Rankings on the List

As Wei Tu and the others were speaking.

Outside the prefectural office, several servants who were waiting for their masters in the adjacent alley saw this scene. They quickly gathered around, cupped their fists, and bowed to Wei Tu and the others, inquiring about the important matter that had summoned so many Martial Masters to the office late at night.

"Young Master Fu, is my young master in any danger entering the prefectural office? My master and the First Mistress are still worried."

The leading servant recognized Fu Zhizhou and asked anxiously.

"The Prefect wants to get to know us, the Martial Masters of this year's examination, and build connections."

"Your young master will be out shortly."

Fu Zhizhou exchanged glances with Wei Tu and the others and gave the servant a casual, evasive answer.

Even though they had sternly refused Prefect He and refused to get involved, they dared not reveal anything about the Wu Yun Tower matter carelessly, lest it bring great disaster upon themselves and their clans.

They all understood the principle that secrecy leads to success, and carelessness leads to ruin. Otherwise, they wouldn't have risked offending Prefect He this time and flatly refused.

Hearing this vague reply.

The servants didn't dare to press further, but correspondingly, they felt a bit more at ease. At least... their young masters entering the prefectural office wasn't a dangerous matter.

At this moment, the servants from the families of Fu Zhizhou and the other two, as well as the servant sent by Dan Yangong, also arrived and attended to them.

After telling the servants to go home and report that they were safe, the four of them set off, walking along the main street towards Xuan He Tower.

Half an hour later.

Xuan He Tower.

After several rounds of drinks, with dawn approaching.

Seeing that Wei Tu and the other two were full from drinking and eating, Fu Zhizhou didn't hesitate. He immediately asked the waiter to call the shopkeeper and have him prepare an altar and all the necessary items for their sworn brotherhood.

"They're actually going through with it?" Wei Tu was secretly surprised when he saw this. He hadn't expected Fu Zhizhou to be speaking in earnest, and that he would become sworn brothers with the three of them immediately after leaving the prefectural office.

People at that time valued trust and righteousness.

Especially among Martial Masters, sworn brothers who made a blood oath were closer than blood relatives. Violating the "Oath of the Golden Orchid" would result in public scorn and eternal condemnation.

After all, blood relatives are born, while those who become sworn brothers are people who share common aspirations.

However, this matter had many benefits for Wei Tu himself, so he didn't stop it. Instead, he was happy to see it happen.

Fu Zhizhou and the other two could see the danger of the Wu Yun Tower matter in the prefectural office and had withstood Prefect He's pressure—this undoubtedly proved that Fu Zhizhou and the other two had considerable vision and perseverance.

Furthermore, like him, the three of them were renowned Martial Masters from this year's Dao Examination, ranking high. This indicated their significant potential.

The four of them had similar starting points, shared the same goal, and now had a foundation of trust from resisting Prefect He...

It could be said that no one was more suitable to become sworn brothers and plan for their future together.

A moment later.

In a private room at Xuan He Tower, an altar was set up. On it were placed offerings of three animals, an incense burner, a live chicken, a jar of wine, and a booklet.

The cover of the booklet was inscribed with the three large characters "Golden Orchid Register."

Next.

The four men arranged themselves according to age and seniority.

Among the four, Kou Liang, at twenty-four, was the oldest and was considered the eldest brother by Wei Tu and the other two.

Wei Fei was second in age, at twenty-three, and became the second brother among the four.

Following them were Wei Tu and Fu Zhizhou.

After Fu Zhizhou stated his age, Wei Tu and Wei Fei were somewhat stunned. They hadn't expected that Fu Zhizhou, who had the highest martial arts skill, was not yet twenty years old, only eighteen.

"No wonder he has such youthful spirit," Wei Tu murmured to himself upon seeing this.

"Fourth Brother was already a famous Martial Arts Prodigy in Xiao Yi Prefecture. I originally thought he would participate in the next Martial Arts Examination, but I didn't expect him to participate in this year's examination with me..."

Kou Liang smiled slightly when he saw the expressions of Wei Tu and Wei Fei.

