Chapter 7: Strategist Ji
As Li Yan moved forward with the line, he kept pondering.
"Judging by Marshal Hong's attention toward this tent, maybe what happens inside isn't just simple name registration. Could there be some other kind of test too? But the tent doesn't look big enough for martial trials… Could it be a test of literacy?"
But Li Yan didn't recall Uncle Guoxin mentioning any written exam. Besides, even if it was a written test, many people could take it at once, and this small tent hardly seemed suitable.
While thinking, his head lowered, suddenly the way ahead cleared, the last person before him had entered the tent, leaving an open space in front of him.
Just as Li Yan looked up, the person ahead disappeared behind the lowered curtain, he missed seeing the inside.
So, Li Yan forced himself to stop thinking, standing quietly at his place, waiting.
After about thirty breaths of time, the curtain lifted again and the previous youth walked out.
He was pulling down his sleeve, looking utterly bewildered, his face full of confusion.
Urged by the nearby soldier, the youth hurried to the back of the middle queue in the training field.
At that moment, a soldier pointed at Li Yan:
"You, go in!"
Nervous and uncertain, Li Yan stepped toward the tent.
Lifting the curtain and entering, he felt the world go dark. He quickly blinked and adjusted his eyes to the dim light.
Inside, there was only a low table. Behind it, a man sat cross-legged on a small carpet.
This man appeared around forty years old, wearing a scholar's cap and a loose black robe that spread out onto the ground, covering his lower body.
Even sitting, he was only slightly shorter than Li Yan, suggesting he was very tall.
The scholar's face was thin and long, with a bluish-grey complexion.
A strand of long beard hung down his chest. His hands were tucked into his sleeves, resting in front of his belly, half-hidden by the table.
His narrow eyes occasionally flashed with sharp light as he scrutinized Li Yan.
When Li Yan met his gaze, the man extended a slender, fair hand from his sleeves and pointed at a small carpet before the table.
"Sit."
Without saying more, he waited silently.
Naturally, at this point, Li Yan dared not question anything. He walked a few steps forward and sat down cross-legged as instructed.
Only then did he notice what lay on the table: A pale yellow cloth roll, sewn with rows of small pockets facing upward, each pocket containing several silver needles, their tips gleaming coldly.
Seeing these rows of shining needles, Li Yan's heart began pounding anxiously.
"There's no paper or ink here... How are they recording names? And what's with these silver needles?"
Confused and uneasy, he hesitated.
The black-robed man noticed Li Yan's hesitation and spoke again:
"Relax. This is just a meridian test. If your meridians are good, great fortune may await you."
Though Li Yan didn't fully understand, he dared not hesitate any longer. He sat properly, mimicking the black-robed man's posture.
Since he had already made it here, there was no choice but to go through with it, thinking too much was useless.
Seeing him sit, the black-robed man smiled slightly:
"Roll up your left sleeve and place your wrist on the table. It'll only take a few breaths."
Without further thought, Li Yan rolled up his left sleeve and placed his palm-up wrist beside the cloth roll.
The black-robed man then swiftly pinched a silver needle from the roll, so fast Li Yan barely caught the movement.
Before he could react, he felt a sharp prick, a silver needle had already been inserted into a meridian point on his wrist.
After inserting the needle, the man withdrew his hands into his sleeves again, resting calmly, his gaze fixed on Li Yan's face.
At first, Li Yan only felt a slight numbness in his wrist, nothing more.
But after two breaths, a stream of cold air suddenly surged from his abdomen straight to his head. His mind went clear and cool, and his whole body felt unusually refreshed.
The black-robed man, who had been watching through narrowed eyes, initially felt a bit disappointed upon seeing Li Yan looking fine.
He had seen such situations countless times over the years. Each time he inserted the needle, he always harbored a sliver of hope.
Only at the beginning of last year had he been overjoyed once but sadly, the final outcome left him furious.
Seeing the confusion on Li Yan's face but no other reactions, he sighed inwardly.
Just as he was about to withdraw the silver needle from Li Yan's meridian, he suddenly saw a layer of black qi slowly emerging on Li Yan's face. He was momentarily stunned, then overjoyed.
Yet, outwardly, he maintained a calm demeanor. His hands moved like the wind, and with the agility of a butterfly flitting through flowers, he inserted four more silver needles into Li Yan's meridian points.
This time, after just a single breath, Li Yan immediately felt four additional streams of heat, dryness, heaviness, and warmth rise from his abdomen, rushing straight to the crown of his head.
The comfortable feeling vanished; it was as if he had been thrown into a boiling oil pot in an instant, enduring intense torment. His mind felt like it was being struck heavily. He couldn't help but let out a muffled groan, his face contorting in pain under the shroud of various colored energies.
The black-robed scholar, after inserting the five silver needles, stared intently at Li Yan's face, as if afraid of missing something.
