After entering the gate, Chen Chuan saw a long row of sunshade bicycle sheds on his left. He parked his bicycle there, and when he came out, he saw a group of students about his age walking into the school.
Most of them had a mixture of anxiety and excitement in their eyes; they were probably students like him applying to Wu Yi University.
He could understand this feeling. The Republic of China government had been established for over ninety years, with a clear class distinction between the upper and lower classes, and very few avenues for advancement for ordinary people.
Both domestically and internationally, and arguably worldwide, those skilled in martial arts often enjoyed high social status. This was one of the few ways, besides education, for those from the lower classes to achieve upward social mobility, albeit extremely difficult, yet countless people still tried desperately to get in every year.
Wu Yi University was a formal institution for cultivating such talent. In the past ten years, the university had expanded its enrollment. Anyone under eighteen years old, with basic primary and secondary education, and no criminal record could apply, attracting even more young people who couldn't afford higher education to gather here.
Even so, because the academy's entry requirements were quite high, only a few students were able to successfully enroll each year.
Chen Chuan walked over and naturally blended into the group of his peers. He noticed that the students applying for the entrance exam were all incredibly strong, with light and agile steps. Regardless of gender, the outlines of their muscles were faintly visible under their clothes.
Because to apply to the martial arts academy, one must first have qualified physical fitness, and preferably some basic martial arts skills. It was clear that almost everyone around him had some foundation.
Although he had better physical fitness and was relatively tall, he had never undergone specialized martial arts training. Compared to the other students, he was a complete blank slate. In the past, he would never have even considered applying to the martial arts academy, but now…
As the sun rose higher, more and more students entered the school to apply. He was swept along by the crowd and arrived at the main hall four or five minutes later. The square was already filled with private cars. With his limited knowledge of vehicles, he could only recognize the well-known domestic brand Furong and the international brand Katie. The others, judging from their appearance alone, were also of high quality.
Young men and women emerged from the vehicles, many in groups, some accompanied by adults. They all shared the common trait of wearing expensive, well-fitting clothes, exuding confidence and walking with their heads held high – a stark contrast to the younger group.
Chen Chuan noticed a middle-aged couple approaching the steps, pulling out a silver invitation-like object and gesturing to a guide. The guide immediately bowed, and shortly after, a high-ranking school official emerged to greet them warmly. Chen Chuan
glanced at the object thoughtfully.
"What's that?" a student asked curiously.
"First time taking the exam?" an older student said as he walked. "That's a recommendation letter," he said with envy. "You know what a recommendation is? With that, you can get in without taking the exam."
To enter Wuyi Academy, one either had to apply or be recommended. However, this wasn't a route for ordinary people, as recommenders were usually social elites and high-ranking officials.
Actually, most students from ordinary backgrounds didn't even know about recommendation letters before today.
Chen Chuan and the other candidates stood in the side aisle, watching the spirited young men and women chatting and laughing as they walked up the wide steps. Someone whispered, "If we pass the exam, we can be like them."
Everyone's hearts burned with excitement. Yes, as long as they passed the Wuyi Academy exam, they would definitely be able to change their lives and become like those peers on the steps.Seemingly influenced by this, everyone's steps quickened involuntarily as they walked towards the registration point.
After walking another two hundred meters and winding around several corners, they finally arrived at an old four-story building. In the open space in front of it was a row of desks that had been temporarily moved out, and older students were sitting behind them.
Seeing them arrive, one of the students stood up and called out, "Students who have come to register, please bring your documents and register here."
All the candidates immediately dispersed and rushed towards the desks. Seeing this, the student shouted, "Slow down, slow down! What's the rush? One by one. Starting today, the next fifteen days are registration days. Everyone gets a turn. Anyone who doesn't follow the rules or causes trouble will be immediately disqualified from the entrance exam!"
Hearing this, the students who had come to register immediately became obedient and lined up in an orderly manner.
Chen Chuan's seat was near the front, and soon he arrived at a table. Behind the table sat a very approachable senior female student with short, straight bangs, light makeup, and a sweet smile.
Seeing him sit down, her eyes lit up, and she pushed a form towards him, smiling as she said, "Student, just fill this out according to the instructions. Be careful not to make any corrections in these areas..."
She extended her slender, white fingers, thoughtfully pointing out each section. Chen Chuan noticed that her fingers moved with a firm strength, the unconsciously tense muscles proving she wasn't as delicate as she appeared.
After Chen Chuan filled out the basic information and confirmed his identity, he had to pay a 100 yuan application fee.
This was almost equivalent to a month's salary for Nian Fuli, enough for an average family to live comfortably for two months.
After paying, the female student asked him, "Student, do you have any prior martial arts experience?"
Chen Chuan shook his head.
The female student said, "I guessed so." It's easy to tell the difference between someone who has trained and someone who hasn't; the muscle distribution and the rhythm of their movements are different. Those in the know can easily distinguish them.
She earnestly reminded him, "Chen, I don't know why you're so confident in applying, but you need to be careful. Later, we'll arrange for upperclassmen to compete against you, and teachers will be observing. During the entrance exam, the teachers will mainly look at your on-the-spot responses, not whether you win or lose. Don't feel pressured, just do your best."
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Thank you, senior."
The young female student thought his smile was sunny, vibrant, and energetic, and smiled back at him.
On the other side of the old building, several young men were walking over. One of them, a tall one, saw a female student smiling at Chen Chuan and suddenly felt a little annoyed.
He turned to an older student and said, "Old Liu, you arranged the candidates for the entrance exam, didn't you?" He gestured with his chin towards Chen Chuan, "I'm want to deal with that kid."
