Guard Assessment (Third update, seeking follow-up reads!)

Mountains brush against faint clouds, the sky meets withered grass; in the new clearing, I tread lightly upon the level sand.

Chen Yuan arrived at Huo Academy with a brisk step, continuing his training.

After completing a few sets of the Rock-Solid Stance Technique, his blood surged and his mind felt refreshed. While taking a moment to drink some water, he saw Senior Brother Tao returning from outside.

He walked straight toward him.

"Senior Brother Tao." Chen Yuan raised his hand in a routine greeting.

Tao Ping nodded with a smile:

"Junior Brother Chen, the same factions are still recruiting for registered positions. Liang's Weaponry Forge offers four taels a month for an entry-level martial artist; the Yangwei Escort Agency's monthly pay depends on the frequency and difficulty of the escorts; the Welcome Guest Restaurant needs a guard to hold down the fort, offering seven taels a month.

Additionally, the Liu Family in the Inner City is also hiring. After hearing about your situation, they are willing to offer five taels a month. Junior Brother Chen, do you have a preference?"

Chen Yuan pondered for a moment. The forge was too busy and would hinder his training; escort work was unstable, dangerous, and time-consuming; the restaurant was even more dangerous and went against his Dao of Survival. Looking it over, only the guard position at the Liu Family seemed most suitable.

However, he did not agree immediately: "Senior Brother, allow me to think it over carefully."

Tao Ping nodded slightly: "No rush. Since it concerns your future training expenses, you should think it through. I will keep an eye out during this time and let you know if anything better comes up."

He sighed as he spoke: "If we are talking about the best benefits, it would be the four great families of the Inner City—the Song, Li, Zhao, and Xu families. Unfortunately, their minimum requirement is Grade C aptitude. I wanted to ask them to make an exception, but I was refused."

Rules were rigid. With their vast wealth and influence, those families would naturally not make an exception for a mere guard.

Chen Yuan cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your trouble on my behalf. Since I don't meet the requirements, there is no need to force it."

After Tao Ping left, Chen Yuan continued practicing his stance.

He still had half a month, so he was not in a hurry; he would wait to see what Senior Brother Huang had to say first.

In the evening, Chen Yuan received word from Senior Brother Huang, asking him to come over for a talk.

Inside a room at the Gu Family residence.

Huang Yan poured a cup of tea for Chen Yuan and said calmly:

"I have a friend who serves as a consultant at the Li Family in the Inner City. They are short one guard. The terms they offer are seven taels of silver a month for an entry-level martial artist, and your pay will increase accordingly as your strength improves. Are you willing?"

Chen Yuan's eyes lit up. He knew this was an opportunity Senior Brother Huang had secured for him by using his connections; otherwise, he would never have been able to get in.

He also knew this was likely the best compensation he could get for a registered position, and it was relatively leisurely.

He nodded immediately: "Thank you, Senior Brother Huang. This position is excellent; I am willing to go."

Huang Yan nodded slightly: "Good. The work of a guard is not too strenuous; it suits you well. I will write a letter now. Take it to the Li Family and give it to Fan Dajiang; he will make the arrangements."

As he spoke, he picked up a brush and began to write with a flurry of strokes.

Though he called it a letter, he finished it in barely ten seconds.

Chen Yuan could guess the content—This is my junior brother, arrange a guard position for him. Huang Yan.

It was likely close enough.

Chen Yuan took the letter of introduction and, while the sky had not yet turned completely dark, hurried toward the Li Family in the Inner City.

The bluestone path gradually turned into a wide boulevard, and eventually, Chen Yuan arrived before a city wall.

The Inner City and Outer City were clearly separated; there was truly a wall standing between them.

Those of base status and base blood from the Outer City were not permitted to step into the Inner City.

By rights, Chen Yuan was not qualified either, but he revealed a hint of his Clear Force strength and passed through smoothly.

An entry-level martial artist had already transcended his class and could live quite well in the Inner City.

The moment he stepped inside, Chen Yuan looked into the distance and clicked his tongue at the sight before him.

