Chapter 36: Recruitment

The night was deep.

The disciples in the courtyard gradually dispersed.

Core disciples such as Chen Qing, Qin Lie, Luo Qian, and Zheng Ziqiao stood respectfully in the main hall.

Zhou Liang sat upright in his chair, holding a teacup. His brow was furrowed, and he remained silent, as if contemplating heavy matters.

"Father, everyone is here," Zhou Yu reminded him softly.

Only then did Zhou Liang lift his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the disciples present. "I have called you here for two matters."

"The first is the matter of Commander Pang's ambush."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expression tightened.

This matter had already caused a massive stir throughout the city. The county magistrate's office was shaken, and Pang Qinghai's confidants were frantically pursuing the culprit. The entire Gaolin County was shrouded in a tense atmosphere, like the calm before a storm.

In particular, the fact that Commander Pang's fate remained undecided added a layer of subtlety to the atmosphere.

Zhou Liang took a deep breath, his tone solemn. "I know somewhat of Commander Pang's strength; he is by no means ordinary. For someone to succeed under public scrutiny, it could not have been the work of a single person. Furthermore, it involves water bandits from Vulture Beach and the Reed Marshes, suggesting a well-thought-out plan behind it. With Commander Pang's life currently uncertain, the situation remains unclear..."

He paused here to glance at them. "You must remember: at a critical juncture like this, do not choose the wrong path. To rashly declare a stance or act impulsively will only invite mortal danger upon yourselves."

Though these words were a warning, they also clarified the stakes involved.

Zheng Ziqiao and Luo Qian had their own families to make decisions for them; Zhou Liang's words were primarily aimed at Chen Qing, Qin Lie, and the others.

With heavy hearts, the disciples each calculated their own positions and nodded in agreement.

Chen Qing listened in silence, thinking to himself that his master was experienced and that his words aligned perfectly with his own judgment.

"The second matter is your most pressing priority: the Martial Examinations."

Zhou Liang shifted the topic, his voice rising slightly. "For those disciples who have not even stabilized their Ming Jin, this time is merely to make up the numbers and gain experience. But as core disciples, you all possess the potential to pass with high honors."

His gaze swept across the faces of the several Dark Jin disciples. "If you can pass as a Martial Scholar, you will be bestowed with official status! Not only will you enjoy tax exemptions, but in the future, whether you hold an official post or act in private, your influence will be entirely different. The gates of the prefectural capital will be open to you. One could say that the path of the Martial Examinations is enough to change your lifelong destiny!"

Hearing this, Qin Lie's fists involuntarily clenched within his sleeves, and the burning light in his eyes was difficult to hide.

Sun Shun, Qi Wenhan, and Liu Xiaolou, however, showed expressions of tension and gravity.

"Next, I will explain the specific process of the martial exams in detail, as well as some crucial points you must keep in mind..."

Zhou Liang spoke no more of other matters and began to meticulously analyze every stage of the martial examinations until he had finished explaining all the precautions.

Looking at this group of disciples with promising futures, he was also weighing and comparing them in his mind

Qin Lie was naturally his most successful student. Having trained him personally, Zhou Liang understood his strength most thoroughly; his chances of passing were immense, perhaps even reaching the top tier.

His daughter, Zhou Yu, had good aptitude, but she was not yet at the pinnacle.

If Sun Shun had the talent to pass, he would have succeeded long ago.

Zheng Ziqiao and Luo Qian were children of prominent families whose minds were not entirely focused on martial arts, so he did not prioritize them.

Qi Wenhan and Liu Xiaolou had failed last time, and it was likely they would struggle again this time.

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

This boy had broken through to Dark Jin for too short a time; his accumulation was ultimately insufficient.

If given more time and careful instruction, there might be a glimmer of hope in the next examination, but unfortunately, he was only participating this time to gain experience.

He waved his hand. "It is late. You may all disperse."

The group bowed in salutation and filed out of the hall one by one.

"Junior Brother Chen, I have matters at home, so I shall take my leave first."

Sun Shun gave a greeting and departed in a hurry.

The others, each lost in their own thoughts, left silently with their heads bowed.

Chen Qing returned to the training grounds, briefly tidied his usual sandbags and stone locks, and prepared to head to the River Bureau.

During this extraordinary period, the frequency of river patrols had increased to three times a day; not a moment could be wasted.

"Senior Brother Chen."

A voice came from behind him, calling out to him.

Chen Qing turned around to see Qin Lie standing in the shadows of the courtyard corner, not having gone far. "Junior Brother Qin? What is it?"

