OBS Chapter 82 Fourth-Class Treatment
Chapter 82 Fourth-Class Treatment
"It seems there aren't many smart people among you. Fine, Ma Wei!" Qiu Changming shouted, and a burly man with a thick beard stepped forward.
"Yes, take these fifty-three people back to Tongfu Inn. The next steps will be arranged by someone else," Qiu Changming instructed.
"Yes, all of you, come with me!"
In a short while, Ma Wei had taken away more than fifty people, leaving less than six hundred people on site.
"Only fifty-odd people left, which is much better than I expected. My Soul Suppression Division doesn't want cowards. We don't need these fifty-odd people. The rest of you, come with me!" Qiu Changming said loudly again.
In a short while, the group followed Qiu Changming to the town where the Soul Suppressing Division was stationed.
This small town was essentially a military stronghold, with numerous watchtowers and houses built entirely of gray-white stone, exhibiting a monotonous and rugged style.
The town was entirely staffed by officers from the Soul Suppression Division; there were no other unauthorized personnel.
The shops along the street are all doing legitimate business; there are no places for romantic escapades.
The group walked along a long street and eventually gathered in a square in the center of the town.
"Now, I will read out the assessment rules." Qiu Changming stepped onto the highest platform at the front and suddenly shouted loudly.
The riot in the square subsided, and everyone quieted down.
"Those who carry the silver token total over six hundred, divided into ten groups. Those ranked in the bottom seventy can be classified as Class C servants, enjoying the lowest level of treatment, with a monthly salary of 6 taels, a certain amount of tonics, and free access to the first floor of the Gongfa Pavilion."
Those who rank in the top 20% will receive a monthly salary of ten taels of silver, double the amount of tonics they receive, and have free access to the second floor of the Kung Fu Pavilion.
Those who rank in the top tier will receive a monthly salary of twenty taels of silver, double their share of tonics, and have free access to the first three floors of the Cultivation Techniques Pavilion.
After hearing these words, many people in the square silently clenched their fists.
The difference between the treatment of Class A and Class C is too great. Many people there are children from poor families, and they have to fight desperately for every bit of resources.
"I must earn first-class treatment."
"The first-class treatment can earn 240 taels of silver a year, as well as a large amount of qi and blood tonics. No wonder it's so dangerous, yet every year so many people still try their best to get in."
"If one becomes a third-class servant, one step behind will lead to another, and it will be as difficult as climbing to heaven to get ahead in the future."
...
In the square, many people were whispering among themselves, their eyes gleaming.
Lin Qing could sense that the atmosphere at the scene had suddenly become heated, and some people with explosive tempers now looked at those around them with a hint of ferocity.
"This assessment is bound to be a fierce battle," Lin Qing thought to himself.
As the only legitimate and transcendent force in the prefectural city, the Soul Suppression Division holds a very high position even for ordinary servants. No one dares to provoke them, so the competition for each assessment is extremely fierce, and this year's assessment is the most intense yet.
Lin Qing felt no fear whatsoever; on the contrary, he felt a faint sense of anticipation.
He possesses nine kinds of strength and is confident that he can easily defeat anyone he encounters, even some prodigies from prominent families in the prefecture.
As he was pondering, Qiu Changming announced loudly, "The assessment rules are simple. Over the next few days, I will have eighteen arenas set up in this square. Everyone will draw lots to determine one-on-one matches. Winners will advance, and losers will be eliminated. Everything will be decided by skill."
This caused another stir in the crowd, with many people eager to get on stage.
Lin Qing pondered to himself that the assessment rules were simple and crude, and luck played a significant role. If he was unlucky and encountered a strong opponent in the first round, then in the clash of the strong, someone would inevitably fall into the category of third-class servants.
"Those who carry the golden talisman, step forward!"
Suddenly, Qiu Changming's voice echoed across the square like thunder.
Lin Qing's heart skipped a beat. He stepped out of the crowd, and in an instant, countless eyes converged on him. Another person also stepped out, a fair-skinned, chubby man with oil dripping from the corner of his mouth.
"Lin Qing, you are granted a golden token by Steward Wang Ling, and Wei Dong is granted a golden token by me. You two do not need to participate in this round of the arena competition. Just wait for the results."
