Chapter 36: Recruitment

Surviving In A Martial Arts World To Become A Saint

The night was deep and heavy.

The disciples in the courtyard gradually dispersed.

Chen Qing, Qin Lie, Luo Qian, Zheng Ziqiao and other core disciples stood respectfully in the main hall.

Zhou Liang sat upright in his chair, holding a teacup in his hands, his brow furrowed tightly, silent as if contemplating weighty matters.

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

Only then did Zhou Liang raise his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the several disciples present, "I've called you here for two matters."

"The first is the attack on Colonel Pang."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expressions became solemn.

This matter had already caused a citywide storm, shaking the county office. Pang Qinghai's trusted subordinates were frantically hunting for the assassins like madmen, and the entire Gaolin County was shrouded in a tense atmosphere of approaching storm.

Zhou Liang took a deep breath, his tone grave, "I know something of Colonel Pang's strength. He is definitely not ordinary. To succeed in broad daylight under everyone's watch was definitely not something one person could accomplish. Moreover, it involved water bandits from Vulture Beach, Reed Marsh and others. There must be thorough planning behind it. With Colonel Pang's current uncertain fate, the situation remains unclear..."

He paused here and looked at several people, "You must remember that at such a critical juncture, you must not choose the wrong path or rashly take sides or act. That will only bring fatal disaster upon yourselves."

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

Zheng Ziqiao and Luo Qian had their families to make decisions for them. Zhou Liang's words were mainly directed at disciples like Chen Qing and Qin Lie.

Everyone felt heavy-hearted, each calculating their own thoughts, nodding in agreement.

Chen Qing listened silently, thinking to himself that Master was experienced and wise, his words coinciding perfectly with his own judgment.

"The second matter is your current top priority, the martial examination."

Zhou Liang shifted his tone, raising his voice somewhat, "For those disciples who haven't even solidified their obvious strength, this time they're merely going to make up the numbers and gain experience. But you, as core disciples, all have the potential to succeed."

His gaze swept over the faces of several hidden strength disciples, "If you can succeed in becoming martial scholars, you'll gain official recognition! Not only will you enjoy tax exemption benefits, but whether taking positions or conducting affairs in the future, your weight will be completely different. The gates of the prefectural capital will also open for you. It can be said that the martial examination path is enough to change your lifelong destiny!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Lie unconsciously clenched his fists in his sleeves, the fervent light in his eyes impossible to hide.

Sun Shun, Qi Wenhan, Liu Xiaolou and others showed tension and gravity on their faces.

"Next, I'll explain in detail the specific process of the martial examination and some key points you must pay attention to..."

Zhou Liang said no more and began to carefully analyze every aspect of the martial examination until he finished explaining all the important points.

Looking at this group of promising disciples before him, he was also weighing and comparing in his heart:

Qin Lie was naturally his most prized student, personally trained by him. He knew his strength most thoroughly, with great hope of success, even potentially reaching the top rankings.

His daughter Zhou Yu had decent talent, but wasn't yet top-tier.

Sun Shun... if he had the talent to succeed, he would have already done so.

Zheng Ziqiao and Luo Qian were family disciples whose minds weren't entirely on martial arts, so he didn't consider them priorities.

Qi Wenhan and Liu Xiaolou had failed last time and would likely struggle again this time.

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

This boy had broken through to hidden strength too recently, his accumulation was ultimately insufficient.

Given more time and careful instruction, he might have hope in the next martial examination, but unfortunately now... However, participating this time to gain experience would also be good.

He waved his hand, "It's getting late, everyone disperse."

Everyone bowed and filed out of the main hall.

"Junior Brother Chen, I have matters at home, so I'll leave first."

Sun Shun said goodbye and hurriedly departed.

The others also left silently with their own concerns.

Chen Qing returned to the training ground, simply packed up the sandbags and stone locks he usually used, and prepared to head to the River Office.

During these extraordinary times, river patrol frequency had increased to three times daily, not allowing a moment's negligence.

"Senior Brother Chen."

A voice came from behind, stopping 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 seemed to have had no private conversations.