Liu Cai asked warily, "What do you want to do?"
The tall young man said without any attempt to hide his feelings, " this little wench is always acting so serious, she has never smiled at me before. Smiling at this kid? I don't like him, I want to teach him a lesson!"
Liu Cai warned him, "Shan Xiong, don't do anything rash."
Shan Xiong looked very arrogant, glared at him, and said, "Just tell me if you're okay or not?"
Liu Cai hesitated for a moment. Shan Xiong knew a lot of people and had unclear ties with some gangs outside the school. The students applying at this location were all students without any background. He didn't want to offend this guy over such a small matter, so he nodded to him.
Shan Xiong patted him on the shoulder, "Thank you for your kindness, brother."
Liu Cai reminded him again, "Be careful, don't cause any trouble and make things difficult for me."
Shan Xiong didn't look at him, but just stared at Chen Chuan, saying perfunctorily, "I know what I'm doing."
After the students in front of the old building registered, they were led into the old building in batches by several senior students.
They stopped in front of the entrance of the training ground, which was obviously converted into a training ground, and then began to distribute numbers and tell them to wait outside.
After a short wait, the training ground doors opened, and numbers began to be called. The students whose numbers were called, though somewhat prepared, were still very nervous and cautiously entered the examination area.
Before the doors closed, Chen Chuan quickly glanced inside and noticed the area was large, with smooth wooden floors. A thick curtain covered the corridor side, where students appeared to be moving around and taking notes.
Shortly after several students went in, the door was pushed open again, and one of the students who had just gone in was carried out on a stretcher, his face covered in blood.
A gasp rippled through the crowd of examinees.
"What's all the noise about?" a senior student snapped. "What do you think Wuyi is? Making such a fuss over a little injury? Those who can't handle it should go home!"
The examinees fell silent.
More students were called in one after another, but when they came out after the exam, while not as badly injured as the first student, most had bruises and swelling, or other injuries, some even with fractures.
The candidates looked anxious, unsure if their injuries, despite their injuries, counted as passing. But no one gave up; this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change their fate, and having come this far, they were determined to give it their all.
The wait was agonizing. Chen Chuan saw many restless, some even going to the restroom several times in a row.
About half an hour later, a student called out again, "Number 20, Number 21, Number 22, enter the examination room..."
Chen Chuan took a deep breath. Number 21 was him; it was finally his turn.
He straightened his hat and, along with a tall boy and a petite girl, entered the examination room under the watchful eyes of the other candidates. He could hear their slightly rapid breathing as they walked together.
Inside the examination room, he saw three long tables covered with dark blue tablecloths. Several teachers sat at the back, while medical personnel wearing masks and a dozen or so older students stood on either side. The air smelled of disinfectant, and the floor, having just been mopped, was slightly slippery.
Upon arriving, the three individuals each walked to a long table according to their assigned numbers. Chen Chuan headed towards the middle table. Walking in the open space, under the watchful eyes of many, his heart raced slightly.
Reaching the marked area in front of the table, a student gestured, and Chen Chuan stopped, bowing and saying, "Hello, teachers."
As soon as he stood there for greeting, several teaching assistants shook their heads. Judging from his way of walking Chen Chuan clearly hadn't practiced; such a student was just trying his luck, nothing to watch.
One teacher pointed to a table on the side with a pen, saying, "Put your belongings over there. During the exam, you can use both long and short techniques, as well as grappling, chokes, and other skills, but the use of additional weapons and tools is prohibited. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification. Understand?"
Chen Chuan nodded. "Understood."
"Alright, let's finish this quickly."
Chen Chuan walked to the side, took off his hat and bag, and calmed his breathing.
Liu Cai was standing nearby. He glanced at it, initially unperturbed, but when he saw Chen Chuan's satchel, he suddenly froze, and after a few more careful looks, his mood soured.
Earlier, when he saw Chen Chuan, the latter was sitting, and the table blocked his view, so he hadn't noticed the satchel. But now, seeing it clearly, he could confirm it was a standard police bag, and it even had a serial number on it.
This meant that not only did someone in his family work for the police, but they weren't just ordinary officers.
In Yangzhi City, besides Mo Lan Company's security team, the police were the largest and most powerful law enforcement agency, and they were extremely united. If something happened to this trainee, someone might cause him trouble.
He cursed under his breath, quickened his pace, found Shan Xiong leaning against the wall, and whispered, "I think we should just let this go, give your brother some face."
Shan Xiong turned around abruptly, his eyes turning dangerous. "Are you kidding me?"
Liu Cai unconsciously leaned back, explaining, "No, listen to me..."
Just then, a shout came from ahead: "Where are the trainees for the assessment sparring? Hurry up! What are you dawdling for?" It was too late to change his mind now, so Liu Cai had to shut up. Shan Xiong pointed at him, then stretched his shoulders and neck, and lazily walked over.
Liu Cai was helpless; he could only hope that Shan Xiong would go easy on him.
Shan Xiong put on his boxing gloves, tapped his fists together, and went to the center of the arena, giving Chen Chuan, who was already standing opposite him, a malicious smile.
He had originally planned to teach Chen Chuan a lesson and vent his anger, but Liu Cai's persuasion had ignited his temper, and he decided to give Chen Chuan a good beating.
Chen Chuan looked at Shan Xiong, sensing the undisguised malice in the other's eyes. He became wary and, mimicking a fighting stance he'd read about in a book, raised his fist.
Shan Xiong grinned. He didn't even use his fist; instead, he raised his knee and twisted his hip, unleashing a high roundhouse kick!
Liu Cai's heart skipped a beat at this kick.
This is bad!
...
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