At that time, you will face the challenge together with six other Gold Token Bearers.
The challengers are the eight strongest individuals selected by us from among the Class A officers.
"Eight against eight, the winner takes the gold medal, the loser is relegated to Grade A," Qiu Changming instructed.
"Understood." Lin Qing and the fat man Wei Dong beside him responded almost simultaneously.
"May I ask Elder Qiu, what special treatment do those who hold the Golden Token receive?" someone suddenly asked loudly from the crowd.
"Those who hold the Golden Token enjoy special treatment, with a monthly salary of 40 taels of silver. Their tonics are doubled compared to those of first-class servants. They have full access to the cultivation technique pavilion and can even meet with the Chief Envoy of the Soul Suppression Division to receive one-on-one guidance. And this is only part of the privileges of Golden Token servants," Elder Qiu shouted.
These words completely ignited the atmosphere in the room. Many people's eyes turned red. The treatment of a first-class constable was already tempting enough, but compared with the treatment of a special class, it was nothing.
Lin Qing also felt a bit of pressure, as countless wolf-like gazes swept over him.
The fat guy next to him suddenly leaned in and whispered, "Brother Lin, damn it, the pressure is immense."
"There is indeed pressure, but pressure can also be a driving force. I also want to take this opportunity to test my abilities," Lin Qing said in a low voice.
"Brother Lin has a good attitude, unlike me, whose mind has gone completely blank from panic," Wei Dong said with a smile.
"That's all I have to say. Wenyong, you're in charge of arranging their accommodations. The assessment will officially begin early tomorrow morning," Qiu Changming instructed from the high platform.
"Yes."
...
An hour later, everyone was assigned accommodations. The four Silver Token warriors shared a courtyard, while Lin Qing and his companion each had their own room, and they happened to be neighbors.
Over the next few days, the assessment proceeded in full swing. With nothing else to do, Lin Qing and Wei Dong went to watch the competition every day.
Wei Dong is a foodie, and his mouth is almost always chewing something. However, he is very generous and always shares half of his food with Lin Qing. Although Lin Qing does not accept it, Wei Dong's likable personality and their similar situations make their relationship quickly become close.
"Brother Lin, this is osmanthus cake from Baiweilou Restaurant in Fucheng. Would you like a piece?" At this moment, on a viewing platform on the east side of the square, Lin Qing was intently watching the battle in front of him.
This battle is very important because it is Ma Ziye's first time on stage. If she wins, she will have the opportunity to compete for the second or even first class of official service.
The two were from the same hometown, and Lin Qing naturally hoped that Ma Ziye and Li Ping could receive better treatment, preferably both of them being first-class.
Wei Dong, as usual, ate his food nearby and would occasionally ask Lin Qing a question, but the answer was always the same: he didn't want to eat. This time was no different.
Upon hearing this, Wei Dong stuffed the entire piece of osmanthus cake into his mouth.
"Then I'll eat it," Wei Dong mumbled.
Below the stands, Ma Ziye and the martial artist opposite her had also decided their match.
Ma Ziye's martial arts are extremely unique, as they are mainly based on leg techniques. At this moment, a roundhouse kick accurately hits her opponent's chest, kicking him directly out of the ring.
"Ma Ziye wins!"
Upon hearing the announcement of victory, Ma Ziye was incredibly excited and jumped up and down on the spot.
"We won! We won! This heroine is truly amazing!"
Lin Qing breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this, and was genuinely happy for Ma Ziye.
Immediately afterwards, Li Ping also took to the stage and defeated his opponent with a single move, winning by overwhelming force.
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye, and on this afternoon, the first round of assessments finally came to an end.
Ma Ziye was relegated to the second-class corvée service, while Li Ping successfully obtained the treatment of the first-class corvée service.
"Now, I will announce the list of candidates for the next round of assessments. Luo Tai will face Lin Qing, and Yang Qian will face Wei Dong... The assessments will be held in three days. Everyone, go and prepare well. This competition is of utmost importance. Whoever wins the Golden Token will receive preferential treatment from the Soul Suppression Division in the future. I won't say any more nonsense. You may all disperse," Qiu Changming said in a deep voice.