Martial Sage from the Vajra Skill

"The Martial Arts Examination is just a sea of people, nothing but a massive crowd. What’s there to see? I’m sick of it." Xu the Second tried his best to put on a disdainful expression.

Xu Lan nodded. "I’ve heard it’s no fun when it’s crowded, too, but Ah Yang is participating in the examination, so we can’t miss it. Second Uncle, you’d better hurry and wash your face, or we’ll be late."

Xu the Second was stunned.

’That unfilial whelp, Xu Yang, is actually going to participate in the Martial Arts Examination.’

Having seen it a few times with Zhang Cuiting, he knew a fair bit about the Martial Arts Examination. Many people practiced martial arts, but few were skilled enough to participate in the examination.

Anyone who could participate in the Martial Arts Examination was already considered a big shot in Qingyuan County. In the future, they might even be able to establish a Noble Family. The Huang Family, founded by Zhou Shunchang, had supposedly started that very way.

’If only I had known...’

A sharp, twisting pain seized Xu the Second’s chest. If he hadn’t been so heartless back then, he wouldn’t be living in a cowshed today.

"By the way, I heard your other son is participating in the examination too."

As if she hadn’t noticed Xu the Second’s strange reaction, Xu Lan brought up another matter.

For two of his sons to be participating in the Martial Arts Examination at the same time, Xu the Second was truly one of a kind in Bai Shi Workshop.

’That little bastard is actually in the Martial Arts Examination too.’

Xu the Second’s face was utterly grim; he knew Xu Lan was talking about Yang Jun.

"Second Uncle, are you going or not?" Xu Lan pressed.

"I’m not going!"

His face dark, Xu the Second turned and went into the cowshed.

...

The Martial Arts Examination was Qingyuan County’s grandest biannual event. Years ago, the Government Office had built a massive drill ground to host it, complete with viewing platforms for which they charged a fee.

Early in the morning, people were already arriving to stake out the best spots. Vendors also seized the opportunity to set up stalls, selling all sorts of snacks and street food.

By the time Xu Yang arrived with Xu Qing, Xu Lan, and Zhou Hui, the place was already a sea of people.

He bought the three of them some sunflower seeds, then used his participant’s token to find them a decent viewing spot.

"Brother, you’re going to do great!"

As Xu Yang was about to leave, Xu Qing suddenly called out.

"Ah Yang will definitely earn a title."

Zhou Hui and Xu Lan chimed in as well.

"Yeah."

Xu Yang nodded, turned, and strode away.

Becoming a Martial Scholar would be as easy as turning over his hand. His real goal was Dragon Ascension.

After showing his participant’s token, he smoothly entered the inner area.

The drill ground, spanning several thousand square meters, had been set up with four arenas and a massive proctor’s stage.

It was Xu Yang’s first time seeing the County Magistrate of Qingyuan County—a portly, complacent-looking middle-aged man. He sat enthroned in the center of the proctor’s stage, clad in official robes, flanked by the various officials of Qingyuan County, the Martial Arts Hall Masters, and the examiners.

Below the high stage, the contestants who had already arrived stood in four silent rows.

Xu Yang handed over his token and was directed by a junior official to a spot at the back of one of the lines.

"Ling’er, which one is Xu Yang? Let us see this toad who’s lusting after swan meat."

On a viewing platform near the inner area, Huang Ling’er sat with several young ladies from wealthy families. One of them had suddenly asked to see Xu Yang.

Her question was met with a chorus of agreement.

The story of Huang Ling’er going to Weiyuan Hall to warn off Xu Yang hadn’t caused much of a stir there, but it had spread like wildfire through the circles of high-society young ladies.

Everyone knew the tale: a mud-legged commoner, trying to latch onto the Huang Family, had shamelessly approached Huang Ping to ask for a marriage alliance, only for Huang Ling’er to show up at his door and reject him personally.

After all, the fate of most of these young ladies was to be married off in alliances for their families’ sake, often to commoners who had clawed their way up from the mud. It was only natural they’d pay close attention to such a story.

An awkward expression flickered across Huang Ling’er’s face at their words. Pointing, she said, "That’s Xu Yang."

"I can’t see him!"

one of the girls said. From their angle, they could only see Xu Yang in profile, not a clear view of his face.

"I got a glimpse of him earlier, he’s quite handsome. I’m surprised you weren’t interested, Ling’er," said the girl who had first asked.

Huang Ling’er’s expression turned to one of disdain. "What’s so great about a pretty face? I, Huang Ling’er, will only marry a true prodigy, someone who can achieve Dragon Ascension."

After her older sister had been sullied by Jade Butterfly, Lu Ren had broken off their engagement. Huang Ling’er had originally hoped to marry Lu Ren herself, but the Gu Family made him a better offer. Lu Ren was set on leaving, otherwise she would have been the one to marry him.

"His talent can’t be bad if he can participate in the Martial Arts Examination. How could you still look down on him, Ling’er?" one girl asked, her expression full of doubt.

’The Huang Family is nothing special—even their Patriarch is only at Qi Gathering Great Success. How could a girl from the second branch dare to look down on a Martial Artist who can qualify for the Martial Arts Examination?’

"I just don’t think he’s good enough, what’s so strange about that?" Huang Ling’er said, her tone a bit evasive.

"Hush, it’s starting!"

At that very moment, the examination began, and everyone’s attention was drawn to the field.

Huang Ling’er breathed a secret sigh of relief. She had managed to gloss over it. If they had kept talking, she was afraid they would have guessed the truth.

In fact, ever since Xu Yang reached Qi Gathering Great Success, many people had started to suspect that *she* was the one who had been rejected. It would be perfectly normal for a talent like Xu Yang to look down on *her*; the possibility of him actively seeking her hand only to be rejected by the Huang Family was close to zero.

No matter how much Huang Ling’er disliked Xu Yang, the Huang Family wouldn’t have indulged her whims in such a matter.

’This is as far as you go, you mud-legged commoner. Even my uncle said this is your limit,’ Huang Ling’er thought.

If Xu Yang were to achieve Dragon Ascension, any fool would know she had been the one rejected. A prodigy capable of Dragon Ascension would never proactively seek out a girl from the second branch of a minor house; only a daughter from the main line of one of the Four Great Clans would be worthy of him.

Next to the arenas was an open area sectioned into four squares, corresponding to Groups A, B, C, and D.

As if fated to be associated with the letter "C," Xu Yang was assigned to Group C. Also in his group were three other disciples from Weiyuan Hall: Zhang Yong, Zhang Hong, and Sun Tao.