Fairness

Inside a quiet, secluded hall, Zhang Sheng and Sun Yu sat facing each other. After taking their seats, Sun Yu handed over a jade-colored sheet of paper and a black jade box. "This is the new charter, and this is Li Quan Powder."

The jade-colored sheet had been blank, but the moment it landed in Zhang Sheng's hands, dense lines of tiny characters appeared across it, layered upon layer, dozens of layers in all. The charter ran to tens of thousands of words, but Zhang Sheng could read it in just a few breaths.

After a single glance, Zhang Sheng said, "Such sweeping changes. Was this the work of the Ding Xin Sect?"

Sun Yu lifted his teacup and took a sip. "By the time Junior Brother left the mountain, the Ding Xin Sect already had the upper hand. Over the years, a great many young disciples joined them, and their influence kept growing until the Zhi Gu Sect gradually couldn't hold them back. This unified examination charter did indeed come from the Ding Xin Sect, though the great houses and noble clans all had a hand in it to one degree or another. And this is what they ended up with."

Zhang Sheng frowned. "Isn't this Martial Assessment designed solely for the great houses and noble clans? They can just declare their status and raise a whole troop, while ordinary families' children can only serve as foot soldiers. Besides, what chance do ordinary children have to learn the Art of War? Even if they wanted to, where could they find a renowned teacher who truly understood the Art of War and had won battles? Even if they managed to assemble a troop themselves, they'd only end up as stepping stones for others."

"The Martial Assessment was indeed established for the great clans. Without that, the new charter couldn't have been implemented. The Ding Xin Sect has far-reaching ambitions, and this new charter is only the first step, so they need the clans' support."

Zhang Sheng spoke slowly. "But the Palace specifically allocated these places to recruit Children of Fortune. Now they've still ended up in the pockets of the great houses and noble clans. What's the difference?"

Sun Yu sighed. "Once Junior Brother's Dao cultivation has reached great heights, if you still can't stomach things like this, it won't be too late to change them."

Sun Yu had put it delicately, but Zhang Sheng naturally understood what he meant. He sighed. "Forget it. I can't do much about other people's affairs. At least Azure Hall has a place specifically set aside for Yuan'er. The sooner I finish this examination, the sooner I can return to the mountain and restore my Dao Power. That way, I won't have to look at them and be annoyed."

Sun Yu said nothing. He merely stared straight ahead, as though the Dao Ancestor were expounding the Way and a Celestial Immortal revealing its wonders on the wall opposite.

Zhang Sheng's smile slowly faded. His voice sank. "What is it? Is someone daring to set their sights on Yuan'er's place?"

Sun Yu's expression was wooden. "Junior Brother, the unified examination is a major event. Countless people are watching. I'm afraid we can't show favoritism."

"Favoritism? I reported this to the Palace a month ago. This place was bestowed by Patriarch Xuan Yue of Azure Hall. It had nothing to do with anyone else to begin with. How is that favoritism?"

Sun Yu gritted his teeth. "I'll be frank with you! The Palace originally issued two places this time to recruit Children of Fortune. But far too many people wanted them, and there weren't enough to go around, so someone set their sights on Azure Hall's place. Several noble clans joined forces to pressure the Palace, demanding that all places be awarded through fair competition based on exam results, with no private bestowals. By the charter, that is indeed how it should be. The Palace had no choice but to release all three places and award them fairly according to results."

"Their appetites just keep growing. Now they're even trying to snatch something from Azure Hall..." A sharp glint gradually appeared in Zhang Sheng's eyes. He said grimly, "How many clans are competing for the three places?"

"As far as I know, the disciples of five clans are about evenly matched in strength and preparation. It's hard to say who has the edge."

At this point, Zhang Sheng naturally understood. At least five noble clans were vying for Taichu Palace's three places. They were evenly matched, and since each had its own tricks, those extra advantages had to be ruled out so the five clans could compete fairly.

