Day Three, Early Morning

Before dawn, Third Uncle Lin De came knocking at Lin Yin's door, travel-worn and dusty.

"Third Uncle!"

Lin Yin was already dressed and ready, having waited for a long time.

When he saw Lin Yin, Lin De's eyes visibly lit up.

Lin Yin wore a neat, close-fitting black outfit. Though his frame was still slender, he stood exceptionally straight.

Most striking were Lin Yin's eyes, like black onyx washed clean by water. Deep within them was a steadfastness impossible to ignore.

Once he'd changed out of his coarse hemp clothes, Lin Yin's whole bearing seemed to rise. The feminine air he'd had before was gone, replaced by the fresh, dashing spirit of a young man.

"He has his eldest brother's bearing."

Lin De clapped Lin Yin heavily on the shoulder. His slender frame stood firm as a rock.

"Good. You look more spirited, too."

Lin De was pleased with everything he saw. He nodded, then turned to Madam Wang, who stood nearby, looking as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.

"Sister-in-law, don't worry. Even if this doesn't work out, I'll find some other way for Lin Yin."

He tried to reassure her.

Madam Wang nodded without a word, then stepped forward to straighten Lin Yin's collar.

After exchanging a few words with his mother, Madam Wang, Lin Yin followed Third Uncle Lin De toward the nearby Fist Manor.

Along the way, they saw several boys hurrying along, each accompanied by a few people. Their circumstances seemed much like Lin Yin's.

"It's fortunate, really. Lingyun Martial Arts School has recruited quite a few talented apprentices in recent days, so they need more Living Stakes."

Lin De glanced at Lin Yin, whose expression was calm and somewhat withdrawn. "This might be an opportunity for you."

"Expanding recruitment means lowering the bar."

Lin Yin's fist clenched slightly beneath his robe, and a glimmer of anticipation crossed his eyes.

Lingyun Fist Manor.

On the bluestone-paved Training Ground, a middle-aged man in a gray martial outfit moved his arms, now striking with his palm, now settling into a stance. His movements were sometimes swift, sometimes slow.

Just then, a Disciple hurried over, accompanied by a middle-aged man who was slightly bent at the waist, his face wreathed in smiles.

"Master Yun, the Living Stake Quota has been put together for today."

The middle-aged man was named Shi Quan, a broker in charge of outside recruitment and spreading the word for Lingyun Martial Arts School.

Hearing this, Yun Kai's movements paused, and he slowly lowered his arms.

As broker Shi Quan approached Yun Kai, he felt a breeze seem to brush past him. His eyes inadvertently passed over the grit scattered across the ground, and his pupils contracted slightly.

"Master Yun's skill gets better and better."

He couldn't help praising him.

"It's just a little strength. Nothing worth mentioning."

Yun Kai was utterly indifferent to Shi Quan's flattery, as if his strength truly were no more than a trifle.

Shi Quan said nothing, only smiled. Then he hurriedly picked up the Thin Booklet beside him and handed it to the man before him.

"These are the people we've just screened. Please look them over, Master Yun. Before coming here, I checked their family backgrounds. I've already removed those with questionable reputations."

"Sorry for the trouble."

Yun Kai nodded and took the booklet.

"Shi Zhong, sixteen years old, over seven feet tall, weighs one hundred and eighty pounds, from a family of hunters."

"Li Da Gou, seventeen years old, eight feet tall, weighs ninety-seven pounds, from a farming family."

"Lin Yin, sixteen years old, seven feet tall, weighs ninety pounds. His father was a Martial Master at Pine Wind Martial Arts School... Lin Shan..."

At this, Yun Kai raised an eyebrow. Shi Quan caught the tiny change in expression, but said nothing, simply watching as Yun Kai continued turning through the booklet.

"Zhang Da Niu, sixteen years old, eight feet tall, weighs one hundred and eighty pounds, from a family of hunters. He practices the family-inherited Brute Ox Strength stance skill... This one's not bad."

"..."

About two minutes later, Yun Kai slowly closed the booklet in his hands and said flatly,

"Shi Zhong has a sturdy build and strong physique. He qualifies."

"Li Da Gou... Hah. He's that tall, yet weighs less than a hundred pounds. If he serves as a Living Stake, I fear he'll develop hidden injuries in three days, or end up crippled. Disqualified!"

"Li Yin has poor physical condition, and his father has ties to a martial arts school. If he's come to this Fist Manor, then either his bone structure is poor or his body is weak... Disqualified!"

"..."

"Lastly, this Zhang Da Niu is quite interesting. His family-inherited Inner Strength, Brute Ox Strength, probably isn't a Superior Martial Art, but teaching himself enough to reach the entry level is still impressive.

"He didn't go straight to a martial arts school. Perhaps he missed his chance. Looks like we've found a promising prospect this time."

As the booklet returned to broker Shi Quan's hands, the Living Stake Quota seemed to have been settled.

Yet just then, Shi Quan, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke again.

"Master Yun, even after recruiting these people, we'll still be short of the quota the Manor requires. I think you could relax the criteria a little and open up two more spots."

"Hmm?"

Yun Kai furrowed his brow.

"Shouldn't there be more people coming later?"

"That's something you may not know. Pine Wind Martial Arts School has also been recruiting Living Stakes lately, so fewer and fewer people are coming to Lingyun Fist Manor. Of course, I'm only making a suggestion."

Shi Quan thought for a moment, then added a few more words.

"Recently, there've been frequent clashes between Black Scorpion Gang and Hungry Wolf Gang, so many hunters who could qualify have moved away with their families.

"From now on, there'll probably be fewer and fewer people who meet the requirements. I think... perhaps we should open up two more spots today."

"..."

Yun Kai's gaze flickered. He seemed to be staring absently at the Disciples running across the distant Training Ground.

The air grew still.

Beads of sweat slid from Shi Quan's temples. The longer the silence lasted, the more rigid his smile became.

"All right... Since you've brought it up, the situation must really be bad lately. In that case..."

Yun Kai spoke casually.

"Lin Yin... and that Wan Qing. Just those two."

"Understood, Master Yun!"

Only then did Shi Quan tuck the booklet into his robes and bow as he left.

After Shi Quan had disappeared from view, the Disciple who had brought him before Yun Kai spoke up.

"Master, that man's obviously been bribed. Plenty of people came today, but he kicked them all out, leaving only these few.

"Now he's got you to add two spots against your better judgment. This..."

"Enough!"

Yun Kai frowned and glared at the Disciple, who looked indignant.

"Focus on your training and break through to Bright Strength as soon as possible. Don't spend all day thinking about these trivial matters. Advancing in the martial path is the only thing you need to consider right now."

"You're right, Master..."

The Disciple looked abashed. He hurriedly cupped his hands, then fled toward the Training Ground below.

After the Disciple had gone, Yun Kai's gaze settled calmly on the tall walls of the Fist Manor.

"Black Scorpion... Hungry Wolf..."

He murmured, a trace of worry and wariness flashing in his eyes.

Black Scorpion Gang was powerful, Hungry Wolf Gang's origins were mysterious, and the martial arts school was no safe haven either.