Talking Nonsense

At the edge of the training ground, two bodies lay beneath grass mats, both of them martial candidates who had just lost their lives in the weapon trials. Their companions or family members stood nearby, weeping silently.

Several more seriously injured candidates lay on grass mats hastily spread on the ground, while the doctors who had accompanied them tended to their wounds. Their groans rang out without pause.

This was the reality of the Martial Examination. It was not merely a ladder to change one's fate, but also a hellish arena of life-and-death combat. Behind every honor, the blood of the defeated might well have been spilled.

Atop the raised platform, the county magistrate, who had sat watching the contest all along, finally rose and offered a few perfunctory words of encouragement. He then announced the conclusion of the County Examination. The names of those who passed would be posted outside the county office three days later. They could then present their identity papers to claim their Martial Candidate certificates, in preparation for the Prefectural Examination.

With the order to leave, the crowd on the training ground began to stir. The candidates headed for the exit in twos and threes. Some wore smiles and chatted loudly with their companions. Others left with downcast faces, their heads bowed in silence.

Chen Yue immediately searched the crowd for Zhou Qi, but, as expected, he was nowhere to be seen.

Chen Yue wasted no time. He hurried out with the crowd, needing to confirm at once whether the Broker had safely led his parents out of Pearl Village as agreed.

Every moment's delay meant greater danger for his parents.

Just as Chen Yue was about to reach the training ground's entrance, an urgent voice called from behind him.

"Chen Yue! Wait!"

Yu Kan and Ma Jun were accompanying Zhou Jingfeng as they parted the crowd and walked toward Chen Yue. Some candidates who had not yet left saw Zhou Jingfeng appear and instinctively slowed down, casting curious glances their way.

Chen Yue turned to watch the three approach. Though worry burned through him and he wished he could fly straight to the Broker, he knew that the Iron Mountain Hall's master might be able to resolve the crisis at hand.

Chen Yue had once asked the Broker about the distribution of power in the county. The Sea Shark Gang and the Grain Transport Gang were the largest gangs in Hepu City, controlling the docks and the fishing trade, among other businesses. Their influence ran deep and wide.

But the most powerful forces operating openly were the long-established Lineages, with the Zhou Family foremost among them.

It was said that the Zhou Family's roots lay in the prefectural city and even the provincial capital. The branch in Hepu County was merely a clan elder's retirement home. Even so, no one dared provoke them lightly.

Among the city's martial halls, aside from Nantong Martial Hall, Iron Mountain Hall had the greatest renown.

Iron Mountain Hall had few disciples, and its master, Zhou Jingfeng, was highly skilled in martial arts. More importantly, several of the disciples he had taught in his younger years had since made names for themselves elsewhere. Some had even become Attendants to great Lineages in the prefectural city.

Thus, though Iron Mountain Hall seemed low-key, it was highly respected by the city's major Lineages and even the authorities, and wielded considerable influence.

As the three came within reach, Chen Yue pushed all other thoughts aside, stepped forward, and cupped his hands in salute. "Master Yu, Master Ma."

When Yu Kan saw Chen Yue bow, a complicated look flashed across his face. He quickly stepped aside and gestured toward the middle-aged man beside him, introducing him solemnly. "Chen Yue, this is our Iron Mountain Martial Hall's master, Master Zhou Jingfeng."

At that, Chen Yue cupped his hands again and bowed slightly. "I'm Chen Yue. Greetings, Master Zhou. I've long admired your reputation. It's an honor to meet you today."

Zhou Jingfeng wore a genial smile, but his gaze settled on Chen Yue like a tangible weight, as if he meant to see straight through him.

"Please, no need for such formalities! Chen Yue, your Roaming Mountains and Rivers footwork and the pressing force in your Iron Mountain Fist showed a fair bit of skill on the platform. Yu Kan tells me you've been learning Iron Mountain Hall's techniques for barely a month?"

Chen Yue met his gaze and nodded, answering truthfully. "To answer you, Master Zhou, it's been less than a month since Master Yu and Master Ma first taught me the fundamentals."

"Less than a month..." Zhou Jingfeng silently rolled the words over his tongue, unable to conceal his astonishment as he looked at Chen Yue.

Yu Kan and Ma Jun were standing right beside him. Chen Yue could hardly lie about something so easily exposed.

Less than a month!

In the more than ten years since Zhou Jingfeng had founded Iron Mountain Hall, he had taught many disciples considered promising.

Yet even the most gifted, best-off disciples could never have reached the level Chen Yue had just displayed in two basic martial arts through sheer practice, without guidance, in less than half a year—and that was with extensive hands-on sparring!

"This young man's talent is unprecedented since the founding of Iron Mountain Hall!" The judgment thundered through Zhou Jingfeng's mind, and his gaze toward Chen Yue changed at once.

He was a flawless jade stone buried in the dust—no, a fine piece of jade that had almost polished itself to a shine!

Suppressing his shock, Zhou Jingfeng's smile grew even warmer and more cordial. Following the thread of their conversation, he continued, "Yu Kan also tells me you've learned the Iron Mountain Saber. Have you run into any difficulties understanding or practicing it? If so, tell me, and I can clear up a thing or two for you."

Chen Yue paused briefly, then shook his head. "I have no questions for now. My progress with the saber is about the same as with the fist technique."

"About the same?" Even Zhou Jingfeng couldn't help drawing in a quiet breath. His eyes shone with startling brilliance.

Fist, saber, and footwork—three fundamentals advancing side by side in less than a month? This went beyond extraordinary talent. It was almost unbelievable! If Zhou Jingfeng hadn't seen Chen Yue's fists and footwork with his own eyes, he would have suspected that Chen Yue was talking nonsense.

At Chen Yue's answer, Ma Jun's eye twitched violently. His mouth fell open, and he nearly blurted out that it was impossible.

Twenty-odd days, one demonstration, and all three martial arts at the same level of progress? Who would believe that? Those force-generating techniques and footwork transitions were incredibly intricate!

Standing slightly behind his master, Yu Kan was just as shaken as Ma Jun, if not more so. His feelings were even more complicated.

Time was short. With his parents' safety and Zhou Qi's whereabouts weighing on his mind, Chen Yue saw that Zhou Jingfeng seemed inclined to talk further and decided not to hesitate. He cupped his hands again, his voice edged with unmistakable urgency.

"Master Zhou, I'm deeply grateful for your regard. It's just... I have an urgent matter to deal with right now. Might I take my leave first? Once I've settled it, I'll be sure to visit and thank you, and listen to your instruction."

"Trouble?" Zhou Jingfeng raised his brows slightly. His smile remained, but his expression grew more concerned.

He was no ordinary man and could naturally see the anxiety hidden beneath Chen Yue's calm exterior. A young man with such talent and character who had also learned Iron Mountain Hall's martial arts was already one of their own in his eyes.

He nodded slightly and replied warmly, "You have some ties with Iron Mountain Hall. If you're in trouble, how could I, as an elder, stand by and do nothing? Tell me what's going on. Perhaps I can help."