bookandnovel Chapter 52 Martial Arts
Chapter 52 Martial Arts
Outside the city of Lin'an, soldiers stood ready in a pre-demarcated area.
A strong summer wind blew, and the flags fluttered in the square.
Fortunately, a light rain fell last night, so it wasn't too hot.
The martial arts exams, eagerly anticipated by countless martial arts students, officially began today.
The title of "Military Scholar" grants numerous privileges, making it a highly anticipated event in the Dayong Dynasty, and this year it is even more spectacular than in previous years.
Because the renowned Governor-General of Liangjiang, Zhang Chuanting, was present at the examination hall.
Rumor has it that Governor Zhang's visit also included the intention of discovering talent and recommending them to the imperial court.
Therefore, this year's martial arts competition was particularly grand, and many people came out of their homes and gathered in the square.
"Where is Xiao Li?" Lu Zhiyuan looked at the dense crowd of examinees in the examination hall and was immediately stumped.
The candidates had their backs to them, making it difficult to distinguish them from behind.
Moreover, most of the candidates who came to participate in the martial arts exam were exceptionally burly with bulging muscles, and nowadays they were mostly wearing short outfits that were almost identical, making them very difficult to distinguish.
"They'll call out names in a bit, we just need to wait," Uncle Qian from next door muttered.
He came to watch today, partly because the martial arts exam was indeed a big deal, and partly because he wanted to see if his neighborhood could really produce a Master Lu.
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
Soldiers from all directions simultaneously struck the large drums, the sound deafening and accelerating over time, as if striking the hearts of everyone present. When the drumming stopped, the once noisy crowd instantly fell silent.
The chief examiner, seated in the second seat, rose and walked to the front of the stage after receiving a nod from Zhang Chuanting.
"This year's martial arts examination is even more grand due to the presence of the Grand Inspector, with far more applicants than in previous years. There are 153 applicants for the Dark Force and 649 applicants for the Bright Force..."
"The military examination selects the best talents from across the land. The competition takes place on the training grounds, and victory or defeat depends entirely on one's own ability. Anyone found engaging in favoritism or cheating will be dealt with according to military law!"
"Opening Ceremony!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the officers and soldiers in charge of maintaining order in the examination hall led the martial arts candidates to their designated locations.
"The first challenge: skill and courage!"
A minor official shouted.
This skill is divided into three steps: wielding a broadsword, drawing a strong bow, and lifting stones.
Among them, wielding a broadsword and drawing a hard bow are fundamental skills, with uniform weight. Almost all martial arts students who are studying this skill know that it is designed for Ming Jin martial artists.
The stone-picking exercise at the back is the real subject for selecting martial arts students.
The results of stone lifting are determined by the weight of the stone lifted. Those who can lift three to four stones are classified as Class D, those who can lift five to six stones are classified as Class C, those who can lift seven to eight stones are classified as Class B, and those who can lift nine stones or more are classified as Class A.
"One hundred and fifty-three hidden strength cultivators. If we can't get a good ranking in the first round, the second round will probably be very difficult."
Lu Li knew that his opponents were a group of hidden strength practitioners on the field. Although he had mastered both Liuhe Zhuang Gong and Xingyi Quan, he could rank in the middle to upper range among these more than one hundred martial artists. However, the variables in the second round of actual combat were too great. If he encountered a middle or even upper-ranked opponent for the first time, his ranking would probably drop significantly.
We must secure a good ranking in this round of skill and courage!
Looking at the queue ahead, Lu Li had already made up his mind.
"Zhou Mu, San Shi, Ding Xia."
"Zhang Yue, Si Shi, Ding Shang."
"Xu Fang, Wu Shi, Bing Xia."
"..."
"Liang Jing, seven stones, second-class."
"Duan Kang, Ba Shi, Yi Shang!"
"..."
Duan Kang lifting the eight-stone boulder caused quite a stir, and many people began to congratulate Qin Yan, saying that the White Crane Martial Arts School would have another martial arts scholar.
Qin Shi smiled broadly, but soon, when Qin Yushuang went up, his expression instantly turned serious.
Last night, he finally gave in, but repeatedly reminded everyone that they must admit defeat immediately when facing a strong opponent.
Now, he really wants to see how his granddaughter performs.
"Are you sure you want the seven large stones?"
When the minor official in the examination hall saw Qin Yushuang stop in front of the Seven Stones, his expression changed instantly.
Female martial artists are rare, largely because their qi and blood are not as strong as those of male martial artists, which puts them at a natural disadvantage in weightlifting.
Generally speaking, it is already rare for a woman to be able to lift five or six stones with her hidden strength.
But this woman is actually challenging the Seven Stone Giant!
"Sure."
Qin Yushuang nodded, then walked towards the large rock, and suddenly looked up in the direction of Qin Yan.
Then he squatted down, hugged the stone with both arms, and exerted force continuously.
In just a short while, she was blushing, but she still did not give up.
"rise!"
With a low shout, Qin Yushuang actually lifted the large rock more than a foot high.
"Qin Yushuang, Seven Stones, Class B!"
"good!"
In the stands, many people burst into cheers and applauded continuously.
The woman lifted a seven-stone boulder, a feat rarely accomplished by female warriors in the history of Lin'an.
Many male martial arts students who failed to lift the seven stones were filled with shame. Of course, among them, a large number of people looked at Qin Yushuang with awe and admiration...
Qin Yan's smile grew even brighter, and the number of compliments around him increased.
The scenery is truly magnificent!
Zhang Wudu, on whom he had placed high hopes, hadn't even started yet, and he was already enjoying such a splendid presence. He wondered what kind of spectacle it would be when Zhang Wu took the stage!
Unlike Qin Yan, whose face was beaming with joy, Liang Jing's expression was extremely gloomy.
As the eldest disciple, he started learning martial arts earlier than the other disciples and was the first to pass the martial arts test. Last year, he only managed to lift a six-stone boulder, and he was thinking of taking it a step further this year.
Unexpectedly, she was ranked the same as her fourth junior sister, who was participating in the martial arts exam for the first time!
How could he possibly bear this?
What's more, Zhang Wu, who has the greatest potential, hasn't even taken the stage yet!
Despite being the senior student, his grades were among the worst!
Although Xu Fang, a junior sister, was at the bottom, Xu Fang was a woman and a junior sister, so her reasons were always more convincing than her own!
It seems that only Junior Brother Lu is at the bottom.
Although he was also a junior, he was still a man.
With him at the bottom, I didn't feel so ashamed.
Liang Jing exhaled a breath of stale air, a sense of relief flashing through his heart.
According to his estimation, Lu Li had just broken through to the next level, and being able to lift a stone of three or four stones was already the limit.
On the high platform behind, Zhang Chuanting nodded to himself as he witnessed this scene.
"Although she is a woman, she is already quite remarkable."
The woman lifted a seven-stone boulder; besides her exceptional talent, hard work was also essential.
For a time, Zhang Chuanting also became more interested in martial arts.
If a woman can give him such a big surprise, I hope there will be more surprises like this in Lin'an City!
Just then, one of his bodyguards came over and whispered in his ear:
"The land survey outside the city has encountered difficulties. There are wicked servants obstructing it, and the newly turned soil also seems to have significant problems. What do you think..."
Zhang Chuanting listened to the voice and looked at the four masters of the inner city sitting on the high platform opposite him.
Just then, I made a brief eye contact with Master Wei.
"kill!"
Zhang Chuanting spoke in a cold voice.
"Understood!" The guard nodded and then disappeared into the crowd.
Shortly after the guard left, the minor official shouted again:
"Next up, Zhang Wu!"