When a second strand of green qi rose from Li Yan's face, he became somewhat tense. When a third strand of red qi followed, he clenched his fists tightly inside his sleeves.
However, when yellow and white qi subsequently emerged, he released his clenched fists in disappointment. His face darkened, and he began to frown in deep thought.
At that moment, Li Yan was suffering extreme torment internally, with several streams of energy rampaging through his abdomen, causing him excruciating pain. He had already collapsed from his earlier cross-legged posture into a curled position on the ground.
His entire body was curled up like a shrimp. Fortunately, he hadn't disturbed the five silver needles on his wrist; otherwise, who knew what the consequences would have been.
If Li Yan could have seen his own face at this moment, he would have been shocked to find five colors of qi continuously alternating across it.
Among them, the black qi was the strongest, followed by green, red, yellow, and finally a faint white.
Moreover, the sequence of color changes was consistent: black, green, red, yellow, white, flashing by one after another.
The pain became increasingly unbearable. Li Yan let out several low, heavy groans, feeling like he could no longer endure and might soon lose consciousness.
These rough groans startled the black-robed man out of his deep thought. Watching Li Yan lying on the ground, his expression shifted repeatedly.
Finally, as if making some decision, he stood up with a swish. Without any visible movement, he had already floated over to stand silently before Li Yan, ghostly and soundless like a specter.
With a flick of his wide sleeve, five streaks of cold light flashed from Li Yan's left wrist.
A few soft "clack clack" sounds rang out, and the silver needles nailed into the tabletop were seen trembling violently from the remaining force.
Although the table wasn't made of particularly fine wood, military supplies emphasized durability, and this table, crafted from red jujube wood, was especially sturdy.
Such a feat, embedding needles into this tough wood by flicking them with a sleeve, was something only a first-class or top-level expert in the martial world could accomplish.
Looking at the needles embedded into the table and then at Li Yan's quickly recovering complexion, the black-robed scholar couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
"Alas! Still not enough cultivation. I don't dare enter those places to obtain a 'Spirit Testing Stone' or 'Spirit Testing Pillar,' and can only use this most primitive and lowly method for testing."
The consequence of this was inflicting great pain upon the person being tested but fortunately, afterward, it would not cause much lasting harm to the body or mind.
However, perhaps after this time... he could...
At this thought, a burning eagerness rose in his heart. But when he looked at Li Yan collapsed on the ground, he muttered to himself:
"That person last time had a Profound Spiritual Root, talent that was even better than mine. But most unfortunately, he barely knew a few big characters, couldn't even comprehend the most basic cultivation techniques, understanding them only half-heartedly. Such heaven-defying aptitude was utterly wasted, and in the end, he met such a miserable end."
Thinking of that person, the black-robed scholar glanced at Li Yan again, a trace of disappointment flashing through his heart.
"Forget it. Although this person only has a Mixed Spirit Root, it's still better than finding nothing at all. Time is running out; I can't afford to wait any longer."
Although these two appeared within the span of two years, it was purely a coincidence. Over the years, including those whom he had secretly tested with his methods, he had already tested close to one hundred thousand people.
This should already be the greatest opportunity granted by fate. His own remaining time was likely only one to two years at most. Even if he could again encounter heaven-shaking fortune and find a more suitable candidate, he wouldn't be able to wait for them.
"If a Mixed Spirit Root is used well, it's still worth taking a gamble."
At this thought, the black-robed scholar let out a long breath and looked toward Li Yan, who was gradually returning to normal.
Li Yan felt as if he had undergone a round of brutal torture, but this torture struck at the very depths of his soul, a pain so intense he couldn't control it, yet he was unable to cry out loud.
It was as if some force was suppressing his voice deep inside him, allowing only low, heavy groans to escape his throat.
It seemed like an eternity had passed, and just when Li Yan felt he was about to die, he suddenly felt a numbness at his wrist. The agony from the depths of his soul ebbed away like the tide.
In an instant, it disappeared without a trace, as if it had never happened at all, as if everything just now had been a mere illusion.
Bracing himself against the edge of the table, Li Yan struggled to stand up. When he once again saw the row of silver needles gleaming coldly on the table, fear immediately rose in his heart. He looked fearfully at the black-robed scholar before him.
The man seemed like a death-harvesting ghost from the underworld. Li Yan could not believe that everything earlier had been an illusion, the pain that had pierced his internal organs and bones was all too real.
Otherwise, how could he explain the row of needles embedded firmly into the tabletop before him?
Seeing the fear on Li Yan's face, the black-robed man gave a gentle smile.
"You don't need to be afraid. My surname is Ji, and my full name is Ji Wenhe. Others call me 'Strategist Ji' or address me as 'Lord Ji'. Have you ever heard of me?"
Upon hearing this, Li Yan was startled.
"So he's the Strategist Ji, whose fame rivals that of Marshal Hong, jointly commanding the defenses of Great Qing Pass? Such a renowned figure, but why would he use such methods on me?"
