Evacuation Plan

Evacuation Plan

Meanwhile, in the main tent outside Qingshan Town.

A sand table had already been laid out on the redwood table. Proctor Shen Chun was adjusting the flag placements according to the intelligence continuously arriving from town.

"The other side looks like a hornet's nest. Did something happen?" Following that deep, booming question, Ba Xingtian and the short inspector entered the tent—these past few days, the two came to inspect every afternoon and never had their subordinates announce them. Shen Chun had long grown used to it. Just as he was about to bow and answer, a large hand stopped him.

Ba Xingtian studied the sand table for a while before letting out an interested "Oh." "They've discovered where they are?"

"Reporting to my lord, yes."

"Not bad, not bad. It's only the fifth day—nearly two days faster than last time, twelve years ago." The Sentinel nodded approvingly.

"Why twelve years ago?" the other man asked. "The Scholar Examination comes around once every three years. Even if the Qingshan Array is special, it should be held once every six years."

Although Shen Chun already knew that his superior was especially tolerant of this young man, considering the difference in their ranks, the man's bluntness and casual manner still made him secretly click his tongue in amazement. Yet he wanted to know the answer as well, so he pretended nothing had happened and continued arranging the sand table.

"Because the pass rate was too low that time, so those above had no choice but to suspend one session."

"The pass rate was too low?"

"My memory isn't very good. I believe over a hundred and forty people took the examination, but only nine passed in the end." Ba Xingtian smiled. "Back then, the Bureau of Military Affairs went to great lengths to keep the overall admission rate at around fifty percent."

Shen Chun could not help raising his brows. This was the first time he had heard this inside story. It meant that the pass rates at the other examination sites had been greatly raised, indirectly benefiting those candidates outside the Qingshan Array. Come to think of it, he himself seemed to have been one of those who passed twelve years ago. Could it have been because he had basked in this place's light?

"Wouldn't that be unfair?" the short man questioned.

"Scholar Examination sites adapt to local conditions. How could every one of them possibly be the same?" Ba Xingtian shook his head. "Where there are difficult ones, there will naturally be easier ones. Of course, the Bureau also takes this into account when assigning positions. Sorcerers who come out of the Qingshan Array start a cut above those from other places."

"Oh? That is one way to handle it."

"Besides, the low pass rate was not the only reason this place skipped a session. In truth, unnecessary losses were another key reason." Ba Xingtian stroked his beard, seeming somewhat wistful. "That year, more than thirty candidates were lost here. That had already exceeded the normal range. At other examination sites, they might have all become outstanding sorcerers. It was the Bureau of Military Affairs' failing. Of course, history will not repeat itself this year."

More than thirty... the loss rate had actually reached twenty percent? Shen Chun's heart gave a jolt. Even after all these years, was Great Desolation Evil Night in Qingshan still so threatening? No wonder the Bureau of Military Affairs had set up so many Demon-Sealing Stakes throughout the town. The suspension six years ago had likely been to test their effects, and only after ensuring everything was foolproof had they resumed using this site.

"How many do you estimate will pass this time?" the short man asked Shen Chun.

"That depends on how many hiding places they can discover," he hurriedly answered. "Some sealed entrances will fade away as time passes. The longer they hold out, the greater their chances. According to the plan, if every location is put to use, we can ensure one hundred candidates pass. Considering it is impossible for every site to be found, the final result should be around seventy or eighty."

"Looks like our efforts were not in vain." Ba Xingtian stroked his beard in satisfaction. "One major reason problems arose last time was the lack of guidance. Most candidates only realized Great Desolation Evil Night existed on the final night, and in their panic, all sorts of incidents occurred."

"My lord is right." Shen Chun naturally knew the Sentinel was referring to the Bureau personnel disguised as townsfolk, trading information with the candidates—they could not only influence the course of the examination, but also obtain firsthand intelligence from town to provide grounds for the proctors' evaluations. "Such an examination site is also closer to a real environment. The person who proposed it was undoubtedly a genius."

"Yet there is still something strange." Ba Xingtian pointed to the broken bridge on the sand table. "Each candidate or group should have received different amounts of information, but why do these people seem to be acting as if they all know?"

"According to my subordinates' reports, Luo Qingqing of the Luo Family voluntarily told every candidate about her discoveries." Shen Chun took out a slip of paper and handed it to the Sentinel. "Not only that, the current evacuation is also being organized entirely by Luo Qingqing."

"Is that so?" The latter scanned it swiftly, then threw back his head and laughed. "The younger generation is to be feared! She is already treating herself as a sorcerer of the Bureau of Military Affairs, handling a local Evil Spirit incident!"

"Indeed. This person is bound to have a promising future." Shen Chun also revealed a smile of appreciation for talent. "This Scholar Examination, she has an eighty or ninety percent chance of taking first place."

The inspector did not smile. He took the slip and silently read it for a while. "The Luo Family..."

"What, dissatisfied?" Ba Xingtian grinned. "It has been a long time since I have seen a little girl with such strong initiative. The Bureau of Military Affairs does not lack people proficient in Sorcery Arts or powerful in battle. What it lacks are people who can take the lead and plan. If she goes to the Capital Region, I guarantee every side will scramble to claim her. You should think it over carefully. Opportunities to enjoy the moon first from a waterside pavilion are rare."

Think it over... think over what? What exactly was Lord Sentinel talking about? Shen Chun faintly sensed something was off. Why was his immediate superior saying such things to an inspector far below him in rank?

