Martial Assessment

Inner City, Shan Estate.

First Madam's chamber.

"Madam, lower yourself a little more."

"Mm."

First Madam sat upright in her chair and leaned forward slightly as Su Yuan instructed.

At her side, Su Yuan ground ink, lifted his brush, and began to paint.

Today, First Madam wore a dark-blue gauze dress, its collar slightly open to reveal flashes of jade-like skin. Her long hair was loosely coiled, with several dark strands trailing along her neck. Her entire bearing radiated unhurried grace.

The strokes beneath Su Yuan's brush were fine as drifting silk, the ink shades rich and balanced. With every sweep, he captured her noble charm, dignity concealing a quiet splendor.

[Painting:434/2000(Complete)]

Ever since he had entered Shan Estate, First Madam had often summoned Su Yuan to carve.

But Su Yuan's carving had long since reached completion, and he did not wish to waste time, so he suggested painting instead.

Through their interactions these past days, Su Yuan had also seen that First Madam was determined to cultivate an image of elegant tranquility.

Only, her tall and sturdy figure truly did not suit such an image. Still, as someone beneath her, he could only do his best to portray it.

"Xiaoyuan, this is wonderfully painted. Your painting skills are no worse than your carving." First Madam accepted the painting and examined it.

"I am glad Madam likes it." Su Yuan bowed. "This lowly one has a request and hopes Madam will grant it."

"Speak."

"Tomorrow is the Martial Assessment. I hope Madam can offer me some guidance." Su Yuan said.

First Madam did not answer at once. She merely pushed over a brocade box, within which lay another Treasure Fish.

"Has this Treasure Fish still been nourishing your body?"

Su Yuan's thoughts stirred. With a solemn expression, he said, "Madam's Treasure Fish is naturally a great tonic. This lowly one's body has improved day by day entirely because of Madam's care. Whether or not I pass the Martial Assessment, I am willing to swear loyalty unto death to Madam."

Hearing this, satisfaction appeared in First Madam's eyes. She said softly, "For tomorrow's brawl at the horse ranch, I will arrange for people to protect you."

"Thank you, Madam!"

After taking his leave of First Madam, Su Yuan went to the side hall.

Yun Xu was still suspended where she had been, her posture unchanged, even her dress unaltered.

Yet she had grown far more haggard. Only her eyes remained clear and profound.

As Su Yuan painted, he conversed with her through Lip Reading.

"Miss Yun, once I enter the Martial Academy and become a Martial Warrior, I can maneuver between the Liang People and the martial halls, working from within and without to rescue you from this plight," Su Yuan promised her the moon.

Yun Xu, however, shook her head. "I cannot wait that long. The force within my body will eventually dissipate. And I have dragged everyone in the martial hall into this disaster—I have no face to cling shamelessly to life. I only hope you can send those messages out. Then I can end myself and find release."

Su Yuan's heart tightened.

These past days, he had also sought her instruction in martial arts. She was an External Force Martial Warrior and possessed a secret technique that could ignite the force throughout her body and perish together with an enemy.

External Force was the realm after Blood Condensing. Once one's qi and blood had accumulated to a certain degree, it could give rise to force, which could be projected beyond the body.

The Golden Horse-Head Technique called it Savage Strength.

Yet martial cultivation was like rowing upstream: if one did not advance, one fell back.

The longer things dragged on, the more force leaked from Yun Xu's body, until she would gradually be unable to use that secret technique.

Shan Estate could do nothing to her now, yet did not dare force her into suicide. Thus, they tried every possible means to test, humiliate, and wear away at her will.

She had not killed herself to this day only because the information had yet to be delivered.

"We still need to wait a little longer. The Shan Family has been watching me very closely these days..." Su Yuan continued to stall.

[Lip Reading:340/500(Minor Success)]

After that, he said no more and silently continued painting.

It was not as though he had never considered contacting Cloud-Striding Martial Hall.

Su Yuan would certainly do what he had promised.

But he had heard the neighbors' judgments of him. The people of the martial hall surely had an extremely poor impression of him now.

Even if he brought Yun Xu's information, those statues of Yun Xu had all been made by his hand.

He had not yet become a Martial Warrior. If he rashly showed himself, he might be beaten to death on the spot.

Besides, if he truly delivered the information, would Yun Xu really spare him?

Before taking her own life, a casual word from her could expose him.

The current arrangement was good for everyone.

Yun Xu could also keep living steadfastly by holding onto this hope.

Compared to dignity, staying alive mattered more.

Before he left, Yun Xu spoke again, her voice hoarse. "Su Yuan, I hope you will not deceive me."

As Su Yuan walked out of the side hall, he encountered Han Gui and nodded in greeting.

When he did not see Wang Er, he casually asked, "Where is Wang Er?"

"He said he went to scrape together money for tomorrow's Martial Assessment," Han Gui answered.

Su Yuan understood.

The Martial Assessment required ten taels for entry. Wang Er truly could not afford it, or he would not have borrowed money from him before.

As for Wang Er, Su Yuan knew that their paths had long diverged.

He was about to enter the Martial Academy and become a Martial Warrior. This man was no longer worth his concern.

Night, West City, Red Garment Alley.

Wang Er squatted before his home, his brows knotted tightly. "Damn it, I'm still three taels short. Curse that Su Yuan!"

