Martial Examination

Cheng Heng stayed in the Inner Courtyard for over half an hour before finally coming out.

This apprenticeship ceremony had been far less grand than Chen An's, but Cheng Heng had no other thoughts about it. His [Heaven Rewards Diligence] might not lose to a Superior Bone Constitution; there was no need for envy.

The delay had mainly been because Wu Zhong tested Cheng Heng's root bone once more. Yet, as expected, the result remained the same: Low-Grade Root Bone, without the slightest change.

However, Cheng Heng learned from Wu Zhong that secret medicines capable of improving one's root bone actually existed in this world.

Still, in a small county like Gaoyang County, one could never come into contact with such pills. Only by reaching a prefectural city or entering those martial sects would one have any hope of obtaining them.

Moreover, from their conversation, he learned that there was only one path into those great sects: participating in the Martial Examination.

Only by placing among the top ranks in the Martial Examination would one have the chance to join those great sects and behold a broader world!

"If the Skill-Transforming Force realm can extend one's life by twenty years, wouldn't the realms beyond it add even more lifespan?"

"Or perhaps... could martial cultivation in this world truly grant eternal life and shatter the void?"

"This world is becoming more and more exciting!"

Cheng Heng cast aside his distracting thoughts. His foremost goal now was to cultivate as quickly as possible and break through to the Hidden Force realm!

Although the Bright Force realm qualified one to participate in the Martial Examination, reaching the top ranks required attaining the Hidden Force realm.

There were still more than half a year until Gaoyang County's Martial Examination. There was enough time; he should be able to break through to Hidden Force before then.

Thus, Cheng Heng once again began his rounds of tedious training.

In the blink of an eye, more than ten days passed.

Cheng Heng finally caught up the progress of the Tiger-Subduing Fist Technique, reaching the Minor Mastery realm!

[Tiger-Subduing Fist Technique Minor Mastery (1/5000): Practice ten times a day, achieve major mastery in one year, attain perfection in three years]

This also signified that Cheng Heng could now be considered outstanding among those at the Bright Force level!

As usual, Cheng Heng did not return home from the martial hall until night had fallen.

The moon hung high, and all around was silent as Cheng Heng entered the hushed street.

Suddenly, Cheng Heng's heart tightened. His senses, sharper than those of ordinary people, detected a furtive figure following behind him.

"Come out!"

Cheng Heng abruptly turned around, his calm gaze fixed on the person behind him.

"Hehehe! No wonder Li Er and Wang Pockmark fell into your hands. So you had already started learning martial arts at the martial hall."

As the voice fell, a short man with a scar across his face stepped out from the shadows.

That man was Li Black Tiger!

Cheng Heng was slightly startled upon hearing this. It seemed his methods had still left traces and been discovered.

"May I ask what business Gang Leader Li has with me today?"

Cheng Heng narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Cut the nonsense. You little brat who just started learning martial arts actually dared to swindle money from my Black Tiger Gang. Spit out the twenty taels of silver you swallowed, and perhaps your Uncle Tiger will leave you an intact corpse today!"

Li Black Tiger pulled his lips into a cold smile, then spoke viciously.

So it was over this matter. It seemed there would be no peaceful resolution today!

Cheng Heng sneered inwardly. No wonder the Black Tiger Gang was swallowed up by the River Tide Gang. Judging from how outdated their information was alone, they deserved to lose!

Not only am I no longer a novice martial apprentice, I have already stepped into Bright Force, and my fist technique has reached Minor Mastery!

Cheng Heng said nothing more. Instead, he gathered the momentum of his entire body to its peak, then flashed forward like a starving tiger, lunging straight at Li Black Tiger.

Li Black Tiger stood frozen for a moment. This brat's aura did not look like that of someone who had only just begun learning martial arts!

He had originally thought that a few threats would make the brat obediently hand over the money. He had never expected Cheng Heng to strike first.

Li Black Tiger's face twisted viciously as he drew the long saber from his back, preparing to end Cheng Heng's life with a single savage slash.

Cheng Heng used the "Black Tiger Rips Out Heart" move from the Tiger-Subduing Fist. His right-hand fingers were like steel sinews as he slipped past Li Black Tiger's incoming saber and effortlessly pierced his chest with one claw.

Crack!

Accompanied by the sound of his breastbone shattering, Li Black Tiger was knocked several steps back!

The pain nearly made Li Black Tiger faint. The old wound in his abdomen from when the River Tide Gang had ambushed him had not yet healed, and today Cheng Heng had pierced through his breastbone in a single move!

Damn!

I've stumbled!

This brat was playing the pig to eat the tiger. Not only was he a Bright Force martial artist, even his Tiger-Subduing Fist had been trained to a considerable level!

Run!

As long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood!

Just as Li Black Tiger prepared to flee, how could Cheng Heng possibly give him the opportunity? Strike him while he was sick and take his life!

Cheng Heng closed in on Li Black Tiger like lightning. Each punch tore through the air, sending explosive booms rippling through the night.

He specifically struck at his injuries.

He gave him no chance to catch his breath. Bang! Bang! Bang!

Punch after punch battered Li Black Tiger's abdomen, until blood spilled everywhere.

"Master Cheng, spare my life! I'll never dare again!"

Cheng Heng's gaze was cold. If you had known this would happen, why come here to die today?

The next moment!

Pfft!

Li Black Tiger's breastbone was completely shattered. His internal organs were likely already pulped as well. His eyes suddenly widened, then the light in them gradually faded.

"Whew!"

Cheng Heng let out a long breath. Your name was Li Black Tiger, and today you died beneath the Tiger-Subduing Fist. You died a fitting death!

He then picked up the saber that had fallen nearby and searched Li Black Tiger's body. In the end, he found only a copy of Mountain-Cleaving Saber Technique and over four taels of loose silver!

Pah! What a poor bastard. No wonder he came after me over twenty taels of silver.

Cheng Heng then chopped Li Black Tiger's corpse into a mangled mess with the saber, making sure no one could tell who had done it. Only then did he swiftly vanish into the street.

Early the next morning, just as Cheng Heng finished washing up and prepared to leave, he saw several burly men dressed in River Tide Gang attire approaching outside his door.

At their head was a young man around twenty years old, followed by four or five lackeys!

The young man's face was pale. Upon seeing Cheng Heng, he smiled and said, "I am Zhang Feng, young gang leader of the River Tide Gang. You must be Cheng Heng, sir!"

Cheng Heng calmly cupped his hands. "So you are the River Tide Gang's young gang leader. I have long heard of you."

Zhang Feng politely returned the gesture. "Junior Brother Cheng, from today onward, this entire area will be fully taken over by our River Tide Gang. The Black Tiger Gang officially became history last night!"

"If Junior Brother Cheng needs anything in the future, just speak up. My father has heard your name and has long wished to meet you!"

Cheng Heng snorted inwardly. If your father truly wanted to meet me, he would likely have come in person today.

It seemed the River Tide Gang had definitely investigated his background beforehand. Otherwise, they would not have made a special visit to his door.

He then put on a flattered expression. "Young Gang Leader, you are too kind!"

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before Zhang Feng departed with his men.