Chapter Thirty-Eight: Facing the Instructor

The first round of trainee selection at the Hundred Battles Training Ground was drawing to a close, and the instructors standing before them were to become the most crucial figures in the training days ahead.

It was a process of mutual selection between instructors and trainees.

Every year, the number of entrants to the Hundred Battles Training Ground was strictly limited, and the instructors here held absolute authority over the fate of all the students.

Each instructor could only accept a certain number of trainees, on a first-come, first-served basis, until their quota was filled. Once all instructors had reached their limits, the recruitment would end, and any surplus trainees would be considered eliminated.

At the same time, not only did the instructors have the right to choose their trainees, but the trainees could also select the instructor they wished to follow.

Each instructor had a distinct style: some excelled at leading charges, others at devising formations. There were cavalry, heavy infantry, archers, shield-bearers—representing every branch of the military, each teaching the tactics and strategies of their respective fields.

The instructors at the Hundred Battles Training Ground were all elite officers handpicked from battlefields across the Empire, each possessing rich combat experience.

...

At the foot of the stone steps, an instructor regarded the impatient students before him and spoke languidly:

“You may begin at any time. If you can withstand five moves from any one of the instructors here, you will be considered qualified.”

With his hands clasped behind his back, the instructor smiled faintly.

“What? Isn’t it usually a contest among the trainees? Why has the rule changed this year?” one trainee exclaimed in shock. In previous years, the trainees would compete amongst themselves and the instructors would then select those they favored. But now, it was a duel against the instructors themselves.

How could the trainees possibly match the instructors? Wouldn’t this mean that no one would pass?

“Indeed, you may challenge any instructor here. If you can last five moves, you may freely choose among all the instructors at the Hundred Battles Training Ground,” another instructor stepped forward, beaming as he dropped this bombshell.

Not only was the questioning trainee stunned, but every trainee present, including Li Fu, was taken aback by this news!

Anyone who passed would have their pick of instructors—effectively stripping the instructors of their traditional right of selection and granting it entirely to the trainees!

“This... I... I think I’ll pass... Isn’t this bullying? Everyone knows the instructors here are the best in the army. If I take five moves from you, I might not even survive...”

Face flushed, the young scholar lowered his head, turned around, and walked away toward the foot of the mountain, relinquishing his chance to enter the Hundred Battles Training Ground.

The instructor did not seem displeased, simply watching the youth depart before speaking calmly:

“Anyone else wishing to leave may do so now. If you regret it after entering the Training Ground, it will be too late. Anyone attempting to desert at that point will be dealt with as military law dictates.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than several scholars stepped forward from the crowd and made their way down the mountain. Many more soon followed, withdrawing from the selection.

“If you don’t even have the courage to confront an instructor, what business do you have joining the army or facing the enemy on the battlefield? So much for being heirs of nobility—you’ve disgraced the name of your houses!” a cold-faced instructor sneered.

In recent years, decadence had flourished in the Eastern Capital. Since the beginning of the Kaiyuan era, martial valor had steadily declined. The descendants of the noble families competed in luxury and comfort, growing complacent and rarely taking their training seriously. Even Yang Zixu had been corrupted by these trends; if not for his formidable grandfather’s authority, he might never have achieved his current cultivation.

“I’ll go!”

“How dare you look down on us! I’ll go too!”

Provoked by the instructor’s taunt, three or four trainees stepped forward indignantly, only to be knocked to the ground without exception. Two did not even withstand half a move before being hurled back and left with light injuries.

Over a dozen scholars in a row failed to last three moves against the instructors.

“So these are the so-called ‘talents’ of the Eastern Capital this year? They’re worse than the army’s cooks! Pathetic!” the examiner shook his head, as if the proceedings were a waste of time. With such feeble recruits, no wonder the army’s martial spirit had waned in recent years and its might diminished from the days of the Great Ancestor.

“What happened? Why are so many lying on the ground?” Yang Zixu had been delayed in the first round and arrived only now, frowning as he saw several scholars groaning on the ground.

“You’re here. The rules have changed this year: you must last five moves against an instructor to pass. These are all those who’ve been eliminated,” Li Fu explained succinctly, his gaze never leaving one particular instructor.

