In the apprentice dormitory, on the communal sleeping platform, the vibrant enthusiasm that had marked the boys’ arrival at the apprentice courtyard had faded. Many young faces now carried a tinge of bitter reflection.

Those who qualified for Baolin Martial Hall’s apprentice trials were all deemed “young prodigies.”

But the path of martial arts was a brutal gauntlet, like thousands of soldiers vying to cross a single-plank bridge.

In the vast No. 2 courtyard, out of dozens of prideful young talents, only three had been selected for the first-class apprentice courtyard—and one of them had been specially promoted.

This ordeal had shown them the harsh truth: there are always greater men beyond men, heavens beyond heavens.

By now, Jiang Wangshui had regained some strength. Struggling to sit up, his face flushed with shame, he clasped his fists toward Xiangzi. “Xiang-ge, I was rude before. I haven’t yet congratulated you—well done on becoming a first-class apprentice.”

His blood energy wasn’t weak to begin with; his earlier wretched state was largely due to the five-colored vein ore stifling his blood flow.

“No matter,” Xiangzi said with a smile, waving it off.

Having spent time together, he’d gotten a read on Jiang Wangshui’s character—though the boy had a young master’s temper, he wasn’t a bad sort.

The dark-faced Xu Xiaoliu, now familiar with the group, sidled up to Xiangzi, his face brimming with envy. “Congratulations, Xiang-ge, on becoming a first-class apprentice! Last night, I saved some beast offal that a customer didn’t want. If you don’t mind, I’ll whip up a few dishes tonight to celebrate.”

He puffed up with a touch of pride. “My brother used to be a server at Deyun Tower and picked up a few tricks, all of which he passed to me.”

Lu Qi, who had been silent, immediately chimed in with a grin. “Little Liu’s cooking is top-notch!”

At that, the smiles on Jiang Wangshui and a few others froze.

Beast offal? Discarded by a customer?

Seeing Xu Xiaoliu’s eager expression, Xiangzi was suddenly reminded of his days at the rickshaw yard, when Wen San would drag him to Cheap Shop to gnaw on duck. A warm, soft smile tugged at his lips. “Mind? Why would I? Beast meat’s a treat, isn’t it?”

Xu Xiaoliu grinned, scratching his head. “Then it’s settled! But it’ll have to be later—Little Qi and I need to finish our chores first.”

“I guarantee you’ll be licking your chops!”

Seeing Xiangzi agree so readily, Jiang Wangshui forced a strained smile and nodded.

Xiangzi was about to speak when he caught sight of a few figures approaching the doorway.

As their faces came into view, his brow furrowed.

—

The sight of the newcomers stunned most of the apprentices in the dormitory.

At the entrance, a burly, heavyset man limped in, his right leg bound in a splint, his fleshy face quivering with each careful step.

Jiang Wangshui’s face paled the moment he saw him. Isn’t that Chen Jiang, the guy I sparred with over a week ago?

The second young master of Deyun Tower, known for his brash arrogance!

Didn’t he break his leg during the blood energy test? How’s he back?

When Jiang Wangshui noticed the lean, black-robed young martial artist beside Chen Jiang, his expression stiffened further.

That black-robed disciple—wasn’t he one of the three examiners, Chen Hai?

Seeing how Chen Hai treated Chen Jiang, Jiang Wangshui’s heart sank.

One Chen Jiang, one Chen Hai. Even a fool could guess their connection.

—

Two servants helped Chen Jiang onto the communal platform.

Only then did the black-robed martial artist speak with a smile. “Young apprentice brothers, you’ve all worked hard today. Those chosen by Senior Brother Liu, make sure to report to the first-class apprentice courtyard in three days. A senior brother from the miscellaneous courtyard will arrange things.”

“For those who weren’t selected, don’t lose heart. Victory or defeat in martial arts isn’t measured in a single moment. You’ve got six months—put in the hard work, and you’ll still have a chance.”

Chen Hai’s smile was warm, his demeanor free of any examiner’s airs, his words soothing.

Many apprentices felt their disappointment ease slightly.

At this, Chen Hai’s gaze flickered toward Chen Jiang. “That said, since we’re all fellow disciples, look out for each other and don’t ruin the harmony!”

Chen Jiang immediately put on a wronged expression. “Brother…”

Chen Hai’s brow arched. “In Baolin Martial Hall, we rank by cultivation, not connections! Stop yammering. Break the rules, and the martial hall won’t care who you are!”

The apprentices were stunned. This fat Chen Jiang is really the brother of the trial examiner?

