Chapter 42: Second Round

Surviving In A Martial Arts World To Become A Saint

"You must be Chen Qing, I often hear Xiao Fang mention you."

Xu Xiuhua's voice was gentle, her smile radiant, "Indeed, you have an imposing bearing and handsome appearance."

Chen Qing cupped his fists, "Madam flatters me, my meager skills might only invite ridicule."

Xu Fang certainly wouldn't mention him often, this was merely polite talk.

"It's not easy for someone presentable to emerge from Mute Bay, so I'll speak directly."

Xu Xiuhua restrained her smile and got straight to the point, "You have considerable potential, and my household is in need of a head guard. Though the Huang family isn't a martial arts clan, we have deep roots and extensive connections in this area. Meat, medicinal supplements, and even future martial arts connections and career advancement, as long as you nod in agreement, the Huang family can provide all of this for you."

She paused slightly, emphasizing her words, "You need only focus on martial arts training and serve me loyally. With my backing, your martial path will surely be a hundred times smoother than struggling alone out there."

Head guard!?

If it were someone else, they might already be thrilled.

The Zhu family and Iron Hand Gang had invited him to be a retainer, which was still respectful treatment.

This Huang family madam actually wanted him to settle for being a head guard?

No matter how pleasant the title sounded, it was ultimately a servant's position.

No matter how many resources the Huang family had, would they truly invest them in him?

And did Xu Xiuhua truly hold such influence within the Huang family?

"Brother Qing, this is a rare good opportunity, you should..."

Xu Fang listened with sparkling eyes, feeling her aunt had arranged everything thoughtfully.

The Huang family was one of the five major aristocratic families of Gaolin County, far beyond what ordinary wealthy households could compare to.

"I thank Madam for your favor, and Miss Xu for your kind intentions."

Chen Qing cupped his fists again, speaking calmly, "At present, I only wish to focus wholeheartedly on practicing boxing."

Xu Fang was stunned, never expecting he would refuse.

Xu Xiuhua's smile remained unchanged, but her voice grew several degrees colder, "In this world, relying on enthusiasm alone, I fear one cannot take a single step forward."

"I have disappointed Madam." Chen Qing said no more, cupped his fists in salute, "I take my leave."

"Brother Qing!"

Xu Fang instinctively wanted to chase after him, but catching sight of Xu Xiuhua's darkening expression, her steps abruptly halted.

She knew well that everything she had today depended on this aunt.

After Chen Qing walked away, the smile on Xu Xiuhua's face completely disappeared, replaced by a trace of coldness, "Doesn't know how to appreciate kindness! A mudfish from a wild river is ultimately just a wild mudfish, it won't amount to anything. There will come a day when he regrets this."

...

Chen Qing walked out of the venue, preparing to go home, when he happened to catch sight of Qin Lie.

Qin Lie was chatting and laughing with four or five people, all wearing martial hall practice uniforms, with abundant qi and blood, clearly hidden strength experts.

The two men's gazes briefly met in the air, then each looked away and went in different directions.

Someone recognized Chen Qing and said in a low voice, "Brother Qin, wasn't that fellow Chen Qing from your courtyard just now?"

After all, Chen Qing's performance pulling the ten-stone bow today had left a deep impression.

"Yes, that's him..."

Qin Lie's expression was somewhat unnatural. He paused, then said, "However, in the courtyard he usually... buries himself in hard practice, and his temperament is rather solitary."

Someone nearby was curious, "Oh? Solitary? Brother Qin, being from the same courtyard, you must understand him better?"

Qin Lie said indifferently, "Understanding is too strong a word. This person has always been a loner, going between the practice room, dining hall, and quarters in a straight line. With people like us... he truly has no interaction."

"His fundamentals are very solid. Today's first round tested strength, which happens to be his strong point. Tomorrow's second round tests actual combat..."

Speaking to this point, Qin Lie stopped at just the right moment.

The surrounding people's gazes shifted slightly, understanding his meaning and offering a few words of agreement before asking no more.

The next day, the second round of the martial examination, actual combat duels, began with the sound of gongs.

The atmosphere in the training ground was exceptionally heated.

Many who had failed the first round were eager to try, hoping to defy fate in this round.

