EFB Chapter 28 Selection
Chapter 28 Selection
The time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
The group from the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts School then came out from the inner courtyard.
Master Qian walked at the front, his steps light and a smile on his lips, a stark contrast to when he entered.
He occasionally spoke in hushed tones with a middle-aged man in a dark-colored official uniform beside him, and the two would smile at each other from time to time.
Lin Mu felt that this person looked familiar, but he was not sure where he had seen him before.
The disciples of the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts School followed behind, each with their chests out and heads held high, their eyes sweeping over the students of the Long Wind Martial Arts School with a hint of smugness and disdain.
……
Inside the meditation room in the inner courtyard, Master Hu sat cross-legged on a futon.
Bai Yungui stood aside and said:
"We came to Xihe to open a martial arts school before the New Year, presented our visiting cards, and registered with the Palace Attendants."
"At that time, Qian Wanjun was still very polite to us."
"What gives you the right to suddenly show up and challenge us today?"
He paused for a moment: "Just now, the people from the Palace Guard appeared neutral, but in reality, they were biased."
"The rules you set are: if the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts School only has one Dark Force practitioner, then there will only be one Dark Force match, and the remaining four matches will all be Open Force matches."
"What is this martial arts school rivalry?"
"Neither I nor my junior brother Yan Hua can win the contest against the Dark Force group."
"The Mingjin Group also includes Cui Mingyue, Ye Lang, Junior Brother Zhou, and Junior Brother Liu."
"Even though their Lei Heng and Zhao Lie have already touched the threshold of Dark Force, they have won two consecutive matches."
"There's still no chance of winning."
"so......"
"There is something strange about this matter." The curator frowned.
......
It wasn't just the senior disciple and the academy master who were discussing it; the other disciples from the outer academy were also buzzing with discussion.
Chen Yuan leaned closer to Zhou Yu and whispered, "Have you heard? The challenge is in seven days."
Zhou Yu leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, unconcerned: "The Fierce Tiger Martial Arts School isn't very strong; they probably can't beat us. Don't worry."
"But..." Chen Yuan wanted to say something more.
"Besides, with so many fellow disciples, it won't be our turn to go on stage."
"That's true."
The conversation between the two was overheard by Senior Brother Zhou and Junior Brother Liu, who were standing in meditation nearby.
"Everyone thought we had the upper hand, but Qian Wanjun still came."
"Anything that seems out of the ordinary must be suspicious."
The two fell silent, their expressions grave.
Cui Mingyue nodded towards Ye Lang, and the two walked to the stone bench.
Cui Mingyue lowered her voice: "Did your family give any explanation?"
Ye Lang nodded: "Mm."
Cui Mingyue sighed, "Sigh."
Only Lin Mu kept practicing his stance.
……
At noon, the sun was blazing.
The owner walked out from the inner courtyard, stood on the steps of the front courtyard, and clapped his hands.
The apprentices gathered around.
The curator cleared his throat.
"Seven days later, the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts School will come to challenge us."
"This battle is of paramount importance."
"It concerns whether Changfeng Martial Arts School can establish itself in Xihe Town."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. "Now, select the contestants."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yan Hua stepped out of the queue.
"Master, leave this battle of internal strength to me."
Yan Hua has not been in the academy for long, but he is extremely talented. His breakthrough speed from Ming Jin to An Jin has attracted everyone's attention.
However, the eldest brother broke through to the inner strength earlier and had rich practical experience from years of escorting goods. The master originally preferred to let him compete.
The master turned to look at his senior brother.
The eldest brother stood under the eaves and nodded slightly.
The master of the martial arts school withdrew his gaze and looked at Yan Hua: "This round of internal force will be handled by Yan Hua."
Yan Hua bowed and took his leave, returning to the inner courtyard to cultivate.
The martial arts master turned his gaze to the crowd: "Mingjin Group, who is willing to fight?"
Senior Brother Zhou and Junior Brother Liu exchanged a glance and stepped out of the queue at the same time.