Chen Hai lingered, chatting briefly with the double Grade A apprentices headed for the first-class courtyard.

Though plain in appearance, his gentle speech and lack of pretense quickly won their respect.

Compared to Zhao Mu’s cold-faced instructor demeanor, Chen Hai’s refined warmth was far more approachable.

When Chen Hai left, many apprentices wore reluctant expressions.

—

With Chen Jiang’s return, the courtyard buzzed with activity—real, raucous activity.

A dice cup claimed a wide swath of the communal platform.

Chen Jiang, leg still splinted, shook the cup with his chubby hands, bellowing, “Place your bets and step back! No tricks with Master Chen!”

His companions shouted and jeered alongside him.

A crowd gathered around the dice cup.

Partly, it was the young apprentices’ love for excitement. Partly, it was Chen Jiang’s background.

The young master of Deyun Tower wasn’t much, but his brother was another story—an examiner holding the apprentices’ fates in his hands.

So, whether they were just biding their time for credentials or clinging to a slim hope for first-class status, they flocked to Chen Jiang.

Gamblers or not, they forced enthusiastic smiles, pulling silver dollars from their pockets and tossing them onto the platform’s mat.

Amid the clamor, some shook their heads, others sighed, and a few jumped for joy.

Xiangzi watched the scene and shook his head. No wonder they say a gambling den reveals all walks of life. Not a word of that is false.

Only the young master of Deyun Tower would dare turn the apprentice dormitory into a casino.

Suddenly, Chen Jiang sneered and called out to Jiang Wangshui. “Young Master Jiang, not playing a round?”

Jiang Wangshui glanced at him, said nothing, and lay back on the platform—his body still ached from that hammer.

“What, the great Young Master Jiang of Four Seas Gambling House turned into a spineless coward?”

Jiang Wangshui shot up, his face flushed with rage.

Chen Jiang’s fat face grinned mockingly.

But moments later, Jiang Wangshui still said nothing and lay back down.

Even Chen Jiang was taken aback. This kid used to leap at any provocation. Has he changed in just a few days?

Unfazed, Chen Jiang grabbed the dice cup again, shaking it vigorously.

The jade dice clinked crisply, stirring the onlookers’ hearts.

With a clang, Chen Jiang slammed the cup onto the mat, a savage grin on his face. “Place your bets, you lot!”

Suddenly, his eyes landed on someone, and his grin turned playful. “Well, well, Lu Qi! Think you can hide from Master Chen? Get over here and massage my leg!”

Lu Qi’s body trembled, his face paling.

Xu Xiaoliu stepped forward, fuming, to block him.

Lu Qi sighed softly, shaking off Xu Xiaoliu’s hand. “Little Liu, my dad’s an accountant at Deyun Tower. I’m only here because he borrowed blood money from the boss.”

Eat from their bowl, you’re in their hands. Deyun Tower’s blood money was infamously called “Yama’s Debt.”

In these times, countless people begged and bled for a loan, yet couldn’t get a single copper. Borrowing Yama’s Debt required real connections.

In a way, Deyun Tower’s boss lending money was an act of mercy.

Xu Xiaoliu could only watch as Lu Qi, like a timid bride, sat beside Chen Jiang and began massaging his leg.

The sight drew raucous laughter from Chen Jiang’s cronies—everyone knew the young master of Deyun Tower never played by the rules.

—

Xiangzi took it all in, sighing inwardly. In his years at the rickshaw yard, what human cruelty hadn’t he seen? This was nothing.

The world was an invisible net, its threads tightening around your throat—the more you struggled, the tighter it squeezed.

What did it matter if Lu Qi became an apprentice? The silver needed, the parents waiting at home—weren’t those the threads choking his scrawny neck?

To defy fate, you had to seize that slim chance at ninth-grade glory before the net closed.

Wasn’t he, Xiangzi, the same?

He let out a long sigh, shaking his head to quell the surging thoughts.

But watching Chen Jiang swagger, Xiangzi couldn’t help but marvel. They say the same rice feeds different men, and that’s no lie.

Chen Jiang wore his arrogance openly, yet his near-lookalike brother carried himself with refined grace.

What would happen if Chen Jiang clashed with Jiang Wangshui again?

And how would the seemingly fair and gentle Chen Hai handle it?

Xiangzi stretched lazily. I’m headed to the first-class courtyard soon. No need to meddle in this mess.

Right now, his mind was consumed with itching for that bowl of Bone-Strengthening Broth.