Chapter 127 – The Examination Concludes

“Clang~ Clang~ Clang~”

The martial trials were still ongoing, but the unified examinations at Qingbai Mountain Community School had concluded. The students emerged from their various testing rooms with haggard faces yet spirited expressions.

“Yu Sheng!”

Nearly everyone from Wangmei Residence had taken the exams. A group of them had gathered beneath the banyan tree in the central courtyard and were waving her over.

Yu Sheng walked toward them, but suddenly someone called her name from behind.

Qin Huan stood beneath the corridor eaves. He saw the girl in her white blouse, elegant and naturally graceful, like a jade treasure that had been polished to perfection. He could almost envision the brilliance she would command in days to come.

“How did the exam go?”

“Normal.”

Qin Huan nodded with satisfaction and said, “There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

Yu Sheng slightly lowered her gaze. “Please go ahead, Teacher.”

“I accepted Xiao Shaobai’s marriage proposal on your behalf, on the condition that he earn a spot in the Martial Arts Academy. Your parents have also agreed.” Qin Huan’s eyes shone with delight. “The young man didn’t disappoint—he’s already secured a place in the Outer Academy.”

Yu Sheng said nothing.

Qin Huan sensed her reaction and spoke earnestly. “Don’t hold it against me. I’m doing this for your own good. You’re destined for the Office of Celestial Affairs, but given your background—with no one behind you—no matter how talented you are, how far can you truly go? Having someone to rely on changes everything. Besides…”

Qin Huan lowered his voice. “Xiao Shaobai’s ancestors were great rulers of the south, and the blood of warrior kings flows in his veins. If he one day refines his bloodline and rallies the old retainers, he may well command the winds of fortune. That would serve your ambitions as well.”

Yu Sheng smiled faintly. “Teacher, your foresight is truly remarkable—far beyond mine. Some time ago, someone divined that Yu Shen, the eldest of the Yu Family, possesses the destiny of a hegemon. You’ve helped Yu Zhihuai time and again—could that also be a factor?”

“Where is this coming from?” Qin Huan said, shocked.

“I’ve studied history under you for a long time. I understand well how tempting it is for a historian to drive the course of history—but that is also a historian’s greatest taboo. If you wish to participate in the changes of an era, why not relinquish your former title of Chief Cultural Inspector and openly seek out the lord you believe in?”

Yu Sheng said with self-deprecation, “Perhaps you’ve already been searching, and I’m nothing more than a chess piece you toss out while choosing your ideal lord.”

Qin Huan stood with his hands behind his back, watching her with an unfathomable gaze. “Don’t make wild speculations. Is it that you look down on him as a person, or that you resent my arrangement, or perhaps you already have someone you fancy? If so, just say the word and I’ll handle it for you.”

Yu Sheng had no desire to argue further. “I’m afraid I cannot comply with this matter.”

The students beneath the banyan tree could only see Yu Sheng with her back to them, speaking with Qin Huan. As the conversation went on, Qin Huan’s expression grew inscrutable, as if he were angry. Uneasy, they all walked over.

Qin Huan looked at the group behind Yu Sheng and frowned. “What are you all doing?”

Fan Siyuan carefully tugged at Yu Sheng’s sleeve from behind. “What’s wrong?”

Yu Sheng pressed her lips together, then raised her hands and bowed formally to Qin Huan. She straightened up again, placed both hands before her abdomen, and said, “This matter is my fault. I have misjudged Teacher Qin. However, there is one thing I wish Teacher Qin to know—even without support, without connections, I can stand on my own in the Council of Elders.”

“Farewell.”

She turned and left. The others followed, each offering Qin Huan a cupped-fist salute before departing.

“This girl…” This student had never been close to anyone—when had all the talented scholars of Wangmei Residence begun following at her side?

Qin Huan felt as though he had never truly known this obedient student of his. The shock in his heart made him overlook the change in how Yu Sheng had addressed him.

He may have overlooked it for now, but everyone else had heard it clearly.

Fan Siyuan said, “Why go that far? The reputation of being Teacher Qin’s favored disciple would still carry some weight in the Office of Celestial Affairs.”

“Today he can decide my marriage in the name of care and affection. Tomorrow he can use any number of pretexts to constrain me. The path I intend to walk has no room for that kind of burden.”

Yu Sheng was indeed a good student, and so—just as her teachers had taught—she was an excellent decision-maker. What needed to be severed, she severed.

Those around her had long since recognized this quality, and so they were content to follow in her footsteps.

Of course, there was another important point: she felt that Qin Huan’s decision to bet on those two was probably a case of failing eyesight in his old age.

