Downtown, at the Martial Arts Association.
Song Chen stood in front of the Martial Arts Association building, looking up at the thirty-story structure. It stood in Anning City's busiest district, surrounded by towering buildings and bustling streets.
A long line had formed outside the entrance. They were all Martial Artists here to take care of various matters.
Song Chen went inside and found the information desk.
"Excuse me, where can I get certified as a Martial Artist?"
The young woman at the desk glanced at him and handed him a form.
"Fill this out, pay the fee, then go queue up on the third floor. Today's slots are full, so come early tomorrow."
Song Chen took the form and skimmed it. Name, age, Blood Qi, martial skill level, whether he had an ability... They were all basic information.
He filled out the form, paid the five-hundred-yuan application fee, then took the elevator to the third floor.
The third floor was a huge hall packed with people. Some were Martial Artists wearing Combat Suits, some were young people like him who had come to get certified, and others looked like family members who were there to watch.
Several enormous iron cages stood in the middle of the hall, each holding a different First Rank mutated beast: Mutated Wild Dogs, Mutant Wild Boars, Mutated Foxes...
Every beast paced restlessly in its cage, letting out low growls. Several examiners stood nearby with notebooks in hand, expressionlessly recording something.
Song Chen went to the certification window and handed in his form. A middle-aged woman with glasses sat behind it. She glanced at his form and frowned.
"Blood Qi of 2.2? A Lightning Ability?"
She looked up and sized him up. "How old are you?"
"Eighteen."
The woman pushed up her glasses. "Eighteen years old, Blood Qi of 2.2, and you've awakened a Lightning Ability... Which school are you from?"
"Third Martial Arts High School."
Her expression softened a little. "A student from Third Middle School? How come I've never heard of a genius like you?"
The woman didn't question him further. She stamped the form and handed him a number tag.
"Tomorrow morning at eight, bring this tag to the third floor for the practical assessment. Arrive half an hour early. An examiner will explain the rules."
Song Chen took the tag. "Thank you."
He turned to leave, but the woman suddenly called after him. "Young man."
Song Chen turned back.
The woman looked at him, her expression complicated.
"The practical assessment isn't a game. Every year, people die in those cages. You're outstanding, so you should be fine, but I have to warn you: once you're in the cage, the examiners won't save you unless you're certain to die. Prepare yourself."
Song Chen nodded. "I know."
He walked out of the Martial Arts Association building and stood at the entrance, watching the crowds come and go. The sun was already sinking toward the horizon, its light growing soft.
Tomorrow, he would take the Martial Artist certification test. Once he passed, he could leave the city to hunt mutated beasts openly and accumulate Killing Value without hiding it.
Then he raised his head and looked toward a distant spot. That was where the City Defense Force was stationed. Zhao Wei's grandfather was there.
You're the captain of the City Defense Force. Don't blame me. Blame yourself for not raising your grandson right.
He clenched his fist, then slowly relaxed it. No need to rush. He'd take it one step at a time.
He turned and headed home.
When he got back and opened the door, the house was still lively. Those aunties hadn't left yet and were gathered around his mother, chatting.
When Li Xiuying saw him, her eyes lit up.
"Xiao Chen's back! Come eat!"
Song Zhengye sat on the sofa, slowly sipping tea. He looked better than he had that morning. Color had returned to his face, and even his old scar seemed to have faded a little. When he noticed Song Chen looking at him, he gave a slight nod.
Neither father nor son said anything, but they understood each other perfectly.
After the meal, the relatives finally left. Li Xiuying cleaned up the dishes, humming happily. Song Zhengye sat on the sofa and turned on the TV to watch the news.
Song Chen went over and sat beside him.
"Dad."
Song Zhengye glanced at him. "What is it?"
Song Chen was silent for a moment. "Tomorrow, I'm taking the Martial Artist certification exam."
It was good news, but Song Zhengye could hear the heaviness in Song Chen's voice. He asked tentatively, "And after you pass?"
"I'll leave the city to hunt mutated beasts. My teacher wants to put me through special training for the Martial Arts College Entrance Exam. I might be gone for quite a while. I may not be back until just before the exam."
Li Xiuying was alarmed when she heard this. "Xiao Chen, why go out there now? It's dangerous outside the city."
Song Zhengye didn't say anything. He just stared at Song Chen for a long time, then suddenly smiled. "Good. That's how a man should be. A man ought to put his career first."
He stood up and went to the cabinet. From the very back, he dug out an old, battered metal box and handed it to Song Chen.
Song Chen opened it. Inside was a Martial Artist Badge, rusty and with lettering so faded it was hard to read.
Song Zhengye explained, "This was my Martial Artist Badge. I've kept it all these years."
He turned the badge over. A few words were engraved on the back: Ninth Battalion of Anning City Defense Force.
He patted Song Chen on the shoulder. "I came up the same way. I was poor, had no connections or background, and had to fight my way forward, one blade at a time. You're better off than I was, and you've got a good teacher. I never had the kind of luck you have."
Song Chen gripped the badge, feeling its cold surface. "Dad..."
Song Zhengye waved him off. "Don't say anything. Go take the test tomorrow. Once you pass, go do what you want. Don't worry about home. I'll take care of things."
Song Chen looked at his father. The man had once been a proud, spirited Martial Artist. After a mutated beast had crippled his arm, he'd quietly shouldered the burden of supporting the family. Now he stood before Song Chen, speaking the weightiest words in the calmest voice.
Song Chen nodded solemnly. "Dad, once this is over, leave everything to me."
Song Zhengye looked at him and suddenly smiled. There was relief and pride in that smile, along with a little something else he couldn't quite put into words.
"All right. I'll be waiting."
At seven thirty the next morning, Song Chen arrived at the Martial Arts Association building right on time.
The morning sun shone on the glass facade, making the whole building look like a colossal glowing object. A long line had already formed outside. They were all young people here for the Martial Artist certification. Some paced nervously, some murmured to themselves, and others had parents beside them who kept offering reminders.
Song Chen stood somewhere in the middle of the line, scanning the crowd.
Suddenly, he spotted a familiar figure: Lin Qingxue.
She stood not far ahead of him, dressed in a white tracksuit, her long hair tied in a high ponytail. She stood out in the morning light. Several young people, apparently her classmates, stood beside her.
Song Chen hesitated, then walked over and called out, "Lin Qingxue."
He still hadn't returned the knife, and he hadn't expected to run into her on this outing.
Lin Qingxue turned around. The moment she saw him, her eyes lit up. "Song Chen!"
She hurried over, a delighted smile on her face. "Why are you here too? Are you here to get certified as a Martial Artist? Is your Blood Qi over 1?"
Song Chen nodded. "Yeah. What about you?"
Lin Qingxue smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. "Hehe, my Blood Qi just broke through to 1.2. My dad said I should be able to pass the practical assessment, so he signed me up."
She looked him up and down, concern in her eyes.
"I heard about your field training outside the city. I heard you ran into an emergency and had to end it early. Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"
Song Chen waved a hand. "I'm fine. Just a minor injury. It's already healed."
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