Chapter 38: The Eve

Two days had passed since the martial examinations were announced.

Inside the low-ceilinged main hall of the Chen family's ancestral home.

Three white flour buns and a bowl of pickles sat on the table. This was a meal the second aunt had squeezed out with grit, intended to help Chen Heng recuperate his strength in these final moments.

Chen Wen stared longingly at the buns, his Adam's apple bobbing repeatedly, his fingers instinctively reaching out.

"Slap!"

The second aunt's palm fell without mercy. "Are you looking for death?! These are for Xiao Heng!"

Without a word of explanation, she stuffed all the buns into her son's hands, rubbing Chen Heng's wrist with heartache. "Son, look at how much you've wasted away from training lately. You've practically lost your shape. Eat, eat more to make up for it!"

Chen Wen muttered a small complaint, "I haven't seen a drop of grease in months; my intestines are practically tied in knots."

Old Man Chen's withered, twig-like fingers rubbed his cold tobacco pipe repeatedly. His cloudy, aged eyes were fixed on Chen Heng. "Endure it! Once Xiao Heng earns his official title and takes up a post to receive a monthly stipend, the family's burden will lighten. What wouldn't we be able to eat then?"

Chen Heng kept his head lowered, feeling an overwhelming sense of discomfort.

"Father! Second Brother, Sister-in-law."

The door curtain was swept aside with a "whoosh" as Chen Jinhua burst in, hurriedly carrying a small basket covered with a blue cloth.

She lifted the cloth like she was presenting a treasure, revealing five or six bright, white eggs inside!

"Xiao Heng! Come, see what your eldest aunt brought you!"

She handed the basket to the second aunt as if it were a precious gem, looking at Chen Heng eagerly. "This is the best thing for building strength. You must eat plenty of it."

Chen Heng said somewhat guiltily, "...Thank you, Eldest Aunt."

"We're family, why be so polite? You are our hope. Your aunt's meager savings are all riding on you."

The wrinkles on Chen Jinhua's face bloomed into a smile. "Once you get your title, I'll arrange a fine marriage for you."

The second aunt smiled. "Sister, don't worry. The martial arts master said Xiao Heng is born for this."

At that moment, Chen Heng remembered the "advice" his senior brother had given him in the corner of the martial arts hall yesterday: in the martial examinations, skill was one thing, but luck and those "unexpected variables" on the field were the keys.

If you don't pass, it's not because you aren't capable; it's because Heaven isn't looking your way.

"A-Heng."

Old Man Chen's withered fingers rubbed the pipe again and again, his eyes locked on Chen Heng. "The family has scraped together everything we can for you. Years ago, your father... lacked the ability; he couldn't endure the hardships of martial training."

"You are different. Your grandfather only hopes you can bring honor to our Chen family."

Old Man Chen's hunched back straightened slightly, and his shriveled chest heaved with rapid breaths.

He had exhausted almost everything, even stripping away a portion of his eldest son Chen Wu's inheritance, just to barely support Chen Heng.

"Bringing glory to the ancestors"—those four words were the only thought that had sustained the old man through countless bitter days.

His senior brother's "theory of accidents" gave Chen Heng his confidence.

He forced himself to straighten his back and met his grandfather's gaze with a sense of "certainty" that bordered on bluffing. "Don't worry, Grandfather. For this martial exam, your grandson will certainly do his utmost! As for the result—man proposes, God disposes. I only seek to have a clear conscience and not fail the family's hard work!"

He specifically emphasized "God disposes," as if planting a seed for the future.

A trace of a smile finally appeared on Old Man Chen's wrinkled face, and his cloudy eyes brightened slightly.

He subconsciously began rubbing his pipe again, already calculating in his mind that once Xiao Heng passed as a Martial Scholar, he would certainly host several banquets...

***

Zhou Academy.

With the martial examinations approaching, the atmosphere in the courtyard was taut. The disciples were all buried in hard training, their shouts and the sound of fists breaking the air intertwining into a single roar.

Qin Lie stepped into the courtyard, his gaze sweeping almost imperceptibly toward Chen Qing before he walked expressionlessly to his usual spot.

Chen Qing felt the gaze but acted as if he hadn't noticed, remaining focused on guiding Song Yufeng through his stance training.

"Junior Brother Chen."

A soft call rang out as Liu Xiaolou walked over slowly.

