Eternal Life: I Have the Favor System-Chapter 64: Opponents

The next morning, Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu arrived at the Martial Arts Hall. Neither of them mentioned a word about what happened on Wine Street the previous night.

"After breakfast, don’t rush off to train. We’ll be having guests."

Guo Wei said slowly when the two came to pay their morning respects.

"Yes."

Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu suppressed their curiosity and didn’t ask any questions.

About an hour later.

A burly man arrived at the Martial Arts Hall with two young men in tow.

"Master Guo."

The man’s Qi Blood was full and his muscles were well-developed; a single punch from him probably held five or six hundred pounds of Qi Power. The two young men behind him were also powerfully built, their gazes sharp and intense. Upon entering, they looked at Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu with undisguised provocation in their eyes.

"Oh, Leader Ma! I didn’t expect you to bring them here yourself."

Guo Wei looked pleasantly surprised. He then introduced them to Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu, "This is Leader Ma of the Weiyuan Escort Agency. The two behind him are..."

But when he saw the two young men, Guo Wei’s expression stiffened.

"Master Guo, Master Tie poached Da Wu and Xiao Wu for Qinghe County last night," Leader Ma said apologetically. "These two trained alongside Da Wu and Xiao Wu. Although they didn’t pass the last Daoist Examination, their skills are still outstanding. There’s no way they’ll be eliminated from this year’s Martial Arts Examination."

The Da Wu and Xiao Wu he mentioned were the Weiyuan Escort Agency’s rising stars, both of whom had become Martial Scholars in the last examination.

"My disciples are also outstanding. They will pass this year’s Martial Arts Examination as well," Guo Wei said confidently.

The last time he went to the county town, besides delivering a letter to Wang Chao, he had also visited the Weiyuan Escort Agency. He had made an arrangement with Leader Ma for Da Wu and Xiao Wu to spend the next six months training with Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu. The four of them were supposed to spar with one another in a final push to ensure Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu would pass the examination.

But who would have thought that Tie Zhennan would poach them?

’Still,’ Guo Wei knew, ’if Leader Ma hadn’t agreed, Tie Zhennan couldn’t have taken them so easily.’ But since Leader Ma had come personally with replacements, Guo Wei couldn’t say much.

After all, Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu needed sparring partners who were on their level.

"Da Wang, Xiao Wang, greet Master Guo."

Leader Ma breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

"Greetings, Master Guo!"

Da Wang and Xiao Wang bowed to Guo Wei in unison.

"I saw you at the last Daoist Examination. You were eliminated in Mounted Archery and Lance, correct?"

Guo Wei said, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Master Guo’s perception is as sharp as a torch. My brother and I are strong, but our Mounted Skills lacked finesse. We’ve spent the last two years focusing on them and have finally made some progress," Da Wang said, clasping his fist.

"Our master told us you have two supreme skills, Master Guo," Xiao Wang chimed in. "The first is your god-like Spear Technique, and the second is that on horseback, you move like a flying dragon. We hope you can offer us your guidance."

The two might have looked big and burly, but they were quite smooth talkers.

"Hahaha, I will certainly do my best."

Guo Wei laughed.

"Thank you, Master Guo."

The two said hurriedly.

"Lin Guang, Hei Hu."

"We are here, Master!"

"Da Wang and Xiao Wang are Leader Ma’s disciples," Guo Wei instructed. "For the next six months, they will be training with you. You should learn from them. Leader Ma’s Whirlwind Saber is famous even in the Governor’s Mansion."

"Yes, Master! Thank you, Leader Ma!"

Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu finally understood. Guo Wei had found them sparring partners.

Da Wang and Xiao Wang had both participated in the previous Daoist Examination. Not only did they have experience with the test, but their Qi Blood Power also seemed far greater than theirs. They could learn a lot from sparring with them.

In exchange, Guo Wei would personally teach Da Wang and Xiao Wang Mounted Archery and Lance to help them achieve good results in this year’s Daoist Examination.

"Master Guo, Da Wu and Xiao Wu will be back from Qinghe County in two months," Leader Ma proposed. "When they return, bring your disciples to my Escort Agency so they can all spar together."

"Excellent."

Guo Wei nodded.

