10: Competition

For ten consecutive days, Xu Qing helped Yang Long temper his body with Qi, drinking the medicinal soup each time and sparring for half an hour.

Although Xu Qing's Qi could only be used continuously for five minutes, by intermittently using it and to give Yang Long a stronger psychological effect, it was extended to half an hour.

After a few days, Yang Long was pleasantly surprised to find his strength continuously increasing, and his skin felt much rougher than before.

This was good; Yang Long became even more loyal to that bowl of dark medicinal soup.

However, Yang Long did not ask for the recipe for the medicinal soup.

Because the recipe must be very precious, it was already very good that Xu Qing could prepare it for him, Yang Long, to drink.

Yang Long was not a greedy person.

Yang Long often told Xu Qing that if he tasted the medicinal soup carefully, it actually had a good flavor, and he even asked Xu Qing if his feelings were the same.

Xu Qing could only nod silently and say, "You are right. Only you drank it, so whatever you say it tastes like, that's what it tastes like."

In fact, Yang Long was inherently robust; in a world without extraordinary martial power, a person's size largely determined how formidable they were.

Yang Long, from a well-off Family, did not lack food and was similar in height to Xu Qing.

However, Yang Long's muscles were much larger than Xu Qing's, and he looked very brave overall.

To be precise, Yang Long's martial power was already considered high.

But he met Xu Qing, who was practically cheating.

Xu Qing had also been inquiring about the situation of several Generals in the Capital these past few days.

All things considered, Xu Qing believed that Deputy General Chen Wu was the best choice; he was forthright and generous, and treated his subordinates well.

If Yang Long were to take up a position there, they should get along well.

However, those few messengers were already getting impatient.

It had been ten days; no matter what, a result should be given.

Even if you are Young Masters from a great Family, isn't whether you go or not just a matter of a word? Why does it take so long to decide?

But what Xu Qing and Yang Long did not expect was that Deputy General Chen Wu came in person.

Deputy General Chen Wu had received the messengers' letter and knew that the two needed some time to consider.

Several days had passed, and there was still no word.

Deputy General Chen Wu worried that these two promising youths might not choose him, and also feared that some unforeseen change might occur.

Deputy General Chen Wu was inherently impetuous, so he simply rode a fast horse and came directly.

It was also a good chance to see what these two heroic young men looked like.

Again, at the City Lord's Mansion, a familiar place.

Xu Qing and Yang Long were invited to the City Lord's Mansion, and it was the same servant who escorted them.

"Two Young Masters, this time it's not those few messengers, but a General who has come," the servant said, bowing and leading the way, reminding them.

"Oh? Thank you for the reminder, young man," Xu Qing replied.

"You're too kind. City Lord Hu Xing wanted me to inform the two Young Masters, so you could be prepared in advance," the servant added.

Xu Qing thanked him again.

Before long, the two arrived at the location.

City Lord Hu Xing still sat in the main seat, leisurely sipping tea.

In the middle, a burly man with a full beard and dressed in tight-fitting clothes sat boldly.

When the man saw Xu Qing and the others arrive, his eyes lit up, and he immediately stood up.

It was fine if he didn't stand up, but once he did, the man was over one meter ninety tall.

His figure was tall, upright, and robust; his tight-fitting clothes were stretched taut, indicating at a glance that he was a fierce General.

"Xu Qing and Yang Long, let me introduce you. This is Deputy General Chen Wu of Linzhou Capital; he commands well over a thousand soldiers!"

"Greetings, City Lord."

"Greetings, Deputy General Chen."

Xu Qing and Yang Long first bowed to Hu Xing, then turned to salute Deputy General Chen Wu.

Deputy General Chen Wu looked at Xu Qing and Yang Long; compared to Yang Long, Xu Qing's figure was relatively slender.

Deputy General Chen Wu's eyes lit up even more when he saw Yang Long's tall physique.

Xu Qing wore a brocade robe and had a handsome appearance, clearly a dashing Young Master.

Yang Long was different; he preferred to wear tight-fitting clothes, was well-built, but overall appeared more fierce.

Deputy General Chen Wu estimated in his heart that the main force seemed to be this Yang Long, thinking that he must secure him today, and this trip would not be in vain.

"You see, you haven't responded. I'm a rough man and I was anxious, so I came myself."

"So, how have you two considered it?" Deputy General Chen Wu asked impatiently.

Yang Long felt a good impression upon seeing Deputy General Chen Wu's demeanor; perhaps this was a man cherishing another man.

He opened his mouth to agree but was pulled by his sleeve by Xu Qing.

"Lord Chen, I, Xu Qing, have no ambition here, and I apologize for that."

"However, my brother Yang Long is interested, but since the conditions offered by the various Lords are all the same, he has fallen into indecision," Xu Qing replied.

He thought to himself, 'Yang Long, this silly boy, is foolishly about to agree. Doesn't he know to bargain and ask for more benefits first?'

"Just call me Big Brother Chen; 'Lord' sounds too formal."

"I see that Brother Yang Long is also very happy, but..." Deputy General Chen Wu fell into hesitation.

Hu Xing, who was sitting in the main seat, saw the situation reach a stalemate, and with a twitch of his eyebrow, he came down and said, "Deputy General Chen, how about this: Yang Long has the strength to hunt tigers. Why not let him demonstrate it today?"

"Let this young man compete with you, Deputy General Chen. If you win, he will choose you. If he wins, how about giving him the position of a Hundred Household?"

Xu Qing listened, his eyes flashing, thinking, 'The City Lord is capable.'

Yang Long was originally going to Deputy General Chen Wu's side anyway. With this arrangement, if Deputy General Chen Wu lost, Yang Long's starting position would be that of a Hundred Household, which was no longer a low official rank.

"Good! I, Deputy General Chen Wu, love those with strong martial arts. If he can defeat me, let alone a Hundred Household, I'll even save my Deputy General position for you in the future!" Deputy General Chen Wu also developed a desire to cherish talent.

Yang Long was stunned.

He hadn't expected that with just a few words from Xu Qing and City Lord Hu Xing, he might be directly promoted from Captain to Hundred Household.

Yang Long was confident in this competition; he was already skilled in martial arts, he just couldn't defeat Xu Qing.

Moreover, with the blessing of that miraculous medicinal soup these past few days, Yang Long felt much stronger than before.

If he were to encounter that fierce tiger again, the tables might very well turn.

This also showed how much Yang Long had improved in the past few days.

They decided to fight right away, and the few of them went directly to the City Lord's Mansion's training ground.

This training ground was even larger than the Xu Family's; not only was it filled with swords, spears, and halberds, but there were also several sets of armor displayed there.

The Xu Family did not have this armor, at least not openly.

Yang Long stood in the middle, looking at Deputy General Chen Wu opposite him.

Deputy General Chen Wu was a bit taller than him, and his body was even more robust.

But Yang Long was not timid.

Are you kidding? Xu Qing, who was so much thinner than him, could still beat him down; physique doesn't determine everything.

Yang Long was not afraid of losing; at the very least, he wanted to show his own style.

After all, at worst, he could still be a Captain.

"Begin!" Deputy General Chen Wu's eyes narrowed, and he shouted, striking a pose.

Yang Long clenched his fists, his muscles tensing, and he charged forward boldly.

"Here I come!" Yang Long shouted.