Hearing the voice, Chen Qing leaped steadily down from the wooden post and picked up a nearby towel to wipe the sweat from his forehead. "Senior Brother Liu, is something the matter?"

People like Liu Xiaolou and Qi Wenhan had been experts in Hidden Strength since the time Chen Qing first entered the academy; they were the pillars of the institution.

However, Chen Qing had no deep personal ties with them.

Liu Xiaolou coughed lightly and lowered his voice, leaning in closer. "Junior Brother Chen, I heard... you still hold a post at the River Bureau?"

Chen Qing nodded. "Yes."

"We're all brothers here, so let's speak plainly."

Liu Xiaolou held up five fingers, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "The manager from the Li family approached me. The offer isn't low—fifty taels for Hidden Strength, ten taels for Manifest Strength! I, along with Junior Brothers Wu Lin and Zhang Cang, are planning to go. It's better with more people to look out for one another. What do you think, Junior Brother Chen?"

The Li family!?

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing immediately understood the underlying meaning.

He naturally knew Wu Lin and Zhang Cang; they were veteran disciples who had seen no progress in their Manifest Strength for years. It seemed they felt their chances of a breakthrough were hopeless and were eager to find a patron.

The "looking out for one another" Liu Xiaolou mentioned was nothing more than forming a gang to bolster their numbers and seek extra benefits.

With the current volatile situation, Chen Qing had no desire to throw himself into the service of the Li family, one of the five great clans.

He smiled and declined tactfully. "Manager Cheng has treated me well. I think I'll stay at the River Bureau."

"To each their own. I won't force you."

A smile spread across Liu Xiaolou's face as he patted Chen Qing's arm. "If you ever need me while in Li territory, just say the word. I won't hesitate to help if I can."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries; after all, life was long, and no one knew when they might "need" such a connection.

Watching Liu Xiaolou's retreating back, Chen Qing understood that disciples like him and Wu Lin, seeking alternative paths, were by no means an isolated case.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his stray thoughts, and refocused.

The medicinal power of the precious fish soup he had just consumed had not yet dissipated. In this critical moment where every second counted, he could not afford to waste a single breath.

***

The backyard of Zhou Academy.

Zhou Liang sat in his study, staring blankly out the window.

He thought back to the high spirits he felt when he first arrived in Gaolin County, carrying his dreams.

Only ten years had passed, yet he knew not where those original dreams had vanished; the high-spirited youth was now a man with white hair at his temples.

"Father!"

Zhou Yu walked in carrying a tea tray, placing the cup gently before her father. "Regarding this year's martial exam... do you think I... have a chance?"

Zhou Liang took the cup, his gaze falling on his daughter. His tone was plain but hit the mark. "Your combat experience is too shallow; you have never experienced life-and-death struggles. The first round of the martial exam tests strength, and the second is actual combat. You won't have the slightest advantage."

Zhou Yu fell silent for a moment, clearly understanding that her father's words were true. She turned to ask, "Then, besides Junior Brother Qin Lie, who do you think has the greatest hope? Senior Brother Sun Shun?"

Zhou Liang took a sip of tea, his gaze seemingly piercing through the walls toward the front courtyard. "Sun Shun's foundation is relatively solid. He has a one or two percent chance, but it's not much."

"What about Senior Brother Zheng Ziqiao and Senior Brother Qi Wenhan?" Zhou Yu pressed.

"Zheng Ziqiao is too driven by utility, and Qi Wenhan is content with modest success."

Zhou Liang shook his head slightly, offering his critique. "Neither has poor talent, and their families have the means to support them. If they had the destiny, they would have passed last year. The fact that they haven't means they lack that core tenacity to burn their bridges and fight to the end."

Zhou Yu pondered. "Junior Brother Chen Qing is indeed diligent and hardworking, but unfortunately, he hasn't reached Hidden Strength for long, and his foundation is shallow. To stand out among such talented hands... it's too difficult."

She paused. "Looking at it this way, Junior Brother Qin Lie truly is the most promising candidate for this exam."

Zhou Liang rose slowly and walked to the window, his gaze falling upon the figures of the disciples training hard in the courtyard. He said deeply, "Qin Lie possesses both top-tier talent and perseverance. For this martial exam, the bulk of the responsibility rests on his shoulders."

(End of Chapter)