Shouts, sounds of stretching muscles and bones, and low whispers of discussion wove together.

Not far away on the viewing platform.

Xu Xiuhua sat upright among them, pointing with her slender finger at Chen Qing in the arena, "Do you see that boy?"

"I see him."

Lin Sheng, a retainer of the Huang family beside her, bowed his head in response, "The one who drew the ten-stone bow yesterday. So young, with considerable potential."

Lin Sheng probed, "Does Madam have a heart for cherishing talent?"

Xu Xiuhua's lips curled into a cold smile, "Cherishing talent? If there's an opportunity later, knock him off the platform for me!"

In martial examinations, most duels were conducted with restraint. Being knocked off the platform in front of everyone would not only lose face completely but would also affect the examiners' evaluation.

Hearing this, Lin Sheng's eyes narrowed, "Madam, rest assured. Though this boy has vigorous qi and blood, he's ultimately inexperienced, far lacking in life-and-death combat experience. If he falls into my hands, I'll certainly let him taste the Huang family's methods and understand what it means to know one's place."

He was confident in his seasoned experience, having gone through several life-and-death situations, and didn't pay much attention to Chen Qing's display yesterday.

On the other side, Chen Qing's number was early in this round, so he was among the first to take the stage.

His opponent was a burly man who, seeing it was Chen Qing, couldn't help but show a bitter smile, "From the weapon forging shop, Yuan Tong! Please give me your guidance!"

Chen Qing's performance yesterday had been quite spectacular, and he had witnessed it firsthand.

Meeting such a strong opponent in the first match inevitably made him nervous, but with his hidden strength cultivation, he took a deep breath and steadied his mind. Yuan Tong hadn't expected to encounter such a formidable opponent in the first round, but being a hidden strength expert himself, he quickly composed himself.

"Through-arm Boxing, Chen Qing."

Chen Qing returned the salute with cupped fists.

Yuan Tong gave a clear shout, stomped hard on the blue bricks with his foot, and his form shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.

The weapon forging shop was Gaolin County's premier weapons workshop, and their secret transmission 'Thunderclap Palm' was extremely fierce and powerful.

Yuan Tong's palms flew in alternation, the palm wind tearing through the air with deep whooshing sounds, this was precisely the ultimate technique 'Eight Consecutive Strikes.'

This move's offensive was like furious waves crashing against the shore, continuous and unending. Once caught up in it, one could easily be exhausted of all strength.

Chen Qing's expression remained unchanged. One hand seemed to lift mountains, the other appeared to search for pearls in the sea, this was precisely a clever variation of 'Nimble Ape Climbing Branches' from through-arm boxing.

This move not only nimbly avoided the incoming fierce palm wind but also turned defense into offense in a flash, striking directly at the center!

Yuan Tong's heart shook violently, and in haste, he could only raise his palm to meet it head-on.

Bang!

The collision of fist and palm actually produced a crisp sound like the clash of metal and iron!

"Such domineering strength!" Yuan Tong felt a mighty force rush straight up his arm, instantly numbing half his body, causing him to stagger back several steps.

Chen Qing pressed his advantage relentlessly, his toe lightly touching the ground as his form glided forward like a nimble ape leaping across a ravine.

Yuan Tong's renowned 'Eight Consecutive Strikes' had been broken at first contact, immediately leaving him struggling left and right, forced into a defensive position.

The two figures crossed paths, fists and palms breaking through the air.

After more than thirty moves, Chen Qing seized an opening in Yuan Tong's breathing rhythm and landed a punch that seemed slow but was actually fast, striking right at his shoulder socket.

The punch force was released and immediately withdrawn. Yuan Tong immediately felt his qi and blood surge, groaned muffled, and retreated several more steps.

"I concede!"

"Thank you for showing mercy!" Yuan Tong steadied his form, his expression complex, knowing full well that Chen Qing had held back, otherwise he might not have lasted twenty moves.

After Chen Qing's victory, he didn't leave the arena but stood not far away, carefully observing the matches on other platforms, secretly contemplating how he should control himself.

Just then, from a platform in the distance, a sudden burst of exclamations erupted!

"Hmm?"

Chen Qing's brows furrowed slightly as he looked toward the source of the sound.