Martial Examination

After the heavy snow, the weather gradually improved.

Deep within Scarlet Cloud Mountain, the clouds parted after the snow, though rosy mists still lingered between the peaks. In the distance, treetops bowed beneath patches of snow; nearby, a faint mist rose above the medicinal fields. Touched by the morning light, it was like a thin veil of golden gauze.

In the medicinal garden, several martial guards hauled a Snow Wolf, frozen stiff as a board, from an ice cave. They skinned and cleaned it, then set it over the fire to roast slowly.

The flames licked at the wolf meat. Fat dripped into the coals with crackling pops, and the fragrance quickly spread.

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

All three wore new coats, hastily made from Snow Wolf pelts. Snow Wolf fur was thick and excellent at keeping out wind and cold.

Wang Zhong smiled. "Coats made from Snow Wolf pelts are warmer than even the fox-fur cloaks sold in the county town."

Lu Chen smiled as well. He had prepared two sets for his father and mother, intending to bring them home as gifts for the New Year.

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

"Lu Chen, these past few days of sparring with you have truly opened my eyes. You've trained the Azure Dragon Through-the-Arms Fist to such a level that once your fist force is unleashed, it advances in layer upon layer. My Heavy Cannon Fist cannot gain the slightest advantage even in a head-on clash."

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

"Your future is boundless."

Qi Jin sighed.

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

Watching the flames dance amid the coals, he did not grow complacent from Qi Jin's praise.

He knew that while he might be considered outstanding among Scarlet Cloud County's younger generation, in the whole of Great Zhou—in the wider world beyond—minor Blood Moving Realm attainment was still merely the beginning of the martial path.

A single Qiu Heixiong from Black Wind Stronghold had caused him no small amount of suffering.

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

"Brother Qi, I'd like to ask about the martial examination."

Qi Jin was slightly taken aback. "The martial examination?"

Lu Chen continued, "When does it begin each year? What exactly does it test?"

He could not remain a courtyard guard at Wang Firm for the rest of his life. He had to consider his own future and advancement.

Great Zhou had founded its nation upon martial strength, and martial examinations were held every year at the county and township levels. If one took the martial examination and passed as a martial licentiate, one would not only gain official standing, but rise greatly in status. Later, there would even be opportunities to continue on to the martial provincial examinations, become a high official, and perhaps be granted a marquisate or rise to the rank of minister.

Hearing this, Qi Jin grew more serious.

"I took the martial examination in my youth as well. I fell just short and failed to pass as a martial licentiate. Later, my ambition scattered to the winds, and I drifted through the martial world."

Wang Zhong took over. "You'll be seventeen next year, so you can register for the martial examination."

"County-level martial examinations are mainly for young martial artists under eighteen. Once you pass that age, unless you earn military merit or receive an official recommendation, entering officialdom becomes much more difficult."

Qi Jin added, "The examination date varies each year, though it is usually held in summer or autumn. The specifics depend on the county yamen and prefectural authorities. Sometimes it may be moved earlier or later according to border-army recruitment or the local bandit situation."

Lu Chen considered this. "What about the examination contents?"

Wang Zhong raised two fingers. "There are mainly two parts."

"Strength and courage, and skill and courage."

Lu Chen repeated, "Strength and courage, skill and courage?"

Qi Jin nodded. "Strength and courage means testing one's strength."

"For martial artists, strength is the foundation. Without strength, no matter how clever one's fist techniques are, they are merely flowery forms."

"The county martial examination usually includes tests such as stone locks and powerful bows. Some years require lifting a thousand-jin stone lock; in others, one must draw a ten-stone heavy bow..."

Wang Zhong said, "In short, this part mainly tests a martial artist's strength. The deeper one's Blood Moving cultivation, the greater the advantage in strength and courage."

Lu Chen nodded.

Having reached minor Blood Moving Realm attainment, his strength was now roughly between fourteen hundred and fifteen hundred jin, considerably greater than when he had first entered the realm.

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

"It differs every year."

"Sometimes there are arena matches, where examinees directly take the stage to compete."

"If the region is unsettled, examinees may also be asked to assist in capturing bandits and wiping out mountain brigands, with their results determined by battle merit."

At this point, Qi Jin glanced at Lu Chen and smiled. "If next year's exam involves hunting bandits, Black Wind Stronghold will definitely be the county yamen's first target."

Lu Chen listened carefully, committing each word to memory.

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

Lu Chen asked again, "Brother Qi, Chief Wang, with 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. "Though you are now a master of fist techniques, and few among Scarlet Cloud County's younger generation can compare to you, your foundation of qi and blood is still insufficient. You have only reached minor Blood Moving Realm attainment."

"With your current strength, I'm afraid your chances of passing as a county martial licentiate are not great."

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

He looked at Lu Chen and said earnestly, "Brother Lu, your talent for martial arts is indeed exceptional. Your attainment in fist techniques is something I deeply admire."

"But your qi-and-blood foundation still falls short. Those competing for martial licentiate status in past martial examinations were all martial artists at major Blood Moving Realm attainment. There were even geniuses at the peak of the Blood Moving Realm."

"They are all favored sons of heaven from various martial halls or powerful families."

Wang Zhong took over at this moment. "Take Shi Hao from your Hidden Dragon Martial Hall. I hear he is only fifteen this year, and will only be sixteen next year."

"He can easily wait another two years and take the martial examination right at the eighteen-year age limit. By then, his strength certainly will not remain at merely minor Blood Moving Realm attainment."

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 does not matter—they can accumulate experience."

"Then they can build up their qi and blood for another two years and temper their martial arts for another two years, before entering on their final chance at eighteen in their strongest state."

"Every year, there are many people who take the martial examination by holding back for the age limit."

"So without major Blood Moving Realm attainment, passing as a martial licentiate is very difficult!"

Lu Chen nodded. "I understand."

Scarlet Cloud County had five martial halls, producing dozens or even over a hundred martial artists every year. Add to that the promising talents from nearby towns and villages, the direct descendants hidden away by the major clans, and even people rushing over from other counties to compete for slots.

With so many martial artists gathering in one place, hidden dragons and crouching tigers were everywhere.

Without true strength, hoping to pass the martial examination was nothing but a fool's dream.

Still, Lu Chen was not in such a hurry.

He had two chances. If he could not pass at seventeen, he could wait until the following year.

Seeing that Lu Chen was not impetuous, Wang Zhong instead revealed a trace of gratification.

What he feared most was that Lu Chen would achieve success at a young age and grow smug after driving back Qiu Heixiong.

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

Wang Zhong picked up his wineskin and took a sip of medicinal wine. Suddenly, he sighed. "This martial examination is like an army of thousands crossing a single-plank bridge."

"How many young talents have trained in martial arts since childhood, practicing through the bitter cold of the deepest winter and the scorching heat of high summer, suffering more hardships than one could count, all in the hope of one day seeing their names on the list."

"But in the end, how many can truly pass?"