Chapter 44: Sparring at the Martial Arts School?

Because of what had happened before, the two Jinlong brothers did not come to the martial arts school the next day.

...

“Today’s training assignment, aside from our morning horse stance and martial techniques, will also include a sparring session this afternoon!” Before lunch, Ren Fan reminded everyone.

As soon as the group was dismissed, Qianqian sidled up beside Zhang Ze. Before long, Peng Fei and Cai Hu also sat down across from Zhang Ze with their trays.

“What are you all doing crowding around me?”

“Heh heh~”

“Zeke, I have to admit, you’re actually pretty easy on the eyes now,” Peng Fei suddenly chimed in, nearly causing Zhang Ze to choke.

*Cough, cough~* After a bout of violent coughing, he finally calmed down. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you—if you keep up with that nonsense, I’ll have to greet you with a kick.”

Seeing Peng Fei chuckling awkwardly at the side, Zhang Ze ignored him. “By the way, Qianqian, about your dad...”

Peng Fei, as expected, shifted the topic to Qianqian. The latter shook his head, replying, “My old man went to Nanhe Province. He said there’s something to handle, and we’ll talk when he gets back.”

“To Nanhe Province?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve got a sister down there?”

Over time, everyone realized that although Peng Fei’s family were farmers, despite his honest looks, he never failed to deliver outrageous remarks. Sure enough, Qianqian nearly keeled over at his words.

Amidst the laughter, Cai Hu, rarely one to speak up, said, “Something’s probably about to happen in Nanhe Province. Lately, quite a few martial artists my uncle knows have been sent there on missions.”

“Your uncle?” Qianqian, eager to avoid Peng Fei’s banter, seized the chance to steer the conversation.

“Yes~ My uncle serves in the province’s stationed troops. Recently, some units have also been dispatched to Nanhe Province.”

Perhaps because it involved the stationed troops, neither Peng Fei nor Qianqian joked further about it. In fact, the group spoke little more on the subject.

...

After lunch break, the eight-person squad assembled again. Ren Fan stood before them and said gravely, “The annual assessment at Anqing Martial Bureau will proceed as scheduled in September.”

At the mention of the Martial Bureau assessment, the seventeen- and eighteen-year-old youths, including Zhang Ze, all had their eyes light up. Only Yu Qian, Zheng Li, and Yan Long, because of their age, stood no chance of entering the Bureau.

“Before that, at the end of this month or the start of August, martial schools from every city in the province will gather at Anqing Martial Bureau for student sparring. So, throughout July, besides the two martial techniques already taught—Fist Clenching and Stamping Kick—I’ll gradually introduce more basic techniques. Of course, if you want to shine in the upcoming exchanges, it’ll depend on your own efforts.” Ren Fan’s gaze swept over Zhang Ze, Liu Qianqian, and the others, his voice tinged with expectation.

As soon as he finished, Peng Fei asked, “Coach Ren, will the Martial Bureau instructors be watching the matches at the end of the month?”

“Of course! Not only do they watch—every year, it’s common for instructors from Anqing Martial Bureau to recruit students directly from the martial school exchange.” Ren Fan himself grew visibly excited at this point. “So, have you all understood?”

“Yes!” The desire to enter the Martial Bureau was clear in Zhang Ze and his companions.

...

In truth, it wasn’t just Anqing Province. Across the country, the model of training students through martial schools was actively encouraged. This was evident from Yongsheng Martial School’s background, which was supported by Martial Bureau instructors.

It’s worth noting that many outstanding talents did not necessarily join the Bureau in their home province. To put it bluntly, there was fierce competition among the provincial Martial Bureaus. After all, national resources were limited; funding could never be perfectly equal. The only standard was the quality of martial artists each Bureau produced.

It was not unlike the universities of his previous life, Zhang Ze thought—except that the Martial Bureaus here were fewer in number and wielded even greater influence. To prevent the loss of top students, each province would make early offers before the September Bureau assessments, selecting the best candidates ahead of time. Though Zhang Ze hadn’t spent many years in school, he quickly understood it was similar to the “independent recruitment” policies of his previous world.

...

In any case, Ren Fan’s announcement had already stirred everyone’s fighting spirit. Even those like Yu Qian, who were too old to enter the Bureau, wanted to make a strong impression on the instructors. To prove: it’s not that I lack talent and can’t enter the Bureau—it’s just that you didn’t discover me sooner!

“All right!” After a round of discussion, Ren Fan interrupted, “To boost your real combat experience, there will be frequent sparring sessions from now on. With the Jinlong brothers absent, our squad has eight members present today, so we’ll pair off for matches. The rules are simple: no deliberate attacks to the lower body, no continued strikes after your opponent yields…”

After laying out the rules, Ren Fan asked, “Who wants to go first?”

“Coach Ren, I’d like to try!” No one expected that Jia Zhengyi, usually so invisible, would be the first to speak up.

“Jia Zhengyi, who do you want to spar with?”

“Zhang Ze!” At the mention of his name, Zhang Ze’s brows knotted. “Choosing me? Do I look that easy to bully?”

Unaware of Jia Zhengyi’s background, Zhang Ze couldn’t help but feel confused. Still, he didn’t hesitate and stepped forward.

...

After a final reminder, Ren Fan signaled for them to begin.

“Hah!” As soon as he finished, Jia Zhengyi let out a sharp breath and charged at Zhang Ze. Thanks to the system, Zhang Ze knew that his opponent’s cell strength was over 190S, so he dared not take him lightly.

He stepped back, narrowly dodging Jia Zhengyi’s stamping kick.

*Bang!* With a thunderous crash, the floor where Jia Zhengyi landed splintered apart. Seeing this, Ren Fan frowned slightly, noting that Jia Zhengyi was holding nothing back.

Fully aware of what nearly 200 cell strength could do, Zhang Ze was cautious. His muscles tensed; he let himself go completely.

“What grudge does this guy have against me? If I’d taken that kick head-on, I’d be bedridden for weeks!” But such thoughts flashed through Zhang Ze’s mind only for a moment before he dismissed them.

“Hmmph!” With a muffled grunt, he shot forward like an unsheathed sword, swinging a kick at Jia Zhengyi’s waist.

“Second grade?” Noting Zhang Ze’s cell strength as he moved, Ren Fan murmured to himself.

Jia Zhengyi hadn’t expected Zhang Ze to react so quickly. In his mind, he was the pride of No. 1 Middle School, excelling not only academically but, thanks to his father Jia Yao and the support of the Qian family, he had become a martial artist a year ago. There was no way he would lose to someone as unremarkable as Zhang Ze!

But facing Zhang Ze’s kick, he panicked. The speed was too great, the cell strength’s burst too fierce!

*Bang!* He was sent flying, landing heavily on the floor far away, blood gushing from his mouth.

Zhang Ze didn’t feel he’d been too rough. He frowned and asked, “What’s your relation to Jia Yao?”