"This disciple is willing to go." Senior Brother Zhou cupped his hands, his voice steady.
"The same goes for me," Junior Brother Liu added, his back ramrod straight.
The curator glanced at the two of them and nodded with satisfaction: "Good."
"Is there anyone else willing to fight?"
The courtyard was completely silent.
Zhou Yu lowered his eyes and remained silent—he felt it wasn't his turn.
Cui Mingyue and Ye Lang exchanged a grave look and fell silent.
The curator's gaze fell on Cui Mingyue and Ye Lang: "Where are you two?"
Cui Mingyue stepped forward and cupped her hands in a respectful gesture:
"The family has given instructions that neither Ye Lang nor I will participate."
"The Cui and Ye families also have disciples at the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts School."
The curator gave them a deep look and then stopped insisting.
In martial arts duels, the sons of wealthy families usually do not participate, in order to avoid causing disputes between families and to prevent the outcome of the fight from being secretly manipulated.
But this means there are only two disciples at the Ming Jin stage left.
"Zhou Yu, Lin Mu."
"Get ready."
Zhou Yu cupped his hands in greeting: "Yes."
Lin Mu nodded.
After the selection process was completed, everyone dispersed.
Chen Yuan moved closer to Zhou Yu: "Are you really going to go on stage?"
Zhou Yu leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, unconcerned: "Yan Hua and Senior Brother Zhou will definitely win; whether I win or not is unimportant."
On the other side, Ye Lang asked in a low voice, "Your family won't let you participate?"
Cui Mingyue shook her head: "No! It requires me to participate actively and then lose."
He paused, then looked at Ye Lang: "You should be too, right?"
Ye Lang's expression turned serious, and he slowly nodded.
"Although we don't know the situation, the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts School is coming in with great force."
"We cannot harm the family's interests, nor do we want the martial arts school to fail."
"Sigh~"
"It all depends on Senior Brother Zhou and Senior Brother Liu."
As members of large families, they have more than others, but they also have a lot to bear.
While everyone was discussing, Lin Mu had already returned to the corner of the courtyard and was practicing standing meditation.
Tomorrow is the first day of the ten-day period, and I need to go to the inner city palace to be on duty. I have to finish practicing my boxing today.
......
The next morning, Lin Mu arrived at the inner city gate.
The guards checked the waist tag, searched him from head to toe, and then waved him through.
The inner city remained bustling, its cobblestone streets gleaming in the morning light.
Lin Mu walked to the front of the Palace Guard Office and found that the atmosphere was different from usual today.
Several carriages were parked at the entrance, more than three times the usual number, and the alley was packed with people.
Several clerks in official robes trotted in and out, their faces flushed with excitement.
Lin Mu squeezed through the gate, where the courtyard was full of people.
There were officials from the Palace Guard dressed in black robes, retainers from aristocratic families in brocade robes, and several martial artists with swords hanging from their waists, all gathered in small groups, whispering amongst themselves.
All eyes were fixed on the inner hall, as if they were waiting for someone.
"Here it comes, here it comes."
Someone shouted, and the courtyard fell silent instantly.
The curtain to the inner room was lifted, and a young man walked out.
He was about twenty years old, tall and slender, wearing a moon-white long robe with a dark green jade belt around his waist.
His face was sharply defined, his eyebrows were like distant mountains, his eyes were like cold stars, and a faint smile hung at the corner of his mouth, as relaxed as if he were taking a walk in his own backyard.
But with each step he took, the air in the courtyard grew heavier.
"Lord Yu."
An elderly man in a scarlet official robe stepped forward, bowed, and spoke with undisguised flattery.
"It is truly an honor for us and for Heyuan that you have come to serve as the chief instructor of the Palace Guard in Heyuan County."
Yu Mubai nodded slightly, not returning the greeting, but simply replied with a faint "You're welcome."
People swarmed around him, showering him with compliments.
Some people handed over their visiting cards, some offered their flattery, and some squeezed to the front just to say, "I have long admired Lord Yu's illustrious name."