Qin Lie was now looking Chen Qing up and down, his gaze carrying an evaluating quality, "Senior Brother, it took you a year at the courtyard to reach hidden strength..."

Chen Qing raised an eyebrow slightly, "What do you mean?"

Qin Lie had originally thought he could capture a trace of humiliation or dejection in the other's eyes, but Chen Qing's gaze remained calm as an ancient well, without the slightest ripple.

"Don't misunderstand, Senior Brother."

Qin Lie shook his head, his tone becoming low, "I'm not mocking you. On the contrary, I'm happy for you. In this Zhou courtyard, you and I both come from poor backgrounds, different from those pampered family children. They rely on medicine supplements and rich food, while we..."

He looked toward the heavy night outside the courtyard, a trace of deep contempt flashing in his eyes, "We rely on our lives! On suffering day and night, on the blood and sweat we've shed!"

Chen Qing looked at him, sighing silently in his heart: How quickly people could change.

Then Qin Lie adopted a heart-to-heart attitude, "Though your talent isn't top-tier, I very much admire this spirit and perseverance of yours. Your ability to break through to hidden strength is entirely due to your own backbone. However, on the martial path, just fighting desperately isn't enough. Resources, connections, and backing are all indispensable. Otherwise, hidden strength might be your limit!"

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

"Senior Brother."

Qin Lie's lips curved in a meaningful smile, "You're an honest person who's willing to put in hard work. I appreciate that, but in this world... honest people easily suffer losses."

He paused, finally revealing his true intention, his voice lowering, "With your talent, trying to carve out your own place is too difficult. Why not... consider following by my side?"

Chen Qing was stunned, as if he hadn't heard clearly, "Follow by your side!?"

"Exactly!"

Qin Lie smiled, "The higher you climb, the more lonely it gets at the top. You always need a few trusted confidants who can be relied upon and whose backgrounds you know well. Senior Brother, you're upright in character, we're fellow disciples with the same background, you couldn't be more suitable."

Chen Qing shook his head, "Sorry, not interested."

With that, he lifted his foot to walk toward the courtyard gate.

"Senior Brother, what's the rush?"

A fierce look flashed in Qin Lie's eyes. Before his words finished, his form suddenly moved. His right arm shot out like a venomous snake from its hole, his sleeve exploding with a sharp 'crack' of air. His five fingers pressed together like cast iron and steel mace, fierce wind sharp, directly targeting the Jianjing acupoint on Chen Qing's left shoulder. The speed was so fast that he was actually trying to forcibly detain him!

The hair on Chen Qing's neck stood on end. He quickly turned around, his spine connecting like a great dragon joint by joint, his left arm extending like an agile ape, suddenly sweeping upward from below.

His forearm muscles were knotted like twisted ropes, fascia surging, also carrying the characteristic "whip-tip force" of through-arm boxing as it boldly met the attack.

Fist met arm!

"Crack, , !"

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

Both men's bodies shook simultaneously!

Qin Lie felt a fierce, explosive force viciously attacking, shocking his finger bones with needle-like pain and numbness, his concentrated force actually being forcibly scattered.

Chen Qing also felt a cunning, violent force attacking, his qi and blood involuntarily surging upward.

Thud! Thud!

In a flash of lightning, both men's feet pressed down while their forms involuntarily retreated one step each.

"You... haven't gone home yet?"

Zhou Yu's gentle voice came timely from the side corridor. She was carrying a tea tray, her face showing some confusion.

"It's nothing."

The fierce look on Qin Lie's face instantly disappeared, replaced by a gentle smile as he quickly said, "I was just sparring with Senior Brother Chen. He just reached hidden strength recently, so I was giving him some pointers."

He adjusted his sleeves and nodded to Zhou Yu, "Well, it really is getting late. I'll take my leave first."

With that, Qin Lie no longer looked at Chen Qing and turned to stride toward the courtyard exit.

Just as he turned, that gentle smile froze, his eyes becoming completely cold.

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

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

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

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. I'm fine."

Chen Qing's expression returned to normal. He cupped his hands in salute to Zhou Yu, "I'll also take my leave."