Chapter 2: The Entrance Exam
Chapter 2: The Entrance Exam
As Chen Chuan entered the main gate, he noticed a long row of sunshade shelters on the left. He parked his bicycle there and, upon his return, saw students around his age gradually making their way through the school gates.
Most of them wore expressions of nervousness mixed with excitement, likely candidates for the Wu Yi University entrance exam.
Chen Chuan could empathize with their emotions. Over ninety years since the founding of the Great Shun Dynasty, society had become distinctly stratified, with limited avenues for social mobility among the commoners.
Whether domestically or internationally, martial artists often held high social status worldwide. It was one of the few paths, aside from education, that allowed the lower classes to transcend societal barriers, albeit a challenging one. Still, countless individuals vied for this opportunity annually.
Wu Yi University was an academy dedicated to nurturing such talent. Over the past decade, the school had expanded its recruitment, accepting citizens under eighteen with a basic primary education and no criminal record. This attracted many young people who couldn't afford higher education.
Even so, the academy's entry requirements were stringent, with only a select few gaining admission annually.
Chen Chuan blended in with his peers, noticing the robust physiques and light steps of the candidates. Regardless of gender, their muscles were subtly visible beneath their clothing.
To apply for the martial arts academy, one needed a qualified physical condition and preferably a foundation in martial arts. Nearly everyone around him seemed to have some training.
Although Chen Chuan had a better physique and was taller, he had never received specialized martial arts training. Compared to the other students, he was like a blank slate. In the past, he wouldn't have considered applying for the martial arts academy, but now...
As the sun climbed higher, more students arrived, and Chen Chuan found himself swept along with the crowd. After four or five minutes, they reached the main hall in front of the school's grand entrance. The square on both sides was already filled with private sedans. With his limited knowledge of vehicles, Chen Chuan could only identify the famous Furong and foreign Kai brands. The remaining cars also exuded an air of luxury from their exterior.
Young men and women emerged from these vehicles, many of them in pairs. The younger ones were accompanied by adults. These individuals shared a common trait: their expensive and well-fitted attire, exuding confidence and poise as they strode forward. This contrasted sharply with the other students.
Chen Chuan noticed a middle-aged couple walking up the steps, presenting a silver-colored invitation card to a guide. The guide immediately bowed, and soon a senior staff member greeted them warmly.
Chen Chuan observed the card with a thoughtful expression.
"What's that?" a curious student asked.
"Is this your first time taking the exam?" an older candidate asked as they walked. "That's a recommendation letter. With that, you can get in without taking the exam." He couldn't help but show a hint of envy.
To enter Wu Yi Academy, one could either take the entrance exam or gain admission through recommendation. However, the latter was not an option for commoners, as recommenders were typically socialites and dignitaries.
In fact, most students from common backgrounds had no idea about recommendation letters until that day.
Chen Chuan and the other candidates stood on the side path, watching the spirited young men and women chatting and laughing as they approached the spacious platform ahead. Someone whispered, "If we pass the exam, we can be like them too."
Their hearts burned with determination. If they passed the Wu Yi Academy exam, they could change their lives and become like the students on the platform.
Seemingly influenced by this thought, everyone's steps quickened as they approached the exam venue.
After walking forward for over two hundred meters and making several turns, they arrived at a four-story old building. In front of it was a row of temporary desks, behind which sat older students. One of them stood up and called out, "Students, come here to register with your documents."
All the candidates immediately dispersed and rushed towards the desks. The student shouted, "Slow down! What's the hurry? Take your turn. Starting today, the next fifteen days are all exam days. Everyone will get a chance. Those who break the rules or cause trouble will be disqualified from the entrance exam!"
Hearing this, the candidates quickly fell into line.
Chen Chuan was near the front and soon reached a desk. Behind it was a senior female student with a friendly demeanor, short hair with a neat fringe, and light makeup. Her smile was sweet as she pushed a form towards him, saying, "Fill out the form according to the instructions, and be careful not to make any alterations in these areas..."
She extended her slender, white fingers, thoughtfully pointing out each area. Chen Chuan noticed her muscles tense as she gestured, revealing a strength beneath her seemingly delicate appearance.
After Chen Chuan filled out his basic information and verified his identity, he was required to pay a hundred yuan as an exam fee.
This amount was almost equivalent to a month's salary for Mr. Nian LiFu, allowing an average family to live comfortably for two months.
After paying the fee, the female student asked, "Have you had any martial arts training before, classmate?"
Chen Chuan shook his head.
"I guessed as much," she said. "You can tell at a glance if someone has trained or not. The distribution of muscles on their body and the rhythm of their movements are different from ordinary people. Those who know martial arts can easily distinguish this."
She offered a sincere reminder, "Classmate Chen, I don't know why you're confident about taking the exam, but be careful. Soon, senior students will be arranged to spar with you, and teachers will be observing from the side. During the entrance exam, teachers will focus on your adaptability rather than winning or losing. Don't be too burdened; just do your best."
Chen Chuan smiled and thanked her.
The female student found his smile warm and vibrant, and she smiled back.
On the other side of the old building, several young people were approaching. A tall one, seeing the female student smile at Chen Chuan, felt a sudden twinge of annoyance. He turned to an older student and asked, "Old Liu, did you arrange the sparring partners for the entrance exam?"
"He nodded at Chen Chuan, indicating something," I'll deal with that kid."
