The Examination Begins

In the Willow Tree Alley courtyard, Zhao Feng's legs whirled like windmills as he skimmed low over the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

[Wind God Leg Technique Initiate (265/500)]

"Even if the Wind God Leg Technique and Eight Extremes Fist can't fully mesh together, basic coordination shouldn't be a problem." Zhao Feng planned to use Eight Extremes Fist in close combat and the Wind God Leg Technique to maneuver at range, creating a simple combination. Or he could simply use it as a movement technique to evade attacks. He decided to give it a try.

The martial examination had two subjects. The first tested archery and horsemanship. Zhao Feng was confident that his archery had already reached mastery; he only needed to keep practicing whenever he had spare time and improve as much as he could.

As for saber techniques, they would not be used in the martial examination. The second subject was merely a fist-and-foot competition, with no weapons allowed. He could set that aside for now.

He would focus on fist techniques and leg techniques while also advancing his stake skill.

So during the day, Zhao Feng practiced his stance and fists at the martial arts hall. At night, he returned to the Willow Tree Alley courtyard to practice his leg technique.

Before the martial examination began, he aimed to improve his stake skill and fist technique as much as possible and push his leg technique to minor mastery.

"Cousin, take a break. Dinner's ready." Qiao'er came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. She now wore a blue padded skirt and a kerchief around her head. Her face had visibly filled out, and she looked far more lively and healthy.

"Alright." Zhao Feng entered the main room.

The table was already covered with steaming dishes: a full two jin of braised bear meat, a large pot of thick tiger bone soup with medicinal ingredients, two ordinary stir-fried dishes, and an entire pot of rice. The beast meat and medicinal tiger bone soup were for Zhao Feng, while Qiao'er ate some of the stir-fried dishes and rice.

Though Qiao'er was young, she had worked since childhood and was already quite skilled at cooking.

With her taking care of his daily needs, meals, and laundry, Zhao Feng could focus more wholeheartedly on training. He no longer had to force himself to eat the beast meat he cooked himself. Qiao'er's cooking perfectly masked that deadly gamey stench.

"How has your studying been these past two days?" Zhao Feng asked as he took a large bite of bear meat.

"Very well. I wrote more than two hundred characters today, and the teacher even praised me." Qiao'er spoke proudly.

She could now read some simple illustrated books. After returning from the private school, aside from cooking and doing laundry, she spent her time reading with great enjoyment.

"Qiao'er, do you want to take the examination to become a female official in the future, or do you want to practice martial arts?"

"Of course I want to practice martial arts!" Qiao'er immediately shouted, her eyes shining.

Zhao Feng was not surprised. Zihuai and Bao'er were also studying in order to practice martial arts.

Qiao'er's body was already beginning to grow sturdier. After the martial examination, he would teach her a method for tempering her vitality, muscles, and bones, so she could begin laying her foundation and prepare for martial arts training.

At the Four Seas Trading House in the inner city, the shopkeeper took the list Zhao Feng handed over and calculated the cost.

"For these precious medicines, tiger meat, bear meat, and one bottle of Vitality Pills, the total comes to one hundred and twenty taels and two mace of silver. I'll round it down for you."

Zhao Feng readily paid the silver. This was his largest single expense yet.

To increase his strength as much as possible, he was willing to spend money and make every preparation for the martial examination.

Even the rarest and most expensive ordinary medicinal herbs could be obtained at cost from the pharmacies under the Wei Family. But for certain special precious medicines—such as several listed in his master's prescription—he had to purchase them from the Four Seas Trading House. Ordinary pharmacies did not stock them.

"Wait a moment." Just as he was about to leave, a clear voice like silver bells rang out behind him.

Zhao Feng turned and saw a beautiful woman in a lake-green silk dress emerge from behind the counter. She had bright eyes and pearly teeth.

"Miss, were you calling for me?" Zhao Feng pointed at himself.

"Yes." The woman nodded. Her features were lovely, though her delicate brows carried a hint of heroic spirit.

"Your prescription is good, but do not take Vitality Pills for one shichen before or after the medicinal bath. Remember that."

"Oh?"

"The medicine is potent. Taking it together with Vitality Pills will have the opposite effect. It would be troublesome if it damages your meridians." The woman spoke calmly.

