Scripture of Days Past

On this day, all the businesses on the street beside the examination venue had put up auspicious banners, and many street vendors were selling talismans for fortune and prosperity. At the same time, many examinees could be seen kneeling and praying before portraits of the Profound Origin Dao Lord.

Inside the courtyard, Chen Gang was helping Chu Qiguang prepare items such as writing brushes and inkstones, all of which would be used during the written test that day.

The written test in the martial examination was nothing more than a formality, but it still had to be completed. If one couldn't pass even such a simple writing test, then they wouldn't be able to earn the wusheng title no matter how formidable they were as a martial artist. Furthermore, the regulations were very strict, and anyone caught cheating would be banned from taking part in future martial examinations for life.

Chen Gang handed a box of stationary supplies to Chu Qiguang and said, "That should be everything, Brother Chu. I've checked the contents several times already."

Chu Qiguang made his way to the venue with his box of supplies, then lined up outside. There were only around fifty people in total who had progressed to the manor test. Clearly, all the spots had been monopolized by the wealthy clans in the counties, and those that were poor could only curry favor with those clans if they wanted any chance of taking part in the martial examination.

All of a sudden, a thought occurred to Chu Qiguang. Perhaps outside of demonification, martial arts and Dao arts are the biggest obstacles to the development of this world.

Chu Qiguang noticed one particular person in the line. He stood like a sore thumb because he was clearly the youngest of everyone present, but he had a very arrogant demeanor, standing with his arms crossed as if he owned the place.

The boy was none other than the thirteen-year-old Jiang Longyu.

While standing in the line, Jiang Longyu shook his head and complained, "I really don't get why we have to secure the wusheng title first before we can become wujuren. Why isn't there an option to take the wujuren examination directly? Doesn't this feel like a complete waste of time to all of you?"

Looking at the awkward expressions on everyone's faces, Chu Qiguang could see that Qiao Zhi certainly hadn't been exaggerating about Jiang Longyu's arrogance.

Jiang Longyu seemed to be completely unaware of this, and he was sipping from a cup of water handed to him by a servant as he continued, "The spirit water in the feng shui pond on Ancestral Dragon Mountain is great in every way, but it's just a little too bitter. I still can't get used to the taste." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Ancestral Dragon Mountain was home to the imperial garden, and the spirit veins in the mountain were directly connected to the feng shui formation of the entire capital city. Throughout history, the spirit water on the mountain had only been available to the imperial clan to drink.

"That's enough bragging from you, Jiang Longyu! Just line up and be quiet!"

The one who had spoken was Chen Yuebai, who came from the Chen Clan of Past Sun County. This was the same Chen Clan that had invested large sums of money into competing against the Wu Clan and Chu Qiguang in the cotton trade, and Chen Yuebai was also one of the examinees who had openly declared that he was going to cripple Chu Qiguang during the martial examination.

"How am I bragging?" Jiang Longyu asked in exasperation. "Do you think I want to be drinking this stuff? I'm only drinking this because my master makes me. He decides everything I eat and drink every day, as well as the pills I take and the ointments I use. I don't get a say in any of it! On top of that, I'm constantly under tremendous pressure.

"My master invests tens of thousands of taels of silver into me every single year, so everything I do has to be related to martial arts cultivation. Honestly, I'm really envious of all of you. I wish I could also spend my days in mediocrity without having to worry about anything."

Chen Yuebai gritted his teeth and averted his gaze in a frustrated silence.

As Jiang Longyu continued bragging nonstop, the surrounding examinees were clearly becoming more and more agitated, but none of them dared to rebuke him. Finally, it was Jiang Longyu's turn to enter the venue. There was a rule against speaking inside, and all the examinees heaved a collective sigh of relief once he was gone.

When it was Chu Qiguang's turn, one of the examiners verified his identity, while the other examined his clothes and supplies. After that, an exorcism was performed on him by the Daoist priests of the Heavenly Master Religion.

The examinees were then led to a plaza inside the venue, where rows of tables had already been arranged. After all of the examinees had taken their seats, the examiners began handing out the test papers. Before long, the start of the written test was announced, and even the most arrogant and lackadaisical young masters in their daily lives were taking the test very seriously, staring at their test papers with solemn expressions.

The only exception was Jiang Longyu, who began writing casually, barely even bothering to read the questions. Given his status as one of the Eight Han Resurgence Generals, no one would dare to fail him in the written examination.

After around an hour, Chu Qiguang had already answered all the questions, so he spent the rest of the allotted time carefully checking his answers.

Fortunately, he had been practicing his calligraphy every day over the past few months. While his handwriting still wasn't exceptional, at the very least, his test paper wasn't going to be thrown in the trash right away by the examiners.

As the examinees walked out of the venue, they immediately began gathering in groups to discuss their answers. Chu Qiguang and Jiang Longyu were the ones left alone.

No one wanted to be around Chu Qiguang because of his terrible reputation, while any attempt to speak to or interact with Jiang Longyu would surely end in frustration and exasperation. Jiang Longyu could hardly care less. In his eyes, all the other examinees were mediocre trash, and there was no point in getting to know any of them.

***

After returning to his room, Chu Qiguang spent the rest of the day cultivating once again.

The next morning, five massive circular sparring platforms had been set up on the plaza in front of the examination venue. The examinees were raring to go, and at least a dozen of them were casting malicious glances in Chu Qiguang's direction.

There were also several hundred spectators present. According to the rules established by the Great Han Empire's founding emperor, outsiders were permitted to spectate these battles. On one hand, this would promote the martial culture in the empire, and on the other hand, the people could serve as witnesses to ensure that the battles were officiated fairly.

Hao Yongtai and Hao Xiangtong had claimed a window-side booth in a nearby restaurant, giving them a clear view of the platforms.

"I didn't think Jiang Longyu would also be here," Hao Yongtai said, a hint of excitement in his eyes. "Given his martial arts aptitude, he should be a shoo-in for the top spot."

Even though Hao Yongtai's aptitude in martial arts wasn't all that exceptional, he really enjoyed watching battles between other martial artists, and he was particularly excited to see Jiang Longyu in action.

Hao Xiangtong was also eager to spectate, but her attention was focused on someone else.