novel-bin 10th year exam, silver medal
10th year exam, silver medal
Time flows like water.
Before we knew it, it was December.
The first snow fell in Lujiazhuang. It was freezing cold, and the whole place was covered in silver. The icicles under the eaves were as thick as an arm.
That morning.
The snow on the drill ground has been cleared clean.
Gold Medalist Fang Yonggang and another Gold Medalist Lu Jiu gathered all the guards together to announce some news.
"The Lunar New Year is just around the corner. According to Lu family tradition, we conduct a thorough investigation of all the guards before the New Year."
"Examine whether you have slackened in your practice over the past year, and whether you have made any progress."
"As strength increases, rank naturally rises, and monthly salary increases accordingly."
"Come on, let's begin, one by one, and present our demonstrations."
in the crowd.
Upon hearing this, Ren Qingshan's heart stirred slightly.
I have been with the Lu family for more than three months, from autumn harvest to December, and have received my monthly salary three times.
Every time he received three taels of silver, he would immediately hand over one and a half taels to Fang Yonggang.
This annual exam is a good opportunity.
A bronze medalist receives a monthly salary of three taels of silver; if one is promoted to a silver medalist, the salary increases to five taels.
Right now, with my current strength, I'm certain I'll get a silver medal.
The Lu family's guards consisted of two gold medals, seven silver medals, fourteen bronze medals, and over thirty miscellaneous servants.
To achieve a force of 2,000 jin (1,000 kg), one is basically at the level of a silver medalist.
As for the gold medal...
Even with this strength, Ren Qingshan must keep it hidden for the time being.
From an ordinary person, breaking through to the Silver Blood Realm in less than half a year, is that going to kill you?
If word of this gets out, even the county magistrate will come knocking on your door to question you about whether you've practiced any evil magic.
Take it one step at a time.
The year after next, I will take the imperial examination to become a military scholar!
……
"Measure the force!"
"First place, Lu Jingyang."
Fang Yong started taking attendance.
A tall, robust young man stepped out from the crowd, walked to a row of stone locks, and began to test his strength.
The stone weights varied in size, arranged from smallest to largest: 500 jin, 1,000 jin, 2,000 jin, 3,000 jin, 5,000 jin... The color gradually changed from stone color to iron color, and then to pure black.
Stone locks weighing over a thousand pounds are all made of meteoric iron, which has an extremely high density and is also a good material for making valuable weapons.
Lu Jingyang won the bronze medal.
A distant relative of the Lu family.
Standing before the thousand-pound stone lock, he regulated his breathing, circulated his blood and qi, and his palms visibly grew larger. He exhaled and firmly grasped the millstone-sized stone lock, lifting it up.
"Hold on for ten breaths!"
"ten!"
"Nine!"
Fang Yong just started counting.
Ten breaths later, Lu Jingyang's breathing became somewhat disordered and his face flushed, but he persevered and quickly put down the stone lock.
He licked his lips and walked toward the next one, a two-thousand-pound stone lock.
Turning around, he said somewhat nervously, "My lords, I would like to challenge my limits."
Two thousand catties is a silver medal.
"Give it a try."
Fang Yonggang waved his hand, but walked behind him to protect him.
Lu Jingyang stood in front of the stone lock, exhaling a long white breath. He took off his upper clothes, stretched his body, assumed a horse stance, and grabbed the stone lock with both hands.
He let out an angry roar, his eyes filled with hatred, as if the stone lock was his mortal enemy!
Once the hatred had accumulated to a certain degree, he exerted his strength and suddenly lifted himself up!
Anger can effectively enhance the explosive power of qi and blood; this is a martial arts insight.
The secret techniques of the Mountain-Splitting Palm technique record the saying, "I hate that the sky has no handle, and I hate that the earth has no ring."
However, it's bad for liver qi, so it needs to be treated with herbal remedies.
Under Lu Jingyang's relentless and mortal-like challenge, the stone lock was lifted slightly, and he was drenched in sweat, his chest and back covered in a fine layer of white sweat. Using all his strength, he barely managed to lift it above his knees, and roared again, wanting to exert even more force.
Suddenly.
Fang Yong just made a move.
With a light and skillful motion, she snatched the stone lock from his hand.
"You may leave."
"Working too hard will damage your vital energy, and you won't recover for at least six months."
