Chapter 118 – Reform of the Martial Exam

The bonfire gathering was grand beyond measure. Everyone had assembled here, and several long tables set up across the open space were laden with food and drink, free for the taking. Five enormous bonfires illuminated the entire grounds, staining half the sky red. Once the singing and dancing began, even the tips of people’s hair swayed along.

Zhan Changfeng wandered over to a small stall, spotted an empty sachet for sale, and bought one, casually tucking the talisman paper inside.

“What do you think of these two masks?” Yu Sheng called from the other side, her voice carrying through the glimmering lantern light.

They were wooden masks—one sketched with a few simple strokes into a fox’s face, charmingly silly, and the other painted with a green face and fangs, terrifying enough to startle anyone.

“Quite cute.” Zhan Changfeng took the fox mask and put it on, then handed the sachet to Yu Sheng. “I took your sachet last time. Consider this repayment.”

“Then the mask is my gift to you.” Yu Sheng settled the bill, the sachet pinched between her fingers. Its thin texture gave her pause for thought.

Zhan Changfeng stood beneath the lantern light, hands tucked into her sleeves, the guileless fox mask on her face lending her an unusual warmth. Even the eyes reflecting the flowing lights and milling crowd seemed to hold a gentle illusion of warmth.

A commotion erupted somewhere nearby. The two of them drifted casually in that direction and found a sparring platform.

Young people crowded around it. Judging by their attire, students from every community school in Falling Blossom City were represented, yet no one had stepped onto the platform. Instead, they argued heatedly or incredulously with those beside them.

Zhan Changfeng listened for a while before understanding—the platform had been set up for students to spar.

Just then, Li Baimao and several others came over. “There you are! I was just looking for you. A notice just came down—the examination categories have been changed.”

“The martial exam has changed, but the general exam stays the same?”

“What’s there to change about the general exam?” Li Baimao said, beaming with excitement. “The general exam Yu Sheng is taking hasn’t changed at all—top performers still earn recommendation spots into the Office of Celestial Affairs. But the martial exam seems to have added several new categories. It’s no longer just about who has the strongest fists. I think I actually have a shot at getting into the Martial Arts Academy’s outer court now.”

At that moment, Lin Wu stepped onto the platform. “Everyone, the reason I’ve gathered you here is to announce something. In previous years, the martial exam for admission to the Martial Arts Academy selected only the strongest candidates by quota. But under the new reforms, temperament and potential will now be evaluated alongside raw strength.”

Suddenly someone called out, “If someone has high potential and strong temperament but their actual strength is still low, would they still have a chance to enter the Martial Arts Academy?”

Everyone followed the voice and saw a youth whose internal energy was barely perceptible—just scraping past the beginner level. In previous years, someone like him wouldn’t even have qualified to register for the martial exam.

“That’s correct,” Lin Wu declared. “For this martial exam, any cultivator below Foundation Establishment may register. As long as your combined score meets the requirements, you can earn a spot. I wish you all the best of martial fortune.”

Having delivered his announcement, Lin Wu departed without ceremony, leaving a crowd of students to debate among themselves.

“Who knows how they’ll even test temperament and potential? It’s hard to feel confident about that.”

“Doesn’t this mean even the top fighters could get eliminated?”

“It certainly benefits those newcomers who just started training—getting a chance at the Martial Arts Academy so early.”

“What a shame I wasn’t born a few years later. If those newcomers end up ranked above me, how could I show my face?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. The Martial Arts Academy has always recruited those under thirteen. Anyone who can be called a top fighter at thirteen—do you really think they’d be lacking in potential? The people who were always going to get in will still get in. Those young ones with potential are simply getting an earlier opportunity. The ones who should truly be worried are the mediocre ones—neither particularly good nor particularly bad.”

After that remark, no one dared voice their concerns anymore, afraid that doing so would mark them as one of those mediocre, middling types.

The youth from before raised his eyebrows in the ensuing silence, then swaggered off with brazen confidence.

“That Luo Qianshan is as arrogant as ever,” Li Baimao muttered under his breath, then hurriedly excused himself as well. He needed to prepare for tomorrow’s martial exam—no time to let his guard down.

Yu Sheng looked at Zhan Changfeng. “Will you be participating too?”

“Mm, I registered.”

“That’s good. The scenery in the Eternal Capital is quite lovely.”