Since that day, the two of them had not seemed to have any private conversations.

Qin Lie was currently sizing Chen Qing up, his gaze carrying a scrutinizing tone. "It took you a whole year in the courtyard to reach Dark Jin..."

Chen Qing raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

Qin Lie had expected to catch a hint of humiliation or gloom in the other's eyes, but Chen Qing's gaze was as calm as an ancient well, without a single ripple.

"Don't misunderstand, Senior Brother."

Qin Lie shook his head, his tone turning low. "I am not mocking you; rather, I am happy for you. In this Zhou courtyard, both you and I come from humble beginnings, unlike those children of noble families who enjoy silk and delicacies. They rely on medicinal supplements and meat, while we..."

He looked out into the heavy night outside the courtyard, a trace of deep contempt flashing in his eyes. "We rely on our lives! On the blood and sweat shed through day and night of bitter struggle!"

Looking at him, Chen Qing sighed silently in his heart: *How quickly a person can change.*

Then, Qin Lie adopted a posture of heartfelt sincerity. "Though your aptitude is not top-tier, I admire your willpower and perseverance. Your breakthrough to Dark Jin was entirely due to your own toughness. However, on the path of martial arts, relying on desperation alone is not enough. Resources, connections, and backing—none of these can be lacking. Otherwise, Dark Jin might just be your limit!"

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

"Senior Brother."

A meaningful smile curled at the corners of Qin Lie's mouth. "You are an honest man, willing to put in the hard, tedious work, which I appreciate. It's just that in this world... honest men tend to suffer losses."

He paused, finally revealing his true intention, his voice dropping low. "With your aptitude, it is too difficult to carve out a world for yourself. Why not... consider staying by my side?"

Chen Qing was stunned, seemingly not hearing correctly. "By your side!?"

"Exactly!"

Qin Lie smiled. "The higher one climbs, the lonelier it gets. One always needs a few trusted confidants who are known inside and out. You are a man of integrity, and we are fellow disciples from the same background; you would be the perfect fit."

Chen Qing shook his head. "Sorry, I'm not interested."

Having said that, he turned to walk toward the courtyard gate.

"Senior Brother, what's the rush?"

A sharp glint flashed in Qin Lie's eyes. Before the words had even settled, his body moved suddenly. His right arm shot out like a venomous snake; his sleeve let out a sharp 'crack' of displaced air, and his five fingers were pressed together like a cast-iron mace. A fierce wind surged as he struck directly for the Jian point on Chen Qing's left shoulder, his speed so great that he intended to force him to stay!

The hair on the back of Chen Qing's neck stood on end. He spun around rapidly, his spine connecting like the segments of a great dragon, and his left arm rose abruptly from below like a nimble ape.

The muscles of his forearm bunched and his fascia surged, meeting the attack with the characteristic 'whip-tip force' of the Tongbi Fist.

Fist and arm collided!

*CRACK—!*

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

Both men's bodies jolted simultaneously!

Qin Lie felt a violent, explosive force strike him, making his finger bones ache and go numb as if pierced by needles; the concentrated strength he had gathered was forcibly shattered.

Chen Qing also felt a cunning and fierce force strike him, causing his blood and qi to surge uncontrollably.

*Thud! Thud!*

In the blink of an eye, both men's feet pressed hard into the ground, yet their bodies involuntarily retreated one step back.

"Have you two... not gone back yet?"

Zhou Yu's soft, gentle voice came from the side corridor at that moment. She was carrying a tea tray, a look of confusion on her face.

"It's nothing."

The sharpness in Qin Lie's expression vanished instantly, replaced by a gentle smile as he spoke first. "I was just sparring with Senior Brother Chen. He only recently entered Dark Jin, so I was showing him a few moves."

He adjusted his sleeve and nodded to Zhou Yu. "Alright, it really is getting late. I shall take my leave."

With that, Qin Lie did not look at Chen Qing again, turning to stride purposefully out of the courtyard.

However, at the moment he turned, that gentle smile froze, and his gaze turned utterly cold.

Chen Qing watched that departing figure until it merged into the night before slowly withdrawing his gaze.

In his heart, a trace of icy chill quietly spread.

"Junior Brother Chen, are you alright?" Zhou Yu approached a few steps, asking with concern.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister, but I am fine."

Chen Qing's expression returned to normal as he cupped his hands in a salute to Zhou Yu. "I shall also take my leave."

Immediately after, his figure quickly disappeared into the heavy darkness beyond the courtyard gate.