Barely Satisfactory

"Is it done?"

"Thankfully, I haven't let you down!"

Shi Quan, the broker, wore a calm expression as he gave Lin De a slight bow.

"Lin Yin, hurry up and thank Uncle Shi."

Lin De quickly urged Lin Yin forward.

Lin Yin looked solemn and cupped his hands.

"Thank you, Uncle Shi!"

As he spoke, he deliberately stepped forward a few paces, his palm brushing past Shi Quan as if by accident.

Feeling several warm, smooth objects slip into his palm, Shi Quan first froze, then broke into an especially radiant smile.

Lin De had seen the little exchange, but he didn't show it. His expression remained unchanged.

Family ties were one thing; interests were another. Lin Yin's thoughtful preparation surprised Lin De and pleased him.

"Nephew Lin Yin, although you've passed the Preliminary Selection and secured a quota, the upcoming assessment will be up to you."

After a round of praise, Shi Quan's expression turned serious.

"An assessment?" Lin Yin raised an eyebrow.

"That's right, an assessment! Usually, those who secure a quota stay at Fist Manor, but there are exceptions. Some may still fail the review that follows."

At this, Shi Quan looked awkward.

"The review involves the Fist Manor Disciples evaluating you, and outsiders like us can't influence that."

"I understand. Thank you for the warning, Uncle Shi," Lin Yin replied.

Of course, he didn't think an assessment at a Fist Manor under a martial arts school could be so simple.

Even if it was only a Living Stake Quota, it could still earn him resources from Lingyun Martial Arts School. There was no way getting in would be that easy.

Still, he had at least met the requirements for the preliminary quota. The rest depended entirely on himself. As far as Lin Yin was concerned, the hardest hurdle was already behind him. Now it was time to prove himself.

The Living Stake assessment tested one's "physical toughness." After picking up a little about martial arts from his recent indirect probing of Lin Lin, Lin Yin wasn't worried in the slightest.

Seeing Lin Yin's calm expression, Third Uncle Lin De nodded in satisfaction.

He had grown fonder and fonder of this usually reserved, unassuming eldest nephew.

"Brother Shi, whether things work out from here is Yin'er's own fate. You needn't worry."

"That's good, then."

At that, Shi Quan felt perfectly justified in pocketing Lin Yin's gifts.

Even if he had handled things well today, he still had to consider Lingyun Martial Arts School's feelings. At the very least, he would have to keep a "low profile" for a while.

The Lin family uncle and nephew's understanding put his mind at ease.

Soon, the quotas were announced. Some people looked ecstatic, while others were crestfallen.

Lin Yin saw teenagers of sixteen or seventeen clinging to their families and weeping. He also saw people shouting that they had to join the school no matter what. But beyond those, most faces held only despair and numbness.

Having lost the Fist Manor Path, they were cut off from martial arts for good. That meant they had lost their chance to rise above their station.

Unless they were lucky enough to stumble upon an opportunity later or find another path, they could only remain in Langshi Town and continue their day-after-day lives, never getting enough to eat.

The crowd gathered around Fist Manor dispersed. The disciples standing at the entrance, their faces impassive, began calling out the names.

When Zhang Da Niu's name was called, Lin Yin belatedly noticed a man in the crowd built like a young bull.

It was the Hunter's Son who had been the first to test the bow a while back... Zhang Da Niu!

Though only a few days had passed, Zhang Da Niu seemed even more solidly built. His honest face was composed, and there seemed to be something different about him.

Lin Yin remembered how the fellow had been the first to step up and draw the Two-stone bow. He hadn't drawn it to its full limit, but he had still impressed everyone and left a strong impression.

He hadn't expected the fellow to show up here too.

Lin Yin knew Zhang Da Niu only looked mature; he was actually no older than sixteen, probably around the same age as himself.

He wasn't surprised in the least that Zhang Da Niu's physical condition had earned him a quota.

Facing the tall, burly Zhang Da Niu, even the Fist Manor Disciple wore a respectful expression and cupped his hands.

"Junior Brother Zhang..."

"Senior Brother!"

Zhang Da Niu returned the salute. After a brief exchange, he went and stood behind the Fist Manor Disciple. The disciple nodded, then looked toward the crowd below.

"Shi Zhong, Li He, Lin Yin... Wan Qing. Those whose names I've called, stay here. Everyone else may leave."

Unlike the special attention he had shown Zhang Da Niu, the disciple treated Lin Yin and the others with far more indifference.

Especially when he saw Lin Yin and Wan Qing, the last to step forward. Their slight builds made disdain show in his eyes.

"For official disciples of the school, build isn't essential, but you can't look this poor, either."

Whether Lin Yin or the equally scrawny Wan Qing, their physiques were far from satisfactory for people recruited by Fist Manor as Living Stakes.

"Quality really is getting worse and worse."

He mocked them without the slightest restraint. The newly selected Living Stakes exchanged glances.

They instinctively looked toward Lin Yin and Wan Qing, the last two to step forward.

There was no helping it. Among all these tall, burly "fellows," the slender Lin Yin and Wan Qing stood out far too much.

Lin Yin looked somewhat better. Though slight of build, he had decent features and a steady bearing.

Wan Qing, on the other hand, looked unimpressive both in face and figure. His skin was dark, his eyes narrow, and his frame wasn't particularly sturdy. It was hard to have much confidence in him.

Feeling everyone's eyes on him, Lin Yin remained expressionless. He cupped his hands to the disciple who had lectured them and replied, "Senior Brother."

Beside him, Wan Qing was half a beat slower to react. His face flushed red, but he hurried forward in a panic, cupped his hands, and said, "Senior Brother" as well.

The Fist Manor Disciple couldn't even be bothered to respond. He beckoned Zhang Da Niu and several other sturdy youths over.

"Follow me into the manor. Today's quotas are only provisional. Whether you can truly join Fist Manor will depend on your own ability."

At that, Lin Yin remained expressionless, while everyone else except Zhang Da Niu looked at least a little nervous.

Clearly, they all knew there was another assessment before they could join Fist Manor.

The Fist Manor Disciple took in every expression and gesture, then suddenly called out,

"If you think you're ready, follow me in. If you think you're not up to it, you can leave."

His words made everyone's expressions change.

They knew what "leave" meant. No matter how nerve-racking the assessment ahead might be, everyone who had made it this far had dreamed of becoming a Martial Artist.

No one would joke around with their dreams and future.

Their expressions turned solemn.

When no one answered, the Fist Manor Disciple nodded, then led the way toward the manor's gate.

The tall redwood doors slowly swung open under Lin Yin and the others' gaze.

Behind them, their parents, brothers, and sisters watched with eager anticipation. These energetic youths wore solemn expressions as they resolutely crossed the threshold that seemed to mark a turning point in their lives.