Chapter 38: Chapter 36: Winning Over

The night was deep.

The disciples in the courtyard gradually dispersed.

Chen Qing, Qin Lie, Luo Qian, Zhengzi Bridge, and the other Core Disciples stood respectfully inside the main hall.

Zhou Liang sat upright in his chair, a teacup in his hands. His brow was tightly furrowed, and he remained silent, as if lost in heavy thoughts.

“Father, everyone is here,” Zhou Yu reminded him softly.

Only then did Zhou Liang raise his eyes. His gaze swept over the disciples present. “I’ve called you all here for two reasons.”

“The first is the matter of Captain Pang’s ambush.”

At these words, everyone’s expression turned grim.

The incident had already caused a storm of rumors throughout the city. The County Yamen was in an uproar, and Pang Qinhai’s trusted men were frantically hunting for the culprits. A tense, foreboding atmosphere hung over all of Gaolin County.

The fact that there was still no conclusive word on whether Captain Pang was dead or alive made the atmosphere all the more delicate.

Zhou Liang took a deep breath, his tone grave. “I have some understanding of Captain Pang’s strength; he is by no means ordinary. For someone to succeed in attacking him in plain sight, it could not have been the work of a single person. Furthermore, it involved Water Bandits from places like Vulture Beach and the reed marsh. There must be a detailed plot behind this. With Captain Pang’s fate uncertain, the situation remains unclear…”

He paused, glancing at them. “You must remember, at a critical juncture like this, do not choose the wrong path. Acting rashly or taking a stance will only bring disaster upon yourselves.”

Though it was a warning, his words also illuminated the stakes involved.

Zhengzi Bridge and Luo Qian had their Noble Families to make decisions for them, so Zhou Liang’s words were aimed primarily at disciples like Chen Qing and Qin Lie.

Everyone’s heart grew heavy. They made their own calculations as they nodded in agreement.

Chen Qing listened in silence, thinking to himself, ’Master is experienced and wise. What he says aligns perfectly with my own judgment.’

“The second matter is your most pressing concern right now: the Martial Arts Examination.”

Zhou Liang’s tone shifted, his voice rising slightly. “For those disciples who haven’t even stabilized their Manifest Force, this is merely an opportunity to participate and gain experience. But you, as Core Disciples, all have the potential to pass.”

His gaze swept across the faces of the disciples who had reached the Dark Force realm. “If you can pass and become a Martial Scholar, you will have earned a title and official recognition! Not only will you enjoy tax exemptions, but your standing will be completely different, whether you take up a post or simply go about your affairs. The gates of the Prefecture City will also open for you. One could say that the path of the Martial Arts Examination can change your entire destiny!”

Hearing this, Qin Lie unconsciously clenched his fists inside his sleeves, unable to hide the fervent light in his eyes.

Sun Shun, Qi Wenhao, and Liu Xiaolou, on the other hand, looked tense and somber.

“Next, I will explain the specific procedures of the Martial Arts Examination in detail, as well as some key points you must pay close attention to…”

Zhou Liang said no more, proceeding to break down every stage of the Martial Arts Examination until he had finished explaining all the important details.

He looked at the promising group of disciples before him, weighing and comparing them in his mind:

’Qin Lie is naturally my most prized student. I trained him personally and have the clearest grasp of his strength. His chances of passing are extremely high; he might even make it onto the top-ranked list.’

’My daughter, Zhou Yu, has good aptitude, but she isn’t yet among the best.’

’Sun Shun… if he had the talent to pass, he would have done so already.’

’Zhengzi Bridge and Luo Qian are children of Noble Families. Their hearts aren’t fully committed to the Martial Arts, so I don’t consider them a priority.’

’Qi Wenhao and Liu Xiaolou failed last time. It will likely be difficult for them this time as well.’

As for Chen Qing, Zhou Liang’s gaze lingered on him for a moment.

’This boy broke through to the Dark Force realm too recently. His foundation is ultimately insufficient.’

’If I had more time to guide him carefully, he might have a chance at the next Martial Arts Examination. But now… it’s a pity. Still, participating this time to gain experience isn’t a bad thing.’

He waved his hand. “It’s late. You are all dismissed.”

The disciples bowed and filed out of the main hall.

“Junior Brother Chen, I have some matters at home, so I’ll be leaving first.”

Sun Shun called out a greeting before hurrying away.

The others also departed in silence, each preoccupied with their own thoughts.

Chen Qing returned to the training grounds. After briefly putting away the sandbags and stone locks he usually used, he prepared to head to the River Department.

During these unusual times, the frequency of river patrols had been increased to three times a day, allowing not a moment of rest.

“Brother Chen.”

A voice called out to him from behind.

Chen Qing turned to see Qin Lie standing in the shadows of a corner of the courtyard; he hadn’t gone far. “Junior Brother Qin? What is it?”