"Da Wang, Xiao Wang, don’t forget that a Military Scholar once came from Master Guo’s disciples," Leader Ma added, turning to his own. "This is a golden opportunity for you. In two months, I expect to see significant improvement in your Kung Fu."

"Don’t worry, Master!"

Da Wang and Xiao Wang nodded firmly. Then, along with Guo Wei, they escorted Leader Ma out of the Martial Arts Hall and watched him depart.

’Two months?’ Guo Wei shook his head with a wry smile. ’Tie Zhennan really is a cunning one.’

He knew this was likely Tie Zhennan’s idea—having Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu go to the Weiyuan Escort Agency in two months to spar with Da Wu and Xiao Wu. By then, Liu Quan would surely fight Da Wang and Xiao Wang as well. It was a way to gauge Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu’s strength, ensuring Liu Quan could firmly outperform them in the Daoist Examination.

"Lin Guang, Hei Hu, you’ll practice Spear Technique with Da Wang and Xiao Wang first," Guo Wei said upon returning to the courtyard.

"Yes, Master." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu were already prepared.

Da Wang and Xiao Wang had experience with the Daoist Examination. Rumor had it they had only barely failed to pass last time. If Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu could match their performance in every area of Kung Fu, then passing this year’s examination would be a certainty.

"Brother Xiao Wang, please give me your guidance."

Hei Hu noticed Xiao Wang’s arms were thinner, figuring his Qi Power must be less than Da Wang’s. To avoid an embarrassing defeat, he gripped his Long Spear and launched the first attack.

"Please!"

Xiao Wang had brought his own weapon from the Escort Agency. He drew a Silver Ring Saber and slashed at Hei Hu.

"Chu, if you would!"

Da Wang finished assembling his Long Spear and cupped his fist toward Chu Lingguang.

"Please!"

Chu Lingguang nodded. ’Da Wang isn’t using Leader Ma’s Whirlwind Saber. It seems he wants to witness the essence of Guo Wei’s Spear Technique.’

’For that reason,’ Chu Lingguang knew, ’I can’t afford to lose too badly in our first match.’

WHOOSH!

Da Wang didn’t hold back, sweeping a Flower Dance Spear attack straight at Chu Lingguang’s face. His Formed Spear Technique was on full display.

Chu Lingguang didn’t panic, countering with his own Flower Dance Spear. He felt that the stances of his Basic Spear Skill were steadier than Da Wang’s; after all, its value had already reached Perfection.

The power of Da Wang’s Spear Technique lay in its overwhelming momentum. The level of his Formed Spear Technique seemed a step above Chu Lingguang’s.

As Guo Wei watched,

Xiao Wang’s Whirlwind Saber quickly broke through Hei Hu’s defense. Hei Hu’s Spear Technique was thrown into disarray, and in less than ten moves, the flat of Xiao Wang’s blade struck him squarely on his thick waist.

Stung by the blow, Hei Hu almost lost his grip on his Long Spear. He tried to rally, but Xiao Wang’s Continuous Ring Saber Technique descended. Hei Hu only managed to parry a few times before the Silver Ring Saber was pressed against his neck.

Meanwhile, on Chu Lingguang’s side...

Since Da Wang wasn’t using his best Saber Technique, and Spear Technique happened to be Chu Lingguang’s strongest Kung Fu, the two were locked in a fiery back-and-forth exchange.

Although Chu Lingguang was on the defensive, constantly pushed back by Da Wang’s Spear Technique, he was able to hold his ground for the time being thanks to his flawless form.

Gradually, Da Wang grew impatient.

He felt that the momentum of his Spear Technique should have been enough to overwhelm Chu Lingguang and shatter his form, yet Chu Lingguang repeatedly managed to withstand his attacks.

In a moment of desperation, he poured all of his Qi Blood into a single, sweeping strike.

The long spears clashed.

Sparks flew.

Chu Lingguang felt the web of his hand go numb. ’This is bad,’ he thought. ’Da Wang’s Qi Blood is too powerful. A few more clashes like this, and I’ll lose my grip on the spear.’

But just then, he felt a current of heat surge through his arm.

That elusive Qi Blood had finally responded.