Chapter 56: To Save Oneself
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Fang Ping and the rest entered the Physical Assessment Test Center.
The Physical Assessment Test Center master control room.
At the moment, there were only seven or eight people gathered in the master control room. Some of them were standing and some were sitting.
Among them was the chief inspector of the Department of Education, the examination proctor of Nanjiang City, and the official representative of Auspicious Sun.
As the students flooded into the center, the deputy head of Nanjiang City’s examination proctor team who was almost 60 years old with jet black hair cocked his head said, “Director Jin, I don’t suppose there will be any martial artist students taking the examination this year?”
Standing beside the old man was the director of Auspicious Sun’s Department of Education, Jin Keming, whose forehead broke out in cold sweat. He trod carefully, saying, “You’re right about that, Deputy Luo. There aren’t any martial artist students taking the examination from Auspicious Sun this year.”
“If I remember correctly, it has been a total of ten years including this year since Auspicious Sun has produced any martial artist students...”
The one called Deputy Luo said heedlessly.
Without waiting for Jin Keming’s reply, the old man snickered, saying, “Ten years ago when it was harder for the martial artist, there were still martial artist students taking part in the martial sciences exam.
“Little did they know how much easier life is for them now ten years later. One can even say that the environment for education is improving.
“However for Auspicious Sun, it’s been ten years still without any martial science students!
“One can only wonder where the allocation for the yearly funds has gone to...”
“Deputy Luo...”
The perspiration on Jin Keming’s forehead increased.
The old man continued to ignore him, facing the two chief inspectors in the other direction. The two of them stared at the monitor as if they did not hear the conversation. However, their initially neutral faces slowly showed slight grins.
Without a twinge of shame from the presence of the other two guys, the old man continued saying, “This year, the rules for the examination proctors of Provincial City has increased immensely.
“Deputy Chen will be personally leading River City’s examination proctor team.
“Deputy Liu and the rest along with me will each lead our own team to the cities to invigilate.
“Do you know why is that?”
Jin Keming licked his chapped lips and answered in a small voice, “Governor-General Zhang mastered and broke through Rank-7 and finally managed to bring Nanjiang out of its drought in the world of martial arts...”
“So you do know?” The old man said carelessly, “And all this time I thought you didn’t!”
Jin Keming did not dare to continue on, but the old man did not seem to mind as he said, “Under the jurisdiction of all 15 prefectural-level cities that Nanjiang is currently governing, Auspicious Sun is neither at the top nor bottom.
“However, the Auspicious Sun’s martial arts education has been ranked top three from last for years now!
“Every year, Auspicious Sun says that they need a reformation and to restructure. I wouldn’t be surprised if your heart was in your mouth, Jin Keming.
“I still remember the lofty sentiments spouted about how Auspicious Sun wouldn’t be the last anymore for the following year during the provincial debriefing last year.
“And now?
“For ten years in a row, there’s still yet to be a martial artist student produced.
“Let’s not even begin on martial artist students, we haven’t even seen a peak aspiring martial artist!
“If it wasn’t for...”
The old man’s expression turned cold and crooned. “If it wasn’t for Auspicious Sun’s Wang Jinyang who managed to perform well in Nanjiang Martial Arts University last year, Auspicious Sun’s Department of Education would have been disbanded by now!”
Jin Keming looked like a bundle of nerves but internally heaved a sigh of relief.
It was more by accident than by design that Wang Jinyang was there to save Auspicious Sun’s reputation.
It was a pity that Wang Jinyang’s performance during the martial sciences exam was just mediocre at best. If only he passed and became a martial artist in last year’s martial sciences exam, Auspicious Sun would not be facing this much pressure.
Just when Jin Keming was able to breathe a sigh of relief, the old man suddenly said, “Although for Wang Jinyang’s sake, Auspicious Sun’s Department of Education won’t go so far as to shake too many things up. Before he left, Governor-General Zhang personally went to the provincial Department of Education and stated explicitly that if credit was given where credit was due, those who do the crime will also do the time.
“There appears to be some malpractice in the department of martial science education for Auspicious Sun!
