However, many people of Qing Kingdom understood reason and sympathized with Yan Yukong.
For a genius like Yan Yukong, opposing Fang Yun would be short-sighted as a rat. Geniuses of their level had already risen to the point where they could affect the rise and fall of the Human Race. The struggle between nations must never turn the two into enemies.
If the two were ever forced to settle their conflict through a Life-and-Death Literary Battle, it would be a loss the Human Race could not bear.
Thus, no matter how the petty rats of Qing Kingdom clamored, those in the upper ranks did not criticize Yan Yukong. Some even privately warned him that unless it involved a Lineage conflict or a Contest of Sacred Ways, he must never provoke Fang Yun.
Yan Yukong walked up to Fang Yun with a smile and said, "Void Sage Fang, before I present my poem, I have an unwelcome request."
"Let's hear it." Fang Yun wore a genial smile.
"My Yan Family values deeds over words, so Yan Zi has never been widely circulated; only members of my Yan Family study it. Of this year's ten Palace Examination subjects, I will choose official administration and people's livelihood. As for the other eight, I absolutely will not compete with Brother Fang. Could Brother Fang be merciful and let this Huiyuan of Qing Kingdom earn a top grade in one subject?" Yan Yukong's eyes smiled, but there was no jest in his tone.
In the Human Race's Palace Examination, there were only ten top grades in total each year.
Fang Yun was surprised. "You have achieved quite a bit in areas such as literary work, agriculture, and military affairs. When we chatted before, you were not planning to focus on official administration and people's livelihood.