Liu Cai, on alert, asked, "What are you planning to do?"
The tall youth didn't bother to hide his intentions. "That little brat! He's always so serious. I've never seen him smile, and he dares to laugh at this kid? I don't like the look of him, I want to teach him a lesson!"
Liu Cai warned him, "Solon, don't cause trouble."
Solon glared at him defiantly. "Can't you just say yes or no?"
Liu Cai hesitated for a moment. Solon seemed to know many people in higher positions, and he had unclear connections with some gang members outside the school. These students registering at this time had no notable backgrounds, and he didn't want to offend anyone over such a minor issue. So, he nodded slightly.
Solon patted his shoulder. "Thanks, brother."
Liu Cai reminded him again, "Be careful. Don't cause trouble, or you'll make things difficult for me."
Solon didn't look at him, instead, he stared at Chen Chuan, and said nonchalantly, "I got it, brother."
After the students in front of the old building finished registering, several senior students led them in batches into the building. They stopped at what seemed to be the entrance to the training ground, and then they started distributing numbers, asking the students to wait outside.
It wasn't long before the training ground's doors opened, and someone started calling out numbers. The students who were called, despite being mentally prepared, were still very nervous as they cautiously entered the examination area.
Chen Chuan took a quick glance inside before the doors closed. He noticed the vast area with smooth wooden floors. One side was covered by thick curtains, and there seemed to be students moving around and recording something.
Not long after several students entered, the door was pushed open again, and one of the students who had just gone in was carried out on a stretcher, his face covered in blood.
The other examinees gasped at the sight.
"What's all the noise about?" A senior student scolded them. "Do you think Wu Yi is just any place? Making a fuss over minor injuries? If you can't take it, go home!"
The examinees fell silent.
More students were called in, one by one. Although none looked as bad as the first one, most had bruises, swollen faces, or injuries. Some even had fractures.
The examinees were all anxious, and they didn't know if such severe injuries meant they had passed or not. But no one withdrew, as this might be their only chance in a lifetime to change their destiny. They had come this far, and they had to give it their all.
The wait was excruciating. Chen Chuan noticed many people fidgeting, and some even went to the bathroom several times due to nerves.
After about half an hour, a student called out again, "Numbers 20, 21, and 22, enter the examination area..."
Chen Chuan took a deep breath. Number 21 was him; it was finally his turn.
He straightened his hat brim and walked into the examination area with a tall male student and a petite female student under the gaze of the other examinees. As they walked together, he could hear their slightly hurried breaths.
Inside, they saw three long tables covered in deep blue cloth. Several teachers sat behind them, along with masked medical staff and a dozen or so senior students standing on both sides. The air carried a scent of disinfectant, and the floor seemed slightly slippery, probably recently mopped.
At this point, the three students walked to their respective tables according to their numbers. Chen Chuan headed towards the middle one. As he walked across the empty space, many sharp eyes followed him, and his heart rate quickened slightly.
When he reached the front of the table, a student gestured for him to stop. He bowed towards the teachers and said, "Good day, teachers."
As soon as he stepped forward, several assistant teachers shook their heads. Chen Chuan's appearance clearly showed he hadn't trained before; such students were here to test their luck, and there wasn't much to see.
A teacher pointed to the side table with a pen and said, "Put your belongings there. You can use long and short techniques, throws, and choking techniques during the exam, but no additional weapons or tools are allowed. Violation will result in disqualification. Understand?"
Chen Chuan nodded. "Understood, teacher."
"Alright, hurry up."
Chen Chuan walked to the side, took off his hat, and removed his shoulder bag, taking a moment to calm his breath.
Liu Cai stood beside him. He glanced at Chen Chuan and saw the shoulder bag. He froze for a moment, took a few more looks, and his mood soured.
When he saw Chen Chuan earlier, the latter was sitting, and the table blocked his view of the bag. But now, he could confirm it was a standard-issue Patrol Bureau shoulder bag, and it even had a serial number. This meant that someone in Chen Chuan's family not only worked in the Patrol Bureau but was not an ordinary patrolman.
In Yangzhi City, aside from the Mo Lan Corporation's security team, the Patrol Bureau was the most significant violent institution, and they were very united internally. If something happened to this student, someone might cause trouble for him.
He cursed under his breath, quickened his pace, and found Solon leaning against the wall. He whispered, "Forget it, let's give him some face."
Solon turned his head, and his eyes turned dangerous. "Are you messing with me?"
Liu Cai unconsciously leaned back and explained, "No, listen to me..."
A voice called from the front, "Where's the student for the evaluation match? Hurry up! What's the hold-up?"
It was too late to change now, so Liu Cai had to stay silent. Solon pointed at him, stretched his shoulders and neck, and walked over lazily.
Liu Cai felt helpless and could only hope that Solon would go easy.
Solon went to the side and put on gloves. As he walked to the middle, facing Chen Chuan who was already standing opposite him, a malicious smile appeared on his face.
Solon had initially planned to teach Chen Chuan a lesson and vent some frustration. But after Liu Cai's warning, his anger rose, and he decided to give Chen Chuan a hard time.
Chen Chuan watched Solon, sensing the unconcealed malice in his eyes. He became cautious and imitated a stance from the books, raising his fist.
Solon grinned, and without using his fist, he lifted his knee, turned his hip, and delivered a high whip kick! Liu Cai's heart skipped a beat when he saw the kick.
This was going to be bad!
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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