Chapter 10: The Provisional Warrior Assessment
"Mom, Dad, I'm heading to the Extreme Martial Arts Hall in the city center. I might not be back for lunch today," Luo Feng said, downing a bowl of congee and three flatbreads before standing up. "Just wait for my good news. I'll call as soon as I pass the assessment."
Gong Xinlan smiled at her husband. "Hongguo, did you hear that? Keep your phone on you. Don't let your son fail to reach you."
"I will, I will," Luo Hongguo chuckled.
Luo Feng winked at his brother, Luo Hua, who gave a thumbs-up and grinned.
××××××
Leaving Nanan Community at six in the morning, Luo Feng took Metro Line 11 to Zhong'an Road Station, transferred to Line 1, and walked ten minutes after exiting the subway, arriving at Yangzhou City's Extreme Martial Arts Headquarters—located in Moonlight Community.
It was nearly 8 a.m. by the time he arrived.
"So this is Moonlight Community," he muttered, standing outside the gated compound.
"Sir, this is a restricted area. Please step back," barked a soldier in uniform, one of six armed guards at the entrance. "Enter the yellow line, and we will open fire."
Just like the rumors, Luo Feng thought. Moonlight Community was the Extreme Martial Arts Gym's Yangzhou stronghold—home to the headquarters and warrior families. Rumor had it only warriors and their kin lived here; even police couldn't enter without permission.
"I'm Luo Feng, a senior trainee at the Extreme Martial Arts Gym," he announced. "Here for the Provisional Warrior Assessment." The headquarters held assessments on the 1st of every month.
An elderly man with silver hair emerged from a guard shack, holding a tablet. "Arrived early, huh? Impressive to attempt this at your age. Let me check your ID and trainee card."
Luo Feng handed them over. The man swiped them across the tablet, and data popped up.
"Eighteen?" The man raised an eyebrow. "Bold. Hope you make it today."
"Thank you, sir."
"Let him in."
The electric gate slid open, and a soldier with an assault rifle stepped forward. "I'll escort you to the hall. Stay on the path—you're only cleared for the headquarters. Enter warrior housing, and my patrol brothers will intervene." He grinned, though his tone was deadly serious.
"Understood." Luo Feng nodded, inwardly stunned by the security.
As they walked, Luo Feng gazed at the private villas—each surrounded by rock gardens, ponds, and manicured lawns—with the imposing Extreme Martial Arts Hall at the center.
××××××
Inside the hall, the soldier left, and a receptionist smiled at Luo Feng. "Here for the assessment? Please wait in the lounge. We'll start at 10 a.m. with the others."
The lounge was a small bar with a bartender and three other candidates. Two men chatted excitedly.
"Look at those villas—perk of joining the gym. Free housing for life," a man in white said. "Beat the hell out of ordinary apartments."
"New guy," the other whispered. All three glanced at Luo Feng, who nodded politely and took a seat.
Over the next hour, three more candidates arrived—all older, one pushing forty.
"Luofeng!" A booming voice made him jump. A scarred, lean man strode over. "You're here too?"
"Brother Yang!" Luo Feng stood to greet him.
"Embarrassing story—I failed last month. Speed was 24.9 m/s. So close," Yang Wu sighed. He'd already passed punch strength and reflex tests but struggled with speed. "This time, I feel it."
"Bet you'll nail it," Luo Feng said.
"Yang's failed five times. Doubt he'll make it today," a bearded man scoffed.
Yang Wu shot back, "Says the guy who's failed twice! Your reflexes are slower than a snail's."
"Quiet," snapped a middle-aged man in training gear. "Follow me. The Chief Instructor's old friend is here today—no trouble."
All eight candidates stiffened and obeyed.
Chief Instructor's friend? Luo Feng wondered. The Yangzhou headquarters' leader was called the Chief Instructor, while district gym heads were just Instructors.
In the elevator, the man pressed 6. They emerged into a vast training hall where a dozen warriors—including Instructor Jiang Nian—waited.
"Time to test," said a long-haired man Luo Feng recognized as Chief Instructor Wu Tong from online videos.
"First, IDs." The escort collected the candidates' cards and handed them to Wu Tong.
"Tang Guan," Wu Tong said, swiping a card. "Military background? Interesting."
The bearded man stepped forward, eyes blazing, and landed a powerful punch on the target. The meter read 986 kg.
"Pass. Next, Luo Feng." Wu Tong swiped the next card and frowned. "Eighteen? Jiang, this one from your district? Since when do you hide talents?"
Jiang Nian laughed proudly.
"Talent? Or just here to sightsee?" a fat old warrior jeered.
Jiang Nian shot him a look. "Jealous your district has no prodigies? Luo Feng, show them what Yian trainees are made of."
"Yes, Instructor." Luo Feng stepped up to the punch meter, adrenaline pumping.