Chapter 5: Recruiting a Protector, Strength Without Vigor

Just as he approached, a tall and robust man cursed his way through the crowd.

His face was red and swollen, looking quite unpleasant.

"Lifting a hundred catty stone lock with one hand? If I had that skill, why would I come to the Lin Family to be a house servant? Even if I joined the Black Wolf Gang, I could live a life of luxury."

A murmur rose from the crowd, someone with doubts asked, "Isn't it said that they're recruiting Protectors? With a monthly salary of five taels of silver, including board and lodging, and the chance to learn the Superior Martial Arts Wave Subduing Blade Technique."

"Yes, I heard from Lin Ziqi of the Lin Family himself, the Wave-Breaking Sword, who promised that as long as one is selected, they would be taught martial arts and provide an opportunity for poor families' children to make a name for themselves."

"More than that, he also said that if someone truly has outstanding talent, the Third Miss Lin would personally teach and guide them..."

"The Third Miss Lin!"

As soon as the Third Miss Lin was mentioned, the topic immediately shifted in another direction.

A chorus of chuckles and laughter erupted from the surroundings...

As for what everyone was thinking, it was an unspoken consensus.

Even Zhou Ping'an couldn't help but be somewhat tempted.

Not to mention the Thick-Eyebrowed Youth, who couldn't move his legs and grabbed the cursing tall man with a smile, "Brother, don't be in a hurry to leave. Can you truly be taught Superior Martial Arts just by lifting a hundred catties?"

"Go on..."

The tall man was still frustrated when he tried to shake off the hand, only to find the other's fingers clasped onto his wrist like steel hooks. He could hardly exert any strength on half of his body, and his face changed color involuntarily, "Superior Martial Arts are indeed available. Although the Lin Family hasn't been in Qingyang County for long, and their Herbal Medicine Shop has a good reputation for honesty, but those are Superior Martial Arts—can just anyone learn them? Practicing them might not even be as useful as an Inferior External Skill."

"It's good as long as it can be taught."

The Thicked-Eyebrowed Youth's eyebrows smiled with satisfaction as he let go, "Besides lifting the stone lock, how else can one pass the test?"

"Well, withstand ten moves under Wei Dazui, and you can pass."

The tall man motioned with his mouth, still visibly dissatisfied; obviously, he had tried and failed.

After all, not being able to even lift the stone meant no chance for him.

Zhou Ping'an looked up to see someone in the ring pressing down with a single arm.

Boom...

In between lifting and pressing, a sturdy man was thrown heavily to the ground, dust billowing up.

"Next."

The heavyset, bear-like figure of Wei Dazui called out, cracking his neck unsatisfyingly.

Ouch.

There's a feeling called 'looks painful just watching.'

Zhou Ping'an took a deep breath, watching the man who was thrown to the ground and grimaced in pain for a while without getting up and suddenly asked, "What would happen to those who can't withstand ten moves?"

"They should probably be recruited as house servants... After all, being able to lift a hundred catty stone lock with one hand is also quite a feat. With a little training, they can be sent to the battlefield."

Not all house servants are the same.

The house servants of wealthy families might just end up as servants...

But being a house servant for the Lin Family is different.

Not to mention being well-fed with good food and meat during peaceful times, in war, they would likely be personal soldiers of the Third Miss Lin.

The treatment couldn't be that bad.

Otherwise, why would they set a threshold of lifting a hundred catties with one hand if they just wanted to recruit servants and menials?

Wouldn't that be overkill?

Although the cursing tall man didn't make it and was deeply dissatisfied with the Lin Family, he was merely sour grapes for not being able to join; he wouldn't belittle those who did.

I get it; it's a show of force.

Zhou Ping'an took a careful look at the fat man called Wei Dazui.

The man wore a short coat and baggy trousers, standing in the field like a small hill.

Not only was he broad and portly, but his arms were also so thick they resembled the thighs of an ordinary person.

What was most formidable was that this ugly-looking big mouth moved with a surprising grace, giving off a nimble vibe in his movements.

Every step he took was firmly grounded, his waist twisted like a snake, and the way he moved his hands showed a strange kind of beauty.

Moreover, when he lifted his opponent and smashed him to the ground, the force was just right...

Leaving his opponent unable to move while not being badly hurt.

"I might not be able to beat him."

Zhou Ping'an was quite aware of his own capabilities as he carefully measured up his strength against his opponent.

That guy's arms could probably wield four or five hundred catties of strength.

And he was trained.

It looks like this Protector recruitment is just a carrot dangling in front of a donkey.

On one hand, they keep you hooked with Superior Martial Arts and attractive treatment;

On the other hand, from the very beginning, the Lin Family only wanted to recruit house servants.

And since they are recruiting house servants, it remains to be seen whether they would actually teach the Wave Subduing Blade Technique as promised.

They could bluff with just two hard skills.

What annoyed the tall man was the fact that he didn't even qualify to be a house servant, which was a severe blow to his self-esteem.

...

In the field, Wei Dazui knocked senseless five or six men who had lifted the stone lock, finally facing a middle-aged man in Gray Clothes carrying a young girl on his back, his face weathered by the elements.

The middle-aged man did not put down the girl he was carrying; instead, he approached the stone lock and lightly flicked it with his toes...

