Martial Examination

As Ma Jun moved swiftly, he recited the key instructions at a rapid pace: "Let your steps be light and nimble; watch all directions; let your body turn with your steps, and let intent move before the body! Remember, the essence of footwork lies in balance and change—it is by no means simply about seeking speed!"

His figure darted and rose among the wooden stakes. The entire set of footwork was demonstrated in no more than a few dozen breaths.

Having finished the demonstration, Ma Jun gave a light leap and jumped down from the stakes. His breathing was only slightly hurried, revealing a solid foundation.

The moment Ma Jun landed, he looked toward Chen Yue.

Chen Yue was still standing where he had been, not having moved his feet even half an inch. His gaze merely followed every movement Ma Jun had made on the Plum Blossom Stakes. He did not try to imitate him, nor did he mutter the instructions under his breath. He simply watched in silence.

"Humph!"

Ma Jun sneered inwardly. He assumed Chen Yue had been dazzled by the intricate, lightning-fast footwork and had no idea where to begin learning it. Too lazy to waste any more words, he walked to the weapon rack and casually drew a practice saber made of hard wood.

"Last is the saber technique."

Ma Jun weighed the wooden saber in his hand and assumed an opening stance. "The Iron Mountain Saber and Iron Mountain Fist came from the same source. They emphasize breaking skill with strength. The saber's force is heavy and fierce, broad and sweeping. Watch closely!"

He exhaled sharply and shouted as the wooden saber cleaved down.

Though it lacked the cold gleam of a metal edge, the sound of it tearing through the air howled and moaned.

Chop, slash, scoop, hook, thrust, sweep, intercept, push... Every move was simple and clear, yet carried an overwhelming force.

The saber moved with his body, and his body turned with the saber. Every strike seemed to gather the strength of his entire body, carrying a ruthless momentum that charged forward without hesitation.

Throughout the demonstration, the whistling of the wooden saber grinding through the air rang without pause. Now and then, the gusts raised by its path even stirred the loose dust on the ground.

"The saber is an extension of the arm. Strength runs through the blade, intent focuses on its tip! The waist drives the shoulder, the shoulder drives the arm, the arm drives the saber—until the force reaches the edge..."

Ma Jun's demonstration was fierce as a tiger in the wind, brimming with force. A moment later, he withdrew the saber and stood still, the wooden blade angled toward the ground. His chest rose and fell faintly, while the beads of sweat on his forehead had grown denser.

He looked at Chen Yue again. Beyond the mockery in his eyes was impatience, as well as the relief of having completed his task. This ridiculous lesson was finally over.

At some point, Yu Kan, who had originally gone inside, silently appeared at the threshold of the main hall. With his arms folded, he watched everything in the courtyard with calm eyes.

He had seen all sorts of people who wanted to learn martial arts: some sincere, some looking for shortcuts, some afraid of hardship and suffering. But someone like Chen Yue, who had paid money yet only watched without practicing, was a first.

By now, all three techniques had been demonstrated, yet Chen Yue still stood there like a wooden stake. Apart from his unusually focused gaze, he made no attempt to imitate anything or even ask a question.

This kid clearly isn't sincere about learning martial arts. Does he have some other motive? Or was he sent by the Sea Shark Gang to probe us? Doubt rose in Yu Kan's heart, and his gaze gradually sharpened.

If he is really making fools of us martial brothers, or hiding evil intentions... The fingers resting on Yu Kan's arm twitched faintly.

Though he disdained laying hands on a Pearl Diver, if the other party truly harbored ill intent, he would not mind teaching this ignorant brat that mocking martial artists came at a price.

Just as Ma Jun sheathed his saber and Yu Kan pondered in secret, Chen Yue's mind had already become wholly immersed in the panel before him.

[Iron Mountain Fist (Not Initiated)

Roaming Mountains and Rivers (Not Initiated)

Iron Mountain Saber (Not Initiated)]

They had all been recorded. Though none had been initiated, the hardest step—obtaining the techniques—had already been completed.

