The Assessment Begins

The assessment's in seven days. I won't have any trouble passing it, Lin Qing thought.

He examined his physique for a while longer but found no great change.

When he had advanced from beginner to proficient, he had visibly grown sturdier. This time, the difference was slight.

But that was only natural. If every minor advance transformed a person's body, wouldn't every martial arts master end up a giant?

The night passed uneventfully.

The next day, Lin Qing went to Shen Lian's room and told her he had reached minor mastery.

Shen Lian had said she would reward him handsomely if he reached that level.

Sure enough, her eyes lit up with delight and approval.

"Not bad, not bad. Who would've thought I'd be lucky enough to find a martial arts prodigy like you?"

She went into the inner room and returned with a bottle of medicine, this time a small green one.

"Take it. I keep my word. There are eight Blood-Strengthening Pills in this bottle, worth one tael each. They're a grade above the Qi-Replenishing Pills."

"Thank you, my lord." Lin Qing took the bottle and left.

In a teahouse near Changping Street, Jiang Baihe and Han Tai sat across from each other, each holding a cup of warm tea.

"Brother Han, you still haven't caught the culprit?" Jiang Baihe asked with a frown.

"No. Rong Futong's completely broken. We've questioned him again and again, but he has no useful leads. All we know is that the man was strong and exceptionally skilled with the Locust Stone. Those two points led me to a suspect, but..." Han Tai trailed off.

"Who?" Jiang Baihe raised an eyebrow.

"There's a hunter on Changping Street named Li Ping. He's mastered the Locust Stone, he's a martial artist, and he often stands up for others. He fits the culprit's description perfectly. But his talent has won him the favor of the head of Mount Tai Martial Arts School. I can't simply throw him in jail," Han Tai said gravely.

"Mount Tai Martial Arts School is the largest school in the city. We certainly can't use force." Jiang Baihe sipped his tea.

"That said, Li Ping isn't necessarily the culprit. Rong Futong was hated by everyone. Plenty of people wanted him dead," Han Tai added.

"Damn it!" Jiang Baihe slammed a hand on the table. "Which bastard ruined Rong Futong? The two of us will lose a fortune every year!"

"Brother Jiang, if Rong Futong's finished, can't we find someone else?" Han Tai asked.

"Finding another blackhearted cur like Rong Futong will be next to impossible." Jiang Baihe's heart ached. "And he had over two hundred taels of silver. He'd already agreed to bring it to us, but someone got to him first. Over two hundred taels! We have to get it back!"

Han Tai was not as obsessed with money as Jiang Baihe, and he remained fairly composed.

"Don't worry, Brother Jiang. I'll investigate this to the end."

Elsewhere.

At Mount Tai Martial Arts School.

A short, stout man with a mustache was guiding Li Ping through a boxing routine.

By the time Li Ping finished the routine, sweat covered his brow, and he had to stop for a rest.

The man suddenly asked, "Li Ping, tell me the truth. Did you kill Rong Futong? Jiang Baihe came asking about it again today. I sent him away."

Li Ping shook his head. "Master, I had nothing to do with it. But Rong Futong deserved to die. Whoever did it is a hero. Good riddance!"

"Even if it was you, it wouldn't matter. As long as I'm here, no one will dare touch you without ironclad proof," the man said. He was Bai Yue, head of Mount Tai Martial Arts School.

"Thank you, Master."

Several days passed.

The day of the Night Patrol Office assessment finally arrived. Tension filled the Crafts Office courtyard.

Lin Qing's breakfast that day was especially hearty: seven or eight steamed buns, three eggs, a grilled fish, and a bowl of nourishing soup.

He wolfed it down, heedless of manners, stuffing one mouthful after another into his mouth.

"Eat as much as you want. Make sure you do your best today," Shen Lian said beside him.

"Don't worry, my lord. I'm completely confident," Lin Qing said.

"There are two parts to the assessment: strength and technique. I'm confident in you too." Shen Lian nodded slightly.

Before long, he had cleared the table. Lin Qing stood up.

"My lord, I'm off to the Martial Arts Arena."

A short while later.

Lin Qing arrived at the Martial Arts Arena. Looking around, he saw three large rosewood chairs set at the front of the grounds.

The laborers stood in small groups, talking in hushed voices.

Han Juetong was chatting with another wealthy young master when Lin Qing arrived. His eyes narrowed, and his face darkened.

Jiang Baihe had said Lin Qing would withdraw from the assessment. What was going on?

He was about to go over and ask when Gao Feng shouted from nearby.

"Assemble!"

"Lord Pang, Lord Shen, and Lord Yu have arrived!"

Everyone immediately formed a square, their expressions solemn as they looked toward the arena entrance.

A large group filed in. At its head were two men and a woman, who went straight to the three rosewood chairs at the front and sat down.

"Greetings, my lords!"

Everyone shouted in unison.

From within the crowd, Lin Qing studied the three of them.

The man in the middle was an amiable-looking elder in a blue jacket, with graying hair and a passing resemblance to Shen Lian. His name was Shen Cheng. He was Shen Lian's second uncle and the head of the Netherworld Pacification Bureau.

To his left sat a tall woman in a scarlet robe, with a tattoo of a crimson spider on her left shoulder. She was Yu Muqing, head of the Yin-Yang Bureau.

On the right was Pang Tong, head of the Night Patrol Office. Lin Qing accidentally met his gaze and felt his heart jolt. Those eyes were terrifying, like a wolf's. A child would likely burst into tears at the sight of them.

Pang Tong is a fearsome brute, Lin Qing thought.

Suddenly, Lin Qing sensed a cold gaze from the front. He looked over and found Jiang Baihe standing with a group of officers behind the three bureau heads.

Jiang Baihe was no longer smiling. His face held only bitter malice.

You little bastard. You dared lie to me. If you pass today's assessment, I'll give you credit. If you fail, I'll show you what I'm capable of, Jiang Baihe cursed inwardly.

Lin Qing kept his expression calm and ignored Jiang Baihe.

"My lords, everyone is here." Gao Feng stood before the three, wearing an ingratiating smile and speaking with utmost respect.

"Then begin," Shen Cheng said. He was the oldest and most senior of the three, and held the highest standing among them.

"Yes."

Gao Feng turned back and cleared his throat. "The Soul-Calming Office has three bureaus beneath it: the Night Patrol Office, which patrols at night and suppresses evil spirits; the Netherworld Pacification Bureau, which investigates and judges cases involving evil spirits and martial artists; and the Yin-Yang Bureau, which organizes records and gathers intelligence. The three people before you are the heads of those bureaus.

"Today's assessment will be fair and impartial. Strength is all that matters. The three bureau heads and eight senior officers will serve as judges. There are two rounds in total.

"First is the strength test. Before you stand nine cauldrons, each weighing a thousand jin. Lift one three feet off the ground and hold it there for three breaths to pass.

"Second is the technique test. Those who pass the first round will take turns demonstrating the Eight Strikes of the Spirit Snake before the three lords. Those who show the highest mastery will be appointed officers. The assessment begins in fifteen minutes."