His Identity Exposed

Feng Yuan graded the papers on the spot. Those who had only written down a few lines were tossed aside without a second look.

Those who had reproduced one passage were set aside separately. There weren't many, just five or six, including Chi Lin and Guan Chong.

As for anyone who had reproduced more than one passage, there was only one so far. The name written clearly at the top was Lu Xian.

"Heh, Mr. Lu Hong, you've certainly taught your son well." Feng Yuan nodded in approval.

Remembering one passage he had selected in such a short time was already commendable. Remembering more than one showed a memory better than most people's; the boy could be called gifted.

"Thank you, Lord Feng." Lu Hong's face broke into a broad smile.

The two hadn't lowered their voices, so the boys below had all heard them.

Lu Xian had earned praise from the Registrar.

Envy, jealousy, and all kinds of emotions stirred among them.

The papers were still being graded, and soon it was Chu Ming's turn.

Feng Yuan's brows rose as he looked at the page, clearly surprised. It was densely covered in writing, though the handwriting was still ugly.

Lu Hong glanced over from the side. His expression shifted, but he quickly hid it.

Writing a lot didn't necessarily mean it was correct.

Two earlier papers had contained even more writing, but their contents were a chaotic mess, not three passages copied from Poetry, Politics, and Military Strategy.

Even from far away, though he couldn't make out the words, Lu Hong could tell at a glance that the crooked writing on Chu Ming's page was just random scribbling.

But then he realized something was wrong.

Feng Yuan's expression grew more and more serious as he read the page over and over from beginning to end.

The first passage from the Art of War had been reproduced in full. The second section, from the Records of the Grand Historian, was just as complete, without a single error.

Only the third section, on politics and agriculture, was half-finished.

What mattered was the character where the writing stopped. It seemed as if time had run out and Chu Ming had only managed to write the character's radical...

In other words, this boy named Chu Ming had most likely remembered all three passages. Given enough time, he could have written them all out in full!

Feng Yuan looked at the unsightly writing. It was so ugly it hurt to look at, yet somehow, the more he looked at it, the more pleasing it seemed.

Handwriting could be practiced and improved, but talent could never be acquired.

Hard work was how ordinary people made their way into the court, but some things couldn't be gained through effort alone.

If someone was both hardworking and talented, then their future achievements would certainly surpass those of someone who relied on effort alone but lacked talent.

He placed Chu Ming's paper by his hand and continued grading the rest without letting anything show.

The remaining papers were easy to grade. A single glance was enough; most contained only a few lines.

Feng Yuan slowly rose to his feet and looked down at the boys, his expression impassive.

Lu Xian and the others immediately grew anxious.

"Not bad." Feng Yuan's first words made the boys' hearts race.

"Five people remembered one passage. Two remembered more than one."

Their hearts beat even faster. They might never again get the chance to be singled out by the Registrar.

"Wan Hui, Gong Rong, Zhou Yiwen, Guan Chong, Chi Lin."

The five boys were overcome with excitement as their names were called.

Feng Yuan paused, then continued, "Lu Xian."

Lu Xian?

Why was his name being called now? Wasn't he in first place?

Could someone really have a better memory than Lu Xian?

Who?

Could it be Chu Ming again?

The boys wondered in secret.

Huang Lu turned to Chu Ming and muttered under his breath, "Please don't be. Please don't be..."

He repeated it like a prayer.

But soon, the two words he least wanted to hear rang out from the front of the room: "Chu Ming."

"..."

In an instant, Huang Lu's mouth filled with the bitter taste of Yellow Bright Root.

Brother Chu was supposed to be the one he'd tricked into coming along just to fill out the bottom of the rankings. How, how could this be...?!

Could his father's Yellow Bright Root really have awakened his talent?

He felt the slight bulge beneath his clothes.

But he'd eaten that stuff since he was little. Apart from its sweetness, there was nothing special about it.

"Mr. Lu Hong, you may announce the final results of the Academy Exam," Feng Yuan said gravely.

"Yes, Lord Feng."

Lu Hong stepped forward and cleared his throat. "For this Academy Exam in Willow Town, third place goes to Guan Chong."

"Second place, Lu Xian."

