Chapter 30 — Examination
“Please go down to the Martial Arts Association, mister.” Lu Sheng got into a cab and told his destination.
The cab driver, a middle-aged man in his forties, glanced at Lu Sheng in the rearview mirror and smiled, “Young man, going to the Martial Arts Association for business, huh?”
Judging from Lu Sheng’s age, he did not associate Lu Sheng with martial arts examinations.
Lu Sheng also realized this and nodded with a smile, saying, “Yes, I’m looking for someone.”
Hearing Lu Sheng’s answer, the cab driver immediately came to life and initiated a conversation at once.
“Young man, looking at your age, you should be in senior in
high school this year.”
“My daughter is also about the same age as you. She’s also in the senior year … tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk …”
The cab driver was obviously a chatterbox, all the way from college entrance exams to college, and then from college to employment, he chattered about anything and everything, boring Lu Sheng to death.
The key was that Lu Sheng also had choice but to respond bashfully here and there. Throughout the conversation he just responded with “um”, “right”, “master you are right” just to keep the conversation going.
On the surface, Lu Sheng had on a very serious look, showing the driver that he was paying attention, but he was wallowing in regret on the inside.
I should’ve told him I was going to the Martial Artists Association to take my Level 2 Martial Arts certification test. This way, he’d definitely think I am sick in the head and not want to talk to me.
When he finally arrived at his destination, Lu Sheng paid the fare and hurriedly got out, breathing a long sigh of relief.
The cab driver poked his head out of the cab and enthusiastically said goodbye to Lu Sheng.
“Young man, it was a pleasure talking to you. If we have the chance to meet again, I’ll introduce you to my daughter …”
Lu Sheng smiled politely and nodded, silently thinking: I hope there won’t be a next time.
Turning around, he saw the Martial Artist Association.
It was a grand building with the signboard of “Baihe City Martial Arts Association” at the entrance.
Lu Sheng calmly walked inside.
The lobby to the MAA was not very crowded, and it can be seen that not many people usually have the opportunity to come here.
[MAA: Martial Arts Association]
Lu Sheng followed the notice posted on the wall and found the window responsible for martial artist certification and proceeded.
“Are you here to take the Level 1 Martial Artist certification test?” The staff at the window studied Lu Sheng’s ID card and gave him an extra long look.
Lu Sheng nodded his head.
It was reasonable to say that his current strength could already apply for Level 2, but Lu Sheng turned around and couldn’t find the window for the Level 2 Martial Artist certification.
“Fill out the form, 1000 yuan for the assessment, then go over there …”
The staff at the counter was patient and careful while instructing Lu Sheng what to do.
After all, Lu Sheng was here to participate in the certification test, whether he could pass was not of concern, but the fact that he was here meant that he had a certain level of confidence in his own strength.
Taking in consideration Lu Sheng’s age, perhaps he was a small-time genius. A bit of politeness hurt no one.
Lu Sheng filled out the required form, paid the fee, and followed the staff’s guidance and entered the room labeled “Martial Artist Assessment Room”.
Walking in, he saw three or four people sitting inside, and an examiner in overalls. He swept his eyes at Lu Sheng and said, “Give me the form and find a seat a seat for yourself.”
Lu Sheng handed his form and found a seat in the corner for himself.
After Lu Sheng came in, a few others also joined him here.
One of them had a centipede like long scar on his face, there was also a fierce-looking man, and an innocent-looking girl with purple hairband.
Lu Sheng took a look at the girl with the purple hairband and felt that the other party was about the same age as hims.
It so happened that the girl was also looking at him, and the two eyes crossed slightly before they each withdrew.
The examinees in the room checked each other out. Many gave Lu Sheng curious glances as well.
The reason being that out of all the other examinees he and the girl were the youngest.
“Okay, we’ll start. ”
The examiner saw that the room was filled up and announced the commencement of the examination.
“First, Li Xingji, Level 1 Martial Artist Assessment.”
A tall and thin young man stood up from his seat and walked to the testing apparatus in the middle of the room.
“This is how the test’ll be. First you measure your BQV, then the CPI. You’ll get 3 chances to measure your CPI if you miss a try due to nervousness or any other reason.” The examiner explained.
The tall, thin youth nodded, “Understood.”
Immediately after that, he started the test.
It could be seen that as the first person in the room to take the test, the youth was a little nervous.
He failed to insert the needle to collect his blood. Only after several tries did he get it right.
But in the end, he passed.
BQV: 1.531.
Unfortunately, the youth did not meet the standard for three times in a row for the CPI.
In fact, he was off just by a bit. Lu Sheng did not know if was nervous or just lacked the strength, but in all three tries, he score hovered around the 140s.
“Fail.”
“How can it be? How can it be …” The lanky youth was shaken, his face was pale as if he had lost his soul. He kept on chanting, “How could it be? I obviously exceeded 150 every time when I tested my CPI at home …”
The examiner, seeing his appearance, spoke up: “The Martial Arts Association’s instruments are officially customized, and are more accurate and rigorous than those sold outside …
You do have the strength, so go back and settle down for another month. You should be able to clear it in your next attempt.”
The tall, lanky youth nodded, pursed his lips and quickly walked out of the room.
Emotions and such were contagious. After observing the result of the first candidate, the rest all put on stern expressions to hide their nervousness. Though that did not help them much.