Seeing Li Yan remain silent, Strategist Ji smiled again and continued:
"Although you suffered some pain just now, it was worth it. Next, a great opportunity may await you.
I used to roam the martial world, but after suffering an incurable injury years ago, I came to the army, partly to find things to occupy myself, and partly to seek a fated successor.
I have no sons or daughters. I wish only to find a disciple to pass on all my knowledge. Otherwise, if my sect's legacy were to die with me, even in death I would have no face to meet the founder of my sect.
The method I used on you just now is our sect's way of selecting disciples. Our martial arts require a body of exceptional strength, wide meridians, and abundant inner organs to enter.
Otherwise, even if you learn it, it will be useless and worse, the reversed flow of qi could rupture your meridians and cause death. Therefore, careful testing is necessary!
Today, heaven blessed me, Ji Wenhe. Your constitution is highly suitable for learning my arts. So, are you willing to become my disciple and inherit my martial lineage?"
By the end of his speech, Strategist Ji's voice had turned solemn, and he stared fixedly at Li Yan without blinking.
Li Yan was stunned by his words. Strategist Ji did not rush him but simply waited quietly.
After a moment of daze, Li Yan finally snapped out of it.
"What kind of martial sect is this? Even the entry test is so cruel, making people suffer unbearable pain. The martial arts must be extremely difficult to learn. And besides, how can I easily trust his words?"
As he was pondering how to decline, he suddenly recalled the words spoken by Liu Chengyong, the squad leader he had encountered at the city gate earlier today.
"Those bandits of the Meng Kingdom tried to attack four or five times with large armies but were defeated each time and Strategist Ji even personally took the head of their deputy commander..."
If that was true, then this Strategist Ji was an enemy of tens of thousands, a peerless hero. And from what Ji had said earlier, he only joined the army after being wounded. What kind of formidable existence had he been before he was injured?
Looking again at the row of silver needles nailed into the table, the now clear-headed Li Yan's fear transformed into astonishment.
When the pain disappeared earlier, his whole body felt limp and weak. He had propped himself up using the tabletop to stand. Although he wasn't especially heavy, with most of his body weight pressing on an ordinary wooden table, there should have been some creaking sounds.
Yet the small table didn't make the slightest sound, a testament to its sturdiness.
As for silver needles, even the village's local herbalists had some. Li Yan had touched them before, a simple flick would bend them easily.
So how had these silver needles been embedded into such a solid table?
He was not a fool.
Everyone yearns for great strength, especially the young, who often fantasize about saving the world, rescuing loved ones from danger.
Li Yan was no exception. Although he was more cautious than others his age, he was still a youth at heart. In just a few fleeting thoughts, countless emotions swirled inside him.
After much internal struggle, a strong impulse arose within Li Yan, he had long forgotten the life-and-death pain from earlier. He only felt that if he followed this man, he could attain the extraordinary power he had always dreamed of.
Immediately, he raised his head to look at Strategist Ji again. Recalling the teachings of the village scholar, he put on a solemn expression and said:
"Since Lord Ji has bestowed such favor upon me, how could I dare refuse?"
Strategist Ji, hearing this, showed no particular surprise, he had expected it. If Li Yan had refused, that would have been more astonishing.
Strategist Ji then asked:
"What is your name?"
"I am Li Yan, a native of the Great Qing Mountain."
"And can you read and write?"
Strategist Ji continued to ask.
"I have attended a private school for several years. Although I am not talented enough to pass the scholar's exams, I am still fairly well-versed in the classics and scriptures," Li Yan answered honestly.
This was no exaggeration. When he studied at the village's private school, among all the children, the old scholar favored him the most, hoping he could one day gain scholarly honors. But due to his family's poverty, he couldn't pursue his studies for long.
It was a great regret to the old scholar, who nonetheless allowed Li Yan to read nearly all of his hundred-odd books. For the parts he didn't understand, Li Yan always diligently sought instruction.
"Have you ever studied any martial arts or internal cultivation methods?"
Hearing that Li Yan was familiar with classical texts, Ji's hopes rose further.
"I only learned some basic fighting techniques in the village. I have never studied advanced martial arts or any internal cultivation methods," Li Yan replied honestly.
Hearing this, Strategist Ji laughed lightly:
"Hahaha... Good! That's excellent. Otherwise, I would worry that you might have been led astray by poor teachings.
As for the formal induction into my sect and the rules, I will tell you once we return. As for your family background, I will have someone investigate it. I hope you are not hiding anything.
You are also the last person to be enlisted today, since that's the case, come with me!"
With that, Strategist Ji waved his wide sleeve, and the silver needles and the cloth pouch on the table instantly disappeared.
Seeing this, Li Yan was even more astonished internally and hurriedly bowed:
"Yes, Lord Ji!"
However, after he spoke, a trace of hesitation appeared on his face, and he didn't immediately move his feet.
(Chapter End)