Speaking Without Restraint

At the edge of the training grounds, two lifeless bodies lay covered with straw mats, martial arts students who had lost their lives in the weapons sparring. Their companions or family members gathered around, silently weeping.

Several more severely injured individuals lay on makeshift straw pallets, with accompanying physicians performing emergency bandaging, their groans filling the air.

This was the reality of the Martial Examination—not merely a ladder to change one's fate, but a slaughterhouse of life-and-death struggle. Behind every official title, the blood of the vanquished could be soaked into the ground.

On the high platform, the county magistrate, who had been sitting and observing the entire time, finally rose. He spoke a few perfunctory words of encouragement before announcing the end of the County Examination. The list of qualifiers would be posted outside the county office in three days. Candidates were to collect their Martial Child Student credentials with their identity documents to prepare for the Prefectural Examination.

With the order to withdraw, the crowd on the training grounds began to loosen. Examinees trickled toward the exit in small groups. Some wore joyful expressions, chatting loudly with companions. Others looked dejected, silently lowering their heads as they left.

Chen Yue immediately scanned the crowd for Zhou Qi's figure, and sure enough, he was nowhere to be seen.

Chen Yue wasted no time. He followed the flow of people and strode quickly toward the training grounds' exit. He had to confirm immediately whether the broker had, as agreed, safely escorted his parents out of Pearl Village.

Every moment delayed meant greater danger for his parents.

Just as Chen Yue was about to reach the training grounds' gate, a slightly urgent call came from behind him.

"Chen Yue! Wait a moment!"

Yu Kan and Ma Jun were accompanying Zhou Jingfeng, parting the crowd as they walked toward Chen Yue. Some examinees who had not yet left noticed Zhou Jingfeng stepping forward and instinctively slowed their pace, casting curious glances.

Chen Yue turned and watched the three approach. Though his heart burned with anxiety, desperate to fly to the broker immediately, he knew that this Hall Master Zhou before him might be able to resolve the crisis at hand.

Earlier, Chen Yue had asked the broker about the distribution of power in the county town. Within Hepu County, the Sea Shark Gang and the Grain Transport Gang were the largest factions, controlling the docks, fishing catches, and other businesses, their influence deeply intertwined.

But the ones with the deepest, most overt foundations were several long-established families, chief among them the Zhou Family.

It was said that the Zhou Family's roots lay in the prefectural capital and even the provincial capital. The branch in Hepu County was merely an elder returning to his hometown to retire in peace. Even so, no one dared to provoke them lightly.

As for the martial halls in the city, aside from the Nantong Martial Hall, the Iron Mountain Hall had the greatest reputation.

The Iron Mountain Hall had few disciples, but its hall master, Zhou Jingfeng, was highly skilled in martial arts. More importantly, several disciples he had taught in his early years had achieved considerable success elsewhere, some even becoming retainers for major families in the prefectural capital.

Thus, though the Iron Mountain Hall appeared low-key, it commanded considerable respect and influence among the major families and even the authorities in the city.

Seeing the three already close, Chen Yue suppressed all distracting thoughts, stepped forward, and cupped his hands in salute: "Master Yu, Master Ma."

Yu Kan saw Chen Yue's salute, a flicker of complex emotion crossing his face. He then quickly stepped aside, gesturing toward the middle-aged man beside him, and introduced him solemnly: "Chen Yue, this is the hall master of our Iron Mountain Martial Hall, Master Zhou Jingfeng."

Hearing this, Chen Yue once again cupped his hands respectfully and bowed slightly: "This humble one, Chen Yue, pays respects to Master Zhou. I have long admired your reputation, Master Zhou. To meet you today is a great honor."

Zhou Jingfeng wore a warm smile, but his gaze fell upon Chen Yue like a tangible weight, as if trying to see through him completely.

"No need for such formalities! Chen Yue, the Roaming Mountains and Rivers footwork and the pressing force of the Iron Mountain Fist you displayed on the platform just now were quite accomplished. Yu Kan tells me you've only been exposed to Iron Mountain Hall's techniques for a little over a month?" Zhou Jingfeng got straight to the point.

Chen Yue met his gaze, nodded, and answered truthfully: "To answer Master Zhou, since the day I received basic guidance from Master Yu and Master Ma, it has been less than a month."

"Less than a month..." Zhou Jingfeng savored those words again between his lips, and the surprise in his eyes as he looked at Chen Yue could no longer be concealed.

Yu Kan and Ma Jun stood right beside him. There was no way Chen Yue could lie about something so easily verifiable.

Less than a month!

Zhou Jingfeng had run the Iron Mountain Hall for over a decade and had taught many disciples considered promising talents.

But even the most gifted and well-off disciple, without guidance, relying solely on themselves to train two basic martial arts to the level Chen Yue had just demonstrated, would need at least half a year of painstaking effort and a large amount of practical combat experience—it was absolutely impossible!

"This child's talent is extraordinary, unprecedented since the founding of our Iron Mountain Hall!" A clear judgment thundered in Zhou Jingfeng's heart, and his gaze toward Chen Yue instantly shifted.

This was a rough jade covered in dust—no, it was a fine piece of jade that had almost polished itself to brilliance!

Suppressing the shock in his heart, Zhou Jingfeng's smile grew even warmer and more cordial. He followed the thread of conversation and continued: "Yu Kan tells me you've also learned the Iron Mountain Saber? In your saber practice, are there any difficulties or unclear points? If so, feel free to speak, and I can offer you some guidance."

Chen Yue pondered briefly, then shook his head: "No doubts for now. The progress of my saber training is roughly similar to that of my fist techniques."

"Similar progress?" This time, even Zhou Jingfeng couldn't help but draw a sharp breath, the light in his eyes blazing with intensity.

Fist, saber, footwork—three basic skills, all advancing at the same pace in less than a month? This was no longer just exceptional talent; it was almost unbelievable! If he hadn't witnessed Chen Yue's skill with his own eyes, Zhou Jingfeng would have almost suspected Chen Yue of boasting.

Ma Jun, standing nearby, heard Chen Yue's answer and his eye twitched violently. His mouth opened slightly, almost blurting out that it was impossible.

Twenty-some days, one look, and all three martial arts were progressing at the same rate? Who was he kidding! The intricacies of those force techniques and footwork transitions were far too complex!

Yu Kan stood behind his master, the storm in his heart no less fierce than Ma Jun's, perhaps even more complicated.

Time was pressing. Chen Yue's mind was preoccupied with his parents' safety and Zhou Qi's movements. Seeing that Zhou Jingfeng seemed inclined to continue the conversation, he hesitated no longer. He cupped his hands again, his tone carrying a clear note of urgency:

"Master Zhou, your kindness is deeply appreciated. But... this humble one has some troubles that need immediate attention. May I take my leave first? Once I have resolved these matters, I will surely come to your door to express my gratitude and receive your teachings."

"Troubles?" Zhou Jingfeng raised an eyebrow slightly, his smile undiminished, but with an added layer of concern.

As a man of his experience, he could naturally see the anxiety hidden beneath Chen Yue's calm exterior. Such a talented and well-tempered youth, having learned Iron Mountain Hall's martial arts, was already one of his own in his eyes.

He nodded slightly, his tone gentle: "You share a bond of kinship with our Iron Mountain Hall. If you've encountered trouble, how could I, as an elder, stand by and do nothing? Tell me about it. Perhaps this old man can be of some help."