After speaking.

Kou Liang said no more. He took a dagger from his waist, grabbed the wing of the live chicken on the altar, and made a swift cut.

Instantly, the chicken's neck broke, and blood splattered into the wine jar.

Then.

Kou Liang cut his own palm with the knife.

Crimson blood dripped from the tip of the blade into the wine jar.

Afterward, Wei Tu, Wei Fei, and Fu Zhizhou also took the dagger and repeated Kou Liang's actions.

The blood wine in the jar was swirled and poured into four coarse ceramic bowls.

The four of them drank the blood wine together, beginning their blood oath and reciting the vows.

"We four are sworn brothers here today, with Heaven above and Earth as witness..."

"…to become sworn brothers, entrusting our lives to each other, aiding in fortune and misfortune, sharing in hardship…"

The vows were recited, sentence by sentence.

The four men, in order, addressed each other with respect and named their newly formed alliance the "Righteous Society."

The name "Righteous Society" was proposed by Wei Tu and met with unanimous approval from Kou Liang, Wei Fei, and Fu Zhizhou.

As the words fell silent.

At that very moment.

The sky outside the window brightened.

"The results are out."

"The results for this year's Martial Arts Examination's Dao Examination are out."

Outside Xuan He Tower, the crowd suddenly buzzed. Many Martial Masters emerged from their rooms, excitedly heading towards the Martial Examination Hall to check the rankings.

"Congratulations to Martial Master Fu for achieving the position of Second Place, second overall in this year's Martial Arts Examination, a First-Class Martial Scholar…"

At this moment, the manager of Xuan He Tower knocked on the private room door and congratulated Fu Zhizhou from outside.

Xuan He Tower was a renowned establishment in Qing Feng Prefecture, offering comprehensive services. Beyond the basic accommodation and dining, it also provided services to scholars and Martial Masters for checking examination results.

Two hours prior, Fu Zhizhou had paid a sum of money, entrusting Xuan He Tower with the task of checking the results.

Therefore, after the results were posted and Fu Zhizhou's ranking was known, the manager of Xuan He Tower immediately stopped his work and came to the private room where Wei Tu and the other three were to offer his congratulations.

"Congratulations, Fourth Brother."

"You've passed the Dao Examination, achieving Second Place and becoming a First-Class Martial Scholar."

Wei Tu and the others offered their congratulations.

Although they had already known that Fu Zhizhou had performed well in the Dao Examination, now that his ranking was official, it was still a cause for celebration.

"I just wonder about us…"

Wei Fei's face showed a hint of worry.

He didn't believe Prefect He had the power to interfere with the Dao Examination results, but what if? What if he didn't pass this year's Martial Arts Examination and lost his chance at an official career…

Hearing this.

Wei Tu also felt a flicker of unease.

"Don't worry."

"Prefect He wouldn't dare to act rashly. Officials like him seek stability. Even if he had the ability to alter the Dao Examination results, he wouldn't dare."

Fu Zhizhou's smile faded as he comforted his three newly recognized sworn brothers.

"Manager, please slow down." Just then, the voice of a waiter from Xuan He Tower sounded from outside.

The waiter, out of breath, said, "I haven't finished announcing the rankings for the guests in Heavenly Room Number Three yet."

"What?"

"The other three also made it onto the Dao Examination rankings?"

The manager of Xuan He Tower's expression showed surprise. He didn't voice his thoughts, but his facial expression revealed them.

The Dao Examination was no easy feat. It was already a stroke of luck for one person among the four to be selected, let alone a second.

"The guests in Heavenly Room Number Three are all on the Dao Examination rankings posted at the Martial Examination Hall."

The waiter quickly replied.

Then, he announced the rankings of Wei Tu and the other two.

"Martial Master Wei Tu, twelfth place in this year's Martial Arts Examination, a Second-Class Martial Scholar."

"Kou Liang… seventeenth place in this year's Martial Arts Examination, a Second-Class Martial Scholar."

"Wei Fei… thirty-fourth place in this year's Martial Arts Examination, a Third-Class Martial Scholar."