanhuo said nothing and didn't disturb anyone.

He silently took his saber and retreated to an empty corner at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena, then drew a deep breath.

Draw Sword!

Whoosh!!

He drew his sword, unsheathed it, and returned it to its sheath.

The whole process was smooth and swift!

[Draw Sword successful, count +!]

The apprentices around him were all focused on practicing the techniques along with Zhou Cang.

Not a soul noticed the "odd one" in the corner.

An hour passed, and Lin Guanhuo scored twenty more Draw Sword counts.

It was dull, but he had still made some progress.

Several more hours passed. The sun climbed higher, and shouts rose and fell across the Martial Arts Arena.

Among the new apprentices, some with talent had already learned to perform those basic saber moves with some skill.

Zhou Cang moved through the crowd, correcting their movements from time to time.

Most of the time, though, his brow remained furrowed as he despaired over their lack of progress.

"The Martial Path is all about channeling force. You use four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds—not brute force!"

"If all you know is how to use brute strength, you might as well go dig a field!"

"Too slow! Did you see that slash I just made? A swift slap, and it was over!"

"You can't even learn such simple moves, yet you say you want to study martial arts?? How did you even reach the ranks?"

"Wrong!! Wrong again!"