Punching Wooden Posts, Nourishing Soup

After the fist-form practice came the next test: punching wooden posts.

The servants would use nothing but their fists to break these wooden posts buried in the ground.

This test measured the hardness of one's bones and the strength of one's blood and qi.

After all, only by bringing one's fist techniques to the beginner level, with vigorous blood and qi and gradually hardened joints, could one possibly break the wooden posts.

"Hey! Ha!"

A servant let out a fierce roar, the muscles in his arm bulging as he threw a punch.

With a crack, the wooden post snapped.

An Escort Guard beside him lowered his head and recorded the corresponding number on a sheet of paper.

For a time, shouts of "hey" and "ha" rose and fell across the training ground, mingled with the sounds of breaking posts and painful groans from failed strikes.

Zhao Ya watched in secret and found that most people averaged around three or four wooden posts.

Even those somewhat stronger could break no more than five posts, which gave him a rough measure of things.

"Are you ready?" an Escort Guard asked Zhao Ya.

Zhao Ya nodded, rolled up his sleeves, and walked over to a wooden post. He first gave it a push with his hand to gauge its hardness, then clenched his hand into a fist and struck hard.

Crack.

Amid a crisp snapping sound, the wooden post broke.

The Escort Guard's eyes immediately lit up.

Unlike the others, who bared their teeth and yelped in pain, Zhao Ya had remained calm from beginning to end.

It was as though these were not wooden posts, but dry sticks of firewood.

After breaking the post before him, Zhao Ya did not pause and headed straight for the next one.

Crack, crack, crack.

A series of sharp snaps rang out as Zhao Ya broke a full eight wooden posts as easily as chopping melons and slicing vegetables. Only then did he stop, silently settle his blood and qi, and nod to the Escort Guard.

"Zhao Ya, eight wooden posts!"

The Escort Guard shouted loudly, drawing the attention of many people.

After all, this was the highest record so far.

For a moment, the looks many people gave Zhao Ya changed in subtle ways.

Meng Lei, the Chief Escort seated on the platform, naturally noticed this as well.

When he saw that the one who had broken eight wooden posts was Zhao Ya, who had already left a good impression on him during the Five Tigers Fist demonstration, Meng Lei could not help nodding to himself.

The boy had joined the Escort Agency only recently, yet he had already performed so well. He truly was a promising talent.

Just then, a wave of astonished cries suddenly arose from somewhere on the training ground.

"How many has that been already?"

"Ten!"

"Damn, he's that formidable? Is this guy planning to break every remaining wooden post today?"

Amid the discussion, Wei Yu's figure flashed about as his fists struck one after another. Every wooden post in his path snapped on impact.

This scene immediately drew the attention of everyone present.

Even Meng Lei could not help rising to his feet to watch.

Crack, crack, crack.

The sounds of breaking were endless. In the blink of an eye, the number of wooden posts broken beneath Wei Yu's fists had reached a terrifying sixteen.

At this point, only the final two wooden posts remained on the field.

Then Wei Yu suddenly let out a long howl and charged forward like a fierce tiger, throwing both fists at once.

With two cracks, the two wooden posts broke simultaneously.

Only then did Wei Yu steady himself, standing tall with his head raised, his face full of pride.

"Wei Yu, eighteen wooden posts!"

In an instant, the entire field erupted.

"Eighteen wooden posts? Has this guy already completed bone forging?"

"This boy is truly terrifying."

Amid the uproar, Meng Lei burst into laughter and descended from the platform to stand before Wei Yu.

"Good! Refined fists and fierce strength—truly, heroes emerge from the young."

Wei Yu lowered his head and cupped his fists. "Chief Escort, you flatter me."

Though his words were humble, the unconcealed pride on his face betrayed his true thoughts.

Meng Lei patted him on the shoulder and offered a few more words of encouragement before turning and returning to the platform.

