"That small plot of land north of the village," Yang the Third said without hesitation. He’d seen how things were. The world could descend into chaos at any moment, and it was anyone’s guess if they could even hold on to their land then. He might as well take a gamble against Yang Ji right now.

He had traveled all over, and while he hadn’t made a fortune, he’d certainly honed his eye for things. He knew the hairpin from Yang Ji’s wife’s dowry was quite valuable. His own wife had long wanted one, but he simply didn’t have the spare money to buy it.

Yang Ji’s interest was piqued.

Land was his lifeblood.

If he hadn’t been so obsessed with land back then, he wouldn’t have forcibly taken that strip of land from the Yang Family. He never gave it back, and the two families nearly came to blows over it. If not for that incident, his relationship with the Yang Family wouldn’t be this hostile.

Now, hearing that Yang the Third wanted to bet his family’s land against a hairpin—and on whether that boy Yang Jing could pass the martial arts exam, no less—Yang Ji was tempted.

Because of his own conflict with the Yang Family, he felt he knew Yang Jing better than anyone. ’That kid is all show and no substance. He might know a few moves to impress a coward like Yang the Third, but passing the martial arts exam? He must be dreaming.’

At this thought, Yang Ji was certain he had a sure win.

"I’ll take that bet! Everyone, you’re all witnesses! Don’t you try to back out later, Yang the Third," Yang Ji hurriedly agreed, afraid Yang the Third would change his mind. He immediately called on the surrounding villagers to act as witnesses.

Some of the onlookers tried to persuade Yang the Third not to be so reckless, but he had personally seen Yang Jing practice his forms. Full of confidence in the boy, he waved his hand dismissively. "Whoever backs out is a son of a bitch! And I mean a son of a bitch to this whole village!"

Yang Ji watched the crowd surround Yang the Third, bombarding him with questions. He snorted coldly and turned to head home. ’I hear the martial arts exam is dangerous. It’d be best if that kid Yang Jing gets beaten to death. Let’s see what that old geezer Yang Shouzhuo has to be so smug about then.’

Watching Yang Ji leave, many of the villagers quietly spat on the ground in disgust.

Yang Ji was notorious in the village for being selfish and greedy, always looking to take petty advantages. His relationships with his neighbors were terrible.

"On the day the exam starts, I’m heading to the county seat to join the crowd and see what’s what," a middle-aged man said, tapping his pipe against the locust tree.

"Count me in! I’ve lived this long and never seen a martial arts exam. Yang Jing is really bringing honor to our village this time. We have to go and show our support!" a woman holding a child chimed in.

Once the topic was broached, the other villagers all laughed and said they wanted to go see it too.

Seeing this, Yang the Third puffed out his chest and declared, "I know my way around the city. I’ll lead the way when the time comes, and we’ll all go together. But common folk like us probably can’t get into the examination grounds. We’ll have to wait outside and watch through the fence, so we won’t get a clear view."

"Deal! We’ll follow your lead!"

The villagers all chattered their agreement.

A few of the quicker ones had already run to the Yang Family’s home, shouting from the courtyard gate, "Elder Yang, we’ve all decided! On the day of the exam, we’re all going to the county seat to cheer for little Jing! We’ll go together!"

From the courtyard came Elder Yang’s hearty reply, "Good! Good! My family will steam extra rations for the road. We’ll all eat together!"

Lately, Elder Yang had been positively beaming, looking as if he were ten years younger.

He had sold everything he owned—his land and his ox—to support his grandson’s martial arts training. Wasn’t it all for this very day?

For Yang Shouzhuo, he had lived an honest life, never touching women or gambling. He had made only one bet in his entire life. He wagered the fortune his family had accumulated over generations on his grandson’s future. He bet that his grandson would bring him honor, bet that the Yang Family would not remain farmers for all generations to come.

Now, the result was in. He had won the bet!

Whenever he left his house, people would run over from a distance to greet him respectfully.

It wasn’t just in Yang Family Village. Throughout all of Wazi Town, any mention of Yang Jing from Yang Family Village would earn a thumbs-up.

The buzz of discussion in the village, mixed with the sounds of chickens and dogs, filled the air, heating the entire village with lively anticipation.

Yang Jing was going to the martial arts examination grounds. This was no longer just a family matter; the entire village was in an uproar.

...

「Three days later, on the evening of August 30th, the day before the official start of the examination grounds trials. Yuhe County, Inner City.」

Night enveloped the Qi Mansion. A dim, yellow light shone through the carved wooden windows.

Qi Yun had just returned. After changing out of her long gown and into comfortable home clothes, she saw her older brother, Qi Kang, sitting in the living room’s Grandmaster’s Chair, toying with a Jade Pendant in his hand.

"Yun’er, rest early tonight. The exam begins tomorrow, so you must be in top condition," Qi Kang said, reminding her when he saw her approach.

"I know, brother. I’ll go to sleep in a little while," Qi Yun replied, sitting down on a nearby chair.

Qi Kang smiled faintly, took a sip of tea, and then looked up at his sister, Qi Yun. "I hear your Sun’s Martial Arts Hall recently produced an expert at the Hidden Strength stage? For a newly emerged Martial Artist like that, if he has potential, our family might as well sponsor him a bit. He could be useful in the future."

Qi Yun picked up the hot tea a servant had brought, gently blowing on the surface. Hearing his words, she shook her head. "There’s no need."

She took a delicate sip and set down her cup, her tone laced with dismissal. "I know of him. His Root Bone is merely Lower-Grade. He likely broke through to the Hidden Strength stage by sheer luck. Besides, he has a dull personality and isn’t very bright. What future could he possibly have? Sponsoring him would just be a waste of effort and silver coins."

Hearing his sister’s words, Qi Kang’s fingers, which were fiddling with the Jade Pendant, paused. He looked up at Qi Yun, his brow slightly furrowed. "Reaching the threshold of the Obvious Strength stage with a Lower-Grade Root Bone could perhaps be chalked up to luck. But the Hidden Strength stage is a major hurdle involving Inner Breath Circulation. Without something extraordinary about him, it’s very difficult to cross that barrier. Is his luck truly that heaven-defying?"