Zhao Feng's expression turned solemn. He bowed and cupped his fists. "Thank you for the reminder, miss. Zhao is deeply grateful."

"You need not be so polite, sir. Take care."

The woman nodded reservedly, then turned and returned behind the counter.

Zhao Feng saw that both the shopkeeper and attendants treated her with great respect. She was likely someone of high status within the Four Seas Trading House. He did not dwell on it and left.

The days passed like flowing water. In the blink of an eye, more than half a month had gone by, and only two days remained until the county martial examination.

In the Willow Tree Alley courtyard.

Zhao Feng kicked off with one leg and shot forward close to the ground. His legs spun like a gale, and in an instant he had darted to the other end of the courtyard. Then he tapped the ground with his toes and made a wide turn like a great bird, his figure flickering unpredictably.

His legs continuously struck the ground and kicked through the air as he flew about the courtyard, growing faster and faster.

Qiao'er, watching from the entrance of the main room, could not even make out his figure and covered her mouth in surprise.

Only after several dozen breaths did Zhao Feng drift gracefully back to the ground. A flash of white light appeared before his eyes, followed by a line of small words.

[Wind God Leg Technique Minor Mastery (1/1000)]

"It took just over a month to bring the Wind God Leg Technique to minor mastery. That speed isn't bad." He let out a breath. He had finally reached minor mastery before the martial examination began.

Based on what he had learned upon reaching minor mastery, this leg technique was not purely nimble and light. It also possessed the fierce force of a raging wind, so it did not conflict with Eight Extremes Fist.

The results were much better than he had expected. Over the next two days, he needed to make Eight Extremes Fist and the Wind God Leg Technique mesh together more smoothly and become more proficient with them.

The second day of the eleventh month, sixteenth year of Jingzong's reign in Great Yan. Before dawn.

Zhao Feng had already washed and dressed. His aunt and Qiao'er had prepared breakfast for him and laid out his clothes.

"Aunt, Qiao'er, the county examination will last four days. I'll be eating and staying at the martial arts hall during that time, so don't worry about me. Stay here peacefully. I have plenty of vegetables, meat, rice, and flour." As he ate breakfast, he comforted his worried aunt and Qiao'er.

Since he would be away from home for the next few days, he had asked his aunt to come stay with Qiao'er in the Willow Tree Alley courtyard and keep her company.

"Mm. Feng'er, go without worry." His aunt was so nervous that she could barely eat.

After finishing breakfast, Zhao Feng took a deep breath and stepped out through the gate, heading to the martial arts hall to meet his master and fellow disciples. This was the first major day he had faced since arriving in this world. It would be a lie to say he felt no pressure. Unlike his previous breakthrough, when he had the panel to reassure him, this martial examination was different. There were many outside factors beyond his control.

I can't let outside factors affect me.

He suppressed his unease.

A flash of white light appeared before his eyes, and the panel displayed his current data.

[Cloak Saber Technique Initiate (220/500)]

[Archery Mastery (478/4000)]

[Eight Extremes Stake Skill Mastery (520/2000)]

[Eight Extremes Fist Mastery (380/2000)]

[Wind God Leg Technique Minor Mastery (20/1000)]

Strength was his confidence!

At the hour of the dragon, the militia training grounds of Big Stone County were solemn, with banners of every kind filling the sky.

The training grounds were enclosed by fences and guarded by soldiers. Ordinary commoners were not permitted inside. Yet the county's prominent families, influential figures, and even ordinary wealthy households could enter as friends or relatives. That was class.

The county martial examination was a major event everywhere. It drew martial artists of eligible age from across the county to register and take the test. Once one placed in the martial examination and became a martial scholar, one gained quasi-official status. Not only could one receive exemptions from taxes and labor service, but one's social standing would also undergo a fundamental leap.

Then, with the sound of a gong, the gates of the training grounds opened. The martial artists who had long been waiting outside, dressed in various styles of fitted martial clothing, entered in separate groups one after another.

Huo Shan led his disciples and his daughter, Huo Yao, proudly into the training grounds. Huo Yao had specifically returned from the prefectural city for this county examination to help the martial arts hall handle paperwork and daily matters, as well as to watch the examination.