"Don't aim too high, practice for another year."
Lu Jingyang's eyes showed gratitude. After bowing and thanking them, he put on his clothes and returned to the crowd.
Strength is the fairest and most obvious factor.
If you can't lift it, then you really can't lift it.
no way.
I can only practice more.
"Next! Jiang Dashan!"
Fang Yonggang shouted again.
Jiang Dashan grinned and walked towards the stone lock to begin testing his strength.
……
Ren Qingshan hadn't been turned yet, so he calmly looked around and waited patiently.
Two thousand jin is no challenge for me at all.
A monthly salary of five taels next year is a sure thing!
Sixty taels a year—that income would be considered top-tier even in Huaiyin County.
Even after deducting what Fang Yonggang received, at least ten more acres of dry land could be added!
I was happily thinking about all this...
A series of footsteps came from the entrance of the training ground. Ren Qingshan turned around and saw Steward Li wearing a black overcoat, leading a dozen or so men and women dressed in fine clothes, as well as a group of maids and servants, coming towards them in a grand procession.
Upon seeing this, Fang Yonggang and Lu Jiu hurriedly went to meet them.
The host has arrived!
Today is the annual examination, and he had already reported it to Steward Li. Judging from the scene now, it is probably some young master or young lady from a wealthy family who wants to come and watch the excitement.
"Fang Jinpai, it's alright. You can continue with the annual exams."
"The young masters are just here to watch the fun."
Butler Li said with a smile.
Fang Yonggang glanced around and saw the leader of the group of young masters, a spirited young girl in a snow-white fur coat, carrying an ancient longsword. With a slight thought, he immediately cupped his hands and smiled, "Is the young master who has entered the Divine Firmament Holy Realm going home for the New Year?"
"You have a sharp eye..."
Butler Li smiled, making way for the woman with the sword and bowing slightly: "Young Master, this is our family's top-ranking guard leader, surnamed Fang, named Yonggang. There is also another top-ranking guard, Lu Jiu, who is the master's adopted son."
"You two have worked hard. You've done a great job as nurses this year. Let's continue with the annual exam. Let me take a look."
Lu Qingyi said softly, glancing casually at the crowd.
in the crowd.
Ren Qingshan glanced at her and couldn't take his eyes off her for a moment. Tall and slender, dressed in a snow-white fur coat and carrying a sword, with bright and beautiful features and an air of nobility, she was truly the embodiment of a proud daughter of heaven and a stunningly beautiful swordswoman.
Lu Qingyi noticed the intense gazes of the guards, but she didn't care at all.
I've seen that kind of look far too many times.
……
After the minor incident of the young master coming to observe.
The annual exams continue.
However, with the young master coming to watch the battle, the spirits of all the guards participating in the assessment were completely invigorated.
Like a contest of beauty and splendor, they displayed their martial arts skills.
Even his preparatory posture before lifting the stone weight was exceptionally powerful and vigorous.
However, no one was able to lift two thousand catties.
Preparations are fierce, but upon closer inspection, they seem utterly ineffective.
Ren Qingshan was both amused and exasperated.
It's still freezing cold... far from the spring season when everything comes back to life, so what are you all doing making a fuss about?
……
"Ren Qingshan!"
Finally, it was my turn.
Ren Qingshan walked out steadily, first heading towards the thousand-pound stone lock, exhaling a long breath, and slowly lifting it up.
Hold for ten breaths, then let go.
He then walked towards the two thousand jin.
Fang Yonggang frowned slightly, but did not stop him. He simply walked behind him as before, ready to protect him at any time.
After a while.
He was stunned.
Ren Qingshan gripped the two-thousand-pound stone lock, his arms trembling slightly as he exerted all his strength, yet he still managed to lift it high into the air.
Ok?
He had only been practicing the Mountain-Splitting Palm technique for a little over three months.
Ren Qingshan's strength increased from a thousand jin to two thousand jin.
"good!"
"Looks like the Lu family will have another silver medal this year!"
"I remember you, your name is Ren Qingshan, right? I was the one who asked the constables in the yamen to recommend you as a bodyguard."
When Steward Li saw Ren Qingshan lift two thousand catties, he immediately cried out in a shrill voice. Then, he asked another question with a rather deliberate smile.
He also wanted to curry favor with the young masters.
This person... I nominated him!
……
……