Provincial Examination (3)

"Yin Six, Grade A Top!"

The petty clerk was stunned for a long moment before announcing it in a drawn-out tone.

After finishing the announcement, he stared at the young man before him with the gaze of someone examining a monster.

While achieving Grade A Top in the first round was excellent, it wasn't enough to make him lose his composure like this. What was truly terrifying was that there were no signs of Blood Essence surging through the young man's body at all.

He didn't use heat power!

How was this possible?!

"He used forbidden medicine!!"

A roar filled with jealousy and hatred erupted from the back rows.

The petty clerk and the crowd turned to look, only to see a young martial artist in a brocade outfit pushing through the crowd, moving forward with all his might.

That martial artist in brocade was none other than Sun Li.

This former follower of Qi Yu had, since switching allegiance to Qi Feng, resolved to completely sever ties with his old master. Not to mention, he had already sworn a poisonous oath before the matriarch.

Seeing the petty clerk's gaze, Sun Li pointed directly at Qi Yu and said with conviction, "Your subordinate, Sun Li, implores the superior officer to investigate!

This person's name is Qi Yu. He is a well-known dandy in the east of the city, who spends his days frequenting taverns and brothels. He only reluctantly began practicing martial arts last winter!

It took him a full month just to reach Ninth Rank. His performance today must be due to him taking a potent medicine to temporarily boost his strength!

This matter has already spread throughout the east of the city and is known to everyone! I hope the superior officer will investigate thoroughly!"

The petty clerk's expression darkened, and his voice turned cold, "Accusations require responsibility... If no evidence is found, you will receive fifty military rods in public, your demerits will be recorded, and you will be permanently disqualified from participating in the examinations. Even if you pass this time, your achievements will be void."

Sun Li said, "It is absolutely true, not a single word is false!"

The petty clerk asked, "Can you bear the consequences?"

Sun Li hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth, looked at Qi Yu in the distance, and shouted sternly, "Qi Yu! You used forbidden medicine yourself, and you still won't admit it?! Last year, when I went to your manor, I smelled the scent of a secret medicine. A little investigation would reveal it. If you confess now, you might receive a lighter punishment!"

Qi Yu's gaze swept over him calmly. He then looked at the petty clerk and said, "I did not use any medicine."

The petty clerk said impatiently, "Sun Li, are you willing to bear the consequences?"

Sun Li's breathing quickened, his fists clenched. He hardened his heart and said, "I am willing to bear them!"

Qi Yu's current level would surely allow him to enter the third round.

If he could just use this opportunity to prevent Qi Yu from taking the exam by causing a scene, he would have rendered a great service, and his master's family would not treat him unfairly in the future.

What's more, he had already gone too far to turn back.

Seeing that Sun Li was willing to take responsibility, the petty clerk turned his head and whispered a few words to his deputy beside him.

The deputy immediately turned and quickly ran towards the distant platform.

Besides the chief examiner on the platform, there were also two deputy examiners.

Although the three belonged to different factions, they were all officials.

The chief examiner, Mei Ying, was an inspector sent by the higher authorities to Mount Wei City. He wore a dark green official robe, had a gaunt face, and his eyes were calm.

The deputy examiners, Fang Jiang and Zheng Bao, one a scholar and the other a martial artist, were both confidantes of the City Lord's mansion.

Fang Jiang wore an elegant blue robe and had a gentle demeanor.

Zheng Bao, on the other hand, was dressed in a black martial outfit, was burly and imposing, exuding authority without anger.

Upon hearing the petty clerk's report, the three exchanged brief glances.

Fang Jiang stroked his beard and chuckled, speaking first. He praised, "Achieving Grade A Top in the first round without using heat power, this young man is truly a rough diamond, remarkable!"

As for the matter of using forbidden medicine, he completely ignored it.

It was a simple logic...

If he had used forbidden medicine, would he let you know?

Besides, if he was naturally capable, he wouldn't need forbidden medicine to pass the exam; if he wasn't naturally capable, even with forbidden medicine, he wouldn't be able to achieve Grade A Top without using heat power.

Furthermore, such forbidden medicine was both rare and had endless hidden dangers, even damaging one's potential. To use it forcefully was akin to destroying one's own future.

Anyone with discerning eyes could see that this was a ploy from an internal family struggle.

The chief examiner, Mei Ying, suddenly asked, "Yin Six, who is it?"

The petty clerk bowed and replied, "Reporting to Your Excellency, I heard his name is Qi Yu."

"Qi Yu?"

Mei Ying looked around.

Mei Ying's gaze swept over the two beside him. Every year, Eighth Rank martial artists appeared like fish crossing a river; he naturally couldn't remember everyone.

"Lord Fang, Lord Zheng, have you heard of this young man?"

Zheng Bao and Fang Jiang exchanged glances and both shook their heads.

Mei Ying nodded slightly and looked at the petty clerk, "Go and find out clearly."

A moment later...

The clerk quickly returned and bowed, reporting, "Your Excellencies, it has been confirmed that Qi Yu is the only son of the third branch of the Qi Family."

A brief silence fell upon the stage.

Zheng Bao's eyes darted around, and he suddenly slammed his hand on the desk in front of him, making the teacups clink. "The misuse of forbidden drugs is no small matter! Since there is a formal accusation, the two should be brought down immediately for a thorough interrogation! Otherwise, what rules are left to follow?"

