Free Web NovelChapter 97: Chapter 96: Martial Examination
The room was dead silent. The only sound was the cold wind rustling through the tattered door curtain.
Chen Shouye held his breath and listened intently for a moment. After confirming no one was watching, his figure flickered like a ghost, and he slipped silently into the room.
The inside of the shack was just as he had left it during the day. It was damp and dark, with nothing but bare walls, a ragged straw pallet, a wobbly-legged wooden stool, and a few empty wine jars scattered about.
Chen Shouye carefully scanned every inch of the room, not missing any suspicious detail.
The shack wasn’t large, so searching it didn’t take much effort.
He first rummaged through the musty-smelling straw pallet, finding only some hardened, blackened cotton wadding and scraps of cloth.
Then he checked the empty wine jars. They were completely empty; he found nothing.
However, as he was inspecting the area beneath the straw pallet, his fingertips detected a minuscule gap along the edge of a stone slab—a crevice different from ordinary dirt.
A thought struck him. He channeled strength into his fingers and pried gently.
The stone slab lifted easily, revealing a hidden, crudely dug earthen hole beneath, only about half a foot square.
Inside the hole was a flat, palm-sized object tightly wrapped in thick oilcloth.
Chen Shouye took out the oilcloth bundle. It was surprisingly heavy in his hand.
He quickly unwrapped the bundle. Inside were two items.
The first was a folded piece of paper, slightly soft and yellowed with age.
At the top of the paper were three words—Blood-Strengthening Powder. Below were the names of a dozen or so medicinal herbs, along with detailed instructions for combining and brewing them.
Chen Shouye glanced over it. The herbs used for this "Blood-Strengthening Powder" weren’t complex or rare, so it didn’t seem like a precious secret formula. But based on the description, it was a practical recipe for tempering the body and replenishing consumed qi and blood.
The second was a token.
It was cold and heavy to the touch, forged from Refined Iron. The Token was no bigger than his palm, its edges slightly worn. The front was carved with a lifelike, ferocious Exotic Beast with a single horn and glaring eyes—a xiezhi.
He flipped the Token over. On the back were two ancient characters, written with powerful strokes that exuded a grim, murderous aura: Jingwu.
’A token from the Jingwu Bureau?!’
Chen Shouye was suddenly alarmed.
’How could Wu Gui have something like this?’
He gripped the cold, heavy Token, his brows furrowing slightly.
’This matter is probably not as simple as it seems.’
After a moment of thought, Chen Shouye carefully rewrapped the recipe and the Token in the oilcloth and quickly returned the stone slab to its original position.
He then tucked the oilcloth bundle into his robes, and with a flicker of his body, he vanished silently into the night.
...
「New Year’s Eve.」
Inside the main hall of the Chen Family residence, a cozy warmth filled the air.
A massive, brand-new mahogany round table, large enough to seat twenty people, was set in the center of the hall.
It was laden with a sumptuous New Year’s Eve dinner.
Chen Li’s family sat around the table together, celebrating the new year in joyful harmony.
"Another year has passed."
Watching Shouheng and Shouyue tease the two little ones, Shoujing and Shouyi, the atmosphere at the table was harmonious and warm, full of joy.
Chen Li felt a touch of emotion. Counting on his fingers, he realized twenty-four years had passed since he transmigrated.
He rarely drank, but now he raised his cup, a gentle smile on his face. "May the new year bring peace to our family and success in all things."
"May Father and Mother enjoy good health!"
Shouheng and Shouye chorused in agreement, while Shouyue also giggled and raised her bowl of soup.
Song Ying and Liu Yun exchanged a smile, busy serving food to the children.
As the family feast came to an end, the dishes were cleared away, and they sipped tea and shelled dried fruits.
The family sat properly as Shouheng’s expression turned a bit more formal. He looked at his father and said, "Father, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you."
Everyone’s eyes turned to him.
Shouheng began, "During the twelfth month, I returned to the martial arts hall. My master learned that I had broken through to the Qi Realm and suggested... that I prepare for this year’s Martial Arts Examination County Trial."
