Martial Examination Begins (Please Keep Reading)

On the eve of the Martial Examination, the night was black as ink.

Blackwater City, Inner City, Inner Ring Tianshu District, Ten Thousand Treasures Heavenly Street, Linjiang Immortal Restaurant.

Su Meishan, the eldest legitimate grandson of the Su Family's main branch, arrived at the first-floor hall of Linjiang Immortal Restaurant with his attendants and was led by a waiter to the Rising Sky Pavilion.

"Young Master Su, which floor would you like to go to?"

Su Meishan said lightly, "The twenty-sixth floor, the Can Heng Pavilion reserved by Young Master Pang."

The waiter hurried ahead to lead the way, arriving at the C-7 floating carriage.

"Young Master Su, please take a seat."

Su Meishan entered the floating carriage with his attendants and sat in the nanmu chair at the seat of honor. The waiter followed close behind. Before long, bells rang, the floating carriage doors opened, and the waiter stepped out first to lead the way.

After turning through a corridor, the three arrived at the Can Heng Pavilion.

Su Meishan knew the way like the back of his hand. He pushed open the door and strode into a bright, lavish private room.

The young master of the Pang Family, along with the third generation of the Zhao, Lin, and Ge Families and the Three Gangs, had long since gathered there.

"Well, Young Master Su, you came early enough," Pang Ziyun sneered teasingly.

"Young Master Pang, something delayed me. I'll punish myself with a cup."

As he spoke, Su Meishan picked up a cup of wine and drained it.

"Enough, take your seat," Zhao Bingzhong of the Zhao Family said with a laugh, trying to smooth things over.

The Su, Zhao, Lin, and Ge Families.

For generations, the four families had intermarried, forming horns against one another. They monopolized Blackwater City's grain, cloth, medicine, gambling dens, taverns, and entertainment trades, covering more than half of the city's lucrative everyday industries.

The Salt Gang monopolized illicit salt, while the Canal Gang controlled every dock.

The Black Wolf Gang monopolized usury, though Master Pang stood behind it in truth.

As for the Pang Family, it monopolized ironware, pawnshops, banks, and usury. The businesses of the other families also had to give the Pang Family a share of the pie. They were the invisible local emperors of Blackwater City.

Once everyone had arrived.

Tea fragrance curled through the room, wine was laid out, and everyone took their seats by rank before beginning to chat and laugh merrily.

After a round of drinks.

Pang Ziyun rose to his feet, swept his gaze around the room, and smiled.

"For the quotas in Nine Sons Seize Di, the Three Gangs and Four Families will each have their places, and my Pang Family will take two more. No objections, I presume?"

Everyone chimed in agreement, and the entire hall swelled with youthful arrogance.

"In past years, it was nothing but dull arena matches. This year, Dean Gao Jiangong has made it known: first test one's heart, then measure one's resilience, and only then hold the arena matches. What are your thoughts?"

Su Meishan was the first to rise. After raising a cup to everyone, he said in a grave voice, "Two days ago, my cousin Su Meiyi registered under the Golden Gate Martial Academy and was defeated by some nameless brat. He lost his quota and his face. If any of your families encounter that boy, kill him for me."

"Oh? And what is this man called?" Pang Ziyun asked with an amused smile.

"Lu Li."

At that moment, He Shouxin of the Black Wolf Gang stood up.

"I have heard of this boy. In the Outer City, he killed two Grass Shoes from my outer hall in succession. I second the motion to kill him."

At those words, Zhao Bingzhong rose.

"Lu Li? The Banner Chief I placed in the Roads Division Office was also taken by a Lu Li from the Golden Gate Martial Academy yesterday. If it is the same person, I second the motion to kill him."

Lin Huaili immediately rose as well.

"If that is so, then it truly is the same man? My distant uncle is spending his retirement in the Roads Division Office, yet even the mere post of Head Tithe was taken by this man. I second the motion to kill him."

The atmosphere instantly congealed.

The lights in the building blazed amid the clamor. The entire hall was filled with overbearing young men, and cries of killing rose in waves.

With four families in succession calling for one man's death, Pang Ziyun was somewhat surprised.

Without even pausing to think, Pang Ziyun made the final decision as casually as if it were nothing.

"Then kill him."

Twenty-ninth day of the ninth month, seventh year of Mingjing, Great Yong Dynasty.

Inner Ring Tianshu District, Ten Thousand Treasures Heavenly Street, Dragon Gate Ward, Martial Lecture Hall.

The most exalted, most expansive, and most solemn Tongyun Tower in all of Blackwater City.