“Among all the high schools in the county-level cities, there isn’t one single specialized martial arts training course!
“The subsidy program for outstanding students has already been confirmed but still hasn’t gone into effect until now...”
The series of comments made by the old man had left Jin Keming as pale as a ghost, to say the least.
After that, the old man said slowly, “Don’t blame the province for not giving you a chance!
“This time around, I’m telling you calmly, face-to-face instead of accusing you on the spot for dereliction of duty, indicating that you still have an opportunity to redeem yourself.
“And your career that’s on the line right now will be based on how this physical assessment pans out.
“If the number of students from Auspicious Sun with Vitality of 120cal and above reaches over 100 people this year, the province will give you more time for your reformation and restructuring in return.
“Perhaps if there are potential martial artists or martial sciences exam candidates among yourselves, you might get the chance to redeem yourself.
“Should you be unable to meet the standard......”
The old man drawled, “SThen Director Jin, it seems as though you’re about to head right into the Catacombs now...”
“The Catacombs!”
Jin Keming was a bundle of nerves and the beads of sweat that drenched his forehead were now dripping.
Even the two chief inspectors that pretended they were not listening previously could not help but turn their heads over.
In particular, one could see their eyes that were filled with pity towards Jin Keming.
The guy who had been the head of Auspicious Sun’s Department of Education for the past five years was also amongst the top five most influential people in Auspicious Sun.
Hypothetically, if a guy who was accustomed to a certain lifestyle was sent to the Catacombs, would he be able to continue living on?
Moreover, the guy was already Rank-3.
The old man said a matter of factly, “Taking and giving comes hand in hand. Responsibility and service come hand in hand. No one is an exception to it!
“Supposedly if you, Jin Keming, are able to foster a large number of martial artists, it will be a great contribution to the country!
“Naturally, you will able to reap what you sow in Auspicious Sun!
“But you’re someone who holds a high position who’s only focused on enjoying, with no regard for contribution or hard work. You don’t even know the basics of running your own department!
“The country has given a lot to cultivate you into Rank-3and it hasn’t been easy, to say the least. Naturally, what goes around comes around!”
“Deputy Luo, I...”
Jin Keming’s face was drained of all color and his legs started to shake. He said, “Deputy Luo, just give me another year!
“I swear, next year, it’ll be different for Auspicious Sun...”
It seemed that the situation was set in stone for this year. Could they get more than 100 students taking part in the martial sciences exam whose Vitality exceeded 120cal?
Was it really that hard?
One could not say it was impossible but neither could one make it possible.
For big cities, it was not hard for 100 students to attain Vitality exceeding 120cal. Most of the time, one could see it achieved by elite high schools.
However if one was speaking in terms of Auspicious Sun, it might be a harder task to accomplish!
Gathered in the No. 1 Physical Assessment Test Center were all the top high schools in Auspicious Sun City, which are Auspicious Sun No. 1 High School, Rising Stream No. 1 High School, and Sun City No.1 High School.
Even so, there were no more than 30 students that exceeded 120cal.
This time around, the Physical Assessment Test Center had a total of 3 people.
For the other two districts, the numbers they had for students above 120cal were similar as well.
At most, there might be six or seven of them.
The chance that the old man said he was giving was a false hope. In reality, Jin Keming knew he was fresh out of luck!
Jin Keming was instantly devastated at the thought of him, a civil servant who had not been training martial arts for many years, going to the Catacombs. It was as though he was being sent to his own death!
To expect another year from the old man that could not care less about him?
He had been saying this for years and every year it was the same excuse!
Before Governor-General Zhang broke through to Rank-7, he was the Rank-6 Governor-General who was deterred by all the prefectural-level cities from realizing the peak of his potential.
Considering the complexity of the situation, the Governor-General put off from making a move.
The situation now was different. The Governor-General who broke through Rank-7had a way to suppress any deterrent forces.
In order to save the deteriorating martial sciences statistics in Nanjiang that had been on a declining trend, it was necessary to make an example of someone!
