Elite Talent Program (Seeking Monthly Votes, Bookmarks, and Follow-up Reads)

Xiao Wang looked around before asking, "What's the new development?"

"It's good news, I suppose. We might have more than just one month."

"More than one month? Isn't he being transferred to the inner city in a month?"

An Han cautiously turned to check the surroundings as well. "I heard he might not be leaving after all. He may stay and take over as deputy director."

"Are you sure?"

"I heard it from Patrol Bureau employees chatting at the entrance. It should be true."

"If they were saying it behind his back, then it really might be the truth."

An Han froze for a moment at Xiao Wang's words, then nodded in deep agreement.

This news was not unfamiliar to Xiao Wang. The last time he had kept watch outside the Patrol Bureau, he had heard that Hu Guangzhong might be transferred to the inner city, or he might stay and be promoted to deputy director.

It seemed he had chosen to stay and become deputy director.

Thinking it over, Xiao Wang found it understandable.

Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix.

Even if he got a good position in the inner city, he would only be the tail of a phoenix. But if he became deputy director in the outer city, he would be the head of a chicken. There were only a few people in the outer city with more authority than him—or rather, only one publicly known person: the director of the Patrol Bureau.

"If this news is true, Hu Guangzhong probably won't be leaving Mount Yuan City's outer district anytime soon. We can take our time and plan carefully."

"Mm."

An Han nodded, then looked at Xiao Wang. "I heard you moved out of your foster parents' home?"

"Yeah, it's been a while."

"If you don't have anywhere to go, you can stay at my place. I live alone now, and there's plenty of room."

Xiao Wang looked at An Han. "Do you need me to come keep you company for a while?"

An Han stared at him and smiled. "Don't misunderstand. I'm fine. I just thought that if you had nowhere to go, you could stay with me."

"You're really fine?"

"I'm really fine."

Xiao Wang looked at An Han. She did not seem to be joking. "Then I won't go. I only moved out because the Martial Arts Academy assessment is coming up. I wanted to improve my martial arts, so I found a martial arts gym and moved in."

"So that's how it is. Fine, then. Anyway, there'll always be a place for you at my home. Come whenever you want."

Xiao Wang smiled at An Han. "Thanks."

"We probably don't need to follow Hu Guangzhong every day anymore. We can wait until the opportunity is more mature before making a move."

Xiao Wang nodded. "Mm, agreed. Once my martial arts improve a little more, the chances should be better."

"Alright, let's go to class."

"Alright."

The two then walked side by side toward the teaching building.

By the time Xiao Wang reached the classroom, the bell had already rung.

Guan Chaoyang looked at Xiao Wang. "That's not like you. A hardworking student like you almost being late?"

Bian Xiaolan turned around as well and looked at Xiao Wang. "Did something happen? This is the first time you've come so late."

Xiao Wang looked at the two of them. "Nothing. I got held up at the school gate. How's your marksmanship training going?"

Guan Chaoyang said, "I've improved. I can barely reach the standards of military and police schools from previous years."

"That's pretty good. The improvement's obvious. What about you, Xiaolan? How are your academic grades?"

Bian Xiaolan pursed her lips and sighed softly. "Forget about me. I'm definitely destined for a vocational skills school."

After the three chatted idly for a few moments, the teacher for their academic class arrived.

Before falling asleep, Guan Chaoyang said to Xiao Wang, "Oh, right. A teacher came by earlier to notify us that all you martial arts students are to gather in the training hall this afternoon."

"Did they say what it was about?"

"No. They just said everyone had to go and that there was something to announce."

With that, Guan Chaoyang lay down on his desk and went to sleep.

Xiao Wang, meanwhile, began practicing his breathing technique, converting the damage absorbed by the bead.

After last night's boxing practice and conversion, the bead had changed from black to its current deep red. Its color was gradually fading bit by bit.

The morning academic classes passed quickly. By the time school let out, Xiao Wang found that the bead had turned light red. His morning of breathing practice had converted quite a bit more.

After Xiao Wang, Guan Chaoyang, and Bian Xiaolan finished eating at the cafeteria, Bian Xiaolan returned to the classroom for the afternoon academic classes, while Guan Chaoyang went to the firearms training hall to continue practicing his marksmanship.

Xiao Wang headed toward the martial arts training hall.

The moment he reached the entrance, he saw quite a few students gathering there.

Although martial arts were no longer as popular as firearms, No. 7 Middle School still had over a hundred students who had chosen martial arts.

Xiao Wang had only taken two steps toward the entrance when someone reached out and put a hand on his shoulder.

He turned and saw that it was Chu Wenlong.

"Hey, Brother Wang."

"Have you heard what they're announcing?" Xiao Wang asked Chu Wenlong. He knew Chu Wenlong's family was wealthy and that he had better access to information.

"No idea. The notice came out of nowhere. Maybe it has something to do with martial arts admissions, but I don't know."

As they spoke, the two walked inside.

The training hall was already packed with people.

Standing at the center of the training area was a teacher—the martial arts instructor of No. 7 Middle School, He Tao.

He Tao's martial arts cultivation was not particularly high, but he was fairly responsible. Xiao Wang had heard that No. 7 Middle School had previously hired teachers with high martial arts cultivation, but after their salaries were cut again and again, they all left. Only He Tao had stayed.

Xiao Wang and Chu Wenlong squeezed into the crowd and waited for a while. Once He Tao saw that nearly everyone had arrived, he began speaking.

"Quiet down. I have something to announce. It's good news, I suppose."

Hearing that it was good news, the crowd erupted into chatter.

"Teacher, is Mount Yuan Martial Arts Academy expanding enrollment this year?" one student shouted.

Although martial arts had declined and Mount Yuan Martial Arts Academy's admission rate had risen somewhat, it was still very low, only a little over ten percent. In other words, of these hundred-plus students, the vast majority would not get into Mount Yuan Martial Arts Academy.

"Quiet." After the students settled down, He Tao continued, "It's not expanded enrollment. Rather, in order to revitalize martial arts, Mount Yuan Martial Arts Academy has launched an Elite Talent Program this year. Ten students will be selected from the incoming freshmen and assigned martial arts teachers for one-on-one instruction."

The moment he finished speaking, a wave of groans rose from the crowd.

"Ah, what use is that? I might not even pass the absolute muscle control test."

"Exactly. I'll be lucky if I can get in at all. What does elite talent have to do with me?"

"Sigh, I thought they were expanding enrollment."

After speaking, He Tao looked through the crowd. At last, his gaze settled on Xiao Wang. "Xiao Wang, work hard. You might have a chance. If there's anything you need help with, come find me anytime."

"Thank you, Teacher."

After saying that, He Tao left the training hall.

Xiao Wang had always had the best martial arts cultivation at No. 7 Middle School. If anyone could possibly make it through this program, only Xiao Wang had a chance, which was why He Tao had specifically singled him out.

But Xiao Wang himself knew he was still far from it.

No. 7 Middle School's martial arts program had always ranked near the bottom among all schools in the outer city. Being first at No. 7 Middle School meant nothing when he did not even know where he ranked in the entire outer city.

He Tao knew that too, so he merely announced the matter, symbolically singled out Xiao Wang, and left it at that.

He knew it was impossible.

After hearing this, Chu Wenlong said from beside him, "Brother Wang, whether No. 7 Middle School can save face depends entirely on you."