The First Sage of Military Strategists

Chapter 26 Passed the Assessment
This punch surprised all the teenagers present.

"Damn it, that kid Tiezhu is a real scoundrel. He told me yesterday that he hadn't even mastered the basics, but I didn't expect him to have secretly reached a minor level of proficiency!"

"You bastard, no wonder that kid always tries to chat with me, he's afraid I'll also reach a minor level of mastery!"

That's so mean!

...

Han Qing had little interaction with this boy named Tie Zhu. In his memory, the boy was always joking around and didn't like practicing martial arts. He was always chatting with others. He never expected that the boy was hiding his strength.

This disrupted his plans. If he also showed some promise, his fate would be in the hands of others, which was not the outcome he wanted.

"There's no other way but to reveal more of my strength," Han Qingxin thought.

He didn't want to stand out too much, but he was forced to do so by circumstances.

"Next up, Han Qing!"

Upon hearing his name, many eyes immediately turned to him.

Yang Wu's eyes were full of expectation, while Luo Sheng stared at Han Qing with a deep gaze, seemingly lost in thought.

Han Qing secretly activated the Nine Yang True Skill, enveloping his fist with power. He suddenly stepped forward and threw a punch, which struck the large rock squarely.

Click!

Cracks spread outwards from the fist's point, gradually deepening until, with a loud bang, the large rock suddenly collapsed, shattering into more than a dozen irregularly shaped stones of varying sizes.

"Dacheng!"

A glint flashed in Luo Sheng's eyes. A minor achievement in two months could be considered genius in Baiyun County, but a major achievement in two months was rare even in the entire Shu region. Only elite scions from prominent families could accomplish such a feat.

Han Qing's family background was only average, yet he was able to achieve this, making him almost a martial arts prodigy that Baiyun County had only seen once in a hundred years.

His gaze swept across the room and he saw Luo Ying standing next to Han Qing, her face ashen. He couldn't help but curse inwardly.

"You're a born lazy bum. You're doomed if you run into Han Qing. Heaven isn't on your side, so don't blame me."

“However, this Han Qing actually dares to disregard me…” A cold glint appeared in Luo Sheng’s eyes.

Cao Yongliang, standing to the side, also looked surprised, and then reached out to stroke his beard, seemingly deep in thought.

Magistrate Qi, standing to the side, appeared rather calm. He turned to Yang Wu and asked.

"Is this the person you're going to recommend to General Qi?"

"Hey, Lord Qi, what do you think?" Yang Wu asked with a smile.

“He has achieved great success in three months. His aptitude and comprehension are both excellent, but his martial arts level is still a bit low. If he can maintain this strong momentum, he will indeed have a chance to be selected. Even if he doesn’t succeed this year, he will be almost certain to succeed next year,” Magistrate Qi said in a deep voice.

"Don't worry, now that this kid has joined my training class, I will definitely supervise his martial arts practice at all times. However, based on my observations over the past three months, he is a diligent and hardworking person who takes things seriously and practices martial arts very hard, so there's not much need to worry about him," Yang Wu said.

While the two were chatting, the assessment continued, but the group of teenagers behind Han Qing all looked ashen-faced, and the outcome was no longer in doubt.

In a short while, the last person finished the test, and no one else had the strength of Han Qing.

Zhao Teng immediately announced the assessment results.

"Han Qing, Yu Xiaofeng, Wang Teng, Qin Yongli, and Fang Ming! The five of you have performed the best. After discussion among the officials, you are hereby approved to be promoted to junior clerks in the government office."

"Why haven't you five come over to pay your respects to Magistrate Qi?"

"Greetings, Lord Qi!"

Han Qing and his four companions immediately approached Magistrate Qi and his group, and shouted in unison.

Standing at a distance, Han Qing didn't feel it as deeply as he had before. But now that he was in front of these people, he immediately felt a strong sense of oppression. Especially Qi Chong and Cao Yongliang, who were both like tigers. Even though they were sitting in chairs and didn't make any obvious movements, they still made people feel fear.

Qi Chong's gaze swept across the room and landed on Han Qing.

"Not bad! Yang Wu had mentioned you to me before, and you certainly didn't disappoint him today. Tsk tsk, you've mastered the Nine Yang True Skill. No one in Baiyun County has ever progressed faster than you. From now on, you can work under him with peace of mind."

"Yu Xiaofeng, you go to the militia squad, the remaining three go to the police squad!" "Yes, sir."

Everyone responded in unison. Who would go where had been decided long before the assessment, so all five of them remained calm.

At this moment, Cao Yongliang suddenly said, "Han Qing, with your talent, it would be a waste for you to work in the yamen (a type of constable). Why don't you come and work in the constable? In terms of pay, the yamen is the worst."

Han Qingxin said that if he went to the police station, he would probably have no chance of survival. Looking at Luo Sheng's face, which looked like a funeral procession, it was clear that he was resentful that Han Qingxin had disobeyed his orders.

However, before he could respond, Qi Chong spoke up first: "County Magistrate Cao, do you have to meddle in such a trivial matter? Why don't you take the position of county magistrate, or perhaps I should invite Old Master Luo to take the position?"

Cao Yongliang smiled and said, "Magistrate Qi is joking. This seat is most suitable for you. I am just making a suggestion."

For a moment, the atmosphere was very subtle, and Han Qing and the other four were all in a state of unease.

"Alright, that's enough. Go back and pack your things. Report to the new location first thing tomorrow morning!" Qi Chong waved his hand.

Han Qing and his four companions dared not linger and departed.

...

A quarter of an hour later.

When Han Qing returned to Master Fang's secluded courtyard, many young people cast curious glances at him.

Liu San was chopping wood nearby when he saw Han Qing come in, and he couldn't help but come closer.

"Brother Han, how did it go? Did it work?"

The other boys weren't usually close to Han Qing and didn't dare to approach him, but they were all very curious and listened attentively.

"It's done," Han Qing replied.

Liu San was filled with envy: "It's done! It actually worked! Brother Han, I knew you were no ordinary person."

A large group of teenagers in the courtyard stopped what they were doing, all filled with envy and admiration.

No one expected that the mute man who was once the most inconspicuous in the courtyard would become the only one to be promoted to a minor official position in the government.

Luo Ying also appeared at the entrance of the courtyard, looking completely lost and distraught.

He saw Han Qing standing in the courtyard, surrounded by admiring gazes from the other teenagers, and he was filled with immense regret.

"I used to laugh at the mute guy, but I never expected that this unassuming kid would actually be a genius."

"Why am I so unlucky? To run into this freak!"

Just then, Master Fang came out of the room and shouted, "Dumb guy, come here, did you pass the test?"

Han Qing approached Master Fang and nodded earnestly.

"That's right, with your abilities, it would be a miracle if you didn't pass."

With that, Master Fang said loudly, "Heaven rewards diligence. Putting aside talent and aptitude, I have seen how you have performed in the past three years. In terms of diligence, none of you can compare to Han Qing. From now on, you all need to be more diligent in your work. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master Fang!" the many young men responded loudly.

Master Fang turned his head and pointed to a room next door.

"Here, I've cleared out an empty room for you. Pack it up and move in later. This will be your room all to yourself from now on."

After giving his instructions, Master Fang hummed a little tune as he walked towards his room.

Liu San, standing to the side, was even more envious.

“Dumb, from today onwards, we’re not on the same level anymore. Your good days are coming. Alas, my future is still bleak, and I don’t know when it will end.”

Han Qing is usually not talkative, but seeing Liu San so dejected, he couldn't help but say a few words.

There will always be a chance.

(End of this chapter)