"I am very satisfied with today's martial practice. Though a small number of you performed a little poorly, it is clear that most of you have put in hard work on your fist techniques."

"In these times, heroes rise in droves and the strong gather like clouds. If you wish to gain a foothold, you must cultivate steadily and earnestly. Kung fu never fails those who work at it—if you put in the effort, it will repay you."

Meng Lei spoke eloquently from the platform, but Zhao Ya had long since become immune to such chicken-soup speeches. He glanced sideways at Wei Yu, who stood in the front row.

This youth truly was quite capable.

Although Zhao Ya believed that if he went all out, he too could break a great many wooden posts.

Still, he had not done so. Standing out too much often invited unnecessary trouble.

Compared to that, he would rather remain an unremarkable middle-of-the-road figure.

Perhaps sensing Zhao Ya's gaze, Wei Yu turned to look over, and their eyes met.

Zhao Ya smiled faintly.

Wei Yu merely raised his brows, then ignored Zhao Ya and turned back around.

Faced with that silent contempt, Zhao Ya only smiled and did not take it to heart.

But though he said nothing, Tan Dong beside him was somewhat unable to stomach it.

He had seen everything that had just happened, so he whispered angrily, "Old Zhao, that kid is really arrogant. Want to teach him a lesson?"

"Sure. Go teach him a lesson for me," Zhao Ya said blandly.

Tan Dong shrank his neck and said awkwardly, "How could I? I nearly gave my life just to break two wooden posts, and my hands still hurt."

"Then why say all that?"

"Wasn't I just feeling indignant on your behalf? Besides, I can't teach him a lesson, but can't you? Don't think I didn't notice—you didn't even break a sweat just now. You were clearly hiding your true ability..."

Zhao Ya shot Tan Dong a glance. "No one will think you're mute if you keep quiet."

Tan Dong shut his mouth and did not dare say another word.

Just then, Meng Lei finally finished pouring out his chicken soup from the platform.

"Wei Yu, Zhao Ya, Zhou Hua, Luo Feng—you four stay behind. The rest of you may leave."

Zhao Ya's heart stirred. He knew the main event had arrived.

Sure enough.

After everyone else had dispersed, Meng Lei gathered Zhao Ya and the other three and announced several matters.

First, Zhao Ya and the others would receive increased monthly wages.

Zhao Ya's previous monthly wage had been one tael and two mace of silver. It had now been raised directly to two taels.

And that was not even the highest. Wei Yu's monthly wage had reached a full three taels.

Yet compared with what Meng Lei announced next, this benefit was hardly worth mentioning.

From now on, the Escort Agency would provide lunch for Zhao Ya and the other four.

Do not underestimate a single meal. In Meng Lei's words, every dish would be prepared from the meat of fierce beasts rich in blood and qi.

Most importantly, after the meal there would be a bowl of nourishing soup brewed from all kinds of precious medicinal herbs, with miraculous effects for replenishing blood and qi and strengthening the body.

Once these terms were announced, even Zhao Ya could not help being moved, much less the other three.

"Many thanks for the Escort Agency's grace in nurturing us. We will remember it deep in our hearts and give our all for the Escort Agency," Luo Feng, the youngest among them, said so excitedly that he immediately pledged his loyalty.

Meng Lei laughed heartily. "There is no need to give your all. So long as you four practice diligently, that will be the greatest repayment you can offer the Escort Agency."

"Alright, you three may return and rest. Wei Yu, come with me."

Meng Lei called Wei Yu aside alone and led him away.

"Brother Wei has won the Chief Escort's favor. He's truly risen to the heavens in a single step now," Luo Feng said enviously.

By comparison, Zhou Hua was much steadier. He merely glanced at Wei Yu's retreating back before turning and leaving.

"Brother Zhao, we're fellow travelers now. Shall we go out and celebrate?" Luo Feng asked eagerly.

Zhao Ya smiled and shook his head. "Forget it. I have something to do. Another day."

Then he too turned and left.