“Duel against the instructors? But these are all at the Earthly Origin stage, none have even reached the Celestial Origin. The instructors are all at least at the Morning Dew Upper stage, and veterans of countless battles. Pitting Earthly Origin against Morning Dew—it’s no wonder they lost,” Yang Zixu said, recognizing a few of the fallen scholars. One was the sixth son of the Marquis of Pingguo, the other the third son of the Marquis of Xuanling, both of middling talent among their peers.

“Exactly. While it’s said trainees choose instructors, without Celestial Origin strength or some special trump card, it’s nearly impossible to pass these instructors’ trials,” Li Fu replied.

“So the standard is much higher this year,” Yang Zixu nodded thoughtfully.

“This is just the beginning. Those with true skill are still waiting for their chance,” Li Fu said.

“Oh? Waiting for what?” Yang Zixu was puzzled.

Li Fu subtly pointed out several calm-looking scholars behind him, then gestured toward the instructor standing below the steps with his hands behind his back.

“What do you mean?” Not only Yang Zixu, but also Jiang Xiaolong and Chu Ming were confused by Li Fu’s actions.

“Do you recognize those scholars?” Li Fu asked in a low voice.

“They... should be from families aligned with Prince Chu. Why? Is there a problem?” Yang Zixu glanced at the ones Li Fu indicated.

“Look at their positions. Doesn’t it resemble the Wild Goose formation used by the military?” Li Fu said.

“Hm? You mean... they’ll work together?” Suddenly, Yang Zixu realized Li Fu’s plan. If they combined their strength and used a formation, their chances would increase.

Moreover, from his observation, the instructor Li Fu indicated seemed stronger than the rest. Did Li Fu intend to pass the trial with this very instructor?

Judging by Li Fu’s unruffled demeanor, Yang Zixu suspected he was right.

Just then, a scholar of Celestial Origin stepped from the crowd to challenge the instructor Li Fu had singled out.

Wang Chong raised an eyebrow, sighing inwardly.

There was no flourish, no wasted movement.

The instructor ended the duel with a single, decisive strike.

Overwhelming power—swift, ruthless, precise!

“Zixu, Jiang Xiaolong, Chu Ming—get ready, it’s our turn,” Li Fu adjusted his robe and addressed his three companions.

“Young Master, are we allowed to go up as four?” Jiang Xiaolong asked.

“The instructor only said we must last five moves—he never mentioned how many could participate. Besides, do you think any of us could defeat these instructors alone?” Li Fu replied calmly.

The Hundred Battles Training Ground was established to cultivate officers for the empire’s army, recruiting just once a year. Even with the new rules, the intake must be met.

If they went up one by one, nine out of ten would be eliminated, which would never fill the quotas required.

Moreover, there were many outstanding young talents among the scholars. Even if they hadn’t yet discovered this loophole, it was only a matter of time before they realized they could form groups to increase their odds.

Those who passed early would also have first pick of instructors. If the best instructors filled their quotas, others would have to settle for different ones.

This was what Li Fu wished to avoid.

Before coming, the Martial King had sent word that Li Fu should seek out a particular instructor upon entering the Training Ground.

Li Fu believed the instructor standing with hands behind his back was the very one.

“Instructor, we greet you,” Li Fu advanced confidently, bowing respectfully as etiquette demanded.

“Young Master of the Heavenly Strategy?” the instructor looked Li Fu up and down, then eyed Yang Zixu with suspicion.

“Here, there are no young masters—only ordinary trainees,” Li Fu smiled, unfazed that his identity had been recognized.

Word of recent events in the Eastern Capital had reached the Training Ground, and portraits of promising young scholars had already been circulated among the higher-ranking instructors. Li Fu’s face was not unfamiliar.

“What now? Planning to join forces? You should know, no matter how many wolf cubs there are, they’re no match for an adult tiger,” the instructor said with a faint smile.

“Indeed,” Li Fu nodded earnestly.

“Then why have you come?” the instructor asked, curiosity piqued.

“How can you be sure that the teeth of these wolf cubs cannot wound the tiger, even a little?” Li Fu replied, smiling enigmatically.

“Interesting. If you wish to try, go ahead,” the instructor said, his eyes gleaming with intrigue.

“But let me warn you: the next five moves won’t be as lenient as before. The four of you had best be careful.”

“In that case, may I ask—if we evade your attacks, does that count?” Li Fu asked meaningfully.

“It counts.”