Shen Xiuhan saw this and understood.
This outer courtyard disciple was surnamed Zhang. Although he came from a minor family in the Inner City, he was likely not a legitimate son, otherwise he wouldn't be looking for work at the placement meet.
But having grown up in the Inner City after all, he probably didn't lack meat and the like.
He was currently in the critical phase of tempering his skin and flesh, so what he lacked most was precisely the medicinal soup that could replenish blood qi, as well as that Blood-Nourishing Pill which could save him a lot of money.
Renxin Hall was naturally his best choice.
Seeing him make a choice, the steward of Changfeng Escort Agency wasn't upset either. He merely picked up his teacup, blew away the floating foam, took a sip, and let his gaze drift toward the next disciple stepping forward.
Presumably, they had long since grown accustomed to such situations.
Taking advantage of the gap between demonstrations in the arena, Xu Chuan sidled up to Shen Xiuhan and said in a low voice,
“Junior Brother Shen, I've gathered some information. For today's placement meet, because the Bai family and Zhendong Martial Arts Hall have been having quite a falling out recently, neither of them sent anyone at all.”
“Of the remaining three great families—the Luo, Ji, and Han families—all of them have sent stewards here.”
“You've just broken through to the Blood Tempering Rank and have such great talent, so you'll definitely be highly sought after. You can take your time and pick the best one among these three.”
Shen Xiuhan's gaze swept over the tables in the arena, each hanging with a banner. After a moment's deliberation, he asked in a low voice,
“Senior Brother, you are well-traveled and experienced. Do you have a reliable recommendation?”
“I recommend you choose the Luo family!”
Without the slightest hesitation, Xu Chuan quickly explained,
“I heard that your family are tenant farmers of the Bai family, and the Luo family has always been on good terms with the Bai family, with the two families intermarrying for generations.”
“Furthermore, the Luo family is the County Magistrate's family, and the County Magistrate himself is a Huajin expert... You should understand that whether a family has a Huajin expert to back them up is what separates the higher and lower tiers of the Five Great Families.”
“Right now, the Bai and Wang families haven't arrived, and the Han family is weak. As for the remaining Ji family, they have always been at odds with the County Magistrate, and the Luo family has long coveted the Ji Family Chamber of Commerce. Thus, they aren't the best choice.”
“The only real option you have is the Luo family.”
“Besides... Fifth Senior Sister is also working for the Luo family. If you go there, she can look after you.”
“With these connections, if you choose the Luo family, I'm sure they won't treat you poorly...”
Xu Chuan was still whispering, but Shen Xiuhan's heart sank, and a cold glint flashed deep in his eyes.
The Bai family and the Luo family...
were actually related by marriage for generations?!
In a flash of realization, the fragmented clues in his mind instantly connected.
No wonder!
No wonder the head of the Bai family could sit securely in the position of County Defender!
No wonder the second young master of the Bai family could hold the Fast Squad constables in the palm of his hand, treating them like private soldiers!
No wonder, despite the child-snatchers case causing such a massive uproar in the city, the county magistrate's office claimed they would bring the culprits to justice but never followed through.
As it turned out, the County Magistrate and the County Defender, the magistrate's office and the dark hands behind the scenes, were all one and the same family!
Shen Xiuhan took a deep breath, suppressing his surging emotions.
To live in this world, one must have some semblance of a conscience.
Shen Xiuhan truly could not bear to see little girls like Shen Momo sold into secret brothels and ruined.
He could not choose this Luo family.
Having made his decision, Shen Xiuhan did not show a hint of it on his face, merely nodding slightly.
“Thank you for the advice, Senior Brother. I will act according to the situation later.”
“No need to be so polite.”
Xu Chuan chuckled, patted his shoulder, and pointed at the arena.
“Here, keep watching.”
“Once the remaining outer courtyard disciples finish their turn, it will be time for a grand figure like you to make the final, show-stopping appearance.”
Shen Xiuhan looked toward the martial arts arena.
At this moment, Xiao Wen had just finished his form and exhaled, completing a full demonstration of the Mystic Eagle Stance.
The stewards seated at the head of the courtyard whispered and discussed among themselves. In the end, only the Han family made an offer.
It was for a position as a night watchman at their manor in the Outer City. The terms were not generous, barely enough to make a living.
But upon hearing this, Xiao Wen could not hide the joy on his face. He bowed and clasped his hands repeatedly, stepping back with endless gratitude.
