Ch. 37
Chapter 37. Assessment
When Wang Huan saw that it was this former underling who had once betrayed him, the smile on his face faded, and he replied coldly, “What does it have to do with you? Go practice your fist technique properly.”
With that, he turned to return to the quiet chamber.
“My fist technique is progressing quite quickly. I should be able to reach the basics soon.”
Chen Sanli rolled his eyes, then feigned surprise. “Oh? Could it be that you already know Brother Xu has broken through to the second meridian? I was just about to tell you.”
Wang Huan’s body stiffened. He slowly turned his head back with difficulty. “Who did you say? Xu Yuan broke through to the second meridian?”
“So Brother Wang didn’t know?” Chen Sanli deliberately put on a look of exaggerated surprise.
“Instructor Chen personally verified it. Brother Xu is the first in our training ground to have both his fist technique and cultivation break through…”
Wang Huan could no longer hear the rest. His thoughts turned into a muddled mess, and in a daze, he stumbled into the quiet chamber.
Chen Sanli watched his disheveled state with great interest, feeling a trace of satisfaction.
…
The impact of Xu Yuan breaking through to the second meridian was immediate—stronger even than when he first entered the basics of the fist technique.
The next day, he received even greater and more direct attention.
After breakfast, Zhao Qiusheng, a minor steward from the Affairs Hall and a dignified three-meridian martial artist, personally came to find him.
“Well done, boy! You actually managed to break through both your fist technique and cultivation. If not for old Chen, I might not even have known.”
Zhao Qiusheng patted Xu Yuan’s shoulder familiarly. Although he had previously thought well of Xu Yuan’s temperament and social skills, he had not held much hope for his aptitude—after all, Xu Yuan had taken over fifty days just to become a martial artist.
Yet unexpectedly, within a single month, he had fulfilled both criteria.
If this continued for a few more months, would he not reach the third meridian and stand on equal footing with him?
With such aptitude and character, he was truly a fine talent. Combined with their prior acquaintance, if Zhao Qiusheng did not invest in him now, it would be a waste of his decades of experience.
Thus, he had come early in the morning.
“I only broke through by luck yesterday. I was just thinking of visiting you in the next couple of days, but I feared you might be busy and did not wish to disturb you.”
Xu Yuan cupped his hands politely. Feeling the other party’s increased warmth—almost like that of a close elder—he sighed inwardly:
There is no such thing as kindness without reason in this world. Value and strength are the foundation of everything.
“Busy, yes—but if it is you, I can always make some time.”
Zhao Qiusheng smiled. Whether one was disturbed or not depended on who it was. For those without value, he would naturally decline under the excuse of being busy.
He then got straight to the point.
“I have looked into the matter you asked about. Quan Xiong has some ties with a Steward Liu in the Shangyang Residence. But now that you have reached the second meridian and displayed considerable talent, they will not dare trouble you anymore.”
“I have also given Steward Liu a reminder. When Quan Xiong returns, he will likely come to reconcile with you himself.”
He understood the ways of the world well—whatever one did or contributed, it had to be made known, so that others would remember the favor.
Xu Yuan immediately understood and bowed gratefully. “Many thanks, Steward Zhao, for your effort.”
“No need to be so formal… Tell you what—judging by my age, I am probably older than your father. If you do not mind, you may call me Uncle Zhao.”
“All right, Uncle Zhao.” Xu Yuan followed along naturally, though his posture remained respectful and proper.
Seeing this, Zhao Qiusheng felt even more pleased. After exchanging a few more words, he departed.
Standing in place, Xu Yuan pondered. Since Zhao Qiusheng knew, then Feng Xiao would likely hear of his breakthrough soon as well. It would be better to inform him personally, lest he appear ungrateful.
Arriving at the outer courtyard, Xu Yuan took the initiative to share the news.
As expected, Feng Xiao was delighted to see that Xu Yuan had not forgotten his earlier support. His attitude also changed noticeably.
