Free Web NovelChapter 482: Chapter 212: Master, I Want to Be a Triple Champion Scholar
Just as Hei Hu walked out of the examination area, Jin Shan’s assessment also happened to end.
Although Tie Zhennan’s strength was not on par with Guo Wei’s, he was still a Qi Sea Perfection expert. As one of the top Martial Artists and a renowned figure in Qinghe County, his tutelage meant Jin Shan’s rate of progress was not to be underestimated.
He too had defeated three Government Soldiers and three other examinees, lasting until the very end.
However, he had only suffered minor injuries that wouldn’t affect his performance in the Saber Technique event tomorrow. Seeing Hei Hu’s black-and-blue, swollen face, he couldn’t help but feel a little schadenfreude.
A short while later, it was Da Wang, Xiao Wang, Da Wu, and Xiao Wu’s turn. They were assessed during the same time slot, but in different groups.
Having traveled the Jianghu with Leader Ma for years, the four of them had escorted goods to other prefectures and clashed with roadside bandits. Although they had never been in a large-scale battle, none of them lacked combat experience.
As a result, all four performed well.
Da Wang defeated two Government Soldiers and one examinee before being forced out of the circle by another examinee. Xiao Wang’s result was the same.
Da Wu and Xiao Wu were older and had been cultivating longer; like Teng Qingshan, they had prepared for many years. After defeating two Government Soldiers each, they went on to defeat two more examinees. Xiao Wu lasted until he was the second to last one remaining, while Da Wu held on to the very end, being the one to throw the final examinee out.
「Two quarters of an hour later.」
The examiner called out the names: "Yan Zhen, Lin Longde..."
Chu Lingguang once again heard familiar names.
’How did I end up in the same group as Yan Zhen?’
Lin Longde’s expression soured. The Fist Technique brawl wasn’t like the Qi Power assessment; facing Yan Zhen would be a huge disadvantage to his score. Fortunately, he wasn’t aiming for the top ten or the number one spot. Even if he suffered a setback because of Yan Zhen, as long as he could defeat a few Government Soldiers, he probably wouldn’t fail the exam.
"Yan, it’s an honor."
Inside the sand-covered ground, Lin Longde forced a smile.
"Young Master Yan, please go easy on us!"
The other examinees looked equally nervous.
When they heard they were in the same group as Yan Zhen, their hearts had filled with despair, terrified of being seriously injured by a single palm strike from him and being unable to participate in the following events.
"Once we begin, I will give you all a twenty-breath count."
Yan Zhen said, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Ah?"
The nine of them were all stunned.
Lin Longde seemed to understand Yan Zhen’s meaning and whispered, "Does Yan mean that he’ll let us fight the Government Soldiers for twenty breaths, and how many we can defeat will be up to our own abilities?"
"Mm."
Yan Zhen gave a soft sound of affirmation.
"Thank you!"
Neither Lin Longde nor the other eight examinees felt slighted. Instead, they gratefully cupped their fists and bowed to Yan Zhen to show their respect.
They had been worried that Yan Zhen would act too quickly, getting ahead of everyone and taking down all the Government Soldiers himself.
Twenty breaths wasn’t a long time, but for him to intentionally hold back during the assessment, this period was incredibly precious to Lin Longde and the others.
"Begin!"
The assessment began.
Lin Longde and the other eight moved in an instant, charging toward the Government Soldiers together.
The ten Government Soldiers also rushed toward the nine examinees. They all ignored Yan Zhen; no soldier dared to charge and attack him, and certainly no other examinee dared to launch a sneak attack on him within those twenty breaths.
Lin Longde quickly locked onto two of the Government Soldiers.
His Qi Sea and Dragon Elephant power erupted simultaneously as he unleashed all his strength, wanting to defeat the two Government Soldiers in the shortest time possible.
Twenty breaths passed in the blink of an eye.
"BAM!"
Lin Longde sent a second Government Soldier flying out of the combat circle with a punch, a look of delight on his face. Seeing a soldier nearby still entangled with another examinee who was struggling to win, he quickly rushed forward, intending to snatch the victory.
But the shadow of a fist beat him to it, knocking that Government Soldier out of the circle.
Then, that same fist shadow seemed to appear everywhere in the circle at once. The remaining six Government Soldiers were all knocked out of the circle by it at almost the exact same moment.
And that person was none other than Yan Zhen.
After waiting for twenty breaths, he had taken out seven Government Soldiers. Lin Longde had defeated two, and another examinee in his early thirties had managed to defeat one at the last moment.
"Please!"
Yan Zhen cupped his fist toward the crowd, signaling for them to attack him all at once.
However, after exchanging glances, the other nine examinees all started fighting amongst themselves. No one dared to charge at Yan Zhen. Even Lin Longde turned his attention to the examinee closest to him.
"My apologies."
Yan Zhen had no choice. His figure blurred, and the shadow of his fist seemed to cover all the examinees. They all saw a flash before their eyes. Lin Longde held on for a moment, managing to eliminate one other examinee, before a punch from Yan Zhen caught him on the shoulder and sent him flying out of the circle.
Everyone landed on the sandy ground.
Their first instinct was to cry out in pain, but instead, they all stood up with dazed expressions.
"Yan."
Lin Longde was somewhat astonished. He had clearly been sent flying by Yan Zhen’s punch, yet he wasn’t injured. Aside from a slight ache in his shoulder, a little medicinal wine would ensure it wouldn’t affect tomorrow’s assessment.
In that moment, everyone understood. Yan Zhen had pulled his punches, his control over his strength was perfect. Although he had taken out seven Government Soldiers and nine examinees, he hadn’t harmed them in the slightest.
Furthermore, they had all seen that flash, and aside from Lin Longde, they had all been knocked out of the circle at the exact same time. It was clear Yan Zhen had done this intentionally, not wanting them to lose their chance to continue in the examination because of him.
"Thank you!"
Understanding this, Lin Longde and the other eight examinees bowed deeply to Yan Zhen in thanks.
The seven Government Soldiers who had been sent flying by Yan Zhen had only suffered superficial wounds. One after another, they cupped their fists and bowed to him, completely won over.
’Such a show-off.’
Hei Hu grumbled with dissatisfaction.
He thought Yan Zhen was being hypocritical.
"That’s called the bearing of a true expert. The benevolent are invincible. Yan Zhen is destined to become a First Generation Grandmaster. Not like you, who only knows how to scramble for scraps like a rooster, getting yourself covered in wounds in the process. So what if you managed to get a few extra bites?"
