Chen An, You're Dead Meat!

Chen An strode along the bluestone-paved street, making his way slowly toward the county academy examination grounds.

Morning light flooded the long street, and both sides were already bustling beyond belief.

The ordinary market streets and alleys of the past had been utterly transformed today, steeped everywhere in the rich, grand air of a festival.

The shops lining the road were decked out in lanterns and banners, with festive red silk and colored lamps hung high. Vendors had set out food and tea early, their cries rising and falling one after another.

People thronged every street and alley, shoulder to shoulder. Freshly dressed young martial artists could be seen everywhere, each full of vigor, weapons at their waists, their steps carrying both youthful pride and tension.

These young martial artists were generally accompanied by one or more elders, most of whom were fathers or senior relatives from their families.

As they walked along, the elders softly reminded them of the examination rules and the taboos of the matches, soothing their juniors' taut nerves and occasionally offering pointers on martial techniques for adapting on the spot.

The closer they got to the county academy gates, the denser the crowd became, and the more intense the clamor grew.

Young candidates from every direction gathered one after another. Martial outfits of every kind formed a patchwork, and youths with swords or sabers at their waists were everywhere.

The broad plaza before the county academy had long since been packed so tightly that not even water could pass through. Young martial artists stood in lines awaiting the examination, elders waited off to either side, and townspeople gathered in layer after layer along the street to watch. Discussions, reminders, and children's laughter intertwined.

The air itself seemed to be filled with tension, excitement, anticipation, and countless other emotions.

Chen An moved through the crowd in a pitch-black martial outfit, his figure tall and straight. Though he had used the Spirit-Concealing Art to hide his perfected Grandmaster Realm cultivation beyond recognition, his handsome, upright bearing still drew frequent glances from passersby.

"Chen An, over here!!!"

At that moment, a crisp shout reached Chen An from not far away.

He looked up and saw Shen Qinglan waving at him with a smile before the county academy gates.

Besides Shen Qinglan, Chen An also noticed a composed middle-aged man standing beside her, along with a gentle and dignified middle-aged woman.

The man wore a dark-blue brocade robe, his back ramrod straight. Authority born of high station rested between his brows, while his calm eyes appraised Chen An with warmth.

The beautiful woman was dressed simply and elegantly, her temperament serene. A faint smile rested on her lips, and her eyes held both scrutiny and kindness as she gently watched Chen An approach.

These two were none other than Shen Qinglan's father, Shen Zongyue, and her mother, Lin Xueyan.

Chen An was not surprised to see them here today. He walked over, cupped his hands, and bowed. "This junior greets Uncle Shen and Aunt Lin!"

"Little An, we're family, no need for such formalities. Hurry and get up. Auntie hasn't seen you in so long. You child, you wouldn't even go to Prefecture City when I asked you to. Come, let Auntie have a good look at you!" Seeing Chen An come forward to pay his respects, Lin Xueyan hurriedly reached out and pulled him up, her eyes full of affection and fondness, as though she were looking at one of her own juniors.

"Not bad. It's only been a short while, yet you've grown taller and more upright. Even your sinews and bones seem sturdier and steadier!" Shen Zongyue nodded as he looked at Chen An, his eyes filled with approval and praise.

"Thank you for your concern, Uncle Shen and Aunt Lin."

As Lin Xueyan warmly held him and looked him over, and Shen Zongyue praised him, Chen An could not help but smile. "Earlier, this junior was focused on preparing for the county examination and shut himself away to cultivate diligently, so I was unable to visit. Once this county examination is over and the dust has settled, this junior will certainly go to Prefecture City in person to visit Uncle Shen and Aunt Lin."

"Good, good, good! When the time comes, Auntie will personally make the Jade Treasure Cake you like!" Hearing Chen An's words, Lin Xueyan's expression softened further. Smiling indulgently, she patted his arm.

"You have a good heart."

Shen Zongyue also nodded slightly, the approval in his eyes deepening. He said slowly, "For today's county examination, just do your best. I've already made the arrangements with the prefectural academy."

"Thank you, Uncle Shen!"

Chen An felt warmth rise in his heart. He immediately bowed slightly and cupped his hands in thanks.

Although, with his current cultivation, he had no need for a special admission quota from the prefectural academy, Shen Zongyue's effort to make arrangements and look after him in secret was genuine care and regard. Chen An could not help but feel moved.

"Oh my, you three really are one happy family. If someone didn't know better, they'd think you were the real family!" Shen Qinglan, who had been left standing off to the side ever since Chen An arrived, suddenly said sourly.

Lin Xueyan immediately smiled, affectionately hooking her arm through Shen Qinglan's and chiding her as she rubbed the top of her head. "You silly girl, are you jealous of Little An now?"

A gentle smile also appeared at the corner of Shen Zongyue's lips. He shook his head helplessly, his eyes full of indulgence as he looked at his daughter.

However, at that moment, Chen An suddenly felt two cold gazes fall upon him.

His brows furrowed slightly. Following those malicious gazes, he turned his head and met the eyes of Liu Zhixing and Liu Qingyun, father and son.

The two stood at the edge of the crowd not far away, their faces as dark as water. Unconcealed resentment and viciousness churned in their eyes as they stared at Chen An without blinking, as if they wished to swallow him alive.

When Liu Qingyun met Chen An's gaze, his lips moved slightly. Across the crowd, he silently mouthed a sentence, then raised his hand and viciously slashed it across his throat. His expression was twisted, his face brimming with savage killing intent and threat.

Seeing that brazenly provocative throat-slitting gesture, Chen An's eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint chill flashed through their depths.

Though they were far apart, with his cultivation, he understood Liu Qingyun's silent words in an instant:

"Chen An, you're dead meat!!!"

"Little An, they are..." Seeing Chen An's reaction, Shen Zongyue turned his head and happened to catch the undisguised hostility of the Liu Family father and son, along with Liu Qingyun's provocative gesture. He could not help but frown slightly.

"It's nothing, just two clowns jumping on the stage. Uncle Shen needn't pay them any mind," Chen An said with a faint smile.

Hearing Chen An's answer, Shen Zongyue gave him a deep look, then nodded thoughtfully without saying anything more.

Shen Qinglan also spotted the Liu Family father and son at this point. Though she did not know why they bore such hostility, a cold gleam flashed through her beautiful eyes as well.

CLANG!!!~~

At that moment, a deep, heavy bell suddenly rang out from beyond the county academy gates. Its low, distant toll echoed layer upon layer across the skies of all Wurong County.

Before the lingering echoes had faded, the county academy's two heavy vermilion gates, adorned with gilded ornamentation, slowly swung inward. As the doors opened, they carried an ancient, solemn air.

Several county academy instructors in standard martial robes stood on either side of the entrance, their expressions grave as their authoritative gazes swept across the densely packed young candidates in the plaza.

"The examination grounds are open. All candidates, take out your examination slips, line up, and enter!"