"First place..." Lu Hong looked toward the corner of the outer hall with a complicated expression. "Chu Ming."

There was little surprise. Chu Ming had placed first in both the written test and the memory test, so he was bound to take first place overall.

"Chu Ming, Lu Xian, Guan Chong, stay behind. The rest of you may go home."

The boys left with a jumble of feelings: resentment, envy, shame, and relief.

Only Chi Lin stood rooted to the spot, his legs as heavy as if filled with lead. He managed a few steps, but couldn't bring himself to leave the school.

He'd expected to place in the top three and celebrate with a feast at the Green Bamboo Pavilion.

Heh...

He drew several deep breaths and looked back, his eyes filled with defiance, envy, and fear.

He hadn't passed. His father would scold him when he got home.

"Go home. You'll have another chance."

Lu Hong spoke gently, and only then did Chi Lin make his way out of the school.

At the same time, one of Feng Yuan's attendants stepped forward, carrying a stack of thick books.

"These are your rewards: Poetry, Politics, and Military Strategy, compiled jointly by the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War of the Great Qin Dynasty."

Feng Yuan picked up a blue book as long as an adult's forearm. "Poetry, Politics, and Military Strategy consists of five volumes: poetry, politics, history, rites, and the Art of War. These will be your main subjects of study after you enter Baiyuan Academy."

"If you can master any one of these five subjects, you'll have a bright future."

"Come and take them."

After bowing, the three each accepted a copy of Poetry, Politics, and Military Strategy.

They'd finally received the books. They looked thick, and they were certainly heavy to hold.

Chu Ming was eager to get started, but this wasn't the time.

"These are identity tokens for Baiyuan Academy. Keep them safe. You can register in Baiyuan County next month." Feng Yuan took out three copper-colored tokens and handed them to the boys.

Ordinarily, this was the responsibility of Lu Hong, the schoolteacher, but Feng Yuan was in a good mood today, so he handled it as well.

Lu Xian and Guan Chong accepted their tokens with trembling hands. "Thank you, Lord Xie."

Chu Ming bowed too and took his token, but he wasn't nearly as excited as Lu Xian and Guan Chong.

Feng Yuan watched him, approval flickering in his eyes.

This was the composure a young man of the Great Qin Dynasty ought to have.

He turned to Lu Hong. "Mr. Lu Hong, could you prepare a quiet place for me? I have something I'd like to discuss with Chu Ming alone."

What?!

The Registrar wanted to speak with this boy named Chu Ming alone?!

Lu Xian and Guan Chong's expressions changed at once.

Even Lu Hong was stunned for a moment before recovering. "This way, my lord."

And so, under the jealous, resentful gazes of Lu Xian and Guan Chong, Chu Ming followed Feng Yuan to a secluded courtyard.

A rock garden and waterside pavilion stood at the far end of the courtyard, with a small pavilion at its center. Lu Hong tactfully withdrew, leaving only Chu Ming and Feng Yuan there.

"Your name is Chu Ming?" Feng Yuan asked.

"Yes, Lord Feng." Chu Ming held the heavy book and answered calmly.

"Are you the Chu Ming who's a concubine-born son of the wealthy Chu Family in Baiyuan County?" Feng Yuan lifted his teacup, took a sip, and fixed Chu Ming with a piercing gaze.

An unusual silence fell over the secluded courtyard. Chu Ming lowered his eyes to the blue book and didn't answer right away.

Very few people knew that the Chu Family had sent the original Chu Ming away to Willow Town. This Registrar wasn't in the original Chu Ming's memories, which meant they'd had no dealings before.

He knew who Chu Ming was, and had suddenly asked about him. Chu Ming couldn't tell what he was after.

Taking the Academy Exam had been risky. If the Chu Family's Madam found out he'd placed first, she would certainly use every means at her disposal to deal with him.

That was also why, after grinding out the [Reading] skill, he'd been so eager to become a martial artist.

Only with extraordinary power in his hands could he stand unafraid of schemes and tricks.

But this Registrar...

Feng Yuan watched Chu Ming, his gaze growing sharper.

"Heh, if you don't answer, I'll take that as confirmation." He suddenly spoke with confidence.