Martial Examination

After the heavy snowfall, the weather gradually improved.

Deep in Scarlet Cloud Mountain, the clouds parted and the snow cleared, yet a rosy glow still lingered among the ridges. In the distance, the treetops were weighed down by leftover snow. Nearby, a faint mist rose above the Medicine Fields, and under the morning light, it looked as though they had been draped in a thin veil of gold.

In the herb garden, several guardsmen carried a Snow Wolf, frozen stiff, out of an ice cave. They then skinned and cleaned it before setting it over the fire to roast slowly.

The flames licked at the wolf meat. Fat dripped into the coals with a crackle, and the aroma soon spread through the air.

Wang Zhong, Qi Jin, and Lu Chen sat around the fire.

All three wore new coats, hastily made from Snow Wolf pelts. The pelts were thick and exceptionally good at blocking wind and keeping out the cold.

Wang Zhong laughed. "A coat made from Snow Wolf fur is even warmer than the fox-fur coats sold in those shops in the county seat."

Lu Chen smiled as well. He had prepared two sets for his parents and planned to take them home as New Year's gifts.

Qi Jin looked at Lu Chen, genuine admiration in his eyes.

"Lu Chen, sparring with you these past few days has really opened my eyes. You've trained the Azure Dragon Through-the-Arms Fist to such a level that whenever your punches unleash their force, wave after wave presses forward. My Heavy Cannon Fist can't gain the slightest advantage in a head-on clash."

"You're only sixteen. Even after the New Year, you'll only be seventeen."

"Your future is limitless."

Qi Jin sighed in admiration.

"Brother Qi, you flatter me," Lu Chen said.

He watched the flames dancing in the coals, but Qi Jin's praise did not make him swell with pride.

He knew that, among the younger generation in Scarlet Cloud County, he might be considered outstanding. But across Great Zhou, across the even vaster world beyond, Blood-Moving Minor Achievement was still merely the starting point of the martial path.

A single Qiu Heixiong from Black Wind Stronghold had already given him plenty of trouble.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen looked up at Qi Jin.

"Brother Qi, I wanted to ask about the Martial Examination."

Qi Jin was slightly taken aback. "The Martial Examination?"

Lu Chen continued, "When did the Martial Examination begin each year? What exactly did it test?"

He couldn't possibly remain a guard at Wang Firm for the rest of his life. He also had to consider his future and prospects.

Great Zhou had founded itself through martial strength, and at the county and township levels, it held Martial Examinations every year. If one could take the exam and become a Martial Scholar, one would not only gain an official distinction and see one's status rise dramatically, but would also have the chance to continue on to the military examinations, become a high-ranking official, and receive a noble title.

At this, Qi Jin's expression grew more serious.

"When I was young, I took the Martial Examination too. I was just a step short and failed to become a Martial Scholar. Later, my spirit faded, and I ended up wandering the martial world."

Wang Zhong picked up the thread. "You'll be seventeen next year. You can go register for the Martial Examination."

"The county-level Martial Examination is mainly aimed at young martial artists under eighteen. Once you pass that age, unless you earn military merit or receive a recommendation from an official, entering government service becomes much more difficult."

Qi Jin added, "The examination date varies each year, usually falling in summer or autumn. It depends on the County Government Office and the prefectural government. Sometimes, because of military recruitment along the border or the local bandit situation, it may be moved forward or delayed."

Lu Chen pondered this. "What about the examination subjects?"

Wang Zhong held up two fingers. "There are mainly two."

"Strength Trial and Skill Trial."

Lu Chen repeated, "Strength Trial? Skill Trial?"

Qi Jin nodded. "The so-called Strength Trial tests physical strength."

"For a martial artist, strength is the foundation. Without strength, no matter how skillful your techniques are, they're nothing but a flashy display."

"The county's Martial Examination usually includes tests with stone locks and heavy bows. In some years, candidates must lift a thousand-jin stone lock; in others, they must draw a powerful bow rated at ten dan..."