A hundred-pound Stone Lock "whooshed" into the air and flew above his head.

He caught it in one hand and deftly twirled it around.

Then, he drew the short wooden stick from his waist, weighed it, and smiled, "This humble one, Wang Yaozu, specializes in the stick. May I ask if it's permissible to use weapons?"

As he spoke, he tapped the tip of the stick delicately, emitting a "swoosh" sound, as if white ripples flashed past the tip of the stick.

"Strength-Training Martial Master."

"To think a martial master worthy of the description has come forth to apply, the Lin Family is truly fortunate this time. Is Superior Martial Arts so alluring?"

"Nonsense, so many experts, none have a clear path…"

This time, it's rare for the Third Miss Lin to be so generous, daring to promise to disseminate the family's Superior Martial Arts. Who wouldn't be tempted?

In peaceful times, such opportunities couldn't be found even with a lantern."

That made sense.

In this chaotic world, many long-established conventions were gradually starting to loosen.

Not just concerning the inheritance of martial arts…

Even common bandits and farmers dared to declare "Do princes and generals have a special kind of birth?".

For some, it was the worst of times, but also the best of times…

It all depended on whether one dared to make a bold move.

"What is a Strength-Training Martial Master?"

Seeing the thick-eyebrowed youth seemingly thoughtful and more eager, Zhou Ping'an approached and quietly asked.

"External Refining of Sinews and Bones, Strength Cultivation Technique, using Energy Control to harm others, should be Fourth Stage... Brother, you seem familiar." The thick-eyebrowed youth replied casually, then suddenly stopped and looked at Zhou Ping'an.

"The road to heaven is wide, each of us walks on one side of it. Brother Banbian, I have long admired you."

Zhou Ping'an gave a cupped fist salute.

He deduced that this fellow had recognized him a long time ago but pretended otherwise.

Clearly, he was trying to cover up his "dark history" with the Red Lotus Army.

But how could that be possible?

Having finally met an "old acquaintance" who knew him inside out, how could Zhou Ping'an not take the opportunity to strike up a relationship?

Both being drifters in this world, it was good to look out for and support each other.

So, he decided to reveal himself and take the initiative to make friends.

The thick-eyebrowed youth gasped, feeling stuck as if by sticky candy, and his whole body felt uncomfortable.

He wanted to get angry, but didn't dare to; he could only force a smile and said, "Turns out to be an old acquaintance that does not require past recognition. You've changed your appearance, and I truly didn't recognize you. Admirable, admirable indeed."

The word "again" was well used.

In the thick-eyebrowed youth's casual talk, he subtly pointed out, I remember you, the one who pretended to be dead, naked...

Brother, don't mention my past, we all come from the Red Lotus Bandits. If the truth leaks, we're all dead.

"Haha, we're from the same hometown, we grew up bare-bottomed together, why act like strangers?"

Zhou Ping'an was not at all concerned about the other party pointing out his identity; he laughed and put his arm around the other's shoulder: "Ergou, life is hard, our village was destroyed by the Red Lotus Bandits, and we barely escaped. We have to live on..."

The thick-eyebrowed youth's face twitched frantically twice as he suppressed the urge to turn hostile, and squeezed out a smile, "Big Bull, stop it, Dependable Village has already been reduced to ashes. It's pointless to talk more.

When out and about, just call me Tang Lin'er from now on. Don't ever bring up Ergou again."

"Right, then call me Zhou Ping'an."

Zhou Ping'an smiled and agreed, thinking that this fellow was quick-witted to catch on to the conversation.

Names like "Ergou" or "Big Bull" were not important.

What was important was that within a few sentences, they had agreed on a new, clean identity.

They were villagers of Dependable Village, having grown up together, and had escaped narrowly when the Red Lotus Bandits razed their village. Now they were seeking refuge in the county town, looking for a way out.

"Strength cannot overcome inner energy, the martial master will win. I will go give it a try first."

Tang Lin'er twisted his figure slightly and, like a fish, wriggled free from Zhou Ping'an's arm and went to the Stone Lock.

No sooner had he spoken, Zhou Ping'an saw the middle-aged man use his short stick like the wind, rapidly striking Master Wei's shoulders and abdomen three times, the moves too swift to see.

Wei Dazui let out a loud shout, his hands slightly mismatched to fend off…

He managed to block it, but his body recoiled as if electrocuted, retreating seven or eight steps, and he kept shaking his hands as if in severe pain.

"Pass. Master Wang, please come this way."

Immediately, a house servant dressed like a steward stepped forward, smiling, and welcomed the middle-aged man carrying a little girl.

At the top end, a stern-looking, strapping young man also nodded slightly, his right hand loosening from the hilt of his blade.

"What keen insight."

Zhou Ping'an, however, wasn't paying too much attention to the youth with his hand on the blade.

This person, he had seen while playing dead on the battlefield, once rode a horse to guard behind the Third Miss Lin, chasing down enemies, his Broad Blade stirring up blood, quite terrifying.

He was impressed by his new "old friend" Tang Ergou's quick judgment, discerning the other's background with just one look, possessing a truly commendable eye for detail.

What villagers from Dependable Village, fooling ghosts?

Nevertheless, everyone was aiming to blend into the Lin Family, to learn Superior Martial Arts…

The identity itself was not important.

What mattered was achieving one's goal.

…