Today was an auspicious day for martial arts—the selection day for the Martial Lecture Hall's Martial Examination grand ceremony.

Along the twenty-li avenue, water had been sprinkled to clear the road, scarlet brocade carpeted the ground, archers stood in formation, and banners rose like a forest.

All residences and shops along the street had shut their doors. The streets and alleys were silent, with only the wind rolling through the banners, making them snap and crackle.

Tongyun Tower loomed over the Martial Lecture Hall's training grounds. The giant platform of the thousand-zhang training field was flat as a mirror, an official arena forged over a century ago.

On the highest platform at the northern end of the five-tier viewing stands sat Dean Gao Jiangong of the Martial Academy, elevated above the entire venue.

Seated to Gao Jiangong's left was Meng Changge, the chief of the Martial Lecture Hall, while Blackwater City's lord, Huo Qingya, sat to his right.

On either side sat the elders of the Eight Forms Sect, as well as the elders of the Five Tigers Sect, Seven Slaughters Sect, Scarlet Blade Sect, Falling Sword Sect, and the other five great sects.

Experts of the five sects sat to the east and west, their expressions calm as they looked down over the entire venue.

On the fourth floor were the officials' stands to the east and the aristocratic families' stands to the west.

On the third and second floors sat the masters and staff of the seventy-two martial academies participating in this examination.

Shen Gangfu sat on the eastern side of the third floor with Lu Li and the eight great inner-court disciples, leaving only Zhao Kuo behind to watch over the martial academy.

Lin Lanyi had come as well. Rather than sit on the aristocratic families' stand on the fourth floor, she had run over to squeeze in with Lu Li and the others.

At this time, there was still half a shichen before the auspicious hour of the Martial Examination.

Everyone had only just taken their seats.

"Hua Yuan, my master from the Eight Forms Sect is here today. Come with me to pay respects to your grandmaster."

Shen Gangfu's expression was more solemn than ever, and a trace of complexity flickered through his eyes.

He was not a personal disciple, merely an ordinary inner disciple. In his early years, his talent had not been outstanding enough to earn an allocation of sect resources. After studying for five years, he had left the sect early and come to Blackwater City, where he joined the Liansheng Escort Agency.

Lu Li nodded gently, rose to his feet, and followed behind his master toward the eastern viewing stands on the fifth floor.

After passing through the bustling crowd and reaching the seats on the fifth floor, Shen Gangfu composed himself, bowed deeply, and performed the full salute of the sect, his manner respectful.

"This disciple, Shen Gangfu, pays respects to Master."

"This disciple, Lu Hua Yuan, pays respects to Grandmaster."

Yu Canglang turned his head and gave Shen Gangfu only a faint sidelong glance, his tone flat.

"Hua Yuan?"

"You half-filled bucket think you can take a disciple? Who permitted it? You even dared to presumptuously use my sect's generational name. Who gave you such nerve?"

Lu Li's eyes shifted slightly and his brow furrowed, but he did not dare contradict a senior of his sect. He clenched his fists and lowered his head in silence.

Shen Gangfu's shoulders trembled faintly as he explained in a low voice, "This disciple had intended to bring Lu Hua Yuan to pay respects to Master at year's end, but I never expected the Martial Examination to be moved forward..."

"Silence."

Yu Canglang gave a sharp cry. His voice was not loud, yet everyone nearby turned to look.

Yu Canglang rebuked him again in a stern voice.

"You yourself have learned the sect's martial arts into a complete mess. What right do you have to take a disciple? What kind of disciple could you possibly teach?"

Shen Gangfu raised his head, his gaze resolute, and said in a deep voice, "Hua Yuan... his talent is very high. He is also a candidate in this Martial Examination."

Yu Canglang's gaze swept toward Lu Li, who stood behind Shen Gangfu. He examined him coldly, contempt evident in his eyes.

"What is your name?"

"This disciple is Lu Li. My master granted me the courtesy name Hua Yuan."

Lu Li lowered his eyes and cupped his hands, answering calmly.

"Raise your head."

At those words, Lu Li raised his eyes to meet Yu Canglang's gaze. His eyes were calm and restrained, without the slightest trace of fear.

Even if this man's realm is higher, I am a candidate in this examination. Could he really make a move against me?

Since he looks down on me so much and nothing good comes out of his mouth, there is no need to be overly respectful.

"Do you always stare people straight in the eyes like this?"

Yu Canglang's tone remained calm, but for the first time, genuine anger seeped into his voice—unmistakable anger.

"That is not good."