In the matches that followed, the most eye-catching was Liao Tian's bout against Liu Sha.
They fought fiercely for more than fifty rounds, and in the end, Liao Tian beat Liu Sha by half a move.
This year's Martial Examination came to a close.
The authorities would post the Red List five days later. The top ten on it would be named Martial Scholars.
The top ten from each county could take part in the prefectural Martial Examination. Those who passed and became Martial Examination graduates would be true pillars of talent, registered in the official rolls and directly assigned posts by the authorities.
Anyang County belonged to Chu Prefecture. The county held its Martial Examination in late spring and the prefectural Martial Examination in late autumn. The current heads of the Xie Family and Qi Family were both Martial Examination graduates who had retired after completing their terms in office.
Though Chen Mo had lost to Xie Jinyou, his combined results in the Strength Trial and Technique Trial should place him among the top ten.
On the way back to the inn with Yin Tianqing and the others.
Yin Tianqing patted him on the shoulder, smiling. "We can stay in the county town for a few more days. There's no harm in leaving after the Martial Examination results are posted. What do you think?"
When Yin Tianqing made the decision, he had instinctively asked Chen Mo's opinion.
Chen Mo thought it over briefly, then nodded. "All right. I'll follow your arrangements, Master."
The Qi Family and Xie Family had both invited him to visit, and he wanted to take this opportunity to make connections with Anyang County's great families.
Mountain and Water Cultivation would require plenty of resources in the future, and forming ties with a great family was the most suitable way to obtain them.
The problem was, between the Xie and Qi Families...
Which should he choose?
Or should he visit both?
But over the past two days of Martial Examination matches, Chen Mo had accidentally learned that the Xie and Qi Families were actually at odds.
Trying to curry favor with both sides would only offend them both.
By comparison, he was fairly familiar with Xie Jinnian, so it would be easier for him to approach the Xie Family.
Just then.
A man who looked like an official, dressed in a dark-colored uniform, blocked their path. "May I ask which of you is Chen Mo, Martial Master Chen?"
"Martial Master" was an honorific for a high-ranking martial artist of some renown.
Chen Mo immediately cupped his hands. "I'm Chen Mo."
The official said solemnly, "The County Magistrate invites Martial Master Chen to a gathering at Zuichun Pavilion tomorrow."
Chen Mo was taken aback. "The County Magistrate? Zuichun Pavilion?"
"Yes. The County Magistrate ordered me to make sure I delivered the message today."
At the mention of the County Magistrate, the official's face showed a trace of reverence. "The County Magistrate personally chose Zuichun Pavilion, on the main road in the west of town. Just be there before the hour of the rooster tomorrow."
Chen Mo considered this for a moment, then asked, "Brother Official, do you know who else the County Magistrate invited?"
"As far as I know, besides you, Martial Master Chen, there should also be martial masters from the Xie Family, the Qi Family, Black Tiger Hall, and Hefeng Pawnshop."
Chen Mo nodded, understanding.
Though the results would not be posted for five days, a figure like the County Magistrate would surely know them today.
The County Magistrate was not an examiner for the Martial Examination, but as the highest-ranking military official in the county, it was perfectly normal for him to invite those who had placed on the list to meet and get acquainted in his personal capacity.
Most importantly, this meant Chen Mo no longer had to worry about which family to visit.
"The Xie and Qi Families will both be at Zuichun Pavilion tomorrow. I'll take things as they come."
Having settled on a plan, Chen Mo cupped his hands again. "Thank you for letting me know, Brother Official. I'll be there tomorrow."
The official bowed and left.
The next day, at Zuichun Pavilion.
The pavilion was crowded with wealthy merchants and traders. Singers and dancers, heavily made up, filled the air with the rich aromas of delicacies from land and sea.
After Chen Mo entered, he was shown to a private room. The Xie Family, Qi Family, Hefeng Pawnshop, Iron Palm Gang, and Black Tiger Hall had already arrived.
He glanced around.
The cousins Xie Jinyou and Xie Jinnian sat together, while Liao Tian and Qi Sheng of the Qi Family sat on the other side.
