Chapter 27 : Chapter 27
Chapter 27. Each Makes Their Choice
Seeing that Gao Yuan did not seem to be joking, everyone grew interested.
“What is it?”
“Yuanz, hurry up and tell us. Stop keeping us in suspense—you think you are performing opera or something?”
“Exactly, just say it!”
Gao Yuan recalled what he had heard and explained that next month, the recruitment of martial trainees would be expanded, while the number of menial workers would remain unchanged.
The rest concerned the martial artist evaluation: reach the Two-Meridian Realm and bring Benlei Fist to the beginner level to earn the right to choose one’s assignment for six months. A breakthrough in cultivation alone would grant four months, while improvement in martial techniques would grant three months. If neither was achieved, assignments would be randomly distributed.
“Is that true?!” Wang Huan was so shocked that he sat upright and quickly spoke.
The others were equally uncertain, their expressions turning serious as they looked at Gao Yuan.
Gao Yuan cleared his throat and said slowly, “They said that expanding the recruitment of martial trainees next month means the pressure from the Bai Family is quite intense. The Shangyang Residence is in urgent need of manpower… On the other hand, this makes the martial artist evaluation extremely important.”
Everyone immediately grasped the implication. If they failed to secure the right to choose their assignment, they might be sent to the front lines to fight the Bai Family, placing themselves in danger.
“This…”
Xu Yuan and Tian Yang exchanged a surprised glance. They had assumed that everyone already knew about this.
“It seems that when Instructor Feng helped Wang Huan move his luggage, he did not mention it…” Xu Yuan thought, seeing Wang Huan’s confused expression.
What he did not know was that when Feng Xiao had helped Wang Huan move his belongings, he sensed the change in Wang Huan’s attitude and did not bother to say anything. He simply set down the items and left.
As for Li Shan and Chen Sanli, it was even less likely that they would know.
As for Qin Yang and Gao Yuan, they were probably not particularly valued among the martial trainees either.
“Brother Wang, what do you think about this?” Chen Sanli asked first, directing the question to Wang Huan, who had received the most “attention” from Instructor Feng.
After careful consideration, Wang Huan said, “If we want the best results in next month’s evaluation, we would need to improve both our stance training and martial techniques. That is simply too difficult.”
“So, if we are not confident, we should at least focus on one. That is better than being randomly assigned in the end.”
“That makes sense. Then, Brother Wang, which will you choose?”
“I am still considering,” Wang Huan replied, his expression conflicted. He had broken through to become a martial artist in forty days, and his talent was rated above average. Clearly, he had an advantage in terms of physical strength and vitality.
However, after becoming a martial artist, tempering one’s vitality consumed a great deal of money. His monthly allowance would not even last a full month of training, and he would likely have to rely heavily on his family again.
In comparison, martial techniques were more straightforward. While they might test one’s comprehension, as long as one could eat well and occasionally consume some rare medicinal items, the difference would not be too great.
Thus, he was debating whether to spend more money to continue improving his cultivation or to focus on mastering the Benlei Fist.
“What about you, Sanli?” Wang Huan asked in return.
“As for me, my family is poor. I cannot afford that many medicinal resources. I will probably have to wait until I receive my assignment stipend before I can break through in cultivation,” Chen Sanli said with a bitter smile. It was clear he intended to focus on martial techniques.
“And you, Brother Li?”
“The same as you,” Li Shan sighed. His family had some means, but not enough to guarantee a breakthrough next month. Focusing on martial techniques was more cost-effective.
“Brother Qin?”
“I can do either,” Qin Yang replied casually. It was obvious his mind was elsewhere—most likely still lingering on the dan performer from the opera troupe.
Xu Yuan was not surprised. Although Gao Yuan’s analysis had been very clear, even before major exams in his previous life, there were always people who continued to sleep and play as usual.
“Brother Xiao?”
“I will definitely focus on martial techniques,” Xiao Sheng answered without hesitation.
“Then, Brother Yuan?” Chen Sanli asked Gao Yuan.
“I will observe a bit more,” Gao Yuan replied vaguely.
“Brother Xu?”
“I have not decided yet,” Xu Yuan shook his head. Even though he intended to pursue both, he did not want to say it aloud. Otherwise, people might question where his money came from and grow envious.
“Brother Tian?”
“I will go with martial techniques,” Tian Yang said. Seeing that even Wang Huan was hesitating, he did not believe he could break through to the Two-Meridian Realm either. Besides, his family was not wealthy.
After asking everyone, Chen Sanli felt relieved seeing that most people had made the same choice as him.
Following the majority meant that even if something went wrong, he would not be the only one suffering the consequences.
Amid such discussions, the night grew deeper.
Lying in their beds with their pillows propped up, each person pondered their future path.
Some lay awake the entire night, while others fell asleep as soon as their heads touched the pillow.
It could only be said that people were different, and given different circumstances, their choices naturally varied.
…
The next morning, at the beginning of December.
The eight people from the dormitory received a notice and arrived early at the training ground after breakfast.
By then, dozens of people had already gathered in small groups. There were both men and women, and the noise blended together like a bustling marketplace.
As usual, at the hour of Si.
A martial instructor in his forties, with fair skin and a round face, hurried over. Three horizontal stripes were embroidered on his shoulder.
He was clearly a three-striped retainer.
After counting the sixty people present and confirming that no one was absent, his expression relaxed slightly. Then he spoke loudly:
“My name is Chen Ze. For the next month, I will be teaching you the martial technique Benlei Fist.”
“You are all martial artists now. I will not waste words. At the end of this month, there will be an evaluation that will greatly affect your future assignment choices. I believe some of you are already aware…”
After explaining all the rules, Chen Ze paused and began teaching the martial technique:
“As martial artists, we temper our vitality for two reasons. First, to strengthen the body, break through blocked meridians, and accumulate more vitality.”
“Second, to cultivate force. When you can control this force and project it outside your body, it can produce considerable destructive power.”
“Returning to the Benlei Fist, it emphasizes fierceness and speed, excelling in close combat… It is divided into four levels. At the beginner level, one can project force one inch beyond the body, and the minimum requirement is the One-Meridian Realm.”
As he spoke, Chen Ze had someone bring over a wooden board and place it in front of him.
Then, he clenched his five fingers into a fist and threw a punch forward. His fist suddenly stopped within a foot of the board, yet the force it released blasted a hole through the center of the wood from a distance.
Everyone present saw it clearly and gasped in shock.
Upon seeing this, Xu Yuan suddenly recalled the night Tian Yang had been attacked—Zhao Qiusheng’s palm had not touched Liu Hong, yet Liu Hong’s head had caved in.
“Now that I think about it, that must have been force projected a foot away from the body.”