Chapter 10: Preparing for the Martial Arts Examination

Shen Lin also walked over and patted Yang Xing’s shoulder. “Not bad. Keep it up.”

Yang Xing hurriedly clasped his hands in respect. “Yes, Master.”

Since joining Debao Martial Arts Hall, this was the first private conversation between the two in quite some time.

Shen Lin gave a slight nod and turned to leave.

After all, it was only on the very last day that Yang Xing tempered his body and awakened his inner strength—his future potential was truly limited.

Meanwhile, other disciples of Debao Martial Arts Hall came forward to offer their congratulations.

Yang Xing could clearly sense the change in attitude from those around him.

If he had failed to succeed in tempering his body today, he would have been swept out like the other disciples before him, reduced to a mere gatekeeper, called and ordered about like a dog.

At that moment, Zhu Kai walked over, smiling. “Junior Brother, how do you feel?”

Yang Xing smiled, “Not bad at all. I feel full of energy.”

The first tempering was a strange experience, almost like being reborn. Both his spirit and his inner vitality had been greatly strengthened.

Zhu Kai asked, “Apart from natural talent, do you know what’s most important in martial training?”

Without hesitation, Yang Xing replied, “Diligence.”

He had a destiny that allowed hard work to make up for lack of talent, so naturally he believed diligence was the most important quality.

Zhu Kai gave a bitter smile and shook his head. “Wrong. Completely wrong. As the saying goes, three parts training, seven parts diet—the most important thing in martial arts is meat and elixirs.”

Yang Xing nodded, recalling how swallowing the vitality powder given by Yu Niang had indeed quickened his cultivation.

Zhu Kai went straight to the point. “Now that you’ve tempered your body and awakened your inner strength, you can participate in the martial examination. To help you, my Zhu family can provide ten pounds of meat and one tael of vitality powder each month, for a year.”

Yang Xing’s heart stirred upon hearing this.

He’d long heard that the major clans in Liyang County spent silver to support martial students, helping them compete in the martial examinations in order to forge good relationships.

In these chaotic times, strength was the only true currency.

The great families sponsored dozens of martial students, and if even one succeeded and became a scholar, it would be worth it. Even if none succeeded, the martial students would remember the favor, expanding their network.

Zhu Kai, when training at the martial hall, often sought out promising students to support.

Yang Xing took a deep breath. “Thank you, Brother Zhu.”

Zhu Kai smiled. “No need for thanks. Go on, keep training.”

Yang Xing nodded and headed back toward the wooden stakes.

Just then, someone nearby asked in a low voice, “Brother Zhu, Yang Xing only succeeded in tempering his body on the last day—do you still want to support him?”

The meat and elixirs of the great families didn’t fall from the sky, and for someone like Zhu Kai of the younger generation, choosing whom to support was crucial, even affecting the family’s future standing.

Yang Xing had awakened his inner strength, but anyone could see his potential had already peaked. He had no chance in the martial examinations. Wouldn’t supporting him be a waste?

Zhu Kai shook his head. “I’ve seen Yang Xing’s diligence with my own eyes. Since I entered this hall, I’ve never met someone so relentless and driven.”

“Consider it an act of kindness.”

...

It wasn’t until dusk that Yang Xing left Debao Martial Arts Hall.

He walked through the bustling, lively streets and quickly returned to Spring Breeze Alley.

At that moment, Yang Xing noticed several unfamiliar figures in the alley, checking door to door.

These men had fierce faces and were bulky and tall.

Yang Xing showed no reaction and returned home, taking off his sweaty clothes.

“You’re back.”

Chen looked up briefly, then went back to mending clothes.

Yang Xing asked, “Mother, who are those people outside?”

Chen put her sewing aside and spoke softly, “They’re from the Tiger Gang. I heard they’re even harsher and more ruthless than the Black Snake Gang. You must be careful.”

The Black Snake Gang was gone, replaced by the Tiger Gang?

What a world!

Yang Xing nodded, then poured a large bowl of water and drank it down. “Mother, I succeeded in tempering my body for the first time today.”

“Succeeded?!”

Chen was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. “Bud, you really did it?”

Yang Xing smiled. “Yes, from now on, I can stay at the martial hall and keep training.”

“That’s wonderful, truly wonderful.” Chen quickly asked, “Does that mean you can take the martial examination?”

The martial examination was the path by which ordinary people could most easily change their fate through martial arts.

If one succeeded, their status would change overnight.