He knew that if Su Yuan had not sabotaged him that day, he would not have needed to pay Han Gui those five taels in tribute. He would have gathered all ten taels long ago.

"Are you badly short of money?" A voice suddenly sounded behind him, and a pale hand settled on his shoulder.

Wang Er jolted, having no idea when this person had drawn close.

Trembling, he turned around and saw only a figure shrouded in an oversized black robe, its features impossible to discern.

The black-robed person spread out a hand. Three taels of broken silver lay in its palm. "I can fund your martial training. The price is that you infiltrate the Shan Family Martial Academy and deliver information for us."

The moment those words were spoken, Wang Er understood: this person belonged to Ji City's underground resistance organization against the Liang People.

Feeling the strength of the hand on his shoulder, he knew he had no other choice. "I... I am willing."

The black-robed person placed the broken silver in his hand, then added, "You should know Su Yuan well. If you have the chance, eliminate him in tomorrow's brawl."

At the mention of Su Yuan, a vicious glint flashed through Wang Er's eyes. He hated him so badly his teeth itched, but he immediately grew nervous. "I can't beat him."

"Do not worry. You are not the only one."

With that, the black-robed person had already vanished into the darkness of the alley.

Wang Er touched the cold sweat on his back, clenched his fists, and muttered through gritted teeth, "Su Yuan, tomorrow will be the day you die."

The next day, Han Gui led Su Yuan to Void Cloud Horse Ranch.

This place had originally been Cloud-Striding Martial Hall, but it had now been converted into a horse ranch.

Two others followed beside Su Yuan. They looked remarkably alike, both burly men with powerful builds.

They were the people First Madam had arranged to protect Su Yuan.

Twin brothers—Xu Tian and Xu Di—both possessed low-grade bone aptitude.

Su Yuan looked at them and asked, "Lord Han, only two people? I fear that may not be secure enough."

Han Gui shot him a contemptuous glance. "If little brother Su is afraid, it is not too late to run home now. Besides the two of them, you are not the only ones holding Shan Family Martial Registry. You may find others to join forces with and watch out for one another."

Along the way, the Xu Brothers assessed Su Yuan.

Su Yuan had not yet become a Martial Warrior. His frame had not fully opened up, and he still looked thin.

"Brother, why don't we return the money? If we bring along such dead weight, what if we fail the Martial Assessment ourselves?" Xu Di whispered.

"Alas, it is too late. If we return it now, we will surely offend First Madam. We can just find a few more people to join us. Let us hope he does not drag us down too badly." Xu Tian sighed.

Su Yuan heard them chirping about him and did not stand on ceremony. "Since First Madam ordered you two to protect me, then listen carefully to my instructions. I guarantee you will pass the Martial Assessment."

"Listen to your instructions?" Xu Di immediately bristled, but Xu Tian pulled him back.

"Fine, Brother Su. We will listen to you," Xu Tian replied.

"Brother?"

"Stabilize him first," Xu Tian explained in a low voice.

When they arrived at the horse ranch, voices surged like boiling water.

Several hundred Jing People had gathered. There were plainly dressed commoners, as well as children of Jing noble families clad in fine brocade.

"Those participating in the Martial Assessment, pay ten taels first!" a Liang martial warrior at the entrance shouted.

The group produced their silver and stepped inside.

A tiered platform had been erected in the center of the grounds.

At its highest point sat Great Liang nobles, attended by maidservants. Fresh fruit and tea refreshments were laid out before them, as though they had come to watch a show for amusement.

Among them, members of the Chai, Shan, and Rong Families occupied the places of honor. Those who had come were young masters and young ladies, with Young Master Shan and First Madam among them.

Beside the three families sat a young commander in armor—the very officer who had arrested the Cloud-Striding family members that day.

Below them sat the Jing nobles who had surrendered, along with people from the martial halls.

"The Liang People truly love a spectacle. It is only an entrance test for a Martial Academy, yet they have made such a grand production of it." Su Yuan looked around.

Because only low fences had been set around the horse ranch, many bold Jing commoners had gathered outside to watch the excitement. Most were family members of the participants.

Seeing that the time had arrived, the chief examiner spoke in a ringing voice. "This Martial Assessment is a grace bestowed by the superior nation of Great Liang, granting you access to the martial path. In the future, you must serve with loyal devotion and not betray the Emperor's grace. Now, proceed by region in batches for aptitude verification."

The three had their bone aptitude tested. As expected, all were low-grade.

The examiner casually tossed them three gray wooden plaques and pointed toward the low-grade area. "Wait over there."

There was not even a bench in the low-grade area, so everyone could only stand.

Eight or nine out of every ten participants possessed low-grade bone aptitude. There were only several dozen with medium-grade aptitude or above, yet they had their own canopies and chairs, sitting sheltered from the wind.

"In Great Liang, where could one fail to see distinctions of rank?" Su Yuan secretly sighed as he searched for Tie Niu.

There were even fewer in the high-grade area, only two people, and Tie Niu was not among them.

When he withdrew his gaze, he spotted Wang Er nearby instead.

Seeing him, the other man merely bared his teeth in a smile.

On the platform, Shan Xiongqing reclined halfway in his chair, one hand roaming over the maidservant beside him. As he ate grapes brought to his lips, he glanced at Gao Mian nearby.

Recalling the bits of gossip he had heard yesterday, he said lightly, "Madam, have you taken a liking to someone?"