Fang Jiang tidied his sleeves and said with a gentle smile, "Brother Zheng, in my opinion, the accuser should be punished even more severely. If one can be slandered with impunity due to a little jealousy of talent, and it delays a true talent from taking the exam, the future of our Mount Wei City is worrying."

Zheng Bao's thick eyebrows knitted. "Brother Fang, what do you mean by that?"

Fang Jiang smiled and said no more.

Seeing his calm expression, Zheng Bao recalled past discussions in the manor and felt it was better to listen to the scholars. He then remained silent.

Seeing this, Fang Jiang turned to the main seat. "Lord Mei, this subordinate believes..."

Before he could finish, Mei Ying raised his hand to interrupt, his face stern. He continued Fang Jiang's words, "Do you think this Provincial Examination hall is like the official circles where you discuss matters in your City Lord's manor?"

Fang Jiang was taken aback.

Mei Ying said, "Let them proceed with the exam as usual. After the end, we will invite an Apothecary to verify if they used any drugs."

With that, he waved his hand.

The clerk withdrew directly.

Mei Ying looked in Zheng Bao's direction and asked, "Lord Zheng, was it your arrangement for the military cudgels?"

Zheng Bao replied, "Yes."

Mei Ying said indifferently, "If Qi Yu did not use forbidden drugs... fifty military cudgels. Make them feel it."

Zheng Bao hesitated slightly and lowered his voice, "The City Lord is currently trying to win over Commandant Qi of the Poison Water Army. That boy who made the accusation is probably his man..."

Mei Ying said indifferently, "What does that have to do with me? Mount Wei City is under the jurisdiction of our Sect. Selecting talents for the Sect is my duty."

Seeing Zheng Bao fall silent, Mei Ying pressed, "Lord Zheng, is it not possible to administer the punishment?"

Zheng Bao quickly forced a smile. "Lord Mei is joking. If it is truly a false accusation, fifty military cudgels, not one less."

Mei Ying said plainly, "Then let me be even clearer."

A cold glint flashed in his eyes. "After fifty blows, I do not wish to see him stand up again. Lest we chill the hearts of our prodigies."

"Prodigies? Him? Lord Mei, perhaps... you are overpraising him?" Zheng Bao's brows were tightly furrowed, and a hint of displeasure appeared on his face. He had always disliked being directly commanded like this.

Fang Jiang, standing beside them, quickly smoothed things over with a smile. "Listen to Lord Mei, listen to Lord Mei."

Zheng Bao took a deep breath, turned his head away, his face showing unconcealed anger, but he dared not say more.

It was true that he was the City Lord's confidant, but Mei Ying was an inspector from the higher Sect.

A higher rank could crush a lower one.

What else could he say?

After the clerk returned, he said in a clear voice, "The adults have ordered that the examination proceed as usual."

Sun Li's face turned pale, and he said anxiously, "Then... what about the matter of the forbidden drugs?"

The clerk replied, "The adults said it will be investigated after the test."

Sun Li became anxious. "I am from the Sun family in the east of the city. I guarantee that he definitely..."

The clerk impatiently interrupted, "If you dare to cause further disturbance, you will be immediately expelled from the examination hall!"

Sun Li opened his mouth, but ultimately did not dare to speak again.

Qi Yu coldly glanced at the extremely anxious follower from before. He looked at the "21~34" above his head, then at his own "38.8~63.5". He said nothing and headed towards the wooden and iron puppet array area for the second round of the examination.

Five out of the first six people had passed, indicating a relatively high pass rate, which was typical for the first round.

Qi Yu continued to queue, observing the wooden and iron puppet arrays before him.

The rotating wooden stakes stirred up the wind with a whistling sound, fast but with slightly less power; the iron puppets moved with a dull sound of metal friction, slightly slower but with immense force.

He watched the formations, pondering in his heart.

If he were a martial artist without roots or backing, he would most likely maintain a middle ground, not too high nor too low, and finally achieve a ranking in the third round, passing the test.

But he was not.

His father had even released Uncle Yan, a fugitive, to teach him the Hunyuan Contending Force at the risk of his life. The first and third branches had already joined forces to help him sort out information...

At this point, how could he possibly continue to lower his head and silently endure injustice and suppression?

The first round of assessment continued.

Sun Li was Yin Twenty-Five.

When it was his turn, he gritted his teeth and directly chose the Twelve Force Bow, then drew it.

His arm veins bulged, his face flushed red.

But... the bow didn't budge.

He took a deep breath, let out a low growl, and forcefully activated Blood Burst. His Blood Essence left his body by an inch, and just as he was nearing his limit, the Twelve Force Bow was slowly drawn back.

He held it for a breath before quickly releasing it.

Thwack!

The bowstring snapped back, making a dull sound.

Sun Li, still catching his breath, walked over to the stone lock area. His gaze flickered between the 700-jin and 600-jin locks for a moment before he finally reached out and grabbed the slightly smaller one.

A moment later...

The clerk announced, "Yin twenty-five, Grade A Middle."

Sun Li let out a sigh of relief, excitement showing on his face. His goal was to place somewhat in the third round, which would allow him to join the Poison Water Army more easily.

He steadied himself and silently walked towards the queue for the next round.

His eyes swept over his former "master" at the front of the line. Recalling the difficulty he'd just had testing the Twelve Force Bow, his heart settled a little. He thought to himself, I had to use Blood Burst with all my might just to barely draw it. That good-for-nothing is so stupid, he can't even pretend. If he could do it so easily, how could he not have taken forbidden drugs?