"The Martial Examination?"
Hearing this, Song Ying put down the fruit in her hand and asked anxiously, "Shouheng, this Martial Examination... When is it? Where is it held? Is it dangerous?"
Chen Shouheng smiled at his family and answered his mother, "Mother, don’t worry. According to tradition, the Court’s Martial Examination is held every March in the spring at the Commandery City to earn the title of Martial Scholar. If I succeed, then in September during the autumn, I will go to the provincial capital to test for the title of Martial Scholar. If I succeed again, I’ll go to Kyoto the following year for the metropolitan examination to earn the title of Martial Scholar."
Shouyue asked curiously, "Big Brother, what do they test in the Martial Examination? Is it a lot of fighting?"
"Not entirely."
Shouheng explained, "I’ve heard from my senior brothers that the test for a Martial Scholar mainly has three levels. The first level is a test of strength, lifting a ceremonial cauldron. The second level is a martial test, where you must break through a Martial Array of eighteen men. The Third Level is a combat test, sparring and competing on a stage. Passing the Martial Array means you’ve passed the exam; the final level is just for ranking."
Chen Li pondered for a moment. He supported Shouheng taking the Martial Examination.
But the first thing that came to mind was County Magistrate Zhang Heming as a benchmark for strength. If his perception was correct, Zhang Heming was at the first level of the Spirit Realm. Only someone with Spirit Realm Cultivation could pass the examinations to become an Advanced Scholar.
He then asked his eldest son about the state of his Martial Arts, "How far along are you in converting your Inner Qi?"
Chen Shouheng sat up straight. "I have already refined all the qi and blood in my body into Inner Qi, reaching Qi Realm Perfection. I am now looking for an opportunity to attempt a breakthrough to the Spirit Realm."
Song Ying had been practicing Breathing Techniques with Shouyue recently. Her Inner Strength was not even at the Entry-level, and she was a complete novice regarding these Realms, but she couldn’t help but gently advise, "Shouheng, you must be extremely cautious with your breakthrough. You absolutely must not force it."
Shouye, at his side, also said, "Big Brother, Mother is right. If you fail to break through to the Spirit Realm from Qi Realm Perfection three times, your foundation will be damaged, and you’ll almost certainly be trapped at Qi Realm Perfection for life."
Shouheng smiled and said, "Don’t worry. Ordinary Martial Artists usually fail to break through to the Spirit Realm for two reasons. First, their Pile Skill is of a low grade. Second, their nourishing Medicinal Cuisine is insufficient or of poor quality. I lack neither of these. The Dragon Suppressing and Tiger Subduing True Skill that Father taught me is an extremely profound Inner Cultivation Heart Method. And the Medicinal Cuisine at home is several times better than what they have at the martial arts hall. Therefore, breaking through to the Spirit Realm shouldn’t be a big problem."
Chen Li nodded. When he had his breakthrough, there wasn’t much danger; he succeeded on the first try. He asked another question, "How is your Cultivation of the Dragon Suppressing and Tiger Subduing True Skill coming along?"
Shouheng answered truthfully, "I have reached the Entry-level, but I haven’t fully grasped its subtle mysteries yet. It will still take more time and practice before I achieve mastery."
Chen Li recalled his own breakthrough. He had practiced the Five Grains Qi Storage Technique for fifteen years and had already achieved complete mastery, which was different from his eldest son’s situation.
He contemplated for a moment before saying, "In that case, there’s no need to rush. Cultivate for a while longer and become more proficient with the Dragon Suppressing and Tiger Subduing True Skill. It won’t be too late to attempt the breakthrough then. The spring examinations are in March, so there is still plenty of time."
Although Chen Shouheng was eager to break through immediately, he understood that his father was right. He nodded at once. "Yes, Father. I understand."
Beside them, Liu Yun also stopped gently patting Shoucheng, a complex glint flashing in her eyes.
She couldn’t help but look down at the innocent young son in her arms, chanting silently in her heart: ’My dear Shoucheng, you must also be successful in the future and bring honor to our ancestors...’
Her arms unconsciously tightened around her child.