But strangely, Zhao Huayuan was at the table too, while Zhang Chong was nowhere to be seen.
"Zhao Huayuan's a Hua Jin master, so it makes sense the County Magistrate invited him..." he thought to himself.
Just then, Xie Jinnian beckoned him over. Chen Mo took the invitation and sat to Xie Jinnian's right.
Before long, County Magistrate Lin Chong arrived. Everyone immediately rose to greet him, but Lin Chong pressed a hand down, signaling for them to sit.
Lin Chong wore a dark robe. His gaze swept across the room, and he commanded respect without having to raise his voice.
He lifted a cup of strong liquor in both hands and toasted them. "Thank you all for honoring me with your presence. I'm a mere martial brute and have no polished words to offer, so I'll drink first!"
With that, he drained his cup.
A powerful, bold spirit swept through the room.
Everyone immediately stood and drained their cups as well.
Chen Mo downed his cup of strong liquor. It burned a little going down, but he had been a fairly good drinker in his previous life, so he could handle it.
After three rounds of wine and five courses of food.
Lin Chong rose to speak. "The success of this year's Martial Examination shows that Anyang County is rich in martial talent. There's Xie Jinyou of the Xie Family, Liao Tian of the Qi Family, Liu Sha of Black Tiger Hall, Ye Zimou of Hefeng Pawnshop, Chang Hao of the Iron Palm Gang, and..."
At this point, Lin Chong's gaze lingered briefly on Zhao Huayuan before shifting to Chen Mo. "And young Chen Mo of Tianqing Martial Hall."
Zhao Huayuan glanced at Chen Mo, his expression somewhat gloomy.
"You are all martial talents of Anyang County. Perhaps I'll have the chance to work alongside you in the future. As the saying goes, when those above and below work as one, their strength can split gold. I believe that if you all pull together, there's no problem you can't solve!"
Having said this, Lin Chong raised his cup and drained it.
Afterward, the guests moved around the room, mainly to build connections.
Chen Mo noticed Qi Sheng leave the table for a while with Liu Zongsheng, the head of Black Tiger Hall. They returned together a short time later. Qi Sheng's expression was complicated, while Liu Zongsheng could barely hide his smile.
Chen Mo suddenly recalled what had been discussed that day. Liu Zongsheng had once asked Zhao Huayuan to work with him on something, and Zhao Huayuan had agreed.
Later, Liu Zongsheng had asked Yin Tianqing to work with him, but the latter had refused. Chen Mo had never asked his master about it, and his master would never bring it up on his own.
This scene was remarkably similar to that one.
"Could Qi Sheng have agreed to work with Liu Zongsheng too?"
A sudden unease welled up in him.
"Chen Mo, my friend."
As he pondered, a voice suddenly rang out above him.
Chen Mo looked up. Liu Zongsheng was standing right in front of him. The man had approached without a sound, bringing a faint sheen of cold sweat to Chen Mo's back.
"Hall Master Liu." He stood and bowed.
Liu Zongsheng's cup was already filled with wine. "I'd like to invite you to take a walk in Zuichun Pavilion's back courtyard and have a drink. Would you do me the honor?"
"Hall Master Liu, you flatter me. How could I refuse to accompany you?"
The two walked to the back courtyard, where Liu Zongsheng got straight to the point. "I asked you out because I wanted to ask you something. If Black Tiger Hall invited you to join us, would you be willing?"
Chen Mo understood perfectly well. If Liu Zongsheng were truly inviting him to join, why be so indirect?
After thinking for a few moments, he replied, "I'm currently learning martial arts at Tianqing Martial Hall, and I'm not yet ready to graduate. So I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you for now, Hall Master Liu."
Liu Zongsheng showed little expression. "You were able to defeat Zhang Chong and trade several impressive moves with Xie Jinyou. At this rate, the day you catch up to Yin Tianqing isn't far off."
Chen Mo quickly added another polite, self-effacing remark.
But Liu Zongsheng suddenly stopped. His expression tightened slightly. "Black Tiger Hall needs talent like you, and you need Black Tiger Hall's resources. If I asked you to work with us on something, would you be willing?"
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