There were four people gathered at the entrance of the tavern: the young nobleman and a strapping man with broad shoulders clad in dark cyan robes stood side-by-side. Trailing behind them were two guards armed with swords.

Hearing Teng Qinghu’s words, the young nobleman’s face darkened; this was clearly a blatant act of disrespect!

“Both of you should know when to quit!” the young nobleman said in a low voice, “Otherwise… hmph!”

Teng Qingshan and Teng Qinghu completely ignored him.

The waiter lowered his voice, urging them, “Gentlemen, that young master is the Second Young Master of the Wang family from the East City, and also a disciple of the Guiyuan Sect. He is nothing, but the man beside him—that is Magistrate Li, a Centurion of our Jiangning Prefecture City Guard. One word from him could land you both in the jailhouse.”

A Centurion of the City Guard?

Teng Qinghu and Teng Qingshan exchanged a glance. Teng Qingshan smiled, settling comfortably into his seat, and laughed, “Hah! A rich young master? Bullshit rich young master! Wants us to leave just because he’ll cover the cost of one table of food! Look around this Lanyue Tower—there are so many guests here. If I told everyone present that I would pay for all your meals if you’d just give up your tables, would anyone agree? Of course not. That so-called Second Young Master Wang won’t even spare a thousand taels of silver, yet he struts around acting like a wealthy (young master). Hah…”

With no clan ties to worry about, what did Teng Qingshan have to fear? Unless it was a rare Innate Master, there was no one among the Houtian realm masters that Teng Qingshan dreaded.

“Hahaha…” Laughter erupted throughout the tavern. These patrons were all people of status and wealth, and they were thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

The young nobleman and the strapping man’s expressions both soured.

“It seems you refuse to grant me face!” the young nobleman’s face hardened. He roared, “Take them down!”

The two guards behind him immediately stepped forward.

“G-gentlemen…” The waiter grew anxious as well.

“Damn it, what’s all the racket! Does having money make you superior!” A thunderous shout seemed to boom across the Lanyue Tower. Immediately following this, a chaotic series of peng, peng, peng footsteps sounded as a large group of people descended from upstairs. Teng Qingshan and Teng Qinghu both turned their heads toward the stairway.

This entire group was clad in matching black robes. The leading brute was like an upright black bear, his face covered in stubble. His eyes resembled bronze bells, and his entire frame was exceptionally thick. The black robes he wore were trimmed with two gold borders on the sleeves.

As these dozen or so figures walked down the stairs, the atmosphere on the entire ground floor seemed to freeze solid.

“I hate bullies who rely on others’ power the most! Get lost, all of you!” the bear-like man with stubble roared. The two guards turned to look at the young nobleman, as if seeking their young master’s opinion. The stubbled man’s face darkened, and his figure moved—

Whoosh!

He moved like rushing thunder, instantly appearing before the two guards. With a swing of his arm, Peng! His right arm sent the two sturdy guards flying backward, crashing heavily onto the distant street, knocking over several passersby.

“My words mean nothing, apparently!” the stubbled man glared.

“A master,” Teng Qingshan’s eyes lit up. Regardless of the situation, at least this man’s Qinggong (lightness skill) was excellent.

“Brother Xia!” The City Guard Centurion, who had remained silent until now, quickly spoke up, “I didn't expect you to be here as well. Forgive me for interrupting your drinking pleasure. Let’s go. How about we go grab a few drinks? I’ll apologize to you on behalf of Second Young Master Wang.” The young nobleman beside him was so frightened he dared not utter a sound.

“Oh, I thought that brat was relying on someone’s backing, turns out it was you. I don’t have time to drink with you; you better step aside!” the stubbled man reprimanded.

Then, the stubbled man turned toward Teng Qingshan and the other, laughing heartily, “I, Old Xia, respect people with backbone the most! You two, not bad! You don’t need to give face to these two fellows. If he dares bully you, just send a message. Find me, Old Xia, in the Black Armored Army, and I’ll settle it for you!”

Saying this, the stubbled man picked up a piece of meat from Teng Qingshan’s table and tossed it into his mouth.

“Tsk tsk, tastes good. I helped you out a bit, hope you don't mind me eating a piece of meat,” the stubbled man chuckled.

“My brother also detests bullies relying on power. Feel free to eat whatever you like here, Brother,” Teng Qingshan replied with a smile.

The stubbled man laughed and rubbed his nose, sizing up Teng Qingshan. “You kid are interesting. Hmm, remember this: my name is Xia Shuo! Come find me in the Black Armored Army, and you’ll surely find me!” With that, he roared, “Alright, brothers, let’s get going!” Then, this large group of men exited the tavern.

“Go!” The City Guard Centurion, his face looking grim, left in embarrassment alongside the young nobleman.

The tavern immediately erupted into noisy chatter.

Teng Qinghu’s eyes shone brightly as he watched the formidable man named ‘Xia Shuo’ lead his group away. He turned to Teng Qingshan and said, “Qingshan, that Xia Shuo was truly imposing. That City Guard Centurion got chewed out and didn’t even dare fart. Satisfying, truly satisfying!”

“That is the Black Armored Army, after all!” Teng Qingshan smiled.

The City Guard was merely for managing commoners.

The Black Armored Army was the force relied upon when sects engaged in conflicts and struggles against one another.

“Tomorrow is the day the Guiyuan Sect recruits disciples. Tomorrow, I will send my son to the Guiyuan Sect!” Several patrons in the Lanyue Tower immediately began discussing. “Spending some money only buys a chance to enter; you still need to see if you can cultivate Inner Force. If you can’t, you’ll be kicked out of the sect!”

“Even if you can cultivate Inner Force, you need perseverance and comprehension! Otherwise, you’ll end up like that Second Young Master Wang—bullying ordinary people. When he meets a true master, he won't dare speak,” another commented.