Overwhelming joy and the reassuring sense of having his fate in his own hands surged through Chen Yue's heart, nearly making him lose control of his expression. He drew a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his excitement.

Chen Yue lifted his head, his gaze sweeping over Ma Jun's impatient face before landing on Yu Kan, whose expression at the doorway was unreadable. Then he reached into his robes and carefully withdrew a piece of broken silver from an inner pocket pressed close to his body, weighing roughly one tael.

Chen Yue walked to the stone table in the courtyard and gently set the tael of silver atop it. The silver struck the stone table with a faint, crisp clink.

Then he turned toward Yu Kan and Ma Jun. Imitating the manner of some wanderers he had seen in his memories, he cupped his fists in greeting, somewhat awkwardly.

"Thank you, Masters, for teaching me everything without reservation today. This is the tuition fee. Please accept it."

Ma Jun glanced at the silver on the stone table and gave a soft snort through his nose without speaking. Yu Kan's gaze shifted back and forth between the silver and Chen Yue's face, as though judging his true intentions.

Chen Yue paused. Looking at Yu Kan, he hesitated before asking a question.

"Master Yu, Master Ma. This junior has one more presumptuous question. If I... if I truly manage to make something of what I learned today through my own efforts, what should I do then to truly change my current status as a Pearl Household and one of the Pearl Folk?"

Seeing Chen Yue actually take out silver and place it on the stone table, Ma Jun's impatient expression eased somewhat. The silver was not much, but it was at least real payment.

Hearing Chen Yue's question, Ma Jun answered with a hint of teasing and the superiority of someone pointing out the way through the fog.

"Change your status? Isn't that simple? If you truly accomplish something in martial arts, go take the Martial Examination! The court holds martial examinations and establishes the Martial Examination precisely to give people like you... ahem, to give all those skilled in martial arts a path to advancement, doesn't it?

"According to the rules, even a Pearl Diver may register for the examination if a local martial school, local gentry, or someone with scholarly rank stands surety and recommends him. Once you pass the Academic Examination, you become a martial xiucai, a man with scholarly rank. The authorities will naturally erase your Pearl Diver registration and enter you into the commoner rolls."

"Martial Examination? A surety and recommendation?" Chen Yue's eyes abruptly lit up.

He immediately cupped his fists again, urgency creeping into his voice. "Thank you for your guidance, Master Ma! When the time comes, might I ask Master Yu or Master Ma to stand surety and recommend me?"

The moment those words left his mouth, Yu Kan and Ma Jun exchanged a glance. They were both slightly stunned at first, then almost simultaneously let out a faint snicker through their noses, their laughter filled with absurdity.

Yu Kan shook his head. Looking at Chen Yue, he spoke calmly, though his tone carried clear detachment. "I already said that I do not want to invite trouble. Your identity as a Pearl Diver is the greatest trouble of all. Standing surety for you would mean drawing your dispute with the Sea Shark Gang onto myself. Why should I invite that stench onto my body?"

After a pause, he raised a hand and pointed westward. "Still, there is more than one road. Around Donkey Market Alley in the west of the city, there are Brokers who specialize in this sort of business. They have broad connections and bold hearts. So long as enough silver changes hands, they have ways to get you an identity suitable for taking the examination. Of course, the price is steep, and you bear the risks yourself."

Chen Yue silently committed the name Donkey Market Alley to memory. He showed neither disappointment nor anger at Yu Kan and Ma Jun's attitude, merely cupping his fists once more. "Thank you for the guidance, Master Yu."

Having said that, he spoke no more. He turned and walked out of the courtyard.

Yu Kan and Ma Jun stood in the courtyard, watching Chen Yue vanish from sight. For a long while, neither spoke.

Ma Jun smacked his lips and shook his head. "Is there something wrong with that kid's brain? He spent a tael of silver just to watch a show, yet he dreams of taking the Martial Examination? Does he think the Martial Examination is cabbage in the marketplace, something anyone can reach out and grab?"