Some of the local craftsmen rolled their eyes at the sight. That Grand Academician was named Xu Hengzhen. He hated evil with a vengeance, was notoriously hot-tempered, and loathed infighting among craftsmen or attempts to obstruct technological progress above all else.
Had it merely been an ordinary clash of interests, he would not have intervened. But Fang Yun had rendered such tremendous service, yet Jing Xiao had still jumped out to oppose him. How could Xu Hengzhen endure that?
Still, beating a Licentiate so severely in public was a rare sight.
Many craftsmen, however, could not have cared less whether Jing Xiao lived or died. A mere Licentiate had dared oppose something Zhao Qianzhang had personally announced. A beating like this was getting off lightly. Had Demon Barbarians happened to be attacking the city, he would certainly have been executed on the spot.
Now that even the chief examiner, Zhao Qianzhang, did not stop it, the others could hardly object. One could even say that Zhao Qianzhang was using Xu Hengzhen's hand to teach Jing Xiao and the others a lesson. This was also why the Great Scholars from Haiya no longer dared speak up.
With no one objecting, Zhao Qianzhang said, "At the conclusion of this Divine Craftsmen Assembly, literary qi will descend before everyone, as the rules dictate, to raise the Literary Ranks of outstanding participants. Fang Yun, would you prefer to advance in stages, or rise directly to Great Scholar today?"
Fang Yun said, "I wish to advance directly to Great Scholar."
An unusual look flashed through the eyes of a few craftsmen.
Zhao Qianzhang said, "Are you certain?"
"I am."
"Very well," Zhao Qianzhang said.
With that, he bowed toward the sky and said, "May First Sage Zhuge bestow his blessing."
The other examiners followed suit.