Chapter 39: The Path of Martial Arts is Not Easy

Hearing the tone of Wang Teng's voice, Lin Chuhan felt she was being underestimated. Her eyes widened. "Is it not allowed?"

"Not at all. I just always assumed you would pursue the liberal arts track," Wang Teng said innocently.

"We are in the era of martial arts now. It is foreseeable that the role of martial arts will only grow larger and its influence on society will deepen. This change in the Gaokao is clearly a signal. So, even if I take the liberal arts route, I don't want to fall behind in martial arts," Lin Chuhan analyzed.

"What you say makes a lot of sense," Wang Teng nodded.

"You should be participating in the martial arts Gaokao as well, right?"

Lin Chuhan gave Wang Teng a meaningful look. Based on his usual behavior, even if she couldn't be certain, she was eighty to ninety percent sure.

Wang Teng merely smiled.

Lin Chuhan did not press further; in truth, she already had her answer.

*No wonder he doesn't pay much attention to liberal arts usually.*

*But the martial arts exam still has requirements for liberal arts students. Specifically, 'Five Years of Martial Arts Exams, Three Years of Mock Tests' is almost mandatory reading. Can he be sure of himself?*

She still had some doubts, but the thought of *Five Years of Martial Arts Exams, Three Years of Mock Tests* made her frown involuntarily.

"What on earth is the Education Bureau thinking? Why announce this news at the last minute? Many intermediate martial disciples haven't even studied *Five Years of Martial Arts Exams, Three Years of Mock Tests*. They won't stand a chance in the exam."

"How would I know? The thoughts of the big shots are always quite eccentric," Wang Teng shook his head.

At that moment, a boy in front suddenly turned around and said, "Hehe, I heard it has something to do with the policies of the Global Federation!"

"The Global Federation's policies!"

Wang Teng and Lin Chuhan couldn't help but exchange a glance. This involved a very wide scope.

"Yang Jian, how do you know about this?" Wang Teng asked the boy.

Yang Jian also intended to show off in front of Lin Chuhan. He turned around directly and said proudly, "My uncle works at the Education Bureau. I got the news from him a month ago. I've been reading *Five Years of Martial Arts Exams, Three Years of Mock Tests* lately too."

"Damn, you little connection-user!" Wang Teng couldn't help but curse jokingly.

In fact, Wang Shengguo had heard some rumors as well, but he thought that since Wang Teng had only just started practicing martial arts, there was definitely no hope this year, so he hadn't told him.

Lin Chuhan felt a sense of helplessness and powerlessness.

This was the gap between ordinary students and people like Yang Jian. He had received the news a month ago, while she had to wait until the official notice was released. The information was too delayed.

In any era, information is always the most valuable commodity!

Yang Jian didn't mind and smiled at Wang Teng, "Young Master Wang, let's not have the big brother criticizing the second brother."

Then, seeing Lin Chuhan's expression, he realized the reason and quickly offered a word of comfort.

"Class Monitor, don't worry too much. Since the higher-ups notified us this late, they must be aware of the students' situation."

"I also heard that the difficulty and grading for the liberal arts exam this year will be adjusted downward. It might even hit a record low."

Wang Teng immediately smiled at Lin Chuhan, "You heard it too. That means there's quite a bit of hope. Stop making that face."

"Besides, with your brain, a mere *Five Years of Martial Arts Exams, Three Years of Mock Tests* will be a piece of cake for you."

Lin Chuhan rolled her eyes at Wang Teng, then said to Yang Jian, "Thank you for telling me."

"Don't mention it, don't mention it. Even if I didn't say anything, you would have known soon. Since this has been announced, some news definitely can't be kept secret," Yang Jian waved his hand.

"Alright, students, the ten-minute discussion period is over. If you keep talking, I won't bother teaching this class at all," Fan Weiming tapped the blackboard.

The students immediately sat up straight; the authority of the old teacher was no joke.

...

Throughout the entire afternoon, everyone was immersed in the news announced by the teacher, and as soon as class ended, massive discussions broke out.

Some students went to neighboring classrooms and found that every single student was talking about this without exception.

Some students took advantage of the breaks to call home, asking their parents to help dig for insider information and seek their opinions.

The martial arts exam was the top priority!

Many parents even skipped work; as soon as they received a call from their child, they were busy inquiring about news everywhere.

Aunts, uncles, and every available connection in their network were mobilized.

In a family with a child taking the Gaokao, that child always becomes the focus of everyone's attention...

After the three afternoon classes ended, school was dismissed.

Looking at Lin Chuhan, who was packing her schoolbag next to him, Wang Teng said, "Class Monitor, do you want me to walk you home?"

"No need!" Lin Chuhan said hurriedly.

She was afraid that if she spoke too late, she would be forcibly pulled into his car. She felt that this guy had been acting with ulterior motives toward her lately, unlike before when he seemed more restrained.

"Suit yourself!"

Wang Teng didn't mind. He stood up to leave, then thought for a moment and added, "Since you want to take the martial arts exam, it's best if you don't go to your part-time job for the remaining two weeks. Time is indeed tight. Focus on reviewing *Five Years of Martial Arts Exams, Three Years of Mock Tests*. If you run into any difficulties, don't forget to ask your deskmate."

Without giving her a chance to argue, he left the classroom directly.

In an instant, Lin Chuhan felt a warm current flow through her heart. She then shook her head and cursed.

"This guy, flirting with me again!"

...

Wang Teng, Xu Jie, and Bai Wei met at the school gate. They had also learned about the expansion of enrollment; even the eleventh graders, Bai Wei and Yu Hao, were no exception.

Bai Wei and Yu Hao were somewhat excited.

After all, they still had a year left. Being an intermediate martial disciple was much easier than being an advanced one, so they had a great chance.

Especially Bai Wei; even if she hadn't practiced martial arts, as long as the Bai family provided her with more resources, it wasn't impossible to reach the intermediate level in a year.

Xu Jie, however, was somewhat dejected. The expansion of the martial arts exam was simply cruel to those who thought they had no chance and thus didn't practice martial arts.

Even for Xu Jie, while reaching the advanced level might be difficult if he started practicing now, would reaching the intermediate level be hopeless?

Unfortunately, there is no medicine for regret in this world!

Opportunity always goes to those who are prepared; he was destined to miss it this year.

Wang Teng thought for a moment and said, "Xu Jie, maybe you could choose to repeat a year. Go back and discuss it with your parents."

"Exactly, exactly. We were just advising him to repeat a year," Yu Hao agreed.

"Brother Wang Teng, do you also think I should repeat a year?" Xu Jie looked up and asked.

"It's not about what I think, but whether you want to," Wang Teng said.

"I... then I'll go back and ask my parents first," Xu Jie said after a moment of hesitation.

Wang Teng said nothing more. Ultimately, how he chose could only depend on himself.

Through recent experiences, Wang Teng knew clearly that the path of martial arts is not easy...

Should one practice martial arts?

Is practicing martial arts right or wrong?

Will one regret it in the future?

No one could give Xu Jie the answer. Only by walking the path himself could he judge what is right or wrong, and whether or not he regrets it!