Chapter 70: The Second Trial

"Who on earth fights like that with Mantis Boxing?!" The Vice Cult Leader's eyes bulged in disbelief. He had heard of Mantis Boxing before—it was a martial art that mimicked a mantis.

It was supposed to mimic a mantis, not turn the practitioner into an actual mantis!

To ensure this test met his expectations, he had analyzed and simulated it repeatedly. He had even tasked several quick-witted, high-ranking members of the cult to try it out, confirming that there could absolutely be no second solution other than the standard answer he had devised.

Yet now, two answers beyond his parameters had suddenly cropped up, and he simply could not accept it!

The Cult Leader, however, took a broader view: "Look at it from another perspective. He merely took a few glances at a mantis and comprehended Mantis Boxing. Historically, the generals of the Jin Kingdom possessed no martial talent either. This indicates that this youth, Lu Yang, possesses an extraordinarily high natural aptitude for martial arts. He has reached the profound realm where martial arts merge into the Dao, transforming martial techniques into spells. He is an exceptional talent, the kind one meets by chance but cannot seek out!"

The Vice Cult Leader froze, turning his head to look at the deadpan seriousness on the Cult Leader’s face. He asked, "Are you being serious?"

The Cult Leader thought to himself that he was obviously making it all up. In truth, he hadn't understood either how the boy had transformed from a human into a mantis. However, as the Cult Leader, he could not display ignorance before his subordinates.

The Cult Leader nodded and said, "Naturally, I am serious."

After hearing the Cult Leader's explanation, the Vice Cult Leader's mood improved slightly. Since the youth was an exceptional genius met by pure chance, it was only within the realm of reason that he had stumbled upon a way to break the deadlock.

It was barely acceptable.

"Those who could pass have passed. Let the first trial end here," the Vice Cult Leader remarked. Upon the surface of the water floated hundreds of thousands of mirrored scenes, each recording the performance of every individual.

Only a small fraction of people had comprehended perseverance from the spider; a minute minority had gleaned strategy from the mantis. The vast majority had succumbed to despair within the cavern, turning into deserters only to be slain namelessly by Liang soldiers amidst the chaos of war. The Liang soldiers never even knew how high-spirited and proud the men they killed had once been.

"Let the second trial commence."

...

"The second trial is to make the examiner truly and genuinely keep you."

Such a phrase echoed in everyone’s mind, causing them to forget all prior causes and consequences, leaving them with only the memory that they must use every means available to pass this second trial.

Yan Wangsun felt a bit dizzy. He harbored no recollection of the preceding events, saving for a vague impression of an exceptionally familiar stranger asking where he hailed from, to which he had replied that he came from Huangyue City.

"I am Yan Wangsun, and I am currently applying for a position within the Falling Coin Chamber of Commerce. I need to pass the interview, and the rules dictate that the interview questions must not be disclosed to others." Yan Wangsun organized the information currently at his disposal.

Even if it were not required, Yan Wangsun would not have shared the interview questions with anyone else. To do so would be building a bridge for competitors, yielding absolutely no benefit to himself.

Yan Wangsun discovered he was seated in the first position, and beside him sat a burly man dressed in a scholar's robe.

"I am Man Gu, what's your name?"

Yan Wangsun did not reply, for the examiner was already calling his name.

The moment he stepped into the room, Yan Wangsun noticed a crumpled ball of paper beneath his feet. He casually tossed it into the wastebin before preparing for his interview.

The examiner was quite chubby, his clothes straining against his frame, and he maintained a perpetual, smiling countenance. "Yan Wangsun, is it? Go down to the marketplace right now and see if there is anyone selling potatoes."

Yan Wangsun obediently departed. After doing a lap around the marketplace, he found only a single vendor selling potatoes. Upon his return, he uttered a single word: "Yes."

The chubby examiner inquired further, "How many potatoes are there?"

Left with no alternative, Yan Wangsun ran out once more. Returning, he reported, "There are eighty catties of potatoes."

"And the price?"

