Jiangyin County's Number One in Martial Arts Talent

"So the brat really had gone mad. Did he think he could flail his fists and feet around and muddle through?" Han Chong saw Ran Hongxia's stern expression and grinned at Lin Qing's misfortune. With her temper, Lin Qing was surely in for it.

Pang Tong frowned and suddenly barked, "Lin Qing, get down here! The lady asked you to demonstrate your martial arts, not put on a circus act. You're making a fool of yourself!"

"Shut up!" Ran Hongxia whipped around, a fierce aura bursting from her. "Spout any more nonsense and I'll cripple you!"

Pang Tong bent slightly and lowered his head, his face darkening. He had not expected Ran Hongxia to give him so little face, berating him in front of everyone.

Watching this, Han Chong felt that something was wrong. Why did Ran Hongxia seem to be protecting Lin Qing?

By then, Lin Qing had finished the final move. He exhaled and brought his practice to a close.

Ran Hongxia flashed to his side and studied him, her eyes holding equal parts puzzlement, delight, and curiosity.

"Who taught you those moves just now? Answer honestly. I can't stand lies!"

"My lady, whenever I practiced the Eight Strikes of the Spirit Snake, I felt many of its moves could be improved. So I spent time privately working them out and refining them. That's how they became what you just saw," Lin Qing said quietly.

"You worked them out yourself? Good. Very good! What a treasure I've found. This trip was worth it after all. Take this!" Ran Hongxia pressed a bright silver token into Lin Qing's hand.

"Thank you, my lady!"

In an instant, countless eyes converged on Lin Qing. Many were envious, but more were bewildered. What had happened? Why was Ran Hongxia so pleased? How had Lin Qing passed the assessment?

"The assessment ends here. Lin Qing, Li Ping, Steward Wang will arrive in a few days to meet you. Make a good showing. The tokens you hold are silver, which means you'll start as third-class constables. Steward Wang has a gold token, which means starting as a second-class constable. Do your best to earn it," Ran Hongxia announced.

"Thank you, my lady!" Li Ping and Lin Qing answered in unison.

"My lady, I object! Why did Lin Qing pass?" Seeing Lin Qing receive a silver token, Han Chong was seized by such fierce jealousy that his face twisted. He gritted his teeth and stepped forward.

He could not accept Lin Qing going to the Prefectural City. It might bring him serious trouble in the future.

Han Chong's protest immediately drew agreement from many others. They could not understand why Lin Qing had passed, either.

Ran Hongxia swept her gaze across them, flashed toward Han Chong, and slapped him across the right cheek.

Han Chong screamed as the blow sent him flying. He hit the ground and spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with several teeth.

The sight silenced everyone. Those who had shouted along with Han Chong fell quiet, their hearts filled with hatred and fear of Ran Hongxia.

"You dare question how I conduct my business? That's what you get!" Ran Hongxia snapped. Her gaze swept the crowd again. "Does anyone else object?"

Pang Tong drew a deep breath and stepped forward. "My lady acts with fairness and impartiality. This humble one simply does not understand how Lin Qing, with his low-grade Yin Bone, passed the assessment. Please enlighten us, lest word spread that our Soul-Calming Office plays favorites."

Hearing this, Lin Qing wanted to cut Pang Tong down. That bastard was no better than an animal, trying at every turn to stop him from going to the Prefectural City.

"Hmph. Lin Qing is a martial arts prodigy found only once in ten thousand, the most gifted Jiangyin County has ever seen. Is that reason enough?"

Ran Hongxia's words burst beside everyone's ears like a thunderclap.

The crowd erupted. No one had expected Lin Qing to receive such an astonishing assessment. And from Ran Hongxia's expression and tone, she was clearly not joking.

"Lord Pang, are you satisfied with my answer?" Ran Hongxia turned and fixed her gaze on Pang Tong.

Pang Tong drew a deep breath. "Satisfied. Entirely satisfied. This humble one lacked the eye to recognize such rare talent, unlike Lady Ran. Jiangyin County will produce another great figure. That is a good thing, and I am sincerely delighted."

"Disperse." Ran Hongxia could not be bothered to explain further. She did not care what Pang Tong or the others thought. If anyone dared question her, Han Chong had shown them the consequences.

Once Ran Hongxia left, the square erupted with chatter. Many looked at Lin Qing with awe.

From that day on, Lin Qing's name would be known throughout Jiangyin County. Even without Ran Hongxia's astonishing praise, many would have sought his favor. Passing the Reexamination and going to the Prefectural City meant his future held boundless possibilities.

Pang Tong gave Lin Qing a long, unreadable look, then turned and left with a stony face. He showed neither joy nor sorrow, and no one knew what he was thinking.

"Congratulations, Lin Qing. Lady Ran thinks so highly of you. Your martial arts talent must truly be exceptional. You're bound to accomplish great things once you reach the Prefectural City." Li Ping was the first to approach him.

"You entered Hidden Strength at twenty-nine, Brother Li. Your talent is no worse than mine," Lin Qing said with a smile.

"Hahaha! Don't flatter me. Who knows how strong you'll be by the time you're my age?" Li Ping laughed.

"Once we're in the Prefectural City, we brothers will have to look out for each other," Lin Qing added.

"True enough." Li Ping reached out and patted Lin Qing's shoulder.

Meanwhile, with the physician's help, Han Chong finally began to stir from his stupor.

"What? Martial arts talent found only once in ten thousand?"

Hearing someone repeat what Ran Hongxia had said, Han Chong was stunned.

"H-how is that possible?" Han Chong's lips trembled with both jealousy and fear.

If Lin Qing truly had talent like that, then going to the Prefectural City would be a carp leaping through the Dragon Gate. Han Chong had no idea what trouble Lin Qing might bring him down the road.

When Lin Qing returned to the Corpse Collection Team's courtyard, Yu Qiuyu and the others, who had already heard the news, immediately crowded around him.

"Brother Lin, congratulations! You've soared straight into the sky!"

"Talent found only once in ten thousand! I said all along Brother Lin was no ordinary man."

"Brother Lin? You should call him Lord Lin from now on!"

The Corpse Collection Team's constables crowded around Lin Qing, talking over one another in their excitement.

Lin Qing cupped his hands. "Brothers, stop teasing me. Nothing's settled yet. Going to the Prefectural City doesn't guarantee I'll make something of myself."

"Lin Qing, you're too modest," Yu Qiuyu said with a smile.

"Whatever happens, this calls for a celebration. Drinks are on me another day!" Lin Qing declared.

"Good! I want Peach Blossom Pastry from Spring River Pavilion!" Yu Qiuyu laughed.

As they spoke, Lin Qing glanced around and saw Yang Feng approaching from a distance.

He immediately went over. "Master, I didn't let you down. I passed the Reexamination."

Yang Feng nodded slightly, his eyes full of approval. "I heard just now. Lady Ran even called you a martial arts genius found only once in ten thousand. Who would have thought it? For me, Yang Feng, to have taken you as my disciple is a stroke of tremendous luck."

"Being able to study under you has been one of the great blessings of my life," Lin Qing said respectfully.

Yang Feng was even more pleased with him. Many people let a sudden achievement go to their heads and began looking down on others. But Lin Qing showed not a trace of restlessness or arrogance. That was rare.

"With talent like yours, you must work even harder. You cannot let it go to waste. You'll face another assessment when you join the Prefectural City Soul-Calming Office. How much do you know about it?"