My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 272: Chapter 146: Challenge

The food was still warm, but it was a far cry from the hot meals delivered directly to those in C Courtyard.

And if you wanted so much as a sip of hot water, you had to go queue up at the station on the other side. The daily limit was one bamboo tube per person.

He finished his meal in a few gulps, scraped the bowl clean, and got up to queue for hot water.

The line wasn’t long, but it moved slowly.

The servant handing out the water was meticulous, using a specific bamboo tube for measuring and not giving a single drop extra.

”Damn it, this D Building is no place for a man to live.”

Someone behind him muttered a complaint. ”Train all day for this pittance of food, and they even ration the hot water. Just look at the folks in C Courtyard...”

”Oh, give it a rest,” another person sneered. ”If you’ve got what it takes, you can move in there too.”

”Heh, speaking of which, didn’t a new guy show up today? Looked all soft and pampered...”

The topic naturally shifted to the day’s new arrival.

Huang Shun listened impassively, filled his tube with hot water, and walked away, sipping it slowly.

He saw the scar-faced man from Shen Tie’s crew approaching from a distance, bowl in hand, having apparently just gotten his meal.

Their eyes met for a second before they both looked away.

Many people didn’t leave right after finishing their food. They gathered in twos and threes on the open ground outside the dining hall, talking in low voices, their eyes flicking toward the C Courtyard from time to time.

The courtyards over there were quiet, their gates shut tight. Only a few scattered lights shone through, making it seem like a different world from the noisy, crowded space outside the dining hall.

He drained the last of the hot water from the bamboo tube in a few gulps and tossed the empty container to a nearby attendant. The hesitation in his eyes gradually gave way to a vicious glint.

”Shen Tie and his crew have chickened out,” Huang Shun said to his two companions, his voice low but resolute. ”They want to wait for someone else to test the waters, but I don’t have that kind of time to waste. Whether he’s a true ’Overseas Dragon’ or just an ’embroidered pillow,’ we have to clash with him to find out. We’re going to Zhi Lu to submit a challenge notice in a bit!”

”Why the rush, Brother Huang? Shouldn’t we ask around a little more?” one of his companions asked, hesitating.

”Ask about what? Chief Li’s attitude is all the information we need.”

Huang Shun snorted. ”As long as we’re within the rules, it all comes down to skill. If we win, we brothers can live comfortably for a few days, and preparing for the exam will be much easier. If we lose, it’s just a hundred taels of silver. It’s a gamble worth taking!”

His eyes darkened.

’Back in his own county, he was a Peak of Anjin expert, for crying out loud! A big shot surrounded by followers wherever he went!’

’But what about after coming here?’

’Sleeping in a bunkhouse, fighting others for food, having to suck up to someone just to get a sip of hot water.’

’Was there any dignity in this for a master at the Peak of Anjin?’

’Unfortunately, his Root Technique was only Middle Grade, capping his cultivation at the Peak of Anjin.’

’This was the main reason he had come here.’

’He knew that obtaining Martial Arts Records was out of the question.’

’However, if he could outperform the other Anjin practitioners in the Martial Arts Examination, he might be noticed by one of the Prefecture City’s major powers.’

’If he was truly noticed and could join the Prefecture Army or some great Commerce Association or other major faction, he would have a chance to obtain a better Root Technique.’

His patience had all but run out.

And so, the next day, just as Qin Fang had gotten ready and was preparing to head out and explore the massive city...

A servant from the Post House arrived at his door.

The servant handed him a note.

He took one look, and a surprised expression crossed his face.

’A challenge notice?’

’A challenge... so soon?’

A glint appeared in his eyes.