In his mind, Yan Wangsun cursed the fat man for not asking everything at once. He ran out for the third time, inquired about the price, and returned: "Three copper coins per catty."

"What about the quality of the potatoes? Does it match the price?"

Suppressing a mounting rage, Yan Wangsun felt as though he were being walked like a dog as he ran out for the fourth time to inspect the appearance of the produce. "The quality of the potatoes is average, worth about three or four copper coins. The price is not set high."

The chubby examiner said with a smile, "You are eliminated."

"On what grounds?!" Yan Wangsun flared with rage. He had been sent running out four separate times by this fat examiner, sprinting back and forth each time. After toiling away for half the day, he was now told he had failed?

He was being trifled with!

The chubby examiner spread his hands. "If you must run out four times for a trivial matter like inquiring about potatoes, how can I confidently entrust my business to you?"

"Then why didn't you just ask everything in a single breath!"

The chubby examiner shook his head. "It is because your handling of affairs lacks thoroughness. How can you blame me for not asking everything? Young man, in the workplace, you must learn to divine the intentions of your superiors."

"Bah! Do you take yourself for an emperor, speaking of divine intentions?"

The chubby examiner did not take offense. "Even though you failed, you may nevertheless stay."

Yan Wangsun looked suspiciously at the fat examiner, worried he was being played yet again. "Truly?"

"Do you still recall that ball of paper you picked up the moment you crossed the threshold? I threw that on the floor intentionally, precisely to see who would pick it up."

A surge of joy rose within Yan Wangsun, who wondered if this had been a test of his sense of responsibility and powers of observation.

"It just so happens we are short of a sanitation worker. You may stay and be responsible for the cleaning."

Yan Wangsun: "..."

Yan Wangsun desperately wanted to swear, but he kept the words back. No matter the circumstances, being allowed to stay counted as passing the trial, which was a good thing.

"Next," the chubby examiner called out.

Man Gu walked into the room. Seeing Man Gu's honest and simple appearance, Yan Wangsun felt a touch of disdain, believing this man would surely be toyed with by the examiner just as he had been.

"Go and see if there are potatoes for sale in the marketplace," the chubby examiner posed the identical question.

Man Gu uttered an acknowledgment and departed, returning only after more than ten minutes had passed.

"In the marketplace, an elderly man is pushing a small cart selling potatoes. There are eighty catties of potatoes, priced at three copper coins per catty. The quality corresponds with the price. The elder also mentioned that if we purchase a large quantity, the price can be reduced by another tenth..."

Man Gu's response was exceedingly detailed. He had even anticipated and inquired about questions the chubby examiner had not considered. Standing to the side, Yan Wangsun watched in sheer bewilderment.

Despite Man Gu's hulking and coarse appearance, he possessed a delicate inner nature and a meticulous mind. He excelled at learning with an open mind, particularly from the likes of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou.

Judging by the current state of affairs, he still had a long journey ahead before graduation.

"Congratulations, you are retained."

...

"See what I mean? This Man Gu is excellent material, isn't he?" The Vice Cult Leader was highly pleased to see Man Gu pass the trial once more. This proved that his own approach to designing the questions was correct.

Others who made two trips to answer all four of the examiner’s questions were barely considered qualified.

Only Man Gu perfectly aligned with his design.

The Cult Leader nodded. "It appears this second trial tests whether one's execution of tasks is thorough, and whether one can anticipate the needs of their superior."

In the Demonic Path, one had to act with utmost caution, leaving no loose ends lest the Righteous Path grasp some leverage against them.

Furthermore, only by anticipating the needs of your superiors could you demonstrate your potential for advancement, prompting the higher-ups to promote you.

It was precisely based on these various considerations that the Vice Cult Leader had devised the second trial.

"This time, there surely shouldn't be any alternative methods," the Vice Cult Leader chuckled with self-satisfaction.

The Cult Leader remained silent, casting his gaze instead toward the two individuals who had performed outstandingly during the first trial.

Intuition whispered to him that there might very well be another way.