Even though the sky had darkened, the Inner City remained brilliantly lit. The sound of horse hooves clattered, and the road was filled with fine horses, carved carriages, and the scent of perfume.

Truly, the bright lanterns obscured the moon, and the flying canopies hindered the flowers.

Passing by a brothel, he witnessed what it meant for the phoenix flutes to stir and the jade vessels to glow.

Chen Yuan knew well that now was not the time for listening to music in the pleasure houses. After asking for directions along the way, he finally arrived before the Li Family mansion.

Looking closely, he saw vermilion gates, embroidered windows, and carved beams—a truly imposing sight.

A servant stood on each side of the main gate. Seeing Chen Yuan approach, they asked coldly:

"Who goes there? Do you have an invitation?"

Chen Yuan handed over the letter from Huang Yan and said: "Please deliver this letter to Consultant Fan Dajiang."

Upon hearing the name Fan Dajiang, the servant's expression shifted, becoming more respectful: "Please wait a moment, I will go report this."

Before long, the servant who had gone to announce him returned and bowed: "This brother, please follow me."

Chen Yuan nodded, crossed the threshold, and stepped into the residence of the Li Family, one of the four great families of the Inner City.

The interior of the mansion was quite grand, with pavilions and towers scattered about, accented by small bridges and flowing water—it was quite elegant.

Several people were patrolling the grounds. With a brief glance, Chen Yuan could confirm they were entry-level martial artists; they were likely to be his future colleagues.

Led by the servant, Chen Yuan arrived at a large courtyard on the east side. It was a martial arts arena, more than twice the size of the one at Huo Academy, complete with plum blossom stakes, wooden dummies, stone locks, weapon racks, and more.

Beside it was a side room, available for people to rest.

Stepping into the martial arts arena, one could see a man dressed in black, standing tall with a thick beard, his hands clasped behind his back.

There were a few others in the arena practicing martial arts, their movements stirring up gusts of wind.

The servant said respectfully, "Consultant Fan, I have brought the person."

Chen Yuan realized this must be the friend Senior Brother Huang had mentioned, so he cupped his hands in greeting, "Chen Yuan greets Consultant Fan."

"Hmm, you may withdraw." After saying this, Consultant Fan looked Chen Yuan up and down and said indifferently.

"Huang Yan told me that although you have a D-Grade Bone Structure, you became an entry-level martial artist in just two and a half months. I want to test you myself to see if this entry-level martial artist of yours is a fraud."

Chen Yuan knew that Fan Dajiang was testing him to save face for his friend, but since he was working for the Li Family, he had to maintain a decent appearance.

He cupped his hands and said, "Please test me, Consultant Fan."

He was not nervous; Senior Brother Huang had already paved the way, so as long as he wasn't too outrageous, he would basically pass.

He could also take this opportunity to gauge his opponent's foundation.

Fan Dajiang shouted to the few people in the arena, "Tian Peng, come over here and spar with this brother."

A sturdy man stopped his movements, trotted over, looked Chen Yuan up and down, and tilted his head to ask:

"Boss, what style? How should we fight?"

Fan Dajiang said, "A disciple of Master Huo, D-Grade Bone Structure, became an entry-level martial artist in just over two months. Just test the newcomer, stop when you've made your point."

A strange look flashed in Tian Peng's eyes as he rubbed his palms together, eager to try, "Alright boss, let me weigh this brother's mettle."

Fan Dajiang looked at Chen Yuan again and introduced:

"This is Tian Peng, a disciple of the Thunder-Gallop Martial Hall, Grade C-Upper aptitude, became an entry-level martial artist in just over three months, and passed the assessment to become a guard here half a month ago. Let's see if you can trade blows with him."

Chen Yuan nodded and sized up Tian Peng. His face was long and square, giving off an air of refinement; he figured his fighting style would be fierce and direct.

However, he should have only just entered the level as well, so he shouldn't be too hard to handle.

The sparring began quickly:

"Six Harmonies Mind Boxing, Chen Yuan, please offer your guidance."

"Thunder-Bolt Hand, Tian Peng, watch yourself."