Chapter 112 - 86: Unconventional
"Impressive, Junior Brother Chen!" Min Wei walked over warmly and clapped Chen Cheng on the shoulder, clearly treating him as a fellow Registered Disciple who would be practicing Horizontal Cultivation Techniques.
The next Registered Disciple to try, despite his sturdy build, only managed to draw the Longbow halfway before his face flushed crimson, his strength failing him.
"Not quite enough. You fail," Min Wei said flatly.
The remaining five men took their turns, but only two managed to draw the Longbow to its full extent.
One of them, a disciple with a dark complexion named Zhao Kui, was also surprisingly strong. Like Luo Chenghu, he passed the assessment with ease.
The other man barely managed to pull the Longbow to a full draw, but afterward, the veins on his forehead bulged, his face turned a purplish hue, and his arms trembled uncontrollably. It was clear he had exerted his Power Dao beyond its absolute limits.
"Wan Chen, you fail," Min Wei said gravely.
"Senior Brother Min, I drew the Longbow all the way! Why did I fail?" Wan Chen asked, gasping for breath.
Min Wei glanced at him. "Master has further assessments next. In your state, can you possibly continue?"
"Ah..." Wan Chen looked completely deflated.
Min Wei paused before continuing, "Don’t be discouraged. Although you cannot follow Master to practice Horizontal Cultivation Techniques, you still have a chance to become his True Disciple. If your aptitude is high enough to cultivate a Mid-level Skill to the point of creating Momentum, Master will take you on.
At that time, Master will naturally impart his advanced Cultivation Techniques to you."
These words were meant to comfort Wan Chen, but they also served as an encouragement to the other Registered Disciples.
"Elder Zhuang, Elder Du, I’ll leave the instruction of these Outer Court Disciples to you." Min Wei turned to the two old Instructors and bowed with his hands clasped.
"Very well," the two old Instructors replied.
"You three junior brothers, follow me into the Double Courtyard." Min Wei beckoned before striding toward the passageway.
Chen Cheng and the other two followed Min Wei into the Double Courtyard, making their way directly to the side of the training grounds.
On the grounds, a dozen or so disciples in short tunics were practicing the Powerful Eagle Claw Skill. Shouts and the sound of shattering stones filled the air, creating a lively scene.
To one side, First Madam Gongsun Rou, Sixth Madam Luo Yunzhi, Qin Ruiyang, Shen Qingshuang, and others were clustered around a middle-aged man in an azure scholar’s robe, conversing in low tones.
Seeing that the disciples practicing the Powerful Eagle Claw Skill showed no signs of stopping, Min Wei gestured with his hand. "Master is currently instructing the other junior brothers. We’ll wait here for a moment.
The three of you, take this opportunity to observe your senior brothers’ training."
"Yes," the three replied.
’I’ve seen these Registered Disciples practice the Powerful Eagle Claw Skill before,’ Chen Cheng thought. ’There’s nothing special to see.’
His gaze shifted to the group at the edge of the field, and a question formed in his mind.
’That middle-aged man in the azure scholar’s robe must be the legendary Mr. Zheng.’
’But this Mr. Zheng is completely different from the image I had in my head.’
’I imagined Mr. Zheng to be over fifty. Since he practices Horizontal Training Techniques, he should be a sturdy old man with knotted muscles and an imposing air.’
’But this man... he’s wearing an azure scholar’s robe, his complexion is ruddy, his features are refined, and he looks thirty-five, thirty-six at most. He’s like a gentle, cultured, middle-aged Scholar.’
’It’s not surprising for someone accomplished in Martial Arts Cultivation to look younger than their age; their qi and blood are powerful and abundant. But the disposition of a Scholar just doesn’t fit with a Martial Dao expert who practices Horizontal Training Techniques.’
’If there’s one thing about him that screams ’Martial Dao expert,’ it’s his height. He must be close to two meters tall, towering over the others like a crane among chickens.’
’Even the tall and burly Qin Ruiyang is half a head shorter than him.’
Just as Chen Cheng was pondering this, he saw Mu Xiaowan, standing beside First Madam Gongsun Rou, give him a sly wink.
Chen Cheng responded with a gentle smile.
Just then, Mr. Zheng suddenly turned his head to look over. His eyes were clear and profound, as if they could discern the slightest detail and peer directly into a person’s soul.
Though he revealed not a hint of an imposing aura, Chen Cheng felt as if he had been seen through completely.
’So this is a supreme Martial Dao expert who has cultivated a Realm? How terrifying!’ Chen Cheng thought, naturally averting his gaze.
Before long, the disciples finished practicing their routine of the Powerful Eagle Claw Skill. They gathered before Mr. Zheng and bowed with clasped hands.
"Mm, not bad. You have all progressed, but you must continue to train diligently!" Mr. Zheng nodded slightly, his gaze then falling on Min Wei and his group of four in the distance.