Even a martial scholar could be exempted from many taxes, easing the burdens of daily life.

If one became a full scholar, not only could they hold any official post in Liyang County, but they would receive government rations, and even the county magistrate would not demand their obeisance.

For common folk, it was almost unimaginable.

Yang Xing waved his hand. “Mother, it only means I have a chance to participate. Succeeding in the examination itself is still very difficult.”

Debao Martial Arts Hall had dozens who had awakened their inner strength, but only a few became martial scholars, and except for Shen Lin, none had become full scholars.

That alone showed how hard it was to succeed.

“I’ve heard the martial examination requires lots of meat to replenish energy and blood.”

Chen calmed down and sighed. “If only our family weren’t so poor...”

She felt a pang of guilt.

Yang Xing reassured her, “Mother, now that I’ve succeeded, I can find some work. You don’t need to worry about it.”

Ordinary folks who hadn’t tempered their bodies could only become gatekeepers, but now that he had succeeded, he stood out among common martial students, so finding work was not difficult.

Chen spoke earnestly, “Don’t worry, I’ll support you with all I have. Today is a good day—let’s celebrate.”

Yang Xing nodded. With more meat and elixirs, his cultivation would indeed progress faster.

Chen put her sewing aside and went out, returning soon with half a pound of pork.

She scraped and washed it, then cut it up and stewed it in the pot, bubbling away.

The aroma of meat filled the room, and Yang Xing couldn’t help but swallow.

It had been ages since he’d eaten meat.

After about half an hour, the meat was thoroughly cooked.

Chen served a bowl. “Take this first to Yu Niang’s house.”

“All right.”

Yang Xing covered the bowl, wrapped it tightly with layers of cloth, and left the house.

Soon, he arrived at Yu Niang’s home.

Knock, knock!

“Who is it?!”

A sharp voice echoed from inside.

As the door opened, a dark-skinned middle-aged farmwife appeared.

It was Yu Niang’s mother, Zhang.

Zhang frowned. “You?”

Yang Xing smiled. “Aunt Zhang, my mother cooked some pork...”

“Come in.”

At the mention of pork, Zhang’s expression softened.

Inside, Yu Niang’s father, Zhao Tiezhu, was tending the stove. Seeing Yang Xing, he greeted him, “Ah Xing, no need to bring anything—just come.”

“Yu Niang has taken the clean clothes to the laundry. Have a seat.”

Compared to Zhang’s harshness, Zhao Tiezhu was honest and easygoing.

“What are you being so polite for?”

Zhang glared fiercely at Zhao Tiezhu, then looked at Yang Xing, her tone unfriendly. “I heard from Yu Niang you’re training at Debao Martial Arts Hall now?”

Yang Xing nodded. “Yes.”

“Training in martial arts?”

Zhang snorted coldly. “Do you know how much silver it takes to train in martial arts?”

Yang Xing frowned. “I know some. I’ll do my best.”

“Do your best? What good is that?!”

Zhang took a deep breath and spoke coldly. “Several thugs in our alley trained in martial arts, but couldn’t even qualify for the exams. Now they starve half the time. Do you expect Yu Niang to live like that with you?”

Zhao Tiezhu murmured, “Dear...”

Zhang continued, “Training in martial arts leads nowhere. If you learn a proper trade, I might let Yu Niang stay with you. Otherwise...”

Yang Xing replied seriously, “Aunt Zhang, I’ve made up my mind.”

Zhang’s face darkened. “So my words mean nothing to you?”

Yang Xing paused for a while. “Aunt Zhang, could you give me some time?”

He almost said he’d succeeded in tempering his body, but he realized Zhang probably didn’t know what that meant. Unless he could show a pile of silver immediately.

“Fine, very well—so you insist on this path?”

Zhang laughed angrily, and grabbed Yang Xing’s collar, shouting, “Out! Get out of my house!”

In the end, Yang Xing was pushed out the door by Zhang.

Zhao Tiezhu whispered, “Ah Xing’s a good kid. He may not have much, but he’s obedient and filial...”

Zhang growled, “What use is that? Should she live her whole life like you?”

At these words, Zhao Tiezhu dared not speak again.

“Why do I do all this?”

Zhang sat down on a wooden bench, tears streaming as she said, “I do it all for Yu Niang. I don’t want her to suffer as I have. I’ve been married to you for almost twenty years—have I ever had a good day?”

“Heavens, why is my fate so bitter?”

Zhao Tiezhu let out a long sigh.