Wang Zhong said, "In short, this part mainly tests a martial artist's strength. The deeper one's Blood-Moving Realm, the greater the advantage in the Strength Trial."

Lu Chen nodded.

With his Blood-Moving Minor Achievement, his current strength was probably between fourteen and fifteen hundred jin, a considerable increase from when he had first entered the realm.

Wang Zhong continued, "As for the Skill Trial, it tests practical combat ability and martial skill."

"It's different every year."

"Sometimes it's a tournament, with the candidates going directly onto a platform to fight."

"If the area is troubled, the candidates may also be asked to assist in arresting bandits or clearing out mountain brigands, with their results determined by battle merits."

At this point, Qi Jin glanced at Lu Chen and laughed. "If next year's exam involves suppressing bandits, Black Wind Stronghold will definitely be the County Government Office's first target."

Lu Chen listened carefully, committing every word to memory.

The firewood in the flames crackled. Fat seeped from the roasting Snow Wolf meat, and its fragrance drifted away on the mountain wind.

Lu Chen asked again, "Brother Qi, Commander Wang, given my current strength, would I have a chance if I took the Martial Examination?"

Wang Zhong looked at Lu Chen and poured a basin of cold water over him. "Although you're a master of boxing now, and among Scarlet Cloud County's younger generation there are indeed few who can match you, your blood-and-qi foundation is still insufficient. You've only reached Blood-Moving Minor Achievement."

"With your current strength, I'm afraid you won't have much certainty of becoming a county-level Martial Scholar."

Qi Jin nodded as well. "Commander Wang's words are very fair."

He looked at Lu Chen and said seriously, "Brother Lu, your martial talent is indeed extremely high, and your attainments in boxing have earned my admiration."

"But your blood-and-qi foundation is still a step behind. In past years, those who competed for the title of Martial Scholar were all martial artists at Blood-Moving Major Achievement. There were even prodigies at the Blood-Moving Apex."

"They were all favored sons of heaven from various martial halls or Lineages."

Wang Zhong added, "Take Shi Hao from your Hidden Dragon Martial Hall. I hear he's only fifteen, which means he'll be just sixteen next year."

"He can wait another two years and take the Martial Examination right before the age limit of eighteen. By then, his strength certainly won't be limited to Blood-Moving Minor Achievement."

Qi Jin nodded. "People like Shi Hao are the most troublesome."

"They have the advantage of age. Even if they fail the first two times, it doesn't matter—they can accumulate experience."

"Then they spend another two years building up their blood and qi and another two years polishing their martial skills. When their final chance comes at eighteen, they step onto the field in their strongest condition."

"There are plenty of people who wait until the age limit to take the Martial Examination every year."

"So without the strength of Blood-Moving Major Achievement, becoming a Martial Scholar is extremely difficult!"

Lu Chen nodded. "Understood."

Scarlet Cloud County had five martial halls, producing dozens or even hundreds of martial artists every year. Add to that the promising talents from nearby townships, the legitimate heirs hidden away by the various Lineages, and even people from other counties who came to compete for the spots.

With so many martial artists gathered together, dragons and snakes lurked everywhere.

Without genuine ability, hoping to pass the Martial Examination was nothing more than a fool's dream.

Still, Lu Chen wasn't in any great hurry.

He had two chances. If he failed at seventeen, he could wait another year.

Seeing that Lu Chen had not become rash, Wang Zhong instead showed a trace of relief in his eyes.

What he feared most was Lu Chen becoming proud after achieving success at a young age—driving back Qiu Heixiong and then immediately growing complacent.

But now, it seemed Lu Chen was steadier than he had imagined.

Wang Zhong picked up his wine flask and took a swallow of medicinal wine. Then he suddenly sighed. "This Martial Examination is like thousands upon thousands of soldiers and horses trying to cross a single-plank bridge."

"So many young talents have practiced martial arts since childhood, training through the bitterest winter and the sweltering summer, enduring hardships beyond counting, all hoping to see their names on the list one day."

"But in the end, how many of them actually pass?"