“Good!”
Many young servants secretly cheered; Qin Kun’s accumulated power in that punch clearly showed that he had put in great effort in the Iron Horse Stance!
Horizontal Fist, Chopping Fist, Drill Punch!
Qin Kun was completely immersed in the practice of the Iron Stone Fist, performing the thousands of times practiced boxing techniques with his increasingly powerful physical conditioning. His punches were fierce and strong, producing a powerful, wind-like sound, creating a rather impressive momentum.
His footwork, as he moved, was as agile as a deer, making him difficult to predict!
Qin Kun had forgotten everything else, striving to display his best possible state!
After completing a set of Iron Stone Fist, Qin Kun bowed slightly, a little out of breath. In the eyes of many young people present, a hint of self-reproach and unwillingness arose, feeling they were not as good as him.
“I didn’t expect this kid Qin Kun to have quite the talent for martial arts. Among everyone here, only a select two or three, like Ma Hong and Sun Changhe, can surpass him.”
Some young people secretly envied him, knowing that with Qin Kun’s standard, he would most likely secure a spot in the guard team.
“Next, Lu Yao.”
After Qin Kun finished his set of Iron Stone Fist, Liu Xin’s face remained as expressionless as ever, and he instructed the next young man to step forward and perform the Iron Stone Fist.
Qin Kun returned to the queue, waiting quietly. There was a hint of worry and apprehension deep in his eyes.
There was no other way. As a person who had lived two lives, Qin Kun knew that anything could go wrong before the result was out, even though he felt that his Iron Stone Fist could definitely rank among the top five among everyone!
Time flowed by. After about half an hour, all thirteen young men present had demonstrated their skills in front of Liu Xin, and each of their faces showed tension, apprehension, and anticipation.
These remaining thirteen young men had persevered from beginning to end. Each of them had given their utmost for a spot in the guard team, hoping to secure a chance to change their fate. Now, it was time for the results to be announced!
Liu Xin then spoke indifferently, “Now, I will announce the five candidates who will join the guard team.”
“The first one, Sun Changhe.”
Liu Xin announced the first person to join the guard team, and the crowd stirred slightly, everyone’s eyes showing an expression of “as expected.”
Sun Changhe himself came from an extraordinary background, with a father who had joined the guard team. The training he received was incomparable to others, and his standard in Iron Stone Fist was indeed far superior to others. His securing a spot in the guard team was no surprise at all.
Sun Changhe, whose name was called, also couldn't help but show a smile at the corner of his mouth. He understood that he and other house slaves were fundamentally people from two different worlds. In the future, he would definitely be able to become a pillar of the Liu Family under their cultivation!
“The second, Ma Hong.”
“The third, Duan Zhi.”
“The fourth, Pei Hong.”
“The fifth, Gao Qiwei.”
Liu Xin called out five names one by one.
And when all five spots were allocated, the scene fell silent, and everyone’s faces showed undisguised astonishment!
Those whose names were called, on the other hand, breathed a long sigh of relief, a great weight completely lifted from their hearts, unconsciously revealing joy, knowing that they would have the opportunity to become superior individuals in the future.
“What’s going on? Duan Zhi and Pei Hong were selected? Their Iron Stone Fist mastery definitely can’t rank in the top five… Qin Kun and Qian Feng actually didn’t make it into the top five?”
“Duan Zhi and Pei Hong are fine, but why did Gao Qiwei get a guard team spot? His Iron Stone Fist is practiced very poorly… His level is probably not even as good as mine!”
After a brief silence, the crowd stirred with waves of astonishment mixed with whispers.
This was because, of the five spots in the guard team, apart from Sun Changhe and Ma Hong, the other three spots were unexpected by everyone, vastly different from the candidates they had imagined.
Qin Kun, Qian Feng, and others who were clearly more outstanding did not receive a spot in the guard team.
Facing the crowd’s commotion and questioning, Liu Xin remained expressionless.
The selection of people for the guard team was actually decided from the beginning.
“It seems… these spots in the guard team were already decided internally from the start…”
Qin Kun’s face was slightly displeased, and he said nothing, dimly understanding the reason for the scene before him.
Aside from Sun Changhe and Ma Hong, Duan Zhi and Pei Hong, who were selected, were also not simple. Their parents were both house slaves of the Liu Family, meaning they had served the Liu Family for generations. The Liu Family would naturally show favoritism towards house slaves of such identity and background.
Therefore, even though Duan Zhi and Pei Hong were only at a middle-tier level in their Iron Stone Fist cultivation, they were still selected for the guard team because they were more “loyal” and could be trusted by the Liu Family!
Even if Qian Feng and Qin Kun had slightly better talent, it wasn’t to the extent of being rare and precious gems, so selecting Duan Zhi and Pei Hong was entirely reasonable.
Even if their talent was a bit less, it was reassuring to use them, and there was no need to worry about them breaking free from their control or raising ungrateful individuals. This was the primary point the Liu Family valued!
As for Gao Qiwei, Qin Kun was also slightly puzzled. Gao Qiwei was unremarkable in both appearance and talent, and he couldn’t be considered the most diligent. His Iron Stone Fist cultivation ranked among the lowest of the thirteen young men. His parents also had no background that would add points, so his obtaining a spot in the guard team was perplexing!
“The candidates were decided internally from the start… Why make others run along?” Qin Kun felt a surge of indignation and coldness in his heart. He knew that this was how the world worked!
Even if one truly had ability, they might not receive the treatment they deserved or the opportunity to display their skills. Connections and human relationships have existed since ancient times!
While Qin Kun could suppress the anger and indignation in his heart, some people could not endure it.
From the crowd, a lean young man squeezed out, his face flushed red, and he questioned somewhat agitatedly, “Instructor Liu… Is there a mistake?”
“It’s Qian Feng.”
Qin Kun recognized the young man’s identity; his name was Qian Feng.
Qian Feng was extremely diligent in his martial arts practice, putting in no less effort than anyone else. Coupled with a certain martial arts talent, his Iron Stone Fist had already reached an introductory level. In everyone’s original predictions, Qian Feng would most likely secure one of the five guard team spots, and Qian Feng himself believed this to be true.
But the result was unexpected: not only did he not get a spot in the guard team, but Gao Qiwei and others, who were clearly much worse than him, actually got guard team spots. How could he accept this?
“Are you questioning me?”
A chilling light flashed in Liu Xin’s eyes, and his cold voice was like a biting wind, making one feel icy all over. His gaze locked coldly on Qian Feng, instantly making Qian Feng’s face turn pale and his body tremble uncontrollably, like a lamb being targeted by a wolf!
The scene was silent, so quiet that one could hear the breathing of others.
“This kid… wouldn’t dare.” Qian Feng trembled, then gritted his teeth and said, “It’s just… why can Gao Qiwei get a spot? In terms of effort, in terms of strength… I am stronger than him!”
At this point, Qian Feng mustered his courage and said with a determined gaze, “Instructor Liu! Let me fight Gao Qiwei. We’ll let strength speak for itself!”