A Long River Myth

The martial arts exam.

To participate, the authorities of these outer city powers must report to the inner city for approval before participation is permitted.

The outer city is especially different from the inner city; I've heard that each faction has a limited number of slots available each year.

The Martial Arts Academy only has one nomination slot per season.

Shi Liang was recommended during the summer examination.

It's likely that no one in the hall has accumulated enough knowledge for the autumn examination and the spring examination next year, so he came today to register in advance.

"Well, logically speaking, you should start planning ahead."

Shen Hezhi put down his porridge bowl. Li Hong had been strengthening his body through four months of training. Such a genius was rare.

With continued hard work and solid accumulation of experience, there may be a real chance to be awarded the title of First-Class Martial Arts Performer within a year.

He nodded: "How about this, I'll report it at the end of the year, and I think you'll be rated as a second-class martial arts student in next spring's examination, no problem at all."

Li Hong clasped his hands in a fist and said in a deep voice, "Chief Instructor, I would like to try my luck in this year's autumn examination."

"Autumn exams?"

Shen Hezhi frowned slightly and immediately waved his hand: "Hey, you've only recently strengthened your internal organs and you're already going to participate in the autumn examinations. Isn't that a bit too hasty?"

As he spoke, he already thought of Shi Liang, and felt a pang of unease.

It should be noted that only a small portion of those participating in the martial arts examination each season come from outside the city.

In terms of both foundation and resources, 90% of the martial arts students each year come from the new generation in the inner city.

Competing on the same stage with them and obtaining the identity of a martial arts performer is no easy task.

If you're lucky, maybe two spots will slip through your fingers.

However, Shi Liang has already been lost at the Martial Arts Hall. Although Li Hong is also very talented, he comes from a poor background and his foundation is naturally much weaker than those new generation members in the inner city.

Shen Hezhi really didn't want him to repeat Shi Liang's mistakes.

He hesitated for a moment, then said:

"If it's a matter of resources, I can try my best to coordinate some for you, but this martial arts exam is something that can't be rushed."

Li Hong saw Shen He's concerns, nodded his thanks, and clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying:

"Teacher, there are still two months left. I'm fairly confident. Please let the students give it a try."

There are only six months left until the martial arts exam, and only two more opportunities.

He will only participate in next year's spring examination and gamble all his hopes on this last one, to compete with the top students in the inner city for the status of a first-class martial arts student.

It's basically like dancing on a knife's edge while wearing shackles all over your body.

With the panel in hand, Li Hong had some confidence, but what if something unexpected happened?

What if there are unforeseen circumstances?

It's important to understand that when people are under excessive pressure, their mindset and actions will inevitably become distorted.

Especially in such a major event that almost determines the watershed of one's life, how can one not leave enough room for maneuver?

Li Hong certainly didn't want to back himself up, so no matter what others said, he had to plan ahead.

Inspired by his determined attitude, Shen Hezhi smiled and said, "You always manage to surprise people, but..."

"I've already given the spot for the autumn examination to Huangshan; our department has no spots left this year."

"Huangshan?" Li Hong frowned, his mind filled with doubt.

He had been saying for a long time that we should proceed steadily and not rush, as if he knew how deep the water was in the martial arts test.

When Shi Liang went to evaluate the martial arts actors last time, he could tell a lot from the cold looks and words he received and from the messages his disciples relayed to him.

Why is this guy suddenly contradicting himself...? Could it be that Huangshan is unwilling to be overshadowed by him?

Is he trying to win a second-rate martial arts performer to put him in his place?

That would be far too naive.

Shen Hezhi smiled leisurely and said, "Huangshan's internal strength has been stabilized in the mid-stage. His family is well-off and he has some connections in the inner city, so he came to me to register a few days ago."

In Shen Hezhi's heart, besides Li Hong, Huang Shan was also his closest disciple in the martial arts hall.

Currently, Huangshan ranks first in terms of strength, and its strength will improve even further in two months.

Although Li Hong is talented and deserves to be called a genius, he has only been in internal strength for less than a month.

Potential is potential, and strength is strength.

If we only consider the autumn exam, Huangshan definitely has a better chance.

"Well, then there's nothing else for the student. I've disturbed you, Head Instructor."

Li Hong nodded, bowed, and left without saying anything more.

Before leaving, Shen Hezhi told him that if he really had great confidence and insisted on participating, then...

You can go to the patrol office and ask again. As an outer city government office, it also has quotas for martial arts exams every quarter, and the number may be more than that of the martial arts academy.

Li Hong hurried out the door.

He had not anticipated that Huangshan would be so eager to participate in the martial arts examination.

...........

The front hall is a training ground for martial arts.

When Li Hong passed by, his disciples had already finished their morning exercises.

However, ten disciples were squatting under the courtyard wall, holding the blue stone locks used for strength training, and were already covered in sweat.

Huang Shan sat on the stone bench next to him with his legs crossed, supervising the timekeeping.

Li Hong's eyes swept over the punished disciples, all of whom were the same disciples who had greeted him when they arrived.

Now, when these people saw him, they immediately looked away, too frightened to look any longer.

This is getting a bit tiresome... Li Hong slowed down slightly, his brows furrowed, and he took a deep look at Huangshan.

The latter had a mocking smile on his face, and did not meet eye contact, but spoke threateningly without saying a word.

.............

About half an hour later.

Inspection Division.

The envoy's room, the main hall.

Li Hong came directly to pay his respects to Jiang Tao.

Now that he has become a deputy envoy on temporary assignment, he is considered a big shot in the patrol and inspection department, and is qualified to come directly to his room.

"So fast? Li Hong, you should think this through. These martial arts students don't know their place when testing their skills. Your competitors could include the most promising talents from many powerful factions within the inner city..."

After making the request, Jiang Tao, with a serious expression, put down the booklet in his hand and gave a similar explanation.

"Your Excellency, I would like to know if our Inspection Division still has any openings for the autumn examinations?"

Li Hong smiled helplessly to himself, then clasped his hands in a fist and asked the most crucial question.

Jiang Tao narrowed his eyes, nodded, and reached for the teacup on the table, waiting for what was to come.

The quota inspection department does have about ten positions each year, so there's no shortage.

Although two junior examinees wanted to advance in this autumn's examinations, their reports have already been submitted to him.

However, if Li Hong wanted to participate, it wouldn't be impossible to free up a spot for him.

He's the chief envoy; it's just a matter of him saying a word.

Li Hong clasped his hands in a fist salute, not wanting to waste any more words, and turned his head to see a stone lock outside the door used for strength training.

The label says it weighs two thousand catties.

Clearly, there aren't many people in the patrol and inspection department who can use it to train their strength.

"rise!"

Li Hong walked to the gate, reached out and grabbed, and with just a slight clench of his teeth, he raised his arm above his knee!

Jiang Tao, who was calmly holding his teacup, suddenly changed his expression and the teacup in his hand "cracked" as the soup splashed everywhere!

"Mid-stage internal strengthening!?"

Even he couldn't help but feel his eyelids twitching!

He leaped up with a whoosh, so fast that he was almost a blur, and with a burst of immense force, he struck Li Hong.

The latter put down the stone lock and took the blow, but only managed to retreat three steps!

In an instant, Jiang Tao's expression changed drastically. Ignoring Li Hong's astonishment, he continued his stride and leaped over the courtyard wall in front of his envoy's hall!

Yes, it flew straight out!

This surprising scene took Li Hong somewhat by surprise...