Chapter 21: Unveiling Your Mask (Please Favorite, Please Follow)

"Huang Yushen… passed."

"Qian Sanliang."

"Passed."

"Dong Lianqiao."

"Passed."

…

"Tang Lin'er… passed."

The previous five participants managed the test in a regular manner, finding it somewhat strenuous when bombarded by sandbags, even sweating profusely.

However, when Tang Lin'er passed, it was somewhat eerie.

Every time the sandbags struck him, Zhou Ping'an noticed that this fellow seemed to have unnoticeable counter-movements.

It appeared as if various joints in his body suddenly stretched a bit…

What was revealed was his shoulders suddenly widening, his chest abruptly thickening, and his waistline sharply narrowing.

By the end of the twenty-four steps, if one looked closely, one could see that his body was transforming, shifting its shape constantly like a shape-shifter...

The sandbags, when hit his body, would directly bounce off, with all the force being neutralized.

This was not about deflecting but attacking against the attack.

Without moving his hands or feet, the stretching transformation of his body itself turned into a fist, preemptively striking the sandbags and sending them flying.

Not to mention his pile stance was also extremely steady yet nimble.

Moving about, truly as smooth as flowing clouds and water.

This time, it wasn't just the Guardian House Servants who were shocked, even Wei Dazui's expression subtly changed as he turned his head to look at Protectorate Leader Lin Ziqi.

No need to ask.

Everyone knew the reason.

Wei Dazui, who would paint the rosy picture daily, boasting about the mighty finesse of Chopping Wave Jin.

He detailed every bit of the characteristic of operating Wave-Cleaving Jin.

Hooking everyone's deep-seated yearnings.

Who could not recognize it now?

Tang Lin'er might not have mastered Wave-Cleaving Jin completely, but the method of force operation was undoubtedly close to perfect.

The way the sandbags were directly blown away was the best example.

Moreover, crucially, after passing through the sandbag array, Tang Lin'er didn't delay for long… After casually speaking a few words with Zhou Ping'an, he stood behind Lin Ziqi.

What does that signify, if not obvious?

…

Wei Dazui let out two heavy breaths, wanting to say something but eventually said nothing.

He turned his head toward the other Protectorate House Servants: "Is there anyone else who wants to try the pile array? If not, this selection trial will be…"

"There is one more."

Zhou Ping'an stepped forward.

"You too want to try?"

"Doesn't everyone get a chance?" Zhou Ping'an asked surprisingly.

The opportunity is rare, and there is no need to care too much about how others see or think.

After achieving Mastery of Sinews and Bones, Zhou Ping'an's attitude of being cautious about survival had slightly changed.

It was time to show off oneself.

At the least, he needed to demonstrate the fruits of practicing Gentle Water Eight Stances, right?

Otherwise, how could he be worthy of learning Chopping Wave Knife?

Wei Dazui laughed out loud with a 'ha' sound.

He remembered clearly that he hadn't given the other party any tips at all.

Seeing the other party's attitude, it seemed he hadn't spent any effort beforehand in trying to ingratiate himself with Protectorate Leader Lin Ziqi.

Nor had he exchanged any significant looks with those offering men who had come to spectate.

In his memory, Zhou Ping'an had just come to the Martial Arts Ground a couple of days ago, watched briefly, realized he couldn't learn much, and swiftly resigned himself to go back to his own courtyard to sleep soundly, not even showing his face.

If he said with his base level and stance method he could pass through this sandbag pile array, that would be a joke.

Tang Lin'er also wore an amused face.

Right after he passed, he went over to Zhou Ping'an and said a word.

"Be careful of the Guardian House Servants who push the sandbags; those people might play rough. If you are not sure, it's better not to try, you won't make it through."

Jealousy makes a person unrecognizable.

If it was Tang Lin'er taking the trial, they might still unwittingly increase a bit of force in pushing the sandbags.

But when Zhou Ping'an took his turn, they might even put in their utmost effort.

After all, aside from the two Strength-Training Martial Masters and Wei Dazui, he was currently the only First-Rank Guardian.

And yet, the power he displayed was the weakest.

Becoming a First-Rank Guardian was entirely based on a tricky move that had outsmarted Wei Dazui, earning him favorable treatment.

In such a scenario, who wouldn't be envious?

Anyone would be eager to bring him down and trample him a few times.