"But if she is a child of an influential family..." The short man put down the slip and picked up the roster from the table again, flipping through it once more—this time, he simply skipped the first dozen or so pages and began with the Sanmen section. "Proctor Shen, Ma Ruxue... what do you think of her?"

"She is very skilled at gathering clues. Her proficiency in Sorcery Arts is unknown. Judging from her current performance, she will very likely choose to withdraw." As Shen Chun answered, he secretly observed the other man. He could tell that the inspector seemed quite prejudiced against children of influential families and appeared to favor Sanmen candidates. But the problem was that these influential families had originally grown and taken shape by relying on the Bureau of Military Affairs; they were far removed from true aristocratic clans. As a Bureau official, his attitude was truly rather strange.

After asking about several people in a row, the other man suddenly gave a soft "Eh?"

"Didn't you say this fellow would be eliminated soon? Why is he still in town... and not only has his money multiplied several times over, he has even obtained the Source of Spirit Fire?"

Shen Chun narrowed his eyes and looked over, discovering that the person the short man indicated was Xia Fan.

"This man's luck is indeed quite good. According to the compiled intelligence, he gathered quite a bit of silver from eliminated candidates and survived the early crisis of being kicked out. As for that bottle of Spirit Fire, it is still unclear how he obtained it. But... aside from luck, he has not shown much else that stands out."

"You don't think he can pass?"

"Yes. A major criterion in the examination is negotiation ability, yet the only person close to him is a fellow townsman. The fewer people one joins hands with, the lower one's ability to withstand risk. Especially in a high-risk event like Great Desolation Evil Night, the odds of one person making it through safely are infinitesimal. Of course, there is also a strong chance he will withdraw alongside the other candidates. That would not be an unwise choice either."

At this point, Shen Chun secretly sighed. He had to admit that this candidate named Xia Fan was rather strange. When he only had five taels of silver, he spent money like flowing water, but after scraping together more than twenty taels, he had instead become cautious. If he scattered that silver around and drew more candidates into a team, his ranking would not be what it was now.

The short man flipped through several more pages before finally losing patience. He tossed the roster back onto the table and patted the silver mask on his face. "An influential family, then... better than nothing."

For some reason, Shen Chun actually felt relieved.

Suddenly, the other man braced both hands against the table and leaned forward sharply. "Right, I nearly forgot to ask—Proctor Shen, have you noticed any signs these past few days that someone might be the Listener?"

Shen Chun involuntarily took a step back. "N-no... of course not. If this subordinate discovered any clues, I would definitely report them to the two inspectors at the first opportunity!"

"Ah, is that so?" The short man withdrew his hands as though his interest had waned, then said to Ba Xingtian, "Lord Ba, I have no more questions."

The latter nodded and walked out of the main tent beside him, leaving behind only the utterly baffled proctor.

For a long time, Shen Chun could not understand why, when the other man asked that question, his tone had not carried a reminder or warning, but rather a trace of... anticipation?

"Senior Sister, this is the list for tomorrow's evacuation. I filled it in according to the order they reported."

Luo You'er placed a sheet filled with names before Luo Qingqing.

"Thank you for your hard work. Remember, tomorrow morning, you must make sure they leave town in this order. The most important thing in a matter like this—"

"Is order. I won't forget." Luo You'er interrupted her. "You've said it so many times already."

"That is good, then." Luo Qingqing said helplessly.

"Then keep busy. I won't disturb you." Her junior sister smiled and left the bedroom.

She rubbed the corners of her slightly aching eyes, rose, and turned up the wick. The firelight in the room immediately brightened considerably, while outside the window, it was already pitch-black.

The Wooden Kite assembly had not gone smoothly today. Perhaps because it had been stored for too long, several problems had appeared in the framework, though none of them ultimately affected its use. To be safe, she had decided to postpone the launch until tomorrow morning. As long as there was no strong wind or heavy rain, it should not be difficult to carry people and ropes across the distance of less than five zhang.

Of course, flying across was only the beginning. To send so many candidates out of town, a few Wooden Kites would never be enough. They had to use hemp ropes to make a simple "bridge" themselves. Such a rope bridge certainly could not bear much weight, so the number of people stepping onto it each time had to be strictly controlled. There were also matters of timing and handling unforeseen incidents... it could be said that the planning, preparation, and execution this operation required were utterly different from the small-scale antics of the past.

As the initiator, she absolutely could not make a single mistake.

It seemed she would have to go without sleep tonight.

Luo Qingqing gave a bitter smile, but then felt somewhat reassured—at least tonight, she would not have to worry about someone secretly slipping into her bedroom after she fell asleep.

To be honest, when she discovered that her room had been invaded that morning, her heart had once plunged into an ice cellar.

Fortunately, the intruder had not truly done anything to her. Otherwise, she really would not have known what to do next.

It also meant that for some time now, whenever Luo Qingqing closed her eyes, the other person's appearance would involuntarily surface in her mind.

She knew it was merely a lingering impression, something her mind could only slowly forget. Perhaps staying awake tonight would be easier instead.

Once that person withdrew from Qingshan Town and the examination continued, perhaps this matter could finally be considered over. As for the future, Luo Qingqing was not worried—she did not think she and that person would ever cross paths again.

Just then, someone knocked outside.

"What is it?" she asked as she returned to her seat.

"Someone wants to see you." Luo You'er poked her head in and said.

"Didn't I say that anyone who came looking for us should be sent to Senior Brother Luo Fengqing?" Luo Qingqing frowned.

Her junior sister looked troubled. "This person is rather special, and he said he only wants to speak with you."

"Who?"

"Xia Fan," Luo You'er said.