It was getting late. With one of them facing the general exam and the other the martial exam the next day, they had relaxed just enough and were ready to head back. But as luck would have it, two people appeared directly in their path, blocking the way.

Xiao Shaobai’s expression was composed, but the triumphant spirit in his eyes was impossible to conceal. He planted himself in front of Yu Sheng and said, “I just paid a visit to Teacher Qin to discuss our marriage. Teacher Qin agreed that as long as I get into the Martial Arts Academy, he’ll give you to me in marriage.”

Yu Sheng said nothing. In Xiao Shaobai’s eyes, her silence was acceptance. Delight crept across his brows as the prospect of both glory and a beautiful bride filled him with bold confidence. “Rest assured, I will make a name for myself at this tournament.”

Jiang Tian chimed in with a grin, “My brother here would never mistreat his family. You can come with ease. On your wedding day, I’ll book the finest restaurant in Falling Blossom City and host a grand banquet for all your teachers and classmates—a celebration to remember.”

Zhan Changfeng saw clearly the bewilderment and unfamiliarity on Yu Sheng’s face. It was obvious—her teacher had made the decision for her, and she was only now being informed.

The teacher’s wife had indeed approached Yu Sheng multiple times, introducing Xiao Shaobai to her. Her teacher, too, had spoken well of him both directly and indirectly. But every single time, Yu Sheng had refused to her face. Who could have imagined they would disregard her wishes entirely and spring this on her?

Grief stirred in Yu Sheng’s heart, yet her demeanor remained gentle and courteous. “I’m sorry, but you have the wrong person. I don’t agree to this.”

Hearing that voice—cold yet soft, and utterly resolute—Xiao Shaobai’s smile faded. His gaze darkened considerably. “You would defy even your teacher’s command.”

Yu Sheng smiled faintly, a smile devoid of warmth. “As of this moment, he is my teacher no longer.”

“You—!” Xiao Shaobai hadn’t expected such stubbornness. In a flash of anger, he reached to grab her hand.

Zhan Changfeng, who had been watching from the side, flicked her thumb against the sword guard. The blade sprang from its sheath, and the pommel struck his wrist with a sharp crack before the sword sang back into its scabbard.

Xiao Shaobai clutched his tingling, aching wrist and glared venomously at Zhan Changfeng. She replied lazily, “Want to fight?”

Passersby slowed their steps, pointing and whispering in their direction.

“Just you wait!” Xiao Shaobai gave a cold snort and strode away. Jiang Tian shot them a displeased look, then hurried after his brother.

“Brother, why bother getting upset with them? You’ve already made the arrangement with Teacher Qin—it’s not like she gets a say.” Jiang Tian pulled Xiao Shaobai aside and said in a low voice, “If you truly must have her, once the rice is cooked, she’ll have no choice but to accept it.”

Xiao Shaobai sneered. He had never imagined a woman would refuse him, nor had he ever conceived that someone would go so far as to disown her own teacher just to reject him. In that moment, his pride had suffered an unprecedented blow.

“Hmph. What would I want with a wife like that?” Xiao Shaobai said viciously. “She humiliated me today. One day, I’ll repay the favor in front of everyone.”

He would restore the glory of the Xiao family’s noble name. Those who now looked down on him, rejected him, insulted him—they would all pay the price. Thirty years on the east bank of the river, thirty years on the west. Never look down on a young man with nothing to his name!

Jiang Tian consoled him for a while, then rallied his spirits. “I believe in you, brother. Let’s see you put them in their place at the martial exam tournament.”

Xiao Shaobai nodded. “I should thank you for that wolf-leather armour. Its defensive power is extraordinary. With it, I doubt anyone can touch me.”

“Glad you like it. I only came across it by chance.” Jiang Tian clapped him on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s go grab a drink.”

“I’ll pass on the drinking. Better to turn in early tonight and rest.” Xiao Shaobai bid Jiang Tian farewell and went to pick up his sister, Xiao Yiyi.

Xiao Yiyi had been having such a wonderful time that she was reluctant to go home. It wasn’t until they were nearly at the front door that she remembered something from earlier that day. Tilting her small face up, she said, “Brother, a Daoist priest drew talismans on our door. He said they were for warding off evil and catching ghosts.”

“Oh?” Xiao Shaobai’s eyes flickered.

He walked Xiao Yiyi to the front door. “Go rest first. I’m going to find Brother Jiang Tian to discuss something.”

“Okay. Be careful on the road, Brother.”

(End of Chapter)