With this job, his chances of breaking through to the Blood Tempering Rank would increase by a few more notches.
Immediately after, the last two outer courtyard disciples also went forward to demonstrate.
Unfortunately, their foundation was too weak and their stances were loose, so they were rejected without mercy.
As the last person left, a brief silence fell over the courtyard.
Without waiting for Xiang Yunting to call his name, Shen Xiuhan stepped out from the crowd and slowly walked into the center of the arena.
Seeing this, the stewards in luxurious silk robes, who had been leaning back lazily in their grandmaster chairs with looks of boredom, instantly perked up!
They all sat up straight in unison, sizing up the youth before them from head to toe.
Xiang Yunting gestured.
Several outer courtyard disciples immediately hauled a heavy wooden dummy from the corner.
Thud!
With a heavy thud, the wooden dummy was set firmly in front of Shen Xiuhan, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Shen Xiuhan's expression remained as calm as a deep well as he cupped his hands to the stewards.
Without a single word of nonsense, he turned and fixed his gaze on the wooden dummy.
The surrounding wind seemed to freeze at this very moment.
Shen Xiuhan extended a single hand.
The scorching blood qi throughout his body surged violently like a river bursting its dam!
The tendons in both his arms tightened like bowstrings, and his strength flowed seamlessly through his waist and hips, converging onto his right hand in the blink of an eye!
Crack—
The blue bricks beneath his feet cracked into a web of fine fissures.
In the next instant!
Shen Xiuhan transformed his right fist into a claw, tearing through the air as he swung it out with ferocious force!
『Heavenly Mystic Eagle Force: Mystic Eagle Bone-Cracker』
Thud!
As if a thousand-catty bronze bell had been struck, a deafening, muffled explosion erupted!
The disciples standing close felt a sharp sting in their eardrums and instinctively covered their ears in terror.
The violent blood qi penetrated deep into the wood!
Under the watchful eyes of the entire crowd, a shocking claw mark was gouged directly into the center of the wooden dummy, sending wood splinters flying.
But this was not the end.
Crack, crack, crack...
Bang!
A fracturing sound followed immediately after!
The hidden residual force comprehended from his Great Perfection-level Mystic Eagle Stance penetrated straight through the dummy!
The back section of the wooden dummy, which was as thick as an adult's waist, unexpectedly exploded like a firecracker!
Thud, thud, thud!
Large chunks of wood shot backward like hidden weapons, embedding themselves deep into the rammed earth wall behind.
The entire courtyard fell into a deathly silence.
The dozens of outer courtyard disciples gaped with wide-open mouths, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.
W-Was this fucking Blood Tempering?
Not to mention them, even Xu Chuan and Xiang Yunting, who were watching from the side, were utterly dumbfounded.
Xiang Yunting swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing with difficulty.
He was at the peak of the Blood Tempering Rank, only a step away from the Bone Tempering Rank.
Yet, asking himself honestly... he could not have delivered the strike Shen Xiuhan had just executed!
Xiang Yunting's eyes twitched, a tempest raging in his heart.
‘Second Senior Brother said his martial talent is exceptionally high, and that he reached Minor Accomplishment in the Mystic Eagle Stance shortly after starting. But this penetrating force... Could it be that the Great Accomplishment Mystic Eagle Stance I've practiced for nearly three years is fake?!’
At the same time, several uncontrollable gasps erupted from the direction of the grandmaster chairs.
“What overbearing Mingjin!”
“Blood qi penetrating the body, his force bypassing the surface to strike through stone!”
“A monster... This boy is truly a genius of the heavens!”
“He broke through to the Blood Tempering Rank in sixteen days, and his martial talent is so astonishing. In my view, he is not inferior to Jiang Qinghong back in her day.”
Within Changyun County, the recognized four great young geniuses were Bai Jing, Luo Tangyin, Zhao Honggang, and Jiang Qinghong.
However, this ranking was not based on combat power, but rather on the age at which they sensed their blood qi and broke through to Mingjin.
Therefore, when Zhao Honggang challenged the martial arts hall and defeated Jiang Qinghong some time ago, it had not caused much of a stir.
After all, he was a full four years older than Jiang Qinghong.
The implication of these stewards now was that Shen Xiuhan's future achievements would likely not be inferior to Jiang Qinghong's.
This was enough to show how highly they regarded Shen Xiuhan.
Rate on N.U.