Listening to the discussions among the tavern patrons, Teng Qingshan and Teng Qinghu paid their bill and left the tavern.

That night, Teng Qingshan and his brother checked into an inn. Because they were entering the Guiyuan Sect the next day, Qinghu was extremely excited, talking animatedly with Teng Qingshan until late into the night before falling asleep.

The next morning,

Downstairs in the same inn, Teng Qingshan and his brother ordered some meat buns and two bowls of porridge for breakfast.

“Qingshan, yesterday we checked fourteen inns just to find a vacant room near the Guiyuan Sect. It seems quite a few people want to join the Guiyuan Sect this time,” Qinghu was somewhat excited.

“There are indeed many!” Teng Qingshan glanced around. Everyone eating breakfast downstairs carried weapons; they were clearly martial artists. They were likely all aiming to join the Guiyuan Sect’s Black Armored Army.

Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong!……

Several people descended the stairs from upstairs. There were eight of them in total. All eight were very robust, and the one leading them had a cold expression, with two knife scars across his face. He carried a broad, heavy battle saber nearly six feet long strapped to his back. The men behind him also held weapons, their gazes chillingly sharp.

Teng Qingshan could even smell a faint scent of blood.

These eight ate extremely quickly; they consumed a meat bun in one bite each. They started eating later than Teng Qingshan but finished faster.

“Let’s go!” The scarred man leading them stood up first, and the other seven followed suit.

“Qinghu, let’s go to the Guiyuan Sect,” Teng Qingshan also rose. He had already paid for breakfast as soon as they sat down, so Teng Qingshan and his brother directly followed the group out.

People naturally congregate; the other martial artists in the inn also stood up one by one and left the inn.

……

The Guiyuan Sect was located in the southeast district of Jiangning Prefecture City, essentially a city within the city.

Because the Guiyuan Sect’s disciple recruitment and the Black Armored Army’s enlistment occurred on the same day, the main entrance of the Guiyuan Sect was lined with a massive number of horses and luxurious carriages—it was a scene of bustling traffic! Gathered here were not just the wealthy and powerful, but also formidable martial artists, all making their way into the Guiyuan Sect.

“Those wishing to join the Black Armored Army, proceed this way for the entry assessment!” The Guiyuan Sect had specifically assigned a large number of disciples to handle the reception. “Those bringing young children to join the Guiyuan Sect, please take the other path!”

“Entry assessment?” Teng Qingshan and Teng Qinghu also moved with the crowd toward the Guiyuan Sect grounds.

“I wonder what the entry assessment entails,” Teng Qinghu muttered.

“We’ll see when we get closer,” Teng Qingshan smiled.

Following the bluestone-paved path for a moment, they arrived at a wide, open area. Over a hundred people had already gathered in this open space, all there for the Black Armored Army assessment. They were almost all men, though the term ‘almost’ implied a very small handful of women were present.

“Those wishing to join the Black Armored Army, line up in order and approach this spot one by one for the assessment!” A deep, resonant voice rang out.

Teng Qingshan and the others immediately moved toward the center area.

In the middle of the open ground, four large black stones of varying sizes were placed. Written on them in white brush strokes were characters: ‘Five Hundred Jin,’ ‘One Thousand Jin,’ ‘Two Thousand Jin,’ and ‘Ten Thousand Jin.’

“Anyone who can lift the Five Hundred Jin stone can become an Outer Disciple of my Guiyuan Sect! Only those who can lift One Thousand Jin qualify to become a recruit in the Black Armored Army! After another round of internal screening within the Black Armored Army, those who remain will truly be Black Armored Army soldiers! Those who lift the Two Thousand Jin stone are Second-Rate Martial Artists and are qualified to contend for the position of Black Armored Army ‘Squad Leader’! Those who can lift the Ten Thousand Jin massive stone are First-Rate Martial Artists, qualified to contend for the position of Black Armored Army ‘Centurion’!”

Immediately, the familiar martial artists among the crowd began murmuring amongst themselves.

“I didn't expect the requirement for Black Armored Army soldiers to increase again. Lifting one thousand jin only makes you a recruit, and then there’s still internal screening…” many commented.

Teng Qinghu, however, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Because after practicing the Tiger Fist, Teng Qinghu had long been able to lift the Two Thousand Jin stone.

“I didn’t expect the entry assessment to be this,” Teng Qingshan commented lightly.

A large circle formed around the area as person after person entered to be tested. Teng Qingshan waited in line toward the back, observing others being tested.

“Heng!” A sturdy man grunted loudly and lifted the Five Hundred Jin stone.

“Are you going for more?” a Guiyuan Sect disciple sitting nearby, holding a brush, asked calmly. The man shook his head honestly, “I still can’t lift the One Thousand Jin one.”

“Hmm, here is your token! Wait over there for now,” another Guiyuan Sect disciple tossed a token to the man.

“Hah! My turn!” A stout, pot-bellied man threw the large iron hammer he was holding to the side; it hit the ground with a deafening crash. Then, he waddled with his big belly toward the Ten Thousand Jin massive stone and grabbed it.

“Hoo~~” As the stout man exerted his strength, the ground visibly trembled.

The man managed to lift the Ten Thousand Jin stone to his neck, but he absolutely could not raise it any further. The stout man gasped several times, roared a few times, but failed. Finally, with a heavy hong, he let the stone drop.

“So close, what a pity. A Second-Rate Martial Artist,” the scribing Guiyuan Sect disciple asked, “Your name and age?”

“Zhu Da! Twenty-six!” The obese man picked up his large iron hammer, snorted twice, and muttered under his breath, “Damn it, I could lift it back home, why can’t I lift it here.”