Chapter 76

Inside the pavilion, the night breeze was blowing.

Huang Pingzhang was making tea, talking with Gu Chen by the candlelight.

"The Old Man is a member of the Celestial Court, he's been a member of the Celestial Court for almost 75 years now"

As Gu Chen listened, some basic information about the three major organizations flashed through his mind.

The Celestial Court is the most mysterious of the three major underground organizations, it has a lot fewer members compared to the other two, but its influence isn't any less.

"Although the Old Man is a member of the Celestial Court, he's only a Bronze Assassin who can barely enter the Heaven's Gate, he can't directly agree to let you join the Celestial Court"

"Recently, the Celestial Court lost a lot of manpower in the Western Desert, they're recruiting again, the Old Man can recommend you to participate in the examination"

Huang Pingzhang's words made Gu Chen happy, but he changed the topic.

"You have to think carefully, the Celestial Court is an organization that pays a lot of attention to secrecy, if you can't pass the examination, there's only one outcome, and that is death!"

Gu Chen's expression didn't change. "How exactly is the examination conducted?"

"The Celestial Court's examination has never had a uniform standard, it's decided by the Gold Assassin in charge. But the examination has always been strict, the passing rate is less than 65% "Huang Pingzhang said.

Gu Chen frowned. "You also participated in the examination back then, right? Do you have any suggestions for me? "

Huang Pingzhang went silent for a bit. "According to the Old Man's experience, to pass the examination, the most important thing isn't cultivation, but the quality of an assassin"

"Quality?" Gu Chen thought about it.

"That's right, what level of cultivation do you think is needed to join the Celestial Court?" Huang Pingzhang asked.

"At least Telekinesis realm" Gu Chen casually answered.

"That's normal, but in the history of the Celestial Court, there were many people who joined the Celestial Court when they were in the Physical Body Realm. Even if they were great cultivators in the Nirvana Realm, some of them didn't even have the qualifications to become Bronze Assassins."

"There's such a big difference?" Gu Chen was surprised.

"The biggest reason for this is due to their inner qualities. Whether a person has the qualities to become a member of the Celestial Court is decided by the examiner. Qualities are hard to say, but if you have a skill that is beneficial to an assassin, the success rate of passing the test is very high. "

"You can understand it this way. Those who have mastered these skills are considered to have the qualities of an assassin."

"What are the specific abilities?" Gu Chen asked curiously.

"The ability to move stealthily, the swordsmanship to kill with one strike, the speed to come and go without a trace, and even the ability to calmly analyze any kind of danger. These are all considered."

Gu Chen understood. "Then, Old Master Huang, what kind of killer qualities do you have?"

"Archery! The Old Man's archery is first-rate among the Bronze Assassins of the Celestial Court, followed by his spear, which can barely be considered second-rate. The more killer qualities you have, the more likely you are to pass the test. "

As an assassin, having a hundred percent accuracy in archery was extremely popular, as it was extremely beneficial for assassination.

Gu Chen understood and said with a smile. "Then, in your opinion, do I have the qualities of an assassin?"

"You …" Huang Pingzhang's old eyes revealed a complicated look. "To be honest, you're definitely a genius. To have such strength at such a young age, you'd have a bright future in many cultivation sects. I can't understand why you want to live a life of licking blood on the edge of a blade."

"Your Netherworld Movement Technique and Breath Control Technique are both good, they are both suitable for an assassin, but they are the symbols of the Nether God Palace. If you use them in the Celestial Court's test, I'm afraid you'll be treated as a spy of the Nether God Palace and killed on the spot."

"In addition, your swordsmanship is also very powerful, but using a heavy sword is very easy to be recognized. When the Celestial Court selects members, they are more inclined to those who can conceal themselves perfectly and live under two identities. "

Gu Chen rubbed his chin. "In other words, I don't quite meet the requirements of the Celestial Court? Even if I defeat everyone else in the test, I might not be able to get in? "

Huang Pingzhang shook his head. "No, the Old Man believes that you have the qualities to become an assassin of the Celestial Court. Your temperament, your calmness and wisdom, the Old Man has seen it all."

"Temperament is something that's hard to see through in the test, right? After all, everyone knows how to disguise themselves, and the examiners won't just use that as a standard for the test. "

Gu Chen frowned. Joining the Celestial Court meant a lot to him, and he wanted to make sure he could get in no matter what.

He pondered for a moment and asked. "If you recommend me, what's the latest time the test will start?"

"The next test is set in two weeks, so you have at most two weeks," Huang Pingzhang said.

"Two weeks, that should be enough."

Gu Chen nodded. "Old Man Huang, can you teach me your archery skills? Of course, I will give you enough in return. "

"You want to learn archery?" Huang Pingzhang was shocked and blurted out. "Although having excellent archery skills can increase the success rate of passing the test, learning archery is not that simple. Do you have any foundation before?"

Gu Chen shook his head.

Huang Pingzhang was speechless. Did this kid think that his excellent archery skills could be mastered in a short period of time?

That was the result of ten years of hard work!

"Fellow Daoist Chen, you should think of another way."

He said tactfully. It was impossible to learn his archery skills in two weeks!

"I heard from Miss Huang that Old Man Huang wants the Nine Yin Stone in my hands, right?"

Gu Chen didn't explain and asked indifferently.

Huang Pingzhang's pupils shrank and his expression became serious.

"Even if Fellow Daoist Chen didn't mention this, the Old Man was going to tell you. The Nine Yin Stone is very important to the Old Man. I hope Fellow Daoist Chen can name a price. The Old Man is willing to buy it for a high price. "

Gu Chen shook his head. "I don't lack money. As long as you teach me your archery skills, I will give you three Nine Yin Stones."

Archery was Huang Pingzhang's specialty. He wouldn't teach it so easily, but Gu Chen could only try to negotiate.

He wanted to increase the success rate of passing the Celestial Court's test no matter what. To him, archery was a shortcut.

"Three? The Old Man heard that Fellow Daoist Chen has a whole bag. "

Huang Pingzhang's eyes flickered.

Archery was very particular about talent and the length of hard practice. He didn't teach Gu Chen before because he thought it was impossible for Gu Chen to master it in two weeks. It was simply a waste of time.

But since Chen Fan was offering him something he needed urgently, it was hard for him to refuse.

"Then I'll give you five at most, no more."

"Alright, deal!"

Huang Pingzhang agreed immediately. His face was filled with joy.

"Oh right, there is one more thing I need to discuss with Old Man Huang."

Gu Chen added when he saw that both sides had reached an agreement. "Now that I have helped the Huang Family unify the Greedy Wolf City, the Huang Family has benefited greatly. My monthly salary will be tripled."

"Tripled? Your monthly salary is already much higher than what the other families are paying, right? "

Huang Pingzhang's eyes widened. Even he, the Huang Family's Old Man, couldn't get such treatment.

"Because I am worth it."

Gu Chen said confidently.

Huang Pingzhang was speechless. He was about to say that five Nine Yin Stones was a good deal, but he didn't expect Chen Fan to get back at him so quickly.

But Chen Fan's help to the Huang Family was indeed worth the price. Besides, he also wanted to repair the damage caused by the sneak attack on Gu Chen.

"Alright, we will do as you say."

"From tomorrow onwards, the Old Man will teach you archery. I hope we can work well together."

"Happy cooperation."

…