Seeing Zhang Sheng's expression, Sun Yu hurriedly said, "True Person Fen Hai also asked me to pass along eight words: 'Do not overstep the rules; let nature take its course.'"

Zhang Sheng's face remained expressionless.

Sun Yu gritted his teeth and lowered his voice. "Your disciple is still young. He'll only be eleven by the next examination. We can find a way to get him into a commandery with places then. If the others can find blood relatives, surely we can too?"

"Besides, several True Persons were delighted that you returned this time. They specifically appointed you as one of the seven evaluators for this unified examination. With that position, your disciple's prospects next time should be secure."

As he spoke, Sun Yu handed him a jade token. It was the size of a palm, carved with an Immortal Mountain and auspicious beasts. The two characters "Evaluator" were engraved in the center, their strokes shimmering with Dao Power.

Under the examination charter, the evaluators' positions were crucial. Within certain limits, they could raise or lower candidates' scores. So becoming an evaluator came with all kinds of benefits, both open and discreet. For one thing, every candidate who passed the examination would regard the evaluators as half their teachers, and their families would come to cultivate ties with them as well. The fortunes of Fengyuan Commandery had gathered this time, and the competition was unprecedentedly fierce, with renowned families flocking here. It was no less intense than in the most famous commanderies under heaven. Thus, an evaluator's influence was ten or even a hundred times greater than usual.

As an evaluator, Zhang Sheng would earn the gratitude of the noble clans competing for the places. Then, when it came time for him to send Wei Yuan to the Palace in the next examination, they would have to lend a hand one way or another. With the right maneuvering, he'd have a sixty to seventy percent chance of securing a place.

Zhang Sheng knew this was compensation for the place Azure Hall had lost.

Zhang Sheng's gaze gradually deepened. He said slowly, "Yuan'er has fortune upon him. How could we make him wait five years? If his fortune dissipates, his Dao Path will be severed. The road to immortality is arduous; every moment counts. This is a struggle for the Great Dao, and as his teacher, I should stand in front! Since those people's appetites are so insatiable, I'll see what tricks they have up their sleeves!"

"Junior Brother..." Sun Yu tried to dissuade him, but Zhang Sheng raised a hand to stop him.

Zhang Sheng rose and paced back and forth across the hall several times before coming to a stop. His clear gaze fixed on Sun Yu. "Senior Brother, you're the chief examiner for this unified examination, aren't you?"

Sun Yu nodded. "I only oversee the various mundane affairs."

"Does Taichu Palace have any other evaluators?"

"One more: Senior Brother Fu Feng of Tian Ji Hall. Senior Brother Fu Feng has a forthright disposition. Though we don't usually have much dealings with each other, he should lean our way when it comes to the evaluations."

Zhang Sheng shook his head. "Not necessarily."

Sun Yu froze, then immediately understood. Daoist Fu Feng was not like Zhang Sheng. If he had accepted the evaluator's position, he would certainly favor someone. Otherwise, why would those clans have let him take the seat? Now little Wei Yuan was trying to snatch food from a tiger's jaws, which put him at odds with Daoist Fu Feng from the start.

Zhang Sheng held out his hand. "First, let me see the list of students taking the examination."

Sun Yu was shocked. "Th-that wouldn't be proper! I..."

Under Zhang Sheng's clear gaze, Sun Yu's expression shifted several times. At last, he gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "If we're going to be fair, then we have to be absolutely fair! They've already turned the rules into a sieve. We needn't be so pedantic either! Wait a moment, Junior Brother. I'll fetch it right away!"

A short while later, Sun Yu returned and handed Zhang Sheng a sheet of jade paper, listing detailed information on every candidate in this year's examination. Zhang Sheng took it and studied it closely.

Silence fell over the hall.

Sun Yu poured himself a cup of tea, but his hand trembled, and a few drops spilled. Yet by the time the cup reached his lips, his hand was steady as a rock.