The outside world had grown much more desolate since the city fell that night and the bandits plundered it.
Then, a few days ago, a group of swift riders left the city, carrying word to every corner of the county that the County Examination would be held.
Over the past few days, the county seat had clearly grown livelier, showing signs of renewed life.
People had come from every village and town.
There were scholars in plain clothes, men from all walks of life, some traveling with their entire families and others making the journey alone to sit the exam. There were even young heroes from the martial world who had come at the news.
Carriages and horses streamed through the streets, and even the merchant caravans had grown more numerous.
The County Examinations held in each region every year were like grand festivals, bustling with activity.
Which family had a name on the list, which had failed, where a young hero had emerged, and where someone had gone mad after passing the exam—these were the stories people most loved to talk about.
The Great Wu Dynasty was in turmoil, and the people's hearts were scattered. It needed grand occasions like this to lift their spirits and draw in talent.
Zhao An didn't feel strongly about it, but Li Gou'er was keen on gathering news. Whenever he heard something, he would come back and tell Zhao An.
"Brother Zhao, the County Soldiers are back! A great victory—they've returned in triumph!"
"They piled the bandits' heads onto an entire cart. The sight of it—tsk, tsk..."
That afternoon, Li Gou'er came running back in a flash, brimming with excitement.
"Looks like this County Magistrate from Prefecture City really came prepared."
"Everyone says the martial artists in Prefecture City are incredible, with fierce warriors as numerous as the clouds and heroes as plentiful as the rain. Now I believe it."
"With Black Wind Stronghold wiped out, the new County Magistrate has won the people's favor too. He's truly secured his position now."
Seven days later, in mid-May, the County Examination began as scheduled.
The literary and martial examinations were both held in the Inner City.
Early that morning, two lines stretched a full li from beneath the Inner City gates.
One was made up of thin, frail-looking scholars; the other mostly of burly, brawny men. The contrast between them was striking.
The area was packed with people, most of them relatives and friends of that day's candidates, there to see them off as they entered the examination grounds.
There were also plenty of onlookers. As idle outsiders, they weren't allowed into the Inner City to watch, so they could only wait outside and listen for news.
Zhao An stood in one of the lines. He'd assumed that, like him, no one would come to see him off that morning except Li Gou'er and Zhao Chunzi.
To his surprise, the two Meng sisters had arrived early.
Ever since the turmoil that had engulfed the city that night, Zhao An had grown closer to the two female physicians than an ordinary client. They could, more or less, be called friends.
"Zhao An, I'll be waiting to see your name on the list!" Meng Wanyi waved to him from the crowd.
"Hope you make it through the essay exam, too," Meng Shao muttered quietly beside her.
She had complete faith in Zhao An's martial prowess, but still found it hard to believe he could sit down with a brush and write some long, elaborate essay.
Not far away, his good big brother, Zhao Ke, had inexplicably shown up as well.
He wanted to put on a show of burying the hatchet and restoring their brotherly bond, but Zhao An couldn't be bothered with him. He didn't even spare him a glance.
That left Zhao Ke feeling deeply embarrassed.
"You'd better pass the Martial Student exam, damn it. Then I can bask in your glory..." Zhao Ke's face fell, and he muttered a few dark words.
The line kept moving forward.
"Z-Zhao An!"
Suddenly, someone behind him recognized him and cried out.
The call made people throughout the line turn to look.
Zhao An's name might not mean much in the Inner City, but in the streets and alleys of the Outer City, it was famous—resounding like thunder.
People had all sorts of opinions about him.
Some said he was a great villain who wanted to eliminate the two major gangs and take their place.
Others said he was a heroic young knight who had risen from humble beginnings, more diligent at rooting out evil than even the yamen's constables and bailiffs.
His name struck terror into the hearts of the wicked and sent the treacherous fleeing.
Some said Zhao An had come into some great opportunity, which was how he had suddenly risen to power and ridden the wind.
There were even rumors that Zhao An had been possessed by a ghost general and was no longer the same Zhao An.
People said all kinds of things.
In barely a month, Zhao An had already become a legend in the Outer City.
"So he's that Zhao An!"
"I thought he'd have three heads and six arms or something. He looks strong, sure, but how is he any different from me?"
"Whether he's a true hero or just chasing fame will be made crystal clear by this County Examination."
Zhao An didn't care what the others said. He only cared whether any of them had a Red Name above their heads.
If they did, they'd be taking a blade from him sooner or later.
"B-Brother Zhao, I haven't properly thanked you yet for what happened before." Suddenly, a scholar in patched clothes turned toward Zhao An from the line beside him and bowed.
The scholar looked familiar. Zhao An glanced at the name above his head, then remembered the poor student who had borrowed a military treatise from him.
Back then, the man had Virtue points. Zhao An had bought those points from him with silver. The Virtue Fruit he gained had eventually merged with several others, allowing him to practice that lost finger technique.
"Have you recovered from your illness?" Zhao An asked. The young scholar had looked so sickly before, as if he had only a few days left to live.
Seeing him again today, Zhao An found that though he still seemed weak, he looked much more spirited.
"Thanks to you, Brother Zhao, the physician at Bright Moon Clinic worked wonders. I'm much better now," Li Tianhuai said with heartfelt gratitude.
"That's good, then." Zhao An nodded.
"But afterward, I kept thinking about it. You only came to borrow a military treatise from me for a few days, yet I accepted so much silver from you. I truly don't deserve it..." Li Tianhuai's face showed his guilt.
He had the backbone and integrity of a scholar, but without the money to save his life and pay for treatment, he truly might not have survived.
"You already gave me what I wanted. There's no need to bring up the money again." Zhao An could tell Li Tianhuai was rather stubborn. He waved a hand and told him to let the matter rest.
"Then I'll remember your great kindness, Brother Zhao. If I ever pass the exam, I'll come back and repay you!" Li Tianhuai said solemnly.
Zhao An casually accepted his promise.
Whether the poor lad passed or not was another matter. Zhao An didn't expect him to be able to repay him.
After all, in a few years, it was anyone's guess whether the Great Wu Dynasty would even still exist in this chaotic age.
After their identities were checked, the candidates entered the Inner City one after another.
The scholars went to the examination sheds to compete in literary talent, while the martial candidates headed to the Martial Arts Arena to test their strength and skill before sitting the essay exam.
Holding his number token, Zhao An walked over to the Martial Arts Arena.
At least three to five hundred candidates had already gathered there. Every one of them looked strong and sturdy.
Some were even more imposing, with exceptional bearing and fine silk robes. They looked like they came from influential families.
Rows of weapon racks had been set up beside the Martial Arts Arena, hung with all eighteen kinds of weapons. The officials responsible for conducting the examination were there as well.
Beyond them, crowds surged around the grounds.
Unlike the ordinary townsfolk who weren't allowed into the Inner City, these people were either rich or noble, and had the right to watch the County Examination every year.
Once everyone had gathered, a loud cry rang out.
"The County Magistrate has arrived!"
The new County Magistrate of Lianjiang City had come in person with a group of officials to preside over the County Examination!
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