“After today, we’ll see far broader horizons.” The students who had been tested for two and a half straight days were in high spirits, gazing at the mountain scenery with great contentment.

“Oh right, the martial trials aren’t over yet, are they? Why don’t we go watch?”

“Good idea. We’re all fighting for our futures—kindred spirits, as it were.”

“I’ll pass. I need to go home, take a bath, and get some sleep.”

“What about you, Yu Sheng?”

“It’s on the way, so I might as well.”

“…” Sister, the mountain top and the mountain base are not remotely on the way.

By the time the group made their detour to the Martial Arena, the judges happened to be announcing the Outer Academy roster.

“From this round of combat, the following have successfully defended the arena and earned direct qualification for the Outer Academy: Wu Lin, Mu Wan, Zhang Tang, Chen Ke, Xue Qing, Wan San, Leng Yuzi, Luo Qianshan, Xiao Shaobai, Ji Wuming, and Yi Zhan!”

“Assemble at the Martial Arena in three days. We depart for the Eternal Capital!”

Li Baimao spotted Yu Sheng and Han Zhigao and began whimpering. “I was supposed to be in the Outer Academy, but one careless mistake and I got dropped to the Branch Academy.”

“You should be grateful you even got into the Branch Academy,” Han Zhigao jabbed.

“I curse you to fail your unified exam!”

The two tussled with each other, drawing laughter from everyone.

“Alright, let’s all head back to the school. You’ve had a grueling few days—time to rest properly.” After Lin Wu called out, he turned to the exam students who had come to watch the spectacle. “Your results should be out tomorrow, right? You’ll probably head to the Eternal Capital together with the Outer Academy group.”

Yu Sheng said, “That’s not necessarily the case. I’ve heard that Duanfang City is holding a once-in-a-century Governance Assembly soon. If we made the rankings in this exam, they’ll likely take us there for an excursion.”

Li Baimao asked, “What’s the Governance Assembly?”

“Simply put, it’s a conference where representatives of the various powers in Cangyun Ravine present their governance positions, resolve conflicts, and divide resources.” Fan Siyuan shook her head. “It’s a dangerous affair. If the conflicts between certain factions aren’t resolved in time, war begins the moment the assembly ends.”

Yu Sheng continued, “Exactly. Especially now, with the struggle over spiritual vein resources being so fierce…”

Li Baimao hastily cut in. “Wait, wait, wait—this isn’t the exam and you’re not in current affairs class. Can you give it a rest? My head hurts just listening.”

“Our heads hurt too. That’s exactly why we came to watch you all fight—only to arrive right as it ended.” Han Zhigao wore a look of great disappointment, which made Li Baimao’s teeth itch with annoyance. “Oh, so you’re saying our fighting doesn’t require brains?”

Yu Sheng hadn’t seen Zhan Changfeng and asked, “Where’s Yi Zhan? I heard her name called.”

“She always vanishes the moment things end. She probably left already.” Li Baimao had barely finished speaking when she spotted Zhan Changfeng and Teacher Yao Yu coming from the judges’ area. Teacher Yao Yu’s expression was somewhat unpleasant, though Zhan Changfeng looked as composed as ever.

“Everyone, head back!” Teacher Yao Yu flicked his sleeve and walked off ahead of them.

“Did something happen?” Yu Sheng asked Zhan Changfeng.

“Nothing major. Are you all done with your exams?”

“Mm.” She offered her congratulations. “Not bad—Outer Academy disciple.”

“That didn’t sound much like a compliment.”

“I’m just leaving you room to push for the Inner Academy.”

Zhan Changfeng nodded. “That, I can get behind.”

“Confident, aren’t we?” Fan Siyuan wiggled her eyebrows and teased, “I’m more worried you’d go up there and scatter some poison—you’d win without even having to fight.”

“Not a bad idea.”

“Please don’t. I was just joking.” If this one actually did it, how much bad karma would I have accumulated?

As the village chief’s granddaughter, Fan Siyuan was privy to certain insider information—for instance, He Guangzhi, who had broken into that house last time, was eventually tracked down by the Militia. Good heavens, his hands and feet were practically rotting away.

Li Baimao couldn’t follow. “What are you two being so cryptic about?”

Fan Siyuan didn’t elaborate. Instead, she said, “We’ve all gotten to know each other by now, and in a few days we’ll probably be going our separate ways. Why don’t we share a meal together—a farewell sendoff for ourselves.”

“What a great idea!” Li Baimao’s attention was immediately diverted.

“Then let’s go to Ascending Immortal Tower—the biggest restaurant around here.”

Not a single student had any reason to refuse. After reporting to their two teachers, they changed course and headed for Ascending Immortal Tower to drink and dine together.

(End of Chapter)