Previously, his tone had been that of a senior guiding a junior. Today, perhaps because their cultivation levels were now comparable, he subconsciously treated Xu Yuan as an equal.
Once again, Xu Yuan could not help but reflect—strength was the foundation of everything.
Just like Zhao Qiusheng, after some pleasantries, Feng Xiao reminded Xu Yuan to come find him at the beginning of next month when selecting assignments.
Clearly, he intended to extend another favor.
…
Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, two days went by, and it was the first day of the new month—the beginning of the new year.
Thus, after completing the assessment in the morning, there would be a holiday in the afternoon.
The instructor Chen Ze, along with two other three-striped retainers, jointly presided over the assessment.
The first to be tested were naturally Xu Yuan and Zhou Yu, both of whom had achieved breakthroughs in both fist technique and cultivation.
The process itself was rather uneventful, though the testing tool—the Heavenly Net Mirror—was worth mentioning.
They placed their hands on a transparent mirror and circulated their Qi and blood. Two patterns then lit up on the mirror—the Ren Meridian and the Du Meridian—symbolizing a second-meridian martial artist.
“Xu Yuan, Zhou Yu—both have broken through to the second meridian and are promoted to two-striped retainers.”
The examining instructor handed each of them a jade token engraved with the character “Certificate.” “With this, you may go to the Affairs Hall to complete your promotion, receive your uniforms and waist tokens, and begin collecting the monthly stipend of a two-striped retainer from this month onward.”
He then announced the most important reward:
“These two have achieved breakthroughs in both fist technique and cultivation. They are each awarded six months of self-selected assignments.”
As his words fell, dozens of people in the training ground cast envious gazes toward them.
Among them, Huang Lihong reacted the most strongly.
Her eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief. “His aptitude is clearly so mediocre—how could he succeed in both fist technique and cultivation?”
“He must have cheated!”
Beside her, Sun Rong tugged at her sleeve and whispered, “Do not speak nonsense. Three instructors personally verified it. How could there be cheating? Be careful not to draw attention and cause trouble for yourself.”
Hearing this, Huang Lihong calmed slightly, but still could not understand. “Didn’t you say his aptitude was mediocre? Yet at this speed, among dozens of people here, very few can match him!”
Sun Rong looked toward Xu Yuan with a complicated expression, her lips curling into a bitter smile.
“He really did break through only near the end of last month. Perhaps it was due to depleted Qi and blood. After recovering, his true talent finally revealed itself.”
After saying this, she fell silent. Regret filled her heart.
Back then, her perspective had been too shallow. After becoming a martial artist, her mindset had changed. She had believed a barrier now existed between her and Xu Yuan, fearing he might cling to her in the future.
Now, it all seemed laughably one-sided.
“If I had maintained a good relationship with him all along, who knows how much help it might have brought…” Sun Rong murmured.
With such talent and comprehension, he was destined to rise rapidly in the future.
Unfortunately, there was no medicine for regret. From the moment she chose to distance herself, the outcome had already been decided.
At the center of the field, three other martial artists who had broken through to the second meridian stepped forward for testing and received four months of self-selected assignments.
Next, Tian Yang, Gao Yuan, Chen Sanli, and six others—a total of nine people—took the stage one after another, demonstrating beginner-level Benlei Fist and receiving three months of self-selected assignments.
After that… there was nothing more.
Below the stage, Wang Huan lowered his head, his face flushed with embarrassment.
Yes—he had failed to break through to the second meridian.
Originally, two days ago, he had a chance. But after being provoked by Xu Yuan, his mind became restless. While practicing, he was distracted and unable to focus.
In the end, he fell short and could only wait like the others for randomly assigned duties.
Fortunately, he had inquired beforehand. The conflict between the Shangyang Residence and the Bai Family had only just begun, so the assigned tasks would not be too dangerous.
However, they certainly would not be as stable or comfortable as self-selected assignments.
…