Not to mention, suppressing him also meant improving relations with Wei Dazui, the master who passes on the art.

In the Lin Residence's main courtyard, he solidified his standing...

Such is human nature.

It has nothing to do with grudges.

The sandbags were inherently heavy, around one to two hundred pounds, and when pushed with full force by someone, they were like a bull charging with its head down.

In such a situation, not only Zhou Ping'an but even Tang Lin'er, would admit that enduring it might not be possible.

At best, the trial would fail; at worst, bones could break and muscles could tear.

And what was Zhou Ping'an relying on?

Soon, he saw exactly what Zhou Ping'an was relying on to dare challenge the Gentle Water Pile Array.

The sandbags howled as the force of their swinging, combined with the deliberate malice of several hundred pounds of force from the Guardian House Servants, propelled them.

The impact came thundering down like a siege hammer.

Zhou Ping'an, however, seemed utterly unaware of the malice and targeting aimed at him.

He simply started moving through the Gentle Water Eight Steps on his own.

One step darting forward, ready to rise, two steps falling forward, ducking down.

Three steps rushing forward like a bow, four steps lowering the body and looking back...

There were no actions of dropping the shoulders or sinking the elbows to dissipate or absorb the force.

Nor were there any preemptive spine activations or rebounding counters.

Instead, he just moved normally, his movement technique smooth, as if walking on waves.

When the sandbags struck him hard, it was like hitting a pond; there was no sense of a solid impact.

Keen-eyed individuals could even see ripples intermittently appearing on Zhou Ping'an's body.

Not just his clothes, but also the exposed skin on his neck and arms rippled.

Then, there was no "then."

The force of the swinging sandbags and the deliberate pushes dissipated completely.

By the time Zhou Ping'an finished his twenty-four steps and closed his form,

the surroundings had become completely silent.

Those pushing the sandbags, those enjoying the spectacle, those envious or admiring Guardian House Servants, all were stunned.

The expected scene of Zhou Ping'an making a fool of himself simply never happened.

Instead, he seemed more relaxed and effortless than anyone.

It made them all look like clowns...

...

Lin Ziqi could no longer sit calmly on the Taishi chair watching the show; he suddenly stood up, his eyes wide and his breathing ragged.

He was shocked, experiencing extreme discomfort.

Standing beside him, Tang Lin'er could even feel the boundless anger and jealousy in the heart of this Protectorate Leader.

Others might not know what the unusual signs on Zhou Ping'an's body meant.

But Lin Ziqi saw it at a glance.

It was the Lin Family's secret breath control technique.

Lin Ziqi had grown up in the Lin Family since he was a child...

As a house servant, he had been loyal and had been promoted due to his merits, gaining importance.

And yet, even after following the Third Miss to Qingyang County to expand the business paths and fighting bloodied battles countless times,

even he was not qualified to be taught the "Tidal Breathing Technique."

And this newly appointed Guardian, who had only been in the Lin Family for a few days, and barely had anything worth a second glance,

What virtues and reasons did he have to gain the master's attention?

Even, even the Third Miss had exceptionally passed on to him the core cultivation technique of the Lin Family.

'This is unfair...'

Disbelief filled Lin Ziqi's eyes, and he internally screamed; meanwhile, Wei Dazui had already impulsively stepped forward.

"Zhou Ping'an, on the day of the selection, you were weak in muscles and bone, with a loose lower body."

"Now, in order to obtain the inheritance of the Chopping Wave Knife, you accidentally revealed yourself..."

"Speak, why have you hidden your skills and surreptitiously joined the Lin Family? What are your true intentions?"

Zhou Ping'an could only respond with a wry smile, understanding why Wei Dazui was picking a fight.

After all, he was the "primary culprit" who caused his evaluation to drop, leaving him disgraced with no chance of promotion.

In such a situation, finding a way to target him and vent his anger was quite normal.

However, trying to smear him with suspicions of being a spy was unacceptable.

"Protector Wei, you are of limited talent and not very bright, you might not understand that people can progress…"

"A rapid leap, a complete transformation, perhaps beyond your imagination, but it is the truth."

"I don't believe it."

Wei Dazui's expression suddenly became fierce.

Taking a deep breath, he charged forward explosively like a bear or a tiger.

Within a few steps, he was in front of Zhou Ping'an, palm raised like a knife, thunderously chopping down...

"Let me expose your true face..."