The two of them hadn’t spoken privately since that day.

Qin Lie sized Chen Qing up, a scrutinizing look in his eyes. “Brother, it took you a year in the institute to reach the Dark Force realm…”

Chen Qing’s eyebrow twitched slightly. “What do you mean?”

Qin Lie had expected to see a trace of humiliation or dejection in the other’s eyes, but Chen Qing’s gaze was as calm as an ancient well, without a single ripple.

“Don’t misunderstand, Brother.”

Qin Lie shook his head, his tone lowering. “I’m not mocking you; on the contrary, I’m happy for you. Here at the Zhou Institute, you and I both come from poor backgrounds, unlike those pampered children from Noble Families. They rely on medicinal tonics and fine meats, while we…”

He gazed out at the deep night, a flash of profound contempt in his eyes. “…rely on our lives! On the blood and sweat we pour out, toiling day and night!”

Chen Qing looked at him and sighed inwardly. ’People can change so quickly.’

Then, Qin Lie adopted a confidential air. “Though your aptitude isn’t what I’d call Upper Grade, I admire your willpower and perseverance. You managed to break through to the Dark Force realm entirely on your own grit. But on the path of Martial Arts, sheer effort isn’t enough. Resources, connections, a powerful backer—you can’t lack any of them. Otherwise, I’m afraid the Dark Force realm will be your limit!”

“What are you trying to say?” Chen Qing asked again, his tone indifferent.

“Ah, Brother.”

A meaningful smile touched the corners of Qin Lie’s mouth. “You’re an honest man, willing to put in the grunt work. I admire that. But in this world… honest men tend to lose out.”

He paused, finally revealing his true intention, his voice dropping low. “With your aptitude, it’s too difficult to make a name for yourself on your own. Why not… consider following me?”

Chen Qing froze, as if he hadn’t heard correctly. “Follow you!?”

“Exactly!”

Qin Lie smiled. “The higher you climb, the lonelier it gets. One always needs a few reliable confidants one knows through and through. Brother, you’re dutiful, a fellow disciple, and we share the same background. You couldn’t be more suitable.”

Chen Qing shook his head. “Sorry, not interested.”

With that, he turned and started walking toward the courtyard gate.

“What’s the hurry, Brother?”

A fierce glint flashed in Qin Lie’s eyes. Before the words had even left his mouth, his body moved. His right arm shot out like a viper striking from its hole. With a sharp CRACK, his sleeve snapped through the air. His five fingers, clamped together like a steel mace, carried a ferocious wind as they aimed straight for the Jianjing acupoint on Chen Qing’s left shoulder. He moved with such speed that it was clear he meant to stop him by force!

The hairs on the back of Chen Qing’s neck stood on end. He spun around rapidly. His spine straightened and connected like a great dragon, and his left arm swung up from below like a nimble ape extending its limb.

The muscles on his forearm bulged, his fascia pulsed, and he met the attack head-on, also using the Long Arm Fist’s unique ’Whip Tip Force’.

Fist and arm collided!

“CRACK—!”

A sharp crack, like an iron whip striking a stone wall, suddenly tore through the silence.

Both of their bodies shuddered at the same time!

Qin Lie felt a fierce, explosive Power assault him, jarring his finger bones with a sharp, numbing pain as if they were being pricked by needles. The Power he had gathered was forcibly shattered.

Chen Qing also felt a vicious and ferocious Power strike him, causing his qi and blood to roil uncontrollably.

THUMP! THUMP!

In a flash, both men’s feet sank, yet their bodies were involuntarily forced back a step.

“You two… you haven’t gone home yet?”

Zhou Yu’s soft, clear voice came from a side corridor at just the right moment. She was carrying a tea tray, a hint of confusion on her face.

“It’s nothing.”

The fierce look on Qin Lie’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a gentle smile. He quickly said, “I was just sparring with Brother Chen. He only recently reached the Dark Force realm, so I was helping him practice a few moves.”

He straightened his cuffs and nodded at Zhou Yu. “Well, it’s getting really late. I’ll take my leave now.”

With that, Qin Lie didn’t spare Chen Qing another glance and strode out of the courtyard with large steps.

But the moment he turned, the gentle smile froze, and his eyes turned completely cold.

Chen Qing watched his departing figure until it melted into the night, only then slowly retracting his gaze.

An icy chill quietly spread through his heart.

“Junior Brother Chen, are you all right?” Zhou Yu asked with concern, taking a few steps closer.

“Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. I’m fine.”

Chen Qing’s expression returned to normal. He cupped his fist to Zhou Yu in a salute. “I’ll be taking my leave as well.”

Then, his figure also quickly vanished into the deep night at the courtyard gate.

…….

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep