Chapter Four: Invincibility Lies in Speed

“Big Fool, are you here for the test too?” Lin Xiaobao squeezed through the crowd and patted Wang Dasha on the shoulder.

There was no mockery in Lin Xiaobao’s tone; in fact, he had always looked after Wang Dasha. At this moment, he simply felt that both he and Wang Dasha were here to try their luck, so standing together seemed fitting.

“Brother Xiaobao, you’re here too?” Wang Dasha’s face lit up in a broad, goofy grin, his whole face crinkling in delight. “My dad says I’ll definitely be chosen by the Snowwind Pavilion. Then I’ll be able to eat my fill every day. Brother Xiaobao, let’s go to the Snowwind Pavilion together and eat our fill, okay?”

Chosen by the Snowwind Pavilion just to have enough to eat? If the Pavilion’s examiner were to overhear Wang Dasha’s words, he would surely throw him out of the testing ground without a second thought.

“Alright! For a full meal, let’s do our best together!” Lin Xiaobao didn’t feel the need to explain further.

“A full meal? Do you two think the Snowwind Pavilion is recruiting gluttons?” A mocking voice rang out from behind, followed by a chorus of laughter.

Turning back, Lin Xiaobao saw Hu Dequan, whose body was as bulky as his father’s. Ye Bufan couldn’t help but retort, “I don’t know if the Snowwind Pavilion is recruiting gluttons, but if the test is about body weight, I’m sure you’d win first place!”

Hu Dequan was the eldest son of Hu Youcheng, who had tried to reward Lin Xiaobao with a gold ingot the previous day. Whether it was the comfortable life at home or simply inheriting his father’s trade, Hu Dequan was equally hefty. Stung by Ye Bufan’s words, he was about to explode with anger, but someone behind him tugged at his sleeve. “Young Master Hu, don’t fall for his provocation. If you start a fight, you’ll lose your eligibility for the test. It doesn’t matter if he’s disqualified, but it’s different for you!”

With this reminder, Hu Dequan shot Lin Xiaobao a glare before striding into the crowd. The neatly formed queue parted to let him through.

Watching Hu Dequan’s departing gaze, Lin Xiaobao pondered. If he didn’t get chosen by the Snowwind Pavilion this time, he might have no choice but to take the purple bracelet and seek a new life in another city. After all, commoners who offend nobles never come to a good end.

Though the number of participants was great, the Howling Moon Plaza was vast, and nearly a hundred people in each age group underwent testing at the same time.

The test quickly moved into the third round. Observing the dejected faces of those leaving the hall, Lin Xiaobao’s confidence wavered. In contrast, Wang Dasha seemed entirely unconcerned, still wearing his simple, innocent smile.

In the third round, when the examiner called his name, Lin Xiaobao’s heart tightened, and he felt sweat bead in his clenched palms. The examiner then called Wang Dasha as well, and the two of them followed the others into the main hall.

Nearly a hundred people entered the testing hall this round, yet the vast space remained cavernous and empty.

At the front stood three square tables of redwood, each manned by three men in yellow robes. Behind them, Lin Xiaobao spotted Hu Dequan. That he was still standing there meant he had already been selected by the Snowwind Pavilion.

This result surprised Lin Xiaobao greatly. Was the Pavilion truly casting the net so wide this year? With a physique like Hu Dequan’s, did they expect him to train—train into a pig demon? As he grumbled inwardly, Lin Xiaobao’s confidence was oddly restored.

“This test is simple. Just demonstrate whatever you consider your greatest strength,” announced the yellow-robed man seated at the center. Hardly had he finished speaking when nearly a hundred candidates began their displays, the hall erupting in shouts and calls. Those from prestigious families or martial schools showed off their most formidable techniques, brimming with vigor.

Even the common-born youths mimicked the martial forms they knew from working the fields, all except for Lin Xiaobao and Wang Dasha, who remained motionless. Lin Xiaobao stayed still simply because he knew no martial skills; Wang Dasha remained motionless because he was watching Lin Xiaobao—if Xiaobao didn’t move, neither would he.

Standing motionless in the center, the two stood out like cranes among chickens, instantly drawing the attention of the three examiners. Among all these eager youths, desperate to prove themselves, these two alone did not move. Wang Dasha’s naivete was understandable, but Lin Xiaobao’s eyes sparkled with intelligence—what was he thinking?

“You... You... and you... stay,” the central examiner said, pointing to three of them in turn. “The rest of you may leave.”

Seeing both Lin Xiaobao and Wang Dasha chosen to stay, Hu Dequan’s face darkened. He had expected them to be paralyzed by fear and intended to seek retribution after the test for his earlier humiliation. Yet now, Lin Xiaobao had been kept by the examiner, and Hu Dequan knew all too well what that meant.

“Why did you two remain still just now?” asked the central examiner, whose name was Qianyuan, fixing his gaze on the pair.

“Brother Xiaobao didn’t move, so I didn’t move!” Wang Dasha replied before Lin Xiaobao could speak, entirely unbothered by the examiner’s presence.

Standing behind him, Lin Xiaobao hadn’t realized Wang Dasha also hadn’t moved. Hearing his words now, he felt a pang of emotion. Despite Wang Dasha’s simple nature, he had to admit the boy was probably his only true friend in this world.

Knowing Wang Dasha had almost no chance of being selected, Lin Xiaobao still decided to give him a chance. So he said, “The environment just now wasn’t suited to our strengths.”

Qianyuan’s eyes lit up. He trusted his own judgment. Though Wang Dasha’s answer was unsatisfactory, Lin Xiaobao alone would suffice. “Then what sort of environment do you need?”

Lin Xiaobao glanced around and replied, “This one is already sufficient.” As he finished speaking, he shrugged his shoulders and sprang into motion. Without the weight of the star stone, his legs moved with a speed that would shame even a fourth-rank martial artist.

What remarkable agility! The examiner could tell that Lin Xiaobao had never undergone formal training, but to possess such speed showed potential. Wanting to prove the sharpness of his own vision, Qianyuan flicked his finger, sending a black object whistling through the air toward Lin Xiaobao.

The object wasn’t moving fast; he merely wished to demonstrate his acumen to his fellow examiners. Yet, contrary to his expectations, Lin Xiaobao failed to dodge. With a cry of pain, he tumbled to the ground, rubbing his aching thigh in distress.

“You don’t know any footwork techniques?” Qianyuan had judged his strike perfectly—given Lin Xiaobao’s speed, he should have evaded easily. The result was far from what he’d anticipated.

“No, I don’t,” Lin Xiaobao replied, his mind now at ease. All he’d done was to create an opportunity for Wang Dasha. Sensing the examiner’s intentions, he shamelessly declared, “In all the martial arts under heaven, nothing is invincible—only speed is. As long as I can outrun everyone else, I’ll always be safe!”