They were definitely not stopping at Auspicious Sun. The people that were going to get caught were not limited to just Jin Keming himself.
This deputy who was the second-highest-ranking officer in the Department of Education was in fact prepared to take down Jin Keming at all costs.
As long as the commander of Auspicious Sun did not intervene, everything will go according to plan. If they got involved, then it should not come as a surprise if he brought them down together as well.
By making an example of someone, the commander of Auspicious Sun who would witness it could learn a lesson or two.
Seeing the old man’s indifference, Jin Keming grit his teeth and said, “Deputy Luo, let me go down and take a look at the situation.”
The old man shot a glance at him and said quietly, “You are free to do whatever you want. The Department of Investigation is currently in the Vitality assessment center and I will be right here. If you think you can disappear right under my nose, I congratulate you on your bravery...”
“No, of course not! I wouldn’t dare!”
Jin Keming shook his head furiously. Even if he tried to escape, it would be a dead end.
The thought of him running away did not cross his mind. If he ended up in the Catacombs, he might have a chance to stay alive. If he tried to run, that would be a death sentence.
“Then go!”
Naturally, the old man knew the real reasons he went down. He was just trying his best to save himself.
After all, Jin Keming was a mediocre Rank-3 officer, not someone who had committed a heinous crime.
The fact that they did not detain him on the spot was a chance for him to redeem himself.
However, the only person who was certain how plausible that chance was Jin Keming himself.
...
Jin Keming left hurriedly.
The master control room.
One of the chief inspectors who had been quiet the whole time was a thirty-something refined-looking gentleman. He finally broke his silence when he said with a grin, “I’ve always heard that Deputy Luo takes good care of his subordinates. Little did I know I would meet him today in the flesh.
“Director Jin is ever so lucky to have a superior like you.
“If I get the opportunity to come to Nanjiang in the future, I’d take it. I look forward to working with you, Deputy Luo...”
The old man smirked and said, “Well it’s very nice to meet you too. I too am looking forward to working with the young talents of the Ministry.
“In Jin Keming’s case, however, whether he would be able to cross the finishing line is debatable...”
Why he said that was because he could guess what Jin Keming was up to next. In fact, it was the only thing he could do.
If truth be told, getting 100 students that exceeded 120cal Vitality was easier than it seemed.
...
Inside the Physical Assessment Test Center.
With the doctor’s instruction to take their clothes off, the group of 10 that were soon to be assessed including Fang Ping proceeded to follow the orders.
Fang Ping stripped down to his underpants and stopped as one would expect.
Out of the 9 other people, 7 of them came to a stop as well.
Among all of them, there were only two that continued on to strip until they were left in their birthday suit.
Seeing the two idiots Tan Hao and Yang Jian baring it all in full view, the cheeks of the others reddened while some of them could not help but burst out laughing.
The doctor in charge of the examination was speechless but finally said, “For this physical assessment, only large scars are examined.
“It is mainly to prevent bigger scars from causing serious injury when breaking through during a Vitality Outburst.
“Therefore, we are merely going to do a cursory check.
“Anyways, I said to leave on your underpants...”
The middle-aged male doctor was dumbfounded. Was he not clear enough?
‘Even if there was a little scar somewhere between the covered underpants, it would not matter. Did they not understand?
‘Were these two butt naked fools showing off or taking the piss?’
After the doctor’s explanation, he proceeded to roughly check everyone and stamped their medical logbooks after.
Fang Ping looked at these two guys with a smug look on his face. They were the ones who clearly did not listen to the rules and he could feel the shame creep upon him as he was embarrassed by association.
‘Did you guys think showing your d*cks was breathtaking? Maybe a little spectacular?’
Fang Ping did not want to waste his energy beating them up for it. He put his clothes back on him and left hurriedly out of the assessment room. ‘Note to self, I’m definitely not going to the next assessment with these bozos.’
Fang Ping had just gotten out of the examination room when he saw Tan Zhenping.
When he saw Tan Zhenping, Fang Ping was stunned. ‘Weren’t team leaders not allowed inside?’
‘What was Tan Zhenping doing here?’