Min Wei quickly called out to the others and led the way toward Mr. Zheng.
"Greetings, Master."
Chen Cheng and the other two followed suit, bowing with clasped hands and saying in unison, "Greetings, Master."
"Only three were able to draw the Iron-Clad Bow?" Mr. Zheng asked, nodding slightly.
Min Wei nodded and proceeded to introduce the three of them.
Luo Chenghu: seventeen years old, Great Success in the Skin Grinding Realm, and Great Success in the Rising Dragon Fist.
Chen Cheng: eighteen years old, Great Success in the Skin Grinding Realm, and Great Success in the Wind Chasing Saber Technique.
Zhao Kui: nineteen years old, also at Great Success in the Skin Grinding Realm, and practices a Mid-level Martial Art called Mountain Opening Fist.
Both Luo Chenghu and Zhao Kui were tall and powerfully built, broad as a tiger’s back and stout as a bear’s waist. A single glance told you they were prime candidates for practicing Horizontal Cultivation Techniques.
Chen Cheng’s build, on the other hand, was rather average and unremarkable.
"Luo Chenghu..." Mr. Zheng sized up the young man, then turned to Sixth Madam Luo Yunzhi beside him. "For your Luo Family to produce such a disciple... that is quite remarkable."
Luo Yunzhi beamed with delight and said with a smile, "Ah Hu may be young, but his innate talent is exceptional. I watched him grow up.
He has always admired you greatly, Master, and has his heart set on practicing Horizontal Cultivation Techniques. My elder brother couldn’t dissuade him, no matter what he said."
"Oh?" Mr. Zheng smiled, clearly pleased. He continued, "The progress of Horizontal Cultivation Techniques may be slower than other External Martial Arts Skills in the beginning, but they are immensely beneficial for Body Tempering. Once you reach the Bone Forging Realm, you will have few equals among your peers.
For one so young to have such insight shows that he has set foot on the true path of Martial Arts Cultivation."
Upon being praised, Luo Chenghu said gleefully, "Thank you for the praise, Master! I will train diligently to bring honor to your ultimate techniques."
"Mm. In that case, go and join your senior brothers. You will practice the Powerful Eagle Claw Skill with them from now on," Mr. Zheng said with a smile.
Luo Chenghu was overjoyed, but recalling how strict the Strong Bow assessment had been, he could hardly believe it. "Master, does this mean I’ve passed?" he asked.
"Precisely," Mr. Zheng replied flatly.
"Alright!" Luo Chenghu scrambled over to join his senior brothers.
’This Mr. Zheng is so casual about it. It really seems like he’s letting him in through the back door for Luo Yunzhi’s sake,’ Chen Cheng thought, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. ’Could it be that the great Mr. Zheng is henpecked?’
Zhao Kui’s dark face also bore a strange expression; he clearly harbored the same suspicions as Chen Cheng.
Mr. Zheng clearly had no regard for Chen Cheng and Zhao Kui’s feelings. He pointed to a nearby weapon rack and said casually, "As for you two, the assessment continues.
That Wild Bull Bow on the first rack is made from Hundred-Forged Refined Steel and the tendons of a Demon Beast Wild Bull. Draw it to its full extent, and you pass."
He didn’t mention the Wild Bull Bow’s draw weight, and neither Chen Cheng nor Zhao Kui thought it was their place to ask.
"I will go first!" Zhao Kui spoke up, cutting in. His complexion was already dark, and now his face was a fierce mask, his eyes wide. He still seemed to be brooding over Luo Chenghu passing through favoritism and was determined to prove himself.
Far from being angry, Mr. Zheng nodded in approval. "The Martial Dao is all about striving for supremacy. Your eagerness to press forward and compete for the top spot is commendable. Very well, you may go first."
Zhao Kui had been indignant, his haste to take the test a silent form of protest. He never expected to receive praise from Mr. Zheng for it. Baffled, he froze for a moment. ’This Mr. Zheng is truly unpredictable!’ he thought.
"Junior Brother Zhao, if you please."
Min Wei had already retrieved the Wild Bull Bow and handed it to Zhao Kui.
Eager to display his strength, Zhao Kui took the Wild Bull Bow, immediately settled into his stance, and pulled the string with all his might. To his surprise, the string was incredibly stiff and refused to budge.
Naturally unwilling to give up, he exerted his Power Dao beyond its limits. The veins on his forehead bulged, and his dark complexion turned purple with the strain. He finally managed to draw the Wild Bull Bow into a half-moon arc.
TWANG! Zhao Kui had given it his all and could only draw it that far. Frustrated, he released the bowstring, which vibrated with a sharp, clear ring.
"My strength is insufficient!" Having failed, Zhao Kui’s earlier competitive spirit vanished, his face filled with shame.