Martial Examination Champion!

After the two finished speaking, Lu Wei drew her Long Sword and thrust it at Zhou Yonghua.

Zhou Yonghua wasted no words either. He immediately drew his long saber to block her.

Clang, clang, clang!

The blade and sword clashed rapidly as the two figures darted back and forth across the arena.

For a time, the arena was filled with nothing but flashing blades and flickering swordlight.

As the fight wore on, Zhou Yonghua's breathing grew more and more labored, and the rhythm of the battle began to slip out of his control.

There was no helping it. Zhou Yonghua had not only been injured in his earlier fight with Li Yi, but had also expended a great deal of his Internal Force.

Now he had to face a martial arts prodigy of Lu Wei's caliber. Of course, he was at a disadvantage.

But even at a disadvantage, Zhou Yonghua would not give up easily.

The two fought for another fifty exchanges, until Zhou Yonghua could no longer hold on.

If they continued, he might damage his foundations. So Zhou Yonghua knocked Lu Wei back with a saber strike, then called out, "Miss Lu, you win this match!"

Lu Wei raised an eyebrow slightly, then cupped her fists in a salute. "Young Master Zhou, you were too kind. But I won't take this result to heart. Once you've fully recovered, come challenge me again!"

Zhou Yonghua nodded. "Good! Next time, I'll give Miss Lu everything I've got!"

With that, Zhou Yonghua jumped down from the arena and headed toward the rest area. As he passed Lu Feng, though, a flicker of hostility crossed his eyes.

As a Grandmaster Realm expert, Lu Feng sensed the man's animosity at once. But his expression remained calm, and he made no move in response.

With that match over, it was finally Lu Feng's turn to take the arena for the last bout.

As he stepped onto the arena again, Lu Wei's expression immediately grew serious.

She seemed to be taking him even more seriously than she had Zhou Yonghua.

Seeing this, Lu Feng asked, "May I ask whether Miss Lu knows Lord Lu Yan?"

Lu Wei furrowed her brow slightly. "Oh? You know my cousin, Lu Yan?"

"Heh, I'm the constable in Qinglu County, so of course I know Lord Lu Yan."

Understanding dawned on Lu Wei's face, but she still asked, "In that case, may I ask what your relationship with my cousin is, Captain Lu?"

People in official circles were usually at each other's throats, and Lu Wei knew that well.

If Lu Feng and Lu Yan were enemies, she would need to be careful in the matches ahead.

Lu Feng smiled. "Lord Lu Yan has helped me many times and looked after me well. That's why I asked whether Miss Lu knew him."

"Phew! So that's how it is!"

Seeing her relax, Lu Feng cupped his fists. "Miss Lu, I'll spare us the small talk. Please, show me what you can do."

Lu Wei narrowed her eyes and returned the salute. "I wouldn't presume to teach you. Please!"

As soon as she spoke, Lu Wei attacked with her sword.

Her Long Sword shot toward him like a streak of silver light.

Lu Feng sidestepped and easily evaded her attack.

Lu Wei's Long Sword then slithered before Lu Feng like a silver serpent.

Her swordsmanship was good, but her Martial Realm was far too weak.

Just as Lu Wei thrust again, Lu Feng suddenly reached out with two fingers and caught her Long Sword between them.

At the sight of this, Lu Wei realized she was no match for him.

All her furious attacks had looked like children playing house in Lu Feng's eyes.

Thinking this, Lu Wei tried to pull back her Long Sword, intending to use a Martial Skill and fight on.

But no matter how hard Lu Wei pulled, the sword wouldn't budge in the slightest.

Looking at Lu Wei's earnest expression, Lu Feng knew she wouldn't give up easily. So he sent a thread of Internal Force from within him into the Long Sword.

With a sharp crack, Lu Wei's silver sword split into several pieces.

The sight left Lu Wei utterly stunned. The silver Long Sword had been forged from special cold iron, a material even a Ninth-Grade Martial Master couldn't damage.

Yet Lu Feng had broken the cold-iron sword with nothing more than a light pinch. It was almost impossible to comprehend!

Looking at the shattered sword in her hand, Lu Wei suddenly realized something and snapped her head up to stare at Lu Feng.

"You... you're actually a Grand—"

Before Lu Wei could finish, Lu Feng raised a hand to stop her. "Shh! Miss Lu, your weapon is broken. Will you admit defeat now?"

At his words, Lu Wei immediately caught on and said no more. She cupped her fists and declared, "I admit defeat. Captain Lu's skill is beyond my ability to match!"

At this, everyone wore looks of admiration.

They had never imagined that the Martial Examination champion would be someone so little-known.

With Lu Wei's concession, Prefect Xu slowly descended from the raised platform.

He looked at Lu Feng and said, "I hear you're from Qinglu County. Is that right?"

Lu Feng nodded. "To answer Your Excellency, I'm indeed from Qinglu County. I'm also a constable in the County Yamen."

"Oh? Then you're one of County Magistrate Wang's men?"

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Prefect Xu burst into laughter. "Ha ha ha! I never thought County Magistrate Wang could cultivate a young expert like you. You've certainly given me a pleasant surprise! You're impressive!"

"Your Excellency is too kind!"

After their conversation, Prefect Xu personally awarded the title of Martial Scholar to the top twenty participants in the Martial Examination. He then took out his Prefect's seal and stamped the credentials of the top ten.

Just as everyone thought the Martial Examination was over, Prefect Xu suddenly addressed the top twenty.

"Everyone, this Martial Examination was held a month early. I'm sure you all know why. So, for the twenty top-ranking Martial Scholars, I've prepared a special mission."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present looked puzzled.

At that moment, Zhou Yonghua cupped his fists and asked, "Prefect, what mission have you prepared for us?"

Prefect Xu's cheerful expression suddenly turned grave. "Northern Wei has declared war on Great Yan. Though Northern Wei's army cannot enter our territory, they've sent spies into Beiyuan Prefecture. Some of those spies have already been causing trouble in Baiyue County. So the mission I've prepared for you is to hunt down these enemy spies. Do you dare?"