Chapter 66: The Second Test

"Who practices Mantis Fist like *that*?!" The Vice-Sect Master's eyes widened. He had heard of Mantis Fist, a martial art that imitates the praying mantis.

It imitates the mantis; it doesn't *turn you into* a mantis!

To ensure this test met his expectations, he had repeatedly simulated it and even had several quick-witted high-ranking members of the sect try it. He was certain there could be no other solution besides the standard one he provided.

Now, two answers outside of the standard had suddenly appeared. He couldn't accept that!

The Sect Master, however, was more open-minded: "Think about it from another perspective: he only looked at a mantis a few times and comprehended Mantis Fist. The historical Jin Dynasty general had no martial arts talent, which indicates that Lu Yang has incredibly high martial arts talent. He eventually reached the profound realm of martial arts transforming into magical arts, attaining the Dao through martial arts. He is a rare genius!”

The Vice-Sect Master was taken aback. He turned to look at the Sect Master, who had a serious expression, and asked, "Are you serious?"

The Sect Master thought to himself, *Of course, I just made that up. I don't really understand how he transformed from a human into a mantis, but as the Sect Master, I cannot appear ignorant in front of my subordinates.*

The Sect Master nodded, "Naturally, I am serious."

After the Sect Master's explanation, the Vice-Sect Master felt a bit better. Since he was a rare genius, it was reasonable that he might stumble upon a solution to the problem.

It was grudgingly acceptable.

"Everyone who passed has passed. Let's conclude the first test here,” the Vice-Sect Master said. Hundreds of thousands of scenes flickered on the water's surface, recording everyone's performance.

Only a small number of people gained insight into perseverance from the spiders, and a very few discerned strategy from the mantises. Most, however, became dispirited in the caves and deserted. They were killed by Liang soldiers in the chaos of war, dying nameless. The Liang soldiers didn't even know how spirited the people they killed had once been.

"The second test begins."

"The second test requires you to make the examiner genuinely want to keep you.”

This sentence appeared in everyone's minds. They forgot the preceding events, remembering only that they had to find a way to pass the second test.

Yan Wangsun felt a little dizzy. He had no memory of what had happened before, only a vague recollection of a rather familiar person asking where he was from. He had said he was from Huangyue City.

"I am Yan Wangsun. I am currently applying for a position at the Landed Money Merchant Guild. I need to pass an interview, and the interview requires me not to disclose the questions to others.” Yan Wangsun organized the information he currently knew.

Even if it wasn't required, Yan Wangsun wouldn't tell others the interview questions. That would be helping others, without any benefit to himself.

Yan Wangsun found himself sitting in the first seat, next to a burly man dressed in scholarly robes.

"I'm Mang Gu. What's your name?”

Yan Wangsun didn't answer, because the examiner was calling his name.

Upon entering the room, Yan Wangsun noticed a crumpled piece of paper on the floor. He casually tossed it into a trash can, and then prepared for the interview.

The examiner was chubby, his clothes barely fitting, and he always wore a smiling expression. "Yan Wangsun, correct? Go to the market now and see if anyone is selling potatoes.”

Yan Wangsun obediently left. After walking around the market, he found only one vendor selling potatoes. He returned and simply said, “Yes.”

The chubby examiner then asked, "How many potatoes?”

Yan Wangsun had no choice. He ran out again, and returned to say, “There are eighty catties of potatoes.”

"What about the price?”

Yan Wangsun cursed inwardly, *Why didn't you just ask all of this at once, you fat man?* He ran out a third time, and returned with the price: “Three copper coins per catty.”

"How's the quality of the potatoes? Does it match the price?”

Yan Wangsun suppressed his anger. Feeling like he was being strung along, he ran out a fourth time to check the potatoes' appearance and quality. "The potatoes are of average quality, worth about three or four copper coins. The price isn't set too high.”

The chubby examiner said with a smile, "You're out.”

"Why?!” Yan Wangsun fumed. He had been sent out by the chubby examiner four times, running back and forth each time. He had worked hard for most of the day, and now he was told he failed?

He's just messing with people!

The chubby examiner spread his hands: "You ran out four times just to ask about something as small as potatoes. How can I trust you with a job?”

"Then why didn't you just ask everything at once?!”

The chubby examiner shook his head: "It's your lack of thoroughness in handling tasks. How can you blame me for not asking all the questions? Young man, in work, you must learn to anticipate your superior's intentions.”

"Pfft, you think you're an emperor, talking about 'superior's intentions'.”

The chubby examiner wasn't annoyed. "Although you failed, you can stay.”

Yan Wangsun looked suspiciously at the chubby examiner, fearing he was being tricked again. "Really?”

"Do you remember that crumpled paper you picked up right after you entered? I deliberately threw it on the floor. I wanted to see who would pick it up.”

Yan Wangsun's heart lifted. He thought, *Could this be a test of my sense of responsibility and observation skills?*

"We happen to need someone for cleaning, so you can stay and be in charge of sanitation.”

Yan Wangsun was speechless.

Yan Wangsun wanted to curse, but he held it back. Regardless, being allowed to stay meant he passed the test, which was a good thing.

"Next,” the chubby examiner called out.

Mang Gu walked into the room. Yan Wangsun looked at Mang Gu's simple, honest demeanor with a touch of disdain. He figured this person would surely be toyed with by the examiner, just like he was.

"Go see if anyone is selling potatoes at the market,” the chubby examiner asked the same question.

Mang Gu gave a simple 'Oh' and left. He returned more than ten minutes later.

"There's an old man pushing a cart selling potatoes at the market. He has eighty catties of potatoes, at three copper coins per catty. The quality matches the price. The old man also said if I bought a lot, he could offer a ten percent discount…”

Mang Gu's answer was incredibly detailed. He had even preemptively asked about things the chubby examiner hadn't considered. Yan Wangsun, standing by, was stunned.

Despite Mang Gu's burly appearance, he was actually a thoughtful and meticulous person. He excelled at learning humbly, especially from Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou.

As things stood, there was still a long way to go until graduation.

"Congratulations, you're hired.”

"See? Didn't I tell you Mang Gu was a good prospect?” The Vice-Sect Master was delighted to see Mang Gu pass the test again. This proved that his test design philosophy was correct.

Others managed to answer the examiner's four questions in just two trips, which was barely considered acceptable.

Only Mang Gu perfectly met his expectations.

The Sect Master nodded: "It seems this second test assesses thoroughness and the ability to consider one's superior.”

The demonic path required meticulous actions, leaving no loose ends, to avoid being exploited by the righteous sects.

Furthermore, only by considering your superior's needs can you demonstrate your potential for advancement, prompting higher-ups to promote you.

It was based on these various considerations that the Vice-Sect Master devised the second test.

"This time, there shouldn't be any other methods,” the Vice-Sect Master said with a triumphant smile.

The Sect Master said nothing, turning his gaze to the two individuals who had performed exceptionally in the first test.

His intuition told him there might be other ways.