Chapter 28
Wooden Tiger Array
Looking at the excited faces of these ignorant rookies, Guan Feng had already anticipated this. He immediately laughed maliciously.
“I’ll demonstrate it to you guys first. Just follow me. It’s very simple!”
In a narrow alley, a bare-chested figure suddenly rushed out and pushed a wooden dummy in the front with his palm.
The wooden dummy rotated and opened up a narrow path. However, the leg of the dummy knocked on the leg of the dummy beside it, causing the other dummies around to rotate instantly.
The legs rotated and collided with each other. The shadows of the hands were flying everywhere. Guan Feng had already rushed into the wooden tiger array and was charging forward.
Wherever he passed, all the dummies blocking his way were either slapped away by his palm or dodged with his body like a tiger.
Soon, all the wooden dummies in the alley started to spin, and the shadows of the cudgel flew around with a whooshing sound. It was unknown when they would suddenly appear in Guan Feng’s path and give him a fierce blow.
Even a second-class martial artist like Guan Feng suffered a few heavy blows from the dummies. However, he was able to use his terrifying physical strength to sweep through without stopping.
In less than five breaths, Guan Feng had already rushed out of the wooden tiger array and stood at the other end of the narrow alley.
As for the crowd at this end of the alley, they had long been dumbfounded by the sight. Those who dared participate in the Tiger Hunting Village’s assessment were all skilled and could naturally see how terrifying the wooden tiger array was.
A muscular man with well-developed limbs swallowed his saliva and grumbled, “You f*cking call this simple?”
Jiang Ming’s eyes were also solemn. This wooden tiger array would affect the whole body. He knew if he was patient, he could pass.
However, the assessment required them to complete it within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, so they had no choice but to rush.
“Ordinary people can’t get through at all,” Jiang Ming estimated. However, he was secretly happy. This trip was not a waste.
Just this wooden tiger array had opened his eyes. If he cultivated here every day, he would have a huge improvement. These were his weaknesses.
“Let’s start!” Guan Feng suddenly opened his mouth and said, “In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, stand by my side and you will be a member of the Tiger Hunting Village.”
Beside him, a man from Tiger Hunting Village was already holding a match, ready to light the incense at any time.
There was only silence.
“Damn it; I’ll go first!” The muscular man gritted his teeth and walked out. “I’m Li Daniu; I’ve been practicing martial arts for three years. Today, I’m sorry to make a fool of myself!”
“Ah, I’ve hit my feet!”
Similarly, in less than five breaths, Li Daniu completed his assessment. Two of his front teeth were broken, and he was asked to go out for a walk with his mouth covered.
Everyone’s eyes became more serious. If they were not careful, they could be tripped or knocked down.
Following that, one failure after another took place. Some people pursued speed and had their ribs broken, some people fought steadily but eventually exceeded the time, and some people were in a dilemma.
In the end, the first to pass was actually the dark-skinned woman. With her vigorous and agile body technique, she broke out of the wooden tiger array when there was only a quarter of the incense stick left.
“The first person to pass is Huang Xiaoying!”
With the first person passing, the rest of the people’s confidence increased greatly. Soon, a second person passed. He was a young man about the same age as Jiang Ming. His name was Fang Lie, and he took less time than Huang Xiaoying.
After two more people passed, Jiang Ming’s turn arrived.
“I’m Jiang Ming!” He seemed to be a little nervous as he cupped his hands and slowly walked to the front of the wooden tiger array. He took a deep breath and pushed his palm toward the dummy in front of him.
The wooden tiger array was activated. Jiang Ming gritted his teeth and rushed in directly as if he was facing death.
His speed was not fast, but he was able to dodge the dummies by a hair’s breadth. He was like a fierce tiger hunting for food, running quickly in the dense forest, but he was able to avoid all the rocks and grass.
“Eh?” Guan Feng’s interest was piqued, “He’s using the Tiger Subduing Fist!”
In the wooden tiger array, Jiang Ming seemed to be rushing forward in danger, but his heart was calm.
The few people who had passed the test before did not even sense blood Qi. As a martial artist, it was easy for Jiang Ming to pass the test.
However, Jiang Ming naturally would not reveal his true realm. The strength he showed now was similar to what he had shown before he sensed the blood Qi, which was enough to pass through.
As for using the Tiger Subduing Fist, it was also Jiang Ming’s intention. Through Master Zhou, he knew that the Tiger Hunting Village did not oppose the outflow of the Tiger Subduing Fist. Instead, it strongly supported it. For those who had achieved success in their cultivation, they would also invite them to join the Tiger Hunting Village.
This is also a way to select talents.
When there was only one-tenth of the incense stick left, Jiang Ming finally rushed out in a sorry state, and his body suffered more than a dozen heavy blows.
As soon as Jiang Ming stood up, Guan Feng asked, “You’re practicing the Tiger Subduing Fist?”
“As expected,” Jiang Ming thought in his heart, but on the surface, he said in fear and trepidation, “Master, I learned this from the old people in town!”
“Not bad!” Guan Feng laughed. “It’s really rare for you to be so proficient in the Tiger Subduing Fist at such a young age. In the future, when you practice the Leather Tiger Bone Technique from our village, your strength will definitely improve by leaps and bounds!”
The rest of the people were a little envious. Jiang Ming was the slowest one, but he was the only one who got Guan Feng’s praise.
“Next!”
“Carry it away!”
* * *
After that, no one else passed the wooden tiger array. In the end, only five people successfully joined the Tiger Hunting Village.
“Peng Lu, take them to their lodgings to rest and talk about the rules of the village. Tomorrow morning, they will come here to train!” Guan Feng gave his orders and then left.
“Follow me!” After Guan Feng walked away, the man in charge of lighting the incense beckoned to him and walked forward.
“There are actually no strict rules in the village,” the man named Peng Lu said as he walked. “You’re new here, so just remember to practice your techniques at seven in the morning and start cooking at seven in the evening. In the morning, you have to help with the work of the village, such as processing the corpses of prey and going out to sell goods. After three months, if you are still willing to stay, you will receive a tael of silver as your monthly allowance!”
“How many people leave?” one of them asked.
Peng Lu chuckled and said meaningfully, “Our village is not like those fancy martial arts clubs that wait for you to see blood a few times for you to know if you want to leave or not.”
The few of them looked at each other.
After a moment, Peng Lu led the few people to a courtyard, pointed to a few small houses side by side in the corner, and said, “All of you can be considered official members of the village. Each of you will be given a room. Don’t look at how small it is; it is much better than those servants who live in the shared house.”
“Many thanks, Mr. Peng!” The few of them quickly thanked him.
After Peng Lu left, the few of them each picked an empty room to stay in. There were also a few rooms whose doors were tightly locked as if they were already occupied.
The room was narrow and stuffy, and there was a musty smell, but Jiang Ming did not care. He lay on the bed and fell asleep with his arms and legs spread out.